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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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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

students in regalia throw their grad caps in the air

VIU News & Experts: June 3, 2026

June 3, 2026 - 08:20pm

A branch of purple rhododendrons

Flower Power: Milner Gardens & Woodland receives national recognition

October 31, 2024 - 02:15pm

Cobus Swarts writes on a chalkboard.

5 Questions with Cobus Swarts

October 24, 2024 - 10:15am

Two actors face each other on stage while rehearsing a scene.

Our Town explores love, loss and life’s fragility

October 21, 2024 - 12:15pm

Celebrated Canadian poet Lisa Robertson to give VIU Gustafson lecture

October 18, 2024 - 09:45am

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ officials smile for the camera

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ celebrates 50 years in the qathet Region

October 16, 2024 - 03:30pm

Kyle Wickland and Oscar Thoms have two glass tanks in front of them with thermometers and temperature gauges.

Learn about climate solutions and explore wildfire health risks at free climate conference

October 16, 2024 - 09:30am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Emma Rampanen smiling at the camera.

Turning clinic experience into community impact

June 9, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Meet the class of 2026: Emma Rampanen

Three students serve food outside the cafeteria

Are you saying yes to too much? 🤔

October 16, 2024

VIU student newsletter: October 16 edition

Four people stand in front of Shq'apthut: A Gathering Place

Meet the staff in Shq’apthut: A Gathering Place

October 16, 2024

Kerry, Brittany, Lyn and Heather are here for you

Three students sit at a table and look at a laptop screen together

The importance of knowing when to say yes and no

October 9, 2024 By Becky Duarte

Stepping out of your comfort zone – strategically

Hilary Peach smiling at the camera

From boilermaker to award-winning book author

October 9, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Hilary Peach shares her story

Four students walk together with festival in background

VIU student news: October 2, 2024

October 2, 2024

Come to VIU Fest for free fall fun 🥳

Three students interact with a vendor at the Career Fair

MyVIU student news: September 18, 2024

September 18, 2024

Campus Events: Therapy Dogs, Socials & Snacks

Statements & Announcements

Culinary arts students serve their seaweed creations to attendees during Urchin Tank, 2022.

VIU students showcase innovative seafood creations during Urchin Tank

November 20, 2023 - 10:30am

Graphic reads VIU expert spotlight with a person getting interviewed in the background

VIU News & Experts: November 16, 2023

November 16, 2023 - 05:00pm

Indigenous speaker elevates the voices of the “Reconciliation Generation”

November 15, 2023 - 05:00pm

Sarah types on a laptop in a classroom

VIU Giving Tuesday campaign helps students reach for their dreams

November 14, 2023 - 09:00am

Graphic that reads Message from the President

President's message on the crisis in the Middle East

November 6, 2023 - 12:30pm

Dr. Stephen Davies sits in front of his computer, which displays a digitized letter

VIU News & Experts: November 3, 2023

November 3, 2023 - 02:30pm

VIU in the News

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