Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Compare Vancouver Island University programs, admissions, costs, residence, student support, and career pathways in one source-reviewed guide. Jump to the decision section you need below.
The short answer
- Fall 2027 academic applications open October 1, 2026. The application fee is $46.98 for domestic applicants and $156.06 for international applicants.
- Most programs need graduation and a C in Grade 12 English. Ontario students need ENG4U, the Ontario Grade 12 English course.
- Apply for Fall 2027 entrance awards from October 15, 2026 to February 28, 2027. Awards are not automatic, so you must apply.
- Nanaimo housing costs $5,996 for a modern double or $8,734 for a traditional single. The housing application fee is $50.
- Domestic tuition is $173.12 per credit and international tuition is $832.09 per credit. The 2027–2028 tuition schedule is not yet published.
Reviewed August 16, 2026 · Official university sources · How we review guides
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Overview
Quick Facts
| Location | Nanaimo, British Columbia |
|---|---|
| School Type | Comprehensive teaching and applied-program university |
| Directory Size | Large university |
| Campus Setting | Regional university city with a defined campus community |
| Ranking Signal | No QS World 2026 position listed in this guide |
| Program Strengths | Business, Education, Tourism, Science, Arts |
First, look at campus and program fit. Then check official admissions, residence, and cost details. Do this before you build the final application list.
Admissions Planning
Fall 2027 admissions planning
Vancouver Island University requirements for Ontario students
Most academic routes need secondary-school graduation. They also need a C in Grade 12 English. But that is not a university-wide competitive average. Science, Engineering, Nursing, Design, Fisheries, trades, and diploma-to-degree routes each add their own courses or selection.
General academic English
ENG4U at C
Limited-entry programs and individual courses can publish higher floors.
Fall 2027 opens
October 1, 2026
Confirmed for academic programs beginning September 2027.
Current application fee
$46.98 domestic
International applicants pay $156.06; ABE has no application fee.
Confirmed opening, program-specific closes
Fall 2027 is live, but not as one deadline
The October 1, 2026 academic opening and Fall 2027 award window are explicit. Fisheries confirms its 2027 cohort and Nursing confirms a September 7, 2027 start, but the Nursing application and CASPer dates still show the prior cycle. Use each program page independently.
Ontario preparation by route
| Program | Published minimum | Ontario preparation | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| General academic admission | Minimum C in Grade 12 English | Ontario OSSD equivalent plus ENG4U | This is an eligibility floor. Limited-entry programs and individual courses can require more. |
| Bachelor of Science | English C; Grade 12 Math B | ENG4U plus MHF4U | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and other courses may be required for first-year course prerequisites. |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | English C; Grade 11 Math or Computer Science C | ENG4U plus MCR3U, MCF3M, or an accepted Grade 11/12 Computer Science course | The online option gives preferential online access for the first 60 credits. Students should then be ready for Nanaimo delivery. |
| Engineering Transfer Diploma | English C+; Math B; Physics and Chemistry C+ | ENG4U, MHF4U, SPH4U, and SCH4U | Admission is ranked by GPA. Missing Chemistry may be reviewed case by case, but admission remains limited. |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | C+ in every listed prerequisite plus CASPer | ENG4U, SBI4U, SCH3U, and MCR3U or MDM4U-equivalent Mathematics | The four-year Nanaimo BSN is not currently available to international students. |
| Bachelor of Interior Design | English C; Grade 11 Math C | ENG4U plus MCR3U, MCF3M, or MBF3C-equivalent Mathematics | Competitive two-step entry also requires a statement, résumé, questionnaire, and 10–15-work portfolio. |
| Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology Diploma | English C; Grade 11 Math and Biology C | ENG4U plus MCR3U, MCF3M, or MBF3C-equivalent Mathematics and SBI3U | The active Fall 2027 cohort is limited; Physics and additional Science preparation are recommended. |
| Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection | Diploma entry with minimum 2.33 (C+) GPA | A qualifying two-year natural-resource technology diploma, not direct high-school prerequisites | This is a third-year degree-completion route, not a direct-entry four-year high-school program. |
Application, award, and housing checkpoints
| Route | Date | Evidence status |
|---|---|---|
| September 2027 academic programs open | October 1, 2026 | Confirmed in VIU's 2026–2027 academic calendar. |
| Fall 2027 entrance awards | October 15, 2026–February 28, 2027 | Confirmed specifically for students intending to start in Fall 2027. |
| Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology | Fall 2027 intake | Confirmed and accepting applications; no cycle-specific closing date is published. |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | September 7, 2027 start | Start date confirmed; the Fall 2027 application and CASPer deadlines remain unpublished. |
| Interior Design | March 31 standing close | The portfolio page gives a recurring Fall deadline but does not yet label the 2027 cycle. |
| Practical Nursing Access, May 2027 | September 14, 2026–January 31, 2027 | Confirmed for Nanaimo and tiwšɛmawtxʷ; documents are due February 28, 2027. |
| Fall 2027 student housing | May 1 standing priority date | Priority rules are current, but rates and a cycle-labelled Fall 2027 offer schedule are pending. |
English direct-entry benchmarks
IELTS Academic
6.5; no band below 6.0
Scores normally must be no more than two years old.
