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

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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

Beach scene with a waterfall

VIU experts on tourism, wildfires and snowpacks

May 17, 2023 - 02:15pm

Dave Paul, owner of Love Shack Libations, leans against a wooden counter. Beer bottles and a glass is on his right.

VIU partners with brewery to raise awareness about ocean research

May 4, 2023 - 12:15pm

Caroline Josefsson, left, and VIU student Megan Kollman, sit on a hill weeding a section with several small green plants.

VIU biology professor restoring one of Canada’s most threatened ecosystems on Nanaimo campus

May 1, 2023 - 02:15pm

Xander leans against a pole outside VIU's Centre for Health and Science

Alum of the Month: Xander France

April 27, 2023 - 09:30am

VIU Mariners soccer player receives CCAA Torchbearer Scholarship

April 18, 2023 - 02:15pm

Alumni spotlight: Amy Armstrong and Vanessa Young

April 13, 2023 - 12:15pm

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

Snowy campus

VIU Student Pulse News: January 24, 2024

January 25, 2024

Take care of your mental health 🧠

A student looks at a laptop screen surrounded by boxes

Finding a place to live in Nanaimo

January 22, 2024 By Michael Witcomb, Off-Campus Housing Coordinator

5 tips for students looking for housing

Group photo of people raising their hands in celebration

VIU Student Pulse News: January 10, 2024

January 10, 2024

Start the Spring Semester off right 📚

Daniela

Child and Youth Care students give back to community with project

January 4, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Two second-year students share their story

a woman shakes hands with another woman

Business etiquette tips for students

January 2, 2024 By Jonah Ferguson, VIU’s Employer and Student Engagement Coordinator

How to be a professional in the workplace

An animal with a rack on its head in a snowy landscape

Studying tourism in Finland’s Arctic

December 22, 2023 By Riya Rajesh

Riya Rajesh shares her story

Statements & Announcements

Group holds up a conceptual rendering of the new student housing facility coming to VIU's Nanaimo campus

Top 20 VIU stories of 2022

December 20, 2022 - 11:45am

Words Severe Weather Closure written with a snowy background

VIU's Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses closed due to severe weather

December 20, 2022 - 05:45am

Equity Diversity Inclusion rainbow hands

Count Yourself IN! Launch of Employee Diversity Identity Census

December 14, 2022 - 12:30am

Student in grad cap hugs someone with words Giving Tuesday on side

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $500,000 for students in need

December 7, 2022 - 02:00pm

Roses on snow with a Moose Hide Campaign poster

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Vigil happening today

December 6, 2022 - 10:00am

Sunday, December 4: All campuses and locations open for regular Sunday activities

December 4, 2022 - 08:00am

VIU in the News

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