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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

Start in January

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

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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

Search VIU

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News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Tatum poses in front of a grey wall

New donor support helps more VIU students stay in school

October 27, 2025 - 01:16pm

Megan Fortune in front of green foliage

Alumni Spotlight on Megan Fortune

July 13, 2025 - 09:30am

Smiling Black Woman sitting on a downed tree branch

Alumni Spotlight on Julie Niyitegeka

July 13, 2025 - 08:43am

Milner House framed by blooming flowers and foliage

Milner Gardens & Woodland launches five-year strategic plan

July 11, 2025 - 08:22am

The book cover of The Teachings of Mutton shows a black background with white dog fur in the foreground

VIU Deep Bay event explores cultural story of the Coast Salish Woolly Dog

July 9, 2025 - 10:55am

Two people stand at a viewpoint on Notch Hill

Exhibit celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region

July 5, 2025 - 10:18am

Alumni spotlight on Tonia Laird

June 26, 2025 - 10:38am

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

A woman stands next to a fence and a green field with her hands in her pockets

Finding her calling in therapeutic healing

July 9, 2025

Elise Cole’s journey from Kinesiology student to physiotherapist

Christina Hunt smiling at the camera

From memoirs to microplastics: Making headlines for a class assignment

July 7, 2025

Christina Hunt’s piece on microplastics catches editor’s eye

A woman wearing tan overalls is standing in a clearing in the forest in front of a campfire.

VIU master’s student brings alternative healing program to Canada’s North

July 2, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Emily Hoefs is transforming health care in her community

VIU Graduate, wearing convocation robes, Olivia Thomas is holding a medal while standing outside in front of a garden

From foster care to university graduate

June 24, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Olivia Thomas’s 14-year journey of resilience and perseverance

A student walks through gardens on VIU's Nanaimo campus

MyVIU student news June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

VIU summer services and fun

A man standing beside a desk with a computer and a monitor on it in a room with shelves and supplies on them

Rebooting his future with the information technology program

June 16, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Matthias De Gisi graduates VIU with top honour in his category

Statements & Announcements

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

a cleared sidewalk on VIU's Nanaimo campus

VIU Nanaimo campus on track to re-open today (February 5)

February 5, 2025 - 08:45am

VIU Nanaimo campus re-opens February 5 at noon, other campuses open for regular hours

February 4, 2025 - 04:00pm

VIU in the News

A student holds up a sweater that reads Moby Dick University

VIU in the news: April 11, 2025

April 11, 2025 - 04:42pm

AJ sits at his desk

VIU in the news: April 4, 2025

April 5, 2025 - 09:29am

a baking student holds up a Nanaimo bar

VIU in the news March 28, 2025

March 29, 2025 - 11:22am

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

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