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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

Tim_Goater_lecture

Passionate about parasites, people, and places

April 6, 2022 - 08:30pm

Team BC Culinary Olympics

Culinary Teams from Across Canada Coming to VIU to Prepare for Global Competition

April 6, 2022 - 03:30pm

Long Service

Long Service Awards Matter

April 5, 2022 - 11:45am

5 Questions with Susan Juby

April 4, 2022 - 09:00am

Celebrating Our Strengths and Addressing Our Opportunities

April 2, 2022 - 03:00pm

campus_map_column

Exterior wayfinding program makes VIU a more welcoming place to everyone

April 2, 2022 - 02:15pm

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

Blue garbage bins and green recycling bins line the left side of a Nanaimo street.

Why you should secure your garbage and recycling

June 28, 2023

Resource management officer students work with city on bear attractants

Ted with the ocean behind him

Transitioning from co-op student to manager

June 28, 2023

From classroom to career: Ted Nathanson

Ethan Hummel sits on a tree trunk.

Putting classroom learning into practice

June 26, 2023

Ethan Hummel shares his experience working at Nanaimo Museum

Olivia stands under the outdoor walkway outside the Centre for Health and Science at VIU

Impacting others through supportive leadership

June 22, 2023

From classroom to career: Olivia Wright

A husky tied up outside

VIU alum shares Indigenous-made films watch list

June 20, 2023 By J’net Ayayqwayaksheelth, Director of Indigenous Relations and Community Engagement, National Film Board of Canada

J’net Ayayqwayaksheelth shares three recent favourites

Nicole Darlington prunes leaves off a tomato plant.

Growing knowledge in VIU’s aquaponics greenhouse

June 20, 2023 By Rachel Stern

Students learn about sustainable food production

Statements & Announcements

Leading the Future Together text with a background of mountains

VIU Students Aim for Connection with Youth Leadership Conference

March 30, 2022 - 05:00pm

New Bursary Fund Boosts Impact of Education Savings Grant

March 30, 2022 - 04:45pm

Addressing the assault of a VIU student last weekend

March 29, 2022 - 04:00pm

VIU and UVic Presidents and Chancellors pose with the Talking Stick

UVic and VIU Deepen Relationship with Special Gifting Ceremony for New Chancellor

March 28, 2022 - 05:15pm

Discovery Day banner

High School Students Invited to Experience VIU During Discovery Day

March 16, 2022 - 03:00pm

PHO Removing Restrictions on Masks and Vaccine Passports

March 10, 2022 - 04:00pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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Ready to join us at VIU?

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