Athabasca University

Athabasca University is one of North America’s first online universities. More than 35,000 students are enrolled at the school, which offers more than 1,000 courses at the undergraduate, graduate, diploma and certificate levels. Disciplines include arts, business, health, education, science and more. AU offers an open and continuous enrolment model, which means anyone 16 years or older can register for most undergraduate first-year courses, regardless of previous education, and most courses start on the first of every month. Courses are offered online and students can study from anywhere around the world; 12 per cent of students live in rural or remote areas. The university’s expertise in distance learning was an asset during the pandemic, and AU supported other universities transitioning to online learning. Although most students never set foot in tiny Athabasca, some science courses require students to complete labs in Athabasca, Edmonton or Calgary. “At Athabasca University, we have the courage to be different from other universities. We seek to improve the lives of learners and communities through our teaching, research, and impact, from local to global, in place and in digital space to make the world better and more equitable,” says president Alex Clark. The university is home to Canada’s only UNESCO Chair in Open Educational Resources, as well as four Canada Research Chairs. A partnership with Amazon Web Services has helped to modernize AU’s infrastructure and expanded the development of technology-based programs and research, including the launch of IDEA Lab, a cloud-based virtual research domain for faculty and students.

Campus buzz: Students can securely connect with other Athabasca learners through Nearpeer, a free networking platform and dedicated space for AU students.

Quick facts

Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$8,595 ($10,465 out-of-province students) 

Minimum Entering Grades
No grade specification; undergraduate students are not required to have a high school diploma

Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time and part-time: 30,794
Graduates: Full-time and part-time: 4,238
International students: Part time: 2,032 | First year: 11.2% | Graduate: 1.7%

Housing Facts
Residence: Not offered

Standout programs

Commerce: This bachelor program offers a range of specialties, including finance, marketing and Indigenous business. Students build skills using artificial intelligence and simulated projects.

Arts: Students develop critical and creative thinking through a range of majors include anthropology, psychology, political economy and labour studies.

Architecture: Offered in partnership with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, this program features six areas of study and a focus on environmental and community sustainability.