Founded in 1970 Athabasca University is a prestigious university in Canada. The University offers more than 55 undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines ranging from Arts, Business, Technology to Nursing and much more. More than 850 courses are available for students without enrolling to undergraduate and graduate programs.
The University has an enrollment of around 40,000 students with 7,800 full-time students making it one of the best universities in Canada. Students from every Canadian province and territory and 87 countries around the world enroll at the university.
To apply, students must take note of the following:
- Athabasca University does not have a fixed application timeline.
- Most programs start every month and applicants can apply by the 10th of the previous month.
- Students have the option of setting an advance start date for programs up to 5 months.
- The application requirements, deadlines and process for international students depend upon whether they wish to study online in their home country or in Canada.
- International students who plan to attend on-campus programs at Athabasca University must apply in advance to allow time for visa processing.
- There are no significant requirements for applying to undergraduate programs except that the age of the applicant must be at least 16 years.
COVID-19 Admission Updates
- Athabasca University is conducting classes online.
- The University has not cancelled any of their online courses. Enrollment process and admissions are going on smoothly.
- All safety measures are taken care of during the enrollment process.
- None of the facilities at the university will be operational for the time being.
Highlights
| Application Portal | UG: ApplyAlberta PG: Online Application |
| Application Fee | 115 CAD |
| Mode of Payment | Credit card/ Debit card |
| Academic Calendar | Semester-based |
| Intake Season | Varies from program to program |
| Work Experience | Required for some programs |
| Financial Aid | Scholarships, grants, loans |
Athabasca University Admission Deadlines
Students who wish to enrol in online distance learning courses should make sure that they enrol for the course by the 10th of every month to start online distance learning courses from the first day of the next month. There are no fixed application deadlines for undergraduate programs. Students can apply any time during the year.
Note: Student’s financial aid application deadline is February 28, 2023 for students who are starting their course on May 1.
Athabasca University International Admissions
Athabasca University accepts international applicants from all around the world. The application process for international and domestic applicants is alike. Nonetheless, international applicants are required to meet some additional requirements.
Application Portal: Students may apply online through ApplyAlberta system
Application Fee: 115 CAD
Basic Admission Requirements: International applicants must satisfy the following requirements for admission to Athabasca University:
- A completed online application
- Applicants must be at least 16 years old.
- Statement of Purpose for Canada
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions must be sent directly to AU or uploaded via the ApplyAlberta system.
- English language proficiency test scores
- LOR for Canada
- Copy of passport
- Certificate of Finance and bank statement
- Work experience for graduate programs
English Language Proficiency Requirements
International applicants are required to submit one of the following test scores and meet admission requirements to demonstrate English proficiency. The minimum required scores by the university are:
| Test | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 |
| TOEFL (Computer-based) | 213 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) | 80 |
| PTE | 59 |
| MELAB | 80 |
| CAEL | 60% |
Additional information for international student
- If an applicant has completed their education in an institution from outside Canada or the United States then such applicant must get their credential assessed by an international assessment agency. Assessment of credentials must be done by the IQAS agency.
- It is advisable to check the programme specific requirement. There are some courses which may ask for some additional documents.
- The minimum requirement for applying to any course is that the applicant must be 16 year or more.
- There are also some programmes which will require you to give an interview.
- Athabasca University also provides English language courses for students who want to meet the English requirement for the course or for their job. In the said programme they make sure to cover all the areas for overall development of the student.
Visa Process for International Students
International applicants who wish to study at Athabasca University by attending physical classes must apply for a study permit for the duration of the program. Study permits are issued by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Students who wish to enroll for online programs should simply follow the university application process as they do not require a visa.
Aspirants will be required to submit the following documents while applying for a student visa for Canada:
- Valid Passport
- Proof of Health Insurance
- Proof of Acceptance
- Letter of Explanation to the officer explaining goals and aspirations to study in Canada.
- Other relevant financial documents as mentioned by the immigration authorities of Canada
- All international applicants also need to provide evidence of sufficient financial funds to cover all expenses for at least one calendar year before a visa will be issued.
If required students can schedule an interview with the nearest Canadian Embassy once their application is complete.
Athabasca University Undergraduate Admissions
Athabasca University offers a distinct number of online undergraduate programs under the field of Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Applied Social Sciences, Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Law, Medicine, and Management. Students can apply to any undergraduate programs regardless of previous education.
Where to Apply: Students may apply online through the ApplyAlberta system
Application Fee: 115 CAD plus evaluation fee 113 CAD
Admission Requirements: According to the university there are no formal requirements with regards to admission documents for enrolling. However, you need to be older than 16 years of age to be eligible for all undergraduate programs.
Athabasca University Graduate Admissions
Athabasca University offers master’s degrees, certificates and doctoral programs in Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Management, and Applied Social Sciences to students from all over the country and all around the world.
Where to Apply: Graduate Application Portal
Application Fee: 150 CAD
Admission Requirements:
The following table depicts the admission requirements for some graduate programs offered at the university:
| Requirements | Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Adult Education | Master of Business Administration | Master of Counselling Education | Master of Science in Information System | Master of Health Nursing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transcripts | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Academic Qualifications | Completed bachelor's degree in relevant field | Completed bachelor’s degree in relevant field | 4-year bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems or related field. | 4-year bachelor's degree in health related field |
| Academic Writing Assessment (AWA) | Required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Professional CV/Resume | Not required | Required | Not required | Required | Required |
| Work Experience | Not required | Required, at least 3 years of managerial work experience | Not required | Experience of work using IT knowledge | Experience in healthcare field |
| Admission Interview | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
International students planning to attend Athabasca University must be aware that for students on a study permit, the university has limited offerings. Master of Counselling, Master of Nursing - Nurse practitioner, post-baccalaureate diploma in counselling, university certificate and post-baccalaureate diploma in Heritage Resources Management are the only programs open for students on a study permit.
FAQs
Ques. Is my application fees refundable?
Ans. No, application fees are non-refundable.
Ques. Which English proficiency test is accepted by Athabasca University?
Ans. Athabasca University accepts IELTS, PTE, TOEFL computer/paper base, TOEFL internet based exams as proof of English proficiency.
Ques. Is credentials assessment available in Athabasca University?
Ans. Yes, universities can do assessment of students' credentials. However it is not available for international students.
Ques. How long does it take to do assessment of credentials by the university?
Ans. It takes at least 4 weeks to assess after submission of the document but it may also take 12 weeks depending on the document.
Ques. If I am opting for an online course do I have to get a study permit from Canada?
Ans. No, study permit is not required as the education is in online mode and comes under distance education.
Ques. How can I pay my application/ course fees to the university?
Ans. Applicants have many options like credit card, cheque or in cash. You can pay such an amount through online mode/ mail/ fax/ in person. Note if you are paying fees in cash then it should be done in person. Do not mail cash.
Ques. Is there any financial support available to international students?
Ans. Yes, there is financial support available for international students like scholarships, grants and loans.
Ques. Does Athabasca University provide English language programme?
Ans. Yes, Athabasca University provides a certificate course for English language which is mainly for students who want to take education in English or for employees who want to work in English speaking country.
Ques. What is the minimum grade required for satisfying the requirement of a course in English language programme?
Ans. Minimum B grade is required to be considered as successful progress. For meeting requirements of course 75% or 3.0 GPA is required in the programme.
Ques. What is the deadline for applying to student financial aid, if I am starting my course in May?
Ans. If you are starting your application in May then the deadline for applying for financial aid is February 28, 2023.
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