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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

Portrait shot of Charlton Mapayi, VIU alum, in his scrubs

Starting Over and Making a Difference in Canada

July 3, 2021 - 06:30pm

Dr. Amanda Wager, wearing a green shirt and black blazer, stands in front of a white wall.

Indigenous Youth Exploring Issues through VIU Art-based Literacy Project

June 23, 2021 - 02:00pm

Samantha Good sits in her excavation square during the dig she attended in the Drimolen Palaeocave system.

VIU Grad Discovers Two-Million-Year-Old Skull while Attending Field School in South Africa

June 14, 2021 - 01:30pm

Genevieve van der Voort examines insect samples with a microscope.

VIU Undergraduate Student Publishes Research Paper in Peer-Reviewed Journal

June 9, 2021 - 10:30am

Portrait shot of Shawn O'Keefe

Alum of the Month: Shawn O’Keefe

June 4, 2021 - 09:30am

Dr. Lindsay McCunn smiles at the viewer while wearing a grey blazer and shirt.

VIU Researcher Investigates Hospital Design Elements to Improve Employee Well-being

May 20, 2021 - 10:15am

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

Jenni Ottilie Keppler stands on the koi pond bridge at Vancouver Island University's Nanaimo campus.

Harnessing the power of the poop loop

October 20, 2022 By Rachel Stern

Meet Jenni Ottilie Keppler, VIU’s visiting student researcher from Germany

above view of a person with a laptop in front of them, notepad next to them and crafting materials around them

How to build your skills outside of the classroom

October 19, 2022 By Samantha Allan

Why getting involved is so important for your success

Melanie stands in front of the Tobacco Caye sign, which reads Study Abroad underneath it

My summer internship in Belize

October 16, 2022 By Melanie P. Loureiro

What it’s like doing research on a coral reef

Picture of VIU's Nanaimo campus with a rainbow going across

VIU Student Pulse News: October 12, 2022

October 12, 2022

#MyVIU contest, resume tailoring & Mariners games ⚽

Gabrielle Hayashi Santos standing outside between two hedges looking at the camera

Taking her education global with international internships

October 11, 2022

Gabrielle Hayashi Santos shares her story

Hands holding a sign that reads: There is no Planet B

Nanaimo municipal election: where candidates stand on climate action and sustainability

October 6, 2022 By Alyson Winks

Candidates answer two questions

Statements & Announcements

A Different Kind of University draft strategic plan

VIU Seeking Feedback on Draft Strategic Plan

November 9, 2020 - 10:15am

Beyond 2020

Island Institutions Team Up to Host Virtual Career Fair

November 4, 2020 - 03:00pm

Be Ready for What's Next fall recruitment campaign

VIU Helps Future Students Prepare for What's Next

November 3, 2020 - 09:00am

Nanaimo Remembers

VIU Partners with Community to Remember Fallen Soldiers

October 29, 2020 - 02:30pm

WorldVIU Days Showcases Culture in Series of Virtual Event

WorldVIU Days Showcases Culture in Series of Virtual Events

October 27, 2020 - 02:15pm

Vancouver Island Work-integrated Learning

VIU and NIC Launch Work-Integrated Learning Hub

October 26, 2020 - 10:00am

VIU in the News

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