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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

A person wearing a chef hat and chef jacket is holding up a Nanaimo bar dessert.

VIU students to create the world’s largest Nanaimo bar

May 8, 2025 - 01:06pm

Female electrician wearing. white hard hat a safety vest and sunglasses working on the side of a building and smiling at the camera.

Vancouver Island University invites community to explore trades and tech careers at showcase

March 27, 2024 - 09:30am

Mary Anne Molcan stands by her print press.

Alum of the Month: Mary Anne Molcan

March 21, 2024 - 10:15am

Carpentry student Emily Behm standing in front of the tiny home she and her classmates are building at the Cowichan Trades Centre

VIU carpentry students learn by building tiny home

March 20, 2024 - 01:15pm

5 Questions with Ajay Shrestha

March 19, 2024 - 10:45am

Kristie Dewald with a blurred background, wearing a white blazer

5 Questions with Kristie Dewald

March 14, 2024 - 09:30am

Biologist, Ally Badger, kneels in a river surrounded by rocks and water while collecting samples.

VIU researchers investigating origins of toxic tire chemical that can kill salmon

March 12, 2024 - 01:45pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

A man wearing a beige and white plaid jacket over a white t-shirt is sitting on the arm of blue Adirondack chair in front of a door and window to a building

Beyond the postcard: Unpacking tourism’s impacts on resort municipalities

May 12, 2025 By Jenn McGarrigle

Grad student with impact: Flynn Saunderson

Tyson holds up his Ma Murray award

Alum wins coveted Ma Murray award for feature writing

June 2, 2024

Tyson Whitney’s feature series for the North Island’s ongoing hospital closures picked up the gold medal this year.

A girl holds a bird in her hands

VIU Student Pulse News: May 29, 2024

May 29, 2024

Tips for a productive Summer Semester

Split photo of Logan on the right and Esther on the left

Taking their skills to the national stage

May 27, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU students Logan Cursley and Esther Popma will compete in Quebec City

Amy Mattes holds up a copy of her book, Late September.

Amy Mattes’ debut novel explores love and identity

May 21, 2024 By Rachel Stern

VIU Creative Writing student publishes first novel

A student housing room

Housing options for students in Nanaimo

May 20, 2024 By Michael Witcomb, Off-Campus Housing Coordinator

5 tips to find the right fit

Four students bend over a bridge structure together

VIU Student Pulse News: May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

Welcome to the Summer Semester ☀️

Statements & Announcements

An illustrated book page with wings that says Two Truths and A.I.

Audience members challenged to identify the play written by AI in VIU performance

November 28, 2023 - 09:30am

Three people walk along a lighted path that is illuminated with a rainbow light projection. Trees along the side of the path are strung with white, yellow, green and blue lights.

Milner Gardens & Woodland illuminated with thousands of lights this holiday season

November 27, 2023 - 12:15pm

Culinary arts students serve their seaweed creations to attendees during Urchin Tank, 2022.

VIU students showcase innovative seafood creations during Urchin Tank

November 20, 2023 - 10:30am

Graphic reads VIU expert spotlight with a person getting interviewed in the background

VIU News & Experts: November 16, 2023

November 16, 2023 - 05:00pm

Indigenous speaker elevates the voices of the “Reconciliation Generation”

November 15, 2023 - 05:00pm

Sarah types on a laptop in a classroom

VIU Giving Tuesday campaign helps students reach for their dreams

November 14, 2023 - 09:00am

VIU in the News

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