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 VIU's impact

From classrooms to research and community engagement, the VIU community's impact is worth celebrating.

VIU Impact Report

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

Talk to a recruiter

Explore your options with one of our friendly recruiters. Online and in-person meetings available.

Connect with a
recruiter

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

Explore VIU's impact

From classrooms to research and community engagement, the VIU community's impact is worth celebrating.

VIU Impact Report

Search VIU

aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Laura Mercer standing outside and smiling at the camera

Alumni spotlight on Laura Mercer

September 4, 2026 - 10:56am

Billy Ray Belcourt at VIU for Indigenous Speakers Series

VIU news and experts for May 11, 2026

May 11, 2026 - 02:54pm

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

David Butler sitting outside on a sunny day.

Alumni spotlight: David Butler

April 30, 2026 - 10:32am

Leon Potter sitting on the stage and smiling at the camera.

VIU Theatre Chair takes centre stage with Nanaimo culture award

April 24, 2026 - 01:37pm

a student at the ITAS fair showing and talking abut their project

VIU news and experts for April 10, 2026

April 10, 2026 - 04:57pm

Hot air balloons on a night sky

Portal magazine celebrates 35 years at its 2026 edition launch

April 10, 2026 - 12:23pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Ella Craig

Shining a light on child and youth care workers

September 15, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

VIU student creates awards ceremony to recognize the people behind the work

Hands on a desk with a pencil and paper

Exam season: How to prepare (without losing your mind)

April 4, 2026

Go into exams feeling confident and in control this semester

A picture of the 10-member team that will compete at the Kinesiology Games in Ontario

Building connection and community at the Kin Games

March 17, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Kinesiology students are heading to Ontario this week for national competition

Laci standing outside and smiling at the camera

Finding purpose in recovery

March 12, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Laci Schulenborg receives national recognition for work with local service organization

three students look at a robotic car on a table

Got questions about university? Let’s talk VIU

March 5, 2026 By Francesca Paladino

We’re here to help you navigate your next step with confidence

Waves imagery with International Women's Day written over top

Redefining leadership, together

March 4, 2026

Female leaders share reflections in advance of International Women’s Day 2026

Two coaches lean in for an embrace

Longtime Mariners coaches stepping away from roles after storied careers

February 23, 2026

Matt Kuzminski and Tony Bryce are saying goodbye to their time as court sport leaders

Statements & Announcements

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

From the Provost’s Desk: Program suspensions

June 13, 2025 - 10:00am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Message from the Acting President: June 5 Update to the Community

June 5, 2025 - 09:47am

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 in the News

VIU in the news May 2, 2025

May 5, 2025 - 01:26pm

A Vancouver Island marmot in a mountain landscape

VIU in the news: April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025 - 10:19am

Engineering students adjust their designs

VIU in the news: April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025 - 10:58am

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

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