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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

A group of students sits in a longhouse

Indigenous Guardians protecting coastal lands and waters

April 15, 2024 - 04:00pm

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

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Whitney Williams smiling at the camera

Empowering educators worldwide

October 30, 2025

How a VIU alum is shaping the future of learning

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

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

Statements & Announcements

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

Hands hold a long bill with a grocery cart in the background

VIU News & Experts: October 6, 2023

October 6, 2023 - 04:30pm

White lettering reading VIU on a dark blue background.

Vancouver Island University shares deficit mitigation plan

October 5, 2023 - 11:00am

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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