How to apply to art and design at Vancouver Island University (VIU): the Nanaimo Bachelor of Interior Design asks for 6–12 works with early review by 15 January, the Graphic Design degree returns in a new version for fall 2027, and the Visual Art BA needs at least 10 works; portfolio requirements and timelines for students in China, Canadian high school students and transfer students

Vancouver Island University (VIU) has its main campus in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, BC. It offers three routes into art and design: the Bachelor of Interior Design, the Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design, and a Visual Art major or minor in the Bachelor of Arts. All are taught in Nanaimo and all need a portfolio. This guide sets out 2027 entry for students at Canadian high schools (especially BC and the Vancouver area), students at high schools in China, and transfer students, based on VIU's website.

1. The three degree routes

• Bachelor of Interior Design: four years, accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA); VIU says it is the only CIDA-accredited program on Vancouver Island and one of three in BC. The first three years run fall and spring semesters, with an internship term in the summer between third and fourth year. There is one intake each fall. Students need at least C in every Interior Design course to graduate.
• Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design: four years covering typography, illustration, photography, branding, packaging, information design and UI/UX, with a 120-hour internship in third year. First-year intake is paused for 2026–27; the department expects an updated program from September 2027, with applications expected to open in mid-October 2026. You can register interest on the department site.
• Visual Art BA major or minor: part of the four-year BA. Years one and two cover a broad range of media and a foundation in contemporary art and art history; years three and four focus on interdisciplinary work and cultural theory. It can be combined with a major or minor in another subject. Intakes are in January and September.
• Visual Art Diploma: two years, awarded after 60 credits; VIU notes that it does not make students eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

2. Interior Design: a two-step application

• Step 1: apply to VIU and meet the entrance requirements: general admission requirements; English 12 at C or higher; and C or higher in one of Principles of Mathematics 11, Applications of Mathematics 11 or Foundations of Mathematics 11.
• Step 2: once you meet those, submit online through SlideRoom:
  • a 300-word statement on why you are applying to VIU Interior Design and your academic and career goals, showing you have researched the profession, its careers and the skills it needs;
  • a portfolio of 6–12 items of your own creation in any media, for example sketching, painting, collage, photography, 3D work, drafting (manual or digital), writing, jewellery, pottery, fabric work, video, websites, sound, journals, woodworking or digital work;
  • a short description for each item: what you made, the medium and what inspired you.
• Choose Interior Design in SlideRoom and pay the fee shown there. If you prefer not to have your work hosted on a US server, contact the program chair for another way to submit.
• The department says you don't need to be a master artist; it looks for technical and creative ability. It may contact you for a phone, video or in-person interview.
• Dates: fall applications run from the first business day of October to 31 March. For September 2027, applications and portfolios completed by 15 January 2027 get early consideration in January; later applications (and those not admitted early) are reviewed on 31 March. Intake may close when full, and qualified applicants may be waitlisted.
• Entry to second or third year: may be possible; email the program chair.

3. Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design

• The department lists a portfolio, a 100–300 word statement on your reasons and goals that shows research into the profession, and one reference letter.
• The portfolio should have 6–12 items in any media: sketching, painting, collage, photography, 3D work, writing, digital work, jewellery, pottery, fabric, video, websites, sound, journals and process sketchbooks.
• The program page says meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. Entry to second or third year depends on seats and is decided through a portfolio interview and credit assessment.
• Detailed requirements and deadlines for the new program have not been published; check the department site before applying.

4. Visual Art BA: portfolio

• The Art and Design department asks for at least 10 examples of artwork, which may include original drawings, paintings or illustrations in various media, collages, photos of 3D work (installation, sculpture, pottery), photography, printmaking, and video or new media; document work larger than 24 × 36 inches with photos. You may add up to three examples such as mural photos or crafts (quilting, stitchery, fashion or jewellery design).
• Also submit a 100–300 word statement on your reasons and goals.
• Interview: two statements differ. The Art and Design admission page and the Visual Art BA program text say you attend a portfolio interview; the intake details lower on the same program page say the interview requirement has been waived and you only submit the portfolio and letter of intent online. Both are on VIU's site, so check with the department.
• Deadlines: for fall 2027, the program page says to submit the portfolio and letter of intent online by 31 July 2027; for spring (January) 2027, by 1 December 2026. Apply to the Visual Arts BA major or minor at VIU first.
• To take 200-level and higher studio courses, you submit a portfolio for department review by 15 March.

