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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

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

Alumni spotlight: Amy Armstrong and Vanessa Young

April 13, 2023 - 12:15pm

Tchadas Leo portrait

Journalist wins award for Indigenous-focused podcast

April 6, 2023 - 08:30am

Jacob Frankel holds up his phone to a sala bush. The green leaves appear on his phone screen.

Nature lovers asked to head outdoors and become citizen scientists during BioBlitz

April 4, 2023 - 12:15pm

Joseph Nowlan, Scott Britney and Dr. Spencer Russell, wear white lab coats, while looking at a Petri dish.

VIU researcher developing better tools to detect and manage bacterial infections in salmon

March 27, 2023 - 01:45pm

Trevor Ballyntine smiling at the camera

Alum of the month: Trevor Ballantyne

March 24, 2023 - 12:15pm

Drew Milne portrait next to VIU's Centre for Health and Science

Alum of the Month: Drew Milne

March 15, 2023 - 03:45pm

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

Michael Quinn portrait

What VIU's budget deficit means for your programs and classes

November 8, 2023 By Mike Quinn, VIU Provost and Vice-President Academic

VIU’s Provost and Vice-President Academic addresses this question

Picture of a VIU Nanaimo campus parking lot and sidewalk that have been cleared of snow

Preventing slips and falls this winter

November 7, 2023

Tips from VIU Health and Safety Services

A customer explains an issue to a customer service representative

Dealing with upset customers

October 31, 2023 By Dr. Evan Hoffman, VIU Faculty of Management Professor

De-escalating challenging situations

Two women dressed as witches paddle on Westwood Lake

VIU Student Pulse News: October 25, 2023

October 25, 2023

Ready for Halloween? 👻

Amy and her dog

Finding her fit in Canada’s far north

October 19, 2023

From Classroom to Career: Amy Badgley

Two people look at a laptop screen in the library

Building a better study session

October 19, 2023 By Becky Duarte

Tips to help you get things done

Statements & Announcements

Monique McKay surrounded by greenery

VIU welcomes new Director of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights

September 15, 2022 - 03:30pm

Blossoms Dressing by Cindy Stelmackowich consisting of metal splits with wax, pigment, bandages and linen.

View Gallery presents Cindy Stelmackowich – Trenched

September 7, 2022 - 10:15am

Group photo of people standing with a rendering of the new student housing building

More on-campus housing for Vancouver Island University

September 2, 2022 - 12:30pm

VIU student Agasha Mutesasira poses on one of the new accessibility ramps at VIUs Nanaimo campus

Provincial funding improves access to learning for VIU students

August 29, 2022 - 02:45pm

Student wearing a RockVIU T-Shirt stands with her arms stretched wide in front of tents and a performer playing the guitar

VIU welcomes new students with a week of activities and events

August 29, 2022 - 10:45am

Two people walk along a path near a tree with red leaves at Milner Gardens & Woodland.

Health professionals can prescribe access to VIU’s Milner Gardens through national program

July 4, 2022 - 12:30pm

VIU in the News

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