Search

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

Join us

There’s still time to apply. Deadlines extended for BBA, BSc, BA and more!

See extended
deadlines

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

Alumni spotlight on Tonia Laird

June 26, 2025 - 10:38am

Employee BBQ

The blessings of a new season

June 15, 2022 - 12:15pm

The impact of social media on body image and mental heath

June 15, 2022 - 12:00pm

An aerial photo of the Nanaimo tramway.

VIU students create community exhibit at Nanaimo Museum

June 15, 2022 - 10:45am

David_Alexander_Librarian

5 Questions with David Alexander

June 14, 2022 - 08:15pm

Kholoud sits behind the sandbox in her preschool

Alum of the Month: Kholoud Madi

May 21, 2022 - 02:45pm

Chris Burnley

5 Questions with Chris Burnley

May 19, 2022 - 03:30pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

VIU Graduate, wearing convocation robes, Olivia Thomas is holding a medal while standing outside in front of a garden

From foster care to university graduate

June 24, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Olivia Thomas’s 14-year journey of resilience and perseverance

Two students look at a sheet in a lab, one has a pen in her hand, they are both smiling at the camera

New student checklist

July 24, 2023

7 things you can do before coming to VIU

Mauricea Panchenko

Single parent and psychology student receives significant scholarship

July 21, 2023 By Eric Zimmer

Mauricea Panchenko is well on her way to realizing her post-secondary dreams.

Thomas Leaf

Exploring connections between sport, history and kinesiology

July 21, 2023

Meet this year’s recipient of VIU’s Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation

Heather Finlay

Ready to share her research

July 21, 2023

Meet this year’s recipient of VIU’s Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal

Spencer Antifave wearing a grey hoody outside and smiling at the camera

Combining business and psychology

July 21, 2023

Meet this year’s recipient of VIU’s Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal

Kelsey Moore smiles with a mountain range at sunset behind her.

Connecting with community and nature

July 17, 2023

Meet this year’s recipient of VIU’s Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal

Statements & Announcements

Two people walk along a path near a tree with red leaves at Milner Gardens & Woodland.

Health professionals can prescribe access to VIU’s Milner Gardens through national program

July 4, 2022 - 12:30pm

Three people standing in front of a VIU residence building

VIU hosts summer camps for Indigenous students

June 29, 2022 - 02:15pm

VIU welcomes new Provost and Vice-President Academic

June 21, 2022 - 02:30pm

Three students backlit by the sun

Paper Excellence and Vancouver Island University create Indigenous Success Fund

June 21, 2022 - 02:30pm

A common loon swimming in a lake with a chick riding on its back.

VIU’s View Gallery presents Photo Salon 2022 hosted by Harbour City Photography Club

June 16, 2022 - 02:00pm

Portrait photo of William Good

VIU awards honorary degree to Coast Salish Master Carver and Traditional Storyteller

June 15, 2022 - 11:45am

VIU in the News

Sign up for our VIU news and experts email

Connect with Us!

Phone or email us

Events and Info Sessions

View events

Ready to join us at VIU?

Start Your application