STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM IN VIETNAM

Age
Higher Education: Postgraduate levels

25-27 University level third stage: Tiến Sĩ (PhD or Doctorate), 3 years.

Graduates who have studied for two to three years following the Master's degree or four years following a first degree are
awarded the Doctoral degree. The Tiến Sĩ programme consists of at least two years of research resulting in a dissertation,
which is defended before a national committee selected by the MOET. In the second year of the PhD programme, students
take an exam called Thi Tối Thiểu or 'minimum knowledge'. After passing this examination, students may complete and
defend their dissertation. Successful candidates obtain the Bằng Tiến Sĩ (Diploma of PhD)
24-25
University level second stage: Thạc Sĩ (Master's Degree or MSc), 2 years.
The Thạc Sĩ (Master's Degree) is usually conferred after two years' further study and the defence of a thesis. Students are
admitted to the programme after a competitive examination. Some courses leading to the Master's Degree require prior
professional experience of at least two years.

Age
Higher Education
University level first stage: Undergraduate Studies:
Undergraduate courses are divided into two stages: general higher education, lasting three years following upper
secondary education and leading to the Certificate of Higher Education (Bang Tot Nghiep Cao Dang) and specialized
higher education lasting from four to six years following upper secondary education and leading to the Diploma of Higher
Education or Bachelor's Degree (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Đại Học). Graduates are awarded a title which is related to their
speciality, e.g. Cử Nhân (Bachelor), Kỹ Sư (Engineer) (five years), Bác Sĩ (Medical Doctor) (six years), Nha Sĩ (Dentist)
or Dược Sĩ (Pharmacist), for example:
18-22 aaaf Diploma of Engineer (Bằng Tốt
Diploma of Diplom Engineer (Bằng Diploma of Engineer (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Nghiệp Dại Học – Kỹ Sư), 4.5
Tốt Nghiệp Dại Học – Kỹ Sư), Dại Học – Kỹ Sư), 4 years + Worker Skill years + Worker Skill Certificate
5 years. Certificate level 4/7 (Chứng Chỉ Thợ Bậc 4/7),
level 4/7 (Chứng Chỉ Thợ Bậc 4/7) + Cetificate of Technical Pedagogy
(Chứng Chỉ Sư Phạm Kỹ Thuật)
Remarks on university level: Those who graduated as Diplom Engineer or Engineer (both called Kỹ Sư, the diference is only in
length of study) with Cetificate of Technical Pedagogy (Chứng Chỉ Sư Phạm Kỹ Thuật) can teach at vocational institutions or
colleged. All types of engineer can work in industry.
Higher Education
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Higher technical studies are mainly offered in Junior Colleges of Technology,but also in some Universities of
Technology. Some schools also train students in technical skills. Courses last between one and three years. Short-term
training programmes offered by junior colleges last between three and three-and-a-half years and focus on technological
skills and local community needs.

18-21 Bachelor of Enginering (Cử Nhân

Bachelor of Enginering (Cử Nhân Cao
Đẳng Kỹ Thuật), 3 years. After
graduation, students obtain a Worker
Skill Certificate level 3/7, and a
Diploma of Bachelor in Engineering.
[This type is offered by some technical
colleges and regional technical
universities in the country, with no
direct transfer to university level]
Certificate of Higher Education in
Technical Studies (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Cao
Đẳng – Kỹ Thuật), 3 years.
[This type is offered by large universities,
e.g. Hanoi University of Technology. In
order to further get a Diploma of Diplom
Engineer (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Đại Học – Kỹ
Sư), students have to pass an exam called
Thi Chuyển Hệ (transfer exam) and study
3 years more.]
Cao Đẳng Kỹ Thuật), 3.5 years +
Worker Skill Certificate
level 3/7 (Chứng Chỉ Thợ Bậc 3/7),
+ Cetificate of Technical Pedagogy
(Chứng Chỉ Sư Phạm Kỹ Thuật)
[This type is offered by some
technical colleges and regional
technical universities in the
country, with no direct transfer to
university level]

Remarks on non-university level: Those who graduated with Certificate of of Technical Pedagogy can teach at vocational
institutions or colleged or can work as engineer in industry as the others.
 Remarks on higher education in general:
1. Those who completed genaral and vocational education levles (with Secondary School Graduation Certificate and Vocational
Secondary School Graduation Certificate) have to pass an entrance examination called Ky Thi Tuyén Vao Dai Hoc to enter
university.
2. Higher education is provided by universities, two open universities, colleges and junior colleges. There are public, semi-public,
people-founded and private institutions. Most institutions come under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Training
(MOET) and the provinces. Other Ministries, especially Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture and Information, supervise the
monodisciplinary institutions. Lately the universities have been granted greater autonomy. However, all institutions are still under
the academic management of MOET (MOET promulgates and manages admissions, the general structure of curricula, the
examinations and the granting of degrees).

