ElderCollege

seniors happily engaged in activities.Exercise your mind

ElderCollege classes are open to everyone!

At ElderCollege adults of all ages can take classes for self-development and fun. Join life-long learners for interesting and stimulating courses.

If you are under 50, you can still enrol in the class of your interest, but you cannot become a member to get the reduced rate for the course.

Why is ElderCollege different?

  • a participatory learning experience
  • no quizzes or grade
  • lively, fun and full of discussion

Courses

ElderCollege at the tiwšɛmawtxʷ Campus offers courses in-person. 

View the full list of courses

Other ways you can participate

Become a Member for Free

Becoming a VIU ElderCollege member is now free! If you are 50 years of age or over and have an interest in learning, become an annual member to take advantage of our many learning opportunities and the reduced rates for our courses. Younger spouses and partners of ElderCollege members are eligible to become members and attend classes at reduced rates. 

ElderCollege operates over two semesters. Your membership runs from August 1 to June 30 of the following year. When you register for a VIU ElderCollege course you will receive your member card the first day of your class and you can start taking advantage of the benefits.

Benefits of Membership

Fees

Your membership allows you to enrol in ElderCollege courses delivered at the tiwšɛmawtxʷ Campus. Please note:

  • course tuition varies
  • lab fees may apply
  • those under 50 can register to attend any class for an additional fee of $20 + GST 

Although instructors are volunteers, your tuition covers a variety of services:

  • registration and administration
  • photocopies and supplies
  • promotional expenses
  • facility usage

Register

Registration for the Fall session starts in early August, and for the Spring/Summer session in mid-December. To get the reduced rates, you must be 50 years old or over before registering for ElderCollege courses. When you register for a VIU ElderCollege course you'll receive your member card the first day of your class.

Registration is available online, in-person or by telephone.

Web Registration

Online registration is now available for all VIU ElderCollege courses. Through the web registration system you can select courses, add them to your shopping cart and at check-out safely pay with a credit card.

Register for Courses

Telephone registration

When registering via telephone, please ensure you complete the required VIU ElderCollege Application Form prior to registration if you haven't already completed one. Once the completed Application Form has been submitted to VIU, you can call to register for your selected course(s).

To register via telephone, please phone 604.485.2878. After registering by telephone, you will need to make payment by logging in to your VIU Online Student Record or through your financial institution, or in person (cheque only). For the payee use "Vancouver Island University" and for the account number use your Student Number.

Complete the VIU ElderCollege Application Form. A hard copy is also available; you can pick it up or we can email it to you.

In-Person Registration

When registering in-person, please ensure you complete the VIU ElderCollege Application Form prior to registration if you haven't completed one already. Hard copy is also available.

In-person registration payment method is limited to cheques. Cash, credit card and debit are not accepted. However, after registering in-person, you can make a payment by logging in to your VIU Online Student Record or through your financial institution. For the payee use "Vancouver Island University" and for the account number use your Student Number.

Refunds

You can withdraw and receive a refund if you make the request at least seven days prior to the start date of an ElderCollege course.  Extenuating circumstances may be considered if the request withdrawal is made later.

Teach a Course

Interested in sharing what you love? Why not teach an ElderCollege course? You can volunteer your time as an instructor. Join others with similar interests and share your knowledge and enthusiasm. Make friends and learn from each other.

VIU ElderCollege instructors do not need previous teaching experience, they just need to love their topic and be able to communicate it well to their students!

Benefits include:

  • interested and interesting students
  • an enthusiastic and participatory environment
  • few hours of teaching, rather than a full semester
  • no exams or assignments to grade
  • complimentary VIU ElderCollege membership
  • small monetary stipend

Complete the Become an Instructor form. Your information will be emailed to the ElderCollege Coordinator, who will contact you to set up your course.

Add your Name to our Email List

Can't find what you're looking for? Add your name to our Email List.

For more information about ElderCollege, please contact Xochitl Hernandez at Xochitl.Hernandez@viu.ca or 604.485.2878 Ext. 8053.

Other VIU Learning Options

VIU's Community Classroom

The Communications and Public Engagement Office launched a website titled Community Classroom. It contains some fun educational videos and cool activities created by VIU Faculty, Staff and Students. Check it out and let us know what you think. Go to the Community Classroom.

Love of Learning

Do you want to take a university course, but don't need the grade or the credit? The Love of Learning program allows you to audit university courses which have unfilled seats.

  • no assignments or exams
  • affordable reduced tuition ($99 per 3-credit course plus application, students’ union, student activity and service fees)

Students who are 65 years or older will have their tuition waived except for the students’ union fee