Important information

Access your student record and most registration services at my.viu.ca. You can:

• see your grades
• update your address
• check your place on waitlists
• add or drop courses
• review your fees
• obtain a confirmation of enrolment letter
• and more.

Login to your Student Record.

Here’s what you need to know if you are waitlisted for any of your courses.  

Before the first day of the semester:  

• You will be enrolled automatically if a seat becomes available.  
• You should drop waitlisted courses if you are no longer interested.  

Once the semester begins:  

• You won’t be enrolled automatically if a seat becomes available. 
• Check your online student record each day for the first week of the semester (Tuesday, September 2 to Tuesday, September 9)
• If a seat becomes available, it will be held for you temporarily.  
  You will have until the end of the day to claim it through your online student record. 
• If you do not claim the seat on the day it’s held, you will be removed from the waitlist.  

Here’s how to check your online student record to ensure that you meet prerequisites and corequisites for courses: 

•    Go to “Web Registration,” and then “Register” for the September 2025 Semester.   
•    Select “Check Prerequisites/Corequisites”. Any unmet requirements will be noted in red print.   
•    Please withdraw from courses if you will not meet the requirements.   

If you do not meet course requirements, you may be withdrawn. By the time you are withdrawn, it may be too late to register for another course.  

If you think you meet the requirements, or you would like to have them waived, you must get approval from the Department Chair at least two weeks before the first day of the semester. The Chair will notify the Registration Centre of this waiver.  

At the end of the semester, your grades will be posted to your online student record. If you choose to appeal your final grade, you must begin an official appeal within 10 working days of the date the grade is assigned (excluding University closures).  

You can add a Fall Semester course up to Tuesday, September 9.  
If you want to add a course after September 9, you will need instructor permission. Use Web Registration in your online student record to start a request.  

We strongly recommend you begin your courses on time. If you are unable to participate at the start of the semester, you can maintain your enrolment for up to two weeks by notifying the instructor of your absence by email before the first scheduled class.  

If you do not show up to the first class and have not notified your instructor, you may be withdrawn without prior notice.  

To find your instructor’s contact information, look in your online student record under “my course enrolment history” and select the icon next to the class.  

If you register for a course but change your mind, you must officially drop it through your online student record. It is not enough to inform your instructor or just not show up.  

When you drop a course, it can have a big impact on your: 

• fees
• grades
• student loan eligibility
• sponsorship eligibility
• immigration status  

Fees:  Please take note of these important deadlines if you are considering dropping a course.   

If you have paid a tuition deposit, it is fully non-refundable and will be deducted from any refund you may be eligible for.  

Grades: The last day to withdraw from a course to avoid getting an “F” grade assigned or to change from credit to audit (or vice-versa) is Monday, November 24.    

Student loan eligibility; sponsorship eligibility; immigration status:  If you are considering dropping below a full-time course load, we encourage you to discuss your plans with a VIU Academic Advisor or Immigration Advisor.  

Make sure you are available during exam dates: December 8 to 17. Exam schedules will be posted in your online student record in early November.

You can order official transcripts through your online student record or by calling the Registration Centre. The fee is $13.25 per copy.  

A rush transcript, ordered to go out by mail the next day, is available for $22.05 per copy.  

You can access an unofficial transcript at no charge in your online student record.  

Advisors are here to help and support you throughout your educational journey.   

By email: 
advising@viu.ca or  
advising.cowichan@viu.ca 

By telephone: 
Cowichan: 250·746·3509 
Nanaimo: 1·888·920·2221 or 250·740·6410  
tiwšεmawtxw campus: 604·485·2878  

You can launch VIU’s Goal Planning System (GPS) from your online student record. GPS will show how your courses can work towards your academic goals and will list courses you still need to complete.  

We strongly encourage you to discuss your GPS results with your Degree Advisor or Program Chair.  

For services over the phone, we protect your student record by asking for:  

• your student number 
• the answer to a security question (you create your question and answer, and you may change it at any time)     

Photo identification is required for in-person services.  

A parent, spouse or friend may not act on your behalf to conduct any business or make any detailed inquiries about your account without your consent. To authorize someone to act on your behalf when speaking to us in person or on the phone, you will need to give them your student number and the answer to your security question. If you share this information with a third party, it's a good practice to change it afterwards.  

The VIU Safety App is available for Apple and Android devices. It allows us to send messages to you in times of emergency and features:  

•    quick access to Campus Security  
•    a personal safety toolbox 
•    campus maps  
•    and more  

If you wish to temporarily withdraw and maintain your status at VIU, you may apply for a leave of absence for the remainder of the current academic year and the following year. If your request is approved, when you return you will be considered a continuing student for the purpose of registration.  

International students considering a leave of absence should consult with a VIU Immigration Advisor regarding the impact to health insurance and immigration status.  

Pay parking is in effect at the Nanaimo campus on a “first come, first parked” basis. Learn more about VIU Parking and regulations. Due to limited space, we encourage you to use alternative forms of transportation such as public transit, carpooling, teleportation, walking or biking.  

All new and returning students registered in at least six credits for the Fall Semester will be assessed an annual fee of $285 on behalf of the VIU Students’ Union to pay for one year of Extended Health and Dental coverage.  This fee will be due by Tuesday, September 16.  

Students who already have comparable coverage may apply to opt-out of the plan at viusu.ca or through the link in your online student record. 

Any questions should be directed to the Students’ Union at 250.754.8866 or email healthanddental@viusu.ca.

New and continuing international students are charged the guard.me international insurance fee of $246 per semester for basic medical coverage. If you have received BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage, you may apply to opt out. 

See guard.me for more information.