From March 29, 2025, will the computer-based IELTS exam replace the paper-based one in Vietnam?

From March 29, 2025, will the computer-based IELTS exam replace the paper-based one in Vietnam?

The British Council Vietnam and IDP websites have announced that the IELTS exam in Vietnam will transition exclusively to computer-based examinations after March 29, 2025.

The official website of the British Council Vietnam states:

We are pleased to announce that after March 29, 2025, all IELTS exams in Vietnam will be held in a computer-based format, providing a quicker, more efficient, and convenient testing experience.

Thus, from March 29, 2025, all IELTS exams in Vietnam will discontinue the paper-based format, maintaining only the computer-based format.

The IELTS test content remains unchanged. The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections will be conducted on a computer, while the Speaking section will still be conducted directly or online with a professional examiner, similar to the paper-based exam.

Additionally, the cessation of paper-based IELTS exams aims to provide a quicker, more efficient, and convenient testing experience for candidates while maintaining the globally recognized quality and reliability of the IELTS exam. The two organizations further state that with computer-based IELTS, candidates can receive results within approximately 2 days along with many other benefits.

The British Council and IDP websites also state that from March 29, 2025, there are only two cases where candidates can continue to take paper-based IELTS:

- Candidates requiring special assistance.

- The paper-based IELTS exam may be organized in limited circumstances by educational institutions, universities, schools, including multi-level schools, academies, and English training centers affiliated with these organizations.

From March 29, 2025, will the computer-based IELTS exam replace the paper-based one in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

In Vietnam, what is the schedule for IELTS exams in 2025?

Below is the schedule for IELTS exams in 2025 for several cities:

(1) The schedule for IELTS exams in 2025 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Paper-based IELTS exams until March 2025:

Examination dates include both Academic and General Training formats

Computer-based IELTS exams: 09:00 and 14:00 from Monday to Sunday

(2) The schedule for IELTS exams in 2025 in Hai Phong

Paper-based IELTS exam schedule until March 2025:

(3) The schedule for IELTS exams in 2025 in Da Nang

Paper-based IELTS exam schedule until March 2025:

(4) The schedule for IELTS exams in 2025 in Nha Trang

Paper-based IELTS exam schedule until March 2025:

(5) The schedule for IELTS exams in 2025 in Thai Binh

Paper-based IELTS exam schedule until March 2025:

(6) The schedule for IELTS exams in 2025 in Hue

Paper-based IELTS exam schedule until March 2025:

(6) The schedule for IELTS exams in 2025 in Vinh

Paper-based IELTS exam schedule until March 2025:

(7) The schedule for IELTS exams in 2025 in Quy Nhon

Paper-based IELTS exam schedule until March 2025:

For further information on the schedule for the IELTS exams in 2025 and other detailed information about the IELTS 2025 examination, you may visit the official websites of the British Council and IDP Vietnam at: https://www.britishcouncil.vn/

How many IELTS points are required for doctoral education in Vietnam?

According to Clause 2, Article 7 of the Regulation on doctoral program admission and doctoral education issued with Circular 18/2021/TT-BGDDT, Vietnamese applicants must meet foreign language requirements as evidenced by any of the following degrees and certificates:

1) A bachelor’s degree or higher awarded by a foreign training institution, Vietnamese branch of a foreign training institution or Vietnamese training institution to learners of a full-time program taught in a foreign language;

2) A bachelor’s degree in a foreign language awarded by a Vietnamese training institution;

3) Any of the foreign language proficiency certificates mentioned in Appendix II of this Regulation that is unexpired on the application date or any other foreign language proficiency certificate equivalent to level 4 of Vietnam's language proficiency framework announced by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Referring to the above article, based on Appendix 2 issued with Circular 18/2021/TT-BGDDT:

Thus, the IELTS certificate of learners applying for doctoral education must score 5.5 or higher. At the same time, they must concurrently meet the conditions prescribed to pursue doctoral education.

What are the regulations on the training duration and mode of study in Vietnam?

According to Article 3 of the Regulation on doctoral program admission and doctoral education issued with Circular 18/2021/TT-BGDDT, the training duration and mode of study are as follows:

- Standard duration of a doctoral program shall range from 03 years (36 months) to 04 years (48 months) as decided by the training institution and this duration must be sufficient for the majority of research students to complete the program; each research student shall have a course-wide study and research plan that takes place within the whole standard program duration and is approved together with the research student recognition decision (made using the form in Appendix I).

- Every research student may complete their programs no more than 01 year (12 months) sooner or later than their course-wise study and research plan but the total training duration shall not be longer than 06 years (72 months) starting from the entry into force of the research student recognition decision to the time where procedures for submitting their dissertation to their training institution are completed (before independent defense and establishment of the dissertation examination committee of their training institution).

- Doctoral programs shall be provided in the full-time mode of study; research students must spend sufficient study and research time at their training institutions according to the approved plans; the full-time mode of study requires registering for 30 credits per year.