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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

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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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News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Billy Ray Belcourt at VIU for Indigenous Speakers Series

VIU news and experts for May 11, 2026

May 11, 2026 - 02:54pm

Lisa LeClerc smiling at the camera

Alumni spotlight: Lisa Leclerc

January 27, 2026 - 09:59am

researching tire toxins in local waterways

VIU hosting series of public research seminars

January 26, 2026 - 12:18pm

Lauren Touchant sitting outside and displaying her book and smiling at the camera.

From the classroom to COP: A VIU prof writes about climate talks

January 14, 2026 - 01:28pm

Caitlin Hartigan smiling at the camera

Breaking barriers in skilled trades education

January 12, 2026 - 11:54am

The facilities team at VIU standing outside in front of a work van on a cloudy day

Getting to Know You: VIU Facilities Maintenance team

January 6, 2026 - 10:49am

A graphic with seeds and the text: Rear-VIU Mirror: VIU's top 10 news stories of 2025

Rear-VIU Mirror

December 22, 2025 - 10:24am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Kenya and her team smiling at the camera.

VIU students explore effectiveness of community youth programs

May 11, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Uncovering what makes youth programs successful in Nanaimo

Indigenous community members wearing blankets stand solemnly next to cenotaph next to

Veterans united

November 7, 2025

Marlene Rice (Hwiem') tells the story of the Veterans Totem Pole and Veterans Cenotaph

Whitney Williams smiling at the camera

Empowering educators worldwide

October 30, 2025

How a VIU alum is shaping the future of learning

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

VIU First Aid Services

October 28, 2025 By Kim Sharpe, VIU Health and Safety Advisor

What you need to know

Kara Rafuse smiling at the camera

Learning through a child’s eyes

October 28, 2025 By Eric Zimmer

Kara Rafuse finds her passion in early childhood education

A VIU employee sheltering under a desk and smiling at the camera.

Keeping VIU earthquake-ready with ShakeOutBC

October 14, 2025

Why practicing your response is so important

Messages of support on a board

World Mental Health Day at VIU

October 10, 2025 By Becky Duarte

Student Employees share their thoughts

Statements & Announcements

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial view

Message from the Acting President and Provost: Update to the Community: May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025 - 04:03pm

Graphic: text reads, Celebrating Asian Heritage Month at VIU on a blue background with a cherry blossom tree and building.

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada

May 2, 2025 - 12:35pm

View of Nanaimo campus Building 250

Message from the Acting President: Update to the Community April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025 - 10:09am

Ariel photograph of the Vancouver Island University campus with several buildings on a hillside on a sunny day

Honouring remarkable VIU employees

April 23, 2025 - 10:19am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Message from the Acting President: Update to the community April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025 - 11:11am

Aerial view of the Nanaimo campus

Message from the Acting President: Financial audits and leadership update

April 2, 2025 - 09:43am

VIU in the News

A student holds up a sweater that reads Moby Dick University

VIU in the news: April 11, 2025

April 11, 2025 - 04:42pm

AJ sits at his desk

VIU in the news: April 4, 2025

April 5, 2025 - 09:29am

a baking student holds up a Nanaimo bar

VIU in the news March 28, 2025

March 29, 2025 - 11:22am

Four people talk at a table with laptops and notepads open in front of them

VIU in the news: March 21, 2025

March 23, 2025 - 09:21am

Farhad in a kayak paddling on the ocean

VIU in the news: March 14, 2025

March 16, 2025 - 11:30am

VIU in the News: March 8, 2025

March 8, 2025 - 04:45pm

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