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

Lisa LeClerc smiling at the camera

Alumni spotlight: Lisa Leclerc

January 27, 2026 - 09:59am

Stephen Hextall leans against a railing with trees and a lake in the background.

Alum of the Month: Stephen Hextall

November 20, 2024 - 12:30pm

How advertising imagery reveals Canada’s tourism and transportation narratives

November 19, 2024 - 12:30pm

Picture of a landscape scene with one half a dried-up desert and the other half a grassy, flower meadow

Explore climate change with VIU experts

November 14, 2024 - 12:30pm

Jakob Tortorelli, Elise Cole and Dr. Mike Asmussen conduct research in Asmussen’s lab at the VIU Nanaimo campus

VIU researcher studying how to better people’s long-term ability to walk and run

November 6, 2024 - 01:30pm

Vancouver Island University hosts provincial recreation conference

November 5, 2024 - 12:15pm

Katharina wears a poppy and holds a copy of her translation of All Quiet on the Western Front

VIU Professor Emerita re-translates All Quiet on the Western Front

November 4, 2024 - 08:00pm

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

Happy holidays in text with background of ornaments on a tree

VIU student news: December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

The holiday break is almost here 🎄

Jesse Anderson standing outside in front of one of his machines on a sunny day.

From Heavy Equipment student to successful business owner

December 9, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Jesse Anderson shares his story

Laura Hutchinson smiling at the camera with trees in the background.

Finding her career as a biomechanics researcher

December 5, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Laura Hutchinson shares her story

Alex Bhargava stands on the Malaspina Theatre stage looking off to the left. He wears all black and blue and purple smoke swirls around him.

Lighting up the stage – Alex Bhargava shares his transformative experience

December 4, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Building resilience and confidence through VIU’s Theatre diploma

Two students walk near the stairs at VIU, one carries an umbrella

VIU Student News: November 27, 2024

November 27, 2024

Managing stress, study support and WorldVIU Days 🌍

One friend helps another with homework

Managing stress

November 26, 2024 By Becky Duarte

Strategies for a successful end of term

Statements & Announcements

Six actors on the left reach out to one of their cast mates while another stands in fear on the right.

Beyond the boy wizard’s limelight – PUFFS offers a hilarious twist on a beloved magical world

February 27, 2024 - 10:00am

piggy bank with coins stacked next to it, blocks on top that read 2024

Provincial budget and housing experts 🏘️

February 21, 2024 - 03:30pm

a construction site

VIU News & Experts: February 15, 2024

February 15, 2024 - 07:00pm

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

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