Two students are sitting in a classroom, looking off into the distance and smiling

VIU Cowichan campus

At the Cowichan campus you’ll find dedicated faculty, small class sizes and close-knit community to support you in your academic success and well-being.

Browse programs and courses at Cowichan

Walking together

At the Cowichan campus small class sizes and hands-on learning creates real connections—with other students, with faculty, the community, and with the land. 

We focus on Q’ushin’tul (Walking Together). Q’ushin’tul is a Hul’qumi’num word that translates to Walking together. It's an Indigenous approach to education that promotes academic success and student well-being. 

"The spirit of Q'ushin'tul is to walk together in everything: education, employment, and life. At VIU we are walking together with students to create a balance of education and values based in indigenous ways of knowing and being." – VIU Elder Hwiem' (Marlene) Rice

Programs and Courses

Discover the programs and courses available at our Cowichan campus.

Cowichan Programs and Courses

Student Support Services

Learn about services available for students or connect with an advisor.

Cowichan Student Services

Cowichan Campus and Facilities

Learn about our campus and facilities.

Cowichan Campus

Find out what's new at the Cowichan campus

What's New

VIU News

VIU researcher studying how to better people’s long-term ability to walk and run

Dr. Michael Asmussen is looking at ways to improve foot and ankle stabilization to increase performance and minimize injury. We use them every day, usually...

VIU News & Experts: November 6, 2024

Remembrance Day, US election, memory development 🧠 In this issue of VIU news & experts:  Re-translating a classic war novel US election results Studying...

Vancouver Island University hosts provincial recreation conference

The summit brings industry experts from across Canada to Nanaimo The future of recreation in rural communities and small cities is the topic of a provincial...

VIU Professor Emerita re-translates All Quiet on the Western Front

Dr. Katharina Rout shares her thoughts about working on this classic novel For the past couple of years, professional translator Dr. Katharina Rout has been...

Cowichan VIU Events

Nov
13

Swim, Sauna, Soak: Free Admission for VIU Students @ NAC (must show ticket & student ID)

VIU Students are welcome to enjoy FREE admission at the Nanaimo Aquatic Center on Wednesday, November 13. Get some exercise with lane swimming, sweat it out…
Nov
13

Reimagining & Redesigning Sport & Recreation Delivery: Keynote & Reception

Dr. Jackie Oncescu, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at UNB, will deliver the keynote address for the Rural Recreation Summit hosted by…
Nov
15

Esthetics Program Student Spa Clinic

The VIU Student Spa Clinic located on Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus. Our clinic is a teaching facility, where students enrolled in the…
Nov
15

VIU Mariners Volleyball

Calling all volleyball fans! The high-flying VIU Mariners men’s and women’s volleyball teams take home court on Friday, November 15 as they battle the Columbia…