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About About

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.

Find your program Learning Services

Programs

Learning Services

Start in January

September is not the only time to start a VIU program. Many have January intakes.

See January intake

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.

Give

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

Search VIU

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News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

A picture of Marie Wilson with some event details

A Conversation with Marie Wilson – 10 Years After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

September 4, 2025 - 12:51pm

VIU students to benefit from Norwegian collaboration in outdoor studies.

VIU Students to Benefit From Norwegian Collaboration in Outdoor Studies

January 24, 2020 - 09:45am

Cold War Propaganda, Graphic Narratives and Magical Music Explored in Series

January 22, 2020 - 09:15am

VIU Satyr Players Club Presents Six Shows During One-Act Play Festival

January 20, 2020 - 04:15pm

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

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

a person jumping into a very blue-green ocean

My semester abroad in Barbados

September 5, 2025

Ben Carter embraces Bajan culture

Leon Potter clasps his hands at his chin.

A Brief “Visit” into the Theatre of Grotesque

January 28, 2022

Theatre Professor Leon Potter takes audience behind the curtain of spring production

Three VIU students walk on a grassy hill at the Nanaimo Campus.

Top 6 reasons you should talk to a VIU educational advisor

January 27, 2022 By Rachel Stern

Get the support you need on your learning journey

Flags from around the world strung on a banner

VIU Student Pulse: January 26, 2022

January 26, 2022

What's happening on campus 📆

Erika Berg stands outside VIU's Science and Tech building.

What it’s like to be the face of the 2021 fire season

January 24, 2022 By Rachel Stern

VIU student Erika Berg reflects on her role as a BC Wildfire Service spokesperson

Portrait of Talela Manson with Coast Salish totem pole in background

Finding a place to not only belong but also thrive: Talela Manson

January 18, 2022

Celebrating Indigenous mentorship at VIU

Man staring out the window at the rain

Weathering the rainstorms

January 17, 2022 By Preet Parmar

How to prioritize your well-being when it's gloomy outside

Statements & Announcements

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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