Athabasca University provides learning for life. Through the achievements of its students, faculty and staff, AU stands out as a provider of high quality post-secondary education.
Athabasca University was established by Order in Council of the Government of Alberta on June 25, 1970.
Originally conceived as a traditional campus-based institution, AU changed course 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.
Education
Athabasca University is committed to excellence. The University offers 90 graduate and undergraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs, and more than 700 university courses in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, business and administrative studies, nursing, and commerce.
Research
AU is committed to excellence in research and scholarship. Through the discovery, dissemination and transfer of new knowledge and the engagement of students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, the university integrates research with creative teaching, thereby informing the curriculum and providing opportunities for highly qualified graduates to promote innovation and to participate more fully in society.
Mission critical research in the scholarship of teaching and learning in open and distance environments is the primary focus of AUs research activity; however, the university also actively supports and maintains high standards in discipline-based research.
Career
AU Counselling Services offers Career Cruising for registered students. This resource provides assessment tools, goals & career exploration activities, as well as, a résumé builder.Explore career options using these resources, which contain information on duties, working conditions, skills, education, salary, employment prospects and opportunities.
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Athabasca has allowed me to pursue a degree in Psychology, an area that has always deeply interested me. My experience is very positive considering that I had the autonomy to learn in my own pace while being supported and guided by professionals when needed. The university resources are very helpful, from Consultation to Admission office. Being an online university has its own challenges such as technical issues and Athabasca has never caused me any inconvenience with shutdowns. I was able to receive Financial Aid as this university is recognized by the government for funding. I plan on doing my Master in Couselling at Athabasca.
Posted byNat�lia Liz Guimaraes
Studied fromUnknown
Posted onAug 2026
5/5
Athabasca University
This is a good program. The self-paced nature provides a lot of flexibility for your schedule. You have to be self motivated to complete it. I would recommend this to other students, especially those who are already working and need something different than traditional education.
Posted byAnonymous
Studied fromUnknown
Posted onAug 2026
4/5
Learn at your own Pace
I had a great experience at Athabasca University. Overall, my tutors were great and most of the classwork was clear and easy to follow. One drawback of Athabasca for some people is that it is completely isolated learning, which means if you are not a self-starter and not good at motivating your own learning, you may struggle. Most of the classes are accurate and up to date, but there are a couple that could use revamping of materials etc. With this university, you get out of it what you put into it in many cases.
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Student Teacher Interaction
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Quality of Student Life
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Career Development
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N/A AU is a distance university. Students complete courses from home.
Library services
The 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.
ICT services
To develop a reliable mechanism that will provide support to ITS clients in a organized, efficient manner. To use the staff and computing resources within ITS to the best advantage for clients and ITS staff.
Campus life
Athabasca University (AU), Canada’s Open University, is a publicly funded university in the province of Alberta, Canada. AU is one of the world’s foremost and fastest growing online and distance education specialists, serving 40,000 students worldwide.
As an open university, AU 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.
AU is committed to innovation, flexibility in learning, and excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.
Student clubs
The Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU) is an independent, student-run society representing the undergraduate students of Athabasca University.
We serve nearly 40,000 members annually in home-study locations across Canada and internationally. In any given month, our membership is about 26,000 active students.
Accreditation
Athabasca University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
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