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About About

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

Start in January

September is not the only time to start a VIU program. Many have January intakes.

See January intake

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.

Give

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

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A Conversation with Marie Wilson – 10 Years After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

September 4, 2025 - 12:51pm

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New farming courses provide science-based and practical learning

August 19, 2024 - 03:30pm

Jane in a VIU Mariners jersey

Alum of the Month: Yevgeniya (Jane) Lytvynenko

August 13, 2024 - 05:45pm

Meteor shower

VIU News & Experts

July 24, 2024 - 01:15pm

Chloe McLaughlin stands by a tank, holding an urchin.

Enhancing food sovereignty and security for Indigenous communities

July 23, 2024 - 12:00pm

Sandy sits at his desk with images of brains open on one screen

Researcher looking for participants for brain injury study

July 22, 2024 - 03:45pm

Dr. Timothy Green, VIU’s Canada Research Chair in Shellfish Health and Genomics stands on a dock next to a boat holding oysters in his hand.

Oyster breeding research aims to address the deadly effects of ocean acidification

July 22, 2024 - 02:30am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

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

Three students interact with a vendor at the Career Fair

MyVIU student news: September 18, 2024

September 18, 2024

Campus Events: Therapy Dogs, Socials & Snacks

Linea Brickwood gets ready to bump the ball during a Mariners game inside the VIU gym while a crowd watches in the background

Mariners alum takes passion for her sport overseas

September 16, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Linnea Brickwood shares her story

Mitch Turko wearing a suit and tie, smiling at the camera with a blue and green background.

Accounting alum at the top of his class

September 11, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Mitch Turko shares his story

Two students stand in front of a cotton candy maker, one holds cotton candy

VIU Student Pulse News: September 4, 2024

September 4, 2024

Back to school: Events and campus jobs

John with his wife Jen showing off the graduation gift he was given through the tuition waiver program

From career back to the classroom

September 4, 2024

Business student John Christoffersen shares his story

Two students carry boxes and walk down a hallway

Five ways VIU’s Off-Campus Housing department can help you

September 3, 2024

Support with house hunting, tenancy issues and conflict resolution

Statements & Announcements

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VIU News & Experts: January 24, 2024

January 24, 2024 - 08:45pm

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VIU’s View Gallery presents bailey macabre exhibit in collaboration with the Nanaimo Arts Council

January 23, 2024 - 01:00pm

A VIU music student works on an audio recording device.

VIU’s redesigned Jazz diploma prepares graduates for careers in different music genres

January 22, 2024 - 12:00pm

Friday, January 19: VIU Nanaimo campus re-opening for afternoon classes, all other campuses full-day closure

January 19, 2024 - 10:00am

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Friday, January 19: CLOSED- Nanaimo campus for morning classes, all other campuses full day closure

January 19, 2024 - 06:30am

Graphic depicting snowy weather with Severe Weather Closure written across

January 18: VIU campuses and locations closed for evening classes

January 18, 2024 - 02:45pm

VIU in the News

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