Enrol in a program today!
Choose the program you are interested in for more details about how to apply.
Adult Basic Education, Upgrading, and High School Completion
Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident? Follow the steps below!
- Apply to become a student at VIU Apply Now
- Provide a High School transcript that is less than 5 years old determine prerequisites
Or
Write an assessment to determine the course that is right for you
Are you an International student?
Application detail are available on the International Admissions page.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
English as a Second Language (ESL) + Undergraduate or Graduate Programs
If you are applying for English as a Second Language (ESL) + Undergraduate or Graduate program, application detail are available on the International Admissions page.
English as a Second Language (ESL) only
If you are only applying for English as a Second Language (ESL), basic English language proficiency is required. Students need to submit one of the test scores listed on International Education Admissions as proof of English language proficiency. Even if you are only applying to study English as a Second Language (ESL), an English language proficiency test result is still required. The ESL program cannot accept students who are at the very beginning level of using English. If you want to directly enter a specific ESL level, please check the Direct Entry with IELTS/TOEFL tab below.
Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident?
[INSERT DETAILS OR LINK]
Are you an International student?
Application detail are available on the International Admissions page.
Direct Entry with IELTS/TOEFL (for Grad Prep)
Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident?
[INSERT DETAILS OR LINK]
Are you an International student?
Application detail are available on the International Admissions page.
| English Test Requirement | Level of Direct Entry |
IELTS 6.5 (with no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 88 (with no section below 20) | Graduate Preparation |
| IELTS 6.0 (with no band below 5.5) | University Preparation 5 (UP5) |
| IELTS 5.5 (with no band below 5.0) | University Preparation 4 (UP4) |
| IELTS 5.0 (with no band below 4.5 | Language Foundations 3 (LF3) |
| IELTS 4.5 (with no band below 4.0) | Language Foundations 2 (LF2) |
| IELTS 4.0 (with no band below 3.5) | Language Foundations 1 (LF1) |
Domestic students
Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident? Follow the steps below!
- Apply to become a student at VIU Apply Now
- Provide a high school transcript that is 5 years old or less to determine pre-requisites
Or - Write an assessment to determine the course that is right for you
International students
Application detail are available on the International Admissions page.
Assessment information
You may be asked to take an assessment before being enrolled in classes. Our assessments are meant to place you at a course level where you are more likely to be successful and give you information about your current skills.
Book an ABE assessment
Contact Adult Basic Education (ABE):
- Email acp@viu.ca
- Phone 250.740.6425
Prepare for your assessment before you write it.
- Please note that the maximum time allowed for an assessment session is three hours. We strongly recommend that students do not attempt to do more than one assessment in a single three-hour session.
- ABE assessment are done fully online all year round. In-person assessment are available.
Book an ELL assessment
Contact English Language Learning (ELL):
- Email esl@viu.ca
- Phone 250.740.6318
- ESL Chair 250.740.6328
Prepare for your assessment: The instructions are available in 12 languages. Inform our office of what language you prefer when booking your assessment.
- The assessment takes 50 minutes and will assess your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
Have goals? Overwhelmed? Don’t know where to start?
Our ACP Student Success and Transition Advisors are here for you! Contact them directly or call and make an appointment:
- Nanaimo: 250.740.6425
- Duncan: 250.746.3500
- tiwšɛmawtxʷ: 250.740.6425
We can help you get started and guide you through our intake process.
As a post-secondary institution committed to serving adult learners, to enrol you must be:
- a high school graduate
Or - minimum 17 years of age and out of school a minimum of one year
Or - enrolled in a VIU academic or trades/vocational program