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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.

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

aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

looking down a mountain bike trail from the perspective of the rider

Enhancing the management of BC’s mountain bike trail networks

August 12, 2025 - 03:55pm

The book cover of The Teachings of Mutton shows a black background with white dog fur in the foreground

VIU Deep Bay event explores cultural story of the Coast Salish Woolly Dog

July 9, 2025 - 10:55am

Two people stand at a viewpoint on Notch Hill

Exhibit celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region

July 5, 2025 - 10:18am

Alumni spotlight on Tonia Laird

June 26, 2025 - 10:38am

Championship jump rope athlete Elise Visentin is skipping her way to Japan

Skipping her way to Japan

June 25, 2025 - 10:17am

photo complilation of all 12 winners

A new level: VIU’s 2024-25 CCAA Academic All-Canadians

June 19, 2025 - 04:42pm

Grads throw their caps in the air

VIU News & Experts: June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025 - 09:41pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

A row of electric bikes parked at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Biking to Vancouver Island University?

August 18, 2025 By Kim Sharpe, VIU Health and Safety Advisor

Here are some safety tips:

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

VIU Graduate, wearing convocation robes, Olivia Thomas is holding a medal while standing outside in front of a garden

From foster care to university graduate

June 24, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Olivia Thomas’s 14-year journey of resilience and perseverance

Statements & Announcements

campus aerial

Message from the Acting President: May 22 Update to the Community

May 22, 2025 - 01:00pm

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial view

Message from the Acting President and Provost: Update to the Community: May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025 - 04:03pm

Graphic: text reads, Celebrating Asian Heritage Month at VIU on a blue background with a cherry blossom tree and building.

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada

May 2, 2025 - 12:35pm

View of Nanaimo campus Building 250

Message from the Acting President: Update to the Community April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025 - 10:09am

Ariel photograph of the Vancouver Island University campus with several buildings on a hillside on a sunny day

Honouring remarkable VIU employees

April 23, 2025 - 10:19am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Message from the Acting President: Update to the community April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025 - 11:11am

VIU in the News

Two students discuss a poster behind them, one holds a naloxone kit

VIU in the news: May 30, 2025

June 1, 2025 - 07:30am

Tarah stands in front of her exhibit

VIU in the news May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025 - 03:53pm

Students cut the large Nanaimo bar

VIU in the news: May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025 - 03:07pm

a person operates an excavator

VIU in the news: May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025 - 05:18pm

VIU in the news May 2, 2025

May 5, 2025 - 01:26pm

A Vancouver Island marmot in a mountain landscape

VIU in the news: April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025 - 10:19am

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