Search

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

Talk to a recruiter

Explore your options with one of our friendly recruiters. Online and in-person meetings available.

Connect with a
recruiter

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

Two women look at a computer screen together with a microphone next them

Nursing students at VIU demystify health with radio show

May 15, 2026 - 11:53am

Leon Potter sitting on the stage and smiling at the camera.

VIU Theatre Chair takes centre stage with Nanaimo culture award

April 24, 2026 - 01:37pm

a student at the ITAS fair showing and talking abut their project

VIU news and experts for April 10, 2026

April 10, 2026 - 04:57pm

Hot air balloons on a night sky

Portal magazine celebrates 35 years at its 2026 edition launch

April 10, 2026 - 12:23pm

Getting to Know You: Lindsay McCunn

April 9, 2026 - 09:41am

Nicole Smith with the waterfront in the background

Alumni spotlight on: Nicole Smith

April 7, 2026 - 09:41pm

a student points at a poster board during the create conference

VIU students showcase research work during annual CREATE conference

March 26, 2026 - 04:15pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Zackary Sutton outside wearng sunglasses and looking at the camera

Finding confidence and camaraderie in VIU’s WEST program

May 15, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Zackary Sutton shares his story

Michael MacKenzie showing a group of students some of the work done for the Futures Fair.

Imagining Nanaimo in 2086

May 6, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

How city-building, growth levels and decision-making could shape the city 60 years from now

Madelyn in the cafeteria with her research poster

What does the public really think about restorative justice?

April 28, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Criminology student Maddy Reetham-Clayton aims to find out for a community partner

Casey in front of the Centre for Health and Science

The moment it all became possible

April 7, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

How a bursary is helping propel Casey Reumkens’ post-secondary journey

Hands on a desk with a pencil and paper

Exam season: How to prepare (without losing your mind)

April 4, 2026

Go into exams feeling confident and in control this semester

A picture of the 10-member team that will compete at the Kinesiology Games in Ontario

Building connection and community at the Kin Games

March 17, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Kinesiology students are heading to Ontario this week for national competition

Laci standing outside and smiling at the camera

Finding purpose in recovery

March 12, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Laci Schulenborg receives national recognition for work with local service organization

Statements & Announcements

Aerial view of VIU

Presidential search process

February 17, 2026 - 02:00pm

VIU dark blue graphic ripples

A message of support following the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge

February 11, 2026 - 08:45am

Two Black individuals, one raising an arm, with "Black History Month 2026" written on the left

Recognizing Black History Month 2026

February 2, 2026 - 02:23pm

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Clarifying VIU drug policies as drug decriminalization pilot project ends

February 2, 2026 - 08:32am

Dennis Johnson with a forest background

From the President’s Desk: Welcome to the 2026 Spring Semester

January 5, 2026 - 09:05am

An image of VIU's Nanaimo campus with snow and the message Happy Holidays from all of us at Vancouver Island University

Happy Holidays from Interim President Dr. Dennis Johnson

December 16, 2025 - 02:43pm

VIU in the News

VIU Mariners women's soccer team with championship banner

VIU in the news: October 11 to 27, 2025

October 28, 2025 - 05:32pm

Isabelle with fruits and veggies piled in front of her

VIU in the news: October 1 to 10, 2025

October 11, 2025 - 01:15pm

a male sits on a workout box

VIU in the news: September 16 to 30, 2025

October 1, 2025 - 05:13pm

Two students stand at a booth

VIU in the news: September 1 to 15, 2025

September 15, 2025 - 12:15pm

A student runs with a ball

VIU in the news: August 17 to 30

September 2, 2025 - 08:16pm

meteor shower

VIU in the news August 2 to 15

August 15, 2025 - 04:52pm

Sign up for the VIU news and experts email

Sign up for news emails

Connect with Us!

Phone or email us

Events and Info Sessions

View events

Ready to join us at VIU?

Start Your application