Athabasca University
School info
2.6
Overall Quality
Reputation
2.9
Food
2.3
Clubs
2.1
Facilities
2.4
Internet
3.1
Location
3.4
Opportunities
2.7
Safety
3.9
Social
2.1
Happiness
2.9
Basic Information
Location
- Athabasca, AB
Institution Overview
- Public/Private: Public university specializing in online distance education
- Established: 1970
- Founder: Grant MacEwan, Preston Manning, Alberta government
Academic information
Degree Courses
- Over 850 courses
- but the exact number of degree courses is not specified. However
- here are some specific degree programs mentioned: - 7 undergraduate degrees - Various graduate degree programs
- including master's and doctoral degrees
Key Area
- Computational Sustainability
- Education Data Science and Analytics
- Space Weather
- Health Outcomes and Diabetes Management
- Cultural and Community Studies
Student and Staff Numbers
- Students: 40,630
- Undergraduates: 35,520
- Postgraduates: 5,110
- Academic Staff: Over 400 faculty and professional staff members
Notable Alumni
- Ralph Klein
- Deidra Dionne
- Ryan O'Marra
- Sandra Keith
- Paul Boutilier
10 FAQs about this University from
Reddit
Students talk about this school
Good reviews
Overall 5
I was so scared to go to Athabasca based on the reviews but I was able to block transfer my diploma and then only take 10 courses to finish a 3-year degree. Yes, you do have to teach yourself the content; but that's an online school. If you put in some energy you can finish classes quick and get good grades. Was great for what I needed it for!
Overall 5
Excellent choice for online learning! I extremely enjoyed all my courses and highly recommend AU to all who do well with independent learning.
Overall 5
Best school ever!
Overall 5
The best school ever!
Overall 4.6
This isn't a regular school, obviously. But if you are willing to put in the work, are reasonably intelligent, and have attended traditional post-secondary before, Athabasca is a great school. I think people who are inexperienced and need a lot of hand-holding end up hating the experience.
Overall 4.5
I did an undergraduate here and even did courses while I was deployed internationally with the military. If you are expecting the same as face to face classes, you will not be happy. If you are a self-disciplined person who can work well independently you will thrive. You work from anywhere with an internet connection. Exams are proctored remotely.
Overall 4.5
The negative reviews have left me confused. I think if you are expecting a “regular” university, you will be disappointed. However, signing up knowing that my courses would all be online and self directed, I have had no surprises. If you tend to be someone who learns best with face to face interaction, then this isn’t the school for you.
Overall 4.5
Amazing school, amazing experience. Loved it. Finished an entire degree at AU and I was only disappointed with two courses (COMP272 - AVOID!) else, perfect. Lots of work is required in order to obtain good grades and to graduate, but worth it.
Overall 4.3
Excellent school. You need to be self-disciplined and work hard. You get out what you put in!
Overall 4.2
This university suits self-disciplined students who thrive in online, independent study. Critics who struggle with online learning might unfairly compare it to traditional education. I agree that the administration is hands-off, and Moodle system is somewhat chaotic, but overall, my experience has been very positive.
Bad reviews
Overall 0.9
My experience with Athabasca was awful. I had to take a beginner science course to supplement my degree, and it felt like Athabasca wanted me to fail. There were no notes on any of my assignments, questions went unanswered, there were hidden fees that cost me hundreds of dollars. There is absolutely no reason for this course to be this difficult.
Overall 0.9
Poorly designed courses that require you to essentially memorize entire text books. Study guides are full of errors and do not focus your learning. I would recommend taking online courses at other institutions. Most offer them now and they are far superior to Athabasca. I am looking at an MBA next and I would not consider this school.
Overall 1
It is difficult for me to comment on topics such as food, safety being a distance student. To sum up my experience, these courses are overpriced and professors in the Sociology department are subpar. They provide minimal to no feedback on assignments and exams. I wouldn't recommend this university.
Overall 1
DO NOT STUDY AT ATHABASCA U
Summary:
Horrible Customer Service (emails & phones)
Horrible Technical Service (outdated website, issues accessing content)
Horrible Academics (no lectures, textbook is unreadable, homework is unorganized)
Horrible Financial Management (hidden $ charges, problems purchasing courses, problems refunding courses)
Overall 1
DON'T DO IT. Their distance education may seem great. I took a few science courses and I had the worst experience of my post-secondary career. You have a 'tutor' if you can even call them that. Essentially you're supposed to send them questions and they give you feedback.. if you can even call it that. I got cookie cutter responses that didn't help
Overall 1
Worst online "school" ever! I have taken many online courses and these are the worst! Essentially the entire current course I'm taking is me reading the insanely dry textbook and answering 30 questions per chapter. Then I have to study those questions and write a final. You call that teaching? What about online lectures? Get with the times!
Overall 1
Terrible!
Overall 1.1
Horrible courses, tutors. Avoid if possible.
Overall 1.1
Avoid it if all possible. Horrible tutorss, instructors.
Overall 1.2
They cost twice as much for an eighth of the service of any real school. You pay $1000+ dollars to rent an e-textbook and write some quizzes. They give you a "tutor" who is just bad email IT support if their site breaks on you. Then, they force you to pay for exam services twice for a single exam. The highest cost for least value you can get. 0/10