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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.

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Programs

Learning Services

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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.

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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

Amanda Wager standing in front of a white while and smiling at the camera.

VIU professor’s Canada Research Chair funding renewed to support Indigenous language reawakening through research

May 20, 2026 - 02:56pm

a student points at a poster board during the create conference

VIU students showcase research work during annual CREATE conference

March 26, 2026 - 04:15pm

A student stands in front of a railing with her arms crossed

VIU news and experts for March 18, 2026

March 18, 2026 - 02:09pm

Bridging the gap between health care and housing in small cities

March 17, 2026 - 09:46pm

The VIU gym full of booths and career fair participants

VIU hosts large Career Fair for public

March 17, 2026 - 08:13am

Ryan Bastian wearing a Mariners uniform running with the basketball during a game in a gym.

VIU Mariners men’s basketball team goes for national gold on home turf

March 9, 2026 - 08:35am

three science students gatherered around a table looking at model of bone structure

From classroom to lab: PreVIU Days help students explore their future at VIU

March 5, 2026 - 09:16am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Alysia Boudreau oustide and smiling at the camera

Hands-on research helps student’s conservation career take flight

May 22, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Meet the Class of 2026: Alysia Boudreau

Hands on a desk with a pencil and paper

Exam season: How to prepare (without losing your mind)

April 4, 2026

Go into exams feeling confident and in control this semester

A picture of the 10-member team that will compete at the Kinesiology Games in Ontario

Building connection and community at the Kin Games

March 17, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Kinesiology students are heading to Ontario this week for national competition

Laci standing outside and smiling at the camera

Finding purpose in recovery

March 12, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Laci Schulenborg receives national recognition for work with local service organization

three students look at a robotic car on a table

Got questions about university? Let’s talk VIU

March 5, 2026 By Francesca Paladino

We’re here to help you navigate your next step with confidence

Waves imagery with International Women's Day written over top

Redefining leadership, together

March 4, 2026

Female leaders share reflections in advance of International Women’s Day 2026

Two coaches lean in for an embrace

Longtime Mariners coaches stepping away from roles after storied careers

February 23, 2026

Matt Kuzminski and Tony Bryce are saying goodbye to their time as court sport leaders

Statements & Announcements

snow day at VIU

Severe weather closure procedures for the 2025-26 year

November 18, 2025 - 12:19pm

Group photo of students with tents in the background

A RockVIU thank you

October 28, 2025 - 04:20pm

A photo of Shq'apthut (A gathering place).

From the President’s Desk: Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day 2025

September 26, 2025 - 01:51pm

Claire portrait with a green background

From the Provost's desk: Provost's Circle registration is open!

September 22, 2025 - 02:52pm

From the President’s Desk: Welcome to the Fall 2025 Semester

September 2, 2025 - 10:22am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Air quality message for VIU

August 14, 2025 - 10:26am

VIU in the News

A mountain biker navigates a rooty trail in the forest

VIU in the news: July 12 to 25

July 26, 2025 - 11:00am

Mackenzie holds the ball and runs

VIU in the news: July 7 to 11

July 11, 2025 - 04:12pm

A man sits and observes a large crack in the ground

VIU in the news: June 23 to July 7, 2025

July 8, 2025 - 08:01am

people in white coats and purple lab gloves look into microscopes

VIU in the news: June 7 to 24, 2025

June 24, 2025 - 03:01pm

Stephen sits at his computer

VIU in the news: June 6, 2025

June 7, 2025 - 09:48am

Two students discuss a poster behind them, one holds a naloxone kit

VIU in the news: May 30, 2025

June 1, 2025 - 07:30am

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