Athabasca University

Athabasca is a bit expensive for an online university, but for me it was worth it because it gave me the ability to work and go to school at the same time. There are some really good tutors here who offered a great experience, and like any university, there were some that weren't as great. If I were to do it again, I would still attend to get my four-year degree and I recommend it for people who don't have the time in their schedule to attend a physical university.

I completed my bachelor of management at AU and found the course work to be highly relevant, challenging, and enjoyable. The advisors were critical to my success and were kind and caring while also being thoughtful in their recommendations provided. AU allowed me to achieve my goals while still working full time and meeting family obligations. If you’re self motivated and ready to put in the effort to get a degree, give AU a try - the faculty of business was fantastic from start to finish and the ability to be involved in case competition teams which provided real world experience in business case analysis and presentation was icing on the cake.

Athabasca University has been one of the worst academic experiences of my life. There is absolutely no support from teachers, tutors, or course coordinators. You are completely on your own from day one, even in difficult subjects like calculus, where proper guidance is essential. The reality is that ChatGPT, YouTube videos, and random online resources end up teaching you more than your “instructors” ever will. Plus they exams will be out of syllabus and they will intentionally fail you!! They will keep on sending you extension emails.. totally fraudulent people!! You pay thousands of dollars in tuition, yet almost everything costs extra—exam fees, proctoring fees, course extension fees, everything. It feels like AU’s entire business model is just squeezing students for money at every possible step. Teachers take 2–3 weeks to reply to a basic email, and when they finally respond, more than half the time the message is: “I’m away,” “I’m on vacation,” or “Please check the course materials.” It is shocking how unprofessional and unresponsive they are, especially considering how much we pay for these courses. How exactly is a student supposed to learn higher-level math or science alone, with zero guidance? Why even call it a university if all learning is self-taught? The truth is: Athabasca University does not provide education. It provides PDFs and then leaves you to fend for yourself. They advertise flexibility, but what they actually give you is isolation, stress, and a complete lack of academic support. AU feels like a money-draining scam dressed up as an online university. I would never recommend it to anyone who actually wants to learn, succeed, or get real teaching support. Save your money. Pick any other school. Athabasca University is not worth the time, the money, or the frustration.

Seems like a scam. They charge you administrative fees and won't refund them even when the administration did not do their jobs and provide you with your student email or access to your course. They will also not respond to emails asking about refunds. IT and support will not respond to emails and just send out automated emails to close support tickets. If they do respond they will send the same copy and pasted emails that do not solve the issue you are having or respond with unprofessional attitudes.

University financial help told my loan provider I was no longer enrolled in a course after paying out of pocket. I was advised to prepay (on credit card in my case) and then apply for loan. I was told by financial aid to either re-apply for a loan again (not at all easy) or to keep it on my card (high interest rates). The whole point was to have almost no interest rate and work on degree over time. What a hassle.

I had a great experience with AU! It took me 7 years to complete my bachelor of nursing degree. The connivence of completing my degree at my own pace was the highlight! I would definitely recommend AU for anyone that wants to continue on with their life, while completing their degree!

I wish I could give this university a negative rating. It does not feel student-focused but rather profit-driven. I took ACCT 451 as a part-time student and plan to withdraw because of the poor system. There are no proper learning materials—just the textbook. If success depends solely on reading the book and facing the exam, there’s no point in paying tuition. Instructors seem pressured to grade harshly, forcing students to retake exams and pay additional fees. This is unfair, especially for part-time students balancing work and studies. The course description should clearly state that the only material provided is the book. Instead, students waste time and money on a system that offers no guidance or support. Overall, this was a frustrating and disappointing experience.

Just completed Convocation 2024 on campus at Athabasca University. Beautiful campus. Staff and Volunteers for the day were extremely welcoming and helpful, much like my professors and instructors during my 4+ years completing my Masters/NP program. From start to finish, my experience at Athabasca has been supportive and helpful. I would recommend Athabasca to those considering a distance/online program or course options.

I am current student , and I am so overwhelmed at this point and would like to share how worst an university experience could be at Athabasca university, its not just the support even the material provided for studies is so lacking in depth as there is no tutorials on formula derivations and the exams are so different that what they want us to anticipate. In nutshell for the sake of your bright future please never cross the paths of this university. It's a mere scam and nothing more, I see my dreams of my career falling apart , this place is sham nothing more than that, they play with your future. I don't see the part of instructors what they do as there is merely just texts provided with no cognitive explanations a student expect from school, if I have to just parse textbooks why do I need a school anybody can do anything just by buying books. What a joke !!!

My five-year journey at Athabasca University inspired me and helped me not only to become a better professional, but most importantly to become a better human being. I remember my first courses; I was terrified, as I had no online learning experience. Being an older learner with a shift work job and a young child to care for, made it challenging at times. The university, my teachers, my fellow students, and most importantly my family, helped me immensely in reaching my goal. To be a better nurse, to be a better me! Some of my tutors were exceptional, reaching far and beyond to help me attain my goal. The most important thing is that I felt like I belonged from the very beginning as my fellow students came from different backgrounds and circumstances, just like me. Learning alongside with my “new” extended family was a unique experience that I will cherish always. I can’t wait to meet my fellow students and our inspiring teachers! See you all soon!