TOEFL iBT
88; no section below 20
Scores normally must be no more than two years old.
Duolingo English Test
115; no band below 105
Scores normally must be no more than two years old.
PTE Academic
60; no section below 60
Scores normally must be no more than two years old.
CAEL
60
Scores normally must be no more than two years old.
Cambridge C1/C2
176 overall
Scores normally must be no more than two years old.
Verified admissions claims
General academic admission minimum
Current admission requirements · Published for this period
Canadian applicants normally qualify with BC secondary graduation or an equivalent credential and a minimum C in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12, unless a program sets higher requirements.
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian
Vancouver Island University: Academic, trades, transfer, mature, and unclassified entry · Verified August 16, 2026
Ontario English equivalent
Current Ontario equivalencies · Published for this period
VIU maps BC English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 to Ontario ENG4U. General academic admission needs C; Engineering and Nursing publish C+ requirements.
Applies to: Ontario high school
Vancouver Island University: Ontario English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics equivalents · Verified August 16, 2026
Ontario Mathematics equivalents
Current Ontario equivalencies · Published for this period
VIU maps Pre-Calculus 12 to MHF4U, Pre-Calculus 11 to MCR3U or MCF3M, Foundations 12 to MDM4U, MCT4C, or MAP4C, and Foundations 11 to MBF3C.
Applies to: Ontario high school
Vancouver Island University: Ontario English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics equivalents · Verified August 16, 2026
Ontario Science equivalents
Current Ontario equivalencies · Published for this period
VIU maps Biology 12 to SBI4U and Biology 11 to SBI3U. It maps Chemistry 12 to SCH4U and Chemistry 11 to SCH3U. It maps Physics 12 to SPH4U and Physics 11 to SPH3U.
Applies to: Ontario high school
Vancouver Island University: Ontario English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics equivalents · Verified August 16, 2026
Bachelor of Science Math minimum
Current program requirements · Published for this period
The BSc requires the general academic conditions plus a minimum B in Pre-Calculus 12, mapped to Ontario MHF4U. Additional high-school sciences may be needed for course prerequisites.
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian
Vancouver Island University: Bachelor of Science Mathematics minimum, majors, and start dates · Verified August 16, 2026
BBA Math or Computer Science minimum
Current program requirements · Published for this period
BBA applicants need the general conditions. They also need at least C in Pre-Calculus 11, Foundations 11, Computer Science 11, or Computer Science 12, or an accepted equivalent.
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian
Vancouver Island University: BBA Mathematics minimum, majors, online boundary, and intakes · Verified August 16, 2026
Engineering Transfer publishes stronger subject floors
Current program requirements · Published for this period
The diploma requires English 12 at C+, Pre-Calculus 12 at B, Physics 12 at C+, and Chemistry 12 at C+. Admission is GPA-ranked and meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place.
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian
Vancouver Island University: Engineering Transfer requirements, pathways, and co-op · Verified August 16, 2026
Nursing prerequisites and CASPer
Current program requirements · Published for this period
Nanaimo BSN applicants need C+ in Chemistry 11, Biology 12, English 12, and one accepted Mathematics course, plus CASPer. The program says CASPer scores are valid for one admission cycle.
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian
Vancouver Island University: BSc Nursing admission, CASPer, 2027 intake, and availability · Verified August 16, 2026
The Nanaimo BSN is not currently international-entry
Current program availability · Published for this period
VIU's current program page says this clearly. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is not currently open to international students.
