
Make sense of the past and the present.
These days, we have to sift through a lot of information—from news outlets and other media—to separate truth from opinion. As informed citizens, we want to determine what information is relevant and accurate. Our courses will help you to see the big issues of yesterday and today—including historical, political, cultural and demographic—from varying perspectives.
Seek the knowledge you need to understand the world we live in with our courses in History, Political Science and Contemporary Issues.
Deepen your understanding of Canada
In the Canadian Studies Diploma program, you'll satisfy your academic, professional and/or personal interest in subjects relating to Canada by learning about the country through different lenses, including: multiculturalism, arts, history, policies and politics, society.
- 150th Anniversary of Ross Bay Cemetery
- A History of Ross Bay Cemetery
- A History of the James Bay Neighbourhood
- A New Look at James Bay History
- An Introduction to Neuroscience
- Artificial Intelligence and You
- Artificial Intelligence in Border Management
- Being Religious in the 21st Century: An Intro to the Sociology of Religion
- Borders and Law in the 21st Century
- China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Multiple Perspectives
- Chinese New Year Customs
- Chinese Victoria: History of Victoria's Chinatown
- Christmas in Old Victoria
- Conspiracies and Radicalization in the "Post-Truth" Era
- Conspiracies, Extremism and Radicalization in the 21st Century
- Conspiratorial Thinking in the Age of COVID
- Development of Centennial Square
- Eco-Philosophy and Deep Ecology at the End of the World
- Emily Carr's James Bay
- Empire and Desire: The Ottoman Palace in Western Imagination
- Fairfield History
- Ghosts and Legends of Victoria
- Haunted Victoria
- How to Give a Great Presentation
- Industrial Victoria
- Introduction to the Human Dimensions of Climate Change
- Managing Borders and Bodies in the 21st Century
- Mental Health and Substance Use & Supporting Others, Caring for Yourself
- Networks and Borderlands: Bordering Processes in the 21st Century
- Networks of Rage: Far-Right Extremism Online
- Not Just a Little Bit of Olde England
- Politics, Policies and Planning for Climate Action
- Responsibilities and Reciprocity in the Place You are Now
- Rockland History and Architecture
- Skepticism and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
- Social Networks: How Conspiracy Theories Move in Digital Spaces
- Stories in Stone: Rock Art Around the World
- The Changing Face of Victoria's Chinatown in the 21st Century
- The Life and Times of Bob Dylan
- The Prime Minister’s Office in Canada: From Sanctuary to Command
- The Social Construction of Borders
- The Storm Rises: Qanon as Conspiracy and Quasi-religious Movement
- Trade and Customs Borders in the 21st Century
- Transformation in Complex Systems
- Troy Revisited
- Ukraine and the Middle East: Impact and Responses
- UVic’s Transformative Climate Action Program: What can it do for you?
- Victoria 100 Years Ago: A Look at 1923
- Victoria in the 1960s
- Victorian Cities of the Dead
- Victoria's Industrial History
- Writing Historical Fiction

Deans’ Lecture Series
Research is continually reshaping the way we live and think. Meet distinguished members of the faculties at the University of Victoria and learn about their research interests in these FREE online lectures.
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In Pursuit of Knowledge - Winter
This series of daytime lectures will acquaint you with UVic faculty and their many areas of interest.
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Peninsula Pursuits
Peninsula Pursuits courses generally take place at the Mary Winspear Centre and focus on the interests of the people who live and work in the community.
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UVic on the Peninsula
Each term we offer a selection of lectures and short courses in Sidney, most of which take place at the Mary Winspear Centre.
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Canadian Studies
This interdisciplinary program, leading to a Diploma in Canadian Studies, is designed to offer students a way to critically examine Canada through a variety of disciplinary lenses.
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Climate Action Planning
The Climate Action Planning micro-credential (CAP) is a great opportunity to learn the foundations of planning for climate action. You will develop the skills needed for you as a professional to put into action at all government levels.
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Fundamentals for the Homelessness Serving Sector
If you provide support to people who are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of homelessness, the new Fundamentals for the Homelessness Serving Sector micro-credential program is for you. You will enhance your knowledge and gain the skills and competencies necessary for paid or volunteer roles in the sector.
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Intercultural Studies and Practice
The Diploma in Intercultural Studies and Practice (ISP) prepares students to play a productive and socially responsible role in an increasingly multicultural and diverse world. The program aims to develop social responsibility and a clearer understanding and awareness of the complex issues at play in a multicultural society.
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Modern Border Management: Trade and Customs
This micro-credential program will explore how the regulatory environment of trading networks redesigns borders functionally and changes customs policies and practices.
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Modern Border Management: (Im)migration and Mobility
This micro-credential program will examine local and regional changes affecting the politics and policies of cross border regions and transboundary people.
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Social Justice Studies
The aim of the Social Justice Studies (SJS) diploma program is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the range of ways in which scholars, researchers and students address and engage with issues surrounding social inequities and injustices in the contemporary world.
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Transformative Climate Action
The need for transformative climate action is urgent. An effective and practical response requires significant changes to how we live. The Transformative Climate Action Certificate (TCA) provides the tools needed to make social, cultural and political changes that support diverse, ethical and flourishing communities.
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Edwin Hodge is best known as a continuing sessional instructor in the Department of Sociology with the University of Victoria (UVic), but he also likes to call himself a massive nerd. Indeed, Edwin is an encyclopedia for all things sociology, Star Wars and Star Trek.
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On Monday, Sept. 30, staff at the Division of Continuing Studies took part in the annual Orange Shirt Day along with other UVic faculty, staff and students. The event was created to show respect for residential school survivors and their families, and to commit to the principle that every child matters.
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By Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke, Dean, Continuing Studies When Joanne and Mike Rada retired, they weren't quite ready for a quiet home and settled life.
Read StoryWe are sad to announce the passing of one of our most committed students, Nan Walmsley. Nan passed away peacefully at home, Sept. 13, surrounded by her family. She lived 97 fulfilling years.
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Olav Krigolson is a neuroscientist and UVic professor, and one of our most popular instructors at Continuing Studies. In the four years he's been teaching with us, he's taught 22 courses with over 880 registrations.
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After nearly a decade working for Continuing Studies at UVic, it goes without saying that Preston Randall is an integral part of the team. He knows the division’s systems, people and workflows like the back of his hand.
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What is it that prompts someone to take a Continuing Studies course? Well it’s different for everyone of course, but for retired physician Dr. Heidi Martins it was to expand her perspective on the world.
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For Elizabeth—or Liz, as she’s known around the office—one of the best parts of her job is meeting those members of the community who consider themselves to be lifelong learners. As a program coordinator within the Division of Continuing Studies’ Arts and Science unit, Liz coordinates the humanities courses, as well as the ever-popular Deans’ Lunchtime Lecture Series.
Read StoryAs I prepare for graduation and think about my next challenge in graduate studies, I must acknowledge that I would most likely never have attended university had it not been for the Humanities Diploma program.
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"Nan" Walmsley celebrates her 90th birthday this year but shows no sign of slowing down in her quest to learn new things. Since fall 1998, she has taken around 165 courses through Continuing Studies.
Read StoryTel 250-721-7589
Email hsscoord@uvic.ca Melissa Payne, Program Assistant
Tel 250-721-8481
Email artssci2@uvic.ca