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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

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

Billy Ray Belcourt Indigenous Speakers Series event graphic

Indigenous speaker reminds Canadians that the colonial project’s impacts remain

November 7, 2025 - 11:14am

a family portrait from the 1940s

Highlighting the life of a Second World War Flying Officer

November 6, 2025 - 04:28pm

Getting to Know You: Dr. Yoichi Mukai

November 4, 2025 - 01:20pm

Tatum poses in front of a grey wall

New donor support helps more VIU students stay in school

October 27, 2025 - 01:16pm

three students carve a pumpkin together

VIU Fest, health experts and more

October 10, 2025 - 04:49pm

Jane Stoller sitting down against a white backdrop and smiling at the camera.

Alumni Spotlight on Jane Stoller

October 10, 2025 - 04:49pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

three students look at a robotic car on a table

Got questions about university? Let’s talk VIU

March 5, 2026 By Francesca Paladino

We’re here to help you navigate your next step with confidence

Caitlin Lundgren standing outside leaning on a railing on a sunny day and looking at the camera.

VIU alum makes impact in community through media industry

September 10, 2025

From Classroom to Career: Caitlin Lundgren

a person jumping into a very blue-green ocean

My semester abroad in Barbados

September 5, 2025

Ben Carter embraces Bajan culture

Students hanging out in a room at one of the VIU residence buildings

Welcome to campus – the Student Housing edition

August 20, 2025 By Jenna Gill, VIU Recruitment Officer

What to know about orientation, Community Leaders and upcoming events

A row of electric bikes parked at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Biking to Vancouver Island University?

August 18, 2025 By Kim Sharpe, VIU Health and Safety Advisor

Here are some safety tips:

Ingela netz smiling at the camera

From Sweden to VIU: Growing as a leader, changing education

August 15, 2025

How a VIU master’s degree transformed Swedish educator Ingela Netz’s career

Andrea wearing ski gear smiles with a snowy mountainscape behind her

From the volleyball court to the oil fields

August 11, 2025

Geoscience alum Andrea Čanković is putting her VIU skills to work

Statements & Announcements

Aerial view of the Nanaimo campus

Message from the Acting President: Financial audits and leadership update

April 2, 2025 - 09:43am

Aerial view of Nanaimo campus

Message from the Acting President: Leadership transition update

March 28, 2025 - 10:26am

Aerial view of the Nanaimo campus

Vancouver Island University announces leadership transition

March 27, 2025 - 09:30am

Deborah Saucier wears her convocation regalia and poses in the gardens at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Dr. Deborah Saucier awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal

March 21, 2025 - 01:05pm

Aerial view of the Nanaimo campus

Statement from Vancouver Island University on the non-confidence vote

March 6, 2025 - 03:30pm

Two carpentry students work on a project

VIU News & Experts: February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025 - 05:30pm

VIU in the News

Four people talk at a table with laptops and notepads open in front of them

VIU in the news: March 21, 2025

March 23, 2025 - 09:21am

Farhad in a kayak paddling on the ocean

VIU in the news: March 14, 2025

March 16, 2025 - 11:30am

VIU in the News: March 8, 2025

March 8, 2025 - 04:45pm

Dr. Chris Gill observes as Lucas Abruzzi puts a sample in the mass spectrometer.

VIU in the news: February 28, 2025

March 1, 2025 - 10:00am

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