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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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aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

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

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!

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

Two actors rehearse with scripts in their hand near a bench in a park.

Ali Dillion-Cardinal amplifies teen voices in compelling play

August 7, 2024 By Rachel Stern

VIU Creative Writing student’s powerful work featured at Nanaimo Fringe Festival

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

Statements & Announcements

Vancouver Island University examining new models for continuing education

October 3, 2023 - 09:00am

A performer on the stage during Drag in the Theatre.

Drag show offers a night of jaw-dropping and dazzling performances

September 29, 2023 - 09:45am

colourful banner that reads DiscoverFest

VIU invites public to new community event

September 25, 2023 - 01:30pm

Climate action signs and a loudspeaker on pavement

VIU News & Experts: Wednesday, September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023 - 05:00pm

A canoe sits on a stand with drawings hanging on the gallery wall's behind it.

VIU’s View Gallery presents an exhibition featuring faculty artists

September 20, 2023 - 02:30pm

A group wearing Pride t-shirts poses for a photo with the pride flag

Statement in support of LGBTQ2S+ students, staff and families

September 20, 2023 - 08:45am

VIU in the News

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