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Arts

Vancouver Island University

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Checked 2026-11-05

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  • 4 years

    Duration (years)

    Published programme length: 4 years.

    VIU current published programme outline
  • Work experience details

    Work experience

    SOCI 499 offers short placements with community agencies for declared Sociology majors or minors. Entry requires third-year standing, the listed methods courses, six upper-level Sociology credits, a B+ Sociology GPA and written instructor permission; students contact a Sociology faculty member before the term.

    VIU current Sociology course catalogue: SOCI499

Deadlines

March 2027

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Next deadline

  • General undergraduate application

    2027 entry · Most direct-entry bachelor's degrees

    Applications open October 1, 2026.

    Official deadline
Other deadline details
No central deadline, each B.C. institution sets its own application open and close datesEducationPlannerBC, deadlines are set per institutionRecurring annual · Every year
  • No central deadline, each B.C. institution sets its own application open and close dates
  • No central B.C. deadline
  • Each institution and sometimes each program sets its own dates
Full source wording

Verbatim: "Each institution sets their own application open and close dates. These dates also may vary based on the program you are applying to. You can use the search database to explore programs you are interested in applying to or visit the institution's website directly. Please refer to the institution's website or contact the Admissions/Registrar's Office directly for application deadlines and details." EducationPlannerBC is the single application service for B.C.'s 25 public post-secondary institutions but publishes no deadline dates of its own.

SourceChecked

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

Check the university’s requirements for your province and applicant category.

viu admission · official applicant policy
Application steps
  1. Step 1Check the admission requirements
    • Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
    viu admission · official applicant policyviu admission · official applicant policy
  2. Step 2Apply through EducationPlannerBC
    • Create your application and select this program.
    EducationPlannerBCEducationPlannerBC
  3. Step 3Official high-school transcript
    • VIU uses the transcript to verify graduation, English and program-specific course requirements.
    VIU undergraduate admission requirementsVIU undergraduate admission requirements
  4. Step 4$46.98 domestic application fee
    • Non-refundable and paid for each application.
    VIU application feesVIU application fees
Applicant pathways
Domestic Academic admission categories

Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents seeking Academic programmes

  • The public Academic policy recognizes BC secondary graduation or equivalent with at least C in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12; a prior degree from a recognized university; or transfer status with at least 24 completed transferable university-level credits. A visiting student instead requires a home-institution Letter of Permission and is not thereby admitted to a degree.
  • These are general Academic categories. Programme-specific entry still applies, including separate third-year entry requirements in Education, Criminology, Child and Youth Care and Tourism Management. International students follow the separately linked international policy, which is not certified here. No held grade or programme minimum is changed.
viu admission · official applicant policy
Domestic Academic mature admission

Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 21, or turning 21 during the first semester

  • The Academic mature category also requires at least C in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12. Individual course prerequisites and programme requirements still apply. The different age 19 rule for Trades/Applied Technology is not applied to these Academic degrees.
viu admission · official applicant policy
Unclassified undergraduate study before programme admission

Students who do not meet a general Academic admission category

  • An applicant may take academic classes as an Unclassified Undergraduate after BC secondary graduation/equivalent, or at age 19 or turning 19 in the first semester. Students must meet each course prerequisite.
  • Unclassified status does not admit the student to a specific university programme. Registration follows other Academic programme students and course availability is limited. It does not promise subsequent programme admission.
viu admission · official applicant policy
Previous-degree applicant documentation

Applicants seeking Academic admission on a previous recognized university degree

  • Applicants admitted on a previous degree must still satisfy course prerequisites. In most cases a secondary-school transcript is also required to confirm those prerequisites. This route does not itself certify entry to a programme with separate admission criteria.
viu admission · official applicant policy
North Island College co-admission

Applicants to the VIU/North Island College Bachelor of Arts co-admission pathway

  • Select “North Island College Partnership - Bachelor of Arts” in EducationPlannerBC. North Island College lists co-admission applications open for Fall 2027.
  • Meet both institutions’ general admission requirements. Co-admitted students can study at either institution during their first two years.
  • Criminology is excluded from this co-admission pathway.
VIU general academic admission and official NIC co-admission selector labels

