Vancouver Island University is one of the top Canadian universities that offer admissions to over 120 certificates, diplomas, and degree programs. Vancouver Island University admissions begin for the fall,and spring semesters. The university adopts a moderately selective admission policy with an acceptance rate of 60 to 70%.

  • Top Courses: The top programs at VIU among international students are MBA, English as a Second Language, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Hospitality Management, among others.
  • Enrollments: 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.
  • Indian 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.

Vancouver Island University Admission Deadlines

The University offers programs beginning in September and January. Applicants must check the specific program for accurate application deadlines. The following table represents application deadlines common to most programs offered by the University:

Vancouver Island University Undergraduate Admissions

Vancouver Island University offers sought-after undergraduate programs in a wide range of subjects. Some of the popular courses are mathematics, chemistry, psychology, visual arts, English, economics, sociology, tourism management, etc. There are more than 120 VIU bachelor programs to choose from.

Where to Apply: Online Web Application
Application Fee: 150 CAD

Admission Requirements: 

  • Graduate from higher secondary school
  • Minimum C grade in English studies C or equivalent
  • Official high school transcripts
  • Applicants must be 17 years of age or submit a letter of intent
  • IELTS score 6.5 or TOEFL iBT score of 88

Vancouver Island University Graduate Admissions

VIU offers a number of graduate programs including 6 master’s degrees, 9 graduate diplomas, 2 advanced diploma,s and 4 post-degree diplomas, and 1 graduate certificate. Applicants holding a completed bachelor’s degree and fulfill program-specific admission requirements.

Where to Apply: Online Application
Application Fee: 150 CAD

Admission Requirements: 

  • At least grade B average in the last 2 years of bachelor's degree
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • GMAT or GRE scores are not required.
  • Work experience required for specific programs

The following table represents admission requirements for master’s degree programs offered by the University:

Requirements M.Ed in Special Education Master of Community Planning Master of Geographic Information System Master of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management
Letter of recommendation Required, two letters Required, three letters Required, two letters Required, three letters
Essay/ Statement/ Letter Letter of intent Statement of intent Letter of intent Statement of intent
Resume Required Required Not required Required
Work experience Two years of successful teaching Not required Experience or training in GIS Not required
Interview Not required Not required Required Required

Vancouver Island University MBA Admissions

MBA in Vancouver Island University is a 20 months master’s degree program offered at the Nanaimo Campus of the university. Applicants are required to have atleast 1 year of experience to apply for this course. The intake sessions are September and January for this program. 

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor degree from a business or any other discipline.
  • A minimum “B” average in undergraduate degree.
  • Letter of introduction 
  • CV/Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation from past employers or professors.
  • One year minimum of work experience 
  • No GMAT (entrance examination) score 

English Language Proficiency Requirements

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 (Undergraduates) Minimum Requirements (Graduates)
TOEFL 88 iBT/ 550 PBT 93 iBT
IELTS 6.5 7.0
CAEL 60 70
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English(CPE) 176 185
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English(CAE) 176 185
PTE 60 65
VIU English Language Centre Successful completion of University Preparation Level Successful completion of Graduate Preparation Program

Canada Visa for International Students

International students who have enrolled in a program longer than six months need to get a study permit from the Canadian government. Students can apply for a study permit at a Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission after receiving the “Letter of Acceptance” from the University.

The documents required to apply for the study permit are mentioned below:

  • Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
  • Family information form
  • Custodian declaration (for students under 17 years of age)
  • Document checklist
  • Proof of financial ability
  • Photographs
  • Copy of Passport
  • Medical examination
  • Biometric fee of 85 CAD

Once the application is approved, the students will be provided with a Port of Entry Letter of introduction. This letter of introduction is used to get the study permit issued upon entering Canada. Students from a country that requires a visa will also be provided with the temporary resident visa. Along with this, eTA confirmation should also be obtained.

Vancouver Island University Admission Decision

Applications are processed only once the application fee has been paid and all supporting documents have been received. Students can expect a processing time of 2-8 weeks depending on the bulk of applications received specially for master’s degree and limited entry programs. The decision will be notified to the accepted students via mail. 

The processing time can be reduced if the applicant scans and upload documents along with the application. After review by the Admissions Committee, successful applicants will receive a Letter of Offer. The Letter of Acceptance is sent to the applicant after the deposit has been paid.

FAQs

Ques. How will I know if my application has been received by the university?

Ans. Vancouver Island University will send a letter of acknowledgement of the application submitted within two weeks from the receipt of application. The University will also notify students of any further steps required to complete the applications.

Ques. Can I apply for multiple programs?

Ans. Yes. To apply for more than one program, an application must be submitted for each request.

Ques. How many sets of transcripts will be required to apply for multiple programs?

Ans. Students have to submit only one set of transcripts even if they apply for multiple programs.

Ques. How can I submit the application processing fees?

Ans. The application processing fee can be paid via Visa, Mastercard or American Express. The University also accepts cheque, money order and electronic transfer.

Ques. How long will it take to process applications?

Ans. The university usually takes 2-8 weeks to process applications. However, limited entry and master’s degree programs take longer to process.