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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

Gained in translation: the magic of translating texts into English

June 15, 2022 - 07:45pm

Trail maps, aspirations and focusing on the future of work at VIU – People Plan renewal

June 15, 2022 - 12:30pm

Employee BBQ

The blessings of a new season

June 15, 2022 - 12:15pm

The impact of social media on body image and mental heath

June 15, 2022 - 12:00pm

An aerial photo of the Nanaimo tramway.

VIU students create community exhibit at Nanaimo Museum

June 15, 2022 - 10:45am

David_Alexander_Librarian

5 Questions with David Alexander

June 14, 2022 - 08:15pm

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

Bruce Barnard stands in front of his house

Thinking of renting to students this year?

August 7, 2023

Landlord Bruce Barnard shares his story

Kayla Passmore sits on a couch in front of the totem in the Centre for Health and Science atrium

Pushing the boundaries of what is possible

August 4, 2023

From classroom to career: Kayla Passmore

Examining mental health supports in the K-12 school system

August 3, 2023

Grad student Nova Heartland shares her research

Trinity stands in front of a car raised up on a stand

Discovering a passion for working on cars

July 27, 2023

Trinity LaRose's story

Two students look at a sheet in a lab, one has a pen in her hand, they are both smiling at the camera

New student checklist

July 24, 2023

7 things you can do before coming to VIU

Mauricea Panchenko

Single parent and psychology student receives significant scholarship

July 21, 2023 By Eric Zimmer

Mauricea Panchenko is well on her way to realizing her post-secondary dreams.

Statements & Announcements

Portrait photo of William Good

VIU awards honorary degree to Coast Salish Master Carver and Traditional Storyteller

June 15, 2022 - 11:45am

Barbara Paterson

VIU awards honorary degree to acclaimed Canadian sculpture artist

June 15, 2022 - 11:45am

Portrait photo of Stephen Jarislowsky

VIU awards honorary degree to respected philanthropist and businessman

June 15, 2022 - 11:30am

Deborah Saucier and Stephen Jarislowsky signing documents seated at a table

Vancouver Island University receives $2 million to educate future public service leaders

June 8, 2022 - 12:45pm

Terri Doughty, a VIU English Professor, smiles while standing in front of a rhododendron plant.

VIU hosts conference on the environment and young people’s literature and culture

June 1, 2022 - 02:30pm

campus aerial

Afternoon classes cancelled at VIU Nanaimo campus

May 18, 2022 - 01:45pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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