Two students walk down a hall in conversation, in a window lined room beside them a student is reading in a shared study space.

Open Studies

Open Studies is a unique, flexible and customizable program that allows you to take courses that help you work toward your career goals. You have the flexibility to take courses on a full-time or part-time basis.
Next Start date:
Certificate
1 Year
Accepting International Students
 Full-Time Part-Time Online On Campus
How to Apply

Wide Open Possibilities

Tailor your course selection and explore different options to help you find the program that is right for you. Fit your studies around your multiple interests or focus on one discipline area that interests you the most.

Open Studies allows you to begin your studies on a full- or part-time basis.

Purposes of Open Studies

  1. Design a program of studies to suit your interests and needs. Open Studies is not tied to any one career, so you can take courses which appeal to you if you have the proper prerequisites. Please note that some courses are program-specific and may not be available to Open Studies students.

  2. Complete admission requirements to certificate, diploma or university programs.

  3. If you require a high school equivalency math course from the Academic Upgrading program as part of your Open Studies program and have been out of high school math for more than one year, you will be required to take a math placement test prior to registering for the Academic Upgrading math course. 

Student Life

Related Careers

This course allows you the ability to start pursuing a career/program while upgrading, or, taking a variety of courses to find the right program that meets your career goals. 

indigenous instructor with student

Meet the Faculty

At Red Deer Polytechnic we are proud of our faculty members and staff who are experts in their disciplines and subject areas. 

Domestic Intakes

Spring 2025 - Open
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Fall 2025 - Open
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Winter 2026 - Open
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International Intakes

Spring 2025 - Closed
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Fall 2025 - Open
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Winter 2026 - Open
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Note 

  • International students must pay their tuition deposit to receive their letters of acceptance
  • Important dates may change 

Admission Requirements

If you have completed your high school education outside of Alberta, please refer to our International Course Equivalencies page for information on how your coursework may align with our admission requirements. 

Qualified applicants who meet all minimum requirements will be offered admission on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Academic Requirements  

Students applying to Open Studies must have a minimum of 50% in:

  • ELA 30-1 (ENGL 095), or equivalent 

OR 

  • ELA 30-2 (ENGL 090), or equivalent (60% or higher is recommended)

Additional Requirements

English Language Proficiency

Applicants who declare English as first language are exempt from ELP requirements. Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) for admission to credit programs by providing official documentation to the Office of the Registrar at international.admissions@rdpolytech.ca or by regular mail, after an online application has been submitted. All ELP tests must have been obtained within two years of the date their program starts. ELP requirements are in addition to the other admission requirements noted above.  

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Prior Learning and Transfer

Students presenting courses from other recognized post-secondary institutions may be granted transfer credit towards Open Studies, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning and Transfer Credit page to learn more.   

Program Cost

Domestic Students
Tuition
$5,249.00

These costs are an estimate of tuition based on the recommended course load per year, additional fees apply. 

Domestic Program Cost Estimates 

International Students
Tuition
$18,324.00

These costs are an estimate of tuition based on the recommended course load per year, additional fees apply. 

International Program Cost Estimates 

Program Content

View our course guide for additional program and course information. 

View Course Guide

Purposes of Open Studies

  1. You may design a program of studies to suit your interests and needs. Open Studies is not tied to any one career, so you can take courses which appeal to you if you have the proper prerequisites. Please note that some courses are program specific and may not be available to Open Studies students. 

  2. If you do not meet admission requirements to certificate, diploma or university programs, you may complete those requirements and then apply to these programs. 

  3. If you require a high school equivalency math course from the Academic Upgrading program as part of your Open Studies program and have been out of high school math for more than one year, you will be required to take a math placement test prior to registering for the Academic Upgrading math course. 

Continuing and Professional Education

Further your career by advancing your existing skills through flexible courses, micro-credentials and programs. 

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