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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

Tatum poses in front of a grey wall

New donor support helps more VIU students stay in school

October 27, 2025 - 01:16pm

Unravelling the mystery of “mommy brain”

March 1, 2024 - 10:15am

VIU researcher exploring the cognitive effort behind achieving second-language fluency

February 28, 2024 - 09:45am

Supporting the next generation of educators

February 26, 2024 - 02:15pm

Dr. Kyle Duncan stands in front of a mass spectrometer with two students

From new insights to novel treatment options

February 26, 2024 - 01:15pm

Andrew Loudon portrait

VIU’s Science and Technology lecture series explores diverse research topics

February 15, 2024 - 01:45pm

Farhad Moghimefar paddling a kayak and smiling off into the distance

VIU researcher exploring tourism resilience in rural BC communities

February 14, 2024 - 11:00am

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

Split photo of Logan on the right and Esther on the left

Taking their skills to the national stage

May 27, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU students Logan Cursley and Esther Popma will compete in Quebec City

Amy Mattes holds up a copy of her book, Late September.

Amy Mattes’ debut novel explores love and identity

May 21, 2024 By Rachel Stern

VIU Creative Writing student publishes first novel

A student housing room

Housing options for students in Nanaimo

May 20, 2024 By Michael Witcomb, Off-Campus Housing Coordinator

5 tips to find the right fit

Four students bend over a bridge structure together

VIU Student Pulse News: May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

Welcome to the Summer Semester ☀️

English major’s research paper published in an academic journal

May 14, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Claire Gordon explores tarot card imagery in Black Mirror episodes

a group holding paddles poses for a photo

Five things we learned in Aotearoa (New Zealand)

May 11, 2024 By Kaelan Henders and Alison Kuenzig

Tourism Management students Kaelan Henders and Alison Kuenzig share their experiences

Statements & Announcements

A group wearing Pride t-shirts poses for a photo with the pride flag

Statement in support of LGBTQ2S+ students, staff and families

September 20, 2023 - 08:45am

Colloquium series begins with a talk about TV shows Chewing Gum and Fleabag

September 19, 2023 - 03:00pm

Claire Grogan portrait

VIU welcomes new Dean of Arts and Humanities

August 28, 2023 - 01:00pm

Girl with arms spread wide, tents behind her

VIU News & Experts: August 28, 2023

August 28, 2023 - 11:45am

three automotive students receive instruction from a teacher in the shop

VIU supports newcomers to Canada pursue trades careers

August 11, 2023 - 10:45am

Dr. Sungchul Cho sitting at a desk and smiling at the camera.

VIU welcomes new dean of management

July 18, 2023 - 03:30pm

VIU in the News

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Events and Info Sessions

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