Applies to: International
Vancouver Island University: BSc Nursing admission, CASPer, 2027 intake, and availability · Verified August 16, 2026
Interior Design uses competitive two-step selection
Current program requirements · Published for this period
First, applicants must meet the general, English C, and Grade 11 Math C requirements. Then they submit a 300-word statement, a résumé, a questionnaire, and a portfolio of 10 to 15 examples.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Vancouver Island University: Competitive Interior Design portfolio and supporting documents · Verified August 16, 2026
Fall 2027 academic application opening
Fall 2027 · Published for this period
October 1, 2026 is the confirmed first day to apply. You can submit applications for academic programs that begin September 2027.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: 2026–2027 academic calendar dates including September 2027 applications · Verified August 16, 2026
Fall 2027 Nursing start is published without deadlines
2027 pending · Fall 2027
The BSN page names September 7, 2027 as the next annual Fall intake. But it still shows the October 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026 window and 2025–2026 CASPer dates for the prior cycle.
The start date is confirmed. But you must not infer the Fall 2027 application, document, and CASPer deadlines from the prior cycle.
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian
Vancouver Island University: BSc Nursing admission, CASPer, 2027 intake, and availability · Verified August 16, 2026
Current application fees
Current fee schedule · Published for this period
The application fee is non-refundable. It is $46.98 for domestic undergraduate programs, $121.86 for domestic graduate programs, and $156.06 for all international programs. Adult Basic Education has no application fee.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Domestic and international application and miscellaneous fees · Verified August 16, 2026
International undergraduate English benchmarks
Current international requirements · Published for this period
VIU lists IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0. It lists TOEFL iBT 88 with no section below 20. It lists Duolingo 115 with no band below 105. It lists PTE Academic 60 with no section below 60.
Applies to: International
Vancouver Island University: International admission, documents, English scores, and 2026–2027 ELL costs · Verified August 16, 2026
Transfer status begins at 24 university-level credits
Current transfer policy · Published for this period
You are considered for transfer admission if you have at least 24 university-level credits. If you have fewer, you still qualify through secondary-school or mature admission. At least 50% of a VIU credential must be completed at VIU.
Applies to: Transfer
Vancouver Island University: Transfer admission, residency, transcripts, and assessment · Verified August 16, 2026
Academic and trades mature ages differ
Current admission requirements · Published for this period
Academic mature entry begins at age 21 with English 12 at C. Trades mature entry begins at age 19. Trades mature entry keeps program-specific age, testing, physical, and licence requirements.
Applies to: Mature
Vancouver Island University: Academic, trades, transfer, mature, and unclassified entry · Verified August 16, 2026
Programs and Pathways
Programs, credentials, and campuses
Coastal programs with distinct credential and delivery routes
VIU offers broad Arts, Science, and Business degrees. It also offers Nursing and CIDA-accredited Interior Design. It offers engineering transfer, coastal resource programs, diplomas, certificates, trades, and upgrading. When you plan, keep credential and campus labels on every fact.
Fisheries Technology
Fall 2027 cohort
Biennial, capped at 26, field-intensive, with a required related summer job.
Interior Design
CIDA accredited
VIU says it is the only accredited Interior Design degree on Vancouver Island.
Natural Resource Protection
Diploma-to-degree
Entry begins in third year after a qualifying two-year technology diploma.
Degrees versus open and limited entry
VIU offers Arts, Science, Business, Design, and Nursing degrees. It offers other degrees too. It also offers diplomas, certificates, and trades. It offers upgrading and graduate programs.
Plan for: Open admission means qualified applicants get offers. Limited-entry programs can rank applicants. They can rank them above the published minimum.
Engineering Transfer Diploma
A two-year Nanaimo diploma aligned with the BC Common First-Year Engineering Curriculum and pathways to UVic, SFU, TRU, UNBC, UBC, and Alberta.
Plan for: Direct entry is GPA-ranked and requires stronger English, Pre-calculus, Physics, and Chemistry preparation.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology
An active two-year diploma. It has a Fall 2027 intake every two years. It has weekly field learning. It requires a program-related summer job.
Plan for: The cohort is capped at 26 and uses qualifying-order offers; do not confuse it with a generic BSc route.
Interior Design
This is Vancouver Island's only CIDA-accredited Interior Design degree. It includes six academic semesters, a summer internship, and two final semesters.
Plan for: Academic minima are followed by a competitive portfolio and supporting-document review.
Natural Resource Protection
This is a degree-completion route for qualifying natural-resource diploma graduates. It is for third and fourth year. A four-month practicum or work experience is required.
