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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

students in regalia throw their grad caps in the air

VIU News & Experts: June 3, 2026

June 3, 2026 - 08:20pm

Aaron Smith standing by the Glasgow Hills resort sign with his arms folded and smiling at the camera.

VIU offers innovative ways to combine trades and business training

October 9, 2025 - 02:31pm

A dad and his daughter look into a microscope

VIU hosts free all-ages community event

October 9, 2025 - 01:50pm

jack and jay holding their device

VIU students design wearable tech aid for people with visual impairments

October 7, 2025 - 03:31pm

Cliff Feng standing outside of a building at VIU and looking at the camera.

Getting to Know You: Cliff Feng

October 7, 2025 - 10:30am

Kyle Duncan on the left hand side looking at his machine and smiling, Caroline Variath on the right, outside and smiling at the camera. Split-screen image

Tackling the province’s pressing health challenges

September 22, 2025 - 04:35pm

A group stands in front of the welcome centre holding a plaque

Vancouver Island University recognized as Moose Hide Campaign Ambassador Campus

September 18, 2025 - 04:23pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Taylor Fleming on stage during a dance performance against a blue backdrop

Building confidence through community

June 3, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Meet the class of 2026: Taylor Fleming

A man wearing hip waders and waterproof jacket holds a salmon

Celebrating VIU’s emerging salmon leaders

July 26, 2025 By Pacific Salmon Foundation (reprinted with permission)

Meet Tristan Dieleman

Kai Leighton in a Mariners jersey holding a basketball and pointing at the camera.

Finding purpose on and off the court

July 15, 2025 By Eric Zimmer

Kai Leighton shares his story

Jenna waves at the camera in a square

Why you should say YES to studying abroad

July 14, 2025 By Jenna Gill

Finding friendship, direction and adventure overseas: Jenna Gill

A woman stands next to a fence and a green field with her hands in her pockets

Finding her calling in therapeutic healing

July 9, 2025

Elise Cole’s journey from Kinesiology student to physiotherapist

Christina Hunt smiling at the camera

From memoirs to microplastics: Making headlines for a class assignment

July 7, 2025

Christina Hunt’s piece on microplastics catches editor’s eye

A woman wearing tan overalls is standing in a clearing in the forest in front of a campfire.

VIU master’s student brings alternative healing program to Canada’s North

July 2, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Emily Hoefs is transforming health care in her community

Statements & Announcements

Brandi is wearing a blue shirt and sits with her arms on a table in front of her

Indigenous speaker shares an urgent call to action for all Canadians

November 14, 2024 - 01:15pm

A picture of a solider and his family to the left, a copy of a letter in the foreground

VIU News & Experts: November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024 - 10:45am

Text reads Severe Weather Closure with snow and a blue background

Severe weather closure notifications for the 2024-25 year

November 4, 2024 - 04:00pm

A student practices nail work on another student in the aesthetics and spa therapy classroom at VIU.

VIU Esthetics and Spa Therapy program hosts open house in new space

October 30, 2024 - 11:45am

A volleyball player holds a ball, other volleyball players can be seen in the background

VIU News & Experts: October 23, 2024

October 23, 2024 - 03:45pm

aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Fostering respectful dialogue: A message on neutrality and inclusivity at VIU

September 25, 2024 - 12:00pm

VIU in the News

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