Vancouver Island University is a public university. VIU currently includes about 18,000 full- and part-time students, including 1,100 international students from more than 40 countries. Vancouver Island University has 4 campuses located in British Columbia. Vancouver Island University has 120 programs in the arts, business, education, health, sciences, tourism, and trades.
Most enrolled programs at VIU for international students are MBA and BBA. To secure admission at VIU, international students are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.0 for the UG program and 3.0 for the PG program. Additionally, international students are required to submit an IELTS score of 6.5 and 7.0, for UG and PG programs respectively, to prove proficiency in English.
Around 694 Indian students attend Vancouver Island University, making India one of the top countries of origin for international students applying to VIU. The estimated cost of attendance at VIU ranges between 24.23 lakhs and 51.97 lakhs for Indian students. International students at VIU who maintain a GPA of 3.0 can apply for scholarships to help them manage their finances.
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Vancouver Island University Campus
The Vancouver Island University operates with one main campus, two other campuses namely the Cowichan and Powell River campuses, and one center in Parkville. The main Nanaimo ocean-view campus encompasses 92 acres of useful land. The university has a 100,000-square-foot library that provides paper and online materials.
- The Malaspina Theatre that can accommodate up to 294 people is located on campus in the university. It is being used by the university all year round but can be rented by external community groups.
- Two art galleries are located on campus with a gift shop. The art galleries are being run by a non-profit society and are free of charge.
- On the Nanaimo campus is a multi-purpose gymnasium facility that houses free weights, treadmills, recumbent and exercise bikes, fitness/weight room with individual weight machines, stair masters, and elliptical and rowing machines.
- More so, the main gym has fields and courts for soccer, badminton, volleyball, and basketball, as well as a racquetball court and convertible squash
- There are several student clubs available at the university. These clubs are course unions, religious, general interest, activist, and partisan.
- The Cowichan campus is the newest with modern facilities certified by LEED Gold.
- The Powell River campus has a peaceful and compact environment with a well connected and friendly community.
Vancouver Island University Accommodation
There are ten residence buildings in the western area of the Nanaimo campus available for students. More than 500 students live in Vancouver Island University residences every year. The basic building styles offered are townhouse, traditional/dorm, and apartment.
| Type of Room | Annual Rent (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Modern Single Room | 6.46 lakhs |
| Modern Double Room | 3.82 lakhs |
| Traditional / Dorm - Single Room | 6.22 lakhs |
Off-Campus Accommodation
Off-Campus Housing is private, rented housing. Students that come to Nanaimo get into a legal contract with a local landlord. There are several types of accommodations available, as well as economical options. The Nanaimo property market can be difficult to navigate, and it may take some time to find your new home. Places4Students is a portal dedicated to listing VIU student housing. It is a reliable partner in delivering student renting alternatives.
Vancouver Island University Programs
There are 6 masters programs, 9 graduate diploma, 1 graduate certificate, 4 post-graduate diploma, and 2 advanced diploma. There are 67 undergraduate programs at the university in fields like business, management, education, health, science, technology etc.
Vancouver Island University offers a 20-month full-time MBA that indulges students in a 3-week foundation of blended coursework at the beginning and ends with a 4-month internship and an applied business project. The University offers certificate and non-credit programs under the umbrella of the Academic and Career Preparation and High School Equivalency (ABE) program.
Vancouver Island University Admission Process
Vancouver Island University accepts international student applications if they apply directly to the university or through authorized representatives. Students could also be a part of an exchange program between institutions, sponsored through Government or winners of competitions and scholarships. The process for admission to Vancouver Island University has been discussed below:
Vancouver Island University UG Admissions
Application Portal: Online Web Application
Application Fee: 150 CAD
Admission Requirements:
- Application from higher secondary school (Min. GPA 2.0)
- Official high school transcripts
- Letter of Intent
- Applicants must be 17 years of age or submit a letter of intent
- English proficiency scores
- IELTS- 6.5
- TOEFL iBT- 88
Vancouver Island University PG Admissions
Application Portal: Online Application
Application Fee: 150 CAD
Admission Requirements:
- Official Transcripts (Min. GPA 3.0)
- Proof of English proficiency
- GMAT or GRE scores
- Statement of Purpose
- Work experience
- Resume
- Interview (not mandatory)
- Letter of Recommendations
- English proficiency scores
- IELTS- 7.0
- TOEFL iBT- 93
Vancouver Island University Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance for Vancouver Island University comprises the tuition fee and the cost of living. Cost of living will depend upon the preferences of the student. However, a room deposit of 500 CAD and security deposit of 250 CAD is necessary for all students living on campus.
| Fees | Amount per year (INR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees (for undergraduates) | 13.32 lakhs |
| Tuition and fees (for graduates) | 19.93 lakhs- 38.28 lakhs |
| Books and supplies | 0.48 lakhs- 0.95 lakhs |
| Residence and meals | 8.13 lakhs- 10.52 lakhs |
| Health and dental insurance | 0.82 lakhs |
| Transportation | 0.52 lakhs |
| Miscellaneous | 0.96 lakhs |
Vancouver Island University Scholarships
Financial aids that international students qualify for are scholarships, grants, student jobs, and external aids. The value of scholarships, awards, and bursaries available to students in 2019-20 is worth 3.5 million CAD. International students can also apply for external scholarships that are not administered by Vancouver Island University.
