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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

Amanda Wager standing in front of a white while and smiling at the camera.

VIU professor’s Canada Research Chair funding renewed to support Indigenous language reawakening through research

May 20, 2026 - 02:56pm

A wetland with low yellow and light green grass with trees and a mountain range in the background.

VIU-led project working to protect Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region ecosystems

October 3, 2024 - 12:30pm

VIU Research Assistants Elise Cullon and Katie Carroll. Katie shows Elise a document.

Preserving feminist health history to empower future activism and work

October 1, 2024 - 01:30pm

A woman wearing an orange t-shirt for Truth and Reconciliation Day putting her hands on a large tree in an act of gratitude/

Writing from the heart – my reflections on how to action reconciliation

September 29, 2024 - 02:00pm

Carolyn Swanson

5 Questions with Dr. Carolyn Swanson

September 25, 2024 - 02:45pm

Actors Makenna Paugh, Cameron Greer and Ellie Crawford rehearse a scene from Tough.

Life’s unexpected realities explored in VIU Theatre department’s studio play – Tough

September 24, 2024 - 02:45pm

Three installation art pieces by Connie Michele Morey at the View Gallery.

VIU’s View Gallery presents Threadbare, an exhibit by Connie Michele Morey

September 11, 2024 - 09:30am

VIU Blog

Find out what's going on at VIU!

Kendra Neary outside smiling at the camera against a green backdrop

Creating opportunities for herself and others

May 26, 2026 By Eric Zimmer

Meet your valedictorians: Kendra Neary

Two students carry boxes and walk down a hallway

Five ways VIU’s Off-Campus Housing department can help you

September 3, 2024

Support with house hunting, tenancy issues and conflict resolution

Simon Maguire, Lily Eggert and Trevor Michalchuk stand side-by-side smiling.

Chemistry students receive accolades at national conference

August 28, 2024

Trio recognized for their outstanding research

Jindar Sboto smiles while working in a VIU Chemistry lab.

Researching the chemistry of cannabis

August 27, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Student leads method development for marijuana measurement

MBA student shares his 2SLGBTQ+ university experience

August 26, 2024 By Rachel Stern

Ashutosh Mishra embraces inclusivity and freedom at VIU

Four students walk down the stairway near the Nanaimo campus Quad.

A first year’s guide to the start of a new term

August 23, 2024 By Becky Duarte

Tips from someone who’s been there

Two students sit at a table outdoors, one has a laptop open and the other has a textbook open. They are laughing together

VIU Student Pulse News: August 21, 2024

August 21, 2024

Campus jobs, new student emails and back to school events 🍏

Statements & Announcements

A crowded festival scene with tents and a bouncy castle

VIU News & Experts: October 19, 2023

October 19, 2023 - 02:00pm

A canopy of trees with red, yellow and green leaves surround Milner House.

Milner Garden’s all-new Scarecrow Spectacular offers family-friendly fun

October 17, 2023 - 12:30pm

Six actors stand in two lines holding their arms up over their heads while rehearsing a scene at Malaspina Theatre.

VIU Theatre Department presents the dark parody Collateral Damage

October 13, 2023 - 11:45am

VIU hosting free, family-friendly fall festival

October 13, 2023 - 09:45am

White lettering reading VIU on a dark blue background.

Statement on the war in the Middle East

October 10, 2023 - 03:15pm

Mixed media painting of a red, white and dark blue boat with a trailer in front of it on the shoreline.

VIU’s View Gallery hosts an exhibit featuring Nanaimo and mid-Island artists

October 10, 2023 - 02:45pm

VIU in the News

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