Student Life

The Museum of Natural History showcases various landscapes and samples of organisms that live in British Columbia and beyond. It contains exhibits of taxidermy animals such as wolves and birds that have been donated to the university. The Museum of Natural History supports various programs in both the Science and Technology and Social Sciences faculties at the Nanaimo campus.

Learn more about the Museum of Natural History

This outdoor amphitheater serves as a convenient gathering spot for student events or outdoor classes. The concrete surround is softened by dogwood trees and the sound of rushing water fills the area from the waterfall feature.

BC Transit buses running through the bus loop include the #40 that runs from downtown to Woodgrove Centre, the #5 serving the north side of downtown, the #6 serving the south side of downtown and the #15 connecting to Woodgrove Centre along the Island Highway.

The construction of the library began in 2001, it officially re-opened in spring 2005. The university library collection contains over 230,000 books, journals, audiovisual items, and E-books. Our library commons has sixty-five computer workstations, as well as color and black and white printers available to students twenty-four hours a day. Make sure to check out the view of the surrounding area from the 5th floor!

The bookstore doesn’t just sell books; it has everything from VIU swag and toothpaste, to computer accessories and all your stationary needs. New comparison online shopping option gives you great bookstore prices alongside offers from top online retailers, all in one place! If you want to enjoy a little shopping or check out publications by VIU authors come for a browse.

Visit the Campus Store

An educational display of how to reuse energy to create a sustainable future.

This new faculty houses state of the art health and chemistry teaching labs and classrooms.

Shq’apthut (A Gathering Place) is a home away from home for Indigenous students and is where Services for Aboriginal Students and the Elders-in-Residence program are located. It is a welcoming place for all students who attend VIU. The three totems at Shq’apthut represent the three major language groups on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast – the Kwakwaka’wakw, the Coast Salish and the Nuu-chah-nulth. These totems are a collaborative project between the VIU Students’ Union, the University and forest industry partners.

Malaspina presents three MainStage performances per year, a One-Act Festival, and provides a centre for community performances.