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

Mary Anne Molcan stands by her print press.

Alum of the Month: Mary Anne Molcan

March 21, 2024 - 10:15am

Carpentry student Emily Behm standing in front of the tiny home she and her classmates are building at the Cowichan Trades Centre

VIU carpentry students learn by building tiny home

March 20, 2024 - 01:15pm

5 Questions with Ajay Shrestha

March 19, 2024 - 10:45am

Kristie Dewald with a blurred background, wearing a white blazer

5 Questions with Kristie Dewald

March 14, 2024 - 09:30am

Biologist, Ally Badger, kneels in a river surrounded by rocks and water while collecting samples.

VIU researchers investigating origins of toxic tire chemical that can kill salmon

March 12, 2024 - 01:45pm

Marni in front of her comic collection

VIU library welcomes large comic book collection

March 8, 2024 - 02:45pm

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

Philip Lawton leaning on railing and looking at the camera

Finding his career path with VIU’s ABE program

June 3, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Philip Lawton’s goal is to become a dental hygienist

Tyson holds up his Ma Murray award

Alum wins coveted Ma Murray award for feature writing

June 2, 2024

Tyson Whitney’s feature series for the North Island’s ongoing hospital closures picked up the gold medal this year.

A girl holds a bird in her hands

VIU Student Pulse News: May 29, 2024

May 29, 2024

Tips for a productive Summer Semester

Split photo of Logan on the right and Esther on the left

Taking their skills to the national stage

May 27, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU students Logan Cursley and Esther Popma will compete in Quebec City

Amy Mattes holds up a copy of her book, Late September.

Amy Mattes’ debut novel explores love and identity

May 21, 2024 By Rachel Stern

VIU Creative Writing student publishes first novel

A student housing room

Housing options for students in Nanaimo

May 20, 2024 By Michael Witcomb, Off-Campus Housing Coordinator

5 tips to find the right fit

Statements & Announcements

Colloquium series begins with a talk about TV shows Chewing Gum and Fleabag

September 19, 2023 - 03:00pm

Claire Grogan portrait

VIU welcomes new Dean of Arts and Humanities

August 28, 2023 - 01:00pm

Girl with arms spread wide, tents behind her

VIU News & Experts: August 28, 2023

August 28, 2023 - 11:45am

three automotive students receive instruction from a teacher in the shop

VIU supports newcomers to Canada pursue trades careers

August 11, 2023 - 10:45am

Dr. Sungchul Cho sitting at a desk and smiling at the camera.

VIU welcomes new dean of management

July 18, 2023 - 03:30pm

From left to right: Hayden Kenneth Taylor, Sheldon Scow and Talela Manson are hard at work planning a fun-filled summer camp experience for students.

VIU hosts summer camp for Indigenous students

July 6, 2023 - 09:30am

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