VIU’s Dental Hygiene Diploma is a full-time program at its Nanaimo campus. Students combine classroom learning with clinical practice and community oral-health activities. The curriculum emphasizes prevention, health promotion, professional practice and evidence-based care. Graduates receive a diploma and may apply for licensure under the regulator’s criteria.
- Program
- Dental Hygiene Diploma
- Credential
- Diploma in Dental Hygiene
- Location
- Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- March 31, 2027 (Application deadline)
- Length
- Two years full-time
Casper Requirement for Vancouver Island University Dental Hygiene
Vancouver Island University Dental Hygiene requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Casper
- Applicant ID to enter
- VIU student number
- Distribution fee
- $20 per school
- Other Acuity assessments
- Snapshot (not required), Duet (not required)
Upcoming Casper test dates
- October 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM PCT
- November 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM PCT
- November 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM PCT
- November 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM PCT
- December 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM PCT
- January 7, 2027 at 4:00 PM PCT
- January 17, 2027 at 8:00 AM PCT
- February 4, 2027 at 6:00 PM PCT
- March 2, 2027 at 6:00 PM PCT
- March 18, 2027 at 3:00 PM PCT
- April 8, 2027 at 5:00 PM PCT
Test dates can change: confirm availability in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Apply to VIU before taking Casper. VIU lists a $50 test fee; results go directly to VIU in two to three weeks and are valid for one admission cycle. VIU identifies April 8, 2027 as its final test date.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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Vancouver Island University Dental Hygiene Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- VIU application, preferably submitted through EducationPlannerBC
- Applications open
- October 1, 2026
- Application fee
- $46.98 domestic; $156.06 international
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | March 31, 2027upcoming |
| Transcripts and supporting documents deadline | March 31, 2027upcoming |
| Prerequisite-course completion deadline | May 1, 2027upcoming |
One intake each fall. Arrange official transcripts from post-secondary institutions attended; applicants taking spring prerequisites elsewhere must provide evidence of enrollment and a final transcript after completion. VIU says applicants with complete documents are notified of their status by late May. A VIU application form is also available.
Eligibility Requirements for Vancouver Island University Dental Hygiene
- Degree / credits
One year of university prerequisite courses is required before entering the diploma; a prior degree is not specified.
- Residency
No BC residency restriction is stated.
- Citizenship
VIU publishes domestic and international application routes.
- Language proficiency
English is the language of instruction. International applicants must meet VIU’s English-language requirements; accepted evidence includes IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, CAEL 60, and other VIU-listed qualifications.
Admission pathways
- Indigenous reserved seats: Indigenous students may apply by submitting VIU’s Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form
Other requirements
- Immunization form: After acceptance, submit the completed form signed by a public health nurse by early August
- WHMIS: Provide evidence of a nationally recognized course by early August
- CPR-BLS: Provide current certification with hands-on training by early August
- Criminal record check: VIU requests the required check before clinical placement; an RCMP check alone is insufficient
Selection Factors Vancouver Island University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English | 6 credits Degree English Requirement |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 8 credits or approved equivalent Theory and lab required |
| Chemistry | 8 credits or approved equivalent Theory and lab required |
| Psychology | 6 credits |
| Statistics | 3 credits MATH 211 or 161 |
| Elective | 3 credits Any eligible 100- or 200-level course |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Overall GPA is considered with Casper.
Admissions tests
- English-language proficiency (required for some applicants): International applicants who must provide proof may use a VIU-accepted qualification; VIU lists IELTS Academic, TOEFL, CAEL, Cambridge, PTE, Duolingo and specified educational pathways. Test results must be no older than two years
How applicants are ranked
Admission is competitive and determined by a combination of GPA and Casper score.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Vancouver Island University Dental Hygiene
- Program length
- Two years full-time
- Structure
Four fall-and-spring semesters of academic study and clinical practice
- Campuses
- Nanaimo
Coursework includes preclinic, radiography, pharmacology, pathology, research, health promotion and progressively advanced clinics.
Campus and facilities
Nanaimo campus, with practical learning on campus, in public dental clinics and in the community.
Tuition and Funding at Vancouver Island University
- Domestic Year 1 estimated total: $20,036.72
- Domestic Year 2 estimated total: $17,023.75
- International Year 1 estimated total: $42,347.45
- International Year 2 estimated total: $37,876.38
VIU’s tables include tuition, material and student fees, plus estimated books, instruments and uniforms; fees may change.
Vancouver Island University's Mission and Values
Provide a foundation for dental hygiene theory and practice while fostering ethical thinking, professionalism, evidence-based practice, oral-health promotion, disease prevention and an inclusive learning environment.
How to Prepare Your Vancouver Island University Dental Hygiene Application
- Confirm all six prerequisite subject areas and obtain advice on transfer equivalencies
- Check that anatomy and chemistry courses include theory and labs
- Apply through VIU and arrange official transcripts early
- Book Casper after applying and use your VIU student number
- Allow time for the post-acceptance immunization, WHMIS, CPR-BLS and criminal-record-check requirements
Frequently Asked Questions About Vancouver Island University Dental Hygiene
When can I apply?
October 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027
When do classes begin?
September 7, 2027 at Nanaimo
Is Casper required?
Yes; Snapshot and Duet are not required
When must prerequisites be finished?
May 1, 2027 according to the intake-specific admissions page
How are applicants selected?
VIU considers both overall GPA and Casper score
Are laboratory courses necessary?
Yes; anatomy and physiology and chemistry require theory and lab components
Can international students apply?
VIU publishes an international application route and English-language requirements
What follows an offer?
Submit the specified immunization, WHMIS, CPR-BLS and criminal-record-check requirements by early August
Sources
Last updated: September 26, 2026