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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

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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

Lillian_Morpak

Combining passions and learning new skills

June 15, 2022 - 08:30pm

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

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

VIU First Aid Services

October 28, 2025 By Kim Sharpe, VIU Health and Safety Advisor

What you need to know

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.

Thomas Leaf

Exploring connections between sport, history and kinesiology

July 21, 2023

Meet this year’s recipient of VIU’s Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation

Heather Finlay

Ready to share her research

July 21, 2023

Meet this year’s recipient of VIU’s Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal

Spencer Antifave wearing a grey hoody outside and smiling at the camera

Combining business and psychology

July 21, 2023

Meet this year’s recipient of VIU’s Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal

Kelsey Moore smiles with a mountain range at sunset behind her.

Connecting with community and nature

July 17, 2023

Meet this year’s recipient of VIU’s Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal

Statements & Announcements

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

David_Alexander_Librarian

VIU Welcomes New University Librarian

April 19, 2022 - 08:45am

The Future of Reconciliation in Canada A VIU Conversation

VIU Hosts a Conversation on the Future of Reconciliation in Canada

April 13, 2022 - 05:00pm

Nine people gathered around conceptual drawing of Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place)

Provincial Government Funds Expansion of Shq’apthut, VIU’s Indigenous Gathering Place

April 8, 2022 - 03:45pm

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

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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