5. Students at Canadian high schools

• BC general requirements: graduation from a BC secondary school or equivalent, with at least C in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12.
• Interior Design adds: a Grade 11 math course (Principles, Applications or Foundations of Mathematics 11) at C or higher.
• No admission averages are published; meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
• Application fee: CAD 46.98 for domestic applicants (program pages).

6. Students at high schools in China

• How to apply: international students (not Canadian citizens or permanent residents) apply through EducationPlannerBC, choosing VIU, the program and term, and uploading scans of transcripts, English results and passport.
• Credentials: VIU's country list gives the Senior Upper Middle School Graduation Certificate for China. VIU does not publish whether or how the Gaokao is used; ask international admissions (WorldVIU@viu.ca).
• English: IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 88 (no section below 20), or 4.5 (no section below 4.0) for tests after 21 January 2026; PTE 60 (no section below 60); Duolingo 115 (no band below 105). Results must be within two years. Students who meet academic but not English requirements may get conditional admission pending VIU English Language Centre level UP5.
• Application fee: two figures. The international application page says CAD 153; the Interior Design and Visual Art program pages say CAD 156.06. Go by the payment page.
• Dates: international applications for Interior Design and the Visual Art BA run from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, with classes starting 7 September 2027. Complete applications usually take 2–8 weeks to process, longer for limited-entry programs; after an offer, pay the tuition deposit by the date in your letter.

7. International students from English-medium schools

• International students who finished high school in English in a country where English is an official language need the equivalent of C in BC English 12; Canada is on VIU's list of such countries.
• International students who graduate from a BC high school need at least C in English 12 for direct entry to academic programs.

8. Tuition

• International: CAD 832.09 per credit, or CAD 24,962.70 for 30 credits a year. First-year totals including fees, books and supplies are about CAD 29,198.10 for Interior Design and CAD 28,998.10 for Graphic Design.
• Canadian students: the Graphic Design and Visual Art BA pages give CAD 173.12 per credit, or CAD 5,193.60 for 30 credits.
• VIU says all fees are expected to rise 2% each year on 1 April.
• Entrance and international scholarships are not described on the pages read; check VIU's scholarships pages or ask admissions.

9. Transfer students

• VIU general rule: with at least 24 transferable university-level credits you can apply as a transfer student.
• Interior Design: contact the program chair about second- or third-year entry.
• Graphic Design: advanced entry depends on seats, a portfolio interview, credit assessment and course outlines from your previous school; official transcripts are required. Graduates of VIU's Applied Arts Diploma in Graphic Design who interview and meet the requirements qualify for third year, but seats are not guaranteed.
• Visual Art: transfer students must meet the department's portfolio requirements.

Checklist

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and the Vancouver area):

• English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 at C or higher; Interior Design also needs a Grade 11 math at C
• Interior Design: after applying to VIU, submit the 300-word statement and 6–12 works on SlideRoom; complete by 15 January 2027 for early review
• Visual Art BA: apply to the major or minor, then submit at least 10 works and a letter of intent, by 31 July for fall

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply through EducationPlannerBC between 1 October 2026 and 31 March 2027 with your graduation certificate and transcripts
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 bands), TOEFL 88 or Duolingo 115
• Submit the portfolio and statement required by your program

Transfer students:

• Apply as a transfer student with 24 transferable credits; contact the chair about upper-year entry

Sources: Vancouver Island University, Art, Design and Performing Arts programs; Bachelor of Interior Design; Interior Design application process; Interior Design application steps and portfolio; Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design; Graphic Design department; Visual Art (BA); Visual Art Diploma; Art and Design admission requirements; General admission requirements; International admissions and English requirements. Information is for 2027 entry (2027/28). Check VIU for the latest details.