Is it possible to pursue a master's degree in a different field in Vietnam? What are criteria for master's thesis instructors in Vietnam?

Is it possible to pursue a master's degree in a different field in Vietnam?

Based on Article 5 of the Regulation on master's degree admissions and training issued with Circular 23/2021/TT-BGDDT, the criteria for applicants and eligibility for master's studies are as follows:

Applicants and Eligibility Criteria

1. Requirements for candidates:

a) Must have graduated or fulfilled the requirements for recognition of university graduation (or an equivalent level or higher) in a relevant field; for research-oriented programs, graduation with a good grade or higher is required, or having scientific publications related to the field of study and research;

b) Must have foreign language proficiency at Level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework used for Vietnam;

c) Must meet other program-specific training requirements issued by the Ministry of Education and Training and as regulated by the training program.

2. The relevant field mentioned in Clause 1 of this Article and in other articles of this Regulation refers to a field of study at the university level (or equivalent level or higher) that equips the learner with the necessary expertise to continue with a master's training program in the corresponding field, specifically stipulated in the entry requirements of the master's training program; the educational institution determines the cases that require completing supplementary courses before applying. For areas of administration and management, training under the application-oriented master's program, a relevant undergraduate field includes those directly related to the specialization, profession of the administration, management field.

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Thus, pursuing a master's degree in a different field is permissible, but there are specific conditions regarding the field of study. To be specific:

- The field of study must be suitable for the undergraduate training field, specifically stipulated in the master's training program entry standards.

- There may be a requirement to complete supplementary courses before applying as prescribed by the educational institution.

- For the fields of administration and management, a bachelor's degree related to the field of administration, management is allowed to register for the master's study.

Is it possible to pursue a master's degree in a different field in Vietnam? What are criteria for master's thesis instructors in Vietnam?​ (Image from the Internet)

What are criteria for master's thesis instructors in Vietnam?

Based on Article 8 of the Regulation on master's degree admissions and training issued with Circular 23/2021/TT-BGDDT which stipulates the guidance of the thesis as follows:

Thesis Guidance

1. Students following a research-oriented program must undertake a research topic with an effort load of 12 to 15 credits, the result being presented in a thesis. Students complete the thesis over at least 6 months.

2. The thesis is a scientific report, aggregating the main research results of the student, meeting the following requirements:

a) Contributes to theory, scholarship, or technology development, innovation; demonstrates the research capabilities of the student;

b) Adheres to cultural, ethical, and traditional moral norms of Vietnamese people;

c) Complies with the regulations of the educational institution on academic honesty and current legal regulations on intellectual property.

3. Each student has one or two thesis instructors, with at least one being a permanent lecturer at the educational institution. At any one time, an independent instructor may guide no more than 5 students (including those undertaking a graduation project of an application-oriented program); in the case of co-advising, 2 students are equivalent to independently advising 1 student.

4. Criteria for a thesis instructor:

a) Possesses a doctoral degree suitable for the training field and thesis topic of the student;

b) Has foreign language ability, IT skills to carry out research, and engage in international scientific exchange;

c) Has research results related to the thesis topic within 5 years up to the time of guidance assignment;

d) Meets other requirements according to the training program standards of the field, training area, and regulations of the educational institution.

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Therefore, a master's thesis instructor must meet the following criteria:

- Holds a doctoral degree in a field suitable for the training and thesis topic of the student;

- Has proficiency in foreign languages, IT skills to conduct research, and engage in international scientific exchanges;

- Has research results related to the thesis topic within 5 years up to the time of being assigned to guide;

- Meets other requirements according to the training program standards of the field, training area, and regulations of the educational institution.

What are regulations on evaluation of a master's thesis in Vietnam?

Based on Article 9 of the Regulation on master's degree admissions and training issued with Circular 23/2021/TT-BGDDT, the evaluation of the thesis is as follows:

Thesis Evaluation

1. The thesis is evaluated in the form of a defense in front of a council. The defense session is organized publicly, except for topics in fields that require confidentiality as regulated by the State.

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Thus, a master's thesis is evaluated in the form of a defense in front of a council.

According to the regulation, the defense session is organized publicly except for topics in fields that require confidentiality as prescribed by the State.