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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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aerial view of Building 200 at VIU's Nanaimo campus

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!

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 woman, a man and another woman sitting on a chesterfield looking at a laptop together.

Helping to make health care make sense

February 27, 2025 By Annette Lucas

Nursing students aim to help people make better health decisions

Joe Clark holds a container with a cutthroat trout fry.

From classroom to creek: saving Nanaimo’s cutthroat trout

February 20, 2025 By Rachel Stern

Fisheries student Joe Clark is helping to protect local streams

A woman wearing glasses and a pink and green sweater reads from a poetry book at a microphone

Get the support you need to succeed 📚

February 19, 2025

Student newsletter: February 19, 2025

Tarah Dowling stands next to her exhibit.

Tarah Dowling’s art captures the strength and resilience of Tuition Waiver students

February 10, 2025 By Rachel Stern

Art and audio blend to tell the story of kids growing up in foster care

A woman looks at a tablet while sitting at a table

Help with job searches and events to de-stress 🧠

February 5, 2025

MyVIU student newsletter: February 5, 2025

Graphic illustration: the text reads Black History Month 2025 with a Black woman looking skyward and a Black Man raising his fist to the sky.

Black History Month at VIU

January 27, 2025

Film screening, open mic, book club and more planned throughout the month

Statements & Announcements

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

Three young girls wearing face paint hug, with a crowd on the stairs behind them

VIU hosts free community event

September 10, 2024 - 04:30pm

A group of kids carve pumpkins together

VIU News & Experts: September 5, 2024

September 5, 2024 - 03:30pm

VIU in the News

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