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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

Kristie Dewald with a blurred background, wearing a white blazer

5 Questions with Kristie Dewald

March 14, 2024 - 09:30am

Biologist, Ally Badger, kneels in a river surrounded by rocks and water while collecting samples.

VIU researchers investigating origins of toxic tire chemical that can kill salmon

March 12, 2024 - 01:45pm

Marni in front of her comic collection

VIU library welcomes large comic book collection

March 8, 2024 - 02:45pm

Information Technology and Applied Systems Instructor Brandon Britt observes carl belie on a project.

Information technology students learn on state-of-the-art equipment

March 4, 2024 - 11:30am

Haley Healey head and shoulders with a forest background

Bringing to light the stories of trailblazing women

March 3, 2024 - 07:45pm

Unravelling the mystery of “mommy brain”

March 1, 2024 - 10:15am

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

Amanda Rozenboom sitting at her work desk and smiling at the camera

Achieving work-life balance with VIU's Office Administration program

June 27, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Amanda Rozenboom shares her story

Harleen Kalra standing outside on a sunny day and smiling at the camera.

Integrating AI into classrooms

June 24, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Graduate student Harleen Kalra shares her research

Chelsey Watts stands amongst bushes and trees holding a bird.

Preserving nature’s music for future generations

June 18, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Chelsey Watts researches local bird species

A group of graduates smile and listen to speeches

VIU Student Pulse News: June 14, 2024

June 14, 2024

Hilltop hikes & bookish support: A summer tale

Chiara Sedola standing in front of a bookshelf and smiling at the camera

Liberal Studies student takes research to international conference

June 11, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Chiara Sedola presented her work in Washington, DC.

Mostafa Mohensi with his arms crossed and looking at the camera

How can English as a Second Language training help you meet your career goals?

June 4, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Mostafa Mohseni and Violeta Bermudez share their stories

Statements & Announcements

A crowded festival scene with tents and a bouncy castle

VIU News & Experts: October 19, 2023

October 19, 2023 - 02:00pm

A canopy of trees with red, yellow and green leaves surround Milner House.

Milner Garden’s all-new Scarecrow Spectacular offers family-friendly fun

October 17, 2023 - 12:30pm

Six actors stand in two lines holding their arms up over their heads while rehearsing a scene at Malaspina Theatre.

VIU Theatre Department presents the dark parody Collateral Damage

October 13, 2023 - 11:45am

VIU hosting free, family-friendly fall festival

October 13, 2023 - 09:45am

White lettering reading VIU on a dark blue background.

Statement on the war in the Middle East

October 10, 2023 - 03:15pm

Mixed media painting of a red, white and dark blue boat with a trailer in front of it on the shoreline.

VIU’s View Gallery hosts an exhibit featuring Nanaimo and mid-Island artists

October 10, 2023 - 02:45pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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