Vancouver Island University | Campus, programs, and more!

About Vancouver Island University

Vancouver Island University, founded in 1969, is a public liberal arts university with campuses in Nanaimo, Powell River, Duncan, and Parksville-Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada. VIU has over 12,000 full- and part-time students and 1,456 international students from over 40 countries. It has recognition by the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association, AUCC, CBIE, CUP, and WUSC. Let’s find out more about the university.

Why study at Vancouver Island University?

Here’s why you should pursue education at Vancouver Island University-

• Vancouver Island University has grown into a highly regarded institution. It has evolved into a strategic hub for enhancing the region’s educational, cultural, and economic life.
• Vancouver Island University collaborates with universities and institutions such as the University of Montana, the University of Central Arkansas, the University of Canberra, Deakin University, Victoria University, UNITEC, and the University of Hertfordshire to provide students with better employment and learning opportunities.
• Scholarships, bursaries, and awards from Vancouver Island University are critical for students because they allow them to continue their studies at VIU.
• Over 120 programs are available, ranging from graduate and undergraduate degrees to trade diplomas and certificates.

Vancouver Island University programs

There are six master’s programs, nine graduate diploma programs, and one graduate certificate program at the university. It also has four post-graduate diploma programs and two advanced diploma programs. The university offers 67 undergraduate programs in areas such as business, management, education, health, science, and technology.

Vancouver Island University provides a 20-month full-time MBA program that begins with a 3-week foundation of blended coursework and concludes with a 4-month internship and an applied business project. Under the Academic and Career Preparation and High School Equivalency (ABE) program, the University offers certificate and non-credit programs.

VIU offers graduate and undergraduate degrees, as well as vocational and trades diplomas and certificates. They also provide continuing education and academic upgrading programs. Students are welcome to engage in various applied, experiential, and research activities. 

Students at VIU can begin working on academic research projects as early as their second year of study. Master’s degrees are available at VIU in business administration, educational leadership, special education, sustainable leisure management, community planning, and geographic information system applications.

Some of the programs are as follows-

• Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A)
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Criminology
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Tourism Management
• Bachelor, Hospitality Management
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Sociology
• Graduate Certificate, Business
• Graduate Diploma, Project Management
• Master of Business Administration (M.B.A)
• Master of Education (M. Ed), Educational Leadership

Campuses at Vancouver Island University

You can conveniently locate VIU’s three university campuses along Canada’s beautiful shoreline on Vancouver Island and coastal BC. You will find a warm, welcoming environment for learning and connecting.

Nanaimo Campus

VIU’s main campus in Nanaimo is on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and spans 92 scenic acres, including lush forests and Japanese gardens. Nature trails are just a few minutes walk from campus, or take city transit to Nanaimo’s harbourside downtown center for eclectic dining, pubs, coffee shops, and shopping.

Cowichan Campus

VIU’s newest campus, located at the Cowichan Trades Centre, offers a wide range of programs and student services in a beautiful and modern LEED Gold Certified facility. Cowichan Campus is in the heart of Duncan, on Cowichan Tribes’ traditional territory, just steps away from restaurants, shopping, and services. Participate in outdoor recreation and cultural events, sample the bounty of the region’s farmlands at farmers’ markets and get to lakes and the ocean in minutes.

Powell River Campus

At VIU’s campus in the Powell River, students will find a welcoming and supportive community. VIU’s campus is in the traditional territory of the Tla’amin First Nation on BC’s upper Sunshine Coast. Pristine wilderness surrounds the campus and is close to the world-class ocean destinations at Jervis Inlet and Desolation Sound. Powell River attracts those who enjoy a variety of active pursuits as well as the pace of a small, vibrant and connected community.

Parksville-Qualicum Centre

Join the Parksville-Qualicum Centre, an active learning and community hub located in the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre on the traditional territory of the Snaw-naw-as First Nation. Access a wide range of programs, including career and academic preparation, university programs, professional development and training, and a rich offering of ElderCollege programs for lifelong learners. The Centre is in the heart of the Oceanside resort community, just a 30-minute drive from VIU’s main campus in Nanaimo.

Admission to the university

Here’s how you can apply to Vancouver Island University-

• Students must apply through the website’s official portal.
• To begin the application, enter your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, and so on.
• For students, the application process is quite simple. Students must submit transcripts, documents, and degrees of higher secondary qualifications, official bachelor’s degrees, and English language proficiency scores.
• To support your application, submit additional documents such as work experience, an interview, an essay, etc.
• Some programs have a provision for interviews.
• Make payment for the application fee.

Documents

You must submit the below documents-

• Personal essays/statements/letter 
• Letter of recommendation
• Curriculum vitae 
• Work experience 
• Transcripts, documents, and degrees of previous academic qualifications  
• Standardized entrance test scores 
• Proof of financial stability
• Letter of acceptance 
• Medical evaluation

Services at the university

Below are some of the services at the university-

• The university library is 100,000 square feet in size and houses a variety of online and print media resources.
• The university has a Malaspina theatre with a capacity of 294 people available for external community groups.
• The campus includes two art galleries as well as a gift shop. The galleries are open to the public and run by a non-profit organization.
• The campuses are well-equipped with various services and amenities, and modern equipment such as computer labs, classrooms, and training rooms.
• The university has several student clubs and organizations. Partisan, activist, general interest, religious, and artistic passions are among the popular interests of students.
• The campus has a multi-functional multi-purpose gymnasium with equipment such as stair masters, free weights, fitness rooms, and weight machines.

Key takeaways

• Vancouver Island University welcomes students from all over the world and their contributions to the campus’s vibrant cultural fabric.
• Nanaimo is the university’s main campus, covering 92 acres. In addition, the university has campuses in Cowichan and Powell River. Parksville-Qualicum Centre is also a university-exclusive study center.
• Vancouver Island University is a hub for recreational and extracurricular activities in addition to academics. The campuses have sports courts, gymnasiums, cafeterias, art galleries, and theatres.

Did you find this blog helpful? Do share your views and perspectives in the comments below. Please contact us for more information on Vancouver Island University by clicking here. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

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FAQs

Q1. How can you prepare for the interview for admission at VIU?

Answer- The interview intends to introduce faculty to students and for students to become acquainted with the program. Be on time and prepared to present yourself professionally.

Q2. What is the minimum GPA required for Vancouver Island University?

Answer- -Vancouver Island University requires a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Q3. What is the cost of living at Vancouver Island University?

Answer- The type of room you select is a determining factor for the cost of living in Canada. However, the cost of living ranges from $4,000 to $9,000 per academic year.