'University education certificate' is introduced into law for the first time, what's special?

'University education certificate' is a new concept introduced for the first time in the draft revised Law on Higher Education.

According to a representative of the Ministry of Education and Training, the revised Law on Higher Education is expected to be passed and take effect from the beginning of 2026.

Photo: Ha Anh

Flexible training organization, meeting diverse needs and lifelong learning

Article 26 of the draft Law on University Education (amended on October 8, 2025) of the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates the organization of training and the granting of degrees and certificates.

Accordingly, training is organized flexibly, meeting the diverse learning needs and lifelong learning of learners. Training forms include: Formal training conducted full-time at licensed locations; Regular training conducted flexibly, suitable to the conditions of learners. Training organization methods include: direct; remote; combination of direct and remote.

Digital higher education is a training organization model based on digital platforms and updated with new technologies, implemented through training forms and methods specified in this article; ensuring connection and sharing of data and open educational resources between training institutions, direct management agencies of higher education institutions and relevant parties, without being limited by space and time.

The Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Higher Education (2018) stipulates that higher education degrees include: Higher education degrees in the national education system include bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctoral degrees and equivalent degrees. Learners who complete the training program, meet the output standards of the training level as prescribed, and fulfill the obligations and responsibilities of the learner will be awarded a degree at the corresponding training level by the principal of the higher education institution.

Who is the university education certificate issued to?

Notably, the draft has new regulations on the granting of diplomas and certificates compared to current regulations. Accordingly, university diplomas are granted to learners upon completion of training programs at the corresponding level. University certificates are granted to learners upon completion of a course or part of a training program. University diplomas and certificates have legal value confirming the level and capacity of learners.

The principal of a higher education institution and the head of another educational institution with higher education activities shall issue higher education degrees and certificates. The accumulated learning results of learners shall be recognized and transferred between levels, forms and methods of training.

The Minister of Education and Training promulgates training regulations; stipulates conditions for implementing training forms and methods and digital higher education models and open educational resources; stipulates recognition, recognition period, and conversion of accumulated learning outcomes of learners.

Thus, the university education certificate granted to learners after completing a course or part of a training program is a new point included for the first time in the draft law.

The representative of the Director of the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education and Training) shared this new point in the discussion on comments to complete the draft law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law and the Law on Higher Education (amended) organized by the Ministry of Education and Training on the afternoon of October 10. Accordingly, the university education certificate is granted by the principal of the training institution to students when they have accumulated a subject or part of the curriculum. Having obtained this certificate, students can stop studying or continue studying another program and have their credits recognized by universities while studying.

Diploma programs

Clause 2, Article 8 of the draft Law on Higher Education also clearly states the degree-granting training programs, including:

• University training programs leading to bachelor's degrees and equivalent;
• Master's degree training program awards a master's degree or integrates university and master's degrees corresponding to the completed level;
• Doctoral training programs award doctoral degrees or integrated master's and doctoral degrees award degrees corresponding to the completed level;
• Specialized training programs in certain specific fields and sectors award corresponding degrees according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

According to the draft Law on Higher Education (amended), the training program for granting university education certificates is designed independently or as a component of the training program for granting diplomas, with recognized value in the higher education system.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chung-chi-giao-duc-dai-hoc-lan-dau-duoc-dua-vao-luat-co-gi-dac-biet-185251013201012196.htm