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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

Tatum poses in front of a grey wall

New donor support helps more VIU students stay in school

October 27, 2025 - 01:16pm

VIU part of BC plan to train, recruit more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022 - 04:00pm

Picture of VIU Professor Aggie Weighill and two members of her research team

How did COVID-19 affect recreation programing in the Yukon?

July 14, 2022 - 02:15pm

Alum of the Month: Bianca van der Stoel

July 8, 2022 - 01:45pm

VIU Elder-in-REsidence Geraldine Manson and the cover of her new book

VIU Elder-in-Residence publishes new book

June 17, 2022 - 11:00am

Employee BBQ

Spring Semester photo album 2022

June 16, 2022 - 12:00pm

Carol_Deb_Uncle Gary

Dr. Carol Stuart reflects on a career well-worked, and some colleagues share well-wishes

June 16, 2022 - 05:15am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Kara Rafuse smiling at the camera

Learning through a child’s eyes

October 28, 2025 By Eric Zimmer

Kara Rafuse finds her passion in early childhood education

A parched, drought landscape

Doing your part to save water during a drought

August 15, 2023

Geography Professor Dr. Alan Gilchrist’s tips

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

Statements & Announcements

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

Three people hold up tampon boxes

VIU to Offer Free Menstrual Products at all Campuses

May 5, 2022 - 12:00pm

Interior of the View Gallery with paintings hung on the wall and a wooden human body art piece on the floor.

VIU’s The View Gallery Presents Escape Artists

April 22, 2022 - 09:45am

An interior of a vehicle with the top of the driver and passenger sears visible. Text across the image says Portal 2022 Words to Transport You.

Portal Hosts First In-Person Launch Since 2020

April 19, 2022 - 12:15pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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