Vietnam: What do bridge programs in vocational education and training mean?

What do bridge programs in vocational education and training in Vietnam mean?

Under Article 9 of the Law on Vocational Education and Training 2014, the regulations on bridge programs in vocational education and training in Vietnam are as follows:

Bridge programs

1. Bridge programs shall be run according to training programs; the learners are not required to learn the completed subjects again when they reach the higher level in the same or different disciplines.

2. The Principals of the vocational training schools or colleges shall decide the modules, credits, or subjects that the students are not required learning again according to the training programs.

3. Bridge programs between levels of the vocational education shall comply with regulations of the Heads of vocational education authorities of central government; Bridge programs between levels of the vocational education and levels of higher education shall comply with regulations of the Prime Minister.

Thus, in bridge programs in vocational education and training, the learners are not required to learn the completed subjects again when they reach a higher level in the same or different disciplines.

What are the eligibility requirements for the provision of bridge programs designed for the college level in vocational education and training in Vietnam?

Under Article 3 of Circular 27/2017/TT-BLDTBXH, the eligibility requirements for the provision of bridge programs in vocational education and training in Vietnam are outlined as follows:

Eligibility requirements for provision of bridge program

A school may provide bridge program if the following eligibility requirements are met:

1. The school is issued with a certificate of registration for provision of intermediate and college-level vocational education by a competent authority of the disciplines/branches expected to be included in the bridge program at the equivalent level.

2. The school has introduced bridge program that is designed for the disciplines/branches expected to be included in the bridge program as prescribed in Article 7 of this Circular.

3. For the school providing bridge program designed for health discipline, at least 01 (one) full-time course provided for students at intermediate or college level has been completed.

Thus, schools providing bridge programs designed for the college level in vocational education and training must meet the following eligibility requirements:

- The school is issued with a certificate of registration for provision of intermediate and college-level vocational education by a competent authority of the disciplines/branches expected to be included in the bridge program at the equivalent level.

- The school has introduced bridge program that is designed for the disciplines/branches expected to be included in the bridge program as prescribed in Article 7 of this Circular.

- For the school providing bridge program designed for health discipline, at least 01 (one) full-time course provided for students at intermediate or college level has been completed.

What do bridge programs in vocational education and training in Vietnam mean? (Image from Internet)

Who are the applicants for enrollment for the bridge programs designed for the college level in vocational education and training in Vietnam?

Under Article 5 of Circular 27/2017/TT-BLDTBXH:

Enrolment for and provision of bridge program

1. Applicants for enrolment for the bridge program designed for intermediate level

a) The person that has an elementary certificate, certificate of elementary vocational education with the same discipline/branch and holds a certificate of lower secondary education or higher;

b) The person that has an intermediate education diploma, intermediate vocational education diploma or intermediate professional education diploma wishes to attend the bridge program to have the second intermediate education diploma.

2. Applicants for enrolment for the bridge program designed for college level

a) The person that has an intermediate education diploma with the same discipline/branch and high school diploma or equivalent;

b) The person that has an intermediate education diploma but is yet to have a high school diploma must ensure that he/she learned and passed the exams with adequate academic body of knowledge for high school students according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training;

c) The person that has an associate degree, associate vocational education degree wishes to attend the bridge program to have the second associate degree.

3. Time and methods of enrolment for and provision of bridge program shall be compliant with the Circular No. 05/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 02, 2017 of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs on regulations of enrolment and determination of enrollment targets at intermediate and college level.

4. Apart from the regulations specified in Clauses 1, 2 and 3 of this Article, schools may specify other eligibility requirements to ensure training quality in accordance with regulations of this Circular.

5. Annual enrolment quota of each discipline/branch according to each education level is specified in the certificate of registration for provision of intermediate and college-level vocational education issued to schools by a competent authority.

Thus, applicants for enrollment for the bridge programs designed for the college level in vocational education and training in Vietnam include:

- The person that has an intermediate education diploma with the same discipline/branch and high school diploma or equivalent;

- The person that has an intermediate education diploma but is yet to have a high school diploma must ensure that he/she learned and passed the exams with adequate academic body of knowledge for high school students according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training;

- The person that has an associate degree, associate vocational education degree wishes to attend the bridge program to have the second associate degree.

What are the regulations on the power to issue decisions on enrolment for and provision of bridge programs in Vietnam?​

Under Article 4 of Circular 27/2017/TT-BLDTBXH:

Power to issue decision on enrolment for and provision of bridge program

1. The director of the school may issue a decision on enrolment for and provision of bridge program between levels of vocational education if the eligibility requirements specified in Article 3 of this Article are met.

2. The decision on enrolment for and provision of bridge program shall specify name of discipline/branch, levels, methods and forms of bridge program; eligible applicants and forms of enrolment.

The principal issues a decision on enrolment for and provision of bridge programs in Vietnam.