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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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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

Harold Chandra sits at a blue table outside

VIU reaches halfway mark on campaign to remove financial barriers for students

April 30, 2026 - 11:14am

Jennifer Lindley with a big cat

Alum of the Month: Jennifer Lindley

October 11, 2024 - 11:30am

A scarecrow with a pumpkin for a hand and flower bouquets for hands is nestled among trees.

Celebrate autumn during Milner Gardens & Woodland’s Scarecrow Spectacular

October 10, 2024 - 02:30pm

VIU Professor’s new book explores identity and reconnection through reclamation

October 9, 2024 - 12:00pm

A wetland with low yellow and light green grass with trees and a mountain range in the background.

VIU-led project working to protect Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region ecosystems

October 3, 2024 - 12:30pm

VIU Research Assistants Elise Cullon and Katie Carroll. Katie shows Elise a document.

Preserving feminist health history to empower future activism and work

October 1, 2024 - 01:30pm

A woman wearing an orange t-shirt for Truth and Reconciliation Day putting her hands on a large tree in an act of gratitude/

Writing from the heart – my reflections on how to action reconciliation

September 29, 2024 - 02:00pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Lavdeep sitting at a table and smiling at the camera.

Balancing parenthood and post-secondary studies

May 6, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

How support and stability is helping Lavdeep Gill pursue a career in health care

Jindar Sboto smiles while working in a VIU Chemistry lab.

Researching the chemistry of cannabis

August 27, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Student leads method development for marijuana measurement

MBA student shares his 2SLGBTQ+ university experience

August 26, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Ashutosh Mishra embraces inclusivity and freedom at VIU

Four students walk down the stairway near the Nanaimo campus Quad.

A first year’s guide to the start of a new term

August 23, 2024 By Becky Duarte

Tips from someone who’s been there

Two students sit at a table outdoors, one has a laptop open and the other has a textbook open. They are laughing together

VIU Student Pulse News: August 21, 2024

August 21, 2024

Campus jobs, new student emails and back to school events 🍏

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

Statements & Announcements

Graphic that reads Message from the President

President's message on the crisis in the Middle East

November 6, 2023 - 12:30pm

Dr. Stephen Davies sits in front of his computer, which displays a digitized letter

VIU News & Experts: November 3, 2023

November 3, 2023 - 02:30pm

President and Chancellor portrait photos

Vancouver Island University’s Board of Governors announces reappointments

November 2, 2023 - 02:15pm

Group photo of WW1 soldiers with text that reads Nanaimo Remembers

VIU and community partners remember local fallen soldiers through video memorial

November 1, 2023 - 05:00pm

White lettering reading VIU on a dark blue background.

Severe weather closure notifications for the 2023-24 year

October 25, 2023 - 04:15pm

A crowded festival scene with tents and a bouncy castle

VIU News & Experts: October 19, 2023

October 19, 2023 - 02:00pm

VIU in the News

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