Located in Canada, Athabasca University is an open university founded in 1970 with the motive to remove barriers on access to education for adult learners around the world. It provides high-quality post-secondary education to over 40,000 students through more than 850 courses with 55 undergraduate and graduate programs. It is also one of the 4 public comprehensive universities in Alberta and is one of the reputedly ranked higher education institutes of Canada.
Over the years, the institute has entered more than 350 agreements to collaborate with other Canadian and international post-secondary institutions and employers. With a total student enrollment of over 40,000 that includes international candidates from over 87 countries around the world, the institute is undoubtedly a site of diversity and inclusion in the country.
Admission at Athabasca University is available in multiple intakes round the year and requires a nonrefundable application fee of 118 CAD. The institute observes a moderate acceptance rate and a high rate of employment which is nearly 93%. This ensures that the university not only guarantees quality education for all but also can help its candidates land some of the high-paying jobs in Canada.
Highlights
| Type of university | Public university specializing in online distance education |
| Total faculty and staff members | 1000+ |
| Courses offered | 850+ |
| Total students | 40000+ |
| Test scores accepted | IELTS, CAEL, MELAB, PTE, TOEFL PBT, TWE, TOEFL iBT |
| Marks required | IELTS- 6 CAEL- 60% MELAB- 80 PTE- 59 TOEFL PBT- 213 TWE- 4.5 TOEFL iBT- 80 with an essay score of 20 |
| Website | http://www.athabascau.ca/ |
Athabasca University Campus and Accommodation
- Athabasca University laid its foundation in 1970. Initially, AU’s main campus was located in Edmonton which was later moved to Athabasca in 1984.
- The campus is majorly online and has both rural and urban set up on campus.
- AU’s Athabasca University is the main campus operating along with others in Edmonton, Calgary, and Center for Innovative Management and AU Learning Link.
- Being an online university, the campus for distance learners is wherever they are learning from around the world.
- The institute is a non-residential campus which means there is no on-campus housing opportunity for students.
Athabasca University Courses
- There are limited classroom programs for international students at AU.
- AU is an online university offering a plethora of courses for international students including undergraduate courses and short-term visa graduate courses related to arts, science and professional studies.
- Some of the undergraduate programs offered include Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, General Studies, Health Administration, Professional Arts, Management, Science, etc.
- Some of the graduate programs offered include courses in fields like Arts, Business Administration, Education, Health Studies, Nursing, Information Systems, etc.
- They also have more than 850 courses available that can work as a pathway to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. These include Accounting, Finance, Nursing, Science, Business, etc.
- Graduate programs such as Master of Counseling and Master of Nursing are offered with study permits issued only for the duration the student is required to be in Canada.
- International students have the opportunity to study at other institutions in Canada while taking online courses from AU and transfer the credits.
Top Programs at Athabasca University
| Programs | Tuition Fees | Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration | 52,282 CAD | Fall: March 15 Winter: June 15 Spring: October 15 |
| Mater of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies | 20,449 CAD | Fall: March 1st Winter: September 1st |
| Master of Education in Open Digital and Distance Education | 20,449 CAD | Fall: March 1st Winter: September 1st |
| Master of Counselling | 27,996 CAD | Fall: February 1 |
| Master of Nursing | 19,448 CAD | Spring: November 1 Fall: March 1 Winter: July |
Athabasca University for Application Process
How to Apply?
Application Portal:
- Online application portal – ApplyAlberta
- UG applicants: Undergraduate General Application
- PG applicants: Graduate Application Form
Application Fee: 89 USD (118 CAD)
Application Deadlines
UG applicants do not have to meet any application deadlines. Classes for courses begin at the starting of each month. While deadlines for postgraduate programs can be found in the table below:
| Program | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Master of Counseling | February (each year) |
| Master of Nursing (General) | March, July and November |
| Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) | April, August and December |
Basic Admission Requirements
- Standardized test scores of SAT/ ACT are not particularly required for applying to AU.
- English proficiency test scores – International students must take English proficiency tests and send scores to the university. The minimum requirements of these test scores are:
| Exam | Minimum Requirements for Undergraduates | Minimum Requirements for Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL - IBT | 80 | 80 |
| TOEFL - PBT | - | 550 |
| TOEFL - CBT | 213 | - |
| IELTS | 6.0 | 6.0 |
Supporting Documents to be submitted with the admission application for evaluation include those which can be used for getting credits such as:
UG applicants: Official transcripts, post-secondary education records, previous diplomas, undergraduate degree credits, and foreign credentials from other institutions in the U.S. or Canada, work and life experiences.
