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All classes in this program will be delivered online for the Spring and Summer 2021 terms due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated health and safety guidelines.
Learn more
Overview
In the Open Studies program, students choose from a wide range of credit courses to explore their interests and aptitudes, enabling better-informed program and career choices as they develop strong study skills and earn post-secondary credits.
It offers students the flexibility to design their studies around multidisciplinary interests or focus their studies in one discipline area that interests them most. This program builds a well-rounded foundation for further education at SAIT with readily transferable courses.
The lesser of 50% of the credits within the credential being sought or a maximum of 30 credits can be applied from the Open Studies program to a future credential at SAIT.
Is this program the right fit for me?
To be successful in this program, you should:
- invest your energy into your coursework and attend all your classes in a timely fashion. Students who attend all of their classes do better on assignments and tests
- access free SAIT student services such as tutoring, learning strategy workshops, appointments with a learning strategist and student counselling services
- review course listings and prepare for courses you are taking.
English language proficiency
Open Studies students are more likely to be successful if they have an English language proficiency level that is appropriate for the courses in which they are enrolled.
Most require a proficiency level equivalent to at least a Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) score of 8 in all categories, or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band score of 6 in all categories.
Program outcomes
- Academic readiness: apply strategies to learn effectively, balance personal life, work and academics and manage stress/anxiety while navigating a large organization/system.
- Self-exploration: identify personal interests, strengths, skills and abilities to inform career choice.
- Career exploration and planning: explore various career options through a career planning process.
- Foundational skills: develop the foundational skills - such as math, communications and technological literacy - required for a wide variety of careers.
- Technical knowledge, skills and abilities: develop specialized, technical skills specific to a discipline or industry.
Credentials
No credential is awarded in Open Studies. Credits obtained in this program may be applied towards credentialed programs at SAIT.
Career opportunities
Complete Open Studies courses in order to get a head start on your education, to reduce course load once in a credentialed program or to determine which career path best suits you.
You may also take courses for general interest or for personal or professional development.
Cost per course*
1.5 credit course: $315 - $450
3.0 credit course: $630 - $900
1.5 credit course (International): $1,103 - $1,575
3.0 credit course (International): $2,205 - $3,150
All courses will be charged ancillary fees regardless of the delivery method.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change
Costs
Tuition and financial aid
Requirements
English proficiency is an institutional requirement at SAIT. It is a student’s responsibility to ensure that they have the necessary pre-requisites for the courses they want to enroll in.
Space is limited, so apply early!
When can you apply?
- Applications for spring, summer and fall 2021 open Oct. 7, 2020, until the program start date but are subject to change.
- Applications for winter 2022 open March 31, 2021, until the program start date.
- Applications for spring 2022 opened on June 14, 2021.
| Term | Program start |
|---|---|
| Spring 2021 | May 10, 2021 |
| Summer 2021 | July 5, 2021 |
| Fall 2021 | Sept. 7, 2021 |
| Winter 2022 | Jan. 10, 2022 |
Why choose SAIT?
SAIT will focus on your future. Begin in Open Studies and explore curriculum from programs in our eight academic schools — business, construction, energy, health and public safety, hospitality and tourism, information and communications technologies, manufacturing and automation and transportation.
Admission Requirements
Admission and selection
- Spring, summer or fall 2021 start: applications open Oct. 7, 2020.
- Winter 2022 start: applications open March 31, 2021.
- Spring 2022 start: applications opened on June 14, 2022.
Admission requirements
English Proficiency is an institutional requirement at SAIT. It is a student’s responsibility to ensure that they have the necessary pre-requisites for the courses they want to enroll in.
How to apply for Open Studies
Step 1: Apply to Open Studies and submit your transcripts and/or anticipated final grades.
Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above and you meet the pre-requisites for courses.
Step 3: Find out how to monitor your application status after you apply.
Courses
Note: To register in the following courses, students must be admitted into either the Open Studies Program or in another main academic program at SAIT.
To find the description for the courses shown below, please go to our course finder.