Among the external scholarships available for students is the Collegedunia Dream Scholarship worth 1000 CAD for which students must submit an essay in addition to meeting eligibility criteria. Scholarships available to international students at VIU include:
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| VIU Worldwide Entrance Scholarships | Entering undergraduate students will be awarded on the basis of academic transcripts. | 2000 CAD |
| VIU International Undergraduate Regional Scholarship | Awarded to international students entering first year. | 5000 CAD (2500 CAD in the first year of study and 2500 CAD in the second year) |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Entrance Scholarship | Awarded to successful applicants at VIU who graduated with an IB diploma. | 1000 CAD per year for up to four academic years |
| International Education Academic Excellence Scholarship | Awarded to full-time international undergraduate students who perform outstanding in their previous academic year at VIU. | 1000 CAD |
| Outstanding International Student Awards | Awarded to continuing full-time international undergraduate students with minimum GPA of 3.0 and who contribute to the community. | 2000 CAD |
Work Study Program
There are work options on campus for students to get involved, make money, and obtain useful experience. The Work-Op programme provides work opportunities for VIU students to gain broad experiential learning. Students must be enrolled at VIU to be eligible for the Work-op program. The other eligibility requirements are:
- a minimum of three 3-credit courses, 2 Academic and Career Preparation (ACP or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses; or
- 60% course load at VIU for most students; or
- for students with a recognized disability, full-time status is two 3-credit courses, 1 ACP/ESL course.
Vancouver Island University Alumni
Vancouver Island University alumni network involves more than 75,000 members who are entitled to several benefits that include:
- Exclusive access to the university library
- Unique access to VIU Athletics & Recreation Services (gym)
- Alumni discounts at the VIU Campus Store at the Nanaimo Campus
- 40% off the standard rate at Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa
- Insurance and car rentals discount
- 25% discount on Royal BC museum entry
Notable alumni include:
- Kevin Borserio - Director of the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program (SHIP)
- Rachel Blaney -Canadian MP
- Paul Manly -Canadian Member of Parliament
- Victor Blasco –Spanish footballer
- Amelia Alcock-White -Canadian artist
Vancouver Island University Placements
MBA and MSc IB graduates can stay up to 14 months to three years and work in Canada coupled with the four-month MBA internships; such students stand a good chance of advancing their careers better than their counterparts.
The VIU career center hosts career fairs every spring where students meet with recruiters. 2053 employers have partnered with VIU since 2014 to provide work-integrated learning opportunities for students. Average salary of VIU MBA graduates is 31,000-60,000 CAD per annum.
FAQs
Ques. What are the general admission requirement for admission at Vancouver Island University?
Ans. The general admission requirement for admission at VIU are mentioned below:
- Copy of the High School Graduation Diploma (if available) or its equivalent
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Copy of your passport (photo page)
- Official transcripts
- Certified English translations for any documents that are not in English
- Copy of university degree
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Letter of introduction (if applicable)
- Work experience (if required)
- Specific program requirements.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate at Vancouver Island University?
Ans. The Vancouver Island University has a moderately selective admission policy with an acceptance rate of 60 to 70%.
Ques. What is the English language requirement for international students at VIU?
Ans. International students whose first language is not English must prove their English language proficiency by submitting one of the following test scores:
| Test | Minimum Requirements for UG | Minimum Requirements for PG |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 88 | 93 |
| IELTS | 6.5 | 7.0 |
Ques. How many students are there at Vancouver Island University?
Ans. VIU currently has a student population in excess of 11,963 full-and part-time learners, including 1,456 international students from more than 40 countries, and over 1,000 aboriginal students. Around 694 students from India study at Vancouver Island University which makes India among the top countries of origin from where international students apply to VIU.
Ques. How many students are admitted into the program each intake at Vancouver Island University?
Ans. The number of students admitted each year varies depending on the number of part-time students. However the average size of the yearly intake is approximately 34 students.
Ques. How can I prepare for the interview for admission at VIU?
Ans.
The interview is intended as an opportunity for faculty to be introduced to students and for students to become familiarized with the program. Be on time and ready to present yourself in a professional manner.
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