More universities to drop academic transcript review by 2026

As the 2026 admissions season approaches, many universities have announced adjustments to their admissions methods, with a significant number no longer using academic transcripts for admissions.

Admission based on academic transcripts is becoming less attractive.

The School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts (VNU-SIS), Vietnam National University, Hanoi, announces its admissions process for 2026.

The School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts (VNU-SIS), Vietnam National University , Hanoi , has announced its admission methods for regular undergraduate programs in 2026. Notably, the school will not use high school transcripts as an admission method for any of its training programs.

Candidates and parents seek information about university admissions.

During the previous admissions season, the school considered academic transcripts for 5 out of 8 majors using two methods: combining academic transcripts with international language certificates or considering academic transcripts with aptitude test results.

The university notes that the official 2026 university admissions plan will be published on the university website. Candidates should monitor the website to stay updated on major codes, quotas, admission combinations, and important deadlines.

Previously, Hanoi Pedagogical University 2 also announced its admission methods for regular undergraduate programs in 2026. In particular, for the academic transcript-based admission method, instead of considering all majors as in previous years, the university limited it to the following majors: Early Childhood Education, Physical Education, Civic Education, Computer Science Education, Information Technology, Materials Science, Sports Management, Vietnamese Studies, Education (tentative), and Political Economy (tentative).

Compared to last year, in 2026, 17 majors are expected to no longer use high school transcript-based admissions.

According to information from Hanoi University of Science and Technology, in 2026 the university will maintain three admission methods: talent-based admission, admission based on aptitude test scores, and admission based on high school graduation exam scores.

In particular, for the admission method based on a combination of academic records and interviews, the scoring formula has changed compared to last year, with academic transcript scores being replaced by scores from a thinking skills assessment test. Since implementing this admission method, this is the first time Hanoi University of Science and Technology has rejected academic transcript results for candidates from specialized high schools.

Similarly, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Nha Trang University do not use high school academic records (transcripts) for admissions.

Adjusting to align with the new admissions guidelines.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), in 2025, among the 17 admission methods, the percentage of schools using the academic transcript review method will be 42.4%, the number using high school graduation exam scores will account for 39.1%, and the remaining 18.5% will be other methods.

Admission based on academic transcripts is a common method used by universities, with a high enrollment rate of approximately 30-50%. In this method, universities typically consider grades from 3-5 semesters, from grades 10 to 12. However, in recent years, this admission method has become quite controversial.

The 2025 admissions season saw many universities reduce their enrollment quotas or discontinue admissions based on academic transcripts.

From 2024, the National Economics University has discontinued the admission method based on academic transcripts. The reason given by the university is that over the years, it has been observed that most high-achieving students from specialized schools – the group eligible for admission based on academic transcripts – also qualify for admission based on international certificates or individual exam scores. Therefore, eliminating the academic transcript review will reduce the rate of "ghost" applications (applications from students who are not admitted based on academic transcripts) because a single applicant can use multiple admission methods.

Regarding the reason for discontinuing the academic transcript-based admission process, a representative from Hanoi Pedagogical University 2 stated that the method is no longer suitable for the new admission guidelines. The university will only retain this method for certain specialized majors, ensuring opportunities for disadvantaged candidates and those from difficult circumstances who cannot apply through other means besides academic transcripts.

At the 2025 higher education conference organized by the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry sought opinions from higher education institutions on whether to retain or abolish the method of admission based on academic transcripts from 2026 onwards.

Experts believe that admission based on academic transcripts is also an important channel, reflecting the academic results of the entire high school period for candidates. Therefore, careful consideration is needed, and this method should not be hastily abandoned.

Nguyen Hoai

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/them-nhieu-truong-dai-hoc-bo-xet-hoc-ba-2026.html