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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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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

Saving salmon and keeping the romance alive

February 5, 2026 - 11:50am

Man with baby in forest

Transforming Early Childhood Education in Canada

June 19, 2024 - 05:15pm

Group photo of honorary degree recipients

VIU awards five honorary degrees at June convocation ceremonies

June 12, 2024 - 11:30am

Mountain peaks covered in snow with a cloudy blue sky overhead.

New remote sensing technologies used to measure water from the province’s snowpack and glaciers

June 6, 2024 - 09:45am

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ on a sunny day

VIU’s tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus invites public input on future of post-secondary training in region

May 24, 2024 - 01:00pm

Dr. Sandy Shultz sitting at a desk in front of two computer screens and smiling at the camera.

New research centre focuses on quality of life improvements for people affected by trauma and mental health issues

May 22, 2024 - 12:45pm

Melissa Ayling head and shoulders leaning against a wall

Alum of the Month: Melissa Ayling

May 22, 2024 - 08:30am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Christina smiling at the camera while wearing a VIU Nursing shirt.

From financial stress to full focus

February 11, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

How scholarships are powering future nurse Christina Gustafsson

Bryan Lamprecht kneels in front of a patch of Hosackia pinnata flowers nestled in a field of grass.

Saving an endangered Nanaimo flower

July 12, 2024 By Rachel Stern

VIU Biology student studying rare flower only found in Nanaimo area

Halle Walle standing in front of her backyard bog and smiling at the camera

Re-creating a unique taste from ancient times

July 10, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Halle Walle shares her story

Computer Science student develops digital dashboard for BC music festival

July 10, 2024

Zeke Critchlow discovers a passion for programming at VIU

Victoria Koutstaal outside on a sunny day smiling at the camera.

Finding her path with a career in recreation

July 9, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Victoria Koutstaal shares her story

Shannah holding a fish

Cooking up success

July 7, 2024

From Classroom to Career: Shannah Pogline

Brian Yin holds a microphone near a podium.

Life is more fun with purpose

July 4, 2024

From classroom to career: Brian Yin

Statements & Announcements

Six actors stand in two lines holding their arms up over their heads while rehearsing a scene at Malaspina Theatre.

VIU Theatre Department presents the dark parody Collateral Damage

October 13, 2023 - 11:45am

VIU hosting free, family-friendly fall festival

October 13, 2023 - 09:45am

White lettering reading VIU on a dark blue background.

Statement on the war in the Middle East

October 10, 2023 - 03:15pm

Mixed media painting of a red, white and dark blue boat with a trailer in front of it on the shoreline.

VIU’s View Gallery hosts an exhibit featuring Nanaimo and mid-Island artists

October 10, 2023 - 02:45pm

Hands hold a long bill with a grocery cart in the background

VIU News & Experts: October 6, 2023

October 6, 2023 - 04:30pm

White lettering reading VIU on a dark blue background.

Vancouver Island University shares deficit mitigation plan

October 5, 2023 - 11:00am

VIU in the News

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