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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.

Find your program Learning Services

Programs

Learning Services

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Explore your options with one of our friendly recruiters. Online and in-person meetings available.

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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

Ryan Bastian wearing a Mariners uniform running with the basketball during a game in a gym.

VIU Mariners men’s basketball team goes for national gold on home turf

March 9, 2026 - 08:35am

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

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

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Laci standing outside and smiling at the camera

Finding purpose in recovery

March 12, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Laci Schulenborg receives national recognition for work with local service organization

VIU grad and current employee Rayan Zeineddine wearing a VIU hoodie and glasses standing next to a tree outside and smiling at the camera

Finding community and belonging at VIU

February 9, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU grad and current employee Rayan Zeineddine shares his story

three people stand around a mass spectrometer

VIU Student Pulse News: February 7

February 7, 2024

Black History Month and Valentine's Day events ❤️

Shq'apthut's three totems

Bringing Indigenous knowledge into the classroom

February 4, 2024

Introducing the Totem podcast

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 🧠

Statements & Announcements

A clear path that has had the snow shoveled off of it with bright blue sky.

All VIU campuses open today (December 21)

December 21, 2022 - 06:00am

woman in a wheelchair on a ramp at VIU's Nanaimo campus

VIU Media Highlights: December 20, 2022

December 20, 2022 - 01:30pm

Group holds up a conceptual rendering of the new student housing facility coming to VIU's Nanaimo campus

Top 20 VIU stories of 2022

December 20, 2022 - 11:45am

Words Severe Weather Closure written with a snowy background

VIU's Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses closed due to severe weather

December 20, 2022 - 05:45am

Equity Diversity Inclusion rainbow hands

Count Yourself IN! Launch of Employee Diversity Identity Census

December 14, 2022 - 12:30am

Student in grad cap hugs someone with words Giving Tuesday on side

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $500,000 for students in need

December 7, 2022 - 02:00pm

VIU in the News

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