The Ministry of Education and Training in Vietnam has announced significant changes to the university admission process for 2027. The adjustments aim to simplify the current system, which has been criticized for creating disparities among candidates with similar qualifications.

According to Professor Nguyen Tien Thao, the Director of Higher Education, the new draft regulations will allow universities to employ a maximum of five admission methods, excluding direct admission and group admission for specific candidates. However, each program will be limited to three methods, a reduction from the current five. Starting in 2028, universities will be permitted to use only one admission method per program.

For instance, if University A is admitting students for its Information Technology program in 2028, it can only use one method, such as scores from the high school graduation exam, competency assessment tests, or academic records, rather than multiple methods simultaneously as is currently allowed.

Thao noted that between 2022 and 2026, previous adjustments, including the elimination of early admission processes and the standardization of entry thresholds, have yielded positive outcomes. Notably, the gap between the high school graduation exam scores and converted exam scores has decreased from 2.6 to 1.2. However, inconsistencies remain, as statistics indicate that over 2,000 programs (more than 40%) utilizing multiple methods show score discrepancies of three points or more.

In the draft, the Ministry plans to eliminate additional points for international certifications such as IELTS, emphasizing that the goal of these changes is to ensure that each program has the most suitable evaluation method. This approach is intended to promote equal opportunities for all candidates rather than limiting access.

Thao stressed that each admission method must ensure that all eligible candidates can participate, with clear criteria and a standardized scoring system. Schools will be responsible for selecting the most appropriate admission method based on their program requirements.

The Ministry will be collecting feedback on the draft until September 23. The overarching principle of this draft is that the admission process must align with quality standards, verifiable data, and accountability.

Students preparing for the high school graduation exam in 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City are encouraged to stay informed about these changes and how they may impact their admission prospects.