Knowledge and qualification requirements of international students in Vietnam

Knowledge and qualification requirements of international students in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. What is an international student in Vietnam?

International students in Vietnam are classified into 2 groups:

- Agreement-based international student refers to a foreigner permitted to study in Vietnam and receiving grants from the Government of Vietnam under international agreements of which Vietnam is a member state.

- Non-agreement international student refers to an international student permitted to study in Vietnam under training arrangements and contracts between domestic educational institutions of Vietnam and international students or other entities or persons offering grants to international students.

(Clause 1 and 2, Article 2 of Circular 30/2018/TT-BGDDT)

2. Knowledge and qualification requirements of international students in Vietnam

Article 4 of Circular 30/2018/TT-BGDDT stipulates knowledge and qualification requirements of international students in Vietnam as follows:

- International students studying at primary, lower and upper education levels shall be enrolled according to the Statute of primary school, lower secondary school or upper secondary school.

- International students entering pedagogy secondary, postsecondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, master and doctoral education programs must hold qualifications equal to graduation qualifications in Vietnam in accordance with domestic laws or international agreements to which Vietnam and countries sending their students abroad are signatories with respect to specific educational grades and levels.

- In order to be eligible to enroll in refresher courses designed to improve professional practices and skills, international students must meet conditions and standards that Vietnam and sending parties agree or under terms and conditions of training contracts already in effect.  

- In order to be eligible to enroll in academic internships, international students must meet educational knowledge and professional qualification requirements laid down by educational institutions receiving interns.   

- In order to be eligible to enroll in gifted and talented education programs (culture, arts, fine arts, architecture, sports and physical activities), other than conditions specified herein, international students must meet prescribed requirements of tests or contests intended for gifted and talented students imposed by receiving educational institutions.

- International students shall be required to take additional courses in knowledge about their specializations in order to meet eligibility requirements for entrance to master and doctoral degree education programs (if any) that receiving educational institutions design and offer them within 01 academic year after they have already met the Vietnamese language qualification requirement.

3. International student’s rights and benefits in Vietnam

Specifically, in Article 11 of Circular 30/2018/TT-BGDDT, international student’s rights and benefits include:

- Retain student’s legal rights.

- Receive full information necessary for their study, depending on specific conditions of educational institutions and student service providers.

- Have access to equipment and accessories designed for learning, cultural, sport and physical activities which are available for use at educational institutions and student service providers.

- Participate in cultural, artistic, sport and physical activities intended for students that educational institutions and student service providers organize.

- Participate in scientific researches host by educational institutions the same as other Vietnamese citizens.

- Take tests, examinations, defence of their theses, dissertations, and receive degrees, diplomas or certificates.

- Come back to their home countries on summer vacation, holidays and invite their relatives to pay visits under the domestic law of Vietnam; take leave, sick leave or leave for medical treatment with the educational institution’s consent.

- Agreement-based international students shall be entitled to stipends or allowances referred to in regulations in force of Vietnam and treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory.

- A group of international students from a country that are studying at the same educational institution or are living at the same dormitory building may assign a representative to manage them in all aspects, act as a liaison contacting the educational institution or the student service provider to deal with issues arising from these students.

Thanh Rin

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