Students enjoying Holi festival

Get involved in student life!

Discover the VIU campus culture

Get involved. Have fun. Make friends.

When you join us at VIU you become part of a vibrant community, and you can take part in a whole host interesting activities. Clubs and campus events connect you to your peers and provide opportunities for fun during your down time. When you take part in student life you make memories that last a lifetime. 
 

Ways to get involved on campus

Cultural Connections

Sign up for a road trip with the Cultural Connections team. See more of Vancouver Island and connect with other students. 

Cultural Connections

The Navigator

Have ideas you want to share? Any VIU student can pitch a story idea to the Navigator and if you get published you get paid. 

Read the Navigator

 

Career Studio

An on-campus job can be a great way to connect with the VIU community. Career Studio can connect you with opportunities.

Career Studio

VIU Students’ Union

Your student union connects you to resources, acts as a voice for you and hosts some fun events. 

VIU Students’ Union

 

Student clubs

VIU student clubs cover a wide range of activities and interests. Choose from clubs based on your area of study or clubs based on hobbies like gardening or table tennis. 

Student clubs

 

Study abroad

Take part in international projects around the world or celebrate other cultures at events here on campus. Study abroad activities are handled by the International Mobility department.

Study Abroad

 

Explore

Group of people at an event outside. Some are wearing leis

Gain valuable experience

Did you know when you get involved on campus, you can add skills and abilities to your resumé? The Office of Co-curricular Engagement and Learning (OCCEL) can help. They you connect with experiences that can help you build a list of skills and abilities to enhance your resumé. 

Explore the OCCEL

Stay healthy and active

Getting out and being active can lead to better grades and a happier, healthier you. Studies show that physical activity is good for more than your health and mental health. It also improves your cognitive abilities. 

At VIU, being active is easy. As a VIU student you get get free gym passes and reduced rates for fitness classes, and can take part in intramural sports. 

Mariners athletics

The VIU Mariners varsity athletics program is one of the most decorated programs in the Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association. 

Cheering for your team is a fun way to unwind after a day of studies. And VIU students get free tickets to home games.

Explore Mariners Athletics

Upcoming student life events

Oct
23

Noodle and Doodle

Take a break and get creative with us on October 23, from 11:30 pm to 1:30 pm at the Lower Cafeteria. Enjoy free noodle soup, connect with others, and relax…
Oct
23

Marilyn Dumont: Necessary Weapons

Marilyn Dumont will deliver the Ralph Gustafson Distinguished Poet’s Lecture. It is free to attend and will be followed by a catered reception, cash bar, and…
Oct
24

2025 BC MBA Games

VIU's Nanaimo campus will welcome MBA students from SFU, UBC, TRU and UCW to challenge their "spirit of collaboration and excellence" in the 2025 BC MBA Games…
Oct
24

Arts and Humanities Colloquium Series - Delani Valin (VIU, 2018)

Living Between Worlds: Métis Counselling Experiencesby Délani Valin (Métis / Nehiyaw)VIU Class of 2018 (Creative Writing) and author of Shapeshifters (2022)…
Oct
24

Scarecrow Spectacular

Join us in celebrating the beauty of fall in the Gardens with our Third Annual Scarecrow Spectacular! Wander through Scarecrow Lane to admire and vote for…

Housing options at VIU

No matter where you’re from, at VIU you’ll be at home. In student housing you’ll find friendly people and fun things to do. And you’ll get to know other students from around the world. We are also one of the only schools in Canada to offer support finding off-campus housing as well. 

Check out VIU student housing

Explore VIU student housing

Kayakers on the ocean.

Enjoy the Island vibes

Spend your down time exploring Vancouver Island. VIU groups host all kinds of road trips and local adventures. Or you can expore on your own. Plan a ski weekend at Mount Washington. Or a surf weekend in Tofino. You can even do both in the same weekend. In the evenings you can check out Nanaimo’s thriving music scene and enjoy food from around the world. 


 

Explore Vancouver Island