Live on campus in Nanaimo
Join more than 500 VIU students in on-campus housing each year. In VIU Student Housing, you make lifelong friends in a supportive community made up of students from across Canada and around the world.
Wherever you're from, at VIU you'll be at home
Living on campus is fun, convenient and safe. The centre of campus life, student housing gives you easy access to social activities and a supportive community. And your classes and VIU services are just a short stroll away.
Costs, fees and what’s included
VIU Student Housing fees depend on the room style and whether you choose to live on campus for an academic year or for a single semester. VIU Student housing comes with access to laundry, recreational equipment you can borrow and more.
Explore fees and payment options
Coming Fall 2027
In Fall 2027, first-year VIU students will live in our brand new student housing tower. The new building is ten stories high and features stunning views of the forests, mountains and ocean.
Amenties include:
- extended courtyard with basketball and volleyball courts
- activities programming like BBQs, guided hikes and more
- community spaces where students can gather and connect
- accessible suites on every floor
- dining hall open seven days a week
How to apply to Student Housing
You can apply for VIU Student housing after you have applied to VIU. Once you have received your VIU student number, you can apply to Student Housing. Your application will involve choosing a room style and maybe selecting a roommate and living community.
Guaranteed housing
Plan your move to VIU with confidence. Beginning Fall 2027, we offer a guaranteed spot in student housing to:
- first-year and new-to-VIU students
- tuition waiver program students
- Indigenous students
- international students
- accessibility accommodations students
Register for VIU Student Housing by May 1 to qualify for guaranteed housing.
Student housing options and room types
Room styles
Choose between a traditional single, a modern single or double or an apartment single room style.
Living communities
At VIU, you can join an Indigenous living community, a gender-inclusive community or mature student housing
Roommates
Living with a roommate can be a big change. Consider all the pros and cons of living with a roommate before you make your decision.
Living on campus
Wherever you’re from, at VIU you’ll be at home
You can expect to live in a welcoming environment at VIU. It all begins at Student Housing Orientation, where you’ll get to know the staff and your fellow residents through fun activities and session that set you up for success.
Services and amenities
Access all the services available to you in Student Housing. Includes laundry and recreational equipment loans.
Community standards
Community standards help ensure you have a safe and enjoyable year at VIU.
Meet the staff
When you live in student housing, you are supported by a team of staff here to make your time at VIU safe and enjoyable.
About VIU Student Housing
Core values
Every person in the VIU Student Housing community can expect consideration and respect for their feelings and needs, and in return has the responsibility to be civil and to show respect for the rights of every other person in the community.
Every person in the community can expect to live in an environment where their possessions and the communal spaces are shown respect by others.
The vision
VIU strives to create an environment of tolerance, mutual respect, and freedom from harassment and discrimination. This requires all members of the community to be aware of, and comply with, the standards of behaviour expected of community members. The well-being of the student housing community is best achieved when everyone is aware of and understands their rights and responsibilities.
Off-campus housing options
Looking for rental accommodations off-campus? Explore our resources for off-campus housing.
Questions?
Email studenthousing@viu.ca.