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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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News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

three students holding red heart cookies and a thank you sign

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $480,000 for students in need

December 4, 2025 - 04:09pm

Danielle Hyde on the left receiving her award from a CCAA representative

VIU's Danielle Hyde named 2023 CCAA Athletic Director of the Year

June 14, 2023 - 08:45am

Meara Kimball is dressed in suspenders and jeans with a shirt that says Dash on it

Dash Dauntless: VIU’s professional wrestler

June 7, 2023 - 03:00am

rainbow circle with arrows making the colours that says Thrive Here in the middle

Benefits Overview: Where do You Turn When You’re Not Sure Where to Turn?

June 5, 2023 - 02:15pm

5 Questions with Melissa Huggan

May 31, 2023 - 11:30am

Dr. Michael Asmussen sitting in a tree and smiling at the camera.

Vancouver Island University welcomes award-winning foot and ankle researcher

May 24, 2023 - 03:30pm

Ashley Kuramoto smiles with a natural and/or garden background

Alum of the Month: Ashley Kuramoto

May 20, 2023 - 05:45pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Two students look at a laptop screen together

What is VIU’s Zero Textbook Cost pilot project?

December 15, 2025

The project highlights courses with no required textbook costs

Grace Poirier

Designing VIU’s next signature chocolate in Paris

February 12, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Baking and Pastry Arts student Grace Poirier shares her story

VIU grad and current employee Rayan Zeineddine wearing a VIU hoodie and glasses standing next to a tree outside and smiling at the camera

Finding community and belonging at VIU

February 9, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU grad and current employee Rayan Zeineddine shares his story

three people stand around a mass spectrometer

VIU Student Pulse News: February 7

February 7, 2024

Black History Month and Valentine's Day events ❤️

Shq'apthut's three totems

Bringing Indigenous knowledge into the classroom

February 4, 2024

Introducing the Totem podcast

Valentina sits in a garden with lots of greenery around her

Healing the mind with psychedelic-assisted therapy

February 4, 2024

From classroom to career: Valentina Chichiniova

Two students studying together with their laptops open

Tips to prioritize your mental health this year

January 28, 2024 By Becky Duarte

Advice from Wellness Promoter Becky Duarte

Statements & Announcements

James Mark smiles while holding a violin.

VIU professor explores Bach’s Chaconne for Solo Violin during first spring Colloquium lecture

January 27, 2023 - 10:00am

VIU accepts return of Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond

January 17, 2023 - 02:15pm

Man leans on railing in VIU's Centre for Health and Science

VIU Media Highlights: January 6, 2023

January 6, 2023 - 02:30pm

An ape made of white plaster and clay holds a cell phone, which it stares at intensely

VIU’s View Gallery presents the 2023 Student Art Salon

January 6, 2023 - 01:00pm

A clear path that has had the snow shoveled off of it with bright blue sky.

All VIU campuses open today (December 21)

December 21, 2022 - 06:00am

woman in a wheelchair on a ramp at VIU's Nanaimo campus

VIU Media Highlights: December 20, 2022

December 20, 2022 - 01:30pm

VIU in the News

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