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Get to know VIU. As a teaching university and a research university, we offer a unique experience to students.

About VIU Why VIU

About VIU

Why VIU?

Explore where VIU is going

The Strategic Plan builds on our commitment to diverse learners and draws on our connection to the community.

Programs Programs

Explore a wide range of program offerings and learning services. Choose from degrees, vocational training, certificates and more.

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Programs

Learning Services

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Admissions & Aid Admissions & Aid

Discover how to apply to VIU and get more information about tuition and financial aid.

Admissions Tuition and Aid

Admissions

Tuition and Aid

How to become a student

Make your VIU application successful by following these steps to becoming a student.

Steps to become a student

Student Life Student Life

Make the best of your time at VIU. Get involved in campus events and enjoy island adventures.

Student Life Student Services

Student Life

Student Services and Support

Get ready for the new student orientation

Attend in-person and online events, explore campus and connect with your professors and soon-to-be classmates!

Support VIU Support VIU

Connect with other VIU alumni and learn about the impact of donor generosity at VIU.

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VIU Alumni

VIU Donors

Your support means so much to VIU students

Our donors fund over 2000 scholarships, awards, and bursaries each year.

Research Research

Discover how VIU's interdisciplinary research is making a real-world impact.

Research

Research and Creative Activity

Explore the research highlights. Includes recent publications, ground-breaking studies and more.

Research Reports

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aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Ryan Bastian wearing a Mariners uniform running with the basketball during a game in a gym.

VIU Mariners men’s basketball team goes for national gold on home turf

March 9, 2026 - 08:35am

Carpentry student Emily Behm standing in front of the tiny home she and her classmates are building at the Cowichan Trades Centre

VIU carpentry students learn by building tiny home

March 20, 2024 - 01:15pm

5 Questions with Ajay Shrestha

March 19, 2024 - 10:45am

Kristie Dewald with a blurred background, wearing a white blazer

5 Questions with Kristie Dewald

March 14, 2024 - 09:30am

Biologist, Ally Badger, kneels in a river surrounded by rocks and water while collecting samples.

VIU researchers investigating origins of toxic tire chemical that can kill salmon

March 12, 2024 - 01:45pm

Marni in front of her comic collection

VIU library welcomes large comic book collection

March 8, 2024 - 02:45pm

Information Technology and Applied Systems Instructor Brandon Britt observes carl belie on a project.

Information technology students learn on state-of-the-art equipment

March 4, 2024 - 11:30am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Laci standing outside and smiling at the camera

Finding purpose in recovery

March 12, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Laci Schulenborg receives national recognition for work with local service organization

A student housing room

Housing options for students in Nanaimo

May 20, 2024 By Michael Witcomb, Off-Campus Housing Coordinator

5 tips to find the right fit

Four students bend over a bridge structure together

VIU Student Pulse News: May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

Welcome to the Summer Semester ☀️

English major’s research paper published in an academic journal

May 14, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Claire Gordon explores tarot card imagery in Black Mirror episodes

a group holding paddles poses for a photo

Five things we learned in Aotearoa (New Zealand)

May 11, 2024 By Kaelan Henders and Alison Kuenzig

Tourism Management students Kaelan Henders and Alison Kuenzig share their experiences

Stuart Dixon talk into a microphone

Finding newfound purpose

May 9, 2024

From classroom to career: Stuart Dixon

“Diamond Ring” marks the end of totality as the Sun begins to peek out from behind the Moon

Chasing the total solar eclipse

May 8, 2024 By Dr. Greg Arkos

Dr. Greg Arkos travels to Mexico to view the spectacular natural event

Statements & Announcements

Randle and Masako

VIU awards honorary degrees to local philanthropist and award-winning author

June 13, 2023 - 04:00pm

Graphic reads VIU expert spotlight with a person getting interviewed in the background

VIU News & Experts: June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023 - 05:00pm

President's statement on the recent death of a VIU student

June 8, 2023 - 04:30pm

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial - view of library and quad and city beyond

VIU receives funding to continue innovative upgrading program

June 5, 2023 - 01:00pm

Emily Huner stands in front of foliage at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Vancouver Island University welcomes new CFO and Vice-President, Administration

May 31, 2023 - 03:45pm

VIU Foundation launches challenge to support students in need

May 30, 2023 - 03:15pm

VIU in the News

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