Quick links Student fees Student enrolment Programs and degrees Student facilities and services University research International education Web site: www.viu.ca

Vancouver Island University

900 Fifth Street
Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 5S5
Telephone: 250-753-3245

Profile

Known as a centre of excellence for teaching, learning, and applied research, Vancouver Island University (VIU) is producing quality graduates that are in demand by employers across the country and around the world. VIU values a diverse range of training and education and offers programs from basic literacy to vocational programs, trades, undergraduate and graduate degrees. VIU encourages all students to explore their potential, discover more about their world and excel in both life and learning. Based on a long history of vocational and college training, VIU has evolved into a thriving university that plays an important role in the educational, cultural and economic life of the region. The main campus is located in Nanaimo on the east coast of Vancouver Island and there are regional campuses in Duncan and Powell River, as well as a campus centre in Parksville.

Through academic programs and other aspects of campus life, VIU provides students with opportunities to participate in a variety of applied, experiential and research activities. VIU offers a wide range of academic, applied, career/technical, vocational and developmental programs leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees, as well as a popular program of continuing education courses. VIU offers 13 undergraduate degree credentials, with dozens of options for majors and minors in arts and science fields. At the graduate level, VIU offers a master of business administration and a master of education in educational leadership.

In 2008-2009, Vancouver Island University enrolled over 19,800 students (or approximately 8,000 full-time equivalent students). Significant among them are a large number of Aboriginal students from the region and beyond who constitute about nine percent of our student body. Aboriginal education is an important priority of the institution.

In addition to serving Canadian students, VIU also offers a successful international education program that attracted over 1,200 students from over 60 countries in 2008-2009. VIU is strongly committed to international education and works to enhance global participation and awareness by providing innovative opportunities for students, faculty and staff.

History
Year of foundation: 1969
Former name of the institution: Malaspina University-College.

Student fees

Canadian student fees  2009 - 2010 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $3,710
Graduate ** tuition fees: $10,2780

International student fees  2009 - 2010 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $10,200
Graduate ** tuition fees: $16,388

* Source: Statistics Canada. Fees for programs in arts and humanities.
** Fees for programs in business.

Note: In addition to tuition fees, universities generally charge fees for goods and services supplied to students. This includes areas such as student associations, sports and health. These additional fees vary widely per university and per student and can run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Check with the university for details.

Student enrolment

2009 rounded preliminary fall enrolment *
Full-time (undergraduates): 5,250
Full-time (graduates): 190
Part-time (undergraduates): 1,140
Part-time (graduates): 55

* Source: Vancouver Island University (figures include students in university degree and university transfer programs only).

Programs and degrees

Note: The program information is compiled by AUCC staff in cooperation with staff at member institutions. The programs are classified according to the Classification of Instructional Programs 2000. To search for the programs offered by this institution, please consult the Directory of Canadian Universities’ programs database online at http://www.aucc.ca/can_uni/search/index_e.html.

Student facilities and services

Personal support services
VIU offers many services to improve the student experience and create a welcoming, safe and diverse campus environment. Services include assessment and disability support, on-campus childcare facility, counselling, positive space initiative, multi-faith orientation and various meditation and prayer rooms, and a human rights adviser. To ensure a healthy lifestyle, VIU provides a health and wellness kiosk, bike lockers, fitness centre, first-aid, emergency phone system and safe-walk program, food services provided by our culinary arts program, and many athletic, intramural and outdoor recreation activities. Additional services include a student newspaper and radio station, student society, student pub, theatre and art gallery. Specialized services are provided for First Nations and Aboriginal students and international students.

Academic support services
Support is key to academic success and VIU strives to provide a wide range of services. The advising centre is available to assist students with exploring career options, clarifying educational goals, and creating a personalized education plan. Degree advisers assist with choosing a degree program or major and/or minors and devise an academic plan to help students achieve their goals. Other academic support services include a bookstore and library, career information centre, co-op and internship opportunities, writing centre, study help, math centre, financial aid and awards, and an education technology centre.

