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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.

Find your program Learning Services

Programs

Learning Services

More program info

Get your program questions answered at an Info Week program session November 12 to 18.

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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.

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

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aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Billy Ray Belcourt Indigenous Speakers Series event graphic

Indigenous speaker reminds Canadians that the colonial project’s impacts remain

November 7, 2025 - 11:14am

Celebrated Canadian poet Lisa Robertson to give VIU Gustafson lecture

October 18, 2024 - 09:45am

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ officials smile for the camera

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ celebrates 50 years in the qathet Region

October 16, 2024 - 03:30pm

Kyle Wickland and Oscar Thoms have two glass tanks in front of them with thermometers and temperature gauges.

Learn about climate solutions and explore wildfire health risks at free climate conference

October 16, 2024 - 09:30am

Jennifer Lindley with a big cat

Alum of the Month: Jennifer Lindley

October 11, 2024 - 11:30am

A scarecrow with a pumpkin for a hand and flower bouquets for hands is nestled among trees.

Celebrate autumn during Milner Gardens & Woodland’s Scarecrow Spectacular

October 10, 2024 - 02:30pm

VIU Professor’s new book explores identity and reconnection through reclamation

October 9, 2024 - 12:00pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Zuhur Debasay holding a cake she made at VIU and smiling at the camera.

VIU program helps newcomers find trades careers

November 13, 2025 By Eric Zimmer

Students explore a range of trades while improving their English and job-readiness skills.

carol Seabra smiling at the camera

From lieutenant commander to business student

November 13, 2024

Carol Seabra shares her story

VIU Mariners team photo

Halloween around campus 👻

October 30, 2024

Student newsletter: October 30, 2024

A group of students gathers around a student writing on a chalkboard

Building community, one study session at a time

October 29, 2024

VIU’s Peer Supported Learning program

A group of students sits in cool chairs talking with each other

Finding your place at VIU

October 22, 2024 By Becky Duarte

A guide to getting involved in campus life

Three students serve food outside the cafeteria

Are you saying yes to too much? 🤔

October 16, 2024

VIU student newsletter: October 16 edition

Four people stand in front of Shq'apthut: A Gathering Place

Meet the staff in Shq’apthut: A Gathering Place

October 16, 2024

Kerry, Brittany, Lyn and Heather are here for you

Statements & Announcements

Candle with light of other candles blurred in background

VIU experts on MAID and finding love in 2024 ❤️

February 9, 2024 - 08:30am

10 actors raise their hands in gratitude on a stage.

Dr. Laura Cranmer reawakens Indigenous languages through powerful play

February 8, 2024 - 03:45pm

Graphic of a hare with the text Karen Solie 2024 Gustafson Distinguished Poet's Lecture, The Path of the Hare.

Celebrated poet Karen Solie to give VIU Gustafson lecture

January 30, 2024 - 10:00am

snow on a mountain

VIU News & Experts: January 24, 2024

January 24, 2024 - 08:45pm

A cyanotype print with a hand, small shells and a seashell.

VIU’s View Gallery presents bailey macabre exhibit in collaboration with the Nanaimo Arts Council

January 23, 2024 - 01:00pm

A VIU music student works on an audio recording device.

VIU’s redesigned Jazz diploma prepares graduates for careers in different music genres

January 22, 2024 - 12:00pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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