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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

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

A scarecrow with a pumpkin for a hand and flower bouquets for hands is nestled among trees.

Celebrate autumn during Milner Gardens & Woodland’s Scarecrow Spectacular

October 10, 2024 - 02:30pm

VIU Professor’s new book explores identity and reconnection through reclamation

October 9, 2024 - 12:00pm

A wetland with low yellow and light green grass with trees and a mountain range in the background.

VIU-led project working to protect Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region ecosystems

October 3, 2024 - 12:30pm

VIU Research Assistants Elise Cullon and Katie Carroll. Katie shows Elise a document.

Preserving feminist health history to empower future activism and work

October 1, 2024 - 01:30pm

A woman wearing an orange t-shirt for Truth and Reconciliation Day putting her hands on a large tree in an act of gratitude/

Writing from the heart – my reflections on how to action reconciliation

September 29, 2024 - 02:00pm

Carolyn Swanson

5 Questions with Dr. Carolyn Swanson

September 25, 2024 - 02:45pm

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

Leah serves food to students

Student newsletter: November 13 edition

November 13, 2024

Next steps, study support and free pizza 🍕

carol Seabra smiling at the camera

From lieutenant commander to business student

November 13, 2024

Carol Seabra shares her story

VIU Mariners team photo

Halloween around campus 👻

October 30, 2024

Student newsletter: October 30, 2024

A group of students gathers around a student writing on a chalkboard

Building community, one study session at a time

October 29, 2024

VIU’s Peer Supported Learning program

A group of students sits in cool chairs talking with each other

Finding your place at VIU

October 22, 2024 By Becky Duarte

A guide to getting involved in campus life

Three students serve food outside the cafeteria

Are you saying yes to too much? 🤔

October 16, 2024

VIU student newsletter: October 16 edition

Statements & Announcements

Two Brant gees walk along the shoreline of a beach.

Raising a glass to nature: Brant Wildlife Festival celebrates biodiversity and conservation

March 20, 2024 - 09:30am

basket of vegetables

Embark Student Corp funds food security initiatives at VIU

March 13, 2024 - 01:45pm

International Women's Day 2024 poster with three women's faces and Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress

International Women's Day Experts 🌎

March 4, 2024 - 07:30pm

Group photo of Puffs cast

VIU News & Experts: February 29, 2024

February 29, 2024 - 03:45pm

Four photographs hang on the gallery wall. The closest photo is of a person facing the camera smiling.

VIU’s View Gallery presents Kashmir Lesnick-Petrovicz’s Guardians of Land, Life, Seeds and Love

February 27, 2024 - 01:15pm

Six actors on the left reach out to one of their cast mates while another stands in fear on the right.

Beyond the boy wizard’s limelight – PUFFS offers a hilarious twist on a beloved magical world

February 27, 2024 - 10:00am

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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