In Vietnam, there is a growing demand among professionals and graduate school applicants for additional English bachelor's degrees. This surge comes amid allegations of lax educational standards at some universities, raising concerns about the appropriateness of graduation requirements as the education authorities move to strengthen English proficiency standards.
According to a report by the Vietnamese media outlet Thanh Nien on November 10, data from the Ministry of Education and Training indicates that the scale of English second degree programs has increased by over 60% from 2023 to last year. This year, enrollment numbers for remote education and programs aimed at working professionals are also expected to rise significantly.
The second degree program in Vietnam allows individuals who have already graduated from university to obtain a bachelor's degree in a different field. Recently, there has been a notable shift towards English majors to meet foreign language requirements for civil service exams and graduate school admissions.
"Degree Takes Precedence Over English Proficiency"—Variations in Educational Standards
Investigations by Thanh Nien revealed significant differences in the teaching methods and exam difficulties of English second degree programs across universities. A program advisor from University A in the central region explained that students must complete 108 credits and attend online classes approximately five evenings a week. They must also meet a minimum attendance rate of 80% and face relatively challenging exams.
In contrast, University B in the southern region offers only three to four in-person classes per semester, with the remainder of the coursework focused on online learning and assignments. The tuition per credit is also lower at about 320,000 dong (approximately $14) compared to University A's 420,000 dong (about $18).
The advisor noted, "If the goal is to gain knowledge and study diligently, University A is preferable, but if the aim is simply to obtain an English degree for graduate school, University B is easier." Despite the differences in educational approaches and assessment standards, the degrees hold the same validity.
In Vietnam, the English bachelor's degree is increasingly seen as a means to demonstrate foreign language proficiency, contributing to the rising demand. Some universities are promoting the fact that unlike foreign language certificates, bachelor's degrees do not have an expiration date.
Concerns Over Quality of Remote Education and Exam Preparation
As the demand for degree acquisition grows, questions have arisen regarding the operational methods of some programs. An employee in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. H, shared that while researching English second degrees for graduate school, he learned that some students pool resources to outsource their study and exam preparation.
He expressed concern, stating, "I hope to not only obtain a degree but also to be able to use English effectively after graduation," leading him to forgo registration in favor of taking the VSTEP foreign language proficiency exam.
Conversely, Ms. A, who is pursuing a master's degree in tourism in Ho Chi Minh City, explained that she chose a program focused on real-time classes due to the limitations of online education and lack of direct interaction with professors. Currently, Vietnam's second degree programs are offered through a mix of in-person classes, courses for working professionals, and remote education, with completion times generally ranging from 1.5 to 3 years depending on the university and mode of study.
Meanwhile, a proposal to require a CEFR C1 level of English proficiency for obtaining an English bachelor's degree has emerged as another contentious issue. C1 represents an advanced level of proficiency suitable for academic and professional environments. While the intention is to enhance the skills of English major graduates, there is ongoing debate about the appropriateness of requiring an additional certification from students who have completed all their credits.
Local media have raised concerns that students who complete their programs and pass all subjects may still be denied degrees due to the lack of an external certification. There are fears that if standards not disclosed at the time of admission are applied to current students, it could infringe on their rights.
According to current regulations in Vietnam, students must complete the required credits and meet essential criteria to be eligible for graduation review. Therefore, there are calls for clarification on whether the C1 certification will be included as part of the existing graduation requirements or treated as an additional condition for degree conferral.
Local readers have expressed concerns that this could increase the burden on students. One reader remarked, "It is cumbersome to require students who have already diligently completed their coursework to take additional certification exams," suggesting that addressing the root causes of the issue would be a more appropriate approach. Another student currently enrolled in the English second degree program expressed agreement with the analysis of the concerns and questions surrounding graduation standards.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.