Hospitality

Hospitality Management Programs

The Hospitality Management Program educates students for all sectors of the hospitality industry, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, golf courses, catering, event planning, agri-tourism, the wine industry, and more. Courses are strongly geared toward experiential learning in a competitive marketplace, with an emphasis on providing a high level of customer service and developing strong industry connections.

The Hospitality Management Department offers both a diploma and degree program. The 4-year degree program features a flexible and effective method of delivery that offers a variety of options. Students may choose to graduate after two years with a diploma, and Hospitality and Tourism diploma graduates from across Canada and internationally can transfer their credits into the third year of the degree.

Students apply their professional knowledge and skills in a variety of settings: the classroom, a teaching kitchen, the Discovery Room dining room for training in fine dining service, Property Management Systems software, field schools, and three paid co-operative education work experiences.

First and second-year students learn professional food and beverage service and dining room management through scheduled a la carte and banquet dining room shifts in the Discovery Room, as well as a number of off-campus events, including the annual Festival of Trees.

Third and fourth-year students complete research assignments that require meeting with hospitality industry leaders. Assignments typically include completing a conference plan, a risk assessment of a property, or completing a full business proposal.

Co-operative education work terms are another important foundation of the program. Three paid co-operative education work terms following years one, two and three reinforce classroom learning and provide valuable links with the industry for future employment opportunities. A dedicated faculty member provides students the tools they need to apply and interview successfully for these jobs, as well as support and follow-up with the students and the employers. 

VIU has developed strong professional relationships with industry leaders in British Columbia. Major Rocky Mountain resorts and hotels – Fairmont, Delta, Four Seasons, and Marriott, as well as countless smaller properties in Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Whistler and Vancouver – recruit students for co-operative education work term opportunities and full-time employment.

Hospitality Management Programs at Vancouver Island University

The Discovery Room

The Discovery Room is Vancouver Island University’s full-service learning restaurant connecting students with our community patrons.

Lunch

Wednesday to Friday
11:30am - 12:30pm

Dinner

Thursday and Friday
from 5pm

For Reservations email: Discovery.Room@viu.ca

Learn more about the Discovery Room