Plan for: High-school applicants should first select the correct qualifying diploma. They should not treat this as direct degree entry.
Tourism Management
This is a West Coast-focused degree. It has community projects and co-op or internship routes. Transfer students can ladder from related diplomas.
Plan for: The third-year placement format depends on prior work terms, space, and academic performance. The co-op designation depends on these too.
Trades and upgrading
Trades have their own rules for physical, testing, age, and readiness. These rules are specific to each program. Adult Basic Education and domestic English upgrading have no tuition under the current schedule.
Plan for: Do not apply academic degree admission to trades, apprenticeships, or upgrading. Do not apply per-credit tuition to these either.
Three coastal campuses
Nanaimo is the main campus. Cowichan and tiwšɛmawtxʷ offer selected programs. These are academic, health, trades, upgrading, and community programs.
Plan for: Check the campus label for every program. Partial delivery does not mean the whole credential is available at that campus.
Do not merge campus or credential facts
Nanaimo is the main campus. Cowichan and tiwšɛmawtxʷ publish selected or partial delivery. The BBA online option promises preferential online access only for the first 60 credits. Natural Resource Protection starts after a diploma. Trades do not inherit degree admission or per-credit tuition.
Official program sources
Campus and coastal context
Verified program claims
Bachelor of Arts offers broad interdisciplinary planning
Current program · Published for this period
The 120-credit BA lets students choose across more than 50 disciplines. Students normally declare a major in second or third year. Nanaimo is fully available, while other campuses are partial.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Mature
Vancouver Island University: Bachelor of Arts structure, disciplines, locations, and start dates · Verified August 16, 2026
BSc majors and honours routes
Current program · Published for this period
VIU's BSc lists options in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geoscience, and Mathematics. It also lists Psychology, Aquaculture, Earth Science, Geography, and Physics. These are across majors, minors, honours, and transfer routes.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Vancouver Island University: Bachelor of Science Mathematics minimum, majors, and start dates · Verified August 16, 2026
BBA online access is not a full-degree promise
Current program delivery · Published for this period
Online BBA entrants get preferential access to online Management courses for the first 60 credits. After that point, VIU says students should be prepared to attend Nanaimo in person.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Mature
Vancouver Island University: BBA Mathematics minimum, majors, online boundary, and intakes · Verified August 16, 2026
Engineering Transfer connects to multiple universities
Current program · Published for this period
The two-year diploma aligns with the BC Common First-Year Engineering Curriculum. It provides pathways toward UVic, SFU, TRU, UNBC, UBC, and Alberta, subject to the applicable GPA (grade point average) and pathway conditions.
Applies to: All applicants, Transfer
Vancouver Island University: Engineering Transfer requirements, pathways, and co-op · Verified August 16, 2026
Fisheries diploma has a confirmed Fall 2027 cohort
Fall 2027 · Published for this period
The two-year Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology diploma is biennial, states that its next intake is Fall 2027, and invites applications now.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Mature
Vancouver Island University: Fall 2027 Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology diploma and field learning · Verified August 16, 2026
Fisheries is a field-intensive capped diploma
Current program · Published for this period
The cohort is limited to 26 full-time students. VIU says about 25% of training is hands-on. It requires a program-relevant summer job between first and second year.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Mature
Vancouver Island University: Fall 2027 Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology diploma and field learning · Verified August 16, 2026
CIDA-accredited Interior Design on Vancouver Island
Current program · Published for this period
VIU says its Bachelor of Interior Design is the only CIDA-accredited Interior Design program on Vancouver Island and one of three accredited programs in British Columbia.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Vancouver Island University: CIDA-accredited Interior Design degree and program requirements · Verified August 16, 2026
Natural Resource Protection begins after a diploma
Current program · Published for this period
The degree builds on a two-year natural-resource technology diploma. It adds two upper years. It also adds a required four-month field practicum or work experience.
Applies to: Transfer, Mature
Vancouver Island University: Natural Resource Protection diploma-to-degree route and practicum · Verified August 16, 2026
Tourism integrates West Coast projects and placement
Current program · Published for this period
The Bachelor of Tourism Management combines community projects with third-year co-op or internship routes. The co-op designation has additional prior-work-term, space, and GPA requirements.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Vancouver Island University: Tourism Management degree, paid co-op, internship, and transfer structure · Verified August 16, 2026
Trades and upgrading must not inherit degree rules
Current program framework · Published for this period
Trades use program-specific fees each month or week. Trades may require testing, physical readiness, interviews, or licences. Upgrading follows separate tuition and admission rules.
