Established in 1970, Athabasca University (AU) has a long history of being a leader and innovator in distributed learning, Athabasca University diploma. Today, AU is one of the world’s fastest growing digital education institutions, serving over 40,000 students worldwide. AU offers over 900 courses at the undergraduate, graduate, diploma and diploma program level in addition to online professional development. Disciplines include arts, business, health, education, and science.
To remove barriers for students, AU offers continuous enrolment; most courses start the first of every month and anyone 16 years or older, regardless of previous educational experience, can take AU courses. Textbooks, e-texts, and internet-based courseware are provided, along with academic support – whether it is from a tutor or one of the student support centres. Although students may be studying independently, at AU, they are not left on their own.
On average, undergraduates are 27 years old and graduate students are 35 years old, replace Canada diploma. Nearly three-quarters of students work while they study and nearly two-thirds of graduates are the first in their family to graduate from university. Students can study from anywhere, anytime, and over 12 percent of students live in rural, remote, or isolated areas. Studying online does require discipline, but it is perfect for those who are looking for a flexible, open pathway for their educational journey.