Passing through Athabasca University is an unforgettable experience. I enjoyed every bit of my journey from the start to completion of my program. The support I received during all my clinical experience was incredible especially with the instructors and the site’s administrators. Though I had some challenges in some courses whereby I had to seek out for help with my classmates in navigating through computer use to get what was required to complete assignments, to be honest it was a bit tough when you’re still studying in your middle age 50’s 😁😁😁😁 but I thank God having the new generation dudes as my classmates that actually always there to assist. Thank you all!

I’ve had an outstanding experience with Athabasca University through both my PSYCH290 (Intro to Psychology) and COMP210 (Intro to Computers and Programming) courses. The instructors I had were absolutely incredible—supportive, understanding, and always willing to guide me whenever I needed help. Their feedback was thoughtful and constructive, and they truly cared about student success. The course material is clearly laid out, and all required software and tools were provided at no extra cost. I especially appreciated the wealth of helpful links, videos, and resources embedded throughout the content—it made learning smooth and flexible, even with my busy schedule as a working mom. What truly stood out to me was the phenomenal interaction with tutors. Responses were timely and encouraging, and I never felt lost or alone. Athabasca offers a high level of academic support and makes distance learning feel personal and manageable. If you’re considering AU, I highly recommend it. The structure, the resources, and—most of all—the people behind the scenes make it a fantastic place to learn and grow. I will continue my journey with AU 😊

**Athabasca University – Bachelor of Nursing (Post-RN) Review** As a practicing RN, I found Athabasca University’s Post-RN program an outstanding opportunity to advance my education without leaving my job. The self-paced, online format empowered me to study when it suited my schedule, and the course content directly aligned with the realities of nursing practice. **Pros:** - **Flexible, self-paced learning:** I could seamlessly balance my studies with work and life. Relevant nursing content: The curriculum focuses on essential areas such as leadership, research, and community health. - **Excellent transfer credit options:** I was able to maximize my previous education. - **Supportive tutors:** The guidance from tutors was invaluable in navigating the coursework. **Cons:** - **Limited peer interaction:** While the online format is great for flexibility, it does mean less interaction with fellow students. - **Occasional administrative delays:** There were times when support took longer than expected. - **Some stress with online proctored exams:** These exams can be a bit daunting, but they are manageable with preparation. **Overall:** I highly recommend this program for driven, self-motivated nurses eager to enhance their credentials while maintaining their careers. It's a fantastic way to invest in your future in nursing.

My journey with AU was long but fulfilling. I appreciate the tremendous support from the faculty and staff, which was exceptional, especially during challenging times. It truly takes a village for a student’s success. AU provides resources that are top-notch, accessible and flexible. If I further my education, I will be with AU again, as it never failed me from day one. I am grateful for the faculty and staff's guidance and nurturing in reaching my goal of obtaining an advanced education. Keep shining and thriving, AU!

What was your time like at AU?  I have done two degrees now, first my bachelors and now my masters! While I don’t ever go to the campus, as all of my classes were online, Athabasca took care of me every step of the way What did you enjoy most about your journey? I really loved the flexibility of the schooling, even some of the courses are self paced so I could plan out my own assignment schedule around my life. Since it’s been over a decade completing the two degrees, my life has definitely changed and Athabasca made it easy to manage schooling around all those changes!

I highly recommend Athabasca University for anyone looking to upgrade their education, especially working professionals and parents. I completed the Post LPN to RN program while on maternity leave, and continued my studies even after returning to work. The flexibility of the online courses made it possible for me to balance work, school, and caring for my two young children at home. The only in-person requirements were for the clinical and practicum, which were manageable. I was able to study at my own pace and completed the program full-time in under three years. I'm incredibly proud to be an Athabasca University alumni! This is a great option for anyone who wants to earn a degree without having to attend classes in person. Highly recommended!

My experience at Athabasca University was incredibly rewarding. It provided me with the opportunity to advance both my career and my education. I especially appreciated the flexibility of the Post LPN to RN program, which allowed me to work full-time as an LPN while completing my studies. Most of the courses were self-paced and delivered online, which required a good amount of self-motivation and time management—but that structure also gave me the freedom to learn on my own terms. Overall, AU made it possible for me to achieve my academic and professional goals without putting my career on hold.

Completed a Bachelor's in Nursing. I enjoyed the university's open online course concept as it allowed me to complete the degree at my own pace from anywhere. I had to complete the degree while working full-time because that was the only way I could afford the courses. From an affordability perspective, the dollars add up quickly, and the course completion was not cheap. Being out of province from Ontario, each course cost was upward of $ 1,000, while some practical courses cost around $ 3,000. I hope that the school finds a way to make the courses more affordable. Overall, it was a good experience.

I recently completed the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MA-IS) program at Athabasca University. This program offered the flexibility I needed to balance full-time work with graduate studies, while also allowing me to tailor my learning to align with both my professional goals and personal interests. The option to choose between cohort-based and self-paced courses was invaluable, especially during significant life events like starting and growing our family. This adaptability made it possible for me to successfully pursue a master’s degree. I’m excited to apply the knowledge and insights I’ve gained as I continue to grow in my professional journey. The MA-IS program is an excellent choice, offering a wide range of courses and focus areas to suit diverse interests and career paths.

I had a truly rewarding and enriching experience completing my Master of Health Studies at Athabasca University. The program challenged me academically, broadened my perspective on healthcare leadership and management, and allowed me to apply evidence-based practices to real-world scenarios. I valued the flexibility of online learning, the engaging discussions with peers from diverse professional backgrounds, and the support from knowledgeable faculty members who were dedicated to my success. Overall, this journey not only strengthened my professional skills but also deepened my passion for driving positive change in the healthcare sector.