Educational Advising for VIU Applicants and Students
Are you a current VIU student, someone who has applied to VIU, or have a VIU student number? Meeting with an Educational Advisor is a great first step in planning your educational journey! Contact us with general advising inquiries for all program areas and new, 1st year, and 2nd year students. Educational Advisors can also assist with course selection, preparation for applications to limited entry programs, assistance with academic concern, getting your education on track, and reviewing options for switching program areas.
* It is, ultimately, the student’s responsibility to choose courses and programs to meet his or her own career or educational objectives.
Ways to meet with a general Educational Advisor
VIU Advising Center and most other services are closed on statutory holidays.
In-Office (Building 200) and Zoom online appointments available
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Wednesday 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Book an appointment through Experience Hub
You can search for available appointments by appointment type, by date, or with a specific Educational Advisor. Once you’ve found a date and time that works for you, follow the directions on the screen to book your appointment.
VIU Advising Center and most other services are closed on statutory holidays.
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Wednesday 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Phone: 250.740.6410 Toll-Free: 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6410
- Email: Advising@viu.ca
If you are emailing to book an appointment with an advisor, please state which meeting method (in person, by phone, or by zoom) works best for you and provide a few dates and times. Advisors will respond to emails containing these details with an appointment time.
VIU has SAS Advisors working in building 180 room 326 while Shq'apthut (A Gathering Place) is under construction. SAS Advisors provide culturally appropriate services to Indigenous students with one-on-one appointments, phone calls and emails for: advising including education and career exploration, referrals to counselling, and support with financial aid, scholarships, funding options, daycare, and housing.
Please email us directly at SAS@viu.ca to request a daytime appointment virtually or in person.
Take the first step - see an Educational Advisor
"Meeting with the advisors is always helpful. They always answer my questions and exceed what I need."
1. Explore
- Research Careers and Post-Secondary Education and Training
- Navigate the VIU website to find program information, learner support services and more
- Learn what career opportunities exist for various majors
2. Make Choices
- Use information and knowledge of values, strengths, interests and career and life goals to make choices
3. Decide and Action Plan
- Apply decision making and planning skills to build and revise a workable education plan that fits with short and long term personal, career and lifestyle and educational goals.
4. Enrich the Experience
- Discover VIU’s many enrichment opportunities
- Consider participating in enrichment opportunities
5. Problem Solve
- Identify obstacles and challenges to meeting your goals
- Make plans to over come obstacles and challenges and to develop your abilities as a self-regulated learner
6. Focus on Goals
- Clarify the steps that lead to your desired credential
- Identify details that become significant along the path to earning your current credential or another one beyond it
7. Self Knowledge and Advocacy
- Learn about student rights, responsibilities and relevant VIU policies and procedures
- Seek support in striving toward self-regulation, self-directed learning and self-advocacy
*It is, ultimately, the student’s responsibility to choose courses and programs to meet his or her own career or educational objectives.