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Vancouver Island University

A better world starts here

On a mountainside overlooking the Salish Sea on the West Coast of Canada is the main VIU campus in Nanaimo. Here you find inspiration all around you. It’s a place you’ll make real connections – on campus, in community and with the land.

Student success in the classroom and beyond is at the heart of everything we do. Our community of support is here for all students. And we offer custom supports for Indigenous students, international students, adult learners and those who face learning challenges. 
 

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Explore 120+ programs

Whether you’re looking for the arts, sciences, trades or humanities, VIU has a program for you. 

Browse VIU programs

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Enigye “Happy” Amarkah

Bachelor of Arts, Visual Art

“The teachers are like family to us. If you have a problem, you can contact your professor and they’ll solve it with you like you are their own kids. If I had to do it all over again, I would still come here."

How to become a VIU student

Discover your place at VIU

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Learning at VIU

Follow your interests to find a program that’s right for you.

Learning at VIU

 

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Admissions

Find out what it takes to be a VIU student. Spoiler alert: we make it easy! 

Learn about admissions

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Student life

Explore your opportunities to get involved at VIU.

Learn about student life

Leaders, creators, keepers and makers connect at VIU, nurturing a good life for generations to come. 

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Visit VIU’s Nanaimo campus

Experience VIU with all your senses during a campus tour. Take in the stunning ocean view and the surrounding forest. Explore all the campus has to offer with a student ambassador as your guide. 

Take a campus tour

VIU News

VIU joins Canada-wide agri-food innovation project

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is honoured to be a partner institution in the Sustainable Food Systems for Canada Innovation Platform (SF4C), which aims to...

Scholar explores mountain biking’s social impacts on Indigenous communities

Dr. Kimberly Coleman joins VIU as the 2025 Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Studies. ­As an avid mountain biker, Dr. Kimberly Coleman is well...

VIU Statement: Inclusivity in sports is a shared responsibility

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in both our academic and athletic programs. We firmly believe that these...

VIU Events

Jan
22

Reiki at Shq'apthut

Reiki- a simple and gentle ancient "hands on" technique given by fully trained Reiki practitioners; a form of self-care that allows you to be more aligned with…
Jan
22

TIA Yukon Information Session

Discover your tourism career in the Yukon! Learn about the endless possibilities that Yukon offers as your ideal destination to live, learn, work, and play at…
Jan
22

Overdose Response Training

Join us for a free training for all staff, faculty and students: Overdose Response TrainingSave lives and inform othersWednesday, Jan. 22, 4-6pm.…
Jan
22

Out-of-Province Parent's Webinar

If you’re a parent or guardian of a high school student considering post-secondary, or a parent of a first-year university student, this event is for you! When…
Aiden Kilcommons

Aiden Kilcommons

If I was only able to take away one thing from my experience here at VIU it would be the relationships I have been able to form with these amazing people. I have learned so much not only about geology, but life in general and will cherish the memories made for the rest of my life.

Bachelor of Science, Geoscience

How to become a VIU student