Athabasca University: Programs and Admission Requirements

Athabasca University (AU), established in 1970, stands as a pioneering Canadian public university primarily dedicated to online distance education. As one of Alberta's four comprehensive academic and research universities, AU serves over 40,000 students globally, supported by over 1,000 faculty and staff members. AU is recognized by the Government of Alberta and reports to them through the Ministry of Advanced Education. The university's commitment to innovation, flexibility, and excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship is reflected in its mission statement.

A Brief History and Mandate

Athabasca University's origins trace back to the rise and development of the University of Alberta. In 1967, the Manning government announced its intention to establish a fourth public university. Athabasca University was created by the Alberta government in 1970 as part of an expansion of higher education to cope with rising enrolment at the time. In 1970, Grant MacEwan, then the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, established AU by an Order in Council. The initial mandate for Athabasca University dictated that AU be primarily undergraduate in scope.

Initially conceived as a traditional campus-based institution, AU shifted its focus in 1972 through a pilot project to test the concept of an open, distance university. The first AU course, World Ecology, was offered in 1973, and AU's first Convocation, for two graduates, was held in 1977.

Programs Offered

AU offers over 850 courses in more than 55 undergraduate and graduate programs across a range of arts, science, and professional disciplines. These programs are primarily delivered through online distance education. Athabasca University also facilitates distance education.

Some of the programs offered include:

Read also: AU Tuition and Programs

Bachelor in Commerce
Bachelor in Arts
Bachelor of Science in Human Science
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Bachelor in Science
Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics
Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems
Bachelor in Human Resources and Labour Relations
Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing
Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management

In addition to delivering courses and programs primarily through online distance education, Athabasca University has a Centre for Distance Education (CDE). Since 2019, the CDE has existed in name only, and its staff and programs are now part of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (FHSS). The former CDE, led by a core faculty and supported by additional sessional instructors, offered graduate-level courses and programs that taught other educators how to develop, design and deliver online education. The CDE was home to North America's first online Doctor of Education in Distance Education, and it also offered a Master of Education in Distance Education and post-baccalaureate certificates and diplomas in distance education technology, instructional design, and technology-based learning.

Collaborative Programs

Canadian Virtual University (CVU) is an innovative partnership of Canada's leading English and French universities. Students can select from among 2,000 courses in the CVU catalogue and apply them to programs at any partner university. Athabasca University is a founding partner in CVU.

AU's partnerships with various institutions and organizations provide a multitude of learning options for students. Approximately twenty of these alliances are international (Japan, China, England, Jamaica, Mexico, Malaysia, Trinidad, South Africa, and Taiwan).

Admission Requirements

Athabasca University strives to eliminate barriers that prevent people from pursuing university studies. By providing access to flexible online and distance learning, AU helps people continue their studies regardless of where they live, their educational backgrounds, and their career or family obligations.

Undergraduate Admission

Undergraduate admission is year-round, and anyone 16 years of age or older is eligible for admission, regardless of previous educational experience, with or without a high school diploma. A few programs and courses may have academic or geographic restrictions). There are no formal admission requirements for either the 3-year or the 4-year program. All you need is to be 16 or older.

Enrolment requirements dictate that students who hold a previous degree must enrol in a Bachelor of Arts (4-year) program and follow the second undergraduate degree requirements.

Graduate Admission

The admission requirements for graduate programs is typically a baccalaureate degree from a recognized postsecondary institution. Additional requirements vary between programs; students should consult the calendar or Web site for information. Most graduate programs have specific intake dates.

A minimum of 3.50 GPA or higher is required for admission in Master of Business Administration program.

International Students

International students should have a minimum of 16 years of age for admission in undergraduate programs. They also require high school or previous academic transcripts. A minimum of 6.0 IELTS is required for taking admission in this university.

Transfer Credits

It’s not uncommon to transfer US university credits to a Canadian university. Usually, you need to get a letter of permission from your Canadian university to be able to transfer credits from another Canadian university. Outgoing Letter of Permission. One thing that could be done is after 90 credits at an American university, you could apply for a Bachelor of General Studies at Athabasca University. You would have to note the specific requirements for Arts and Sciences or Applied Studies designation. Also note that 45 credits must be 300 or 400 level courses.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Tuition and Fees

It is important to note that textbooks, course materials, and fees are included in the tuition fee. The cost for undergraduate 3-credit registration is Can$541 (in province), Can$596 (out of province), and Can$791 (international); for 6-credit registration, Can$930 (provincial), Can$985 (out of province), and Can$1180 (international). Graduate program fees vary by program, so students should consult the calendar or visit the Web site for graduate fee information.

