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 the land. 

A focus is 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

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Cowichan Student Services

Cowichan Campus and Facilities

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Cowichan Campus

Are you planning to take your first-year of university at the Cowichan campus? 

Then you might be interested in the Q’ushin’tul  (Walking Together) learning community. With Q'ushin'tul (Walking Together)  you get a bundle of first-year university courses to take at the Cowichan campus. The bundle includes three courses in the Fall Semester and three in the Spring.

Learn about Q'ushin'tul (Walking Together)

Find out what's new at the Cowichan campus

What's New

VIU News

Portal “rewires and connects” at the launch of its 2024 issue

The magazine launches on April 26 at the Nanaimo Curling Club from 7 to 9:30 pm. Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) student-run, full-colour literary...

Indigenous Guardians protecting coastal lands and waters

The partnership between Nanwakolas Council and Vancouver Island University has resulted in 16 more Indigenous Guardians graduating with formal stewardship...

VIU’s Engaged Citizens Speaker Series puts the spotlight on bad leaders and followers

Bad Leaders, Bad Followers: Threats to democracy that we don’t talk about enough – an edition of the Engaged Citizens Speaker Series When: Monday, April 15, 6:...

VIU welcomes public to campus for career fair

What: VIU Career Fair, hosted by the Career Studio When: Friday, April 26, 2024, 11 am to 3 pm Where: VIU gymnasium (Building 190). See Nanaimo campus map...
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Cowichan VIU Events

Apr
25

Media Studies Showcase & Social

Join Media Studies students and faculty Thursday April 25th from 4-7 pm at Shaw, 4136 Boban Rd in Nanaimo, for a year-end presentation of projects and...
Apr
26

2024 Research and Creative Activity Symposium

The Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity Office is sponsoring a one-day Research and Creative Activity symposium during the SRCA Showcase month in April...
Apr
27

Adult Indoor Soccer Tournament

VIU Mariners men's soccer is presenting a first annual two-day indoor soccer tournament at the VIU Gym. This tournament is aimed at VIU students but all local...
Apr
29

Protecting Salmon from Tire Wear Toxins

Annual conference and workshop for the Mitigating Inputs of Tire Wear Toxins to Protect Salmonid Habitat on Vancouver Island project. The event is related to a...
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