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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

aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Danielle with Dave and Jamie

Alumni Spotlight on Danielle Hyde

August 22, 2025 - 09:30am

Tyson Whitney on the beach

Alum of the Month: Tyson Whitney

February 23, 2021 - 09:15am

VIU Baking Program Rises to the Next Level

VIU Baking Program Rises to the Next Level

February 9, 2021 - 01:45pm

Kyla Hanington, VIU alum

VIU Alum Starts Award for Single Mothers

February 9, 2021 - 01:15pm

A wolverine stands on a pale grey rock in the wilderness.

Scholarly Article Sheds Light on Whether Island Wolverines are a Distinct Subspecies

February 4, 2021 - 02:00pm

Anti-Racism Education List

February 3, 2021 - 02:00am

Felicia Fischer sitting on stairs

VIU Graduate Student Joins National Advisory Committee

January 28, 2021 - 05:30pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Students hanging out in a room at one of the VIU residence buildings

Welcome to campus – the Student Housing edition

August 20, 2025 By By Jenna Gill, VIU Recruitment Officer

What to know about orientation, Community Leaders and upcoming events

Gabrielle Hayashi Santos standing outside between two hedges looking at the camera

Taking her education global with international internships

October 11, 2022

Gabrielle Hayashi Santos shares her story

Hands holding a sign that reads: There is no Planet B

Nanaimo municipal election: where candidates stand on climate action and sustainability

October 6, 2022 By Alyson Winks

Candidates answer two questions

Portrait of Samantha in front of the ocean

The importance of out-of-classroom experiences

October 6, 2022

Samantha Allan's story

A clipboard the says "My Resume" with bullet points rests next to a laptop

How do I tailor my resumé to a specific job?

October 1, 2022 By Paula Deering

Paula Deering at the Career Studio answers your top questions

Signed portrait of Queen Elizabeth on a tree branch

Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Vancouver Island University’s Milner Gardens & Woodland

October 1, 2022 By Emily Weeks, Operations Coordinator

A recounting of the famous visit

President Saucier and Auntie Geraldine hug in front of a wall of orange hearts

Student Pulse News: September 28, 2022

September 28, 2022

Truth & Reconciliation, Student Club Fair and other special events

Statements & Announcements

Equity, diversity & inclusion in the post-secondary and public sectors

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Post-Secondary and Public Sectors

March 1, 2021 - 10:45am

Ralph Nilson Centre for Health and Science LEED Gold Certified

VIU’s Two Newest Buildings Achieve LEED Gold Certification

February 26, 2021 - 12:00am

Man holding camera

VIU Media Highlights: February 1-15, 2021

February 17, 2021 - 05:30pm

VIU's Campuses and Facilities OPEN on Tuesday, February 16, 2021

February 15, 2021 - 05:45pm

snow day at VIU

VIU's Campuses and Facilities Closed February 14 and 15, 2021

February 13, 2021 - 05:45pm

snow on the ground

VIU's Nanaimo, Cowichan – campus and Trades Centre – G.R. Paine Horticultural Centre, and Milner Gardens and Woodland are CLOSED today due to severe weather conditions.

February 13, 2021 - 06:15am

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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