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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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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

Sharon Karsten standing outside on a sunny day and smiling at the camera.

VIU researcher aims to improve hospital care for people who use substances

July 6, 2026 - 01:46pm

Ashley Kuramoto smiles with a natural and/or garden background

Alum of the Month: Ashley Kuramoto

May 20, 2023 - 05:45pm

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

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Rebecca-Duarte-graduating-with-her-friends

From homesick to hopeful: Five things I’m grateful for after 3.5 years at VIU

July 2, 2026 By Becky Duarte

Becky Duarte reflects on a transformative university journey

Madeline kozubal wearing mechanics coveralls standing in front of a school bus engine and smiling at the camera

Dual Credit program sparks interest in trades careers

December 4, 2023 By Eric Zimmer

Madeline Kozubal shares her story

Ezat Haidary wering a reflective vests and safety goggles in the carpentry shop, giving a thumbs up and smiling at the camera.

Refugee finds future career path with new VIU program

November 28, 2023 By Eric Zimmer

Ezat Haidary shares his story

People dancing with sparklers

VIU Student Pulse News: November 22, 2023

November 22, 2023

Need some program/course advice? 📚

A person typing on a laptop with a graphic of a robot and person with ChatGPT written between them

Artificial intelligence in the classroom

November 22, 2023 By Becky Duarte

A student’s guide to using tools like ChatGPT

Alisha wearing a blue sweater standing in front of a fence

Reducing inequality through community planning

November 18, 2023

From classroom to career: Alisha Feser

Group of students hang out in the Centre for Health and Science

VIU Student Pulse News: November 8, 2023

November 8, 2023

Tips for a productive study break and what VIU's budget deficit means for your programs and classes

Statements & Announcements

Omair Quraishi is VIU's Chief Information Officer.

VIU welcomes new Chief Information Officer

October 19, 2022 - 04:15pm

M. NourbeSe Philip stands in the front of a classroom.

Groundbreaking poet M. NourbeSe Philip to deliver VIU Gustafson lecture

October 17, 2022 - 10:15am

Using technology to support Indigenous data sovereignty

September 28, 2022 - 10:45am

Dr. Theo Finigan, a VIU English Professor, holds up the book Atomic Blonde while standing in front of the VIU koi pond.

VIU Colloquium Series kicks off with a deep dive into the action thriller Atomic Blonde

September 21, 2022 - 04:15pm

An aerial view of the Nanaimo campus on a sunny day with blue sky.

VIU research projects receive funding boost

September 21, 2022 - 11:15am

Group photo around the new sign at VIU’s campus in the qathet region

Tla’amin Nation gifts ʔayʔaǰuθəm name to local VIU campus

September 20, 2022 - 11:30am

VIU in the News

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