Future student FAQs

Athabasca University is recognized by the Government of Alberta and reports to them through the Ministry of Advanced Education. The Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC) reviews AU’s quality assurance mechanisms and program proposals.

AU is mandated to operate as a comprehensive academic and research institution. Through Alberta’s Post-Secondary Learning Act, the government authorizes the Athabasca University Governing Council to govern the university and grant degrees. Members of Governing Council are appointed by Orders in Council of the Government of Alberta. The Government of British Columbia also recognizes AU.

In 2006, AU became the first Canadian public university to receive accreditation in the United States through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), one of six regional organizations in the U.S. that accredits universities. A group of peers from other institutions has closely examined how Athabasca University does business and found that AU meets rigorous international quality standards for higher education institutions. The peer review was conducted according to a set of criteria established by MSCHE to maintain and strengthen the quality and integrity of higher education. No other public Canadian university holds this level of foreign accreditation.

Learn more about AU’s accreditation.

Athabasca University's only formal entrance requirement for undergraduate students is that they are at least 16 years old. Follow the link for more information on the general admissions policy.

Applicants under 16 years of age may be granted admittance and enrollment in a program by petitioning the Office of the Registrar for special consideration through the Coordinator, Enrolment Services and Academic Records (enrol@athabascau.ca). The application for admission must be accompanied by a letter of support from the student's high-school principal or designate and from the parent or guardian. If the applicant is homeschooled or in instances where the parent is also the principal, evidence of academic ability must be provided (e.g., provincial achievement scores). Permission to register in a course must be obtained from the course professor or academic coordinator.

Some undergraduate and graduate programs may have additional enrolment requirements or restrictions. View our different program pages before applying to a specific program to learn about its unique requirements.

Learners wishing to take one or more courses through AU without applying to a degree program can enrol as visiting or unclassified students.

Unclassified students include those not in a program but taking courses for general interest and visiting students taking courses at Athabasca University to transfer credit to other post-secondary institutions. The same course registration regulations apply to both program and unclassified students.

Visiting students registered in a program at another institution while taking one or more program courses through AU register as unclassified. Visiting students should obtain a Letter of Permission from their home institution before registering in an AU course. Ensure that the Letter of Permission indicates that the institution will accept the AU course in your program.

More information on unclassified and visiting students can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Whether it's for personal interest, discovering if university is right for you, or earning university credits, you can take one or more courses at Athabasca University without enrolling in a program. Relevant credits can be applied towards a credential, should you choose to enrol in a program in the future.

Undergraduate courses

You can register as an unclassified student (a student not enrolled in an AU degree, diploma, or certificate program) or as a visiting student (a student taking courses at AU for transfer credit to other post-secondary institutions).

More information on admission classifications can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Graduate courses

Many graduate courses can be taken by students who are not enrolled in a program.

Complete the graduate application. For "program," select the non-program application option for the subject area that interests you.

Course start dates vary depending on the delivery mode. See the course delivery mode for more information.

Individualized study

Undergraduate individualized-study courses generally start on the first day of every month. If you would like 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 actual 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 make sure that you get the courses and start dates that you want. 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. Details can be found in the course’s syllabus.

Graduate courses

Start dates for graduate courses may be different from those of undergraduate courses. Current academic schedules can be viewed on each graduate program page. If you are 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.

As an international student, you may enrol in a program of study that leads to a university credential provided you have met the entrance requirements. Simply complete Athabasca University’s General Application Form, indicating your program of choice, and submit the one-time non-refundable application fee. You may also apply as an unclassified or non-program student.

Browse Athabasca University’s courses and programs, and register at least 1 month before your intended start date. View our fee summary for information on applicable fees.

Students studying internationally may have different timelines for processing exam requests, marking, or mail correspondence, as outlined in our service standards.

Transfer credit for non-Canadian Students

Students presenting credentials for possible transfer credit from institutions outside of Canada or the United States must obtain an evaluation of post-secondary course work from an international assessment agency. for example, the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS).

IQAS will assess each student’s international educational documents and compare them with academic credentials in Canada. Athabasca University requires a description of course work evaluation from IQAS. Students must also submit copies of all foreign transcripts to Athabasca University.

Athabasca University only accepts detailed course-by-course assessments for assessment purposes.

Visit the Calendar to find more information about foreign transcript evaluations.

More information

• Becoming an international student
• Undergraduate Calendar
• Graduate Calendar
• How do I get a student visa?
• Non-Canadian evaluations

Students taking individualized-study courses are given 6 months to complete 3 and 4-credit courses and 12 months to complete 6-credit courses. All assignments, quizzes and exams are required to be completed within the course contract time.

