VIU Scholarship, Research, and Creative Activity

Visiting Student Researcher

Vancouver Island University welcomes Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs) to participate in research under the supervision of a VIU faculty member on a full-time basis. A VSR can be a student enrolled in an undergraduate, master’s or doctoral program at a university in Canada or abroad. As a VSR, you will participate in a research project that aligns with your studies. 

Types of research opportunities

Some participants come with a clear research question to address, and they come to VIU to have access to our resources like libraries and labs. These researchers will have a home supervisor, when applicable, who is responsible for ensuring that the research project meets the requirements of their home institution and reviews the progress of the research project. VIU host supervisors provide guidance and support throughout the participant’s time at VIU.

Participants that would like to have a research experience who do not have a specific research project in mind can join the research of a VIU faculty member. These researchers will either join a research lab or complete research tasks as set by the VIU host supervisor. VIU host supervisors are required to develop a research plan for the participant and provide mentorship as the VSR is directly supporting the supervisor’s research.

Eligibility criteria

  • intend to come to VIU with the purpose of conducting research on a full-time basis
  • when applicable, work on a research project that is part of their curriculum or academically relevant to their program
  • have obtained approval from a VIU host supervisor (usually a full time VIU faculty member) for the research activities to be conducted at VIU, and
  • have obtained approval from their Home Institution/Organization, when applicable, for the research activities to be conducted at VIU

  • must not involve salaries paid to the participant (scholarships to domestic students may be allowed but should be discussed in advance)
  • completion of research activities at VIU will result in credit credits from VIU (VRSR 500 (1) or VUSR 400 (1))

  • minimum 1 month,
  • maximum 12 months

VSRs and their VIU host supervisor should contact Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity in advance to discuss intended research projects, length of stay and any scholarship payment plans.

  • It is the responsibility of the VSR to identify, contact and obtain approval from a VIU faculty member to supervise their research activities.
  • VSR’s can contact VIU faculty/researchers directly to discuss the possibility of becoming a research supervisor.

  1. Contact a VIU faculty member to discuss your research interests.
  2. Complete the VRS Approval Form and VRS Letter of Agreement and collect all required signatures.
  3. Apply for Admission to VIU as an International VSR
    • Under Program Name: select Visiting Grad Research Student or Visiting Undergrad Research Student
    • Under Student Type: select Visiting Student Researcher
    • Pay $150 application fee
    • Send supporting documentation to VIU Mobility to complete your admissions application:
      • passport copy
      • completed VSR Approval
      • completed VSR Letter of Agreement
    • Your application will be processed once the complete admission package, and all required documents are received. Please submit a complete admission package at least 4 months in advance of your planned arrival date due to Study Permit processing times and in consideration that your research project may require ethics approval.
    • Upon acceptance, you will receive a Letter of Acceptance from VIU for immigration purposes. Immigration guidance is provided once the student has applied to VIU as a VSR.
  4. Once you have received your Letter of Acceptance to VIU as a VSR, contact the SRCA for more information about your particular research project, any ethics approvals and arrival timeline.
  5. You will be enrolled in either VUSR 400 (1 credit) or VRSR 500 (1 credit).
  6. All VSR’s are required to be enrolled in Guard.Me insurance for international students. Guard.Me is a mandatory insurance plan for international VSR’s that covers standard medical visits and part of other medical and hospital expenses during your stay in Canada.
  7. As a VSR, you will be eligible to apply to VIU Student Residences and access supports and services available to international students. Please visit our International Student Services for more information.

  1. Contact a VIU faculty member to discuss your research interests.
  2. Complete the VRS Approval Form and VRS Letter of Agreement and work with your home and host supervisor collect all required signatures. The VIU host supervisor can send partially signed forms to srca@viu.ca to collect the AVP Research and Graduate Studies signature.
  3. Apply for Admission to VIU as a Domestic (Canadian) VSR
    • download and complete an application form.
      • Under Program Name: enter VGRS (Visiting Grad Research Student) or VURS (Visiting Undergrad Research Student)
      • If you need help or have questions, email Connect@viu.ca.
    • Email the following package to Connect@viu.ca to complete the application:
      • Completed Application for Admission
      • Completed VSR Approval
      • Completed VSR Letter of Agreement
    • Your application will be processed once the complete admission package, and all required documents are received. Please submit a complete admission package at least 4 months in advance of your planned arrival date due processing times and in consideration that your research project may require ethics approval.
    • Upon acceptance, you will receive a Letter of Acceptance from VIU.
  4. As soon as you have received your Letter of Acceptance to VIU as a VSR, contact SRCA to discuss your particular research project, any ethics approvals, scholarship payment plans, and arrival timeline.
  5. You will be enrolled in either VUSR 400 (1 credit) or VRSR 500 (1 credit).
  6. All VSR’s are required to have their own health and medical insurance. Guard.Me is a mandatory insurance plan for international VSRs and out-of-province VSR’s that do not have BC Health-Care (MSP) coverage. Guard. Me covers standard medical visits and part of other medical and hospital expenses during your stay in BC, Canada.
  7. As a VSR, you will be eligible to apply to access certain supports and services available to VIU students. Please visit our Student Services for more information.