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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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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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aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Ajay Shrestha sitting in his office, looking at the camera and in front of a keyboard and three computer screens

Giving youth a voice in Canada’s AI policies

July 27, 2026 - 02:36pm

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

A wildfire burns near a road

Expert Q&A: Be wildfire ready

August 22, 2023 - 05:45pm

Three people stand in a culinary arts lab

Sault College and Vancouver Island University partner to expand opportunities for culinary learners

July 31, 2023 - 01:45pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Carpentry students working working on a housing construction site.

Carpentry students build skills and community

July 29, 2026 By Neil Every

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ students gain hands-on experience while helping build homes that will become part of the Tla’amin Nation community

Valentina sits in a garden with lots of greenery around her

Healing the mind with psychedelic-assisted therapy

February 4, 2024

From classroom to career: Valentina Chichiniova

Two students studying together with their laptops open

Tips to prioritize your mental health this year

January 28, 2024 By Becky Duarte

Advice from Wellness Promoter Becky Duarte

Snowy campus

VIU Student Pulse News: January 24, 2024

January 25, 2024

Take care of your mental health 🧠

A student looks at a laptop screen surrounded by boxes

Finding a place to live in Nanaimo

January 22, 2024 By Michael Witcomb, Off-Campus Housing Coordinator

5 tips for students looking for housing

Group photo of people raising their hands in celebration

VIU Student Pulse News: January 10, 2024

January 10, 2024

Start the Spring Semester off right 📚

Daniela

Child and Youth Care students give back to community with project

January 4, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Two second-year students share their story

Statements & Announcements

Red, green and blue Christmas lights adorn trees and bushes and the roof of Milner House.

Milner Gardens & Woodland’s festive light display is full of holiday magic

November 22, 2022 - 11:15am

VIU's Indigenous Speakers Series featuring Wilson Williams (Sxwíxwtn)

Indigenous speaker shares story of fight for the return of traditional lands

November 22, 2022 - 11:15am

A person holding an orange rose stands in front of the plaque dedicated to the 14 young women who were murdered in the 1989 massacre at École Polytechnique.

Status of Women committee asks people to “Unite to end violence” during 16 Days of Activism

November 21, 2022 - 10:30am

A group poses with the Career Studio sign and banner

VIU launches new service to help connect students and employers

November 18, 2022 - 09:45am

Giving Tuesday postcard

VIU Giving Tuesday campaign raises funds for students in need

November 17, 2022 - 01:00pm

Nathan Pham and Kiara White hold their redesigned product packaging.

Graphic design students address sustainability by rethinking product packaging

November 16, 2022 - 10:30am

VIU in the News

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