Athabasca University: Tuition Fees, Programs, and Financial Aid

Athabasca University (AU), a public research institution in Canada, primarily provides distance learning online. Founded in 1970, it is one of four comprehensive academic and research universities in Alberta. While Athabasca University offers accessible education, understanding the tuition fees, available programs, and financial aid options is crucial for prospective students.

Athabasca University Overview

Athabasca University (AU) is located in St. Albert, Canada. AU offers bachelor and master programs in different fields of study. Athabasca University is ranked 1424th in the globe and #44 on a national scale. 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.

Tuition Fees and Costs

Understanding the costs associated with attending Athabasca University is essential for financial planning. Total cost is around $60k (Canadian). That's around $48kUSD.

Program-Specific Costs

Tuition fees can vary based on the specific program you choose.

Additional Expenses

In addition to the cost of education, it is necessary to pay attention to additional costs: accommodation, transportation, study materials, meals and personal expenses.

Read also: Athabasca University Requirements

Combined Sticker Price (Undergraduate)

The sticker price represents the total cost before any financial aid is applied. In-state students can expect a sticker price of $ annually for tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $. Additional costs for room, board, books, and personal expenses will vary based on your living arrangements and lifestyle choices.

Academic Programs Offered

Athabasca University offers a wide array of programs across various disciplines. Here's a glimpse of the study programs available:

Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts (General) (Online)
English (Major) (Online)
French (Concentration) (Online)
French (Major) (Online)
History (Concentration) (Online)
History (Major) (Online)
Women's and Gender Studies (Online)

Computer Science & IT

Computing and Information Systems (Online)
Information Systems (Online) (Taught)

Social Sciences & Management

Bachelor of Science (General) (Online)
Communication Studies (Online)
Governance, Law and Management (Online)
Indigenous Nations and Organizations (BMgmt) (Full-Time Option) (Online)
Political Science (Online)

Medicine

Bachelor of Nursing (Post-RN) (BN) (Online)
Bachelor of Nursing (Post-LPN) (BN) (Online)
Human Science (Online)

Economics & Business Management

Bachelor of Commerce (General) (Full-Time) (Online)
Bachelor of Management (General) (BMgmt) (Online)
Marketing (BMgmt) (Full-Time Option) (Online)
Business Administration (Accelerated Route) (Online) (Taught)
Business Administration (Accountants) (Accelerated Route) (Online) (Taught)
Business Administration (Health Leaders) (Online) (Taught)
Business Administration (Regular Route) (Online) (Taught)
Business Administration (Supply Chain Managers) (Accelerated Route) (Online) (Taught)
Business Administration (Accountants) (Standard Route) (Online) (Taught)
Business Administration (Hockey Management) (Online) (Taught)
Business Administration (Supply Chain Managers) (Standard Route) (Online) (Taught)

Other Programs

Accounting (Full-Time Route) (Online)
Anthropology (Online)
Applied Mathematics (Online)
Architecture (Online)
Interdisciplinary Studies (Online) (Taught)
Interdisciplinary Studies - Adult Education (Online) (Taught)
Interdisciplinary Studies - Cultural Studies (Online) (Taught)
Interdisciplinary Studies - Educational Studies (Online) (Taught)
Interdisciplinary Studies - Equity Studies (Online) (Taught)
Interdisciplinary Studies - Global Change (Online) (Taught)
Interdisciplinary Studies - Heritage and Social History (Online) (Taught)

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Athabasca University demonstrates a strong commitment to educational accessibility. Thanks to scholarships, students have the opportunity to fully or partially cover the cost of education.

Financial Aid Statistics

% of undergraduate students receiving financial aid and % benefiting from federal Pell grants for demonstrated financial need.

Grants and Scholarships

Gift aid that doesn't need to be repaid.

Work-Study Programs

Part-time employment opportunities on campus.

Student Loans

Federal and private loan options available.

Athabasca University Scholarships

The scholarships at Athabasca University can help fund your study expenses. There are currently 4 scholarships being offered to international students at the Athabasca University, all with varying requirements, benefits, and application processes.

External Awards

Students may also be eligible for prestigious external awards. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships offer comprehensive funding of CAD 50,000 per year for three years to high-achieving PhD candidates.

Research Assistantship

To help reduce financial obstacles, Athabasca University offers the Research Assistantship, a partial funding opportunity available to eligible students at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Donor-Funded Awards

The Wayne Perry Master of Education in Distance Education (MEd) Research Award is awarded annually to a student at Athabasca University. It provides recognition and support for exceptional students pursuing a Masters degree through the Centre for Distance Education at Athabasca University. You must be enrolled full-time in a master’s, doctoral, or graduate level program.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor Degree

Before applying to the university, you need to pass an exam for knowledge of the English language. The university accepts the results of IELTS or TOEFL.

Master's Degree

The academic performance of a student in an undergraduate program plays an important role in the selection of candidates. In order to enroll at AU for a master's program, you will have to confirm knowledge of the English language. You can do this by passing the exam - IELTS or TOEFL. Most graduate programs have specific intake dates.

Post-Graduation Opportunities

Staying in Canada

Canada allows university graduates to stay in the country from 1 to 3 years. To do this, you need to apply for a graduate visa, which allows you to work even without a formal offer from an employer.

Unique Program Structures and Considerations

Some programs at Athabasca University have unique structures that prospective students should be aware of.

DBA Program Considerations

Most DBA programs require a master's to get into the program. It's still a minimum of 3 years for only 21 credits which seems a bit odd. It also requires a one week on site residency every year for the first 3 years. The application fee is really high. There's a program admission fee (haven't seen one of these in ages) and it's quite a chunk of change.

Financial Aid for US Students

No financial aid for US students and there are many less expensive options for US students in the US. And by financial aid, I mean student loans. There aren't federal grants beyond a bachelor's degree which is odd since so many careers require a master's degree or doctorate.

tags: #athabasca #university #tuition #fees #programs