Vancouver Island University
Vancouver Island University offers undergraduate degrees in arts, business, education and sciences, as well as trades and graduate programs, professional development and training, and academic preparation. For those interested in coastal and marine research, there’s the Deep Bay Marine Field Station with state-of-the-art labs and a seawater tank near an estuarine ecosystem. The Health and Science Centre houses research and teaching labs for chemistry, environmental research, nursing and other health programs. A new campus daycare under construction will support students in early childhood education, social work, child and youth care and other programs, while providing an Indigenous-focused childcare education model. The main Vancouver Island University campus is located on a mountain slope overlooking the Salish Sea on Vancouver Island’s east coast. There are also regional campuses in the Cowichan Valley and Powell River, and a learning centre in Parksville.
“At VIU, faculty and staff support students to tackle real-world problems through a hands-on approach to learning,” says president Deborah Saucier. “This leads to students building deeper connections with their learning and empowers them to help create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.” Last year, more than 215 projects led by faculty and students involved community partners. VIU works to improve access to post-secondary education through initiatives such as a tuition-waiver program for former youth in care, upgrading courses, student success coaching and a bridging program for Indigenous students. The Career Studio helps students search for jobs and prep for interviews.
Campus buzz: The Wellness Lounge, staffed by student volunteers, offers peer support, free hot chocolate and tea, and therapy dogs.
Quick facts
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$5,784
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 60% | Science: 60% | Commerce: 60% | Engineering: 69%
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 4,545 | Part-time: 2,449
Graduates: Full-time: 662 | Part-time: 385
Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 524 (approx. 450 reserved for first-year students)
Cost of double room: $5,130 | Single room: $8,330
Cost of double room with meals: $8,630 to $11,130 | Single room with meals: $11,830 to $14,330
Cost of apartment-style: $4,700 to $8,660
Standout programs
Marketing: Prepare for in-demand careers through core courses in marketing basics, buyer behaviour, customer analytics and strategic marketing, as well as specifically customized upper-level courses.
Kinesiology: This program prepares students to work in a range of areas, from education and coaching to fitness and wellness, through lectures, labs, activity classes and applied research.
Hospitality Management: This program delivers academic and practical training in a diverse, international curriculum. Students develop skills and industry connections through co-op and internships.
VIU offers a range of degree, diploma and certificate programs and is profiled in both the Ultimate Guide to Canadian Universities and the Ultimate Guide to Canadian Colleges. To learn more about the school’s diploma programs, visit the VIU’s college profile.
