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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

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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

Media Highlights

February 5, 2026 - 11:50am

three students holding red heart cookies and a thank you sign

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $480,000 for students in need

December 4, 2025 - 04:09pm

Jake torso and up portrait against a white wall

Alumni giving spotlight: Jake Lussier’s commitment to VIU students

November 23, 2025 - 02:58pm

One woman helps another try on a blazer

VIU news and experts: November 20, 2025

November 21, 2025 - 11:00am

Kirsten peruses the racks in the Career Closet

VIU Giving Tuesday campaign aims to reduce financial barriers for students in need

November 19, 2025 - 10:04am

Billy Ray Belcourt Indigenous Speakers Series event graphic

Indigenous speaker reminds Canadians that the colonial project’s impacts remain

November 7, 2025 - 11:14am

a family portrait from the 1940s

Highlighting the life of a Second World War Flying Officer

November 6, 2025 - 04:28pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

three students walking down the stairs in front of the VIU library.

Starting the semester right

January 29, 2026 By Becky Duarte

What to do so you don't feel so behind

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

VIU First Aid Services

October 28, 2025 By Kim Sharpe, VIU Health and Safety Advisor

What you need to know

Kara Rafuse smiling at the camera

Learning through a child’s eyes

October 28, 2025 By Eric Zimmer

Kara Rafuse finds her passion in early childhood education

A VIU employee sheltering under a desk and smiling at the camera.

Keeping VIU earthquake-ready with ShakeOutBC

October 14, 2025

Why practicing your response is so important

Messages of support on a board

World Mental Health Day at VIU

October 10, 2025 By Becky Duarte

Student Employees share their thoughts

A group of students with coloured chalk on them pose for a selfie

How I found my people

October 2, 2025 By Becky Duarte

Making connections on campus

VIU Senior Leadership wearing orange shirts and smiling at the camera

What Orange Shirt Day means to me

September 29, 2025

Reflections from senior leaders

Statements & Announcements

Kwulasulwut Garden totem

Honouring Indigenous history, culture and community at VIU

June 4, 2025 - 05:22pm

Dennis Johnson with a view of the Nanaimo campus and greenery behind him

Vancouver Island University Appoints Dr. Dennis Johnson as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor

June 4, 2025 - 03:00pm

The Pride flag flies in Royal Bank Plaza at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Celebrating Pride Month 2025

May 30, 2025 - 08:22am

campus aerial

Message from the Acting President: May 22 Update to the Community

May 22, 2025 - 01:00pm

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial view

Message from the Acting President and Provost: Update to the Community: May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025 - 04:03pm

Graphic: text reads, Celebrating Asian Heritage Month at VIU on a blue background with a cherry blossom tree and building.

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada

May 2, 2025 - 12:35pm

VIU in the News

Stephen sits at his computer

VIU in the news: June 6, 2025

June 7, 2025 - 09:48am

Two students discuss a poster behind them, one holds a naloxone kit

VIU in the news: May 30, 2025

June 1, 2025 - 07:30am

Tarah stands in front of her exhibit

VIU in the news May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025 - 03:53pm

Students cut the large Nanaimo bar

VIU in the news: May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025 - 03:07pm

a person operates an excavator

VIU in the news: May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025 - 05:18pm

VIU in the news May 2, 2025

May 5, 2025 - 01:26pm

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