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements
  • Complete at least 120 credits in courses numbered 100–499.
ReferencesVIU academic calendar, general Bachelor of Arts degree requirementsVIU degree applications and later major declarationVIU current Sociology course catalogue: SOCI499VIU academic calendar general graduation regulations
Required courses and electives
  • Complete at least 30 upper-level credits at VIU and at least 60 VIU credits in total. The first bachelor’s degree regulations separately require at least 42 upper-level credits overall.
ReferencesVIU academic calendar, general Bachelor of Arts degree requirementsVIU degree applications and later major declarationVIU current Sociology course catalogue: SOCI499VIU academic calendar general graduation regulations
Grades and academic standing
  • The BA degree calendar requires at least a 2.0 GPA across upper-level coursework and uses the highest grade for a repeated upper-level course.
ReferencesVIU academic calendar, general Bachelor of Arts degree requirementsVIU degree applications and later major declarationVIU current Sociology course catalogue: SOCI499VIU academic calendar general graduation regulations

Program facts

Entering averageNot researched

The admission average has not been researched for this program.

Work experienceWork experience details
VIU current Sociology course catalogue: SOCI499Check work experience options

Majors & specializations

Apply to this entry program. Choose a major later; some majors require university courses or separate selection.

Anthropology

BA

Published requirements

Courses

Separate study choices within this entry program. Each course block belongs to its named choice; it is not required of every student in the degree.

Anthropology53 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. Requirements for a Major: Years 3 and 4 : A minimum of 30 credits of Anthropology courses numbered 300 and above* is required. It is recommended that students take courses beyond this minimum to broaden their education in Anthropology. Courses must include selections from each of the following three sub fields: Requirements for a Minor: Years 3 and 4 : Minimum of 12 credits of Anthropology courses numbered 300-499 (not including ANTH 493A , 493B , or 493C ).

VIU official program and degree requirements
Creative Writing and Journalism44 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. VIU’s general graduation rule sets a graduating average of at least 2.0 (C), unless a programme specifies otherwise. This is the published university default, not a completed programme-specific GPA/credit audit. Required courses, credential credits, residency and any different programme graduation standards still apply.

  • CREW 100Foundations in Journalism3 credits
  • CREW 110Foundations in Poetry3 credits
  • CREW 120Foundations in Fiction3 credits
  • CREW 140Foundations in Dramatic Writing3 credits
  • CREW 200Intermediate Journalism3 credits
  • CREW 201Online Journalism3 credits
  • CREW 202Introduction to Writing Creative Non-Fiction3 credits
  • CREW 203Memoir Writing Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 211Intermediate Poetry Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 212Poetic Traditions3 credits
  • CREW 220Writing Short Fiction3 credits
  • CREW 221Genre Fiction Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 230Introduction to Publishing3 credits
  • CREW 232Editing3 credits
  • CREW 240Writing Short-Form Scripts for the Stage, Screen or Television3 credits
  • CREW 241Writing Longer-Form Scripts for the Stage, Screen or Television3 credits
  • CREW 300Creative Non-Fiction Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 301Advanced Feature Writing3 credits
  • CREW 400Researching for Creative Non-Fiction3 credits
  • CREW 401Long-Form Non-Fiction3 credits
  • CREW 402Online Magazine Production3 credits
  • CREW 452Special Projects in Writing and Publishing3 credits
  • CREW 310Advanced Poetry Workshop I3 credits
  • CREW 311Long Form Poetry Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 312Writing Poetry in a Variety of Forms3 credits
  • CREW 410Advanced Poetry Workshop II3 credits
  • CREW 320Advanced Short Fiction Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 321Novel, Novella, and Story Sequence Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 322Writing for Young Adults Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 420Experimental and Speculative Fiction Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 422Advanced Novel Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 425Mystery Writing Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 331Book Publishing3 credits
  • CREW 430Portal Magazine I3 credits
  • CREW 431Portal Magazine II3 credits
  • CREW 340Advanced Screenwriting Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 341Advanced Stage Play Writing Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 440Writing for Television Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 441Digital Storytelling3 credits
  • CREW 442Script Development Workshop3 credits
  • CREW 450Directed Studies in Writing and Publishing I3 credits
  • CREW 451Directed Studies in Writing and Publishing II3 credits
  • CREW 475Internships in Writing and Publishing3 credits
  • ENGL 315Advanced Workshop in Composition3 credits

    An opportunity to refine skills in academic writing and nonfiction prose that popularizes academic research for general audiences through discussion, practice, editing, and revising.