Applies to: All applicants, Mature
Vancouver Island University: Current domestic, international, trades, upgrading, and co-op fee schedule · Verified August 16, 2026
Residence and Campus Fit
2026–2027 Nanaimo housing evidence
Ten current buildings and a Fall 2027 expansion
VIU's current housing is on the Nanaimo campus. The named communities include traditional dorms, townhouses, and apartments. Priority by May 1 is broader than the published room-offer guarantee. Two current housing-table labels need direct confirmation.
Lowest listed room
$5,996
Modern double in Fir, Pine, Hemlock, Yew, or Spruce for the academic year.
Housing application
$50
Non-refundable; a $500 deposit is due when an academic-year room is confirmed.
Fall 2027 capacity
260+ new spaces
The new building is confirmed, but 2027–2028 room prices remain pending.
| Residence | Layout and fit | Academic-year rate |
|---|---|---|
| Arbutus and Alder — traditional single | Buildings 2 and 3; shared floor kitchen and common areas | $8,734 academic year |
| Fir, Pine, Hemlock, Yew, and Spruce — modern single | Buildings 5–9; townhouse kitchens and shared common areas | $9,073 academic year |
| Fir, Pine, Hemlock, Yew, and Spruce — modern double | Buildings 5–9; shared bedroom and townhouse facilities | $5,996 academic year |
| Cottonwood and Maple — apartment listing | Buildings 10 and 11; the official pages conflict on single versus double bedroom labeling | $10,000 academic year |
Confirm current housing labels
Apartment occupancy and an instalment year conflict
The fee table calls the $10,000 Cottonwood and Maple option an apartment single, while room pages describe modern doubles. The 2026–2027 instalment table also prints January 15, 2025 for its second academic-year payment. Use the Housing Portal and written offer as the operational record.
Official housing sources
Verified residence claims
Current university housing is on the Nanaimo campus
Current housing · Published for this period
VIU's housing pages describe ten student-housing buildings on the western side of the Nanaimo campus. Housing should not be assumed at Cowichan or tiwšɛmawtxʷ.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Named traditional, townhouse, and apartment buildings · Verified August 16, 2026
Traditional, townhouse, and apartment communities
Current housing · Published for this period
Arbutus and Alder are traditional buildings; Fir, Pine, Hemlock, Yew, and Spruce are townhouses; Cottonwood and Maple are apartment buildings.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Named traditional, townhouse, and apartment buildings · Verified August 16, 2026
2026–2027 academic-year room rates
2026–2027 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
VIU lists $8,734 for a traditional single. It lists $9,073 for a modern single. It lists $5,996 for a modern double. It lists $10,000 for the apartment listing.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: 2026–2027 room rates, payment plans, and dining-plan status · Verified August 16, 2026
Housing application and confirmation payments
2026–2027 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The housing application fee is $50. It is non-refundable. Academic-year room confirmation requires a $500 deposit. That deposit is counted toward the published room total.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Housing application fee, priority advice, and offer timing · Verified August 16, 2026
May 1 creates priority, not a general first-year guarantee
Current priority policy · Published for this period
First-year, Tuition Waiver, Indigenous, new-to-Canada international, and approved accessibility-accommodation students qualify for priority if they apply by May 1.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: May 1 priority groups and narrowly guaranteed room offers · Verified August 16, 2026
Only two published priority categories have guaranteed offers
Current priority policy · Published for this period
VIU explicitly guarantees a room offer for qualifying Tuition Waiver applicants and approved accessibility-accommodation applicants who complete the stated Fall or academic-year steps by May 1. The page does not extend that guarantee to every first-year applicant.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: May 1 priority groups and narrowly guaranteed room offers · Verified August 16, 2026
Apartment room labels conflict across current pages
Official-source conflict · Current housing pages
The fee table labels the $10,000 Buildings 10 and 11 option ‘Apartment single,’ while the room-style and building descriptions characterize Cottonwood and Maple bedrooms as modern doubles.
Confirm the exact occupancy and assigned bed type in the Housing Portal before accepting an offer.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: 2026–2027 room rates, payment plans, and dining-plan status · Verified August 16, 2026
The 2026–2027 payment plan contains an apparent year error
Official-source conflict · 2026–2027 housing table
The current 2026–2027 academic-year payment-plan table prints January 15, 2025 for its second instalment. But the term runs from September 2026 to April 2027.
