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About About

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

Tim May looking at the camera

Getting to know you: Tim May

September 2, 2025 - 02:02pm

Métis Elder-in-Residence Stella Johnson standing in a cedar panelled room wearing a red and purple tartanMétis scarf with a King Charles III Coronation Medal

VIU Métis Elder-In-Residence presented with King Charles III Coronation Medal

April 3, 2025 - 11:11am

Dr. Shahana speaks on the stage with a clicker in her hand, wearing a mic set

Helping youth navigate anxiety and depression

March 26, 2025 - 04:21pm

George Anderson wearing a suit with a blue tie

Alumni Spotlight on George Anderson

March 26, 2025 - 09:34am

Shauna stands in the hallway

Alum spotlight on Shauna Andrews

March 18, 2025 - 04:29pm

Dr. Sally Vinden

From hairstylist to university

March 17, 2025 - 02:00pm

VIU Psychology student Cala Annala sitting at a desk with an open MacBook in front of her

Cybercrime’s hidden toll: How online scams impact mental health

March 10, 2025 - 12:15pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Students hanging out in a room at one of the VIU residence buildings

Welcome to campus – the Student Housing edition

August 20, 2025 By Jenna Gill, VIU Recruitment Officer

What to know about orientation, Community Leaders and upcoming events

Six Vancouver Island University students standing together in front of a bush

Studying climate change impacts in Senegal

May 23, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Students earn Queen Elizabeth scholarships for overseas research

A student poses in a frame while another takes their photo

MyVIU student news: May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

Summer Semester fun 🙌

a triple layer dessert called a Nanaimo bar

Baking alumni return to VIU to help build the “big bar”

May 15, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Erik, Hannah, Faithe and Elleora excited for the sweet challenge

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

Nathan in the quad

MyVIU student news: May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Welcome to summer semester 😎

A male university student is walking on a treadmill for research

Finding balance in foot and ankle research

May 6, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Jakob Tortorelli is taking steps to a fulfilling career helping people stay on their feet

Statements & Announcements

Two students hold up a piece of kelp covered with mussels and eggs

VIU joins Canada-wide agri-food innovation project

January 20, 2025 - 02:30pm

VIU Statement: Inclusivity in sports is a shared responsibility

January 8, 2025 - 09:00am

VIU News & Experts: December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024 - 10:45am

Group of four people holding a cheque

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises almost $380,000 for students in need

December 6, 2024 - 03:30pm

Five women hold Christmas lights at Milner Gardens with a ladder behind them

VIU News & Experts: November 26, 2024

November 26, 2024 - 05:15pm

Brandi is wearing a blue shirt and sits with her arms on a table in front of her

Indigenous speaker shares an urgent call to action for all Canadians

November 14, 2024 - 01:15pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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