Vietnam considers removing IELTS bonus points in university admissions

Vietnam is considering a proposal to eliminate the practice of awarding extra admission points for IELTS and other international certificates starting in 2027. This move aims to address growing concerns regarding fairness in university admissions.

Data from the 2026 admissions cycle shows that over 37,300 candidates used English certificates for bonus points, with more than 35,900 using IELTS. Critics argue that the current system creates inequality, particularly in specialized fields like medicine. For example, at Hanoi Medical University, some students with lower core subject scores secured admission to medical programs because their IELTS scores provided a bonus of up to 3 points, pushing their total score above the required threshold.

Education officials and parents have expressed varying views. While some support the removal of bonus points to ensure merit-based selection in core subjects, others emphasize the need for a clear transition roadmap to avoid sudden disruption for students currently preparing for these exams.