Use the Housing Portal invoice or written confirmation rather than the apparent typographical year.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: 2026–2027 room rates, payment plans, and dining-plan status · Verified August 16, 2026
Fall 2027 adds more than 260 spaces but rates are pending
2027 pending · Fall 2027
VIU says a new Zero Carbon and Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Gold building will welcome more than 260 additional students in Fall 2027. No 2027–2028 room prices were published on the reviewed pages.
The new capacity is confirmed. The room types, offer schedule, and 2027–2028 rates still require publication.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Nanaimo student housing and Fall 2027 expansion · Verified August 16, 2026
Housing and Location Questions
| Campus Setting | Regional university city with a defined campus community |
|---|---|
| Residence | Check residence guarantee rules. Check first-year room styles and meal plans. Check deposit deadlines. Check off-campus housing pressure. |
| City Fit | Students should compare transit, weather, cost of living, safety, and community feel in Nanaimo. |
| Commuting | If you live off campus, map commute time to classes, labs, and placements. Map it to evening activities too. Do this before you commit. |
Tuition, Scholarships, and Aid
Tuition and entrance funding
Separate credit, co-op, trades, and upgrading costs
VIU's current schedule uses per-credit undergraduate rates. It also uses separate co-op fees, monthly or weekly trades tuition, and tuition-free domestic upgrading lines. The Fall 2027 entrance-award dates are confirmed. But the 2027–2028 tuition schedule is not yet published.
Domestic credit-based undergraduate
$173.12 per credit
Thirty credits equal $5,193.60 by arithmetic before mandatory, laboratory, and program-specific fees.
International undergraduate degree/diploma/certificate
$832.09 per credit
By arithmetic, thirty credits equal $24,962.70. By arithmetic, 120 credits equal $99,850.80. These amounts are before ancillary and differential charges.
Domestic co-op
$751.87 per semester
Co-op fees are due during the second month of each work term.
International co-op
$2,496.25 per semester
This is the current international co-op line in the fee schedule, not base program tuition.
Domestic trades
$519.36 full-time per month
Part-time trades cost $311.64 each month. Apprenticeships cost $119.88 each week. This applies unless a program lists another amount.
Domestic upgrading
Tuition eliminated
The current schedule lists Adult Basic Education and English Language Learning as tuition-free for domestic learners; other fees can still apply.
2027–2028 tuition
Pending
No 2027–2028 domestic or international fee schedule was published on August 16, 2026.
Fall 2027 award dates are ahead of tuition publication
Incoming Fall 2027 students can use the entrance profile from October 15, 2026 through February 28, 2027. Current award quantities and values are still useful evidence. But 2027–2028 tuition and final award inventory must be rechecked before enrolment.
Current entrance award catalogue
| Award | Published value | Current criteria |
|---|---|---|
| International Student Entrance Scholarship | $5,000 each; 20 listed | Current list for first-year international students in any undergraduate program, selected on academic excellence. |
| Stan and May Radzik Entrance Scholarship | $2,500 each; 19 listed | First-year students in any post-secondary program; academic excellence with preference for financial need. |
| VIU Entrance Scholarships | $2,000 each; 15 listed | Preference for Power Engineering, Engineering Transfer, or Education credentials; selected on academic performance. |
| Micah Messent Memorial Indigenous Award | $2,500 each; 4 listed | Incoming Indigenous/Xwulmuxw BA students; academic achievement and financial need with stated school preferences. |
| Thelma Mansbridge ECE Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 each; 3 listed | Incoming Early Childhood Education students, with first preference to Cowichan Campus or Cowichan residents. |
| Program and regional entrance awards | $500–$5,000 on current list | Engineering, Tourism, Culinary, Science, disability, regional, and other donor awards use distinct criteria and quantities. |
Official tuition and award sources
Verified financial-aid claims
Current domestic credit-based tuition
Current schedule effective April 1 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The current fee schedule lists $173.12 per credit for credit-based undergraduate programs. This includes career and technical programs. Thirty credits equal $5,193.60 by arithmetic. This is before other fees.
Applies to: All applicants, Transfer, Mature
Vancouver Island University: Current domestic, international, trades, upgrading, and co-op fee schedule · Verified August 16, 2026
Current international undergraduate tuition
2026–2027 planning schedule · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
VIU lists $832.09 per credit for international undergraduate degree, diploma, and certificate programs. Thirty credits equal $24,962.70 and 120 equal $99,850.80 before additional fees.
