Graduate student orientation

Welcome to Athabasca University

At AU, your program’s faculty leads your academic learning, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) provides the tools, guidance, and support you need to navigate your graduate journey.

Here are some resources to get you started.

• A welcome message from Dr. Simon Sigue, Interim Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies.
• The Graduate Handbook covers all faculty policies, procedures, and regulations. It is your guide to success in graduate studies at AU. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with it at the beginning of your studies and consult it often.
• The AUGSA Newsletter, which is published by the Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association (AUGSA), provides student services and representation for AU graduate students through university and government relations.
• FGS News is the place to learn about AU alumni and the activities that bring the AU experience to life.
• The NearPeer platform is for staying connected with peers and university team members.

Research and writing resources for grads

Research is a key part of the graduate learning experience. We have compiled a set of research resources to support you in this part of your educational journey.

Student services

While you will not be in a classroom for your studies, you will never be alone. AU and the Faculty of Graduate Studies offer you a wealth of resources and support to help you excel. 

Graduate funding and research assistantships

Athabasca University offers many resources and funding opportunities to help students cover the costs of their education. In addition, our accredited online graduate programs make students eligible for the same national awards available to learners at other Canadian institutions.

You may be eligible for full- or part-time funding. AU’s Graduate funding page has a list of resources and links to help you access loans, awards, and grants.

You can explore opportunities for GRA positions at AU through the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ listings. In addition, AU researchers frequently hire research assistants to support ongoing academic projects, and current openings are posted on our opportunities page.

Graduate professional development 

FGS provides a range of graduate professional development opportunities (self-paced micro-courses, webinars, workshops, conferences, etc.) to complement your learning journey throughout the academic year.