Information is exploratory. For accurate information, refer to the official website of the school.
About VIU
Vancouver Island University (VIU) — public non-profit university. It is located in Nanaimo, Canada. The higher education institution is considered one of the youngest in the country, as it was founded in 1969. As a part of Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), Canadian University Press (CUP), VIU is actively building the academic environment in Canada.
The university is ranked number 1201 in QS World University Rankings 2025.
VIU offers bachelor and master programs in different fields of study.
As in many other universities in the country, the academic calendar at VIU is divided into two semesters. But for convenience, tuition fees are calculated per year. Tuition fees here are different for locals and foreigners. For locals, it starts from 2,063 USD, and for foreigners — a minimum of 13,780 USD. The educational institution helps students financially with the help of scholarships and financial aid. They are available to local and international students. For up-to-date information on scholarships and the cost of education for each program, check the official website of the educational institution.
In addition to the cost of education, it is necessary to pay attention to additional costs: accommodation, transportation, study materials, meals and personal expenses.
Before applying, you need to pass the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL exam. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. The TOEFL score is not lower than 88. The IB diploma is accepted upon admission.
IELTS
6.5
TOEFL iBT
88
TOEFL PBT
550
Master's degree at VIU
When considering candidates for master's programs, the admission committee of the university pays attention to the student's academic performance during the undergraduate program. In order to enroll at VIU for a master's program, you will have to confirm knowledge of the English language. You can do this by passing the exam — IELTS, PTE or TOEFL. The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 88. IELTS — 6.5 or higher. There is an opportunity to study at VIU via online master's programs.
IELTS
6.5
TOEFL iBT
88
TOEFL PBT
550
VIU campus
The campus of the educational institution is located in Nanaimo. This opens up all the delights of life in a big city for students: a rich infrastructure, a large selection of entertainment, convenient transport, as well as more opportunities for internships or part-time jobs. However, for some students, such an abundance of opportunities can be distracting. University students have access to the library. It contains a collection of scientific papers, textbooks and fiction. Thanks to international exchange programs at VIU, students can communicate with representatives of different countries and nationalities and thus expand their own horizons. And, the university contributes to this by regularly holding joint events for local and foreign students.
After graduation, you can stay in Canada for a period of 1 to 3 years. To do this, the graduate draws up a special visa, which allows one to work even without an official offer from an employer. You can find other options for immigration in our article.
Professional assistance in applying to a foreign university
