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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

Danielle with Dave and Jamie

Alumni Spotlight on Danielle Hyde

August 22, 2025 - 09:30am

Alum of the Month: Clair Morgan

April 30, 2024 - 10:00am

A split screen photo of Dr. Morgan Mowatt on the left and Dr. Michael MacKenzie on the right. Both are smiling at the camera in portrait-style shots with greenery in the background.

Political scientists coming to VIU for provincial conference

April 29, 2024 - 12:30pm

Harpreet outside the Centre for Health and Science holding a sign that reads We love our donors!

Generosity of donors supports student success

April 24, 2024 - 03:15pm

A man and a woman kneel behind produce laid out on grass

Going beyond the bar: VIU students research Nanaimo’s culinary past

April 24, 2024 - 09:45am

Samantha jumping in a field of scraggly grass

Exploring ecological networks in a digital world

April 23, 2024 - 05:00pm

A group of students sits in a longhouse

Indigenous Guardians protecting coastal lands and waters

April 15, 2024 - 04:00pm

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

Allie Unger leans against a railing at Ucluelet harbour with boats anchored in the background.

Hands-on learning draws Allie Unger to VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture diploma

July 30, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Meet this year’s VIU Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal recipient

Christin Collishaw sitting outside in a swing at beach and smiling at the camera

From social work to sustainable leisure management

July 22, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Christin Collishaw shares her story

A young woman with long dark hair laghing with friends.

VIU student wins coveted administration award

July 22, 2024

How getting involved helped Julia Morris get ahead

a power engineer inspects large tanks in a big machine room with sunlight peeking through the window

Find your new career path as a power engineer

July 18, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU’s next program intake is this fall

Bryan Lamprecht kneels in front of a patch of Hosackia pinnata flowers nestled in a field of grass.

Saving an endangered Nanaimo flower

July 12, 2024 By Rachel Stern

VIU Biology student studying rare flower only found in Nanaimo area

Halle Walle standing in front of her backyard bog and smiling at the camera

Re-creating a unique taste from ancient times

July 10, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Halle Walle shares her story

Statements & Announcements

Vancouver Island University and the High School at VIU conclude partnership

November 29, 2023 - 04:30pm

An illustrated book page with wings that says Two Truths and A.I.

Audience members challenged to identify the play written by AI in VIU performance

November 28, 2023 - 09:30am

Three people walk along a lighted path that is illuminated with a rainbow light projection. Trees along the side of the path are strung with white, yellow, green and blue lights.

Milner Gardens & Woodland illuminated with thousands of lights this holiday season

November 27, 2023 - 12:15pm

Culinary arts students serve their seaweed creations to attendees during Urchin Tank, 2022.

VIU students showcase innovative seafood creations during Urchin Tank

November 20, 2023 - 10:30am

Graphic reads VIU expert spotlight with a person getting interviewed in the background

VIU News & Experts: November 16, 2023

November 16, 2023 - 05:00pm

Indigenous speaker elevates the voices of the “Reconciliation Generation”

November 15, 2023 - 05:00pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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