All courses
| Course code | Course name | Pre-requisites | Credits | Cost tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCT-215 | Introductory Financial Accounting I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| ANPH-209 | Anatomy and Physiology | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| ANPH-220 | Anatomy and Applied Terminology | None | 3.0 | 3 |
| BCMP-225 | Business Productivity Tools and Technology | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| BFIN-255 | Personal Financial Planning | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| BIOL-2220 | Organisms and their Relationships | None | 3.0 | 2 |
| BLAW-300 | Business Law | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| BMAT-230 | Business Mathematics | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| COMM-209 | Business Communications | None | 1.5 | 3 |
| COMM-238 | Technical Communications I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| COMM-256 | Professional Communications and Presentation Skills | None | 3.0 | 2 |
| COMM-288 | Technical Communications II | COMM-238 | 3.0 | 1 |
| COMM-3310 | Presentations | COMN-220 OR COMM-1070 | 3.0 | 2 |
| COMM-352 | Communicating in the Workplace | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| COMM-405 | Industrial Communications | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| COMM-415 | Professional Communications | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| COMN-220 | Communication and Presentation Skills | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| COMN-280 | Communication and Presentation Skills II | COMN-220 | 3.0 | 1 |
| COMP-213 | Computing for Engineering Technology | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| COMP-220 | Computer Fundamentals | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| COMP-261 | Applied Digital Technologies | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| COMP-264 | Introduction to Digital Productivity Applications | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| COMP-267 | Introduction to Digital Productivity Applications and Web Design | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| DYNA-265 | Dynamics | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| ECON-250 | Microeconomics | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| ECON-305 | Macroeconomics | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| ENGL-205 | Grammar and Proofreading | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| ENGL-3370 | Comparative World Literature | COMN-220 OR COMM-1070 | 3.0 | 2 |
| ENVS-2010 | Environmental Science for Sustainability | None | 3.0 | 2 |
| HILA-200 | Health Information Law I | None | 1.5 | 3 |
| INFC-215 | Infection Prevention and Control | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| LEGA-205 | Keyboard Skill Building | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| LEGL-200 | Introduction to Law | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| LEGL-210 | Corporate Law | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| LEGL-260 | Litigation Law I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| LEGL-270 | Real Estate Law I | LEGA-205 and LEGL-200 | 3.0 | 1 |
| LIBR-200 | Introduction to Libraries | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| MATH-1011 | Technical Mathematics I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| MATH-206 | Mathematics for Printers I | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| MATH-237 | Mathematics for Technologists | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| MATH-238 | Math for Engineering & Tech I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| MATH-262 | Technical Mathematics I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| MATH-280 | Calculus for Technologists | Math-237 | 3.0 | 1 |
| MATH-288 | Mathematics for Engineering & Technology II | MATH-238 | 3.0 | 1 |
| MEDL-354 | Medical Laboratory Technology Quality Management | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| MEDT-211 | Medical Terminology I | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| MEDT-250 | Medical Terminology II | ANPH-209 and MEDT-211 OR ANPH-220 | 1.5 | 1 |
| MGMT-244 | Fundamentals of Information and Records Management | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| MKTG-260 | Marketing Essentials | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| MKTG-275 | Marketing You | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| MNGT-200 | Introduction to Business | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| MNGT-250 | Organizational Behaviour | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| MNGT-255 | Introduction to Management | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| PATH-242 | Pathophysiology I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| PATH-252 | Pathophysiology II | PATH-242 and ONE of ANPH-209 OR ANPH-220 | 3.0 | 1 |
| PHIL-241 | Critical Thinking | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| PHIL-3010 | Ethics | None | 3.0 | 2 |
| PHYS-235 | Engineering Physics | None | 1.5 | 1 |
| PREP-200 | Academic Preparation and Career Exploration | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| PROF-201 | Professional Practice I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| PROF-240 | Healthcare Professionalism | None | 1.5 | 3 |
| SCIE-2230 | Science of Health and Wellness | None | 3.0 | 2 |
| SCIE-2240 | Science of Past Present Future | None | 3.0 | 2 |
| SCMT-255 | Introduction to Supply Chain Management | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| SOCI-3060 | Technology and Society | None | 3.0 | 2 |
| SOCI-3340 | Society and the Workplace | None | 3.0 | 2 |
| SOCI-3380 | Conformity and Deviance in the Workplace | None | 3.0 | 2 |
| STAT-245 | Statistics for Engineering and Technology I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| STAT-270 | Quantitative Methods | None | 3.0 | 1 |
| STAT-3110 | Statistics for Science and Engineering | MATH-1110 OR MATH-1111 | 3.0 | 1 |
| STAT-4010 | Research Methods | None | 3.0 | 2 |
| STCS-255 | Engineering Statics | None | 1.5 | 1 |
General courses
