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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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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

Brian Timmer wears a SCUBA suit while swimming surrounded by kelp.

Alum of the Month: Brian Timmer

July 31, 2023 - 01:30pm

A woman stares up at a gray sky

What is climate anxiety?

July 28, 2023 - 10:30am

Dr. Aggie Weighill

How are extreme weather events affecting tourism across Canada?

July 24, 2023 - 05:00pm

Students sit at desks in a class listening to a teacher

Expert Q&A: BC government changes to reporting student progress

June 30, 2023 - 04:00pm

Lee Cooper

Alum of the Month: Lee Cooper

June 18, 2023 - 10:00am

Danielle Hyde on the left receiving her award from a CCAA representative

VIU's Danielle Hyde named 2023 CCAA Athletic Director of the Year

June 14, 2023 - 08:45am

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

a woman shakes hands with another woman

Business etiquette tips for students

January 2, 2024 By Jonah Ferguson, VIU’s Employer and Student Engagement Coordinator

How to be a professional in the workplace

An animal with a rack on its head in a snowy landscape

Studying tourism in Finland’s Arctic

December 22, 2023 By Riya Rajesh

Riya Rajesh shares her story

How is failure valuable?

December 21, 2023

Dr. Mike Roberson shares three perspectives on the value of failure

How were special effects created before electricity and cameras?

December 12, 2023

Leon Potter takes people behind the curtain to learn about theatre magic

Jingjing sits at a desk in her hospital unit

The power of persistence and a helping hand

December 9, 2023

Jingjing Li shares her story

How are contemporary feminisms negotiated in TV comedies?

December 8, 2023

Comedies allow people to talk about taboo topics

Statements & Announcements

Four VIU microbiology and culinary arts work on their fermented seaweed products.

VIU students pitch their seaweed products on Dragons’ Den-style show

November 9, 2022 - 03:45pm

Nathan and Sam in front of vines on a wall

VIU expands awareness activities for free education savings grants

November 8, 2022 - 09:00am

A group of soldiers pose for a photo with Nanaimo Remembers written across the bottom

VIU and community partners remember local fallen armed forces members through video memorial

October 28, 2022 - 01:15pm

An actor at centre stage has their hands thrown up in the air while they look off in the distance. Numerous cast mates stand behind them in various poses.

VIU’s Theatre Department presents A Good Person

October 24, 2022 - 03:00pm

Vancouver Island University's Position Statement on Climate Action and Sustainability

October 21, 2022 - 10:00am

An aerial view of the Nanaimo campus on a sunny day with blue sky.

VIU releases position statement on climate action and sustainability

October 21, 2022 - 10:00am

VIU in the News

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