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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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News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

A picture of Marie Wilson with some event details

A Conversation with Marie Wilson – 10 Years After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

September 4, 2025 - 12:51pm

Jack sits on stairs, leans his head on his hand

Documentary filmmaker uncovers history of Chinese-Canadian war hero

May 16, 2025 - 12:23pm

A person wearing a chef hat and chef jacket is holding up a Nanaimo bar dessert.

VIU students to create the world’s largest Nanaimo bar

May 8, 2025 - 01:06pm

Alum spotlight on Gregory Vandergrift

April 30, 2025 - 01:18pm

A person wearing a welding helmet is sitting at a desk trying a welding simulator machine

VIU trades programs showcase career opportunities at two events this week

April 29, 2025 - 09:43am

Three people survey a river

VIU news and experts: April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025 - 03:07pm

Aerial view of Nanaimo campus

VIU Media Studies showcase on April 24 debuts student work

April 24, 2025 - 09:49am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Caitlin Lundgren standing outside leaning on a railing on a sunny day and looking at the camera.

VIU alum makes impact in community through media industry

September 10, 2025

From Classroom to Career: Caitlin Lundgren

Ronin Carver works at a table in a graphic design classroom at VIU.

Finding my people – a cohort of design nerds

June 5, 2025 By Rachel Stern

Graphic Design student Ronin Harver shares his story

A person stands at the top of the spiral steps outside the VIU Library

MyVIU student news: June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Don't miss out on money for work experiences

A young woman with bright red, long hair is smiling with tree leaves in the background

Forging caring connections to land and the vulnerable: Ash Marie Wood

June 3, 2025

Meet your 2025 valedictorians

Building connections and confidence: Aboh Ekoja

June 2, 2025

Meet your 2025 valedictorians

Nurturing a passion for literacy, art and creativity: Paige Pierce

May 30, 2025

Meet your 2025 valedictorians

A winding path to a degree that resonates: Bree Sinnott

May 29, 2025

Meet your 2025 valedictorians

Statements & Announcements

Two carpentry students work on a project

VIU News & Experts: February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025 - 05:30pm

a cleared sidewalk on VIU's Nanaimo campus

VIU Nanaimo campus on track to re-open today (February 5)

February 5, 2025 - 08:45am

VIU Nanaimo campus re-opens February 5 at noon, other campuses open for regular hours

February 4, 2025 - 04:00pm

VIU Statement: PACWEST Investigation Concluded

February 3, 2025 - 06:30pm

snowy graphic that reads severe weather closure

VIU campuses closing for the rest of the day today (February 3) and tomorrow

February 2, 2025 - 11:00pm

A group poses in the boardroom

Construction begins on new student housing at VIU

January 23, 2025 - 01:15pm

VIU in the News

Farhad in a kayak paddling on the ocean

VIU in the news: March 14, 2025

March 16, 2025 - 11:30am

VIU in the News: March 8, 2025

March 8, 2025 - 04:45pm

Dr. Chris Gill observes as Lucas Abruzzi puts a sample in the mass spectrometer.

VIU in the news: February 28, 2025

March 1, 2025 - 10:00am

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