| Course code | Course name | Pre-requisites | Credits | Cost tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL-205 | Grammar and Proofreading | ENGL 30-1 | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| ENGL-3370 | Comparative World Literature | Either COMN 220 or COMM 1070 | 3.0 | 2 |
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Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| PHIL-241 | Critical Thinking | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s):
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| PHIL-3010 | Ethics | None | 3.0 | 2 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| PREP-200 | Academic Preparation and Career Exploration | ENGL 30-1 | 3.0 | 1 |
| This course is a career exploration and academic preparation course, designed for students who feel the need to explore their options before committing to a longer-term program. | ||||
Business and communications courses
| Course code | Course name | Pre-requisites | Credits | Cost tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCT-215 | Introductory Financial Accounting I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
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| BCMP-225 | Business Productivity Tools & Technology | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
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| BFIN-255 | Personal Financial Planning | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
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| BLAW-300 | Business Law | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
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| COMM-209 | Business Communications | ENGL 30-1 | 1.5 | 3 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
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| COMM-238 | Technical Communications I | ENGL 30-1 | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s):
|
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| COMM-256 | Professional Communications and Presentation Skills | ENGL 30-1 | 3.0 | 2 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s):
|
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| COMM-288 | Technical Communications II | COMM 238 | 3.0 | 1 |
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Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| COMM-352 | Communicating in the Workplace | None | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| COMM-405 | Industrial Communications | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| COMM-415 | Professional Communications | None | 1.5 | 1 |
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Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| COMM-3310 | Presentations | Either COMN 220 OR COMM 1070 | 3 | 2 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| COMN-220 | Communication and Presentation Skills | ENGL 30-1 | 3.0 | 1 |
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Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| COMN-280 | Communication and Presentation Skills II | COMN 220 | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| ECON-250 | Microeconomics | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| ECON-305 | Macroeconomics | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| LEGA-205 | Keyboard Skill Building | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| LEGA-200 | Introduction to Law | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| LEGA-210 | Corporate Law | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| LEGA-260 | Litigation Law I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| LEGA-270 | Real Estate Law I | LEGA-205 and LEGL-200 | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| MKTG-260 | Marketing Essentials | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| MKTG-275 | Marketing You | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| MNGT-200 | Introduction to Business | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| MNGT-250 | Organizational Behaviour | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| MNGT-255 | Introduction to Management | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| SCMT-255 | Introduction to Supply Chain Management | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT programs(s): |
||||
| SOCI-3060 | Technology and Society | None | 3.0 | 2 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| SOCI-3340 | Society and the Workplace | None | 3.0 | 2 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| SOCI-3380 | Conformity and Deviance in the Workplace | None | 3.0 | 2 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
Math and science courses
| Course code | Course name | Pre-requisites | Credits | Cost tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL-2220 | Organisms and their Relationships | None | 3.0 | 2 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| BMAT-230 | Business Mathematics | MATH 20-1, 30-2 or better | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| DYNA-265 | Dynamics | None | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| ENVS-2010 | Environmental Science for Sustainability | None | 3.0 | 2 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| MATH-206 | Math for Printers I | None | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| MATH-237 | Mathematics for Technologists | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| MATH-238 | Math for Engineering & Tech l | MATH 30-1 | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s):
|
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| MATH-262 | Technical Mathematics I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| MATH-280 | Calculus for Technologists | MATH-237 | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| MATH-288 | Mathematics for Engineering & Technology ll | MATH 238 | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| MATH-1011 | Technical Mathematics l | MATH 20-1 | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| PHYS-235 | Engineering Physics | MATH 30-1 | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| SCIE-2240 | Science Past Present Future | MATH 20-1 and any Science 20 level course | 3.0 | 2 |
