Bachelor of General Studies

The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree is one of the most popular programs at Athabasca University. Unlike the other degrees offered by Athabasca University, the BGS does not have a residency requirement, and courses that make up the degree requirements may be completed at institutions other than Athabasca University.

The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) is a multidisciplinary degree program that provides a framework of individualized study within an Arts and Science or Applied Studies designation that offers you the freedom to choose courses to meet your specific goals. While 45 credits must be in your chosen focus area, you can select a wide variety of courses to design a curriculum and program outcomes that meets your specific needs.

Through your chosen program of studies, you will be supported to develop scholarly research and writing skills, learn how to integrate evidence and insights from several disciplinary areas, and achieve the learning outcomes that are meaningful for your desired education.

Because there are so many potential options, we provide help to make sure the BGS meets your career or personal needs. Our counsellors are available to assist you to define your educational, professional, and career goals. Our academic advisors are available to discuss your program plan.

Graduates from the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) program will demonstrate the ability to:

• Integrate foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes from the required humanities, sciences and social sciences courses.
• Critically examine the theoretical basis of several disciplines which comprise a particular area of interest beyond the core curriculum.
• Develop appropriate conclusions based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of data drawn from disciplinary and interdisciplinary sources, while recognizing the limits of these analytics.
• Adopt the mechanisms and processes of critical thinking consciously and systematically to integrate and synthesize diverse ideas and knowledge from multiple sources.
• Express beliefs, concepts, propositions, arguments, and conclusions that are well-informed by evidence.
• Present ideas in coherent, concise, and technically correct forms that follow rules of academic integrity.
• Evaluate the quality and relevance of evidence on the basis of its source and methods used to generate it.
• Apply knowledge and information synthesized from general and specialized studies to personal, academic, service learning, professional, and/or community activities.

Possible career options

• administrator
• advertising
• conflict mediation and resolution
• consumer advocate
• counsellor
• creative
• customer care and support
• educator
• employment services
• English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor
• human resources
• human services
• marketing
• media work
• government worker
• pastoral care
• researcher
• recreation
• retail
• sales
• settlement work
• self-employment
• support worker
• trades
• volunteer

• Completion of high school in an English-speaking country.
• Completion of 15 university credits from a recognized English-speaking university, or 1 year at a non-university post-secondary institution with an overall average of 75% (GPA of 3.0).

English is the language of instruction and communication in SCIS graduate programs.

Proficiency in English is an essential requirement for admission to SCIS graduate programs. Although working and studying online requires a different level of English language skills than does the classroom situation, students must nevertheless be able to communicate effectively with faculty, administration, and with other students.

For more information on the English Language Prociency Requirements for Graduate Studies please refer to the AU graduate calendar.

• Minimum score of 6 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• Minimum score of 60% on the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).
• Minimum score of 80 on the Michigan English Language Battery (MELAB) test.
• Minimum score of 59 on the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
• Minimum score of 213 on the computer- or paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with 4.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE).
• Minimum score of 80 with an essay score of 20 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT).
• Successful completion of AU’s English Language Proficiency Program with an overall average of 75% (GPA of 3.0).
• See the English Language Proficiency Requirements Policy for further details.

How to apply

You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

• How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Submit your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit