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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

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

Serene Kerpan head and shoulders with greenery behind her

Alum of the Month: Dr. Serene Kerpan

September 24, 2022 - 09:30am

Facing the camera and standing from left to right are refugee students Hanan Ali Abdi, Nyagua Deng Goch, and Daniella (Sifa) Mukenge

VIU welcomes three new refugee students

September 14, 2022 - 11:15am

Whitney Wood stands on the Jeopardy! stage with host Mayim Bialik.

5 Questions with Whitney Wood

August 23, 2022 - 10:15am

VIU Horticulture students in front of plants inside greenhouse

In Photos: VIU Horticulture program helps grow connections with Belize

August 22, 2022 - 01:15pm

Trevor Michalchuk and Lily Eggert, wearing high visibility vests, while standing in front of the Mass Specmobile.

VIU researchers measure methane at Alberni Valley Landfill

August 17, 2022 - 12:00pm

5 Questions with Joy Gugeler

August 11, 2022 - 10:15am

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

Aerial view of VIU's Nanaimo campus

VIU statement on support for students from India

October 3, 2023

A message from Carolyn Russell, AVP, International Education

Dozens of orange bracelets that read Every Child Matters

Allyship and Truth and Reconciliation

September 29, 2023

Reflections from members of the VIU community

A group of people wearing orange shirts walk together at VIU's Nanaimo campus

VIU Student Pulse News: September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

Truth and Reconciliation Day 🧡

a student on the left yawns while the student next to her has his hand on his face while in a classroom with lots of students in the background

Morning class mastery

September 26, 2023 By Samantha Allan

Conquer early morning classes with these tips

three students pose with the city of Nanaimo in the background

Things to do in Nanaimo

September 18, 2023 By Becky Duarte

Get to know your new hometown

Four students hang out in a dorm

Student Pulse News: Wednesday, September 13, 2023

September 13, 2023

Find your perfect part-time job 💼

Statements & Announcements

Vancouver Island University's Position Statement on Climate Action and Sustainability

October 21, 2022 - 10:00am

An aerial view of the Nanaimo campus on a sunny day with blue sky.

VIU releases position statement on climate action and sustainability

October 21, 2022 - 10:00am

Omair Quraishi is VIU's Chief Information Officer.

VIU welcomes new Chief Information Officer

October 19, 2022 - 04:15pm

M. NourbeSe Philip stands in the front of a classroom.

Groundbreaking poet M. NourbeSe Philip to deliver VIU Gustafson lecture

October 17, 2022 - 10:15am

Using technology to support Indigenous data sovereignty

September 28, 2022 - 10:45am

Dr. Theo Finigan, a VIU English Professor, holds up the book Atomic Blonde while standing in front of the VIU koi pond.

VIU Colloquium Series kicks off with a deep dive into the action thriller Atomic Blonde

September 21, 2022 - 04:15pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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