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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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aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

News

VIU in the News

Latest Stories

Danielle with Dave and Jamie

Alumni Spotlight on Danielle Hyde

August 22, 2025 - 09:30am

Jakob Tortorelli, Elise Cole and Dr. Mike Asmussen conduct research in Asmussen’s lab at the VIU Nanaimo campus

VIU researcher studying how to better people’s long-term ability to walk and run

November 6, 2024 - 01:30pm

Vancouver Island University hosts provincial recreation conference

November 5, 2024 - 12:15pm

Katharina wears a poppy and holds a copy of her translation of All Quiet on the Western Front

VIU Professor Emerita re-translates All Quiet on the Western Front

November 4, 2024 - 08:00pm

VIU Psychology Professor Becky Earhart sitting at her desk in front of a computer screen and smiling at the camera.

VIU psychology professor researching conversation memory in children

November 4, 2024 - 12:45pm

A group of soldiers poses for a photo

VIU and community partners remember local fallen soldiers through video memorial

November 1, 2024 - 08:45am

A branch of purple rhododendrons

Flower Power: Milner Gardens & Woodland receives national recognition

October 31, 2024 - 02:15pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Students hanging out in a room at one of the VIU residence buildings

Welcome to campus – the Student Housing edition

August 20, 2025 By By Jenna Gill, VIU Recruitment Officer

What to know about orientation, Community Leaders and upcoming events

A woman leans on a pillar and smiles into the camera

Finding passion and purpose through a business degree

January 17, 2025

From Classroom to Career: Rinny Jose

Gerri McEwen and Devin Ayotte dig through sand that is lighted blue, green, yellow and red.

Students dig deep into learning with augmented reality sandbox

January 14, 2025 By Rachel Stern

Innovative tool projects topography onto the sand

Dr. Xueling (Julie) Luo and Devin Ayotte adjust an 3D robotic arm.

Robotic arm brings engineering theory to life

January 9, 2025 By Rachel Stern

Engineering department builds 3D robotic arm for interactive learning

Group of VIU Nursing students accept a cheque

MyVIU student news: January 8, 2025

January 8, 2025

Welcome to the Spring Semester! 📚

Brayden Klassen smiling at the camera

Going below the surface on shoreline erosion behaviour

December 16, 2024 By Eric Zimmer

Brayden Klassen shares his story

Alyona stands near a lake wearing a green shawl with pink, blue and yellow flowers over an Every Child Matters shirt.

Making headlines – Alyona Latsinnik breaks viral election night story

December 12, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Student exposes racist remarks made by candidate as part of class assignment

Statements & Announcements

campus arial

May 17 President's message to campus community

May 17, 2024 - 09:00am

Aerial view of VIU's Nanaimo campus

Update to community May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024 - 05:15pm

Aerial view of VIU's Nanaimo campus

Statement about encampment on the VIU campus

May 7, 2024 - 05:15pm

Students gather around three screens on a desk with a projection of an image on the wall behind them.

VIU Media Studies hosts Showcase and Social on April 25

April 18, 2024 - 02:00pm

An illustrated image of a woman with purple skin and blue strokes on her skin with red flowers in her hair.

Portal “rewires and connects” at the launch of its 2024 issue

April 16, 2024 - 11:45am

Aerial view of VIU gym with lots of booths and people milling about

VIU welcomes public to campus for career fair

April 10, 2024 - 02:00pm

VIU in the News

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