At Athabasca University, you study at your own pace. That's why our courses are pay-as-you-go. You pay for each course only when you register for it, and the fees include all textbooks, course materials, and access to a tutor or success centre. All course fees must be paid in full when you register.
Assessing tuition and fees
Understanding how higher education fees and tuition are calculated is important to ensure you stay within your budget and make informed decisions when choosing, adding or dropping courses. AU academic fees are calculated differently for undergraduate and graduate students and will also vary depending on where you live while studying, course choice and other individual circumstances.
Tuition is charged by the course and is calculated on a per-credit basis. While most courses are 3 credits, course credit values range from 0 to 9 credits. Check the credit value of the course you want to take in the information box at the top of the course page. Students’ Union and Alumni Relations fees are included in undergraduate tuition fees.
For undergraduate programs, tuition is charged by the course. There are no per-semester or per-program fees for these programs—simply pay for courses as you register.
To help you see what your program may cost, we have created a list of estimated program fees based on the number of credits an undergraduate degree program requires.
Please note: this information is an estimate only. Tuition fees can increase from year to year.
AU has implemented a 10% reduction in undergraduate tuition fees for Indigenous students. This 10% discount will be applied to the tuition portion of AU undergraduate course costs for courses starting on Sept. 1, 2024, and beyond. Learn more about the tuition discount for Indigenous students
Graduate program fees vary, depending on the credential. However, all programs have an application fee, and most require an admission fee after you’re accepted into the program. Graduate tuition fees also include the Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association (AUGSA) fee.
While all programs have academic or administration fees that may or may not apply to you depending on your circumstances, some programs might also require additional program or course-related fees. You will find all additional fees on each program’s fees page.
As with our undergraduate programs, fees differ for students outside Canada. Be sure to review your program’s fee descriptions carefully to ensure you get the information that applies to you.
If you’re a student at a Western Canadian university, the Western Canadian Deans’ Agreement could apply to you. The Western Deans' Agreement provides an automatic tuition fee waiver for visiting students. Graduate students paying normally required tuition fees to their home institution will not pay tuition fees to the host institution but may be required to pay student, activity, or application fees.
Graduate course fees
Some graduate programs allow you to take a course or two as a non-program student. Tuition is charged on a per-course basis and varies from program to program. A non-program application fee may also apply. Please see the list below to see the tuition fees associated with a particular program.
Once you've chosen your program and courses, you must pay tuition fees to confirm your registration and start studying online. You must pay all fees in full when you apply and pay for each course as you register for it.
There is no specific deadline for completing most AU credentials. If time is not a concern for you, you can take classes as you can afford them. This approach may allow you to complete your education with minimal student debt. However, if achieving your personal goals requires a faster pace and greater financial commitment, financial aid options are available to support your online studies.
Do not mail original documentation after you have registered by fax.
Do not fax requests that you have already submitted using AU's online system.
Full payment must accompany application forms, regardless of the registration method used. Requests with insufficient fees can’t be processed until full payment is received.
Online payment
When you become a student or register for a course online through myAU, you can pay by debit card (Visa Debit or Mastercard Debit) or by credit card (MasterCard, Visa). Students who do not wish to pay the convenience fee and who do not bank with TD can apply for a no-fee debit VISA or Debit MasterCard from most Canadian banks.
E-transfer (requires manual submission of printable application)
When you register using printable form you can now pay by e-transfer directly to Athabasca University.
E-transfer funds to Athabasca University. This can be done by sending the e-transfer to finar@athabascau.ca with the following information in the message field:
Your unique 7-digit Athabasca University student ID number (if a current student)
Your full name (required in the event the e-transfer is coming from someone other than yourself, or if you have not yet completed your General Application Form)
Type of fee you are paying for (course fee, application fee, etc.)
Course name and number you are paying for (if applicable)
Email address and phone number (to contact you if necessary)
If you wish to pay by cheque or money order, you must submit your application or course registration by mail. Returning students, please write your student ID number on the cheque.
Course fees are refundable within 30 days of the course start date, though a withdrawal processing fee will apply. Both undergraduate and graduate application fees are non-refundable:
If you plan to attend AU and apply for government student financial aid, please start with our short informational video in the Financial Aid section of the Support Services website, which outlines the full-time funding application process.
Before applying for government student financial aid, you should do the following:
Athabasca University offers student awards to recognize achievements and financially support students in need. The eligibility criteria for these awards vary, but typically, you must complete at least 1 AU course and be enrolled in an AU program of study.
Please note that we do not provide entrance scholarships.
Scholarships
As you explore the possibilities at AU, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with scholarships available for current students. AU scholarships generally have a minimum academic achievement requirement and are available for students at all levels of study.
AU awards consider academic achievements and the ability to balance academics and other responsibilities such as family, career, volunteerism, and community involvement. These awards aim to recognize well-rounded individuals who excel in multiple areas of their lives while pursuing their education at Athabasca University.
AU also has several bursaries for students facing financial need. Bursaries are to help those students who need them most, so all bursaries require an application.
Application awards require submitting an application form and, in some cases, a reference letter. Details are within each award description.
Nomination awards focus on your demonstrated academic standing based on specific criteria. Your student record is automatically considered. An application form is not required.