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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

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aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Tatum poses in front of a grey wall

New donor support helps more VIU students stay in school

October 27, 2025 - 01:16pm

Jennifer Lindley with a big cat

Alum of the Month: Jennifer Lindley

October 11, 2024 - 11:30am

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

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

VIU First Aid Services

October 28, 2025 By Kim Sharpe, VIU Health and Safety Advisor

What you need to know

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

Four people stand in front of Shq'apthut: A Gathering Place

Meet the staff in Shq’apthut: A Gathering Place

October 16, 2024

Kerry, Brittany, Lyn and Heather are here for you

Three students sit at a table and look at a laptop screen together

The importance of knowing when to say yes and no

October 9, 2024 By Becky Duarte

Stepping out of your comfort zone – strategically

Hilary Peach smiling at the camera

From boilermaker to award-winning book author

October 9, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Hilary Peach shares her story

Four students walk together with festival in background

VIU student news: October 2, 2024

October 2, 2024

Come to VIU Fest for free fall fun 🥳

Statements & Announcements

10 actors raise their hands in gratitude on a stage.

Dr. Laura Cranmer reawakens Indigenous languages through powerful play

February 8, 2024 - 03:45pm

Graphic of a hare with the text Karen Solie 2024 Gustafson Distinguished Poet's Lecture, The Path of the Hare.

Celebrated poet Karen Solie to give VIU Gustafson lecture

January 30, 2024 - 10:00am

snow on a mountain

VIU News & Experts: January 24, 2024

January 24, 2024 - 08:45pm

A cyanotype print with a hand, small shells and a seashell.

VIU’s View Gallery presents bailey macabre exhibit in collaboration with the Nanaimo Arts Council

January 23, 2024 - 01:00pm

A VIU music student works on an audio recording device.

VIU’s redesigned Jazz diploma prepares graduates for careers in different music genres

January 22, 2024 - 12:00pm

Friday, January 19: VIU Nanaimo campus re-opening for afternoon classes, all other campuses full-day closure

January 19, 2024 - 10:00am

VIU in the News

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