Applies to: International
Vancouver Island University: Current domestic, international, trades, upgrading, and co-op fee schedule · Verified August 16, 2026
Domestic and international co-op fees differ
Current fee schedule · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The current schedule lists domestic Co-op Education at $751.87 per semester. It lists international Co-op Education at $2,496.25 per semester.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Current domestic, international, trades, upgrading, and co-op fee schedule · Verified August 16, 2026
Trades use monthly or weekly tuition
Current fee schedule · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
Domestic full-time Trades and Applied Technology tuition is $519.36 per month. Part-time is $311.64 monthly. Apprenticeship tuition is $119.88 weekly, unless a program lists another amount.
Applies to: All applicants, Mature
Vancouver Island University: Current domestic, international, trades, upgrading, and co-op fee schedule · Verified August 16, 2026
Domestic ABE and English upgrading tuition is eliminated
Current fee schedule · Published for this period
The fee schedule lists Adult Basic Education tuition as eliminated for domestic students. It lists English Language Learning tuition as eliminated too. This is under provincial direction. Ancillary, supply, and course-specific fees still require checking.
Applies to: All applicants, Mature
Vancouver Island University: Current domestic, international, trades, upgrading, and co-op fee schedule · Verified August 16, 2026
Fall 2027 entrance-award window is confirmed
Fall 2027 · Published for this period
VIU publishes October 15, 2026 through February 28, 2027 for the entrance-award application. This is for students who intend to start in Fall 2027.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Fall 2027 entrance-award dates and current aid framework · Verified August 16, 2026
Entrance awards require an application
Current award process · Published for this period
Incoming students are not automatically considered. They need a VIU student number. They submit one entrance-award application. Any selected award comes as a Fall tuition credit after enrolment is confirmed.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Current entrance award values, counts, and eligibility · Verified August 16, 2026
Current high-volume entrance awards
Current Fall 2026-labelled catalogue · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The current catalogue lists 20 International Student Entrance Scholarships at $5,000, 19 Stan and May Radzik scholarships at $2,500, and 15 VIU Entrance Scholarships at $2,000.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Current entrance award values, counts, and eligibility · Verified August 16, 2026
2027–2028 tuition remains unpublished
2027 pending · 2027–2028
VIU pages were reviewed. They did not show a full 2027–2028 tuition schedule. This applies to domestic and international students.
Keep current rates cycle-labelled and replace them when VIU publishes the schedule effective for Fall 2027.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Current domestic, international, trades, upgrading, and co-op fee schedule · Verified August 16, 2026
Cost Planning
| Tuition | Tuition depends on your program, your student status, and the year. Check domestic and international tuition on the official fee schedule. |
|---|---|
| Scholarships | Check automatic entrance awards, competitive major awards, faculty scholarships, and international-student awards. |
| Living Costs | Budget for residence or rent. Budget for food, books, and transit. Budget for health insurance, winter clothing, and emergency funds. |
| Proof of Funds | International students should confirm current study-permit financial requirements and school-specific cost estimates. |
Student Life and Support
Fit Signals
| Community | This is a large university profile. Compare class feel, access to professors, student clubs, and how easy it is to build community. |
|---|---|
| Student Supports | Review academic advising, accessibility services, mental health supports, international student services, and writing centres. |
| Clubs and Leadership | Look for discipline clubs, cultural groups, entrepreneurship programs, varsity/intramural sports, and volunteering. |
| First-Year Transition | Ask how orientation, peer mentorship, residence programming, and advising help students settle in. |
Co-op, Research, and Career Outcomes
Co-op and work-integrated learning
Paid co-op, internships, practicums, and coastal field learning
VIU offers paid co-op in a defined set of programs. It uses broader work-integrated learning in more than 80 programs. Computer Science, Tourism, Natural Resource Protection, Fisheries, apprenticeships, and project routes all use different timing and completion rules.
Paid co-op
Program-specific
VIU lists Hospitality, Fisheries, Tourism, Computer Science, Engineering Transfer, Recreation, and related diploma routes.
Placement condition
Not guaranteed
Admission to a program and its co-op model does not guarantee a work-term placement.
Computer Science
Program-specific
Students can apply after first year. They need a minimum B GPA in required first-year CSCI and MATH courses. The co-op major requires three placements.
