NEARLY HALF OF THE ADMITTED STUDENTS HAVE AN IELTS SCORE OF 6.0 OR HIGHER.
In 2024, the number of candidates with foreign language certificates admitted to many universities increased significantly. For example, the University of Economics and Law (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) recorded nearly 30% of its 2024 freshmen meeting the foreign language proficiency requirement. Specifically, the university received over 2,400 applications through the admission method based on international certificates combined with high school academic results or international certificates. Notably, applications with IELTS 7.0 or higher accounted for over 36% of the total number of applications submitted through this method. This method accepts international English certificates equivalent to IELTS 5.0 or higher and has been implemented for six years.
The number of candidates with foreign language certificates who are exempt from this subject in the 2024 high school graduation exam has increased significantly.
In particular, some universities have a foreign language proficiency rate of nearly 50% of their admitted students. Associate Professor Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, stated that in 2024, nearly half of the admitted students will have achieved an English proficiency level equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 73 points or higher. With an English proficiency requirement of IELTS 6.0 - 6.5 points, nearly 50% of newly admitted students have already met the requirement. Since 2021, the university's statistics have also shown that nearly 50% of admitted students have met international English standards with IELTS certificates of 6.0 or higher or equivalent.
INCREASING OVER THE YEARS
This situation also occurred at the University of Information Technology (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City). According to Dr. Nguyen Tan Tran Minh Khang, Vice Rector of the university, statistics on the foreign language proficiency of newly admitted students in 2024 show that approximately 30% met the university's foreign language graduation requirements, an increase of 5% compared to 2023 and a 16.5% increase compared to 2022.
A survey conducted by the University of Science (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) also shows a significant increase in the number of students meeting foreign language proficiency standards each year, especially in programs such as advanced programs and English-enhanced programs. For example, according to statistics from the advanced computer science program and the English-enhanced program of the Faculty of Information Technology, over 38% of new students submitted IELTS certificates to be recognized as meeting the foreign language proficiency requirement. This rate increased by over 6% compared to the 2023 enrollment cohort. Of these, approximately 50% of new students achieved an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher, with the highest score reaching 8.5.
The International University (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) stipulates an English proficiency requirement of IELTS 5.0 for admission and a graduation requirement of 6.0-6.5 depending on the major. According to the university, this year approximately 30-40% of newly admitted students have already met the English proficiency requirement. In contrast, this rate was around 25-30% in previous years.
Similarly, the Vietnamese-German University requires students to achieve an IELTS score of 5.0 or equivalent before starting their undergraduate studies. When transferring to a specialized major, students need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 and, before registering for their thesis, must have a German proficiency level of A2-B1 depending on the major. Statistics from this university over the past four years show that the number of admitted students with an IELTS score of 5.0 or higher has steadily increased each year. Specifically, 61.5% (2021); 70.7% (2022); 77.3% (2023); and 82.6% (2024). Among these, the number of newly admitted students with an English proficiency level of 6.0 meeting the graduation requirement has also significantly increased from 54% (2021) to 69.9% this year.
An SAT exam preparation class in Ho Chi Minh City. More and more students are obtaining international language certificates.
MANY FACTORS INFLUENCE IT
Representatives from universities offered different explanations for the aforementioned dramatic changes.
Dr. Nguyen Tan Tran Minh Khang believes that many factors influence the development of students' foreign language proficiency over the years. One important reason could be the impact of the high school graduation exam regulations, which allow students to use foreign language certificates to be exempt from the foreign language exam in the high school graduation recognition process. At the same time, many universities use international foreign language certificates in their entrance examinations. "Therefore, many students have invested in learning foreign languages and taking certification exams from the high school level. This can be considered a positive sign from the Ministry of Education and Training's reasonable policy contributing to the development of students' foreign language abilities," Dr. Minh Khang observed.
Sharing the same view, Master Hoang Thanh Tu, Deputy Head of the Information and Communication Department at the University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, explained: "Partly due to the demand for learning, the number of students enrolling in training programs taught in foreign languages is increasing. On the other hand, many universities have admission methods related to evaluating foreign language results, so the number of new students with foreign language certificates meeting the graduation requirements upon enrollment is high."
Associate Professor Nguyen Van Thuy, Head of Admissions and Communications at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking, stated that one of the university's five admission methods considers foreign language certificates. "Admission results over the years show a significant change in the foreign language proficiency of admitted students. While in 2022, only over 15% of students had foreign language certificates, this rate increased to over 23% in 2024. Among the foreign language certificates, IELTS certificates account for up to 70%," Associate Professor Thuy informed.
Meanwhile, Master Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy Head of the Training, Scientific Management and International Cooperation Department at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, stated: "It can be said that this is the result of about 15 years of parents investing time and money in their children's foreign language learning. It is also the result of the government's policy of strengthening foreign language training and implementing foreign language training projects in schools from preschool to university level." According to Mr. Tung, in the trend of global integration and transnational work, learning foreign languages (including English) is crucial for livelihood and job competition now and in the future. Therefore, students are increasingly proficient in English, and many achieve foreign language proficiency even while still in high school.
Nearly 67,000 candidates will be exempted from the foreign language exam in the 2024 high school graduation exam.
The Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences, under the National Foreign Language Project Management Board, has just released a report on foreign language teaching and learning in Vietnam up to 2023. The average score of Vietnamese people on the IELTS Academic test in 2022 was 6.2. Among the 40 countries and territories that organized the IELTS test in 2022, Vietnamese candidates ranked 23rd, along with South Korea and India.
Over the past five years, the average age of IELTS test-takers in Vietnam has been getting younger, with a 2022 study showing that 62% of IELTS test-takers were between 16 and 22 years old.
According to the Quality Management Department (Ministry of Education and Training), the number of students exempted from the foreign language exam has increased annually, from 28,620 candidates in 2021, to 35,391 candidates in 2022, to 46,667 candidates in 2023, and nearly 67,000 candidates in 2024.
Take advantage of your foreign language certificate when applying for jobs.
The 2025 university entrance exam will see changes to the high school graduation exam under the new general education program. However, the trend of using foreign language certificates in university entrance exams is expected to continue in the future. Candidates should proactively take advantage of foreign language certificates when applying to their preferred majors and universities.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Thuy
(Head of Admissions and Communications Department, University of Banking Ho Chi Minh City)
Increase opportunities for students.
Students have many advantages when they possess a foreign language certificate early on, right after being admitted to university. This not only helps students easily access foreign reference materials and attend English-taught classes effectively, but also increases their opportunities to participate in international exchange programs…
Ms. Hoang Thanh Tu , M.Sc. (Deputy Head of Information Department)
(Media Department, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City)
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vua-do-dh-da-dat-chuan-dau-ra-tieng-anh-185240927191122759.htm
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