Frequently Asked Questions

PLAR refers to several methods of evaluating learning from experience, training, workshops, self-directed study, as well as other sources for which university credit may be gained. For more information and applications, please contact:

Prior Learning Assessments
Learning Accreditation, Office of the Vice President Academic
Telephone: (780) 675-6348
Email: plarinquiries@athabascau.ca

Web: https://www.athabascau.ca/prior-learning/

No. The transcript must be “official,” and must travel from Registrar to Registrar. Contact the Registrar(s) at your previous institutions and have them send the transcript directly to Athabasca University. Most institutions charge a small fee for the service.

Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.athabascau.ca/

It depends on how long it takes the originating institution to send them to Athabasca University. Normally you should plan for the process to take between 4-6 weeks.

This will vary from one student to another. AU offers maximum flexibility. If working full-time, try one or two courses and see how your schedule works out. People working full-time normally do not take more than two courses at one time. As well, you can stagger start dates. You can register to start at the beginning of any month (you have to have registered by the 10th of the month previous to your desired start date.) You have up to 6 months to complete a 3-credit course, and you can also complete any time before that.

Yes, you are free to enrol in any course you want. If you are not in the program then you are considered an “unclassified student.” You should check “How do I become an AU student?”

For additional information you can phone AU toll free from anywhere in Canada or the United States at 1-800-788-9041. If you are in the Calgary area please dial (403) 263-6465. In the Edmonton area you may dial (780) 421-8700.

Yes. It is called challenge for credit. This allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the subject matter, knowledge, and intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course. If you are interested in this option, you must contact our Office of the Registrar.

Challenge for Credit: https://www.athabascau.ca/calendar/undergraduate/admission-registration-evaluation/challenge-for-credit.html

AU offers some of the most reasonable tuition fees in Alberta and Canada. For the current fee schedule, please contact the Office of the Registrar or consult Athabasca University’s summary of undergraduate fees and financial assistance online at:

Summary of Fees: https://www.athabascau.ca/calendar/undergraduate/fees-refunds-and-financial-assistance/fee-summary.html

Yes there is. If you reside in Alberta you can apply through the Student Finance Board. If you live outside of Alberta, you apply through your provincial student financial assistance agency.

AU Financial Assistance Information is available at: https://www.athabascau.ca/calendar/undergraduate/fees-refunds-and-financial-assistance/financial-assistance.html

AU Student Financial Aid Links: https://registrar.athabascau.ca/financial/index.php

Get answers to other questions you may have: https://www.athabascau.ca/contact/askau.html