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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

Erik Krogh sitting on the ground outside on a sunny day and smiling at the camera.

Monitoring toxic tire chemicals in salmon-bearing streams

February 25, 2026 - 10:59am

A wildfire burns near a road

Expert Q&A: Be wildfire ready

August 22, 2023 - 05:45pm

Three people stand in a culinary arts lab

Sault College and Vancouver Island University partner to expand opportunities for culinary learners

July 31, 2023 - 01:45pm

Brian Timmer wears a SCUBA suit while swimming surrounded by kelp.

Alum of the Month: Brian Timmer

July 31, 2023 - 01:30pm

A woman stares up at a gray sky

What is climate anxiety?

July 28, 2023 - 10:30am

Dr. Aggie Weighill

How are extreme weather events affecting tourism across Canada?

July 24, 2023 - 05:00pm

Students sit at desks in a class listening to a teacher

Expert Q&A: BC government changes to reporting student progress

June 30, 2023 - 04:00pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

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

Students sit blanketed at VIU Cowichan

Xwulqw’selu Sta’lo’: Quw’utsun Mustimuhw Hwialasmut tu Tumuhw

February 16, 2024

(Koksilah River: Cowichan Peoples Take Care of the Land)

Tony miyoshi and sam statchuk

Studying overseas with international scholarships

February 15, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Tony Miyoshi and Sam Statchuk share their stories

Grace Poirier

Designing VIU’s next signature chocolate in Paris

February 12, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Baking and Pastry Arts student Grace Poirier shares her story

VIU grad and current employee Rayan Zeineddine wearing a VIU hoodie and glasses standing next to a tree outside and smiling at the camera

Finding community and belonging at VIU

February 9, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU grad and current employee Rayan Zeineddine shares his story

three people stand around a mass spectrometer

VIU Student Pulse News: February 7

February 7, 2024

Black History Month and Valentine's Day events ❤️

Shq'apthut's three totems

Bringing Indigenous knowledge into the classroom

February 4, 2024

Introducing the Totem podcast

Statements & Announcements

James Mark smiles while holding a violin.

VIU professor explores Bach’s Chaconne for Solo Violin during first spring Colloquium lecture

January 27, 2023 - 10:00am

VIU accepts return of Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond

January 17, 2023 - 02:15pm

Man leans on railing in VIU's Centre for Health and Science

VIU Media Highlights: January 6, 2023

January 6, 2023 - 02:30pm

An ape made of white plaster and clay holds a cell phone, which it stares at intensely

VIU’s View Gallery presents the 2023 Student Art Salon

January 6, 2023 - 01:00pm

A clear path that has had the snow shoveled off of it with bright blue sky.

All VIU campuses open today (December 21)

December 21, 2022 - 06:00am

woman in a wheelchair on a ramp at VIU's Nanaimo campus

VIU Media Highlights: December 20, 2022

December 20, 2022 - 01:30pm

VIU in the News

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