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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

Eliza Gardiner with a side bun and a flower in her hair

Theatre professor co-creates immersive flower sculpture

June 19, 2026 - 08:20am

David Butler sitting outside on a sunny day.

Alumni spotlight: David Butler

April 30, 2026 - 10:32am

Leon Potter sitting on the stage and smiling at the camera.

VIU Theatre Chair takes centre stage with Nanaimo culture award

April 24, 2026 - 01:37pm

a student at the ITAS fair showing and talking abut their project

VIU news and experts for April 10, 2026

April 10, 2026 - 04:57pm

Hot air balloons on a night sky

Portal magazine celebrates 35 years at its 2026 edition launch

April 10, 2026 - 12:23pm

Getting to Know You: Lindsay McCunn

April 9, 2026 - 09:41am

Nicole Smith with the waterfront in the background

Alumni spotlight on: Nicole Smith

April 7, 2026 - 09:41pm

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Emma Rampanen smiling at the camera.

Turning clinic experience into community impact

June 9, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Meet the class of 2026: Emma Rampanen

Zackary Sutton outside wearng sunglasses and looking at the camera

Finding confidence and camaraderie in VIU’s WEST program

May 15, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Zackary Sutton shares his story

Kenya and her team smiling at the camera.

VIU students explore effectiveness of community youth programs

May 11, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Uncovering what makes youth programs successful in Nanaimo

Lavdeep sitting at a table and smiling at the camera.

Balancing parenthood and post-secondary studies

May 6, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

How support and stability is helping Lavdeep Gill pursue a career in health care

Michael MacKenzie showing a group of students some of the work done for the Futures Fair.

Imagining Nanaimo in 2086

May 6, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

How city-building, growth levels and decision-making could shape the city 60 years from now

Madelyn in the cafeteria with her research poster

What does the public really think about restorative justice?

April 28, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Criminology student Maddy Reetham-Clayton aims to find out for a community partner

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

Statements & Announcements

VIU dark blue graphic ripples

A message of support following the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge

February 11, 2026 - 08:45am

Two Black individuals, one raising an arm, with "Black History Month 2026" written on the left

Recognizing Black History Month 2026

February 2, 2026 - 02:23pm

VIU Nanaimo campus aerial

Clarifying VIU drug policies as drug decriminalization pilot project ends

February 2, 2026 - 08:32am

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

VIU in the News

meteor shower

VIU in the news August 2 to 15

August 15, 2025 - 04:52pm

A mountain biker navigates a rooty trail in the forest

VIU in the news: July 12 to 25

July 26, 2025 - 11:00am

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

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