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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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Programs

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

photo complilation of all 12 winners

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

June 19, 2025 - 04:42pm

Tchadas Leo portrait

Journalist wins award for Indigenous-focused podcast

April 6, 2023 - 08:30am

Jacob Frankel holds up his phone to a sala bush. The green leaves appear on his phone screen.

Nature lovers asked to head outdoors and become citizen scientists during BioBlitz

April 4, 2023 - 12:15pm

Joseph Nowlan, Scott Britney and Dr. Spencer Russell, wear white lab coats, while looking at a Petri dish.

VIU researcher developing better tools to detect and manage bacterial infections in salmon

March 27, 2023 - 01:45pm

Trevor Ballyntine smiling at the camera

Alum of the month: Trevor Ballantyne

March 24, 2023 - 12:15pm

Drew Milne portrait next to VIU's Centre for Health and Science

Alum of the Month: Drew Milne

March 15, 2023 - 03:45pm

VIU researcher examining pelvic health histories to help address gaps and inequities in care

March 15, 2023 - 10:00am

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

Snowy campus

VIU Student Pulse News: January 24, 2024

January 25, 2024

Take care of your mental health 🧠

A student looks at a laptop screen surrounded by boxes

Finding a place to live in Nanaimo

January 22, 2024 By Michael Witcomb, Off-Campus Housing Coordinator

5 tips for students looking for housing

Group photo of people raising their hands in celebration

VIU Student Pulse News: January 10, 2024

January 10, 2024

Start the Spring Semester off right 📚

Daniela

Child and Youth Care students give back to community with project

January 4, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Two second-year students share their story

a woman shakes hands with another woman

Business etiquette tips for students

January 2, 2024 By Jonah Ferguson, VIU’s Employer and Student Engagement Coordinator

How to be a professional in the workplace

An animal with a rack on its head in a snowy landscape

Studying tourism in Finland’s Arctic

December 22, 2023 By Riya Rajesh

Riya Rajesh shares her story

Statements & Announcements

Markus in the Centre for Health and Science

VIU and Northpine Foundation expand educational opportunities in BC correctional centres

March 1, 2023 - 12:15pm

VIU campuses re-open at noon today (February 28)

February 28, 2023 - 10:00am

Severe weather closure written in a snowy graphic

Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses and Parksville centre closed for the morning (February 28) due to severe weather

February 28, 2023 - 06:00am

Students look at sea urchins together

VIU Media Highlights: February 16

February 16, 2023 - 04:30pm

A student speaks into a microphone in front of a crowd

More than a thousand students Discover VIU at open house events next week

February 16, 2023 - 12:15pm

Melanie P. Loureiro stands in front of several bins of mussels and holds onel in her left hand.

VIU’s Seafood Business Accelerator program will help small-scale harvesters find their niche

February 16, 2023 - 12:00pm

VIU in the News

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