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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

Search VIU

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News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

A picture of Marie Wilson with some event details

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

September 4, 2025 - 12:51pm

Dr. Sandy Shultz sitting at a desk in front of two computer screens and smiling at the camera.

New research centre focuses on quality of life improvements for people affected by trauma and mental health issues

May 22, 2024 - 12:45pm

Melissa Ayling head and shoulders leaning against a wall

Alum of the Month: Melissa Ayling

May 22, 2024 - 08:30am

Wildfire with silhouettes of trees

VIU News & Experts: May 1

May 1, 2024 - 07:15pm

Alum of the Month: Clair Morgan

April 30, 2024 - 10:00am

A split screen photo of Dr. Morgan Mowatt on the left and Dr. Michael MacKenzie on the right. Both are smiling at the camera in portrait-style shots with greenery in the background.

Political scientists coming to VIU for provincial conference

April 29, 2024 - 12:30pm

Harpreet outside the Centre for Health and Science holding a sign that reads We love our donors!

Generosity of donors supports student success

April 24, 2024 - 03:15pm

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

Two students showcase their Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic work for the food sovereignty project.

VIU students design sustainable food systems

August 16, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Trades students gain valuable real-world experience

Two actors rehearse with scripts in their hand near a bench in a park.

Ali Dillion-Cardinal amplifies teen voices in compelling play

August 7, 2024 By Rachel Stern

VIU Creative Writing student’s powerful work featured at Nanaimo Fringe Festival

Allie Unger leans against a railing at Ucluelet harbour with boats anchored in the background.

Hands-on learning draws Allie Unger to VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture diploma

July 30, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Meet this year’s VIU Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal recipient

Christin Collishaw sitting outside in a swing at beach and smiling at the camera

From social work to sustainable leisure management

July 22, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Christin Collishaw shares her story

A young woman with long dark hair laghing with friends.

VIU student wins coveted administration award

July 22, 2024

How getting involved helped Julia Morris get ahead

a power engineer inspects large tanks in a big machine room with sunlight peeking through the window

Find your new career path as a power engineer

July 18, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU’s next program intake is this fall

Statements & Announcements

Two students hold up signs saying thank you donor and we love our donors and stand in front of red heart balloons

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $350,000 for students in need

November 30, 2023 - 05:45pm

Vancouver Island University and the High School at VIU conclude partnership

November 29, 2023 - 04:30pm

An illustrated book page with wings that says Two Truths and A.I.

Audience members challenged to identify the play written by AI in VIU performance

November 28, 2023 - 09:30am

Three people walk along a lighted path that is illuminated with a rainbow light projection. Trees along the side of the path are strung with white, yellow, green and blue lights.

Milner Gardens & Woodland illuminated with thousands of lights this holiday season

November 27, 2023 - 12:15pm

Culinary arts students serve their seaweed creations to attendees during Urchin Tank, 2022.

VIU students showcase innovative seafood creations during Urchin Tank

November 20, 2023 - 10:30am

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VIU News & Experts: November 16, 2023

November 16, 2023 - 05:00pm

VIU in the News

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