Search

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

Tatum poses in front of a grey wall

New donor support helps more VIU students stay in school

October 27, 2025 - 01:16pm

5 Questions with Joy Gugeler

August 11, 2022 - 10:15am

Students working in a classroom

New initiative helps people gain admission into VIU programs

July 27, 2022 - 11:00am

Marcia_Turner

VIU welcomes new Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Education and Engagement

July 26, 2022 - 03:45pm

Regan McKeever uses an iPad to view the VIU ElderCollege website.

VIU ElderCollege offers both online and in-person courses for learners

July 26, 2022 - 10:45am

Dr. Patricia Johnston standing outside at VIU looking at camera

VIU Adjunct Professor’s research seeks to improve perinatal, neonatal services in Nunavut village

July 25, 2022 - 01:15pm

VIU Mariners women's volleyball team celebrating

VIU named host of the 2023 CCAA Women's Volleyball National Championship

July 21, 2022 - 12:00pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

A VIU employee sheltering under a desk and smiling at the camera.

Keeping VIU earthquake-ready with ShakeOutBC

October 14, 2025

Why practicing your response is so important

Two students wearing RockVIU shirts, one holding a loudspeaker

Student Pulse News: Wednesday, August 30, 2023

August 30, 2023

Ready for back to school? 🍎

Women wearing blue bang on drums

Your VIU bucket list

August 30, 2023 By Samantha Allan

Five events to check out before you graduate

Solving a puzzle no one else has solved

August 29, 2023 By Rachel Stern

Krystyn Forbes shares his Canada lynx research

Four students hang out in a dorm

Living in student residences

August 24, 2023 By Samantha Allan

Advice for a smooth transition

Misha Zvekic wears green gloves and holds a beaker with liquid in it in a chemistry lab.

Alum finds forever chemicals in sixgill shark

August 15, 2023 By Rachel Stern

Misha Zvekic examines shark during a research exchange

A parched, drought landscape

Doing your part to save water during a drought

August 15, 2023

Geography Professor Dr. Alan Gilchrist’s tips

Statements & Announcements

Three students backlit by the sun

Paper Excellence and Vancouver Island University create Indigenous Success Fund

June 21, 2022 - 02:30pm

VIU welcomes new Provost and Vice-President Academic

June 21, 2022 - 02:30pm

A common loon swimming in a lake with a chick riding on its back.

VIU’s View Gallery presents Photo Salon 2022 hosted by Harbour City Photography Club

June 16, 2022 - 02:00pm

Barbara Paterson

VIU awards honorary degree to acclaimed Canadian sculpture artist

June 15, 2022 - 11:45am

Portrait photo of William Good

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

June 15, 2022 - 11:45am

Portrait photo of Stephen Jarislowsky

VIU awards honorary degree to respected philanthropist and businessman

June 15, 2022 - 11:30am

VIU in the News

Sign up for the VIU news and experts email

Sign up for news emails

Connect with Us!

Phone or email us

Events and Info Sessions

View events

Ready to join us at VIU?

Start Your application