About About

Get to know VIU. As a teaching university and a research university, we offer a unique experience to students.

About VIU Why VIU

About VIU

Why VIU?

Explore where VIU is going

The Strategic Plan builds on our commitment to diverse learners and draws on our connection to the community.

Strategic Plan

Programs Programs

Explore a wide range of program offerings and learning services. Choose from degrees, vocational training, certificates and more.

Find your program Learning Services

Programs

Learning Services

Start in January

September is not the only time to start a VIU program. Many have January intakes.

See January intake

Admissions & Aid Admissions & Aid

Discover how to apply to VIU and get more information about tuition and financial aid.

Admissions Tuition and Aid

Admissions

Tuition and Aid

How to become a student

Make your VIU application successful by following these steps to becoming a student.

Steps to become a student

Student Life Student Life

Make the best of your time at VIU. Get involved in campus events and enjoy island adventures.

Student Life Student Services

Student Life

Student Services and Support

Get ready for the new student orientation

Attend in-person and online events, explore campus and connect with your professors and soon-to-be classmates!

RockVIU

Support VIU Support VIU

Connect with other VIU alumni and learn about the impact of donor generosity at VIU.

Give

VIU Alumni

VIU Donors

Your support means so much to VIU students

Our donors fund over 2000 scholarships, awards, and bursaries each year.

Research Research

Discover how VIU's interdisciplinary research is making a real-world impact.

Research

Research and Creative Activity

Explore the research highlights. Includes recent publications, ground-breaking studies and more.

Research Reports

Search VIU

VIU Light Up

Name: VIU Light Up
Start: 2025-12-02T16:00:00-08:00
End: 2025-12-02T18:30:00-08:00
Location: Vancouver Island University

December 2 2025, 4 - 6:30 pm

Get ready to kick off the holiday season at VIU Light Up, a warm, inclusive Winter Market–style event that brings together students, staff, and faculty for an evening of cozy lights, laughter, and festive fun.

Take part in ugly Christmas sweater contests, gingerbread house-making, and holiday DIY crafts, or join in the fun with challenges like the chubby bunny and reindeer games. Prefer to keep it cozy? Grab a free hot drink, cookie, or s’more, enjoy the magical atmosphere under the lights or take a picture with Santa or the Gringe. Whether you’re here to compete, create, or just celebrate, VIU Light Up is the perfect way to wrap up the semester with joy and community spirit.