Empowering Future Leaders Through Innovative Education
Why Choose Vancouver Island University (VIU)?
PGWP Eligibility Across All Degree Programmes
All bachelor’s and master’s degrees at VIU are PGWP-eligible, provided at least 50% of the programme is completed in Canada. This gives students clarity and consistency when planning post-study work and PR pathways.
Affordable Tuition and Housing (BC Standard)
Undergraduate tuition is approximately C$24,963 per year (based on 30 credits), which is lower than many larger Canadian universities. On-campus housing ranges from C$5,451 (shared) to C$9,073 (single) for the academic year, and off-campus rents in Nanaimo are significantly lower than Vancouver.
Built-In English Pathway (No IELTS Required to Start)
Students who meet academic requirements but lack English test scores can receive a conditional offer and apply for a study permit. After arrival, completing VIU’s English Language Learning (ELL) programme (UP5 level) satisfies the English requirement without needing an external test.
Work-Integrated Learning in 80+ Programmes
More than 80 programmes include co-ops, internships, practicums and fieldwork. Employers can receive up to C$7,000 in wage subsidies, increasing opportunities for students to gain paid Canadian work experience.
Specialised Programmes in a Regional Setting
VIU focuses on teaching-led education with applied learning. It offers niche graduate programmes such as GIS Applications, Sustainable Leisure Management, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Community Planning, which are not widely available across Canada.
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Campus Locations
Nanaimo main campus
92-acre ocean-view campus on Vancouver Island; Writing Centre in the Library (4th floor), Math Learning Centre, Volunteer Tutor Programme and central Counselling Services in Building 200
Cowichan and Powell River campuses
Smaller regional campuses serving the Cowichan Valley and Sunshine Coast; Cowichan includes the Cowichan Trades Centre for applied technology programmes
Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can provide free end-to-end assistance.
Course Highlights
Bachelor's Programmes
|
Programme |
Credential |
Duration |
Fees/Year (CAD, tuition only) |
Intakes |
|
Bachelor of Arts |
BA (Honours/Major/Minor) |
4 years (120 credits) |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09); 2025/26 estimate: $24,473 tuition + $2,439 fees + $1,500 books = $26,912 total |
September (primary) |
|
Bachelor of Business Administration |
BBA |
4 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
September (primary) |
|
Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
BSN (Honours) |
4 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
September; confirm January with admissions |
|
All other bachelor's degrees |
Various Bachelor degrees |
Typically 4 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
Mainly September; confirm per programme at viu.ca |
PGWP-Eligible Diploma Programmes
|
Programme |
Credential |
Duration |
Fees/Year (CAD, tuition only) |
Intakes |
|
Child and Youth Care |
Diploma |
2 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Social Services |
Diploma |
2 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Computer Science |
Diploma |
2 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Diploma |
2 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
|
Culinary Arts |
Certificate |
1 year |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Culinary Management |
Diploma |
2 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Dental Hygiene |
Diploma |
2 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09; note: significant material fees apply — confirm with VIU) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Mental Health Care Assistant |
Diploma |
2 years |
~$22,925 (30 × $764.18) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Physical Education |
Diploma |
2 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Engineering Transfer |
Certificate |
8 months |
~$832.09/credit (total credits — confirm with VIU) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Engineering Transfer |
Diploma |
2 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Resource Management Officer Technology |
Diploma |
2 years |
~$24,963 (30 × $832.09) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Natural Resource Law Enforcement |
Post-Degree Diploma |
1 year |
~$832.09/credit (total credits — confirm with VIU) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
Graduate Programmes
|
Programme |
Credential |
Duration |
Fees/Year (CAD, per credit) |
Intakes |
|
Master of Business Administration |
MBA |
Typically 2 years |
$771.12/credit (30 credits/year = ~$23,134) |
September; confirm at viu.ca |
|