    VIU exact published course content from the held native catalogue
VIU official program and degree requirements
Digital Media Studies21 listed

Current bachelor outline with required and optional course choices. Listed alternatives are not all required. Individual credits use the linked course descriptions or a single-course outline row. Requirements for a Major; Year 1 Credits: Plus one course from the following: MEDI 111 - (History of Communication) MEDI 113 - (Emerging Media Technologies) MEDI 115 - (Popular Culture and Mass Media) INTR 100 - (Popular Culture and University Writing)* MEDI 165 – (Introduction to Game Studies) MEDI 202 – (Documenting Visual Culture) MEDI 215 – (Popular Culture Genres) 3 Requirements for a Major; Year 1 Credits: Total Credits 9 Requirements for a Major; Year 2 Credits: One course from the following: MEDI 200 - (Media, Audience and Society) MEDI 205 - (Promotion, Persuasion and Propaganda) MEDI 230 - (Social Media) 3 Requirements for a Major; Year 2 Credits: Plus two courses from the following: MEDI 220 - (Web Production I) MEDI 221 - (Scripting for Dynamic Digital Media) MEDI 260 - (Immersive Media) MEDI 270 - (Audio Production 1 ) MEDI 280 - (Video Production 1) 6 Requirements for a Major; Year 2 Credits: Total Credits 9 Requirements for a Major; Years 3 and 4 Credits: MEDI 496 - (Senior Media Project) 3 Requirements for a Major; Years 3 and 4 Credits: Total Credits 30

  • MEDI 100Introduction to Media Studies and Communication3 credits
  • MEDI 110Introduction to Media Production3 credits
  • MEDI 111History of Communication3 credits
  • MEDI 113Emerging Media Technologies3 credits
  • MEDI 115Popular Culture and Mass Media3 credits
  • INTR 100Popular Culture and University Writing6 credits

    A combination of ENGL 115 and MEDI 115 in an integrated learning environment.

    VIU exact published course content from the held native catalogue
  • MEDI 165Introduction to Game Studies3 credits
  • MEDI 202Documenting Visual Culture3 credits
  • MEDI 215Popular Culture Genres3 credits
  • MEDI 200Media, Audience and Society3 credits
  • MEDI 205Promotion, Persuasion and Propaganda3 credits
  • MEDI 230Social Media3 credits
  • MEDI 220Web Production I3 credits
  • MEDI 221Client-side Web Scripting3 credits
  • MEDI 260Immersive Media3 credits
  • MEDI 270Audio Production 13 credits
  • MEDI 280Video Production 13 credits
  • MEDI 300Research Methods in Media Studies3 credits
  • MEDI 302Making the News3 credits
  • MEDI 310Media Literacy3 credits
  • MEDI 496Senior Media Project3 credits
VIU current bachelor outline and year requirements
Economics21 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. Requirements for a Major: Years 1 and 2 : Students are required to complete 12 credits of Economics, Mathematics, and Calculus courses along with 6 credits of English. Recommended elective credits include 1st and 2nd year Economics, Management, Math and Social Science courses. Requirements for a Major: Years 3 and 4 : Students are required to complete 18 credits of core ECON courses along with 12 credits of upper-level ECON electives. Requirements for a Minor: Years 1 and 2 : Students are required to complete 12 credits of Economics, Mathematics, and Calculus courses along with 6 credits of English. Recommended elective credits include 1st and 2nd year Economics, Management, Mathematics and Social Science courses.

VIU official program and degree requirements
English42 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. VIU’s general graduation rule sets a graduating average of at least 2.0 (C), unless a programme specifies otherwise. This is the published university default, not a completed programme-specific GPA/credit audit. Required courses, credential credits, residency and any different programme graduation standards still apply.

VIU official program and degree requirements
Geography16 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. VIU’s general graduation rule sets a graduating average of at least 2.0 (C), unless a programme specifies otherwise. This is the published university default, not a completed programme-specific GPA/credit audit. Required courses, credential credits, residency and any different programme graduation standards still apply.

VIU official program and degree requirements
Global Studies18 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. VIU’s general graduation rule sets a graduating average of at least 2.0 (C), unless a programme specifies otherwise. This is the published university default, not a completed programme-specific GPA/credit audit. Required courses, credential credits, residency and any different programme graduation standards still apply.

