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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.

Programs Programs

Explore a wide range of program offerings and learning services. Choose from degrees, vocational training, certificates and more.

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Programs

Learning Services

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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.

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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

A student stands in front of a railing with her arms crossed

VIU launches campaign to remove financial barriers to post-secondary education

March 2, 2026 - 11:16am

Lauren Touchant sitting outside and displaying her book and smiling at the camera.

From the classroom to COP: A VIU prof writes about climate talks

January 14, 2026 - 01:28pm

Caitlin Hartigan smiling at the camera

Breaking barriers in skilled trades education

January 12, 2026 - 11:54am

The facilities team at VIU standing outside in front of a work van on a cloudy day

Getting to Know You: VIU Facilities Maintenance team

January 6, 2026 - 10:49am

A graphic with seeds and the text: Rear-VIU Mirror: VIU's top 10 news stories of 2025

Rear-VIU Mirror

December 22, 2025 - 10:24am

A woman with a beautiful vista view behind her

Alumni Spotlight: Joy Wilson

December 21, 2025 - 09:56am

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VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $480,000 for students in need

December 4, 2025 - 04:09pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Two coaches lean in for an embrace

Longtime Mariners coaches stepping away from roles after storied careers

February 23, 2026

Matt Kuzminski and Tony Bryce are saying goodbye to their time as court sport leaders

a computer screen shows a variety of graphs and charts

Boost your career prospects with digital marketing certification

November 17, 2025 By Jennifer Ford

Because every company needs an online presence.

Zuhur Debasay holding a cake she made at VIU and smiling at the camera.

VIU program helps newcomers find trades careers

November 13, 2025 By Eric Zimmer

Students explore a range of trades while improving their English and job-readiness skills.

Indigenous community members wearing blankets stand solemnly next to cenotaph next to

Veterans united

November 7, 2025

Marlene Rice (Hwiem') tells the story of the Veterans Totem Pole and Veterans Cenotaph

Whitney Williams smiling at the camera

Empowering educators worldwide

October 30, 2025

How a VIU alum is shaping the future of learning

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

VIU First Aid Services

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

What you need to know

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

Statements & Announcements

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

From the Provost’s Desk: Program suspensions

June 13, 2025 - 10:00am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Message from the Acting President: June 5 Update to the Community

June 5, 2025 - 09:47am

Kwulasulwut Garden totem

Honouring Indigenous history, culture and community at VIU

June 4, 2025 - 05:22pm

Dennis Johnson with a view of the Nanaimo campus and greenery behind him

Vancouver Island University Appoints Dr. Dennis Johnson as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor

June 4, 2025 - 03:00pm

The Pride flag flies in Royal Bank Plaza at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Celebrating Pride Month 2025

May 30, 2025 - 08:22am

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Message from the Acting President: May 22 Update to the Community

May 22, 2025 - 01:00pm

VIU in the News

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VIU in the news: June 7 to 24, 2025

June 24, 2025 - 03:01pm

Stephen sits at his computer

VIU in the news: June 6, 2025

June 7, 2025 - 09:48am

Two students discuss a poster behind them, one holds a naloxone kit

VIU in the news: May 30, 2025

June 1, 2025 - 07:30am

Tarah stands in front of her exhibit

VIU in the news May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025 - 03:53pm

Students cut the large Nanaimo bar

VIU in the news: May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025 - 03:07pm

a person operates an excavator

VIU in the news: May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025 - 05:18pm

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