Location Offered
- Cowichan
- Nanaimo
- tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
A flexible, personalized university option
Want to take university courses without committing to a full degree? VIU’s Exploratory University Studies (EXPO) gives you a flexible way to get what you need from university. As an EXPO student, you can take any class we offer as long as you have the prerequisites.
You can build a custom credential based on your priorities. You can focus on courses that help you get ahead in your career or meet the requirements of a professional program. And you can explore topics that interest you.
Why take Exploratory University Studies?
If you don’t know what to study in university, you can sample a variety of options in EXPO. If you’re missing prerequisites for an academic program, you can start in EXPO and apply to the program of your choice when you’re ready. You can build a specialized credential based on your career goals. And because the credits you earn can be used toward any credential at VIU, you have options for future study.
Sign up to learn more
What credential can I earn in Exploratory Studies?
With EXPO, you can work with an advisor to create custom credential. This includes a certificate, diploma or associate degree options. We recommend you work with an Advisor to select your courses for all these credentials.
Certificate in Individually Selected University Studies
For the Certificate in Individually Selected University Studies, you can take between 12 and 59 credit courses. This can be a great option if you want to add a skill set to your resumé.
General Diplomas
A diploma is a recognition of two years of full-time study. For general diploma you take at least 60 credits of course work with a minimum grade average of 2.0, which is a C.
Diploma in Individually Selected University Studies
For the Diploma in Individually Selected University Studies you take at least 60 semester credits in any university courses numbered 100 to 499.
Diploma in Arts and Science
Requires 60 credits in any university academic courses, including the Degree English Requirement. With the Arts and Science diploma, you can ladder into many 4-year degree programs.
Associate degrees
For an associate degree, you take 60 credits worth of courses, and those will need to include 18 credits at second year or higher. We offer two associate degree options:
Associate Degree in Arts
18 credits in 200 level or higher Arts courses
Associate Degree in Science
18 credits in 200 level or higher Science courses
What kind of career can I have with Exploratory University Studies?
More and more jobs require some university education, and EXPO credentials can give you access to jobs with higher pay and better hours. Because you get to build your course list, you can customize your education based on your career goals.
Careers with EXPO credentials
With credentials you earn through EXPO you’ll be eligible for more roles in:
- federal government
- provincial government
- municipal government
- private sector businesses
- health authorities
- non-profits
- and more
Admission requirements for EXPO
You will need to meet general university admission requirements. You will need to have completed high school with a minimum C grade in English 12 or English First Peoples 12. You will also need to meet the prerequisites for the courses you plan to take.
Beyond Exploratory University Studies
All the course credit you earn in EXPO can be applied to other VIU programs. With a diploma or associate degree, you may be able to enter a 4-year degree program at third year. Talk to a VIU Advisor to learn more.
Admission Information
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Cowichan | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
Exploratory University Studies has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| Ongoing | tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River) | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Erin Johnson Phone: 604.485.8033 Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca
Comments:
Please contact Advising at 604.485.2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements. |
|||
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
Exploratory University Studies has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Cowichan | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Exploratory University Studies Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Accepting late applications to Fall 2024 until August 15, 2024. Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
Exploratory University Studies has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
Exploratory University Studies has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Cowichan | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
Exploratory University Studies has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Cowichan | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
Exploratory University Studies has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
Exploratory University Studies has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June.
Application Fee:
46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:
Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca. |
|||