Connected, personalized education
At VIU, we get to know more than just your name. We learn who you are and where you want to go in life, and we connect you to opportunities that help you get there.
Here you don’t have to choose between learning for the love of it and a career goal. You get both the practical skills and the in-depth knowledge to stand out in academia and in the workplace.
Vancouver Island is where the world comes to connect with nature. Our main campus in Nanaimo is minutes away from scenic trails and a few hours away from all the iconic Vancouver Island attractions. And you can enjoy the outdoors all year.
Apply to VIU
100+ Programs
100, 000+ alumni
Canada’s mildest climate
Small school, big opportunity
“Even though VIU is a smaller university, the level of instruction is world-class. We had a ton of hands-on labs and field trips, things that just wouldn't be possible in larger institutions with big class sizes – especially through some of the Fisheries and Aquaculture courses. And I was gaining skills and experiences in my first and second years of undergrad that other students at bigger universities might not get to learn until their third or fourth years.”
– Brian Timmer
Read more about Brian’s Timmer's story
What we do
Support our people
Everyone at VIU wants to see you succeed, and we offer help along every step of your educational journey and beyond
Celebrate our place
We connect students with the community through, community-based research, internships, alumni network and more.
Build on your potential
Whether you join us as an undergrad, a trades student or for adult upgrading, our job is to help you get where you want to go in life.
Study where you can make an impact
Second-year Earth Sciences student Tess Weaver has a passion for water. After getting to know her, a VIU professor hired Tess to work on a VIU study of tire toxins in Vancouver Island streams. The job involved field experience sampling water. Tess never imagined she’d be doing field work in second year.
“That’s the unique thing about this university. In this project there’s a position for anyone who wants to be involved and who cares. This is a unique project where you have local community, Indigenous communities, and even us undergrads and grad students – interacting and networking. It’s a special project.”
Explore the VIU experience
Explore
Contributing to growth on the Island and beyond
Since 1936, we’ve served Vancouver Island with programs and courses that help our community grow and prosper. VIU Trades programs prepare students to improve lives in their local communities as carpenters, mechanics, cooks and more. We help trades people earn Red Seal endorsements, ensuring that highly trained professionals serve our community.
VIU News
Zeroing in on cancer with technology that maps molecules inside tissues
VIU News & Experts: October 15, 2026
VIU offers free course on how to keep building materials out of landfills
New resource on democracy and public trust joins VIU
Alumni spotlight on Mateo Kostering
Three coastal campuses
Nanaimo
Our main campus on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. An ocean-view campus spanning 92 acres.
Cowichan
On the traditional territory of Cowichan Tribes, the Cowichan campus includes a main campus building and the Cowichan Trades Centre.
tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
Located in the traditional territory of the Tla’amin First Nation, tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus serves the qathet region of the Sunshine Coast.
Where do you want to take your studies?
Connect with a VIU recruiter to find out how we can help you reach your goals