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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

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News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Danielle with Dave and Jamie

Alumni Spotlight on Danielle Hyde

August 22, 2025 - 09:30am

Group photo of honorary degree recipients

VIU awards five honorary degrees at June convocation ceremonies

June 12, 2024 - 11:30am

Mountain peaks covered in snow with a cloudy blue sky overhead.

New remote sensing technologies used to measure water from the province’s snowpack and glaciers

June 6, 2024 - 09:45am

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ on a sunny day

VIU’s tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus invites public input on future of post-secondary training in region

May 24, 2024 - 01:00pm

Dr. Sandy Shultz sitting at a desk in front of two computer screens and smiling at the camera.

New research centre focuses on quality of life improvements for people affected by trauma and mental health issues

May 22, 2024 - 12:45pm

Melissa Ayling head and shoulders leaning against a wall

Alum of the Month: Melissa Ayling

May 22, 2024 - 08:30am

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VIU News & Experts: May 1

May 1, 2024 - 07:15pm

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

MBA student shares his 2SLGBTQ+ university experience

August 26, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Ashutosh Mishra embraces inclusivity and freedom at VIU

Four students walk down the stairway near the Nanaimo campus Quad.

A first year’s guide to the start of a new term

August 23, 2024 By Becky Duarte

Tips from someone who’s been there

Two students sit at a table outdoors, one has a laptop open and the other has a textbook open. They are laughing together

VIU Student Pulse News: August 21, 2024

August 21, 2024

Campus jobs, new student emails and back to school events 🍏

An early childhood educator reading a book to three kids

Earn while you learn with the work-integrated early childhood education program

August 20, 2024

You don’t need to stop working to further your schooling

Two students showcase their Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic work for the food sovereignty project.

VIU students design sustainable food systems

August 16, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Trades students gain valuable real-world experience

Two actors rehearse with scripts in their hand near a bench in a park.

Ali Dillion-Cardinal amplifies teen voices in compelling play

August 7, 2024 By Rachel Stern

VIU Creative Writing student’s powerful work featured at Nanaimo Fringe Festival

Statements & Announcements

Graphic depicting snowy weather with Severe Weather Closure written across

January 17: All VIU campuses and facilities closed for day

January 17, 2024 - 06:00am

signing

The Re-VIU: Top 20 stories of 2023

December 21, 2023 - 12:00pm

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VIU News and Experts: December 19, 2023

December 19, 2023 - 03:30pm

A Christmas Carol poster sits on a stand in front of a Christmas tree.

VIU Theatre department presents A Christmas Carol, a live radio play

December 12, 2023 - 01:30pm

Trigger warning: Safety and security reminder following an incident on campus

December 8, 2023 - 03:15pm

Two students hold up signs saying thank you donor and we love our donors and stand in front of red heart balloons

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $350,000 for students in need

November 30, 2023 - 05:45pm

VIU in the News

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