Vancouver Island University

General requirements

English Language Requirements for Undergraduate Academic and Vocational Programs

TOEFL – 550

TOEFL  IBT – 88 

IELTS – 6.5 

PTE – 60

Graduate Programs 

TOEFL iBT – 93

IELTS – 7.0

PTE – 65

PTE Online – 65

TOEFL iBT Home Edition – 93 

Vancouver Island University enrolled its first students in September 1969 as Malaspina College, named after Captain Alessandro Malaspina, who explored Vancouver Island. Registration in the first year was over 600 students, almost double what was initially expected.[5] In 1976, after seven years at the original campus in the old Nanaimo Hospital building at 388 Machleary Street, Malaspina College moved to its new campus on Fifth Street (the present location of VIU) on former Department of National Defense land adjoining the existing Nanaimo Vocational Training School, which had offered trades programs since 1936. In anticipation of construction of a new campus, Malaspina College had merged administration with the existing vocational school in 1971.

Malaspina University-College was designated a university under an amendment of the University Act and officially began operation as Vancouver Island University on September 1, 2008.[10]

International students: 2,253 in 2017-2018[11]

Vancouver Island University’s first president was Dr. Carleton Opgaard. The first chancellor was Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, who in 2009 became the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. When VIU appointed Chief Atleo as Chancellor he became the first Indigenous person to hold this position in British Columbia.

The university press, The Navigator, established in 1969, is a member of Canadian University Press. The magazine Portal has been published by VIU students since 1991.[12]

 

Vancouver Island University

It is ranked #1001-1200 in QS World University Rankings 2024.

 

Transfer Credit

Students enrolled in a University program may receive transfer credit for up to 50 percent of their program. Students seeking credit for courses from other institutions will need to submit detailed course outlines and a credit transfer request form. Please note, it can take 6-8 weeks after admissions received your documents for credit to appear. Students are welcome to find transfer credit resources by looking up individual courses or searching the BC Council on Admission and Transfer (BCCAT).

Deferring Admission

For students wanting to change their program to a later start date If for any reason you need to change when you start your program at VIU, or you haven’t been successful in obtaining a visa and wish to cancel your enrollment.

Application fee

Complete the printable International Application for Admission form. Attached the non-refundable application fee of $150 is required.

 

 

