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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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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

A woman with a beautiful vista view behind her

Alumni Spotlight: Joy Wilson

December 21, 2025 - 09:56am

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

Jake torso and up portrait against a white wall

Alumni giving spotlight: Jake Lussier’s commitment to VIU students

November 23, 2025 - 02:58pm

One woman helps another try on a blazer

VIU news and experts: November 20, 2025

November 21, 2025 - 11:00am

Three people walk along a lighted path that is illuminated with a rainbow light projection. Trees along the side of the path are strung with white, yellow, green and blue lights.

VIU experts this week: November 20, 2025

November 20, 2025 - 04:14pm

Kirsten peruses the racks in the Career Closet

VIU Giving Tuesday campaign aims to reduce financial barriers for students in need

November 19, 2025 - 10:04am

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

A group of students with coloured chalk on them pose for a selfie

How I found my people

October 2, 2025 By Becky Duarte

Making connections on campus

VIU Senior Leadership wearing orange shirts and smiling at the camera

What Orange Shirt Day means to me

September 29, 2025

Reflections from senior leaders

Caitlin Lundgren standing outside leaning on a railing on a sunny day and looking at the camera.

VIU alum makes impact in community through media industry

September 10, 2025

From Classroom to Career: Caitlin Lundgren

a person jumping into a very blue-green ocean

My semester abroad in Barbados

September 5, 2025

Ben Carter embraces Bajan culture

Students hanging out in a room at one of the VIU residence buildings

Welcome to campus – the Student Housing edition

August 20, 2025 By Jenna Gill, VIU Recruitment Officer

What to know about orientation, Community Leaders and upcoming events

A row of electric bikes parked at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Biking to Vancouver Island University?

August 18, 2025 By Kim Sharpe, VIU Health and Safety Advisor

Here are some safety tips:

Statements & Announcements

Aerial view of Nanaimo campus

Message from the Acting President: Leadership transition update

March 28, 2025 - 10:26am

Aerial view of the Nanaimo campus

Vancouver Island University announces leadership transition

March 27, 2025 - 09:30am

Deborah Saucier wears her convocation regalia and poses in the gardens at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Dr. Deborah Saucier awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal

March 21, 2025 - 01:05pm

Aerial view of the Nanaimo campus

Statement from Vancouver Island University on the non-confidence vote

March 6, 2025 - 03:30pm

Two carpentry students work on a project

VIU News & Experts: February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025 - 05:30pm

a cleared sidewalk on VIU's Nanaimo campus

VIU Nanaimo campus on track to re-open today (February 5)

February 5, 2025 - 08:45am

VIU in the News

Dr. Chris Gill observes as Lucas Abruzzi puts a sample in the mass spectrometer.

VIU in the news: February 28, 2025

March 1, 2025 - 10:00am

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