Age
General and Vocational Education levels
15-17 Upper Secondary Vocational Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Specialized Type of school providing this education: Vocational
Secondary School. Length of program in years: 3. Age Technical Secondary School. Length of program in years: 3.
level from: 15 to 17 (Grades 10 – 12). Certificate/diploma Age level from: 15 to 17. Certificate/diploma awarded:
awarded: Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Phổ Thông Trung Học Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Chuyên Nghiệp (Vocational
(Secondary School Graduation Certificate) Secondary School Graduation Certificate)
Remarks: Admission to upper secondary school requires the success in a competitive entrance examination. There is
also technical and vocational secondary education. Secondary technical schools provide students with an intermediate
level of technical skills. Students are enrolled in vocational training schools at two levels: at the lower level, the
duration of courses ranges from two years (simple trades) to three years. At the upper secondary level, one- or two-year
courses are offered. Upon graduation, students obtain a diploma. At the end of secondary education, pupils sit for the
Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Phổ Thông Trung Học (universal graduation) examination administered by the Ministry of Education
and Training (MOET).
11-14 Lower Secondary (this is compulsory)
Type of school providing this education: Basic Secondary School. Length of program in years: 4. Age level from: 11 to 14
(Grades 6 – 9). Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate of Lower Secondary
6-10 Primary Education (this is compulsory)
Type of school providing this education: Primary School. Length of program in years: 5. Age level from: 6 to 10 . (Grades
1 – 5). Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate of Primary Education

Note about exit possibilities:

• Students can only go to the next immediate higher level (not to jump over its immediate next level) to study and get respective
award.
• Worker Skill Cerificate: can to work as workers in industry (companies)
• University Diploma or Higher Education (College) Diploma/Certificate: can work in industry
• Certificate of Technical pedagogy: can teach at vocational institutions or colleges
• Diplom Engineer: can work in industry, including research organisations and educational institutions (on the job training for
aditional pedagogical skill is needed)
• MSc and PhD can work in any type of vocational, higher education institution, research organisation and in industry.
• MSc: course entry condition usually previous work experience of 2 years
• Age as indicated is typical (example: -29 means up to age of 29).
 WELDING EDUCATION AT UNIVERSITIES IN VIETNAM – SUMMARY
A. Currently, Hanoi University of Technology is offering university undergraduate program in welding, five year study. After
graduation, students get Diploma of Diplom Engineer and title of Welding Engineer. Its curriculum is attached in file
DWE _HUT_ Introduction 1.pdf.
B. In school year 2006 – 2007, two other universities (Nam Dinh Pedagogical University of Technology and Hung Yen Pedagogical
University of Technology are expected to start welding programs (some staffing problems because they were recently upgraded from
college status to university status, recruitment of new welding lecturers still underway) , with structure of the programs as follows:
1. Bachelor of Enginering (Cử Nhân Cao Đẳng Kỹ Thuật): 3 year study (176 study units, of which 70 units for general
education, 106 units for technical and specialised education). From the 106 units above, 20 units are for welding. After
graduation, students also obtain a Welder Certificate level 3/7 (Chứng Chỉ Thợ Bậc 3/7 – Thợ Hàn).
2. Bachelor of Engineering (Cử Nhân Cao Đẳng Kỹ Thuật): 3.5 year study (205 study units, of which 70 units for general
education, 106 units for technical and specialised education, and 29 units for pedagogical studies). From the 106 units above,
20 units are for welding. After graduation, students also obtain a Welder Certificate level 3/7 (Chứng Chỉ Thợ Bậc 3/7 – Thợ
Hàn), a Certificate of Technical Pedagogy (Chứng Chỉ Sư Phạm Kỹ Thuật).
3. Engineer Diploma (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Đại Học –Kỹ Sư): 4.5 year study (250 study units, of which 85 units for general
education, 128 units for technical and specialised education and 37 units for pedagogical studies). From the 128 units above,
24 units are for welding. After graduation, students also obtain a Welder Certificate level 4/7 (Chứng Chỉ Thợ Bậc 4/7 – Thợ
Hàn), a Certificate of Technical Pedagogy (Chứng Chỉ Sư Phạm Kỹ Thuật).
4. Engineer Diploma (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Đại Học –Kỹ Sư): 4 year study (213 study units, of which 85 units for general
education and 128 units for technical and specialised education). From the 128 units above, 24 units are for welding. After
graduation, students obtain also obtain a Welder Certificate level 4/7 (Chứng Chỉ Thợ Bậc 4/7 – Thợ Hàn).
Source: Department of Welding Engineering and Metal Technology, Hanoi University of Technology.