At present, the highest application threshold for education majors is 25 points, offered by Saigon University for History and Geography Education. Mathematics Education requires 24.5 points, while Physics, Chemistry, Literature, and English Education require 24 points.

This means the minimum expected admission score for History and Geography Education at this university is 25, and between 24–24.5 for other education majors.

Most other pedagogy universities are accepting applications with scores ranging from 20 to 22, which is significantly higher than the Ministry of Education and Training's minimum benchmark of 19 points. Admission scores are expected to exceed the benchmark by 2–3 points.

An admissions expert in southern Vietnam predicted that scores for Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry Education at universities such as Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Saigon University, Quy Nhon University, Hue University of Education, Hanoi National University of Education, and Hanoi Pedagogical University 2 will be equal to or slightly higher (by up to 0.5 points) than last year.

Meanwhile, Literature, History, and Geography Education are expected to increase by 1–1.5 points, potentially reaching the ceiling threshold. Primary and Preschool Education are also likely to see significant rises due to favorable policies supporting early education teachers.

The increase in scores, especially for majors that use the C00 combination (Literature, History, Geography), is attributed to several factors. Notably, training capacity in Primary and Preschool Education has not significantly expanded, while the number of candidates in C00 has increased. Many students in 2025 have taken History more seriously, studying and preparing diligently. As a result, better exam performance has driven scores higher in C00.

Additionally, Literature exam questions, particularly reading comprehension and social commentary, were accessible and relatable. The literary analysis section was challenging but fair, allowing average students to score decently. Geography, as usual, remained an easier subject to score in, helping push up admission scores in these majors.

Phung Quan, an admissions consultant at Ho Chi Minh City University of Science, also affirmed that Education will remain a focal point in 2025 university admissions. Based on national exam score distributions and new policies, he predicts a slight increase in pedagogy scores, but with more noticeable variation between majors and universities.

Due to the shift away from early admission, students now register their preferences only after receiving their exam scores. This change has increased competition at top schools, making entry scores even less predictable. Expected score increases range from 0.25 to 0.75 points depending on major and intake targets.

Applicants with total scores of 25 or higher can expect a strong chance of being accepted into education programs at top universities. Those scoring between 21 and 24 may still gain admission to regional teacher training colleges or lower-competition majors or benefit from advantageous subject combinations.

However, Mr. Quan emphasized that while entry scores are likely to rise slightly again this year, the increase will not be uniform. A clear divide will emerge between social and natural science majors, and between central and local universities.

An admissions official at a leading pedagogy university revealed that based on early data, entry scores for education majors are likely to be slightly higher than last year. In 2024, the highest entry score at the institution was 28.6, recorded in History and Literature Education. The lowest entry score was 23.69, while many majors fell between 26 and 27.

Teaching gains appeal thanks to multiple incentives

Over the past four years, Education has become one of the most competitive university sectors. In recent years, admission scores for many teaching majors have even surpassed those of prestigious medical programs.

Explaining why pedagogy is attracting so much attention and reaching such high entry scores, Dr. Huynh Trung Phong, Director of the Center for Student Support and Entrepreneurship at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, pointed to several key factors.

First, enrollment quotas for education majors are limited. Some majors only admit 20–30 students. The Ministry of Education and Training assigns quotas based on actual societal demand, meaning universities are only allowed to admit the number of students necessary to meet staffing needs, rather than recruiting freely.

Second, recent government policies have significantly supported education students. Full tuition waivers and living stipends have encouraged high-achieving but financially disadvantaged students to apply. Additionally, employment prospects upon graduation have improved, attracting more applicants.

Third, the introduction of the Law on Teachers has elevated the status of the teaching profession. Teachers’ salaries have also been raised to top-tier levels, which has further drawn interest from students.

Lastly, public awareness about teacher shortages in many regions has grown, prompting students to consider education majors as both a meaningful and practical career path.

Le Huyen