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
17

VIU Games

Kick off the semester with one of VIU’s biggest welcome events: VIU Games 2025! This annual tradition brings together new and returning students, alumni, and…
Oct
17

Learn hul'q'umi'num'

Join us for a welcoming hour of introductory hul'q'umi'num' language and story at VIU Library. Anyone interested in listening, learning and speaking hul'q'umi…
Oct
17

SPARK VIU - Idea to Innovation

On Friday, October 17 at 12:30 pm SPARK VIU will be hosting its second idea to innovation session.  This is a series for those interested in…
Oct
17

SPARK VIU - Ideas to Innovation

We are excited to bring to you another session of SPARK VIU - Ideas to Innovation. On Friday, October 17  12:30 to 2 pm we will be joined by Dr. Nolan…
Oct
20

Protocol Workshop VIU Elder-in-Residence C-tasi"a - Geraldine Manson

Protocol Workshop  VIU Elder-in-Residence C-tasi"a - Geraldine MansonSharing Importance of Who We AreProtocols and the Importance of ThemMonday October 20…

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