Admission
As an open university, Athabasca University admits students 16 years of age or older. Students may be of any nationality and reside anywhere in the world.
Students under 16 years
Students under 16 years of age may be admitted with special consideration by petitioning the Coordinator of Enrolment Services and Academic Records. An underage student's admission application form must be accompanied by the course registration form, an up-to-date high school transcript (or equivalent), letters of support from the student's high school principal or designate, and from a parent or guardian. Permission from the Course Coordinator responsible for the course must also be obtained. An interview will be arranged with the Course Coordinator at the time the course registration form is received.
Past academic performance
While past academic performance at other post-secondary institutions does not prevent you from being admitted to AU, it may be considered if you are enrolling in a particular program (e.g., Bachelor of Nursing). If you were suspended or dismissed from another post-secondary institution for reasons of academic misconduct, you may be refused admission or enrolment at AU until the period of suspension or dismissal has elapsed.
Non-Canadian students
Athabasca University welcomes non-Canadian students.
You need a study permit if:
- you are a non-Canadian with a work permit and are living temporarily in Canada while enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing degree program.
- you are a non-Canadian student enrolled in an AU program at an institution with which the University has a collaboration agreement.
You do not need a study permit if you are a non-Canadian AU student living outside Canada.
For more detailed information, visit the International Student Guidelines page.
In the case of a dispute over an individual’s status within Canada, the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CHIC) regulations will apply.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
1.888.242.2100
Returning students
A returning student is a student who has already applied to the University, has a student ID number, and their status may be inactive. To remain an active AU student you must be registered in an AU course, or you must have completed an AU course in the last 12 months. The 12-month period is based on the most recent course contract date, course completion date, or the date of withdrawal from an AU course.
Students who complete courses on a Letter of Permission from AU also retain their active status. If you complete courses at other institutions without first obtaining a Letter of Permission from AU, you may be designated inactive and forfeit your program enrolment status and risk not receiving credit for the course.
If you are a returning student and you have never accessed the myAU portal, you will need to log into the portal using your AU Student ID number.
If you are a returning student with an active AU account, you can proceed to course registrations.
If you are a returning student with an inactive AU account, you need to reactivate your active status by selecting ‘Change Your Program’ found under the ‘Manage Your Program’ header under the ‘Student Record’ section of the myAU portal.
New students
All new AU students require a student identification number. To obtain a student ID number, you must apply for admission to AU.
Complete and submit the online Undergraduate General Application and pay the one-time, non-refundable application fee. Before you apply online, you will need to determine if you are applying as a program student or as an unclassified (non-program/visiting) student.
Updated June 13, 2024 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)