Search

About About

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.

Find your program Learning Services

Programs

Learning Services

Talk to a recruiter

Explore your options with one of our friendly recruiters. Online and in-person meetings available.

Connect with a
recruiter

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.

Give

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

Search VIU

aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

three students holding red heart cookies and a thank you sign

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $480,000 for students in need

December 4, 2025 - 04:09pm

Farhad Moghimefar paddling a kayak and smiling off into the distance

VIU researcher exploring tourism resilience in rural BC communities

February 14, 2024 - 11:00am

Morgan in front of green bushes

Alum of the Month: Dr. Morgan Mowatt

February 13, 2024 - 02:30pm

VIU professor researching adversarial situations on networks

February 9, 2024 - 10:45am

Jordyn Monaghan stands outside a classroom

Alum of the Month: Jordyn Monaghan

January 27, 2024 - 09:15am

Perry Bulwer speaks into a microphone with a shelf of books behind him

Alum of the Month: Perry Bulwer

January 14, 2024 - 11:45am

Jen Gerson

Independent journalist visiting VIU to talk about free speech

January 2, 2024 - 11:30am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Two students look at a laptop screen together

What is VIU’s Zero Textbook Cost pilot project?

December 15, 2025

The project highlights courses with no required textbook costs

“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

Follow your heart on your learning journey

May 6, 2024

From classroom to career: Courtney Dubyna

How has VIU’s Portal magazine evolved over the years?

May 2, 2024

Joy Gugeler explores evolution from chapbook to national magazine

Students frame up a home with an ocean view in the background

Scuttle Bay home welcomes support from VIU’s tiwšɛmawtxʷ Carpentry Apprentice Program

May 1, 2024 By Steve Gallagher, Neh Motl Editor, reprinted with permission

Hands-on learning - with a view

Using an Ojibwe lens to examine Margaret Atwood’s novel MaddAddam

April 29, 2024

Bryn Skibo advocates the value of Indigenous ways of knowing in academic discourse

VIU Geoscience student earns coveted spot in mineral exploration workshop

April 23, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Aiden Kilcommons is excited to learn from top industry experts

Statements & Announcements

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

The High School building at Vancouver Island University

The High School at VIU receives International Baccalaureate authorization

May 29, 2023 - 11:45am

A picture of a brain lit up with different colours

VIU News & Experts: May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023 - 04:45pm

VIU in the News

Sign up for the VIU news and experts email

Sign up for news emails

Connect with Us!

Phone or email us

Events and Info Sessions

View events

Ready to join us at VIU?

Start Your application