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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.

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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

Sharon Karsten standing outside on a sunny day and smiling at the camera.

VIU researcher aims to improve hospital care for people who use substances

July 6, 2026 - 01:46pm

Burn scars on peatlands in Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia.

Severe fire activity declines in Equatorial Asia

September 28, 2022 - 10:30am

Kelly Black looks off to the horizon with a mountain in the distance.

5 Questions with Kelly Black

September 27, 2022 - 01:30pm

From left to right: Tracy Vandermolen, Darrell Harvey and Anwen Burk in a computer lab and smiling at the camera

VIU launches new educational technology partnership in the Caribbean

September 26, 2022 - 01:30pm

Serene Kerpan head and shoulders with greenery behind her

Alum of the Month: Dr. Serene Kerpan

September 24, 2022 - 09:30am

Facing the camera and standing from left to right are refugee students Hanan Ali Abdi, Nyagua Deng Goch, and Daniella (Sifa) Mukenge

VIU welcomes three new refugee students

September 14, 2022 - 11:15am

Whitney Wood stands on the Jeopardy! stage with host Mayim Bialik.

5 Questions with Whitney Wood

August 23, 2022 - 10:15am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Rebecca-Duarte-graduating-with-her-friends

From homesick to hopeful: Five things I’m grateful for after 3.5 years at VIU

July 2, 2026 By Becky Duarte

Becky Duarte reflects on a transformative university journey

Misha Zvekic wears green gloves and holds a beaker with liquid in it in a chemistry lab.

Alum finds forever chemicals in sixgill shark

August 15, 2023 By Rachel Stern

Misha Zvekic examines shark during a research exchange

A parched, drought landscape

Doing your part to save water during a drought

August 15, 2023

Geography Professor Dr. Alan Gilchrist’s tips

Bruce Barnard stands in front of his house

Thinking of renting to students this year?

August 7, 2023

Landlord Bruce Barnard shares his story

Kayla Passmore sits on a couch in front of the totem in the Centre for Health and Science atrium

Pushing the boundaries of what is possible

August 4, 2023

From classroom to career: Kayla Passmore

Examining mental health supports in the K-12 school system

August 3, 2023

Grad student Nova Heartland shares her research

Trinity stands in front of a car raised up on a stand

Discovering a passion for working on cars

July 27, 2023

Trinity LaRose's story

Statements & Announcements

Six VIU students practice a scene onstage at Malaspina Theatre.

VIU’s Theatre Department Presents an Adaptation of Durrenmatt’s Play – The Visitor

February 22, 2022 - 10:30am

Griffin Prize-Winning Poet A.F. Moritz to Give VIU Gustafson Lecture and Reading

February 17, 2022 - 09:30am

Jim Holyoak's artistic rendering of trees in black and white.

VIU’s View Gallery presents Jim Holyoak: Arborescence

February 10, 2022 - 09:00am

VIU BC Top Employer 2022

VIU Receives BC Top Employer Award for third year in a row

February 8, 2022 - 01:45pm

man holding camera

VIU Media Highlights: January 24 - February 7, 2022

February 7, 2022 - 12:15pm

Carolyn Russell, Associate Vice-President, International Education

VIU Welcomes New Associate Vice-President, International Education

February 3, 2022 - 09:00am

VIU in the News

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