Université Athabasca - Athabasca, Alberta

Allison H.

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.

Saijin

Not me personally, but after witnessing my significant other, taking an online course through this institution has been the most miserable experience in her life. There is zero teacher-student assistance, any questions are never answered only references to material. Zero student support. I hope people considering taking online classes see this and think twice about it. We feel ripped off and she wishes she had taken it locally for better support.

Mike B.

*EDIT: Thank you to Jocelyn, Catherine, & Donna with OReg for the prompt & helpful attention. They were the first of seven contacts total to offer some sense of understanding & action. With a three week-old, 2.5 year-old, & a full-time job to manage, acts like theirs mean a lot. *

Disappointing admissions department & Ombuds office. I received direction to pursue a pair of equivalent courses elsewhere, only to be told after completing said courses that the transfer would be ineligible because I became an "inactive student". I supposedly have to reapply to become a student. Didn't the direction to take an equivalency over two terms and my acknowledgement of doing so preserve my status? I guess it's a classic left hand & right hand ball drop.

Deanne N.

UPDATE!! …..AVOID THIS UNIVERSITY! In my opinion this University is a scam and just wants your money!

UPDATE!!
Nothing has gotten better with this University I am a week away from my completion of this semester and have yet to have any resolution to any of the issues previously stated below in my first review. Still no call back from anyone of authority who can help, although the “owner” says to reach out to the ombudsman, this has proven not helpful either as she has not responded either to any of these concerns. So I sent an email cc’ing Alex Clark (President. Alex Clark (he/him) PhD RN FCAHS) and still NO RESPONSE.

I am beyond saddened by the way this school has treated me (a student with disabilities) that I will never be attending here again and will be completing my degree at an institution that cares about the students.

Honestly as well if you are taking classes and need PDF format, DO YOUR RESEARCH AND PURCHASE THE BOOKS ELSEWHERE AS I WAS BEING CHARGED $500 A COURSE PER PDF AFTER THE FUNDS FOR THE COURSE WERE ALREADY PAID!! I also found out after that this cost should have been included in the original course fees. I have asked for this money to be returned countless times with ZERO response.

If you plan on taking courses at this university online, I suggest you do your research on instructors as well as the facility and the previous reviews from students, before you start.

I have never felt so abandoned by an institution who has taken thousands of dollars of my money in my life. I am absolutely disgusted with Athabasca and will be telling anybody who will listen to not attend this institution.

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!

I strongly advise against attending Athabasca University at all costs due to the numerous issues I have experienced during my two-year experience. The school's customer service has been subpar, and professors have been bullying. Moreover, the student financing process has been cumbersome, and departments often fail to collaborate effectively.

Accessibility services have also been unhelpful, with slow responses and lack of timely communication. Not to mention the major mistakes that were made in my accommodations and how they were revised countless times, that essentially created major problems that have come piled and snowballed into such a huge problem! The ombudsman's office has been unresponsive, leaving myself without resolution. I have had to deal with multiple issues, including paperwork delays, financial aid disputes, and inaccessible support services.

Despite my efforts to resolve these issues, I have experienced significant stress and anxiety, which has impacted my mental health and academic performance. I am compelled to file a human rights complaint due to the inadequate support provided by the university.

I urge potential students to thoroughly research Athabasca University before investing thousands of dollars, as it may lead to significant distress and disappointment.

I will be leaving After I am completed this semester.

Daniela

THEY WILL SCAM YOU AND YOU WILL PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO TEACH YOURSELF COURSES. DO NOT GO HERE.

The website exam booking tool is always down, so if you can’t book your exams you will fail your courses. Expect them to blame this on you and not give you any support or solutions. This is the worst university you could go to! There is no staff or teachers that know anything. Expect to wait at least a month for replies on basic questions and even then not find a solution to issues you encounter. No degree is worth the stress this institution will put you through. Save yourself the trouble and go to a real university that won’t scam you.

Patricia M.

30 years to get to this day
Graduated with honours in my BA from Athabasca. Added bonus?
My daughter obtained her masters the day before from Athabasca as well
So honoured to cross the stage the day after her! What a blessing!
Enjoy your day my friend 🙏🏻

Paul G.

Review from a graduate of AU: Maria Girard
This school has a great self pace online programs that allows you to take classes while having a personal life and a career. Allows you to advance in your current career without taking time away from it. I would recommend this school to anyone that is looking to do online studies at their own pace. Tutors are amazing and if you ask they may even have the time to accommodate your schedule and not the schedule according to procedures! I had an awesome experience!

Timbo J.

It's an okay option if you need flexibility to complete your degree. Too expensive for the content you get though. Would give a higher rating but they told me they shipped out my degree express post but they sent it by expedited option which is 3 business days longer. I told them I would pay for any costs associated with it but those requests were ignored. I lost out on a good job opportunity due to the lack of customer service.