Important information for visiting learners

AU accepts undergraduate applications throughout the year—if you’re interested in learning the AU way, you can start right away.

If you ultimately decide to take more than one course as a visiting learner, decide to enrol in a program to earn a degree, diploma, or certificate, or just take some more courses as a non-program student—we’ve got you covered. If you decide later on that you would like to take an AU program or additional course, you won’t have to pay another application fee. You can start registering for courses as soon as you finish your application.

To apply, simply complete the Undergraduate Application, and pay the one-time (non-refundable) application fee. You can either enrol in a program or just take courses as a non-program student.

Undergraduate individualized study courses generally start on the first day of every month. If you would like to start in a specific month, ensure you register by the 10th day of the previous month. Alternatively, you can provide a preferred start date when you register—this will be confirmed after your registration has been successfully processed.

If you wish to obtain credit for a course taken at AU to fulfill requirements at another college or university, you should request a Letter of Permission from that institution. However, letter of Permission is for your confirmation only. AU does not require a copy of it.

AU is not able to select courses for visiting students but we can give you some assistance reviewing available options.

Athabasca University students, both full-time and part-time, may qualify for financial aid. Our financial aid team can assist you in identifying loans, awards and grants, and other planning tools to put your academic goals within your reach.

We suggest using this Student Financial Aid tool to get started.

Before you can register for a course, you must become an AU learner by applying online or submitting a printable application. Once you have been admitted, you can register for individual courses or a program.

Learners in individualized study courses have up to six months to complete a three-credit course, and up to 12 months to complete a six-credit course. Those in grouped study or those receiving financial aid have shortened course contracts. It’s important to understand the finer details of finishing a course in under three months.

Nearly all exams are being offered online. You can use the online invigilation platform ProctorU, or you can have an online exam invigilated by any third-party invigilators who are already approved as part of AU’s Exam Invigilation Network. These invigilators’ services are subject to change, so learners are responsible to confirm an invigilator’s ability to supervise their exam prior to booking. 

For all online exams, you must first book your exam invigilation appointment with ProctorU or another invigilator at least 20 calendar days before you would like to write your exam. You must then login to myAU and request your exam for the same date you’ve booked with your invigilator. 

If you choose to use ProctorU, please carefully review the exam-booking instructions on the Office of the Registrar website. Then follow these steps: 

1. Set up an account through ProctorU.
2. Book exam invigilation at least 20 calendar days prior to when you’d like to write your exam.
3. Login to myAU and request your exam for the same date you’ve booked through ProctorU. Use invigilation identification number of 3278826.  

Due to Covid-19, Athabasca University exam locations are closed and only ONLINE exams are being issued. Students must confirm that an invigilation centre is open before booking an exam. Please refer to the COVID-19 questions and answers page for any updates and current steps for booking an online exam.

You can find more information about ProctorU and a FAQ page on ProctorU. You can also find tips on booking your AU exam with ProctorU here. 

AU encourages learners to use ProctorU whenever possible, but we understand this service may not be accessible to all learners and some may prefer other options. If you are unable to use ProctorU, and no other external invigilator is available, please your faculty for alternative arrangements: 

• Faculty of Business: Contact the Student Support Centre at business-support@athabascau.ca
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Contact your Course Coordinator
• Faculty of Health Disciplines: Contact your Course Coordinator
• Faculty of Science and Technology: Contact the Student Success Centre at fst_success@athabascau.c 

AU is waiving exam-rebooking fees and late-exam fees at this time.

If your AU course includes an exam, it will take approximately 2-3 weeks to complete the marking and final grade processing after the final exam is written. You can use the ‘Check Your Grades’ option in myAU to monitor your progress. Once your final grade is available in myAU, it will be added to your transcript overnight. You may then proceed to request an official transcript.

At this time, we are issuing transcripts primarily by email. Requests for Athabasca University transcripts can be made online through myAU. 

To request a transcript online, login to myAU and then select the “Request Transcripts” option under Student Record in the left-hand navigation menu. This service allows you to preview and print your transcript before it gets sent to the destination that you have specified. 

Because of the immediate nature of email submission, it is important that you preview a copy before sending. If there are any problems with the transcript, you must first contact the Office of the Registrar at acrec@athabascau.ca to resolve any concerns prior to sending.