Students taking individualized study courses are eligible for three 2-month extensions. Learn more about course extensions at AU.

Grouped-study courses generally follow a traditional semester system. For example, courses that begin in September will end in December. Grouped-study courses are usually 13 weeks (3-credit courses) or 26 weeks (6-credit courses). Course extensions are not allowed.

Other timeframes may apply if you are a funded student. For more information, contact an advisor in the Financial Aid unit of the Office of the Registrar or contact the Information Centre.

Depending on where you are located, your course fees will vary:

• Fees for Canadian students
• Fees for non-Canadian students
• Fees for students living outside of Canada

Our online course fee calculator can help you determine your course fees before you register.

Undergraduate course fees are a combination of:

• tuition
• learning resources fees (course material fee)
• mandatory fees

These fees entitle the student to receive the course materials and support services required to complete the course during the period of active registration. They also include all textbooks and materials.

You can find more information here:

• Academic-related fee listing
• Estimated program fees
• Fee Summary

Athabasca University students, both full-time and part-time, can apply for financial assistance through their local provincial funding agency. The amount of funding varies according to need.

Financial aid advisors at Athabasca University assist students in all aspects of the student loan application and approval processes and interpret provincial regulations and AU policies.

For assistance, email our financial aid advisors at sfa@athabascau.ca.

More information on financial aid can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Other resources:

• Advanced Learning Information Service
• CanLearn
• Alberta Student Aid
• National Student Loans Service Centre

First Nation students may be eligible for additional funding, including

• Band sponsorship
• Federal sponsorship
• Freehorse Family Wellness Society(FFWS)
• Indigenous Bursary System
• Research funding

Contact Nukskahtowin for advice.

Transcripts from other institutions must be submitted for evaluation to determine if the coursework is acceptable for credit transfer. Your transcripts cannot be officially evaluated unless you are enrolled in a program at Athabasca University. Use our online transfer credit assessment tool to find out how your course credits might transfer to an AU degree.

You can request an evaluation of your previous coursework by completing the Undergraduate General Application, or Change of Program if you are already an existing AU student.

More information on evaluations and transfer credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

A 3-year degree, as a general degree or with a concentration, is a well-respected credential in Canada and the United States. While it is a highly marketable credential, it is not aimed at providing students with direct access to graduate-level studies. Often an additional year is required to achieve that academic goal.

The 4-year degree provides students with a broad, flexible education to develop, understand, and disseminate knowledge, think critically, and build on these abilities. In addition, the 4-year degree fully prepares students for most graduate programs.

Program plans for both 3-year and 4-year degrees are available through Advising Services.

For information about laddering a 3-year degree into a 4-year degree, view our Degree Conversion Policy. Browse our programs for more information about specific degrees.

Program plans

Our program plans can help you in planning for your program. Be sure to follow the program requirements for the calendar year you are enrolled in your program.

Degree Works

Students enrolled in an AU program after September 2010 have access to web-based academic advising and degree audit features through Degree Works. Access this service from the myAU student portal.

Learn more about Degree Works.

Academic advising

Our advisors can assist you in clarifying your undergraduate program requirements and help you choose the next course for your program of studies. They also provide information about university regulations and procedures and assist with interpreting your transfer credit evaluation.

Some faculties and centres offer program-specific advising to students enrolled or considering enrolling in a program. See more about program-specific advising.

Contact an advisor.

Prerequisites ensure you have the necessary background to complete a given course. You must successfully meet all course prerequisites before registering. Check the course syllabus for information on prerequisites and other requirements.

If you feel that you have completed the prerequisite at another institution, use the Prerequisite Waiver Declaration Form found on the back of the print version of the Undergraduate Course Registration Form or at the bottom of Athabasca University's online Undergraduate Course Registration page. Fill out and submit the form along with your registration.

Some courses require professor approval and other course-related prerequisites. Failure to obtain professor approval will result in the delay or refusal of your registration.

To obtain professor approval or to speak with a professor, contact the Information Centre at 1-800-788-9041.

If you feel a prerequisite should be waived for a valid reason, such as your work experience, contact the course professor before registration. If granted, the professor will provide permission to Athabasca University's Enrolment Services Unit in the Registrar's Office.

Athabasca University’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process can award you credit for prior and experiential learning and can be used toward Athabasca University degrees or university certificates. Experiential learning may have been acquired from life experience, job training, workshops, seminars, or other experiences.

PLAR-awarded credit is separate and different from receiving transfer credit for previously recognized formal learning. PLAR is a choice, not a requirement. Doing PLAR may not suit everyone’s learning style.

