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About About

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

Start in January

September is not the only time to start a VIU program. Many have January intakes.

See January intake

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

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aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

A picture of Marie Wilson with some event details

A Conversation with Marie Wilson – 10 Years After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

September 4, 2025 - 12:51pm

Eliza Gardiner holds a bouquet of red roses and stands next to Joy Gugeler and a student during the 2022 vigil.

National Day of Remembrance vigil will “reaffirm commitment to fight against hatred and misogyny”

November 24, 2023 - 10:00am

VIU researcher examining how microbes could protect frogs and Pacific oysters from diseases

November 22, 2023 - 09:45am

VIU Women's Soccer Coach Bobbi Taylor

VIU’s Bobbie Taylor named CCAA Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year

November 8, 2023 - 02:00pm

Stephen Davies sits at his computer with a digitized letter on the screen

Putting a human face to the Canadian war experience

November 7, 2023 - 02:15pm

Three women smile at camera

VIU celebrates local and global community during WorldVIU Days

October 30, 2023 - 02:45pm

Mary Clare stands next to a lamppost with flowers trailing down it

Alum of the Month: Mary Clare Massicotte

October 20, 2023 - 12:45pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Caitlin Lundgren standing outside leaning on a railing on a sunny day and looking at the camera.

VIU alum makes impact in community through media industry

September 10, 2025

From Classroom to Career: Caitlin Lundgren

salmon swimming

Introducing VIU’s new salmon scholarship winners

April 22, 2024 By Reprinted with permission from the Pacific Salmon Foundation blog

Nick Davenport and Allie Unger share their stories

Four people sit on a stage together

Bad Leaders, Bad Followers: Threats to democracy we don't talk about enough

April 19, 2024

An edition of the Engaged Citizens Speaker Series

Group of students interacts while sitting at a table

Need a break from studying? 🍏

April 17, 2024

Student Pulse News: April 17, 2024

Two students hold up jeans and another holds up a poster.

VIU Graphic Design students create Earth Day window displays

April 17, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Students use eco-friendly and recycled materials in their designs

a flower grows out of concrete

Three ways to make yourself more resilient

April 16, 2024 By Albert Seinen

Wellness words from VIU Counsellor Albert Seinen

People sit in a circle with a banner behind them that reads Africa is not for sale.

Through the lens – Kashmir Lesnick-Petrovicz captures activism in South Africa

April 11, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Global Studies student showcased her work through exhibit

Statements & Announcements

Randle and Masako

VIU awards honorary degrees to local philanthropist and award-winning author

June 13, 2023 - 04:00pm

Graphic reads VIU expert spotlight with a person getting interviewed in the background

VIU News & Experts: June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023 - 05:00pm

President's statement on the recent death of a VIU student

June 8, 2023 - 04:30pm

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial - view of library and quad and city beyond

VIU receives funding to continue innovative upgrading program

June 5, 2023 - 01:00pm

Emily Huner stands in front of foliage at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Vancouver Island University welcomes new CFO and Vice-President, Administration

May 31, 2023 - 03:45pm

VIU Foundation launches challenge to support students in need

May 30, 2023 - 03:15pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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