NANAIMO, CANADA

Brief information

According to AbbreviationFinder, Vancouver Island University was founded in 1969 as Malaspina College. It only gained university status in 2008, so it is still quite young.

International students can complete bachelor’s and master’s courses in a wide variety of departments or take part in summer sessions, semesters abroad and other programs such as the Academic Gap Year. An English Language Program will help them prepare for the academic demands if needed.

Vancouver Island University leadership places a strong emphasis on teaching and learning and wants students to be involved in research and other activities as well.

One is particularly proud of the large number of Aboriginals, the natives of Canada, who study here, with more than 1,000 students. Thanks to continuous growth and constant further development, the university manages to make a significant contribution to the cultural, social and economic life of the Vancouver Island region.

• Vancouver Island University website

University facts

Year of foundation: 1969

Type of university: State university

Number of students: total 18000, international 1100

Accreditations:

• ACBSP (Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs)

Academic year:

The academic year at Vancouver Island University is divided into two semesters.

Study programs

• Academic gap year
• postgraduate studies
• semester abroad
• bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• MBA
• language courses

International students have the opportunity to study at Vancouver Island University for one or two semesters as part of the Visiting Student Program. Depending on their previous knowledge, participants can choose cross- departmental and cross-semester courses from most of the bachelor’s programs offered at Vancouver Island University.

The range of courses in the bachelor’s area at Vancouver Island University is very broad and includes courses from numerous disciplines. Some of the most popular majors at Vancouver Island University include biology, psychology, and computer science, as well as business, hospitality, and tourism.

In addition, Vancouver Island University also offers some very specific regional courses of interest to international students, such as Fisheries and Aquaculture, First Nations Studies and Natural Resource Protection.

MBA students have the opportunity to take undergraduate courses in business and management, such as marketing , management, international business , or accounting.

It should be noted that not all courses are open to international semester students. Since the number of places is limited, early application is recommended.

Fees

• Fall 2022

Tuition for 5 courses

$9173.00

Student Union Fees

CAD$382.00

application fee

$150.00 CAD

Student Activity Fee

$83.00 CAD

The tuition fees for the undergraduate program include 15 credits per semester.

• Tuition fees at Vancouver Island University

Financing options

A semester abroad at Vancouver Island University can be financed through foreign BAföG, if you wish. Tuition fees are subsidized up to EUR 4600. There is also support for living, travel and health insurance costs.

Requirements

In order to participate in the Visiting Student Program at Vancouver Island University, one must have a high school diploma and be already enrolled at a university. Furthermore, it is expected that the students have a good knowledge of the English language.

However, you do not necessarily have to take a standardized language test such as IELTS or TOEFL, but can submit a letter of recommendation from a lecturer, in which he certifies the necessary knowledge of English. Alternatively, a DAAD testcan also be attached to the application.

Since the places in the courses are assigned after receipt of the application, an early application of 5-8 months before the start of the semester is recommended. Applications for the MBA courses are only possible in the fall semester.

The language skills can be proven by one of the following test results or documents:

	Undergraduate
DAAD language test	B2 level
IELTS	6.5 (no range below 6.0)
TOEFL (internet based)	88 (no range under 20)

The language certificate cannot be submitted later.

• Vancouver Island University Application Requirements

Degrees/Courses

Degrees/Courses in English – Undergraduate

• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
• Bachelor of Arts in Business
• Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
• Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminology
• Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics
• Bachelor of Arts in English
• Bachelor of Arts in First Nations Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Geography
• Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in History
• Bachelor of Arts in Languages ​​and Culture
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
• Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
• Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
• Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art
• Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies
• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Services
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management
• Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Management
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
• Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art
• Bachelor of Hospitality Management (Co-op)
• Bachelor of Interior Design
• Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies
• Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection
• Bachelors of Science in Biology
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
• Bachelor of Science in Computing Science (Mandatory Co-op)
• Bachelor of Science in Computing Science (Optional Co-op)
• Bachelor of Science in Earth Science
• Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Bachelor of Science in Geography
• Bachelor of Science in Geoscience
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
• Bachelor of Science in Physics – Transfer
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Bachelor of Tourism Management (Co-op)

Campus

Vancouver Island University ‘s 110-acre main campus is located in Nanaimo in the foothills of Mt. Benson and offers views of the city, the Straits of Georgia, the Gulf Islands and the Coast Range mountains on the mainland. It is not far to the larger cities of Victoria and Vancouver.

There is a welcoming, friendly atmosphere in the beautiful grounds. At the center is the Quad, a garden of flowers, bushes and lawns where students like to congregate. Also nearby is the Tamagawa Garden, an oasis of calm in the bustling student life.a

The university also has other campuses in Duncan, Powell River and Parksville – Qualicum. They are all close together on Vancouver Island. In addition, the Milner Gardens and Woodlands in Qualicum Beach belong to Vancouver Island University. They were recently voted one of the ten most popular public parks in Canada.

• Vancouver Island University campus map

Housing

International students at Vancouver Island University have a variety of on-campus and off-campus accommodation options.

The following accommodation options are available:

• student residence
• Apartments on campus
• Private apartments / hotels
• guest families

The college town of Nanaimo

With a population of 78,000, Nanaimo is the second largest city in British Columbia on the Canadian Pacific island of Vancouver Island.

Its climate is one of the mildest in Canada, with an average annual temperature of 9.6°C and temperatures rarely drop below freezing. Nanaimo is a great place to live and work, surrounded by what is probably the most beautiful wilderness in the world.

There are opportunities for diving, golfing, cycling or canoeing. You can observe nature, fish, visit the sheltered harbor or go cultural. There are many museums and galleries such as the Nanaimo District Museum or the Nanaimo Art Gallery, but there are also three different districts for shopping, which are all close together and can be reached on foot: The Arts District, Old City Quarter and the water front

The city also hosts many events, from performances by the Vancouver Island Symphony to a body painting contest at a nightclub – there should be something for everyone.