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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

Lisa LeClerc smiling at the camera

Alumni spotlight: Lisa Leclerc

January 27, 2026 - 09:59am

A DJ on a stage plays music while people dance in the background

RockVIU 2023 Welcome to Campus: A message of appreciation

September 24, 2023 - 10:45am

Sharon Karsten standing and smiling with her arms crossed in front of a blurred background of greenery

VIU researcher using community-engaged approach to BC’s toxic drug crisis

September 19, 2023 - 12:00pm

Telma Dos Santos sitting in a chair in front of a group of seniors who are all playing with a Hua hoop in their hands

Alum of the Month: Telma Dos Santos

September 8, 2023 - 03:00pm

VIU expert spotlight

VIU News & Experts: September 6

September 6, 2023 - 03:45pm

Alum of the Month: Spenser Smith

September 6, 2023 - 01:30pm

Kyle Duncan leans against a white railing.

VIU professor develops imaging technology to take a deeper look at tumour metabolism

August 28, 2023 - 10:15am

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

Three women hold certificates

VIU partners with Digital Marketing Institute to offer new certification

March 13, 2024 By Vaidehi Sayar

Training helps MBA students get ahead of the competition

Two women play drums

VIU Student Pulse News: March 6, 2024

March 6, 2024

Work on campus, tax help & social events

Sydney Solland stands on a ledge next to a rock face with climbing gear in front of her

Grad student researches experiences of female rock climbers

March 5, 2024

Sydney Solland shares her story

Indigneous art drawing

Radio show encourages revitalization of Indigenous languages

February 28, 2024

VIU students Kimberly Baines and Jesse Scott-Bradley host the show

Paige Pierce standing in front of the ocean, wearing a green dress and turning back to smile at the camera

Creating connections through poetry

February 28, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU Education student Paige Pierce is Nanaimo’s Youth Poet Laureate

a man speaks next to a screen in front of a packed room

Who was Israel Wood Powell?

February 24, 2024

Examining the origins of settler colonial rule in British Columbia

Statements & Announcements

Severe weather closure written in a snowy graphic

Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses and Parksville centre closed for the morning (February 28) due to severe weather

February 28, 2023 - 06:00am

Students look at sea urchins together

VIU Media Highlights: February 16

February 16, 2023 - 04:30pm

A student speaks into a microphone in front of a crowd

More than a thousand students Discover VIU at open house events next week

February 16, 2023 - 12:15pm

Melanie P. Loureiro stands in front of several bins of mussels and holds onel in her left hand.

VIU’s Seafood Business Accelerator program will help small-scale harvesters find their niche

February 16, 2023 - 12:00pm

VIU named a top employer for the fourth year in a row

February 16, 2023 - 09:15am

Lexi Barudin, who wears a crown of pink roses and a pink outfit, holds onto Brandon Caul's hand.

VIU’s Theatre Department presents the dramatic comedy She Kills Monsters

February 15, 2023 - 03:00pm

VIU in the News

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