How many years to study for a master's degree in Vietnam? Does a person need a bachelor's degree to study for a master's degree in Vietnam?

How many years to study for a master's degree in Vietnam?

According to Article 3 of the Regulations on enrolment and training for master’s degree accompanying Circular 23/2021/TT-BGDDT, the training format and duration is as follows:

Training format and duration

1. Formal training format shall apply to research orientation program and application orientation program.  Part-time degree training format applies to application orientation program. Teaching time for each training format shall conform to Regulations on higher education training of Ministry of Education and Training.

2. For each training method, education institutions must provide standard learning plan for the entire course for each training program for learners. Training duration is regulated as follows:

a) Duration based on standard learning plan for the entire course must suit duration under National education system framework while guaranteeing that the majority of learners finish the training program;

b) Duration based on standard learning plan for the entire course for part-time degree must be at least 20% longer than formal training format of the same program;

c) Maximum duration for learners to complete a course shall be prescribed under regulations of education institutions without exceeding twice the duration based on standard learning plan for the entire course for each training format.

Therefore, depending on the regulations of each institution and training form, the duration of master's degree training will vary.

The maximum duration for completing a master's degree will be specified in the institution's regulations but not exceeding 02 times the duration according to the comprehensive study plan for each training form.

How many years to study for a master's degree in Vietnam? Does a person need a bachelor's degree to study for a master's degree in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

Does a person need a bachelor's degree to study for a master's degree in Vietnam?

According to Article 5 of the Regulations on enrolment and training for master’s degree accompanying Circular 23/2021/TT-BGDDT, the enrollees and enrolment eligibility are as follows:

Enrollees and enrolment eligibility

1. Eligibility for enrolment:

a) Having graduated or eligible for recognition as university graduates (or equivalent or higher) in appropriate majors; in case of research orientation programs, graduating in good category or higher or making scientific publication in major that learners will study and/or conduct research;  

b) Obtaining level 3 foreign language proficiency according to Foreign Language Proficiency consisting of 6 levels in Vietnam;

b) Satisfying other requirements of standard training programs issued by Ministry of Education and Training and requirements of training programs.

2. Appropriate majors specified under Clause 1 of this Article and other Articles hereof mean majors in university level (or equivalent or higher) that equip learners with necessary specialized basis to pursue master training degree of the respective majors and are specified in enrolment standards of master training degree; education institutions shall prescribe cases where additional academic requirements are to be satisfied prior to enrolment. For administration, management, and training majors in oriented application master program, appropriate majors in university level include majors directly related to administration and management majors.

3. Enrollees satisfying requirements under Point b Clause 1 of this Article when they obtain any of the following:

a) University degree or higher in foreign language majors; or university degree or higher in programs delivered primarily in foreign languages;

b) University degree or higher provided by education institutions within 2 years in which graduation standards of the program satisfy foreign language level 3 in the Foreign Language Proficiency consisting of 6 levels for Vietnam;

c) Any degree or certificate for foreign language equivalent to level 3 in Foreign Language Proficiency consisting of 6 levels for Vietnam under Annex hereof or other equivalent certificates publicized by Ministry of Education and Training and valid by the date of enrolment.  

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Therefore, one of the conditions for studying for a master's degree is to have graduated or meet the graduation recognition requirements of a bachelor's degree (or equivalent level) in a relevant field; for research-oriented programs, a good or higher grade is required or have published scientific papers related to the field of study and research.

Therefore, candidates who do not have a bachelor's degree but meet the graduation requirements of a bachelor's degree can still study for a master's degree.

What are requirements for students to be recognized as master's degree graduates in Vietnam?

Article 12 of the Regulations on enrolment and training for master’s degree accompanying Circular 23/2021/TT-BGDDT stipulates the following requirements for students to be recognized as master's degree graduates:

- Having completed units of study of training program and thesis, scheme defense sufficiently;

- Having foreign language proficiency satisfactory to graduation standard of training program prior to being considered for graduation;

Obtaining proof thereof by any of the certificate or degree under Annex hereof or other equivalent certificate publicized by Ministry of Education and Training, or graduate degrees or higher in foreign language majors, or graduate degrees or higher in programs delivered entirely in foreign languages;

- Fulfilling responsibilities according to regulations of education institutions; not being criminally prosecuted and not being placed under academic suspension or discipline.

Best Regards!