Vancouver Island University (VIU) serves the communities of central Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia. With roots reaching back to 1936, VIU has grown into a first class centre of teaching, learning, and research excellence and plays an important role in shaping the educational, cultural, and economic landscape of the region. Our main campus in Nanaimo is located on the slope of Mount Benson and overlooks the spectacular Salish Sea. We have regional campuses in Cowichan and Powell River and a campus centre in Parksville. VIU offers a wide range of graduate, undergraduate, applied, career/technical, vocational, and developmental programs leading to certificates, diplomas, and degrees.
Vancouver Island University is a dynamic and diverse educational organization dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning, service and research. We foster student success, strong community connections and international collaboration by providing access to a wide range of university and college programs designed for regional, national and international students.
Why Choose VIU?
1. Geographic location
The West Coast of Canada offers the most temperate climate found across this nation, spectacular scenery, and access to a wide range of outdoor and recreational pursuits. Nanaimo is just a 15 minute floatplane ride from downtown Vancouver and serves as the hub of Vancouver Island.
2. University focus
We are a student-focused institution and the teaching and learning philosophies at VIU are highly consistent with those of the Canadian Institute of Planners: we value small class sizes and high levels of student/professor contact along with a focus on the practical, real-life issues faced by our communities and the world.
3. Commitment of the Professional Planning Community
Our program involves practicing planners from across the Island and elsewhere that serve as adjuncts, mentors, resource people, and sessional instructors. We value our professional planners and the MCP offers many opportunities for students to learn and interact with this community.
