Love of Learning

Audit a university course – just for the Love of Learning!

mature student in classroom

Do you want to take a university course, but don't need the grade or the credit?  Come join us to audit courses that have available seats! 

Auditing courses means that you attend class and fully participate, but you don't submit assignments or write exams!

Benefits of taking Love of Learning courses

  • Keeps you mentally active, which promotes healthy aging
  • Gives you the chance to take that course you didn't have time for previously
  • Affordable reduced tuition
  • No assignments or exams
  • So fun!

These are just some of the disciplines that may have space in their courses*:

  • Anthropology
  • Creative Writing
  • Geology
  • History
  • Liberal Studies
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Studies in Women and Gender

* Course availability is determined prior to start of term as noted below. Courses with unfilled seats will be considered for offer to Love of Learning students.

Who can apply? 

The program is open to all adults exceptstudents who are currently registered in another VIU undergraduate program.

What are the admission requirements? 

There are no formal admission requirements and your previous educational transcripts are not required, however, you should take a look at any course prerequisites listed under the course description. These will give you an idea of how prepared you should be for the level of discussion within the classroom. It's no fun getting in over your head!

When does registration begin?

Registration is available in courses that have seats available just before the semester begins.

  • For Fall – 2 weeks prior to the start of the Fall term; approximately mid-August
  • For Spring – December 1st for the Spring term that begins in January
  • For Summer – 1 week prior to the start of the Summer session

What does it cost?

Please note that not all courses are made available to students at the reduced Love of Learning rate.

Fee Type Cost
Application Fee $44.27*
Tuition per 3-credit course ($40/credit) $120.00*
Student Activity and Service Fees per course $10.10*
Students’ Union Fee (approximate) $106.36*
Approximate Total per course:  $280.73*

Students who are 65 years or older will have tuition, student activity, and student services fees waived.

*All fees subject to change.

Course fees are calculated on course enrolment and due:

Fall and Spring: two weeks after the semester start date
May and June: one week after the term start date

Steps to Register

1. Fill out the application form for the Love of Learning program and send the completed form and application fee to the Registration Centre:

  • Send by mail to:

Admissions
900 Fifth Street
Nanaimo, BC
V9R 5S5

  • Drop off the form and application fee - cheque or money order only - to the Registration Centre in building 200 on the Nanaimo campus between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm.
  • Scan and email the form to Registration@viu.ca and arrange to pay the application fee by credit card or through online banking.
  • Or deliver at any time to the dropbox outside the main doors of building 200.

2. When your application has been processed and the application fee paid, you will be sent a student number if you do not already have one.

3. You will also be sent registration instructions and be notified of a date to register for your Love of Learning courses.

4. Next you can view the course timetable to find courses that interest you and that have available space.

Apply to VIU's Love of Learning program!

More Information

Call: 250.740.6400

Email: Registration@viu.ca