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Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| SCIE-2230 | Science of Health and Wellness | None | 3.0 | 2 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| STAT-245 | Statistics for Engineering and Technology I | MATH 30-1 or MATH 30-2 | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| STAT-270 | Quantitative Methods | MATH 30-1 or MATH 30-2 | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| STAT-3110 | Statistics for Science and Engineering | MATH-1110 or MATH-1111 |
3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| STAT-4010 | Research Methodologies | None | 3.0 | 2 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| STCS-255 | Engineering Statics | PHYS 20 | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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Technology and information courses
| Course code | Course name | Pre-requisites | Credits | Cost tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMP-213 | Computing for Engineering Technology | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| COMP-220 | Computer Fundamentals | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| COMP-261 | Applied Digital Technologies | None | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| COMP-264 | Introduction to Digital Productivity Applications | None | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| COMP-267 | Introduction to Digital Productivity Applications and Web Design | None | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| LIBR-200 | Introduction to Libraries | None | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| MGMT-244 | Fundamentals of Information and Records Management | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
Health and medical courses
| Course code | Course name | Pre-requisites | Credits | Cost tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANPH-209 | Anatomy & Physiology | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| ANPH-220 | Anatomy and Applied Terminology | None | 3.0 | 3 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| HILA-200 | Health Information Law I | None | 1.5 | 3 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| INFC-215 | Infection Prevention & Control | None | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| MEDT-211 | Medical Terminology I | None | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| MEDT-250 | Medical Terminology II | ANPH 220 or MEDT 211 and ANPH 209 | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
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| MEDL-354 | Medical Laboratory Technology Quality Management | None | 1.5 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| PATH-242 | Pathophysiology I | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s):
|
||||
| PATH-252 | Pathophysiology II | ANPH 220 and PATH 242 |
3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| PROF-201 | Professional Practice 1 | None | 3.0 | 1 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
| PROF-240 | Healthcare Professionalism | None | 1.5 | 3 |
|
Included in the following SAIT program(s): |
||||
Costs
The following costs are based on a single 1.5 or 3.0 credit course. Additional fees including health and dental are assessed based on the course delivery and the number of courses taken at a time.
The cost tier for each course is listed alongside each course within the Courses tab.
2021/22 domestic cost per course
| Course credits | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | $315 | $375 | $450 |
| 3.0 | $630 | $750 | $900 |
2021/22 international cost per course
| Course credits | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | $1,103 | $1,313 | $1,575 |
| 3.0 | $2,205 | $2,625 | $3,150 |
SAIT Fees
The following fees are based on a two-semester full course load structure. Fees for part-time programs will be assessed based on the number of courses taken within a semester.
Campus athletic and recreation Fee: $183.20
Universal transit pass (UPass): $310 - check eligibility
Student support fee: $150
Student technology fee: $150
SAIT Students' Association (SAITSA) fee: $287.77
Health and Dental Fees
Domestic Students
- Health Plan: $122
- Dental Plan: $130
- For students with existing health and/or dental plans, please refer to the Saitsa website for information on opting out.
International Students
- Health and Dental Plan: $252
- For more information on Health and Dental Benefits for International students please contact the International Centre.
Books and supplies*
- Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.
- For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a device that meets the hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Find out about tuition and financial aid.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Next steps for incoming students
Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.
Spring and Summer 2021
Delivery
All classes in this program will be delivered online for the Spring and Summer 2021 terms due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated health and safety guidelines.
How to register for classes
You'll follow an open registration process to enrol in your classes. Learn how to register on our registration and schedules page.
Computers and laptops
This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Preparation courses
To support your success, SAIT offers some short courses before classes start, including PREP 100: The SAIT Experience and PERS 050: Student Online Orientation to SAIT.
Required textbooks
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The spring and summer booklists will be available closer to the program start date.
Can't find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they're still refining course details or if you're in luck, no textbook is required this term.
Contact
Phone: 403.284.8923
Email: open.studies@sait.ca
Academic chair
Sandie Cheney, Academic Chair
Email: sandie.cheney@sait.ca
Next steps for all students
Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!
Next steps for accepted students
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.