Athabasca University (AU), Canada’s Online University, is one of the world’s foremost and fastest-growing online and open education institutions, serving more than 43,000 learners across 87 countries. AU is the fifth largest university in Canada and one of four Comprehensive Academic and Research Universities in Alberta. AU offers online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs alongside online courses for personal and professional development.
To remove barriers, AU offers an open enrolment model so that anyone 16 years or older can register for most first-year undergraduate courses regardless of previous education. AU also offers continuous enrolment—most courses start the first of every month. Students can study from anywhere, with 12 per cent of students living in rural, remote, or isolated areas. Learners are provided with e-texts and access to academic support—whether it is from a tutor or one of the student support centres. Although learners may be studying independently, they are not left on their own.
On average, undergraduates are 28 years old and graduate learners are 34 years old. Nearly three-quarters of learners work while they study and nearly two-thirds of graduates are the first in their family to graduate from university. Studying online does require discipline, but it is perfect for those who are looking for a flexible, open pathway for their educational journey.
Committed to advancing research, AU is home to Canada’s only UNESCO Chair in Open Education, four Canada Research Chairs, and two Campus Alberta Innovates Program Chairs.
STUDENT ENROLMENT
Part-time (undergraduates) 40,486
Part-time (graduates) 4,854
Source: Athabasca University (Part-time only) (Total enrolment includes students enrolled in non-credit or continuing education programs) (2020 preliminary fall enrolment)
TUITION FEES
CANADIAN STUDENTS
Undergraduate tuition fees: $5,100 - $7,190
Source: Athabasca University. Fees for undergraduate programs are in arts and humanities. Fees for graduate programs are in education. (2020-21)
Note: In addition to tuition fees, universities generally charge fees for goods and services supplied to students. This includes areas such as student associations, sports and health. These additional fees vary widely per university and per student and can run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Check with the university for details.
Bachelor's/First professional degree
3 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
3 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
3 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
3 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
3 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
3 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
3 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Bachelor's/First professional degree
4 year
English
No
Yes
Undergraduate level certificate/diploma
English
No
Yes
Undergraduate level certificate/diploma
English
No
Yes
Undergraduate level certificate/diploma
English
No
Yes
Undergraduate level certificate/diploma
English
No
Yes
Undergraduate level certificate/diploma
English
No
Yes
Undergraduate level certificate/diploma
English
No
Yes
Undergraduate level certificate/diploma
English
No
Yes
Undergraduate level certificate/diploma
English
No
Yes
Master's degree
Focus areas: Adult Education; Canada; the North; and the Globe; Cultural Studies; Educational Studies; Work; Organizations and Leadership; Global Change; Community Studies; Heritage and Social History; Equity Studies; Literary Studies; Writing and New Media.
English
No
Yes
Master's degree
Specialization: Counselling Psychology.
English
No
Yes
Master's degree
English
No
Yes
Master's degree
English
No
Yes
Undergraduate level certificate/diploma
1-2 years.
English
No
Yes
1 University Dr, Athabasca,
AB T9S 3A3, Canada