Athabasca University (AU)

Athabasca University (abbreviated as AU) is an academic institution that has been active in Canada since 1970.

Athabasca University (AU) — a public university in Canada, founded in 1970 and specializing in distance online education. The head office is located in the city of Athabasca, province of Alberta.

The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, as well as certificates and diplomas entirely in online format. Studies are built on the principle of self-paced learning: enrollment is open year-round, and students from around the world can study from any location without coming to campus.

The primary teaching method is individual self-paced study. Courses begin on the 1st of each month and are offered year-round; students are given 6 months to complete a 0–4 credit course and 12 months for a 6-credit course, with no strict deadline for completing the entire program.

Each student is assigned a personal advisor, and coursework is conducted online through the myAU portal and the Brightspace platform. Students may be enrolled in a maximum of 6 courses at a time.

A cohort-based format with shared deadlines is also available, and academic advisors help students plan their program and select courses.

Study at Athabasca University is organized around four faculties:

• Business,
• Health Disciplines,
• Humanities and Social Sciences,
• Science and Technology.

The institution offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, as well as certificate and diploma courses, such as the University Diploma in Arts.

• AU — one of the pioneers of distance higher education in Canada, operating since 1970,
• Most programs have no completion deadline — you can study at your own pace,
• Courses start every month, and payment is made as you register for courses,
• Students who have completed at least 30 credits in English and 30 in French receive a special bilingualism notation on their diploma.

Each year, the university traditionally takes the highest positions in the Canadian national ranking, as well as the best places in the TOP of the best universities at the global level.

Enrollment and registration for courses is open year-round: individual study courses begin on the 1st of each month, and registration must be completed by the 10th of the previous month. Tuition is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis — payment is made for each course at registration and includes study materials and tutor support.

A one-time non-refundable application registration fee is charged separately. Additional categories of expenses may also apply:

• Document evaluation and credit transfer fee,
• Course extension fee,
• Laboratory fees,
• Study materials fee,
• Fees for sitting exams at accredited centers.

Admission is conducted entirely online and is open year-round:

• Completing the online application and paying a one-time registration fee,
• Choosing a program or registering as a student without a program,
• Receiving a student identification number and access to the myAU portal,
• Course registration: the application and payment must be submitted by the 10th of the month preceding the course start date,
• Receiving study materials and being assigned a mentor by the course start date.

Admission to Athabasca University is maximally accessible:

• To enroll in a bachelor's program, you must be at least 16 years old. There are no other mandatory requirements, although individual programs may require preliminary preparation,
• For most master's programs, a bachelor's degree is required; for doctoral programs — a master's degree,
• International students must meet the program's entry requirements, complete an online application, and pay a one-time registration fee. Documents from foreign universities are evaluated through the IQAS agency,
• To obtain a diploma, you must confirm written English skills: ENGL 255 course or equivalent with a grade of no lower than B-.

Smapse specialists will guide you through all stages of the admission process.

The university offers a variety of financial support:

• Awards, scholarships, and financial assistance for academic achievement and based on need criteria,
• Student loans and government financial aid,
• Research funding and grants, research assistant positions,
• 10% discount on tuition fees for Indigenous students,
• Western Deans' Agreement — tuition fee waiver for visiting graduate students from western Canadian universities.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision