Who has the competence to recognize degrees issued by foreign educational institutions in Vietnam?

Who has the competence to recognize degrees issued by foreign educational institutions in Vietnam?

According to Article 6 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT, authority for recognition is specified as follows:

- The head of the Quality Control Department affiliated to the Ministry of Education and Training has the power to recognize bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and equivalent degrees.

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

Who has the competence to recognize degrees issued by foreign educational institutions in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What are the conditions for recognition of degrees issued by foreign educational institutions in Vietnam?

According to Clause 3, Article 4 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT, the conditions for recognition of degrees issued by foreign educational institutions in Vietnam are as follows:

Conditions for degree recognition

1. Degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions may be recognized when the study or research duration of the degree programs are appropriate to the structural framework of the national education system and either of the following conditions is fulfilled:

- The degree program has been accredited by an accrediting organization of the home country of the foreign educational institution as suitable for the mode of study;

- The foreign educational institution is permitted to provide training and award the degree by the competent education authority of its home country or has been accredited by an accrediting organization of its home country.

2. Degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions operating in another country besides their home countries (including in Vietnam) may be recognized when these institutions are permitted to establish a branch and provide training or participate in joint training or training cooperation by competent education authorities of both countries; provide training according to their licenses and meet the regulations in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Online-learning and blended-learning degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions may be recognized when they meet the regulations in Point a Clause 1 herein and either of the following conditions:

- The Ministry of Education and Training permits provision of the degree program in Vietnam to learners living and studying in Vietnam;

- The competent education authority of the country where the degree program is provided permits provision of the program to learners living and studying in that country;

4. The Minister of Education and Training has the power to decide recognition of degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions to learners affected by war, natural disasters, epidemics, fire and other force majeure events.

What are the required documents and procedures for recognition of degrees issued by foreign educational institutions in Vietnam?

According to Article 7 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT amended by Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular 07/2024/TT-BGDDT, specific regulations on the required documents and procedures for recognition of degrees issued by foreign educational institutions in Vietnam are as follows:

- Each applicant shall provide information on the degree using the form in Appendix I to this Circular and upload the application on the online public service portal of the Ministry of Education and Training or Department of Education and Training (hereinafter collectively referred to as “recognition authority”), and pay fees and charges as prescribed.

- An application includes:

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

+ A copy of the degree or copy from the master degree register 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’s information (if requested by the verifying unit).

- The application shall be uploaded on 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 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 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 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 of Article 7 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT amended by Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular 07/2024/TT-BGDDT to the recognition authority, whether in person or by post.

- 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.