Open Studies

Admission requirements

Admission dates

This program may not have an intake every semester. See available intakes above.

Classes for this program may not start on the day term begins. Please see the specific start and end dates below or log into mySAIT to view your schedule.

Applications are accepted until the start of classes but are subject to change.

Program requirements

English proficiency is an institutional requirement at SAIT. It is a student’s responsibility to ensure that they have the necessary prerequisites for the courses they want to enroll in.

How to apply for Open Studies

Step 1: Apply to Open Studies and submit your transcripts.

Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above and you meet the prerequisites for courses.  

Step 3: Find out how to monitor your application status after you apply.

 This program meets the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program for international students as long as the student is enrolled in the on-campus delivery mode or completes more than 50% of the courses on campus (for the blended option). International students attending all classes online will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. International students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

When do classes start?

Classes for this program adhere to the following year start and end dates based on the semester the student begins their program.

Courses

To find the description for the courses shown below, please go to our course finder.

Note: To register in the following courses, students must be admitted into either the Open Studies Program or another academic program at SAIT.

*Course offerings are subject to change

View courses sorted by school and program 

Costs 2022/23

The cost tier for each course is listed alongside each course within the Courses tab.

Domestic tuition and fees*

Tier 1 cost per credit: $220
Tier 2 cost per credit: $260
Tier 3 cost per credit: $315 

International tuition and fees*

Tier 1 cost per credit: $770
Tier 2 cost per credit: $910
Tier 3 cost per credit: $1,100

*All courses will be charged ancillary fees regardless of the delivery method.

SAIT fees

Students taking less than nine (9) credits per semester will pay part-time student fees.

Students taking nine (9) or more credits will pay full-time student fees.

• Campus athletic and recreation fee:
  • Part-time student: $49/semester
  • Full-time student: $98/semester
• Student support fee: 
  • Part-time student: $50/semester
  • Full-time student: $100/semester
• Student technology fee:
  • Part-time student: $50/semester
  • Full-time student: $100/semester
• Universal transit pass (Upass)

Saitsa fees

Student Association fee

• Maximum: $145.50/semester

This is the maximum amount the student will pay. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits the students take per semester.

Health and dental fees

Domestic students taking 9 credits or more and all international students qualify for health and dental coverage. 

• Health plan: $127
• Dental plan: $135

Students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Please refer to Saitsa's website for information

Books and supplies*

Costs associated with the required books and supplies vary by course.

For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.

Learn more about tuition and financial aid.

_{*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.}

Costs 2023/24

Tuition and fees

The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023. 

See the credit amount and cost tier of each class on the courses listing.

Domestic cost per course

International cost per course

_{*To learn more about who pays which rates, visit the domestic and international fee tables.}

Fees

Your fees are calculated based on the number of course credits you take per semester (approximately 16 weeks of study). In most cases, your fee is determined based on whether you're taking more or less than nine (9) course credits (more than nine credits in a semester are considered full-time studies.)

Fees are adjusted for programs with start dates outside of the typical 15-week program.

Learn more about what your fees are for

Books and supplies*

Costs associated with the required books and supplies vary by course.

For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.

Learn more about your tuition and financial aid options

_{*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.

Orientation

Program orientation for students beginning in Winter 2023 will take place online on Thursday, Jan. 5. Look for ORNT 118 in your schedule in mySAIT for the time and exact location.*

You can also prepare by attending Big SAIT Welcome, online information sessions, international or Indigenous orientation, and completing the preparation courses below.

_{*If your orientation takes place on the first day of classes, you will not see a separate ORNT 118 in your schedule. Students registering in classes via open registration will need to enroll themselves in ORNT 118.}

How to register for classes

Course registration opens on March 1 through March 15 for Spring 2023.

You’ll receive an email from us indicating what registration process you’ll use to enroll in your classes.

Learn more about how to register and the different registration methods used at SAIT.

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, short courses are available to you to help prepare you for the academic year: 

PERS 050: Student Rights and Responsibilities

This course is designed to introduce you to student rights and responsibilities at SAIT. You will learn about SAIT's rich and diverse community, become familiar with guidelines and procedures that create a safe, respectful learning experience for you, and gain practical tips for how you can engage in the SAIT community in a positive and responsible way. PRES-050 must be completed within 30 days from the start of the semester.

PREP 100: The SAIT Experience

Get tips and insider information on time management, exam preparation, effective notetaking and more through this free, online short course for new students. Plus, learn about discussion boards, online communication and submitting assignments online. Course completion is recommended by the end of your first semester.

Both courses can be accessed through Brightspace (D2L) before the first day of classes.  

Students taking a full-time course load, or more than nine (9) credits per semester, will be automatically enrolled in these courses.

They are optional for students taking a part-time course load (9 or fewer credits per semester). Part-time students can register by emailing academic.coaching@sait.ca. 

Required textbooks

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The fall 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.

Important dates