Search

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

More program info

Get your program questions answered at an Info Week program session November 12 to 18.

Explore Info Week

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

aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Getting to Know You: Dr. Yoichi Mukai

November 4, 2025 - 01:20pm

A forest fire

Experts on wildfire prep and water conservation 🔥

June 20, 2024 - 08:15pm

Man with baby in forest

Transforming Early Childhood Education in Canada

June 19, 2024 - 05:15pm

Group photo of honorary degree recipients

VIU awards five honorary degrees at June convocation ceremonies

June 12, 2024 - 11:30am

Mountain peaks covered in snow with a cloudy blue sky overhead.

New remote sensing technologies used to measure water from the province’s snowpack and glaciers

June 6, 2024 - 09:45am

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ on a sunny day

VIU’s tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus invites public input on future of post-secondary training in region

May 24, 2024 - 01:00pm

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

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Whitney Williams smiling at the camera

Empowering educators worldwide

October 30, 2025

How a VIU alum is shaping the future of learning

An early childhood educator reading a book to three kids

Earn while you learn with the work-integrated early childhood education program

August 20, 2024

You don’t need to stop working to further your schooling

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

Statements & Announcements

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

Graphic reads VIU expert spotlight with a person getting interviewed in the background

VIU News & Experts: November 16, 2023

November 16, 2023 - 05:00pm

Indigenous speaker elevates the voices of the “Reconciliation Generation”

November 15, 2023 - 05:00pm

Sarah types on a laptop in a classroom

VIU Giving Tuesday campaign helps students reach for their dreams

November 14, 2023 - 09:00am

Graphic that reads Message from the President

President's message on the crisis in the Middle East

November 6, 2023 - 12:30pm

VIU in the News

Sign up for the VIU news and experts email

Sign up for news emails

Connect with Us!

Phone or email us

Events and Info Sessions

View events

Ready to join us at VIU?

Start Your application