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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

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

Search VIU

aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Danielle with Dave and Jamie

Alumni Spotlight on Danielle Hyde

August 22, 2025 - 09:30am

VIU Mariners dance team jumps into the air

RockVIU 2022 Welcome to Campus: A message of appreciation

October 31, 2022 - 08:15am

A group of people in various cultural attire standing in front of a WorldVIU sign on the steps of the VIU library

VIU connects with local and global community at WorldVIU Days

October 25, 2022 - 01:00pm

VIU Culinary Arts student Darlene Charlie making a sandwich in the Birch Tree cafe kitchen and smiling at the camera

VIU Culinary Arts program in qathet region finds recipe for success

October 13, 2022 - 03:00pm

Burn scars on peatlands in Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia.

Severe fire activity declines in Equatorial Asia

September 28, 2022 - 10:30am

Kelly Black looks off to the horizon with a mountain in the distance.

5 Questions with Kelly Black

September 27, 2022 - 01:30pm

From left to right: Tracy Vandermolen, Darrell Harvey and Anwen Burk in a computer lab and smiling at the camera

VIU launches new educational technology partnership in the Caribbean

September 26, 2022 - 01:30pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Students hanging out in a room at one of the VIU residence buildings

Welcome to campus – the Student Housing edition

August 20, 2025 By By Jenna Gill, VIU Recruitment Officer

What to know about orientation, Community Leaders and upcoming events

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

Tanisha poses with the YPK team in Bali

My summer internship in Bali

October 3, 2023 By Tanisha Wilson

Kinesiology student Tanisha Wilson shares her experience

Georgia stands in front of a fence

My summer internship in New Zealand

October 3, 2023 By Georgia Mason-Guertin

Global Studies student Georgia Mason-Guertin shares her story

Statements & Announcements

Giving Tuesday postcard

VIU Giving Tuesday campaign raises funds for students in need

November 17, 2022 - 01:00pm

Nathan Pham and Kiara White hold their redesigned product packaging.

Graphic design students address sustainability by rethinking product packaging

November 16, 2022 - 10:30am

Four VIU microbiology and culinary arts work on their fermented seaweed products.

VIU students pitch their seaweed products on Dragons’ Den-style show

November 9, 2022 - 03:45pm

Nathan and Sam in front of vines on a wall

VIU expands awareness activities for free education savings grants

November 8, 2022 - 09:00am

A group of soldiers pose for a photo with Nanaimo Remembers written across the bottom

VIU and community partners remember local fallen armed forces members through video memorial

October 28, 2022 - 01:15pm

An actor at centre stage has their hands thrown up in the air while they look off in the distance. Numerous cast mates stand behind them in various poses.

VIU’s Theatre Department presents A Good Person

October 24, 2022 - 03:00pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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