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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.

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

Milner House framed by blooming flowers and foliage

Milner Gardens & Woodland launches five-year strategic plan

July 11, 2025 - 08:22am

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

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

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Jenna waves at the camera in a square

Why you should say YES to studying abroad

July 14, 2025 By Jenna Gill

Finding friendship, direction and adventure overseas: Jenna Gill

three people stand around a mass spectrometer

VIU Student Pulse News: February 7

February 7, 2024

Black History Month and Valentine's Day events ❤️

Shq'apthut's three totems

Bringing Indigenous knowledge into the classroom

February 4, 2024

Introducing the Totem podcast

Valentina sits in a garden with lots of greenery around her

Healing the mind with psychedelic-assisted therapy

February 4, 2024

From classroom to career: Valentina Chichiniova

Two students studying together with their laptops open

Tips to prioritize your mental health this year

January 28, 2024 By Becky Duarte

Advice from Wellness Promoter Becky Duarte

Snowy campus

VIU Student Pulse News: January 24, 2024

January 25, 2024

Take care of your mental health 🧠

A student looks at a laptop screen surrounded by boxes

Finding a place to live in Nanaimo

January 22, 2024 By Michael Witcomb, Off-Campus Housing Coordinator

5 tips for students looking for housing

Statements & Announcements

Markus in the Centre for Health and Science

VIU and Northpine Foundation expand educational opportunities in BC correctional centres

March 1, 2023 - 12:15pm

VIU campuses re-open at noon today (February 28)

February 28, 2023 - 10:00am

Severe weather closure written in a snowy graphic

Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses and Parksville centre closed for the morning (February 28) due to severe weather

February 28, 2023 - 06:00am

Students look at sea urchins together

VIU Media Highlights: February 16

February 16, 2023 - 04:30pm

A student speaks into a microphone in front of a crowd

More than a thousand students Discover VIU at open house events next week

February 16, 2023 - 12:15pm

Melanie P. Loureiro stands in front of several bins of mussels and holds onel in her left hand.

VIU’s Seafood Business Accelerator program will help small-scale harvesters find their niche

February 16, 2023 - 12:00pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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