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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

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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

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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

Jacob Frankel holds up his phone to a sala bush. The green leaves appear on his phone screen.

Nature lovers asked to head outdoors and become citizen scientists during BioBlitz

April 4, 2023 - 12:15pm

Joseph Nowlan, Scott Britney and Dr. Spencer Russell, wear white lab coats, while looking at a Petri dish.

VIU researcher developing better tools to detect and manage bacterial infections in salmon

March 27, 2023 - 01:45pm

Trevor Ballyntine smiling at the camera

Alum of the month: Trevor Ballantyne

March 24, 2023 - 12:15pm

Drew Milne portrait next to VIU's Centre for Health and Science

Alum of the Month: Drew Milne

March 15, 2023 - 03:45pm

VIU researcher examining pelvic health histories to help address gaps and inequities in care

March 15, 2023 - 10:00am

Avi Stenberg holding an award and smiling at the camera

VIU Culinary Instructor receives gold certification in Japanese cooking

March 2, 2023 - 01:00pm

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

Ezat Haidary wering a reflective vests and safety goggles in the carpentry shop, giving a thumbs up and smiling at the camera.

Refugee finds future career path with new VIU program

November 28, 2023 By Eric Zimmer

Ezat Haidary shares his story

People dancing with sparklers

VIU Student Pulse News: November 22, 2023

November 22, 2023

Need some program/course advice? 📚

A person typing on a laptop with a graphic of a robot and person with ChatGPT written between them

Artificial intelligence in the classroom

November 22, 2023 By Becky Duarte

A student’s guide to using tools like ChatGPT

Alisha wearing a blue sweater standing in front of a fence

Reducing inequality through community planning

November 18, 2023

From classroom to career: Alisha Feser

Group of students hang out in the Centre for Health and Science

VIU Student Pulse News: November 8, 2023

November 8, 2023

Tips for a productive study break and what VIU's budget deficit means for your programs and classes

Michael Quinn portrait

What VIU's budget deficit means for your programs and classes

November 8, 2023 By Mike Quinn, VIU Provost and Vice-President Academic

VIU’s Provost and Vice-President Academic addresses this question

Statements & Announcements

M. NourbeSe Philip stands in the front of a classroom.

Groundbreaking poet M. NourbeSe Philip to deliver VIU Gustafson lecture

October 17, 2022 - 10:15am

Using technology to support Indigenous data sovereignty

September 28, 2022 - 10:45am

Dr. Theo Finigan, a VIU English Professor, holds up the book Atomic Blonde while standing in front of the VIU koi pond.

VIU Colloquium Series kicks off with a deep dive into the action thriller Atomic Blonde

September 21, 2022 - 04:15pm

An aerial view of the Nanaimo campus on a sunny day with blue sky.

VIU research projects receive funding boost

September 21, 2022 - 11:15am

Group photo around the new sign at VIU’s campus in the qathet region

Tla’amin Nation gifts ʔayʔaǰuθəm name to local VIU campus

September 20, 2022 - 11:30am

Monique McKay surrounded by greenery

VIU welcomes new Director of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights

September 15, 2022 - 03:30pm

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