  • GLST 210The Human Face of Globalization: An Anthropological View3 credits
  • GLST 211Geographies of Environmental Change and Sustainability3 credits
  • GLST 212Global Problems to Local Solutions: A Sociological Perspective3 credits
  • GLST 390Globalization: An Interdisciplinary Inquiry3 credits
  • GLST 391Responses to Globalization3 credits
  • GLST 213The Human Face of Global Inequalities3 credits
  • GLST 392Great Powers and Global Order3 credits
  • GLST 380Internship6 credits
  • POLI 200The Politics of War and Peace3 credits

    An examination of causes of war and peace, and human and national security over time.

    VIU exact published course content from the held native catalogue
  • POLI 201An Introduction to International Political Economy3 credits

    An examination of global political economic relations.

    VIU exact published course content from the held native catalogue
  • POLI 231Comparing Politics Across the World3 credits

    An examination of the concepts and methods used to compare and contrast the domestic politics of countries across the world.

    VIU exact published course content from the held native catalogue
  • ECON 211Principles of Microeconomic Theory3 credits

    An analysis of the institutions and processes involved with the production and distribution of goods and services.

    VIU current exact course content
  • ECON 212Principles of Macroeconomic Theory3 credits

    An analysis of the determinants, level, and fluctuations of national output, employment and prices.

    VIU current exact course content
  • ECON 100Intro to Economics3 credits

    An introduction to the basic tools and concepts of economics which provide a framework for analyzing, understanding and evaluating the economic issues which appear in our newspapers daily, e.g., inflation, unemployment, interest rates, government budgets, rent controls, marketing boards, etc.

    VIU current exact course content
  • SOCI 250Introduction to Social Research3 credits

    An introduction to concepts and strategies of social science research: current methodological issues, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and an introduction to computer-assisted data analysis.

    VIU current exact course content
  • SSID 250Introduction to Social Research3 credits

    An introduction to concepts and strategies of social science research: current methodological issues, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and an introduction to computer-assisted data analysis.

    VIU current exact course content
  • GEOG 324Research Methods in Geography3 credits

    An introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods related to Geography.

    VIU exact published course content from the held native catalogue
  • ANTH 215Research Methods in Anthropology3 credits

    An introduction to concepts and strategies of social science research: ethical conduct for research with humans, research design, quantitative and qualitative data collection, data analysis including computer-assisted data analysis, and reporting and presenting research.

    VIU exact published course content from the held native catalogue
VIU official program and degree requirements
History19 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. Requirements for a Major: Years 3 and 4 : Minimum 30 credits in History courses numbered 300 and above. Requirements for a Minor: Years 1 and 2 : Minimum 12 credits of History courses at the 100/200-level. Requirements for a Minor: Years 3 and 4 : Minimum of 12 credits of History courses numbered 300 or above. Students are encouraged to consult with the department before selecting courses.

VIU official program and degree requirements
Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies2 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. VIU’s general graduation rule sets a graduating average of at least 2.0 (C), unless a programme specifies otherwise. This is the published university default, not a completed programme-specific GPA/credit audit. Required courses, credential credits, residency and any different programme graduation standards still apply.

  • INDG 103Introduction to Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies I3 credits
  • INDG 104Introduction to Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies II3 credits
VIU official program and degree requirements
Liberal Studies18 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. VIU’s general graduation rule sets a graduating average of at least 2.0 (C), unless a programme specifies otherwise. This is the published university default, not a completed programme-specific GPA/credit audit. Required courses, credential credits, residency and any different programme graduation standards still apply.

VIU official program and degree requirements
Mathematics19 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. VIU’s general graduation rule sets a graduating average of at least 2.0 (C), unless a programme specifies otherwise. This is the published university default, not a completed programme-specific GPA/credit audit. Required courses, credential credits, residency and any different programme graduation standards still apply.

VIU official program and degree requirements
Philosophy19 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. Lower-Level Course Requirements: Students should take a minimum of six courses (18 credits) in first or second year philosophy, which must include: Upper-Level Course Requirements: Students should take a minimum of ten courses (30 credits) in third or fourth year philosophy*, which must include: Lower-Level Course Requirements: Students should take a minimum of four courses (12 credits) in first or second year philosophy, which must include: Upper-Level Course Requirements: Students should take a minimum of six courses (18 credits) in third or fourth year philosophy*. Program Outline: Students should take a minimum of eight courses (24 credits) in first or second year philosophy, which must include: Program Outline: Students should take a minimum of twelve courses (36 credits) in third or fourth year philosophy*, which must include:

VIU official program and degree requirements
Political Studies18 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. VIU’s general graduation rule sets a graduating average of at least 2.0 (C), unless a programme specifies otherwise. This is the published university default, not a completed programme-specific GPA/credit audit. Required courses, credential credits, residency and any different programme graduation standards still apply.