Visit our Centre for Learning Accreditation for more information about PLAR, including a copy of a virtual sample portfolio.

PLAR

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process designed to award you credit towards your degree, diploma, or certificate at Athabasca University by recognizing the learning you have acquired from life experience, job training, workshops, seminars, or other experience.

Learn more about PLAR.

Transfer credit

Transfer credits are credits granted for the successful completion of post-secondary course work at another recognized organization.

Use the transfer credit assessment tool to determine how your previous education could be assessed towards an AU program.

More information on evaluations and transfer credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

See more: How do I transfer credit?

Learners are not restricted to a September or January intake. Athabasca University has a year-round registration and enrolment policy for its undergraduate courses and programs. Learners can enrol in any of our university certificate, diploma, or degree programs at any time.

Athabasca University’s courses are widely accepted throughout Canada and abroad for credit transfer. We cannot advise you on which of our courses would transfer into a program at another institution. The decision to accept courses for transferability lies exclusively with the receiving institution. We strongly recommend you get a letter of permission stating that credit earned for a course taken at AU will fulfil the requirements of your program elsewhere. It is always the receiving institution that approves the transfer credit from the sending institution.

Generally, Athabasca University courses are transferable to other Canadian degree-granting institutions.

Unclassified and visiting students must request that a transcript be sent to their home institution once they have completed the course(s). A Transcript Request Form is included in your learning resources package and available on myAU.

More information on unclassified and visiting students can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Review the program regulations very carefully. It is recommended that you begin with the required courses or electives as specified within the requirements. If you do not have any previous post-secondary education, you should consider starting with junior (200-level) courses.

You may register in a course(s) while you wait for your evaluation of previous education to be completed. However, if your course duplicates the course work that you completed previously, you will receive credit for one course only. Athabasca University cannot officially approve any courses as being applicable to your program until your evaluation assessment is complete. If you register in a course and are subsequently given transfer credit for a similar course completed previously, you have the option of withdrawing from the course.

Course selection assistance may be obtained from an Athabasca University student advisor.

Athabasca University does not currently offer honours degrees.

Students are not permitted to obtain a second undergraduate degree in the same field or related field as their first undergraduate degree. The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree.

Athabasca University divides its courses into groups of related subjects:

• Arts is divided into humanities and social sciences.
• Science includes all science-related courses.
• Applied studies includes the area of business, administrative studies, and applied studies.

The area designation for each course is shown in each course description.

Discipline: Courses in a specific subject area. For example, English is a discipline in the humanities, biology in the sciences, and accounting in business and administrative studies.

A secure environment, such as a youth detention centre, psychiatric hospital, remand centre, correctional centre, prison, or penitentiary may have limited or no access to technology for the student.

Students who meet these criteria require print-based courses, assignments, and exams. To help with this, approved family members or authorized individuals and designated personnel from the institution can help with registering for courses, submitting assignments, and invigilating exams.

There are 3 programs available:

• University Diploma in Arts
• Bachelor of Arts, Sociology Concentration (3-year)
• Bachelor of General Studies (Arts and Science designation)

Students can also be an unclassified (or non-program) student, i.e., not enrolled in a specific program.

Selected courses in the following subjects are available: anthropology, art history, communication studies, criminal justice, economics, education, English, global studies, history, humanities, industrial relations, Indigenous studies, labour studies, math, nutrition, organizational behaviour, philosophy, introductory physics, political science, psychology, religious studies, sociology, Spanish, and women’s and gender studies.

Because of the technology needed to access course content, computer science, science, nursing, and most business courses are not available in a print-based format.

There are no changes to the course content. Course materials and resources are offered in a paper format rather than digital delivery. Students submit written assignments to the tutor/academic expert by using prepaid envelopes provided by Athabasca University.

Athabasca University requires a lead time of 2 months to allow time for professor approvals, tutor/academic expert arrangements, printing of course materials, and shipping.

Once approvals are granted, the student or representative needs to register for their course(s) via hardcopy forms. They cannot register online through the myAU student portal.

Yes. A searchable list of awards can be found on the Financial Aid and Awards webpage.

• General information about AU
• Course list
• Undergraduate General Application Form
• Undergraduate Course Registration Form
• Letter of Authorization Form (valid for 1 year from date of signing)
• Waiver: Release of Information Form (valid for 1 year from date of signing)
• Questionnaire for students to complete which asks about their level of access to technology
• Athabasca University Students Union (AUSU) welcome letter

Questions regarding students living in secure environments can be sent to advising@athabascau.ca.