For international students, the average first-year tuition cost to study in Canada is as follows:

Undergraduate: CAD 12,000 - CAD 30,000 (INR 7,19,814 - INR 17,99,537)
Postgraduate: CAD 18,000 - CAD 20,000 (INR 9,54,000 - INR 12,00,017)
MBA: CAD 28,000 - CAD 57,000 (INR 16,80,153 - 34,20,312)

Additional Expenses for International Students

Average On-Campus Accommodation Fees in Canada: CAD 250- CAD 625 per month (INR 14,538 - INR 36,345)
Average Off-Campus Accommodation Fees in Canada: CAD 750 - CAD 2,200 per month (INR 43,614 - INR 1,27,937)
Food Expenses: CAD 407 - CAD 816 per month (INR 23,668 - INR 47,453)

Financial Aid

Financial assistance is available to full-and part-time students from Alberta Students Finance or the financial aid agency where a student resides. The amount varies according to need. In-province students obtain a financial aid package from Athabasca University. Out-of-province students should contact the financial aid agency in their locale. All students are automatically considered for academic awards and scholarships without application unless specified otherwise.

Modes of Course Delivery

The majority of Athabasca University's courses are taught through online distance education, but some courses or components of courses are taught in-person, face to face.

Individual study: Students are provided with the textbooks, computer software, and video material required. A preset recommended schedule comes with each course. Each course has a professor, as with any university course. This person publishes a series of learning activities, readings and assessments. The final exam is administered at Athabasca's learning centres or a partner university, college or accredited individual. Students have up to six months to finish their course, unless they have received a student loan, in which case, they have up to four months. Courses start at the beginning of each month.
Collaborative, online: Courses in the graduate programs are paced, usually beginning three times a year.
Grouped study: Offered primarily to students physically in Alberta, this method allows students to get together with other students in the same course, and study in a manner similar to that of a regular university. Students studying in this method have up to four months to complete their course.

English Proficiency Exams

English Proficiency Exams to Study in Canada

IELTS: 5.5 - 7.0
TOEFL iBT: 80 - 100
PTE: 60 - 75
Duolingo English Test: 90 - 115 and higher

Admission Tests

Admission Tests to Study in Canada

GMAT: 550 - 690
GRE: 305 - 315+
MCAT: A minimum of 125 in each section
LSAT: 155 - 162
SAT: 1100 - 1400

Student Life and Services

Athabasca University provides its students with a fully-equipped library. It is a unique studying environment where hard cover books and online materials blend together in order to create the appropriate learning sorrounding.

Service departments, including the Information Centre, Academic Centres, Learning Centres, Office of the Registrar, Course Materials, Computing Services, and Library Services offer service, information, and advice. Some students can apply for a Prior Learning Assessment, which evaluates nonformal university-level learning for credit toward a credential.

Part-Time Work for International Students

Part-Time Job Rules for International Students in Canada You can work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic terms/semesters. To make up these hours, you can perform multiple jobs as long as they all match the requirements of your study permit. You can work full-time if you're on a scheduled break throughout the school year, such as the winter and summer holidays or a fall or spring reading week.

Types of Part-Time Jobs in Canada There are two ways international students can get part-time jobs in Canada. They can either look for on-campus jobs or off-campus jobs.

Holders of a Canadian Study Permit who meet the requirements have been allowed to work on or off-campus without the need for a separate work permit for up to 20 hours per week.

Students must note that:

They need to pursue a course for a minimum duration of 8 months to be eligible to stay back in Canada.
Courses with a duration of fewer than 8 months do not allow a student to stay back and apply for Post Graduation Work Permit.
If students pursue a course with a duration of less than 2 years, they are eligible for a post-graduation work permit of equivalent duration as the course.

Application Costs for Student Visas

Here are the different application costs for different types of student visas that an international student requires to study in Canada:

Student Permit: CAD 154
Canada Student Dependent Visa: CAD 500
Post Graduate Work Permit: CAD 261
Work Permit: CAD 199

Notable Alumni and Faculty

There are many individuals who are associated with Athabasca University, including faculty, notable alumni, staff and former university presidents. It includes Carrie Anton (Paralympic athlete), Frank Appleby (Alberta MLA), Brent Gauvreau (Hockey Player), Ralph Klein (Former Premier of Alberta), and Mark Lubosch (Former Winnipeg City Counselor).

Accreditation

Athabasca University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

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