Bachelor of Environmental Studies

The Bachelor of Environmental Studies program is scheduled to open Jan. 2, 2026.

At a glance

Credential: degree
Credits: 120
Next start: monthly

Pursue your passion for environmental sustainability with Athabasca University’s fully online Bachelor of Environmental Studies. Build ecological knowledge, interdisciplinary thinking, and real-world skills to create meaningful environmental solutions.

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About Bachelor of Environmental Studies

Welcome to the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) at Athabasca University. This flexible, interdisciplinary program helps you explore the complex relationship between people, communities, and the natural world. Designed for learners who want to make an impact, the BES blends ecological knowledge, critical thinking, social innovation, and multiple ways of knowing to prepare you for leadership in today’s environmental sectors.

Admission requirements

There are no formal admission requirements for the 4-year program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.

Program details

Overview

Whether you aim to work in government, non-profit organizations, education, sustainability, conservation, or industry, this fully online degree gives you the freedom to chart your own learning path while equipping you with tools to help build a more sustainable, just, and resilient future.

Why choose Environmental Studies at AU?

The BES program provides a strong foundation in ecological systems, sustainability, environmental governance, and community-centered solutions through a liberal arts and interdisciplinary lens. You'll explore topics such as:

Climate change, conservation, and biodiversity
Indigenous and alternative ways of knowing
Environmental justice, environmental politics, and regeneration
Leadership, sustainability transitions, and social innovation
Urban sustainability and community-based environmental action

This online program is built for flexibility. You will create a personalized learning pathway that includes online courses, applied learning opportunities, and options for prior learning assessment based on real-world experience. With support from AU faculty and peer communities, you’ll gain both breadth and depth of knowledge and complete a capstone project that puts your learning into action.

Application open and start dates

The Bachelor of Environmental Studies program is scheduled to open Jan. 2, 2026, with continuous admission offered throughout the year.

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 4 years of full-time study, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion. The program may be completed faster if transfer credit is applied toward your degree.

How to apply

You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Transfer and advanced credit

If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU degree.

If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 30 credits at AU.

Learn about transfer and advanced credit at AU

Request and send your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.

Learn more about MyCreds

Tuition and fees

Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.

Estimated program costs are available in the Calendar.

Financial aid and awards

We are dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.

Explore financial aid and awards

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
0 credit total	$938	$938	$875	$875

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$223	$223	$207	$207
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$227.50	$227.50	$211.50	$211.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
3 credit total	$953.50	$953.50	$890.50	$890.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$892	$892	$828	$828
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
4 credit total	$1,181	$1,181	$1,102	$1,102

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,338	$1,338	$1,242	$1,242
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
6 credit total	$1,636	$1,636	$1,525	$1,525

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$2,007	$2,007	$1,863	$1,863
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
9 credit total	$2,318.50	$2,318.50	$2,159.50	$2,159.50

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
0 credit total	$1,125	$1,125	$1,062	$1,062

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$223	$223	$207	$207
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$227.50	$227.50	$211.50	$211.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
3 credit total	$1,140.50	$1,140.50	$1,077.50	$1,077.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$892	$892	$828	$828
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
4 credit total	$1,368	$1,368	$1,289	$1,289

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,338	$1,338	$1,242	$1,242
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
6 credit total	$1,823	$1,823	$1,712	$1,712

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$2,007	$2,007	$1,863	$1,863
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
9 credit total	$2,505.50	$2,505.50	$2,346.50	$2,346.50

0 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
0 credit total	$1,722	$1,722	$1,659	$1,659

1 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$223	$223	$207	$207
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
Out of country fee	$261	$261	$261	$261
1 credit total	$488.50	$488.50	$472.50	$472.50

3 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
3 credit total	$1,737.50	$1,737.50	$1,674.50	$1,674.50

4 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$892	$892	$828	$828
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
4 credit total	$1,965	$1,965	$1,886	$1,886

6 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,338	$1,338	$1,242	$1,242
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
6 credit total	$2,420	$2,420	$2,309	$2,309

9 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$2,007	$2,007	$1,863	$1,863
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
9 credit total	$3,102.50	$3,102.50	$2,943.50	$2,943.50

Courses

Our program requirements can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

Program requirements

Program course plan

Calculate course fees

Courses to explore

Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.

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Career options

Environmental challenges today call for new thinkers and new approaches. With a BES from AU, you’ll be prepared for meaningful roles across government, NGOs, education, private industry, and community organizations.

Career paths include:

Sustainability specialist
Environmental compliance specialist
Policy analyst
Environmental program coordinator
Environmental planner
Education and social policy director
Environmental advisor
Community development officer
Environmental educator or activist

Resources and links

Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.

Program resources

Additional resources

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