Dozens of universities across the country have announced supplementary recruitment, in which many schools are recruiting thousands of students.

Van Lang University is recruiting an additional 2,000 for all training majors. For the method using high school graduation exam scores, standard training majors accept applications from 15 points. For Law, Economic Law, the threshold is from 20; Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology from 22 points; Pharmacy from 20 points; and Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology from 18 points.

HCMC University of Technology (Hutech) is recruiting an additional 1,000 students across all programs. Admission thresholds based on high school graduation exam scores range from 15 to 22 points, while those based on high school academic records range from 18 to 23 points. V-SAT scores range from 225 to 285, and Vietnam National University HCMC competency assessment scores from 600 to 750. The university has set aside 10 additional places for Medicine, a program being offered for the first time this year.

HCMC University of Economics and Finance is recruiting an additional 800 students for 38 majors and training programs. The admission threshold based on high school graduation exam scores starts at 15 points, while Law-related majors require at least 20 points. Applications are accepted until August 25.

Mien Dong University of Technology (MUT) also has 860 places remaining, mainly in technology and engineering, economics, foreign languages and health sciences. The admission threshold starts at 15 points, while Pharmacy and Economic Law require at least 20 points.

The Saigon International University is recruiting an additional 500 students.

Nguyen Tat Thanh University has opened additional admissions for all majors, with thresholds of 15-22 points based on high school graduation exam scores and 18-23 points based on academic records. The threshold is 550/1,200 for the Vietnam National University HCMC competency assessment and 70/150 for the Vietnam National University Hanoi assessment.

Another private institution, Saigon Technology University (STU), is recruiting an additional 600 students for 20 majors. The first-round admission score for most majors based on high school graduation exam results was 15 points.

HCMC Hung Vuong University is recruiting an additional 345 students for 12 majors. Most programs accept applications from 15 points based on high school graduation exam scores, while Law and Economic Law require at least 20 points.

Van Hien University is recruiting additional students for all majors.

Shrinking applicant pools, more seats at public universities

An executive at a private university recruiting a large number of additional students said the situation stems from several factors.

The applicant pool has narrowed because candidates must score at least 15 points to be eligible for admission, while public universities expanding their enrollment quotas have also intensified competition. Economic difficulties have further influenced students' choices.

Trinh Huu Chung, deputy rector of Gia Dinh University, said additional admissions are taking place at almost all private universities and quite a few public institutions as well.

According to him, students tend to gravitate toward “hot” majors, leaving some other programs at the same university short of students. Because the applicant pool for these majors is limited, universities have to launch additional recruitment early.

The director of admissions and communications at a major university in HCMC said students now have more choices.

According to him, many applicants prioritize public universities in HCMC, Hanoi and Da Nang, where tuition fees are relatively affordable and students can benefit from various support policies.

He said tuition fees are one of the biggest factors making it difficult for private universities to compete with public institutions. Although private universities may invest heavily in facilities and student support services, they remain at a disadvantage because of higher tuition fees, while public universities are investing in their facilities and improving services.

He added that students are increasingly concerned about their “value after graduation.” A university may advertise that its “admission score is only 15 points,” but applicants may ask in return: “What will I get after four years?”

“If a university cannot answer that question with concrete things such as its curriculum, skills training, internships, corporate partnerships, employment rate, income levels and learning environment, then even a 15-point admission score may not be convincing enough,” he said.

“In other words, a low admission score is an enrollment advantage, but it is not a competitive advantage,” he said.

Le Huyen