Vietnam proposes changes to 2027 university admission rules for IELTS

A draft proposal from the Ministry of Education and Training regarding university admissions for 2027 suggests that higher education institutions will no longer be permitted to independently award bonus points for certificates, achievements, or additional criteria such as IELTS.

Despite the removal of bonus points, IELTS remains a valid component of the admissions process. It can still be used to convert scores to replace foreign language subject grades within specific admission combinations or to verify language proficiency for programs taught in foreign languages. Experts note that this shift aims to return the certificate to its intended value of demonstrating proficiency rather than serving as a tool for extra points.

Challenges remain regarding the standardization of score conversions. Currently, different universities apply varying conversion scales for the same IELTS scores. Experts suggest that a unified national conversion scale requires more extensive scientific data and research to ensure transparency and fairness.