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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

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

Travis Baker in his lab

Creating the next generation of treatments for substance abuse disorders

January 23, 2023 - 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

Michael Quinn portrait

What VIU's budget deficit means for your programs and classes

November 8, 2023 By Mike Quinn, VIU Provost and Vice-President Academic

VIU’s Provost and Vice-President Academic addresses this question

Picture of a VIU Nanaimo campus parking lot and sidewalk that have been cleared of snow

Preventing slips and falls this winter

November 7, 2023

Tips from VIU Health and Safety Services

A customer explains an issue to a customer service representative

Dealing with upset customers

October 31, 2023 By Dr. Evan Hoffman, VIU Faculty of Management Professor

De-escalating challenging situations

Two women dressed as witches paddle on Westwood Lake

VIU Student Pulse News: October 25, 2023

October 25, 2023

Ready for Halloween? 👻

Amy and her dog

Finding her fit in Canada’s far north

October 19, 2023

From Classroom to Career: Amy Badgley

Two people look at a laptop screen in the library

Building a better study session

October 19, 2023 By Becky Duarte

Tips to help you get things done

Statements & Announcements

Four VIU microbiology and culinary arts work on their fermented seaweed products.

VIU students pitch their seaweed products on Dragons’ Den-style show

November 9, 2022 - 03:45pm

Nathan and Sam in front of vines on a wall

VIU expands awareness activities for free education savings grants

November 8, 2022 - 09:00am

A group of soldiers pose for a photo with Nanaimo Remembers written across the bottom

VIU and community partners remember local fallen armed forces members through video memorial

October 28, 2022 - 01:15pm

An actor at centre stage has their hands thrown up in the air while they look off in the distance. Numerous cast mates stand behind them in various poses.

VIU’s Theatre Department presents A Good Person

October 24, 2022 - 03:00pm

Vancouver Island University's Position Statement on Climate Action and Sustainability

October 21, 2022 - 10:00am

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

VIU releases position statement on climate action and sustainability

October 21, 2022 - 10:00am

VIU in the News

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