Before applying to VIU
- Check out Future Students information
- Explore careers and educational goals at Career Cruising (username and password: malaspina) or Education Planner BC
- Learn about pre-professional studies at VIU - plan for long term educational goals at and beyond VIU
- VIU Limited Entry program advising
After applying to VIU
Academic advisors are available to support you in planning and preparing to begin your studies at VIU and through a positive and rewarding educational experience. We are your partners in learning. Connect early and often.
- New student checklist
- Ready, Set, Go - Success at VIU
- Back up planning for VIU Limited Entry Programs
- Access your VIU student record
- Create an account in Experience Hub to book advising and other appointments and find out about events. Follow these step-by-step written instructions on how to create an Experience Hub account and book an appointment using a computer or phone. Or you can watch the video tutorial on how to create an account and book an appointment using your computer or with your phone.
March/April
- Register and attend a webinar
- Next Steps - March 5 - Register here (Watch this video on Next Steps)
- Next Steps - April 2 - Register here
- Choosing Electives - April 16 - Register here
- Preprofessional Studies - April 23 - Register here
May
- Create your VIU student computer account to gain access to on-campus WiFi and other VIU services
- Register for Courses - Academic Advisors are available to help
June/July
- Create your VIU student computer account to gain access to on-campus WiFi and other VIU services
- Register for RockVIU
August
- Get to know your VIU Learn account
- Textbooks, course supplies and more at VIU Campus Store
- Register and attend an online webinar
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a faculty?
A faculty is a division within a university comprising one subject area, or a number of related subject areas (e.g., Faculty of Science and Technology).
What are majors and minors?
Major and minors designate field(s) of specialization in an undergraduate program. Simply put, they are the main subject(s) you study. Each specialization has a framework or program outline of requirements including a certain number of required courses and a certain number of freely chosen courses (electives). At VIU Bachelor's degree must include at least one major or two minors. You do not have to choose a major or minors before or during your first year. Choosing before or early in second year is advisable. If you already know your plan for major/minor(s), connect with a degree advisor for that faculty to 'declare' your goal and get coded in your student record.
How do I select a major or minor?
The process is different for every student and there is no particular order to follow. It is important to focus on gathering information about yourself, the majors and minors available and careers that interest you. Every subject major/minor has a program homepage link with great information.
Contact an academic advisor in the Advising Centre with your questions
Advising video playlist
- You are not alone: VIU Advising and how we can help
- Take the first step: VIU Advising supports for students
- Office hours: VIU Advising and how to get the most out of your post-secondary experience
- Advising at VIU: VIU Advising and how to connect with us and why you should
- VIU advisors are here to help: How advisors can help you with your educational goals
- Create your VIU Student Computer Account to gain access to on-campus WiFi and other VIU Services
- Register for Courses - Academic Advisors are available to help
*It is, ultimately, the student’s responsibility to choose courses and programs to meet his or her own career or educational objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Faculty is a division within a university comprising one subject area, or a number of related subject areas Example: Faculty of Science and Technology.
Major and Minors designate field(s) of specialization in an undergraduate program. Simply put, they are the the main subject(s) you study. Each specialization has a framework or Program Outline of requirements including a certain number of required courses and a certain number of freely chosen courses (electives). At VIU Bachelor degree must include at least one Major or two Minors. You do not have to choose a Major or Minors before or during your first year. Choosing before or early in second year is advisable. If you already know your plan for Major/Minor(s), connect with a Degree Advisor for that Faculty to 'declare' your goal and get coded in your Student Record.
The process is different for every student and there is no particular order to follow. It is important to focus on gathering information about yourself, the Majors and Minors available and careers that interest you. Every subject Major/Minor has a Program Homepage link with great information.
Contact an Academic Advisor in the Advising Centre or Services for Aboriginal Students with your questions
You can take a virtual tour of VIU or tour the campus on your own using a campus map or as part of Rock VIU. Online and Blended courses and materials for many face to face classes are found on VIULearn. Use the VIULearn Help for Students to ensure that you are ready for the first day of classes.
Check VIULearn for posted course outlines or communications from instructors before classes start. Check Shop Course Materials at VIU Campus Store for a tool that helps find required and optional textbooks for many courses. Please note that this is not posted until a couple of weeks before the term starts and you must search the specific course section that you are registered in as different instructors of the same course will have different requirements. Note that you may wish to wait for the first class to find out more about the requirements of textbooks, especially the optional ones, and whether they will be available for loan through the library.
Your VIU Students' Union offers discount bus tickets and transit passes.