At Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, Head of the Training Department, explained that a significant number of students face graduation delays because they fail to meet the English proficiency requirement.

However, he noted that this is not due to overly strict standards. "Graduates working in technical and technology fields, especially in an increasingly globalized environment, need a certain level of English proficiency," Hung said. The delay, he explained, typically stems from three main factors.

According to Hung, some students from rural areas or disadvantaged backgrounds enter university with weak English skills and, due to their busy academic schedules, are unable to dedicate sufficient time to improving their language abilities. In many cases, students delay their English studies until the final year, leaving insufficient time to prepare for graduation requirements. Additionally, some students become distracted by internships or part-time jobs during their final years, further neglecting their language studies.

Interestingly, he noted that students enrolled in advanced programs, which are taught entirely in English, rarely face such delays. These students typically have stronger foundations in the language.

Dr. Le Anh Duc, Deputy Head of Training Management at the National Economics University, highlighted that around 20% of students in standard programs taught in Vietnamese miss their graduation deadlines due to failing the English language requirement. However, this figure drops to just 5% for students enrolled in advanced programs that are entirely in English. For special programs, such as high-quality and application-oriented programs that involve 30-50% of courses in English, the delay rate is around 8%.

He pointed out that some students tend to procrastinate, waiting until their final year to take English certification exams, which serve both as a grade for English courses and as proof of meeting the graduation requirement. Moreover, he emphasized that the university requires internationally recognized certifications, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or TOEIC, which demand significant preparation and adjustment from students.

At the University of Commerce, officials acknowledged that many students face delays in graduating due to the English requirement, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. These students often juggle part-time jobs to cover their tuition and living expenses, leaving little time to focus on improving their language skills. However, university representatives insisted that the required proficiency level, which aligns with the national B1 standard (CEFR or IELTS 5.0), is reasonable and not excessively high.

The university noted that many students choose to complete all their academic courses before concentrating entirely on meeting the English language requirement, resulting in delayed graduation.

Dr. Thai Doan Thanh, Vice Rector of Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, expressed concern that many students are lax in meeting graduation requirements, despite constant reminders from their universities.

He observed that students often wait until their final semester to address language requirements, which is also when they are busy with internships and theses, making it difficult to meet the English language threshold in time.

At Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Associate Professor Bui Hoai Thang, Head of the Training Department, noted that the university requires students in its Vietnamese-taught programs to achieve a TOEIC score of 600 for graduation. For advanced English-taught programs, the requirement is IELTS 6.0.

Similarly, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City mandates a B1 level English proficiency for graduation, in line with the national framework. The university also accepts international certifications to ease pressure on students.

In the future, universities like the University of Commerce plan to increase their English requirements, aiming for a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 to improve the overall quality of graduates.

At the National Economics University, advanced programs taught entirely in English require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 for graduation. Other programs, such as application-oriented and high-quality tracks, set the bar at IELTS 6.0. Standard Vietnamese-taught programs have a minimum requirement of IELTS 5.5.

Meanwhile, at Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City, Rector Nguyen Duc Trung announced that the school has eliminated the final English graduation requirement. Instead, students are required to demonstrate B2-level English proficiency by the middle of their third year. All courses in the major are taught in English starting from the third year, ensuring students achieve the required language skills well before graduation.

Thanh Hung - Le Huyen