Athabasca University

What you'll study

The General BA emphasises critical and creative thinking through study of social, political and cultural questions. You will study topics drawn from two main areas:

• Humanities: disciplines include history, languages, literatures, philosophy and religious studies.
• Social sciences: disciplines include anthropology, global studies, sociology, political studies and psychology.

The program also requires some coursework in science to round out the curriculum. The General BA is designed for breadth; students who want concentrated study should consider AU’s 3‑year BA with a concentration or a 4‑year BA with a major.

Entry requirements

There are no formal admission prerequisites for either the 3-year or 4-year BA at Athabasca University. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and may enrol at any time and begin registering for courses immediately.

Career prospects

The degree aims to develop analytical, community‑oriented and applied critical‑thinking skills applicable across many workplaces. AU notes strong graduate outcomes in employment and median earnings; however, the 3-year General BA does not grant direct access to graduate-level study.

Scholarships & funding angle

Tuition is charged per course (pay-as-you-go) and varies by course and student location; estimated program costs are provided in the AU Calendar. Athabasca University offers multiple financial-aid and award options to help students manage costs. Students with prior post-secondary study or relevant work experience may seek transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR); a minimum of 30 AU credits must be completed at Athabasca if transfer credit is applied.