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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.

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Explore a wide range of program offerings and learning services. Choose from degrees, vocational training, certificates and more.

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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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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

Mary Clare stands next to a lamppost with flowers trailing down it

Alum of the Month: Mary Clare Massicotte

October 20, 2023 - 12:45pm

A DJ on a stage plays music while people dance in the background

RockVIU 2023 Welcome to Campus: A message of appreciation

September 24, 2023 - 10:45am

Sharon Karsten standing and smiling with her arms crossed in front of a blurred background of greenery

VIU researcher using community-engaged approach to BC’s toxic drug crisis

September 19, 2023 - 12:00pm

Telma Dos Santos sitting in a chair in front of a group of seniors who are all playing with a Hua hoop in their hands

Alum of the Month: Telma Dos Santos

September 8, 2023 - 03:00pm

VIU expert spotlight

VIU News & Experts: September 6

September 6, 2023 - 03:45pm

Alum of the Month: Spenser Smith

September 6, 2023 - 01:30pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Kendra Neary outside smiling at the camera against a green backdrop

Creating opportunities for herself and others

May 26, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Meet your valedictorians: Kendra Neary

Indigneous art drawing

Radio show encourages revitalization of Indigenous languages

February 28, 2024

VIU students Kimberly Baines and Jesse Scott-Bradley host the show

Paige Pierce standing in front of the ocean, wearing a green dress and turning back to smile at the camera

Creating connections through poetry

February 28, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

VIU Education student Paige Pierce is Nanaimo’s Youth Poet Laureate

a man speaks next to a screen in front of a packed room

Who was Israel Wood Powell?

February 24, 2024

Examining the origins of settler colonial rule in British Columbia

Daniel gardin er

VIU’s accounting program adds up to career success

February 23, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Four graduates in the field share their stories

Four students interact around a desk

VIU Student Pulse News: February 21, 2024

February 21, 2024

Make the most of Study Days 📚

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)

Statements & Announcements

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

Group holds up a conceptual rendering of the new student housing facility coming to VIU's Nanaimo campus

Top 20 VIU stories of 2022

December 20, 2022 - 11:45am

Words Severe Weather Closure written with a snowy background

VIU's Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses closed due to severe weather

December 20, 2022 - 05:45am

Equity Diversity Inclusion rainbow hands

Count Yourself IN! Launch of Employee Diversity Identity Census

December 14, 2022 - 12:30am

Student in grad cap hugs someone with words Giving Tuesday on side

VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign raises more than $500,000 for students in need

December 7, 2022 - 02:00pm

VIU in the News

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