Search

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

aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Danielle with Dave and Jamie

Alumni Spotlight on Danielle Hyde

August 22, 2025 - 09:30am

Cobus Swarts writes on a chalkboard.

5 Questions with Cobus Swarts

October 24, 2024 - 10:15am

Two actors face each other on stage while rehearsing a scene.

Our Town explores love, loss and life’s fragility

October 21, 2024 - 12:15pm

Celebrated Canadian poet Lisa Robertson to give VIU Gustafson lecture

October 18, 2024 - 09:45am

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ officials smile for the camera

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ celebrates 50 years in the qathet Region

October 16, 2024 - 03:30pm

Kyle Wickland and Oscar Thoms have two glass tanks in front of them with thermometers and temperature gauges.

Learn about climate solutions and explore wildfire health risks at free climate conference

October 16, 2024 - 09:30am

Jennifer Lindley with a big cat

Alum of the Month: Jennifer Lindley

October 11, 2024 - 11:30am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Students hanging out in a room at one of the VIU residence buildings

Welcome to campus – the Student Housing edition

August 20, 2025 By By Jenna Gill, VIU Recruitment Officer

What to know about orientation, Community Leaders and upcoming events

Happy holidays in text with background of ornaments on a tree

VIU student news: December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

The holiday break is almost here 🎄

Jesse Anderson standing outside in front of one of his machines on a sunny day.

From Heavy Equipment student to successful business owner

December 9, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Jesse Anderson shares his story

Laura Hutchinson smiling at the camera with trees in the background.

Finding her career as a biomechanics researcher

December 5, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Laura Hutchinson shares her story

Alex Bhargava stands on the Malaspina Theatre stage looking off to the left. He wears all black and blue and purple smoke swirls around him.

Lighting up the stage – Alex Bhargava shares his transformative experience

December 4, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Building resilience and confidence through VIU’s Theatre diploma

Two students walk near the stairs at VIU, one carries an umbrella

VIU Student News: November 27, 2024

November 27, 2024

Managing stress, study support and WorldVIU Days 🌍

One friend helps another with homework

Managing stress

November 26, 2024 By Becky Duarte

Strategies for a successful end of term

Statements & Announcements

A group of students holds a trophy, all are wearing green shirts

Centre for Seafood Innovation celebrates success following three-year program

April 8, 2024 - 04:45pm

Picture of the moon passing in front of the sun

VIU News & Experts: April 4, 2024

April 4, 2024 - 10:00am

VIU refines program portfolio

April 3, 2024 - 05:15pm

Board of Governors approves VIU’s 2024-25 Budget

April 2, 2024 - 04:45pm

VIU Fulbright scholar advocates for decolonizing sexual education for healthy communities

March 25, 2024 - 10:00am

One woman interviews another woman with "VIU expert spotlight" overlaid over top

VIU News & Experts: Wednesday, March 20

March 20, 2024 - 04:30pm

VIU in the News

Sign up for our VIU news and experts email

Connect with Us!

Phone or email us

Events and Info Sessions

View events

Ready to join us at VIU?

Start Your application