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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

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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

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VIU news and experts for April 10, 2026

April 10, 2026 - 04:57pm

A student stands in front of a railing with her arms crossed

VIU launches campaign to remove financial barriers to post-secondary education

March 2, 2026 - 11:16am

Three people next to a stream, one holds a sampling pole while the others look on

Basketball nationals, tire toxin research and Skills Canada competitions

February 27, 2026 - 02:09pm

Three of the actors stage a swordfighting scene for their production Cyrano de Bergerac.

Love, laughter and swordplay take the stage in VIU Theatre’s Cyrano de Bergerac

February 26, 2026 - 11:04am

Three people next to a stream, one holds a sampling pole while the others look on

Monitoring toxic tire chemicals in salmon-bearing streams

February 25, 2026 - 10:59am

Simon Martin preaparing food in a professional kitchen.

VIU Culinary Arts student represents Canada at global competition

February 20, 2026 - 01:34pm

Saving salmon and keeping the romance alive

February 5, 2026 - 11:50am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Casey in front of the Centre for Health and Science

The moment it all became possible

April 7, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

How a bursary is helping propel Casey Reumkens’ post-secondary journey

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

Black History Month 2026 with two Black individuals pictured, one with an arm raised

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

Two students look at a laptop screen together

What is VIU’s Zero Textbook Cost pilot project?

December 15, 2025

The project highlights courses with no required textbook costs

VIU Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity sign

8 award-winning VIU graduate students share their thoughts

November 19, 2025

Their work, what their award means to them and what they hope to do next

Statements & Announcements

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

September 22, 2025 - 02:52pm

From the President’s Desk: Welcome to the Fall 2025 Semester

September 2, 2025 - 10:22am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Air quality message for VIU

August 14, 2025 - 10:26am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

From the Provost’s Desk: Program suspensions

June 13, 2025 - 10:00am

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Message from the Acting President: June 5 Update to the Community

June 5, 2025 - 09:47am

Kwulasulwut Garden totem

Honouring Indigenous history, culture and community at VIU

June 4, 2025 - 05:22pm

VIU in the News

Mackenzie holds the ball and runs

VIU in the news: July 7 to 11

July 11, 2025 - 04:12pm

A man sits and observes a large crack in the ground

VIU in the news: June 23 to July 7, 2025

July 8, 2025 - 08:01am

people in white coats and purple lab gloves look into microscopes

VIU in the news: June 7 to 24, 2025

June 24, 2025 - 03:01pm

Stephen sits at his computer

VIU in the news: June 6, 2025

June 7, 2025 - 09:48am

Two students discuss a poster behind them, one holds a naloxone kit

VIU in the news: May 30, 2025

June 1, 2025 - 07:30am

Tarah stands in front of her exhibit

VIU in the news May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025 - 03:53pm

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