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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.

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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

photo complilation of all 12 winners

A new level: VIU’s 2024-25 CCAA Academic All-Canadians

June 19, 2025 - 04:42pm

Avi Stenberg holding an award and smiling at the camera

VIU Culinary Instructor receives gold certification in Japanese cooking

March 2, 2023 - 01:00pm

VIU Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Program Chair Shannon Dames with VIU Elder-in-Residence C-tasi:a Geraldine Manson standing outside in front of totem poles and smiling at the camera

VIU launches collaborative psychedelic research centre

March 2, 2023 - 12:15pm

A group of VIU Mariners women's volleyball teammates celebrate in a circle on the volleyball court

VIU women’s volleyball team seeks national title on home turf

March 1, 2023 - 02:30pm

A woman with her back to the camera sits on a swing tied to a tree in a clearing on the top of a mountain looking down at the water below on a sunny evening.

Researchers asking Cowichan region residents how they feel about tourism

February 8, 2023 - 10:30am

Chris Gill in an alleyway

VIU Media Highlights: February 3, 2023

February 3, 2023 - 02:45pm

Three woman standing and chatting in front of a table on which sits two globes.

Global Citizens Week promotes solidarity in action

January 30, 2023 - 11:45am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

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

How is failure valuable?

December 21, 2023

Dr. Mike Roberson shares three perspectives on the value of failure

How were special effects created before electricity and cameras?

December 12, 2023

Leon Potter takes people behind the curtain to learn about theatre magic

Jingjing sits at a desk in her hospital unit

The power of persistence and a helping hand

December 9, 2023

Jingjing Li shares her story

How are contemporary feminisms negotiated in TV comedies?

December 8, 2023

Comedies allow people to talk about taboo topics

Student pose with Santa

VIU Student Pulse News: December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Exam prep and festive fun 🎄

A woman sits at a desk in a library with a laptop open surrounded by books

Surviving exam season

December 4, 2023 By Samantha Allan

When the situation feels dire, a survival guide goes a long way

Statements & Announcements

VIU named a top employer for the fourth year in a row

February 16, 2023 - 09:15am

Lexi Barudin, who wears a crown of pink roses and a pink outfit, holds onto Brandon Caul's hand.

VIU’s Theatre Department presents the dramatic comedy She Kills Monsters

February 15, 2023 - 03:00pm

Poster with three images that says Taryn Walker, Echoes From a Time Not Yet Here February 16 to April 7

VIU’s View Gallery presents Taryn Walker, Echoes From a Time Not Yet Here

February 7, 2023 - 10:45am

An brown Vancouver Island marmot sits on a grey rock with some green bushes around it.

VIU lecture series kicks off with the story of the endangered Vancouver Island marmot

January 31, 2023 - 01:15pm

Bryce Casavant sits in the interior of a boat

Speaker addresses herring and the health of the Salish Sea

January 31, 2023 - 09:45am

People doing a live broadcast in a coffee shop

VIU experts appear live on CBC Nanaimo broadcast

January 27, 2023 - 04:15pm

VIU in the News

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