Shocked by the response from the Ministry of Education and Training.
Speaking to a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper , Linh Nhi, a former student of the London College of Design and Fashion - Hanoi (LCDF), burst into tears when she learned that her university degree, awarded by Liverpool John Moores University, was not recognized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training.
She said she was devastated because all the effort, money, and time she had invested could go to waste. Her dream of becoming a lecturer, her career opportunities, and her pursuit of higher education were at risk of being shattered.
"I don't know how to start learning again when I'm almost 30 years old," Nhi said, her voice choked with emotion.
Former students risk career disruption when their university degrees from foreign institutions are not recognized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (Photo: Hanh Nguyen).
In 2018, Nhi passed the entrance exam to the University of Industrial Fine Arts with a very high score.
I decided to forgo this admission offer and pursue a Graphic Design program at LCDF, because I have confidence in the long history of training and the reputation of some of the designers who have studied there.
In 2022, after graduating from college, Nhi was introduced by the school to a joint Bachelor's degree program in Graphic Design and Illustration with Liverpool John Moores University. She enrolled and became the first student in this cohort.
During her studies, Nhi paid her tuition in full and attended classes in person at the school instead of online as the school had previously announced.
In July 2023, Nhi graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Liverpool John Moores University.
In September 2024, Nhi continued her master's studies in the UK. In July 2025, Nhi graduated with a master's degree and took on the role of lecturer in the Graphic Design department at the London College of Design and Fashion - Hanoi .
Last October, after some former students went to the Ministry of Education and Training to verify their diplomas in order to work in some public sectors (including teaching positions at the university), Nhi and her friends were shocked to learn from the Ministry that their university diplomas did not meet the requirements for recognition in Vietnam.
Nhi immediately quit her job to pursue the truth about her diploma with her friends.
The Ministry of Education and Training's response regarding the non-recognition of university degrees of former students (Photo: Hanh Nguyen).
Students study and pay tuition fees, but the school is "only an affiliated unit"?
Similarly to Nhi, last October, Lan Anh submitted her diploma verification documents to the Department of Quality Management (Ministry of Education and Training) to work for a public company and prepare for her master's degree.
Lan Anh was stunned when the Quality Management Department stated that her diploma was not recognized in Vietnam.
Specifically, according to response document No. 1806/QLCL-CNVB from the Quality Management Department, dated October 28th, Lan Anh previously held a college diploma in Art and Design awarded by Pearson Education - United Kingdom in 2022.
Subsequently, she received support and referrals from the London-Hanoi College of Design and Fashion to continue her studies in the Design and Communication major at Liverpool John Moores University.
"According to information published on the website of Liverpool John Moores University, the undergraduate program in Fashion Design and Media is offered online."
However, this program has not been licensed by the Ministry of Education and Training for training in Vietnam while students are studying and residing in Vietnam. Therefore, Lan Anh's university degree does not meet the requirements for recognition in Vietnam," quoted from the response of the Department of Quality Management.
The students stated that they enrolled and paid tuition fees through the London-Hanoi College of Design and Fashion (Photo: Provided by the interviewee).
Lan Anh stated that, according to the above response from the Quality Management Department, the university degree she just completed was "supported and introduced" to students by the Academy and was obtained online.
"What many students are wondering is that we actually study directly at the school. We paid tuition through the school, totaling nearly 170 million VND for the entire course and to obtain a university degree. This amount doesn't include the cost of learning materials, assignments, and graduation projects. Yet, according to the authorities, the school is only an affiliated institution?"
"The school's previous promotional website also stated that the university degree was recognized worldwide, so the students had no doubts," Lan Anh said.
Reportedly, after receiving information that their university degrees were not recognized in Vietnam because the university's training program had not been licensed by the Ministry of Education and Training, a number of former students of the London College of Design and Fashion - Hanoi filed complaints with the authorities.
The complaint was also sent to Ms. Ha Thi Hang - General Director and Principal of London College of Design and Fashion - Hanoi.
A reporter from Dan Tri newspaper went to the London College of Design and Fashion - Hanoi to investigate the matter but received the response, "Wait for a scheduling appointment."
Through a message sent by a school representative to a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper on the evening of December 10th, the school confirmed receipt of the exchange.
"The school is actively collecting relevant data, listening to feedback from all parties, and taking full note to ensure that all future responses are accurate, objective, and well-founded."
"After the review process is complete and official information is available, the school will arrange a meeting," quoted a school representative from Dan Tri newspaper as saying to reporters.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/choang-vang-hoc-xong-thac-si-moi-biet-bang-dai-hoc-khong-duoc-cong-nhan-20251211111018146.htm
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