School of Arts and Humanities

About

Dean's Welcome

Welcome everyone to the School of Arts & Humanities here at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia.

What makes for a great school such as ours?

First and foremost it is the people – students, graduates, academic and professional staff, and partners in industry and community – who are at the heart of what we do. The School of Arts and Humanities is one of the largest schools of its kind, with over 5000 students both in Western Australia and, online, all around the world. They learn with over 300 staff, dedicated to providing all who study here a great student experience, conducting research to find answers to the challenging problems which confront us in the world today, and helping the communities with whom we work to make real improvements beyond the campus.

Arts and Humanities is a multi-disciplinary school, with many key subject areas: Creative Arts, Criminology, Design, Literature and Writing, Media & Communications, Psychology, applied Social Sciences, and Social Work and Counselling. At our undergraduate level we offer over 40 courses or major disciplines. We have an extensive array of professional career-oriented postgraduate offerings. Our courses are accredited with many professional bodies and lead directly to great employment opportunities. Built on these disciplines we also offer research degrees that allow students to create new knowledge in their fields, deepen their learning and become part of the vitally important research work, whether in universities or elsewhere, by which we change the world for the better.

This mix of people, and study and research expertise, is brought together by a shared commitment, across all that we do, to understand, support, and give opportunities for human development and creative achievement, within the social and economic contexts of our lives. Whether inquiring into human cognition or improving mental health, or understanding how to reduce social disadvantage, or freeing the mind to experience the joy of creativity, or telling the stories through words and images that reflect on our human lives, Arts and Humanities is all about you, us, and our world.

Collectively, the arts and humanities ask the question “how can we be better humans and live in a better world?”

Come and join our great school and discover the answers.

World-class facilities

ECU has made a major commitment to the arts through investment in multimillion dollar Arts and Humanities facilities. The re-housing of the design, photography and media studios, and new broadcasting studios, along with the refurbishment of the visual art and fashion areas, provides world-class facilities for staff, students and researchers. And in 2025 the school moves to the brilliant new ECU City Campus with its world-leading creative and educational spaces. View our facilities.

A smooth transition

The school delivers programs that offer exciting professional and vocational opportunities, and more importantly, the ability to engage at a deeper level through lifelong learning, in subjects that make a significant long-term contribution to our national and cultural identity. Our course structures are designed to encourage both focused and inter-disciplinary pathways of study, and are supported by internationally-recognised academic and support staff. Find out more about our courses.

Linking graduates with industry

Through our close links with industry professionals we ensure our courses and teaching is always relevant and up-to-date. Our students have been highly successful, both nationally and internationally, in gaining recognition through awards, competitions and employment in a rapidly growing and increasingly competitive market. Find out more about our community programs and our graduate and creativity exhibitions.