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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

The VIU gym full of booths and career fair participants

VIU hosts large Career Fair for public

March 17, 2026 - 08:13am

Three people next to a stream, one holds a sampling pole while the others look on

Basketball nationals, tire toxin research and Skills Canada competitions

February 27, 2026 - 02:09pm

Three of the actors stage a swordfighting scene for their production Cyrano de Bergerac.

Love, laughter and swordplay take the stage in VIU Theatre’s Cyrano de Bergerac

February 26, 2026 - 11:04am

Three people next to a stream, one holds a sampling pole while the others look on

Monitoring toxic tire chemicals in salmon-bearing streams

February 25, 2026 - 10:59am

Simon Martin preaparing food in a professional kitchen.

VIU Culinary Arts student represents Canada at global competition

February 20, 2026 - 01:34pm

Saving salmon and keeping the romance alive

February 5, 2026 - 11:50am

Michael Joseph standing with his arms crossed and smiling at the camera.

Alumni Spotlight: Michael Joseph

February 4, 2026 - 01:07pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

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

Two coaches lean in for an embrace

Longtime Mariners coaches stepping away from roles after storied careers

February 23, 2026

Matt Kuzminski and Tony Bryce are saying goodbye to their time as court sport leaders

Students-on-the-beach

Island Life 101: Totem poles, beach days and goats on the roof

February 18, 2026 By Chioma Azike

A beginner’s guide to mid-Island day trips

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

Saurya Mishra standing outside in front of a Heli-Jet helicopter and looking at the camera.

Building a career in hospitality leadership

February 6, 2026

Saurya Mishra shares his story

three students walking down the stairs in front of the VIU library.

Starting the semester right

January 29, 2026 By Becky Duarte

What to do so you don't feel so behind

Black History Month 2026 with two Black individuals pictured, one with an arm raised

Black History Month at VIU 2026

January 28, 2026

Art exhibit, open mic, music and poetry performance, book club and more planned throughout the month

Statements & Announcements

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

snow day at VIU

Severe weather closure procedures for the 2025-26 year

November 18, 2025 - 12:19pm

Group photo of students with tents in the background

A RockVIU thank you

October 28, 2025 - 04:20pm

A photo of Shq'apthut (A gathering place).

From the President’s Desk: Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day 2025

September 26, 2025 - 01:51pm

Claire portrait with a green background

From the Provost's desk: Provost's Circle registration is open!

September 22, 2025 - 02:52pm

VIU in the News

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

A mountain biker navigates a rooty trail in the forest

VIU in the news: July 12 to 25

July 26, 2025 - 11:00am

Mackenzie holds the ball and runs

VIU in the news: July 7 to 11

July 11, 2025 - 04:12pm

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