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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.

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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.

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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

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News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

three science students gatherered around a table looking at model of bone structure

From classroom to lab: PreVIU Days help students explore their future at VIU

March 5, 2026 - 09:16am

Meteor shower

VIU News & Experts

July 24, 2024 - 01:15pm

Chloe McLaughlin stands by a tank, holding an urchin.

Enhancing food sovereignty and security for Indigenous communities

July 23, 2024 - 12:00pm

Sandy sits at his desk with images of brains open on one screen

Researcher looking for participants for brain injury study

July 22, 2024 - 03:45pm

Dr. Timothy Green, VIU’s Canada Research Chair in Shellfish Health and Genomics stands on a dock next to a boat holding oysters in his hand.

Oyster breeding research aims to address the deadly effects of ocean acidification

July 22, 2024 - 02:30am

Dr. Lindsay McCunn

What is environmental psychology and why is it important?

July 12, 2024 - 12:15pm

A forest fire

Experts on wildfire prep and water conservation 🔥

June 20, 2024 - 08:15pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

three students look at a robotic car on a table

Got questions about university? Let’s talk VIU

March 5, 2026 By Francesca Paladino

We’re here to help you navigate your next step with confidence

Allie Unger leans against a railing at Ucluelet harbour with boats anchored in the background.

Hands-on learning draws Allie Unger to VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture diploma

July 30, 2024 By Rachel Stern

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

Christin Collishaw sitting outside in a swing at beach and smiling at the camera

From social work to sustainable leisure management

July 22, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Christin Collishaw shares her story

A young woman with long dark hair laghing with friends.

VIU student wins coveted administration award

July 22, 2024

How getting involved helped Julia Morris get ahead

a power engineer inspects large tanks in a big machine room with sunlight peeking through the window

Find your new career path as a power engineer

July 18, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU’s next program intake is this fall

Bryan Lamprecht kneels in front of a patch of Hosackia pinnata flowers nestled in a field of grass.

Saving an endangered Nanaimo flower

July 12, 2024 By Rachel Stern

VIU Biology student studying rare flower only found in Nanaimo area

Halle Walle standing in front of her backyard bog and smiling at the camera

Re-creating a unique taste from ancient times

July 10, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Halle Walle shares her story

Statements & Announcements

A crowded festival scene with tents and a bouncy castle

VIU News & Experts: October 19, 2023

October 19, 2023 - 02:00pm

A canopy of trees with red, yellow and green leaves surround Milner House.

Milner Garden’s all-new Scarecrow Spectacular offers family-friendly fun

October 17, 2023 - 12:30pm

Six actors stand in two lines holding their arms up over their heads while rehearsing a scene at Malaspina Theatre.

VIU Theatre Department presents the dark parody Collateral Damage

October 13, 2023 - 11:45am

VIU hosting free, family-friendly fall festival

October 13, 2023 - 09:45am

White lettering reading VIU on a dark blue background.

Statement on the war in the Middle East

October 10, 2023 - 03:15pm

Mixed media painting of a red, white and dark blue boat with a trailer in front of it on the shoreline.

VIU’s View Gallery hosts an exhibit featuring Nanaimo and mid-Island artists

October 10, 2023 - 02:45pm

VIU in the News

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