Tourism
Program-specific
Third-year students complete either co-op or internship. A co-op designation has additional prior-term and GPA conditions.
Natural Resource Protection
Program-specific
The diploma-to-degree program requires a four-month field practicum. Or it requires a work experience with an enforcement or management agency.
Broad WIL
Program-specific
VIU says more than 80 programs include work-integrated learning. These include paid co-op and apprenticeships. They also include other placements and projects.
Co-op admission is not a job guarantee
VIU clearly separates entry to a program and co-op model from getting an employer placement. Students must meet academic rules and complete preparation. They must get approval before accepting work. They must pay the applicable domestic or international work-term fee.
Official co-op and WIL sources
Verified career claims
VIU publishes a defined co-op program list
Current co-op framework · Published for this period
The Co-operative Education page lists Hospitality Management, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Tourism, Computer Science, Engineering Transfer, Recreation and Sport Management, and related diploma routes.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Vancouver Island University: Co-op programs, regulations, prior learning, and placement limits · Verified August 16, 2026
Co-op is planned, supervised paid work
Current co-op framework · Published for this period
VIU defines Co-operative Education as classroom study. It is integrated with planned and supervised professional paid work experience.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Co-op programs, regulations, prior learning, and placement limits · Verified August 16, 2026
Academic and co-op admission do not guarantee placement
Current co-op framework · Published for this period
VIU clearly says acceptance into the academic program and Co-operative Education model is not a guarantee. It is not a guarantee of a co-op work-term placement.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Co-op programs, regulations, prior learning, and placement limits · Verified August 16, 2026
Computer Science co-op is a later-entry three-placement option
Current program · Published for this period
Computer Science students can apply after first year with at least a B GPA in required first-year CSCI and MATH courses; the co-op major adds three work placements.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Vancouver Island University: Computer Science major progression and three-placement co-op option · Verified August 16, 2026
Tourism uses co-op or internship in third year
Current program · Published for this period
Bachelor of Tourism Management students take either a third-year co-op work term or an internship. For transfer-student co-op designation, it depends on prior work terms and space. It also depends on a minimum 3.0 GPA for the third term.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Vancouver Island University: Tourism Management degree, paid co-op, internship, and transfer structure · Verified August 16, 2026
Natural Resource Protection requires four months of field experience
Current program · Published for this period
The degree-completion program requires a four-month practicum or work experience, including possible placement with an enforcement or natural-resource management agency.
Applies to: Transfer, Mature
Vancouver Island University: Natural Resource Protection diploma-to-degree route and practicum · Verified August 16, 2026
Work-integrated learning extends beyond co-op
Current WIL framework · Published for this period
VIU's employer hub says students from more than 80 programs have WIL in their studies. It separates paid co-op and apprenticeships from other placements, projects, and experiential routes.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Paid WIL, program reach, and employer partnerships · Verified August 16, 2026
Current WIL hub includes short employer-project routes
Current WIL opportunities · Published for this period
The student hub lists Riipen Labs, Level Up, FuturePath, Wavemakers, WIL awards, and the VIU job board. It lists these alongside longer curricular co-op and placement options.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Vancouver Island University: Student work-integrated learning routes and current project programs · Verified August 16, 2026
Career Planning
| Experiential Learning | Check if your target program offers co-op or internships. Check for clinical placements, practicums, studios, field schools, or research terms. |
|---|---|
| Career Services | Compare job boards, employer partnerships, resume support, interview preparation, and alumni mentoring. |
| Research Access | For graduate-school or professional-school pathways, look for undergraduate research assistant roles and lab access. |
| Outcome Questions | Ask where graduates work or study next, and whether outcomes differ by program, co-op stream, or campus. |
Vancouver Island University has coastal access. It offers open and limited-entry study. It also offers degrees, diplomas, trades, upgrading, and more than 80 programs with work-integrated learning. Plan around the exact credential, campus, cycle label, and placement rules.
Vancouver Island University admissions, costs, housing, programs, and co-op FAQ
Current answers for Ontario and international applicants planning VIU for Fall 2027, with program-specific deadlines and unpublished future costs kept visible.
Official Sources and Next Steps
Stellar keeps this guide structured for comparison. But official university pages are still the source of truth. They cover program requirements, tuition, residence, scholarships, deadlines, and policy changes.
Prepared by Stellar Advisers Editorial Team · Reviewed August 16, 2026 · Editorial, corrections, and source methodology
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