University Admissions 2026: Schools announce early, candidates take initiative

GD&TĐ - Since the beginning of October 2025, many universities have proactively announced their expected enrollment plans for 2026, showing a trend of flexibility and readiness to adapt to changes in the higher education system.

Stabilize admission methods

In 2026, the expected enrollment plan of the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University) is basically unchanged compared to the previous year. Accordingly, most of the quotas will still be for the comprehensive admission method, based on academic results (including transcripts, high school graduation exams and competency assessment tests), along with academic achievements and cultural, sports and artistic activities of candidates.

In 2025, the school will apply two main methods: Comprehensive admission, accounting for 95% to 99% of the total enrollment target, and direct admission or priority admission according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training , accounting for about 1-5%.

The University of Finance and Marketing (HCMC) also plans to maintain stable admission methods, including considering high school graduation exam scores, academic records, Ho Chi Minh City National University's aptitude test scores and V-SAT university entrance exam scores, in addition to direct admission according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Similarly, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry said that the 2026 enrollment plan will basically remain stable as in 2025, with the following methods: Direct admission according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training; considering the results of the Ho Chi Minh City National University's capacity assessment exam; considering the results of the high school graduation exam; and considering admission combined with high school study results and outstanding achievements (if any).

Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City uses many methods: Comprehensive admission based on academic results and high school achievements; V-SAT exam results; high school graduation exam scores; and direct admission, priority admission and interviews for bachelor's programs with degrees granted by international partners.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade maintains 5 methods as last year: Considering high school graduation exam results; Considering high school academic results (transcripts); Considering the results of the Ho Chi Minh City National University's competency assessment exam; Direct admission according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training; Considering the results of the specialized competency assessment exam of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, combining high school academic results according to the corresponding subject group.

Many experts say that early announcement of admission plans helps schools be more proactive in their training plans, quickly approach talented students and build effective communication strategies. For candidates, this is an opportunity to prepare their documents early, learn about the score threshold and admission conditions, and avoid being passive when the official regulations are issued.

Students of Gia Dinh University participate in interviews with businesses. Photo: GDU

Stabilize the capacity assessment test

In 2025, more than 152,000 candidates participated in the Ho Chi Minh City National University's competency assessment exam in two rounds, with a total of more than 223,000 test takers. This is an important admission method used by about 100 training institutions in recent years. According to the Center for Testing and Training Quality Assessment (Ho Chi Minh City National University), in addition to adjusting the time of organization, the 2026 competency assessment exam basically retains the same structure and format as in 2025.

Accordingly, the test continues to closely follow the 2018 General Education Program, maintaining the language and math sections, while increasing the number of questions to improve reliability and classification ability.

The logic section - data analysis and problem solving is restructured into scientific thinking, aiming to assess the ability to reason, logic and apply knowledge to real-life situations in the fields of science, technology, economics and society. Questions are designed based on data, experiments or experimental results, requiring candidates to analyze, predict and draw rules, thereby demonstrating scientific thinking ability.

According to data announced by the Ministry of Education and Training at the Conference summarizing the organization of the High School Graduation Exam (late September 2025), 2025 is considered a milestone for strong diversity in university admission methods.

In addition to considering admission based on high school graduation exam scores, many schools have combined other forms such as considering academic records, competency assessment scores, international certificates or combining criteria. According to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training, considering academic records accounts for 42.4% of the total number of admitted candidates, high school graduation exam scores account for 39.1%, and other methods account for 18.5%.

Ms. Tran Thi Le Quyen - Deputy Director of the Center for Distance Education, Ho Chi Minh City Open University, said that the method of considering high school transcripts should continue to be maintained in the 2026 admission season to expand opportunities for candidates. However, Ms. Quyen noted that it is necessary to standardize the way of evaluating transcripts, avoid "inflation of scores", and at the same time limit the quota and combine interviews or capacity tests to ensure fairness and input quality.

Photo illustration INT.

Supplementing policies to attract candidates

According to MSc. Pham Thai Son - Director of the Admissions and Communications Center, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, a notable new point in the 2026 admission season of the school is the special support policy for candidates who are directly admitted. Accordingly, candidates in this category will be exempted from 100% of tuition fees for the entire course, and supported with a living allowance of 3 million VND/month during the entire study period.

“The new policy aims to encourage excellent students with outstanding achievements to choose to study domestically instead of studying abroad, while helping schools attract talent and improve input quality,” said MSc. Son, emphasizing that maintaining multiple admission methods helps reduce exam pressure and expand university admission opportunities through various capacity assessment channels.

According to MSc. Son, in 2026 the school will not open any new methods, but will adjust the scholarship criteria and financial support policies, aiming for a friendly, flexible and business-connected learning environment. This is considered a testament to the trend of university autonomy associated with social responsibility, ensuring access to quality education for learners.

From another perspective, Dr. Mai Duc Toan - Director of the Admissions and Communications Center, Gia Dinh University (HCMC) said that the school plans to apply 3 admission methods while waiting for the official regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, including: Considering the results of the 2026 high school graduation exam (from 15 points or more, depending on the major); Considering the results of the high school transcript (from 17 points or more); Considering the results of the Ho Chi Minh City National University's competency assessment exam (from 600 points or more, depending on the major).

Dr. Toan emphasized that the school still prioritizes familiar methods that are easy to access for students, while focusing on training programs that connect with businesses and enhance practical experience for students. “We aim to train real human resources, so that students can work immediately after graduation. When candidates know the enrollment plan early, they will be better prepared - that is also the way the school shows its responsibility to society,” said Dr. Toan.

According to data from the Department of Quality Management (Ministry of Education and Training), the 2025 admission season recorded nearly 850,000 candidates registering for admission with more than 7.6 million wishes to enter more than 300 universities, colleges and pedagogical colleges nationwide. As a result, more than 625,000 candidates confirmed their enrollment.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/tuyen-sinh-dai-hoc-2026-truong-cong-bo-som-thi-sinh-chu-dong-post754336.html