AUCC works in an advocacy role on behalf of universities throughout Canada, promoting higher education with governments and creating awareness of the contribution Canadian higher education institutions make to the country. AUCC prioritizes capital costs solutions for higher education institutions, particularly non-profit institutions, as well as research, student assistance from government bodies and international programs. AUCC seeks to put higher education on top of the public agenda and ensure that all Canadian higher education institutions are internationally competitive.
AUCC is one of the largest providers of resources for higher education subjects; all universities that are members of the AUCC have access to research materials from other Canadian universities, subject resource lists and a wealth of knowledge shared between institutions. AUCC also created the "Directory of Canadian Universities" and the "Universities Telephone Directory", a vital source for university and student communications. AUCC publishes "University Affair's" magazine, which publishes all the latest reliable information for the education sector and academic career opportunities.
AUCC administers and manages 180 scholarships along with internships, exchange programs and fellowships on behalf of private sector companies, governments and foundations. AUCC is also engaged in ongoing development with organizations such as the Canadian International Development Agency, focusing on developing the University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development Program (UPCD) which is currently linked with 100 countries world wide for research and student purposes.
AUCC members are all higher education institutions across Canada; currently, AUCC consists of 95 institutions, ranging from small liberal arts colleges to urban multi-campus universities. Members of AUCC receive (and often contribute to the making of) reliable analysis and report trends in various topics to aid university's decisions on activities, funding or course choices and a forum for collective action; meetings are held bi-annually by the AUCC board, in which issues and common concerns raised from members will be discussed and later shared with all AUCC members.