Programs List

  1. Accounting (BBA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Advanced Diploma in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Applications
  • Advanced Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 8 Months
  1. Anthropology (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Aquaculture (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Aquaculture (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Bachelor of Arts (BA), Honours, Majors, and Minors
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Majors and Minors
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Bachelor of Education
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Cowichan, Nanaimo
  • 5 Years
  1. Bachelor of Education – Post Baccalaureate
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 18 Months
  1. Bachelor of Hospitality Management
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Bachelor of Interior Design
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Bachelor of Kinesiology
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Bachelor of Science (BSc), Honours, Majors, Minors, and Transfer
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Bachelor of Tourism Management
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Baking and Pastry Arts Management
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Biology (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Biology (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Certificate in Business Management
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • Variable
  1. Chemistry (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Chemistry (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Child and Youth Care (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Computer Science
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Computer Science (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Computer Science (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Creative Writing and Journalism (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Criminology (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Culinary Arts
  • Certificate
  • Cowichan, Nanaimo
  • 1 Year
  1. Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts Management Bridging
  • Transfer Program
  • Nanaimo
  • Variable
  1. Culinary Management
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Dental Assistant
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 10 Months
  1. Dental Hygiene
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Digital Media (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Digital Media Studies (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Earth Science (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  • Load More
  1. Earth Science (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Economics (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Economics (BBA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Education Assistant and Community Support
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 8 Months
  1. Engineering Transfer Certificate
  • Certificate, Transfer Program
  • Nanaimo
  • 8 Months
  1. Engineering Transfer Diploma
  • Diploma, Transfer Program
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. English (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Event Management Certificate
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo, Online
  • 1 Year
  1. Exploratory University Studies (EXPO)
  • Cowichan, Nanaimo, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • Variable
  1. Financial Services (BBA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Forest Resources Technology
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Geography (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Geography (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Geoscience (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Global Studies (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Graduate Certificate in Business
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 1 Year
  1. Graduate Diploma in Project Management
  • Graduate Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 1 Year
  1. History (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Hospitality Management Diploma
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Human Resources Management (BBA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Information Technology and Applied Systems – Web and Mobile Development Diploma
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Information Technology and Applied Systems – Systems Administration and Networking Diploma
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Integrated Engineering Technologist Diploma
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 28 Months
  1. International Business (BBA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Jazz Studies
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Kinesiology (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Languages and Culture (Romance Languages) (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • 4 Years
  1. Languages and Culture (Romance Languages) (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Legal Studies
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • Variable
  1. Liberal Studies (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Literacy, Language, and Learning Graduate Diploma
  • Graduate Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Management (BBA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Management Skills for Supervisors
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 12 Days
  1. Marine and Motorcycle Mechanical Technician
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 9 Months
  1. Marketing (BBA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Master of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management
  • Master Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Master Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 20 Months
  1. Master of Community Planning
  • Master Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Master of Education in Educational Leadership
  • Master Degree
  • Nanaimo, Online
  • Variable
  1. Master of Education in Special Education
  • Master Degree
  • Nanaimo, Online
  • 2 Years
  1. Master Gardener
  • Non-Credit
  • Off Campus
  • 51 Weeks
  1. Master of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Applications
  • Master Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Mathematics (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Mathematics (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Media Studies (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Medical Device Reprocessing Technician
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 22 Weeks
  1. Medical Office Assistant
  • Certificate
  • 8 Months
  1. Mental Health Care Assistant
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • Variable
  1. Nursing Unit Assistant
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Months
  1. Office Administration
  • Certificate
  • Cowichan, Nanaimo
  • 10 Months
  1. Online ESL
  • Non-Credit
  • 16 Weeks
  1. Online Learning and Teaching Graduate Diploma
  • Graduate Diploma
  • 2 Years
  1. Pharmacy Technician
  • Diploma
  • 15 Months
  1. Philosophy (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Philosophy Honours (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • 4 Years
  1. Physical Education
  • Diploma
  • 2 Years
  1. Physics (BSc)
  • Transfer Program
  • 4 Years
  1. Political Studies (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Post-Degree Diploma in Fisheries and Aquaculture
  • Post-Degree Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 1 Year
  1. Post-Degree Diploma in Languages and Culture (Romance Languages)
  • Post-Degree Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 1 Year
  1. Post-Degree Diploma in Natural Resource Law Enforcement
  • Post-Degree Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 1 Year
  1. Power Engineering/Process Operator – 4th Class
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 32 Weeks
  1. Practical Nursing
  • Diploma
  • Cowichan, Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Professional Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 1 Year
  1. Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 8 Months
  1. Proficiency in Language and Culture
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Psychedelic-assisted Therapy
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Online
  • 1 Year
  1. Psychology (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Psychology (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Psychology Honours (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • 4 Years
  1. Psychology Honours (BSc)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • 4 Years
  1. Recreation and Sport Management
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Refrigeration Air-Conditioning Mechanic
  • Certificate
  • Cowichan
  • 34 Weeks
  1. Resource Management Officer Technology
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Social Services
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Sociology (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Sociology Honours (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • 4 Years
  1. Studies in Women and Gender (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Fully available at Nanaimo
  • Partially available at Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 4 Years
  1. Teacher Leadership Graduate Diploma
  • Graduate Diploma
  • 1 Year
  1. Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (TESOL)
  • Non-Credit
  • Variable
  1. Theatre
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Tourism Studies
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Visual Art
  • Diploma
  • Nanaimo
  • 2 Years
  1. Visual Art (BA)
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Nanaimo
  • 4 Years
  1. Welding
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 7 Months
  1. Wine Business
  • Certificate
  • Nanaimo
  • 1 Year
  1. Workplace Essential Skills and Training
  • Certificate
  • Cowichan, Nanaimo, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
  • 2 Years