Vietnam: Who has the competence to recognize Master's Degrees issued by foreign educational institutions for learners?

Who has the competence to recognize Master's Degrees issued by foreign educational institutions for learners in Vietnam?

Under Article 6 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT, the competence to recognize degrees issued by foreign educational institutions is regulated as follows:

Competence in degree recognition

1. Head of Quality Control Department affiliated to the Ministry of Education and Training has the competence to recognize bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and equivalent degrees.

2. Directors of Departments of Education and Training have the competence to recognize lower secondary diplomas, upper secondary diplomas and certificates of completion of the national curriculum.

Thus, the Head of the Quality Control Department affiliated to the Ministry of Education and Training has the competence to recognize master's degrees issued by foreign educational institutions.

Who has the competence to recognize Master's Degrees issued by foreign educational institutions for learners in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What are the procedures for recognizing master's degrees issued by foreign educational institutions for learners in Vietnam?

According to the provisions in Article 7 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT as amended by Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular 07/2024/TT-BGDDT effective from November 2, 2024, the procedures for recognizing master's degrees issued by foreign educational institutions for learners in Vietnam are as follows:

Step 1: Provide information about the degree and upload the application to the online public service portal

Each applicant shall provide information on the degree and upload the application on the online public service portal of the Ministry of Education and Training or Department of Education and Training, and pay fees and charges as prescribed.

The application includes:

- A copy of the degree or copy from the master degree register together with a notarized Vietnamese translation;

- Copy of the degree’s appendix or transcript together with a notarized Vietnamese translation;

- Copies of directly relevant degrees and certificates (if any);

- Proof of overseas study (if any): decisions on enrollment in overseas training courses; passport, visa pages with visas, entry/exit stamps appropriate to the overseas study period or other documentary proof;

- A letter of authorization of verification of degree information (if requested by the verifying unit).

* Uploading the application to the online public service portal as follows:

- If the applicant possesses information or proof for direct verification by the awarding institution or the verifying authority, such information or proof shall be provided to the recognition authority for direct verification and the following shall be also uploaded on the online public service portal: scanned copies of the documents specified in points a and b clause 2 of, Article 7 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT (as amended by Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular 07/2024/TT-BGDDT) (certification of true electronic copies of the originals is not required); certified true electronic copies of the originals of the documents specified in points c and d, Clause 2, Article 7 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT (as amended by Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular 07/2024/TT-BGDDT);

- If the applicant does not possess any information or proof for direct verification, certified true electronic copies of the originals of the documents specified in points a, b, c, and d, Clause 2, Article 7 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT (as amended by Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular 07/2024/TT-BGDDT), enclosed with a letter of authorization of verification of degree’s information (if requested by the verifying unit) are required and shall be uploaded on the online public service portal;

- In case of failure to upload the application on the online public service portal, the applicant shall submit the documents mentioned in Clause 2, Article 7 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT (as amended by Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular 07/2024/TT-BGDDT).

Step 2: Receive the degree recognition result

 Within 20 working days, the recognition authority shall notify the applicant of the degree recognition result.

In the case where information on the degree needs to be verified by the foreign educational institution or a foreign verifying unit, this deadline may be extended to no more than 45 working days in total starting from the date of receipt of the degree recognition application.

Which master's degrees issued by foreign educational institutions for learners are exempt from degree recognition procedures in Vietnam?

Under Clause 1, Article 5 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT, master's degrees issued by foreign educational institutions for learners recognized for use in Vietnam without undergoing degree recognition procedures include:

- Master's degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions under agreements on degree equivalence or mutual degree recognition or degree-related conventions to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory and which have been published by the Ministry of Education and Training;

- Master's degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions to learners sent to study by the Ministry of Education and Training using the state budget;

- Master's degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions to learners under Vietnam-based joint training programs approved by the competent authority after the entry into force of the  Law on Amendments to Law on Higher Education 2018.