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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

Michael Mackenzie: Bad leaders, bad followers event postcard

VIU’s Engaged Citizens Speaker Series puts the spotlight on bad leaders and followers

April 11, 2024 - 03:45pm

Three students look at a pamphlet in front of their CREATE research poster.

VIU students showcase their research projects during the CREATE conference

April 3, 2024 - 10:45am

Female electrician wearing. white hard hat a safety vest and sunglasses working on the side of a building and smiling at the camera.

Vancouver Island University invites community to explore trades and tech careers at showcase

March 27, 2024 - 09:30am

Mary Anne Molcan stands by her print press.

Alum of the Month: Mary Anne Molcan

March 21, 2024 - 10:15am

Carpentry student Emily Behm standing in front of the tiny home she and her classmates are building at the Cowichan Trades Centre

VIU carpentry students learn by building tiny home

March 20, 2024 - 01:15pm

5 Questions with Ajay Shrestha

March 19, 2024 - 10:45am

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

Computer Science student develops digital dashboard for BC music festival

July 10, 2024

Zeke Critchlow discovers a passion for programming at VIU

Victoria Koutstaal outside on a sunny day smiling at the camera.

Finding her path with a career in recreation

July 9, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Victoria Koutstaal shares her story

Shannah holding a fish

Cooking up success

July 7, 2024

From Classroom to Career: Shannah Pogline

Brian Yin holds a microphone near a podium.

Life is more fun with purpose

July 4, 2024

From classroom to career: Brian Yin

Frances Kelsey’s battle against birth defect causing drug thalidomide profiled in new book

June 28, 2024 By Rachel Stern

VIU History Professor Dr. Cheryl Krasnick Warsh publishes biography on pioneering physician’s work

Lucas Gamp in a raft on a river with clients waving at the camera

Having a whale of a time as a raft guide

June 28, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Lucas Gamp shares his story

Statements & Announcements

Sarah types on a laptop in a classroom

VIU Giving Tuesday campaign helps students reach for their dreams

November 14, 2023 - 09:00am

Graphic that reads Message from the President

President's message on the crisis in the Middle East

November 6, 2023 - 12:30pm

Dr. Stephen Davies sits in front of his computer, which displays a digitized letter

VIU News & Experts: November 3, 2023

November 3, 2023 - 02:30pm

President and Chancellor portrait photos

Vancouver Island University’s Board of Governors announces reappointments

November 2, 2023 - 02:15pm

Group photo of WW1 soldiers with text that reads Nanaimo Remembers

VIU and community partners remember local fallen soldiers through video memorial

November 1, 2023 - 05:00pm

White lettering reading VIU on a dark blue background.

Severe weather closure notifications for the 2023-24 year

October 25, 2023 - 04:15pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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