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

Talk to a recruiter

Explore your options with one of our friendly recruiters. Online and in-person meetings available.

Connect with a
recruiter

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

Lisa LeClerc smiling at the camera

Alumni spotlight: Lisa Leclerc

January 27, 2026 - 09:59am

researching tire toxins in local waterways

VIU hosting series of public research seminars

January 26, 2026 - 12:18pm

Lauren Touchant sitting outside and displaying her book and smiling at the camera.

From the classroom to COP: A VIU prof writes about climate talks

January 14, 2026 - 01:28pm

Caitlin Hartigan smiling at the camera

Breaking barriers in skilled trades education

January 12, 2026 - 11:54am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

three students walking down the stairs in front of the VIU library.

Starting the semester right

January 29, 2026 By Becky Duarte

What to do so you don't feel so behind

a picture of a fist with Black History Month written next to it

Black History Month at VIU 2026

January 28, 2026

Art exhibit, open mic, music and poetry performance, book club and more planned throughout the month

Kylie smiling at the camera wearing a red shirt.

From “I’m not sure I belong” to “I know I can”

December 18, 2025 By Eric Zimmer

How VIU’s Pathways program helped Kylie rebuild confidence, discover purpose and step into a nursing career

three female students in a classroom smiling and looking at an assignment

New entrance scholarship process gives future VIU students more certainty

December 16, 2025

Record amount of funding available for entrance scholarships

Statements & Announcements

Dennis Johnson with a forest background

From the President’s Desk: Welcome to the 2026 Spring Semester

January 5, 2026 - 09:05am

An image of VIU's Nanaimo campus with snow and the message Happy Holidays from all of us at Vancouver Island University

Happy Holidays from Interim President Dr. Dennis Johnson

December 16, 2025 - 02:43pm

snow day at VIU

Severe weather closure procedures for the 2025-26 year

November 18, 2025 - 12:19pm

Group photo of students with tents in the background

A RockVIU thank you

October 28, 2025 - 04:20pm

A photo of Shq'apthut (A gathering place).

From the President’s Desk: Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day 2025

September 26, 2025 - 01:51pm

Claire portrait with a green background

From the Provost's desk: Provost's Circle registration is open!

September 22, 2025 - 02:52pm

VIU in the News

media highlights graphic

Media Highlights, November 20, 2025

November 20, 2025 - 04:14pm

a group of nursing students

VIU in the news: October 28 to November 18, 2025

November 19, 2025 - 03:42pm

VIU Mariners women's soccer team with championship banner

VIU in the news: October 11 to 27, 2025

October 28, 2025 - 05:32pm

Isabelle with fruits and veggies piled in front of her

VIU in the news: October 1 to 10, 2025

October 11, 2025 - 01:15pm

a male sits on a workout box

VIU in the news: September 16 to 30, 2025

October 1, 2025 - 05:13pm

Two students stand at a booth

VIU in the news: September 1 to 15, 2025

September 15, 2025 - 12:15pm

Sign up for the VIU news and experts email

Sign up for news emails

Connect with Us!

Phone or email us

Events and Info Sessions

View events

Ready to join us at VIU?

Start Your application