Athabasca University, [AU] Athabasca, Alberta

1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB
Estd 1970

Updated on - May 24th, 2022 | 03:03 AM By Venushree Agarwal

Overview Content

Athabasca University is a publicly funded post-secondary institution and one of four public comprehensive universities in the Province of Alberta. It operates primarily through online distance education and is dedicated to providing access to university-level education and equal opportunity to learners around the world. Distance learning has the advantage of not needing a study permit as the students can study from their home.

When was Athabasca University Established?

Athabasca University was established in the year 1970.

Where is Athabasca University?

Athabasca University is an open distance university located in the town of Athabasca, in Northern Alberta.

Athabasca University Accreditation

Athabasca is one of the first open learning universities that has received accreditation both in Canada and the United States. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Education at Athabasca University

AU courses offer more than 850 courses to 40,000 students across the world in fields such as arts, business, and administration, science, etc. It has a dedicated faculty and staff of 1,000 members. Athabasca offers open learning programs to 87 countries worldwide apart from Canada. 73 percent of the students are working along with their university studies.

Why Choose Athabasca University?

Athabasca University Canada provides open distance learning to every aspiring adult learner for life. Its quality of education is accredited to its students, faculty, and staff and their achievements. There are many reasons to choose Athabasca University, below are some reasons: 

Programs of Study

55

Number of Students

40,000

Faculty Members & Staff

1,000

Annual Operating Budget

$130 million

Collaborative agreements

350

Faculties and Departments at Athabasca University

AU offers around 850 courses and more than 55 undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of arts, science, and professional disciplines. The various bachelor, diploma, certificate, masters, and graduate diploma programs in the online learning space at Athabasca University are provided in the following areas:

  1. Arts
  2. Applied studies
  3. Business and Administrative
  4. Humanities
  5. Science 
  6. Social science
  7. Non-business and admin

Athabasca University maintains academic centers and faculties for each area of study for making students focus on their interested domains. The academic units of the Athabasca University Canada are:

Business

Health Disciplines

Science and Technology

Humanities and Social sciences

Graduate Studies

Distance Education

Learning accreditation

Research Centre

Financial Aid and Scholarships at Athabasca University

AU has an option of financial aid for the students who are not able to afford the course of their choice. The list of scholarships and financial aid that international students can avail themselves at Athabasca University is attached below:

  • Torchia Scholarship in Public Relations and Communications
  • Athabasca University Students' Union (AUSU)
  • Awards are also given to encourage the students

Student Services at Athabasca University

Open learning doesn’t mean that the students won’t need additional assistance from the university. Athabasca recognizes this need and offers various academic and financial services for its students. The services help in academics as well as in connecting with fellow students at the university. Some of the student services at Athabasca University are:

  • Library 
  • Advising services
  • Counseling services
  • Write site
  • Math site
  • Tutors and student support centers
  • Disability support centers
  • Financial aid and scholarships
  • Student’s union

University Stats

Student Population at Athabasca University

Athabasca University has more than 40,000 students. There are more than 850 courses in a range of arts, science, and professional disciplines. It employs more than 1,000 staff and faculty members and the Athabasca University acceptance rate is 75%. 

Athabasca University Rankings

Athabasca University is one of the reputedly ranked higher education institutes of Canada and is also one of the 4 public comprehensive universities in Alberta. Some of its worldwide rankings are listed below:

  • Ranked #44 on a country level basis
  • Continental Ranking #389
  • World Ranking of Athabasca University is #1424

Student-Faculty Ratio

30:1

Male-Female Ratio

64:36

International Students

-

Total Enrolment

40,722


Admission Details

How can I get into Athabasca University?

For international students, the Athabasca University application requirements and deadlines vary depending on whether they decide to study in their home country or pursue studies from within Canada. The applicants must fulfill the English proficiency requirements and submit their official transcripts. Other admission requirements for international students at Athabasca University are shown below:

Acceptance Rate

Minimum Score
TOEFL Requirements

Min. 80


Minimum Score
IELTS Requirements

Min. 6.0


Application Website


Accepts Direct Application

yes


Accepts Common Application

Yes


Total Applications

-


Average Tuition Fees

The average tuition fee varies based on the type of programs and courses chosen by the candidate. For undergraduate programs, the tuition fee is approximately $12,916 per year. For Athabasca University graduate programs, $14,429 is the average tuition fees for a year.

Degree Type Tuition Fees
Diploma -
Undergraduate $13,305
Post Graduate $32,992

Application Details

The applicants can apply online for the course of their choice on the university admissions website AU online. The application process varies for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. After completing the Athabasca University application, the candidates need to register for their desired courses. For undergraduate programs, the applications are accepted all around the year. Find below the application deadline for international applicants at Athabasca U:

Events Dates
Application Deadline
2022-02-01

Other Fees

What is the Annual Average Cost to attend Athabasca University?

Along with the Athabasca University tuition fees, the students also need to pay a one-time fee of $1,885 as a learning resource fee, $17 as a student union, and an alumni relations fee. If a candidate decides to study from their home country they will have to pay an out-of-country fee of $1,053. Courses that require the use of lab components are also charged a lab fee. Find below the average accommodation and application fee in addition to the tuition fees at Athabasca University:

Average Annual Tuition Fees
$13,305
Average Accommodation
-
Application Fees
$115

Courses Fees

The course fee for the course at Athabasca depends on various programs and the other factors like the requirement of lab etc. Some of the estimated course fees are $2,000 for Bachelor of Arts (General). For the Bachelor of Management in Marketing, it is $1837.25. For a University diploma in arts, it is $1837.25. The course fee details of some of the popular courses offered at Athabasca U are given below:

Master Courses:

Bachelor Courses:

Advanced Certificate Courses:

Master of Business Administration [M.B.A]

Course Fees: $15130 - $15144


Master of Science [M.Sc]

Course Fees: $16672


Master of Science in Nursing [M.S.N]

Course Fees: $13406


Bachelor of Science [B.Sc]

Course Fees: $12916


Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Management

Course Fees: $5130


View All Courses


Contact Information

Athabasca University Canada can be contacted at their mailing address at 1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada. The contact number is 780-675-6100. The location and other contact information of Athabasca U are given below:

Athabasca, Alberta

Location

+1-780-788-9041

Contact No

-

Toll-Free No

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