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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.

Find your program Learning Services

Programs

Learning Services

Talk to a recruiter

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.

Give

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

Search VIU

aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Lisa LeClerc smiling at the camera

Alumni spotlight: Lisa Leclerc

January 27, 2026 - 09:59am

Mandy Hobkirk uses an identification book while examining plants at VIU's Nanaimo Campus.

BioBlitz Event Provides a Snapshot of Plant and Animal Biodiversity

April 7, 2021 - 10:15am

Cam Wipper in front of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope

Alum of the Month: Cam Wipper

March 24, 2021 - 09:30am

VIU Students Find Creative Ways to Support Children and Families During COVID

VIU Students Find Creative Ways to Support Children and Families During COVID

March 12, 2021 - 01:00pm

Micah Messent posing in Haida Gwaii

VIU Alum Makes an Impact Through Endowment Awards

March 8, 2021 - 10:15am

Irlanda Gonzalez-Price, Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs

Student Affairs shows its Compassion during Pandemic

February 26, 2021 - 02:30am

Complete List: Long Service Honourees for 2020

February 26, 2021 - 02:00am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

a picture of a fist with Black History Month written next to it

Black History Month at VIU 2026

January 28, 2026

Art exhibit, open mic, music and poetry performance, book club and more planned throughout the month

Hands holding a sign that reads: There is no Planet B

Nanaimo municipal election: where candidates stand on climate action and sustainability

October 6, 2022 By Alyson Winks

Candidates answer two questions

Portrait of Samantha in front of the ocean

The importance of out-of-classroom experiences

October 6, 2022

Samantha Allan's story

A clipboard the says "My Resume" with bullet points rests next to a laptop

How do I tailor my resumé to a specific job?

October 1, 2022 By Paula Deering

Paula Deering at the Career Studio answers your top questions

Signed portrait of Queen Elizabeth on a tree branch

Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Vancouver Island University’s Milner Gardens & Woodland

October 1, 2022 By Emily Weeks, Operations Coordinator

A recounting of the famous visit

President Saucier and Auntie Geraldine hug in front of a wall of orange hearts

Student Pulse News: September 28, 2022

September 28, 2022

Truth & Reconciliation, Student Club Fair and other special events

Orange heart reads "truth comes before reconciliation" and "Ganu tlalire lax" (don't forget) and kaeda gangananam (for the children)

Exploring allyship and personalizing Truth and Reconciliation

September 28, 2022

Words from VIU's Communications and External Affairs team

Statements & Announcements

Experience VIU

VIU Invites People to Experience University Life in Live Virtual Events

January 4, 2021 - 02:30pm

Dub poet Lillian Allen

Juno-Award-Winning Dub Poet Lillian Allen to Give VIU Gustafson Lecture and Reading

December 23, 2020 - 01:00pm

VIU COVID Testing Clinic

VIU and Island Health Partner on COVID Testing Location at Nanaimo Campus

December 22, 2020 - 12:00pm

media highlights viu

VIU Media Highlights: November 24 - December 7, 2020

December 9, 2020 - 11:30am

Dr. Linda Derksen with a ramp sign

Rick Hansen Foundation Funds Accessibility Projects at VIU Campuses

December 3, 2020 - 05:45pm

President's and Provost's Awards for Excellence Celebration Program

December 3, 2020 - 12:15pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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