VIU official program and degree requirements
Psychology24 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. Requirements for a Minor: Note: It is strongly recommended that these courses be taken in the first two years of a student’s program because no more than 12 credits of courses numbered 300 and above may be counted toward a Minor degree before the PSYC 111 , 112 , 204 , and one of 205 , or 210 grade requirements are satisfied.

VIU official program and degree requirements
Sociology16 listed

Named courses explicitly linked from this program page, including options and alternatives. This is not a timetable or a list every student takes. VIU’s general graduation rule sets a graduating average of at least 2.0 (C), unless a programme specifies otherwise. This is the published university default, not a completed programme-specific GPA/credit audit. Required courses, credential credits, residency and any different programme graduation standards still apply.

VIU official program and degree requirements
Studies in Women and Gender22 listed

Current SWAG department menu, not a fixed major schedule. The major requires 12 lower-level and at least 30 upper-level credits under its published subject-choice rules. Requirements for a Major; Years 1 and 2 Credits: Students require twelve credits in years 1 and 2, with a minimum of six of those credits coming directly from lower-level SWAG courses. Students may take up to six credits from approved courses offered by other departments. 12 Requirements for a Major; Years 1 and 2 Credits: Total Credits 12 Requirements for a Major; Years 3 and 4 Credits: Select a minimum of thirty credits of upper-level SWAG courses; including up to twelve credits of approved courses offered by other departments with a focus on gender or other categories of socio-cultural difference. 30 Requirements for a Major; Years 3 and 4 Credits: Total Credits 30 Students require twelve credits in years 1 and 2, with a minimum of six of those credits coming directly from lower-level SWAG courses. Students may take up to six credits from approved courses offered by other departments.

VIU current SWAG department course menu
Digital Media Studies

Digital Media Studies

Requirements for a Major; Year 19 listed

Published year group, including alternatives. Unnamed elective credits are specified separately.

  • MEDI 100Introduction to Media Studies and Communication3 credits
  • MEDI 110Introduction to Media Production3 credits
  • MEDI 111History of Communication3 credits
  • MEDI 113Emerging Media Technologies3 credits
  • MEDI 115Popular Culture and Mass Media3 credits
  • INTR 100Popular Culture and University Writing6 credits

    A combination of ENGL 115 and MEDI 115 in an integrated learning environment.

    VIU exact published course content from the held native catalogue
  • MEDI 165Introduction to Game Studies3 credits
  • MEDI 202Documenting Visual Culture3 credits
  • MEDI 215Popular Culture Genres3 credits
VIU current bachelor outline and year requirements
Requirements for a Major; Year 28 listed

Published year group, including alternatives. Unnamed elective credits are specified separately.

  • MEDI 200Media, Audience and Society3 credits
  • MEDI 205Promotion, Persuasion and Propaganda3 credits
  • MEDI 230Social Media3 credits
  • MEDI 220Web Production I3 credits
  • MEDI 221Client-side Web Scripting3 credits
  • MEDI 260Immersive Media3 credits
  • MEDI 270Audio Production 13 credits
  • MEDI 280Video Production 13 credits
VIU current bachelor outline and year requirements
Requirements for a Major; Years 3 and 44 listed

Published year group, including alternatives. Unnamed elective credits are specified separately.

  • MEDI 300Research Methods in Media Studies3 credits
  • MEDI 302Making the News3 credits
  • MEDI 310Media Literacy3 credits
  • MEDI 496Senior Media Project3 credits
VIU current bachelor outline and year requirements
Elective choices
  • A BA Honours plan generally uses at least 12 additional specified credits in the discipline, normally in place of electives.
  • The BA calendar encourages at least six Mathematics or Science credits. Plan-specific requirements also apply.
Study locations
Teaching locations
The BA is fully available at Nanaimo and partially available at Cowichan and tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River). Major and course availability differ by location.VIU current published programme outline

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