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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.

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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

VIU researcher examining pelvic health histories to help address gaps and inequities in care

March 15, 2023 - 10:00am

Avi Stenberg holding an award and smiling at the camera

VIU Culinary Instructor receives gold certification in Japanese cooking

March 2, 2023 - 01:00pm

VIU Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Program Chair Shannon Dames with VIU Elder-in-Residence C-tasi:a Geraldine Manson standing outside in front of totem poles and smiling at the camera

VIU launches collaborative psychedelic research centre

March 2, 2023 - 12:15pm

A group of VIU Mariners women's volleyball teammates celebrate in a circle on the volleyball court

VIU women’s volleyball team seeks national title on home turf

March 1, 2023 - 02:30pm

A woman with her back to the camera sits on a swing tied to a tree in a clearing on the top of a mountain looking down at the water below on a sunny evening.

Researchers asking Cowichan region residents how they feel about tourism

February 8, 2023 - 10:30am

Chris Gill in an alleyway

VIU Media Highlights: February 3, 2023

February 3, 2023 - 02:45pm

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

Lizzy Schafers, Jasmine Janes and Emma Peterson give the thumbs up sign while taking a selfie.

Surveying plants in remote BC parks

October 18, 2023 By Rachel Stern

Emma Peterson and Lizzy Schafers share their research experience

Picture of a compass rose on a globe

Gaining real-world experiences in the publishing world

October 12, 2023

Students aim to answer some of humanity’s fundamental questions in journal

Anna Shynkarenko wearing a hat, half-hidden behind a bush and looking at the camera

Researching the effects of war on urban landscapes in Ukraine

October 12, 2023 By Eric Zimmer

Anna Shynkarenko came to VIU on a Mitacs internship

Two women look at a laptop screen together

VIU Student Pulse News: October 11, 2023

October 11, 2023

Make mental health a priority 🌈

Two women hug

Make mental health a priority

October 9, 2023 By Becky Duarte

A reminder during World Mental Health Month

A magnifying glass reveals a bedbug on a bed

Battling the muggy and buggy in rental housing

October 9, 2023 By Michael Witcomb, Off-Campus Housing Coordinator

What to do if you have mold or pests in your home

Statements & Announcements

Three people standing in front of a VIU residence building

VIU hosts summer camps for Indigenous students

June 29, 2022 - 02:15pm

VIU welcomes new Provost and Vice-President Academic

June 21, 2022 - 02:30pm

Three students backlit by the sun

Paper Excellence and Vancouver Island University create Indigenous Success Fund

June 21, 2022 - 02:30pm

A common loon swimming in a lake with a chick riding on its back.

VIU’s View Gallery presents Photo Salon 2022 hosted by Harbour City Photography Club

June 16, 2022 - 02:00pm

Portrait photo of William Good

VIU awards honorary degree to Coast Salish Master Carver and Traditional Storyteller

June 15, 2022 - 11:45am

Barbara Paterson

VIU awards honorary degree to acclaimed Canadian sculpture artist

June 15, 2022 - 11:45am

VIU in the News

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