First-year student programs
Services designed specifically with the first-year student in mind include educational counselling and advising services, Welcome Week, campus tours and orientation days, student-assisting-student program, mentorship program, course clusters, library orientation tours, study skills courses, and writing and math centres.

Housing
On-campus: Housing is available for 386 students in a variety of room types in a village-like setting at the Nanaimo campus. Residences are co-ed and there is no meal plan. About 70 percent of students who live in campus housing are first-year students. Priority for rooms is given to returning students. Remaining rooms are allocated to first-year students on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost: $1,676 - $2,772 per semester. All of the residences and apartments are fully furnished. Traditional and residence houses offer shared lounges and kitchens. Heat, electricity, hot water, parking and restricted wireless Internet access are included in the rent. Specially designed suites for students with disabilities are available. In addition, a central student service building houses a coin-operated laundry and student lounges. The village also includes outdoor recreation and picnic areas, walking paths, basketball and volleyball courts. International students have access to a home-stay program through the international student support office.

Off-campus: Costs vary by neighbourhood. Average cost for room and board $450 - $650; room $300 - $500; bachelor suite $300 - $600; one-bedroom apartment $450 - $650; two-bedroom apartment $550 - $850; three-bedroom house $690 - $950.

Student assistance
Vancouver Island University offers approximately $800,000 in scholarships, awards, bursaries and tuition bursaries every year. For scholarships, students must achieve a minimum term and cumulative GPA of 7.50 (B+ to A-); for awards, students must achieve a minimum term and cumulative GPA of 6.00 (B average) and meet other criteria specified by the donor. For bursaries, students must achieve a minimum term and cumulative GPA of 3.00 (C average) and demonstrate financial need. International students are eligible to apply for scholarships and awards, except those where financial need is a criterion.

University research

Vancouver Island University is committed to supporting research of the highest national and international standards and to contributing to developments in our region and the world by encouraging integrated research and exploration. 

VIU’s Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR), for example, is making outstanding contributions to BC’s shellfish industry. The 12,000 sq. ft. facility, established in 2002, now supports a new Shellfish Geonomics Laboratory. The CSR’s $8.5 million Deep Bay Field Station for shellfish aquaculture research is setting the standard for the future of aquaculture research facilities. The new station, scheduled to open July 2010, will include a seawater tank farm, a laboratory and a demonstration shellfish farm and act as a combination research facility for shellfish aquaculture, marine ecology and water quality. The state-of-the-art site will also make a real-world impact on the economy of BC by enhancing the province’s vitally important shellfish industry.

VIU’s Research and Scholarly Activity Office works closely with the university’s Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) and faculty researchers to provide a wealth of research opportunities for students. VIU’s increased focus on undergraduate research is being recognized by national funding agencies, with a number of student researchers receiving scholarships from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). For more information, www.viu.ca/research.

International education

Vancouver Island University offers exchange programs that allow students to study for one or two semesters overseas while remaining registered at Vancouver Island University. Current partner institutions are located in Australia, England, Finland, France, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland and the U.S. Vancouver Island University also offers short-term study abroad options in some program areas. Destination countries include Belgium, Belize, the Cook Islands, Indonesia, Italy, U.S. (New York), Tanzania, Korea, France and Spain. Additionally, Vancouver Island University supports field schools, co-ops, practicum placements and development projects; has sister-school agreements with Japan, Korea and Thailand and educational alliances with schools in Taiwan, China, Mexico, India and Turkey.

Vancouver Island University also offers a successful international education program that attracted over 1,200 students from more than 60 countries in 2008-2009.

Contacts
Dr. Graham Pike, Dean
International Education
Telephone: 250-740-6311
E-mail: graham.pike@viu.ca
Website: www.viu.ca/international

Ms. Audrey Hansen, Manager
Study Abroad
Telephone: 250-740-6312
E-mail: audrey.hansen@viu.ca