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

Apr
1

Make Your Sign for Take Back the Night!

Make Your Sign on April 1 to Take Back the Night on April 2!Tues. April 1, 11 am-1 pm Upper Quad, VIU (Nanaimo Campus)VIU Faculty Association's Women's and…
Apr
3

Lunch & Learn - Workplace Ready

Gear up for success in your work-integrated learning experience! This interactive workshop covers essential topics like employment standards, WorkSafeBC…
Apr
3

Shqwultun: Learn and Speak hul'q'umi'num'

Coast Salish lands and communities are living libraries. From living libraries stem Indigenous language and story. Living Libraries presents the upcoming…
Apr
4

SafeTALK Workshop April, 2024

Join us on April 04, 2025, from 9am to 1pmIn this essential session, you'll gain the skills to identify warning signs of suicide, approach individual with care…
Apr
4

Deep Bay Open House for Brant Wildlife Festival

Special Open House EventAs part of the Brant Wildlife Festival, we will be open to the public for one special day!Friday April 4th:    10:00 a. m.…

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