Future student information

Choosing the right university is a big decision. We're here to give you the important information you need before applying to Athabasca University.

Whether you're seeking flexibility, high-quality education, or personalized support, AU offers a range of programs and services to meet your needs. We have you covered, from admissions requirements to program options, financial aid, and student resources.

What are the admission requirements at Athabasca University?

To attend Athabasca University as an undergraduate student, you must be 16 or older. No other admission conditions apply, but some programs require previous education to register. For most graduate programs, you must have an undergraduate degree to apply. Doctorate programs require a master’s degree.

Learn more about AU admission requirements

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Are there any key dates or application deadlines I should know?

You can apply to become an AU undergraduate student at any time! Admission, program enrolment, and course registration for undergraduate studies are open year-round. For graduate studies, application schedules differ from program to program.

Apply to AU

Learn more about applying for financial support

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When will my courses start?

Undergraduate courses

Undergraduate individualized-study courses generally start on the first day of every month. If you want to start a course in a specific month, your registration must be received and processed by the 10th day of the previous month. For example, if you would like your course to start on June 1, your registration must be successfully processed by May 10.

When you register for a course, you can provide a preferred start date. Your course start date will be confirmed after your course registration has been successfully processed. Whether or not you receive your preferred start date will depend on when your registration is received.

Register as early as possible to ensure you get your desired courses and start dates. You can register for a course up to 3 months in advance. Check the course availability before you register to ensure that your course is open and available for registration (some courses may have restrictions).

Grouped study

Undergraduate grouped-study courses follow study schedules and timelines associated with traditional university semesters.

For example, students who begin a course in September will finish it in December. The official start and end dates match regular semesters. You can find details in the course syllabus.

Learn more about AU's grouped study

Graduate courses

Start dates for graduate courses may be different from those of undergraduate courses. You can view current academic schedules on each graduate program page. If you are already enrolled in a graduate program at Athabasca University, please contact your faculty or centre or the Faculty of Graduate Studies for assistance with start dates.

Learn more about AU's graduate courses

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How do I get financial aid?

If you're considering attending Athabasca University on a student loan, there are important details you should know. Our financial aid self-help questionnaire is helpful for understanding the necessary information.

Financial aid self-help questionnaire

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What supports are available once I'm an AU student?

As an AU student, you can access various support services tailored to your needs. From academic advising to mental health and wellness resources, accessibility services, and dedicated support for Indigenous and international students, we are here to assist you at every step.

See resources for AU students