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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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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

Jack sits on stairs, leans his head on his hand

Documentary filmmaker uncovers history of Chinese-Canadian war hero

May 16, 2025 - 12:23pm

VIU News & Experts: February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025 - 05:00pm

Engineering Technician Devin Ayotte and Resource Management and Protection Technician Michael Lester stand in front of marmot weigh scale

Technicians devise remote weigh scale to assess health of Vancouver Island marmots

February 4, 2025 - 03:00pm

20 Nanaimo-Ladysmith recipients of the King Charles III Medal

Retired VIU Anthropology Professor receives King Charles III Coronation Medal

February 4, 2025 - 10:45am

Paul Watkins holds up a copy of his new book in his right hand while resting his chin on the other.

Paul Watkins’ new book Soundin’ Canaan explores Black Canadian voices

January 29, 2025 - 03:15pm

Kimberly Coleman, a woman is standing in front of trees

Scholar explores mountain biking’s social impacts on Indigenous communities

January 15, 2025 - 04:15pm

Terry in garden

Alum of the month: Dr. Terry Poucette

January 7, 2025 - 03:45pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

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

Ian wears gloves and a lab coat and looks through a microscope

What’s hitchhiking in a Vancouver Island bird of prey?

March 26, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Unravelling the parasite mystery in barred owls

A student puts a book back on a library shelf

From mom to media studies student

March 21, 2025 By Becky Duarte

A single parent’s journey back to university

Five students talk to each other at CREATE conference

MyVIU student news: March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

Budget info and research showcase 🧪

A group of students takes part in an Afro dance fusion class together

MyVIU Student Newsletter: March 5, 2025

March 5, 2025

Events, career advice and academic supports 📚

A small sign with a pink border that reads Happy International Women's Day

Celebrating women who lead

March 5, 2025

Sharing the stories of VIU students, faculty and alum

A young man clad in hipwaders is standing in a river with snowflakes falling around him

Hooked on salmon: student leads record-breaking fish count project

March 3, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Tristen Dieleman follows his passion for fish into local waters

Statements & Announcements

Brandi is wearing a blue shirt and sits with her arms on a table in front of her

Indigenous speaker shares an urgent call to action for all Canadians

November 14, 2024 - 01:15pm

A picture of a solider and his family to the left, a copy of a letter in the foreground

VIU News & Experts: November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024 - 10:45am

Text reads Severe Weather Closure with snow and a blue background

Severe weather closure notifications for the 2024-25 year

November 4, 2024 - 04:00pm

A student practices nail work on another student in the aesthetics and spa therapy classroom at VIU.

VIU Esthetics and Spa Therapy program hosts open house in new space

October 30, 2024 - 11:45am

A volleyball player holds a ball, other volleyball players can be seen in the background

VIU News & Experts: October 23, 2024

October 23, 2024 - 03:45pm

aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

Fostering respectful dialogue: A message on neutrality and inclusivity at VIU

September 25, 2024 - 12:00pm

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