Master of Geographic Information System Applications (MGISA) |
Master's |
Typically 1.5-2 years |
$655.45/credit (30 credits/year = ~$19,664) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Advanced Diploma in GIS Applications |
Advanced Diploma |
Typically 1 year |
$655.45/credit (30 credits = ~$19,664) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Master of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management |
MA |
Confirm at viu.ca |
$854.08/credit (note: field school fee also applies) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Master of Community Planning |
Master's |
Confirm at viu.ca |
$587.17/credit (plus $1,268 field studies fee and $1,522 thesis fee) |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Master of Education - Educational Leadership |
MEd |
Confirm at viu.ca |
$704.62/credit |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Master of Education - Special Education |
MEd |
Confirm at viu.ca |
$704.62/credit |
Confirm at viu.ca |
|
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate |
Graduate Certificate |
Confirm at viu.ca |
$781.09/credit |
Confirm at viu.ca |
English Language Learning (ELL) — Pathway Programme
|
Programme |
Duration |
Total Fees (CAD, 2025/26) |
Notes |
|
ELL — Start at University Preparation Level 5 (UP5) |
1 semester (~4 months) |
$5,959.46 |
Passing UP5 meets VIU's English requirement for any programme |
|
ELL — Start at University Preparation Level 4 (UP4) |
2 semesters (~8 months) |
$11,918.92 |
Progress to UP5 then academic programme |
|
ELL — Start at Language Foundations Level 3 (LF3) |
3 semesters (~12 months) |
$17,878.38 |
Three levels to complete before entering academic programme |
|
ELL — Start at Language Foundations Level 2 (LF2) |
4 semesters (~16 months) |
$23,837.84 |
Four levels to complete |
|
ELL — Start at Language Foundations Level 1 (LF1) |
5 semesters (~20 months) |
$29,797.30 |
All five levels; assessed on arrival |
Popular Study Areas
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (BA)
Business Administration (BBA)
Computer Science and IT
Health and Mental Health
Natural Resources and Environmental Enforcement
Culinary Arts and Hospitality
GIS and Applied Geospatial Science
Education (Graduate)
Entry Requirements
Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor’s Programmes:
- Academic:
- High school completion (equivalent to Grade 12)
- Programme-specific prerequisites apply
- BBA: Math or Computer Science (minimum C)
- BSN: Chemistry, Biology, English and Math (minimum C+)
- Art & Design: English C + portfolio and interview (due March 15)
- English Requirements:
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- TOEFL iBT 88 (no section below 20)
- PTE 60 | Duolingo 115 | CAEL 60 | Cambridge 176
- Alternatives: IB English, GCSE English, VIU ELL UP5
- English Pathway:
- Conditional admission available without IELTS
- Completion of VIU ELL UP5 meets English requirement
Graduate Programmes:
- Academic:
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum B average (last 2 years)
- Programme-specific requirements may apply (e.g. work experience for MEd)
- No GMAT or GRE required
- English:
- Same as undergraduate (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)
- VIU ELL UP5 accepted
Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can provide free end-to-end assistance.
Scholarships at Vancouver Island University (VIU)
International Student Entrance Scholarship
$5,000 each; 20 available
Dr. Jixin Xu Master of Business Administration Entrance Scholarship
$5,000; 1 available
Lobstick Foundation Entrance Bursary for Women
$5,000; 12 available
Stan and May Radzik Entrance Scholarship
$2,500; 19 available
VIU Entrance Scholarships
$2,000; 15 available
VIU Culinary Arts Entrance Award
$1,000; 4 available
Tourism Entrance Award
$1,000; 2 available
Wealthsimple Foundation Bursary
$5,000/year
Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can provide free end-to-end assistance.
Student Support Services
International support
ISS Hub (admissions, insurance, housing, orientation)
Academic support
Writing Centre, Math Learning Centre, tutoring programmes
Counselling
On-campus services across all campuses
Health insurance
Guard.Me + BC MSP support
Campus life
Athletics, cultural events and international student programmes
Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can provide free end-to-end assistance.
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About PFEC Global
Beginning in 2006, PFEC Global's expertise in student migration consultancy evolved from a single Melbourne office to a multinational presence, spanning Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India. We proudly represent international educational institutions, turning students' dreams into reality.
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