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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

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

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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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News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

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Alumni spotlight: Lisa Leclerc

January 27, 2026 - 09:59am

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

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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

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VIU news and experts: November 20, 2025

November 21, 2025 - 11:00am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

three students walking down the stairs in front of the VIU library.

Starting the semester right

January 29, 2026 By Becky Duarte

What to do so you don't feel so behind

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

VIU Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity sign

8 award-winning VIU graduate students share their thoughts

November 19, 2025

Their work, what their award means to them and what they hope to do next

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Boost your career prospects with digital marketing certification

November 17, 2025 By Jennifer Ford

Because every company needs an online presence.

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.

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

Statements & Announcements

From the President’s Desk: Welcome to the Fall 2025 Semester

September 2, 2025 - 10:22am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Air quality message for VIU

August 14, 2025 - 10:26am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

From the Provost’s Desk: Program suspensions

June 13, 2025 - 10:00am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Message from the Acting President: June 5 Update to the Community

June 5, 2025 - 09:47am

Kwulasulwut Garden totem

Honouring Indigenous history, culture and community at VIU

June 4, 2025 - 05:22pm

Dennis Johnson with a view of the Nanaimo campus and greenery behind him

Vancouver Island University Appoints Dr. Dennis Johnson as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor

June 4, 2025 - 03:00pm

VIU in the News

A student runs with a ball

VIU in the news: August 17 to 30

September 2, 2025 - 08:16pm

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VIU in the news August 2 to 15

August 15, 2025 - 04:52pm

A mountain biker navigates a rooty trail in the forest

VIU in the news: July 12 to 25

July 26, 2025 - 11:00am

Mackenzie holds the ball and runs

VIU in the news: July 7 to 11

July 11, 2025 - 04:12pm

A man sits and observes a large crack in the ground

VIU in the news: June 23 to July 7, 2025

July 8, 2025 - 08:01am

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VIU in the news: June 7 to 24, 2025

June 24, 2025 - 03:01pm

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