Athabasca University, Canada’s Open University, is dedicated to the removal of barriers that restrict access to and success in university-level study and to increasing equality of educational opportunity for adult learners worldwide. As an AU distance education student, you can work from anywhere, such as your home or workplace work at your own pace, on a schedule that suits your individual needs register for a single course or enrol in an undergraduate or graduate degree, diploma or certificate program. The university offers more than 750 courses in a wide range of subjects. The fees of courses in this university depend on on where you are located.
Course Delivery
Most AU courses are delivered at a distance as individualized study and grouped study.
Individualized Study Online
|
Grouped Study Online
| |
Self-paced
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Yes
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No
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Courses start
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1st of the month
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May, September & January*
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Courses located
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Anywhere
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Anywhere
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Courses online
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Yes
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Yes
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Course length**
3 credit |
6 months
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13 weeks
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Course length**
6 credit |
12 months
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26 weeks
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Course materials package
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Print and online
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Print and online
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Instruction delivery
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Tutor
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Instructor
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Assignments
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Internet
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Internet
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Exams at invigilated location
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Yes
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Yes
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Support
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All services, e.g. Library, Help Desk, Information Centre, Advisors, Counsellors,
Access for Students with Disabilities
| |
* Start dates depend on the institution and/or course
** Course length differs for funded students
Study as an Individual
Study on your own, at your own pace, using the course materials provided and support from your tutor. Students will be assigned a tutor and given a recommended study schedule. You determine the actual timing of assignments and exams within the course contract period.
During grouped study courses, you meet as a group in a classroom or online and you are taught by an instructor. Your instructor may use a variety of media to reach students unable to physically attend the classroom. For example, teleconferencing or videoconferencing courses allow students in one community to interact with an instructor and class in another community.
Student Support
-AU employs a broad spectrum of distance learning methods and relies on a variety of information technologies to deliver course materials and instruction to students. These include the use of multi-media, online activities, print materials, web, e-mail, Internet, CD-Rom, computer software, audio/video conferencing, audio/video tapes and TV or radio. Any particular course might use a combination of delivery methods. If you register for an online course, you will need access to a computer with an Internet connection.
-Individualized Study
Most AU courses are offered as individualized study courses. As a student in an individualized study course, you will receive a learning resource package in the mail or online and work independently, with support and instruction from your tutor. You will work according to your own schedule, within the six (three-credit course) to 12 (six-credit course) month period allowed to complete the course.
-Grouped Study
Some AU courses are also offered as grouped study courses (A small number are available only through grouped study). As a student in a grouped study course, you would be one of a group of students simultaneously receiving instruction from an instructor, as you would in a conventional university setting. Grouped study courses are taught online or in classrooms at collaborating institutions across Canada and abroad and follow a traditional semester system, lasting 13 (three-credit course) or 26 (six-credit course) weeks.
-As an AU student, you will benefit from an extensive network of student services including access to one-on-one support from faculty members, academic advisors, counsellors, tutors, help-desk personnel and other support staff who will, together, provide you with information, advice, and service.
- A range of individualized accommodations and support services are available to students with physical, sensory, psychological or learning disabilities.
-AU also offers nearly 200 scholarships, leadership awards and bursaries. Awards are available to both graduate and undergraduate students on the basis of academic achievement or financial need. All students are automatically considered for many of the academic scholarships; others are available by application. AU is also committed to facilitating student research and supports students in their research activities through an endowment for scholarships and funding for special research projects. Also the university provide student portal. Students use it to access, register for and manage your courses, update your contact information, modify your student record, access student services, grades, forms, and important announcements.
