INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

University

College

Junior College

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Bàng Tót Nghiêp Phó Thông Trung Hoc

Certificate of General Higher Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Doctorate

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 6

Age of exit: 10

Structure of school system:

Primary

Type of school providing this education: Primary School

Length of program in years: 5

Age level from: 6 to: 10

Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate of Primary Education

Lower Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Basic Secondary School

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 11 to: 14

Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate of Lower Secondary

Upper Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Specialized Secondary School

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 15 to: 17

Certificate/diploma awarded: Bàng Tót Nghiêp Phó Thông Trung Hoc (Secondary School Graduation Certificate)

Vocational Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Vocational Technical Secondary School

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 15 to: 17

School education:

Primary education lasts for five years (Grades 1-V) leading to the Certificate of Primary Education. Secondary school education is divided into two cycles: basic secondary (Grades VI-IX) and specialized secondary school (Grades X-XII). Admission to upper secondary school requires the success in a competitive entrance examination. There is also technical and vocational secondary education. Secondary technical schools provide students with an intermediate level of technical skills. Students are enrolled in vocational training schools at two levels: at the lower level, the duration of courses ranges from two years (simple trades) to three years. At the upper secondary level, one- or two-year courses are offered. Upon graduation, students obtain a diploma.At the end of secondary education, pupils sit for the Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc (universal graduation) examination administered by the MOET. They then have to pass an entrance examination called Ky Thi Tuyén Vào Dai Hoc to enter university.

Higher education:

Higher education is provided by universities, two open universities, colleges and junior colleges. There are public, semi-public, people-founded and private institutions. Most institutions come under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and the provinces. Other Ministries, especially of Health, Culture and Art, supervise the monodisciplinary institutions. Lately the universities have been granted greater autonomy. However, all institutions are still under the academic management of MOET (MOET promulgates and manages admissions, the general structure of curricula, the examinations and the granting of degrees).

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Education Law Year: 1998

Concerns: University autonomy

Decree: Government Decree No 90/CP Year: 1993

Academic year:

Classes from: Sep to: Jun

Languages of instruction: Vietnamese

Stages of studies:

Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level:

Higher technical studies are mainly offered in Junior Colleges of Technology. Some schools also train students in technical skills. Courses last between one and three years. Short-term training programmes offered by junior colleges last between three and three-and-a-half years and focus on technological skills and local community needs.

University level studies:

University level first stage: Undergraduate Studies:

Undergraduate courses are divided into two stages: general higher education, lasting three years following upper secondary education and leading to the Certificate of Higher Education (Bang Tot Nghiep Cao Dang) and specialized higher education lasting from four to six years following upper secondary education and leading to the Diploma of Higher Education or Bachelor's Degree (Bang Tot Nghiep Dai Hoc). Graduates are awarded a title which is related to their speciality, e.g. cú nhân (Bachelor), ky su (Engineer) (five years), bác sí (Medical Doctor) (six years), nha sí (Dentist), duoc sí (Pharmacist), or luât su (Lawyer).

University level second stage: Thac si (Master's Degree):

The Thac Sy (Master's Degree) is usually conferred after two years' further study and the defence of a thesis. Students are admitted to the programme after a competitive examination. Some courses leading to the Master's Degree require prior professional experience.

University level third stage: Tiên Sy (Doctorate):

Graduates who have studied for two to three years following the Master's degree or four years following a first degree are awarded the Doctoral degree. The Tiên Sy programme consists of at least two years of research resulting in a dissertation, which is defended before a national committee selected by the MOET. In the second year of the PhD programme, students take an exam called Thi Tôi Thieu or 'minimum knowledge'.  After passing this examination, students may complete and defend their dissertation. Successful candidates obtain the Bang Tiên Sy.

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

Two-year courses are available at Teacher Training Colleges to enable teachers to teach at basic general education schools. All courses include four months of practical training. To be admitted, students must complete upper secondary school and pass the entrance examination. Upon successful completion of the course work and the comprehensive exam, students obtain a diploma (Bang Tôt Nghiëp Trung Hoc Su Pham) issued by the MOET.

Training of secondary school teachers

Lower secondary school teachers are trained in Junior Teacher Training Colleges (Truong Cao Dang Su Pham). Most of these teacher training colleges are called Provincial Junior Teacher Training Colleges. To be admitted to the three-year Junior Teacher Training College, students must complete upper secondary school and pass the entrance examination. Before obtaining their diploma and teacher certification, students must  teach for six weeks and pass a national exam. Upon successful completion of the programme, students obtain a diploma called Bang Tôt Nghiêp Cu Nhân Cao Dang Su Pham. Upper secondary school teachers are trained in Teacher Training Colleges (Truòng Dai Hoc Su Pham), in universities with education faculties, or in colleges or universities in the regular undergraduate programme. For admission, students must complete upper secondary school and pass the entrance examination. Most programmes last for four years, although some foreign language and technical programmes last for five years.

Training of higher education teachers

Teachers for teacher training schools are trained at university.

Non-traditional studies:

Distance higher education

Distance education is offered in two open universities. There are also provincial centres of distance education.

Lifelong higher education

In service part-time and evening classes are offered to upgrade skills. In-service training helps state workers/staff/officials. Courses last for several months, organized either at the school or at the workplace. The curriculum is of a lower level than that of regular training programmes, with less focus on the professional skills.

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Ministry of Education and Training

Head: Nguyen Minh Hien, Minister

49 Dai Co Viet Street
Hai Ba Trung District
Hanoi
Vietnam

Tel: +84(4) 869 2397

Fax: +84(4) 869 4085

WWW: http://www.edu.net.vn

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to non university higher education studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Bàng Tót Nghiêp Phó Thông Trung Hoc

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Bàng Tót Nghiêp Phó Thông Trung Hoc

Entrance exams required: There is an entrance examination.

Foreign students admission

Language requirements: Foreign students must have a good command of Vietnamese.

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

Cuc Khao thi va Kiem dinh chat luong

Head: An Ninh Nguyen, Director

49 Dai Co Viet Street
Hanoi
Vietnam

Tel: +84 (4) 869 1414

Fax: +84 (4) 869 1414

References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies

Title: Handbook on Diplomas, Degrees and other Certificates in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific

Publisher: UNESCO PROAP

Year of publication: 1998

GRADING SYSTEM

Usual grading system in secondary school

Full Description: 1-10For examinations: 8.0 or above: excellent; 7.0 or above: good; 5.0-6.5: fair/pass; below 5.0: bad

Highest on scale: 10

Pass/fail level: 5

Lowest on scale: 0

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: 1-10: Pass: average score of 5.00 to 6.99; rather good: average score of 7 to 7.99; excellent (or outstanding): average score of 9.00 to 10.00

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2004-2005

Source: International Association of Universities (IAU) updated from IBE website, 2003 and documentation, 2005