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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.

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

Tatum poses in front of a grey wall

New donor support helps more VIU students stay in school

October 27, 2025 - 01:16pm

Lily Eggert and Dr. Alexandra Weissfloch examine a jar of boat cleaner.

Choosing eco-friendly boat cleaners just got easier thanks to VIU researcher’s product database

November 27, 2024 - 02:30pm

A volunteer strings up lights at Milner Gardens

Creating holiday magic – volunteers bring cherished holiday tradition to life

November 26, 2024 - 11:15am

Mike with boots, waterproof jackets and waders laid out on a table

VIU Giving Tuesday campaign creates pathways for students in need

November 25, 2024 - 02:15pm

A person holding a rose stands in front of the Jardin des Quartorze garden memorial.

16 Days of Activism campaign honours differences and shared struggles

November 25, 2024 - 09:15am

Stephen Hextall leans against a railing with trees and a lake in the background.

Alum of the Month: Stephen Hextall

November 20, 2024 - 12:30pm

How advertising imagery reveals Canada’s tourism and transportation narratives

November 19, 2024 - 12:30pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Whitney Williams smiling at the camera

Empowering educators worldwide

October 30, 2025

How a VIU alum is shaping the future of learning

Graphic illustration: the text reads Black History Month 2025 with a Black woman looking skyward and a Black Man raising his fist to the sky.

Black History Month at VIU

January 27, 2025

Film screening, open mic, book club and more planned throughout the month

Young woman sitting on a red couch looking at a laptop

Juggling education and a young family

January 24, 2025 By Annette Lucas

How Rosalynn White is making her career goals happen

Cheer on our VIU's Got Talent contenders! 🎤

January 22, 2025

A woman leans on a pillar and smiles into the camera

Finding passion and purpose through a business degree

January 17, 2025

From Classroom to Career: Rinny Jose

Gerri McEwen and Devin Ayotte dig through sand that is lighted blue, green, yellow and red.

Students dig deep into learning with augmented reality sandbox

January 14, 2025 By Rachel Stern

Innovative tool projects topography onto the sand

Dr. Xueling (Julie) Luo and Devin Ayotte adjust an 3D robotic arm.

Robotic arm brings engineering theory to life

January 9, 2025 By Rachel Stern

Engineering department builds 3D robotic arm for interactive learning

Statements & Announcements

Aerial view of VIU's Nanaimo campus

Statement about encampment on the VIU campus

May 7, 2024 - 05:15pm

Students gather around three screens on a desk with a projection of an image on the wall behind them.

VIU Media Studies hosts Showcase and Social on April 25

April 18, 2024 - 02:00pm

An illustrated image of a woman with purple skin and blue strokes on her skin with red flowers in her hair.

Portal “rewires and connects” at the launch of its 2024 issue

April 16, 2024 - 11:45am

Aerial view of VIU gym with lots of booths and people milling about

VIU welcomes public to campus for career fair

April 10, 2024 - 02:00pm

A group of students holds a trophy, all are wearing green shirts

Centre for Seafood Innovation celebrates success following three-year program

April 8, 2024 - 04:45pm

Picture of the moon passing in front of the sun

VIU News & Experts: April 4, 2024

April 4, 2024 - 10:00am

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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