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 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

A group stands in front of the welcome centre holding a plaque

Vancouver Island University recognized as Moose Hide Campaign Ambassador Campus

September 18, 2025 - 04:23pm

Whitney Wood stands on the Jeopardy! stage with host Mayim Bialik.

5 Questions with Whitney Wood

August 23, 2022 - 10:15am

VIU Horticulture students in front of plants inside greenhouse

In Photos: VIU Horticulture program helps grow connections with Belize

August 22, 2022 - 01:15pm

Trevor Michalchuk and Lily Eggert, wearing high visibility vests, while standing in front of the Mass Specmobile.

VIU researchers measure methane at Alberni Valley Landfill

August 17, 2022 - 12:00pm

5 Questions with Joy Gugeler

August 11, 2022 - 10:15am

Students working in a classroom

New initiative helps people gain admission into VIU programs

July 27, 2022 - 11:00am

Marcia_Turner

VIU welcomes new Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Education and Engagement

July 26, 2022 - 03:45pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Caitlin Lundgren standing outside leaning on a railing on a sunny day and looking at the camera.

VIU alum makes impact in community through media industry

September 10, 2025

From Classroom to Career: Caitlin Lundgren

three students pose with the city of Nanaimo in the background

Things to do in Nanaimo

September 18, 2023 By Becky Duarte

Get to know your new hometown

Four students hang out in a dorm

Student Pulse News: Wednesday, September 13, 2023

September 13, 2023

Find your perfect part-time job 💼

a group of students wearing VIU T-Shirts addresses a crowd

3 reasons to become a student ambassador

September 12, 2023 By Shelby Bell

Building connections with your university community

Signing document decorative

Navigating rental agreements

September 11, 2023 By Michael Witcomb, Off-Campus Housing Coordinator

Common off-campus rental housing issues

Aerial view of VIU's Nanaimo campus

Welcome to the new academic year

September 10, 2023

A message from Irlanda Gonzalez Price, AVP, Student Affairs

closeup of students' legs dressed in business attire sitting on chairs

10 ways to stand out at a job fair

September 8, 2023 By By Ariann Sigsworth, Career Practitioner Student

Tips from the Career Studio

Statements & Announcements

Dr. Theo Finigan, a VIU English Professor, holds up the book Atomic Blonde while standing in front of the VIU koi pond.

VIU Colloquium Series kicks off with a deep dive into the action thriller Atomic Blonde

September 21, 2022 - 04:15pm

An aerial view of the Nanaimo campus on a sunny day with blue sky.

VIU research projects receive funding boost

September 21, 2022 - 11:15am

Group photo around the new sign at VIU’s campus in the qathet region

Tla’amin Nation gifts ʔayʔaǰuθəm name to local VIU campus

September 20, 2022 - 11:30am

Monique McKay surrounded by greenery

VIU welcomes new Director of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights

September 15, 2022 - 03:30pm

Blossoms Dressing by Cindy Stelmackowich consisting of metal splits with wax, pigment, bandages and linen.

View Gallery presents Cindy Stelmackowich – Trenched

September 7, 2022 - 10:15am

Group photo of people standing with a rendering of the new student housing building

More on-campus housing for Vancouver Island University

September 2, 2022 - 12:30pm

VIU in the News

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