Search tips

The search box, located in the top right of every page, uses the Google search engine. Here are some tips to help achieve the best results:

• Do not include "and" between terms.
• Type the most important keyword first.
• Your results include all of your search terms. Try reducing the number of terms to improve results.
• Use quotation marks to conduct a phrase search: "under the sea"
• Google ignores common words ("and", "the")
• To include a common word, type space then "+" then the word.
• To exclude a common word, type space then "-" then the word.
• Search for synonyms by typing "~" immediately before the keyword.
• Use capital "OR" between terms to retrieve pages that include either word.
• Change search display to your native language by using Google preferences.

Advanced searches

You can perform advanced searches from the advanced search page.

The "Find" menu

We have added a comprehensive "Find" menu in the left navigation bar (see image)

• A-Z Index - a complete directory of all departments, faculties and services at the University
• People - search our name database for students, faculty and staff
• Maps and Buildings - flat and 3D maps, as well as a an alphabetical list of all buildings on campus.
• Admin & Services - alphabetical list of executive, governance, administrative and academic services.
• Contacts - most important UVic contacts.
• Quicklinks - links to commonly used Web sites.

The "Find" box

Found on the right hand side of many pages, this search box changes contextually, depending on the most likely search for that particular page (see image) .

Advanced search