PG applicants: Official transcripts from post-secondary institutions, resume, biography, questionnaires, and letters of reference.
Athabasca University Cost of Attendance
For all the prospective candidates of the institute seeking enrolment in the upcoming seasonal year, an estimated cost of living in Canada is as been tabulated below
| Expense | Estimated Cost for students living in Canada | Estimated Cost for students living outside Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | 1020-3060 USD (0-9 credits) | 510-1530 USD (0-9 credits) |
| Course Administration and Technology Fee | 139 USD | 139 USD |
| Course Materials Fee | 51 USD | 51 USD |
| Out of country fee | - | 1127 USD |
Scholarships/Financial Aid
The institute provides various awards and scholarships in Canada for international students. Candidates willing to avail financial aid must firstly apply for student financial assistance following which they must submit the course registration plan. The institute offers 55 scholarships to its students based on the level of study, residency, and various other factors.
The following table gives details of various scholarships, eligibility criteria and the amount awarded to international students:
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Athabasca University Institutional Leadership Scholarship | Enrolled in undergraduate or graduate program at AU; Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.60 or higher | 1000 USD |
| AU Academic Leadership Scholarship | Enrolled to an undergraduate degree program at AU; Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.60 or higher | 1500 USD |
| AU PLAR Scholarship | Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at AU; Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher; S submit an essay within 1000 words explaining the role of PLAR in their success and future goals. |
1000 USD |
| Dominique Abrioux Graduate Scholarship | Enrolled to master’s degree program at AU; Completed at least 12 credits since July 1 of the previous year; Minimum GPA of 3.6 or higher; Not be enrolled for a doctoral program |
2000 USD |
| AU Graduate Student Scholarship | Enrolled to a graduate program at AU; Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.60 or higher. | 1500 USD |
| Walker Family – Master of Counseling Scholarship | Enrolled as a full-time AU Master of Counseling student; Must be in the third year of the program; Minimum GPA of 3.8 or higher must be achieved in the program; Must be in a practicum placement. |
1000 USD |
Athabasca University Placements
The Master of Counselling program graduates have an employment rate of 93% with an average salary of 65000 USD. The graduates of the Master of Nursing program have maintained a 100% employment rate with students earning an average salary of 70000 USD.
The University provides career opportunities and career tools through Career Cruising.
- AU's MBA and Nursing program have an employment rate of 100%.
- Master of Counselling has an employment rate of 93%.
Average salary of AU graduates as per program:
| Program/Degree | Average Salary (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Master of Counselling | 65,000 |
| Master of Nursing | 70,000 |
| Bachelor of Commerce | 70,000 |
| Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting | 45,000 |
| Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management | 91,000 |
| Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing | 91,000 |
| Bachelor of Science | 72,000 |
| Bachelor of Arts | 45,000 |
Alumni Network
Alumni members are entitled to several benefits including TD Home and Auto Insurance, Manulife Life and Health, rewards with Athabasca University Master card, access to online library, career counseling services, attending AU events, staying connected with other members, reading award-winning magazines etc. Some outstanding alumni members who have been recognized by AU include: Esmail Bharwani, Shastri Ramnath, Dr. Djenana Jalovcic, Barb Tiedemann and many others.
FAQs
Ques. What is the minimum GPA required for admission in Athabasca University?
Ans. A minimum of 3.0 GPA or higher is required for admission in Master of Business Administration program.
Ques. What are the courses offered by Athabasca University?
Ans. Athabasca University offers 50 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs and 850 undergraduate and graduate online courses.
Undergraduate programs are offered in Anthropology, Commerce, Accounting, Human Resources Management, Law, Criminal Justice, English, French, Humanities, Political Science, Psychology, Women and Gender studies including some certificate courses etc.
Graduate programs are offered in Interdisciplinary Studies, Business Administration, Counselling, Nursing, Health, Information System including certificate course in Data Analytics, Information Security, Design, Architecture etc.
Ques. What is the Admission process for International Students in Athabasca University?
Ans. 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.
Graduate admission requires a minimum of 3.0 GPA in bachelor's.
Ques. What is total Enrollment in Athabasca University?
Ans. Athabasca University has a total enrollment of 40,000 students.
Ques. What is the tuition fee in Athabasca University?
Ans. Master of Business Administration has a total tuition fees of 52,282 CAD and Master of Nursing program has a total tuition fee of 19,448 CAD. Tuition fee of other graduate and undergraduate programs varies as per total credit hours.
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