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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

Start in January

September is not the only time to start a VIU program. Many have January intakes.

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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.

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

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VIU Fest, health experts and more

October 10, 2025 - 04:49pm

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

A hand pointing downward on a red background.

Portal “Reaches Out” to its community at the launch of its 2025 issue

April 23, 2025 - 03:08pm

three people stand in front of a poster

VIU news and experts: April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025 - 03:25pm

Métis Elder-in-Residence Stella Johnson standing in a cedar panelled room wearing a red and purple tartanMétis scarf with a King Charles III Coronation Medal

VIU Métis Elder-In-Residence presented with King Charles III Coronation Medal

April 3, 2025 - 11:11am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

A VIU employee sheltering under a desk and smiling at the camera.

Keeping VIU earthquake-ready with ShakeOutBC

October 14, 2025

Why practicing your response is so important

Six Vancouver Island University students standing together in front of a bush

Studying climate change impacts in Senegal

May 23, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Students earn Queen Elizabeth scholarships for overseas research

A student poses in a frame while another takes their photo

MyVIU student news: May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

Summer Semester fun 🙌

a triple layer dessert called a Nanaimo bar

Baking alumni return to VIU to help build the “big bar”

May 15, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Erik, Hannah, Faithe and Elleora excited for the sweet challenge

A man wearing a beige and white plaid jacket over a white t-shirt is sitting on the arm of blue Adirondack chair in front of a door and window to a building

Beyond the postcard: Unpacking tourism’s impacts on resort municipalities

May 12, 2025 By Jenn McGarrigle

Grad student with impact: Flynn Saunderson

Nathan in the quad

MyVIU student news: May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Welcome to summer semester 😎

A male university student is walking on a treadmill for research

Finding balance in foot and ankle research

May 6, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Jakob Tortorelli is taking steps to a fulfilling career helping people stay on their feet

Statements & Announcements

Five women hold Christmas lights at Milner Gardens with a ladder behind them

VIU News & Experts: November 26, 2024

November 26, 2024 - 05:15pm

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

VIU in the News

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