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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?

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From classrooms to research and community engagement, the VIU community's impact is worth celebrating.

VIU Impact Report

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Admissions & Aid Admissions & Aid

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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

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

Explore VIU's impact

From classrooms to research and community engagement, the VIU community's impact is worth celebrating.

VIU Impact Report

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News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Laura Mercer standing outside and smiling at the camera

Alumni spotlight on Laura Mercer

September 4, 2026 - 10:56am

VIU’s Dr. Tim Green, Canada Research Chair in Shellfish Health and Genomics, is pursuing research to detect norovirus contamination in marine environments.

VIU Receives $300,000 to Research Norovirus Contamination of Oysters

January 17, 2020 - 09:45am

VIU's Nanaimo, Cowichan and Parksville-Qualicum locations are closed for the morning (Thursday, January 16, 2020)

January 16, 2020 - 06:30am

VIU Alumna Hannah McSorley shares her enthusiasm about being a researcher in the field of environmental science.

Alum of the Month: Hannah McSorley

January 14, 2020 - 08:45am

Janelle Minoza, VIU Bachelor of Social Work student

The Power of Persistence: A Story of Success and Resilience

January 13, 2020 - 11:00am

Dr. Jasmine Janes, a VIU Biology Professor, examines some of the insect specimens at the VIU Museum of Natural History.

VIU Biology Professor Pens Paper About Insect Apocalypse Myth

January 9, 2020 - 09:00am

Dr. Cynthia-Lou Coleman leans against a railing near VIU's koi pond with sun hitting her hair.

Scholar Focuses on How Indigenous Issues are Covered in Media

September 3, 2019 - 12:00pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

students walking down a set of stairs outside

New student questions, answered

August 25, 2026

Answers to common questions about starting at Vancouver Island University

Student on a bed with headphones looking at a laptop

Finding a place to live in Nanaimo

November 4, 2021 By Michael Witcomb

5 tips to help you secure the housing arrangement that’s right for you

Student on the rainbow stairs

VIU Student Pulse News: November 3, 2021

November 3, 2021

November is a busy month at VIU! ☔

Samuelle Simard-Provençal holds a small bird in her hands.

Alum takes high school students under her wing

October 25, 2021 By Rachel Stern

Samuelle Simard-Provençal shares her love of science through bird banding demonstration

A jack-o-lantern lit up

Student Pulse News: October 20, 2021

October 20, 2021

Spook-tacular events on campus and much more 🎃👻

Leilani Farha portrait photo

Engaged Citizens Speaker Series Discusses the Housing Crisis

October 19, 2021 By Jenn McGarrigle

Cover images from past Portal magazines

Portal’s Portfolio Live Reading Series Shifts to YouTube

October 13, 2021 By Joe Enns, VIU Creative Writing and Journalism student

Video interviews allow for in-depth conversations with authors

Statements & Announcements

VIU in the News

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