Enrollment in second-degree English language programs in Vietnam has surged in recent years, prompting education authorities to strengthen oversight of training capacity, academic standards and graduate proficiency.

At a meeting on the management of second-degree programs, distance education in English language studies and foreign language certificates, Nguyen Tien Thao, director of the Higher Education Department under the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), presented figures highlighting the rapid expansion.

According to the national higher education database, enrollment in second-degree English language programs offered through full-time and work-study formats rose 61.2%, from 10,613 students in 2023 to 17,113 in 2025.

Over the same period, enrollment in distance-learning English language programs increased 60.5%, from 32,489 to 52,129 students. The number of institutions enrolling distance-learning students also climbed from 20 to 39.

For 2026, higher education institutions have registered 38,224 admission places for distance-learning English language programs, 5,810 for full-time second-degree programs and 6,534 for work-study second-degree programs.

The planned intake for work-study second-degree programs alone represents a 68.6% increase from 2025.

The Higher Education Department warned that such rapid growth requires closer scrutiny of whether institutions have sufficient capacity to deliver quality education.

Assessments must cover teaching staff, digital learning materials, learning management systems, practical training conditions and the evaluation of students' listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

For second-degree programs, institutions must also ensure that credit recognition and transfers from previously completed courses are properly documented for individual students and consistent with graduation requirements.

The department proposed targeted inspections, prioritizing institutions with large or rapidly expanding enrollments.

It also recommended establishing standardized curricula for English language studies, applying equivalent learning outcomes across different modes of instruction and examining a minimum graduation proficiency requirement of Level 5 under Vietnam's six-level foreign language proficiency framework, equivalent to C1 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Vietnam to tighten inspections and standardize English degree requirements

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Le Quan acknowledged that pursuing a second degree in English language studies is a legitimate educational need.

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However, with enrollment expanding rapidly and expected to continue growing, he called for stronger inspections, standardized curricula and stricter measures to ensure graduates meet the required academic standards.

Le Quan instructed the Higher Education Department to lead specialized inspections of second-degree English language programs delivered through distance learning.

The department must review national education data, select institutions for on-site inspections and conduct broader examinations of distance-learning operations nationwide.

Any shortcomings or irregularities identified during these inspections must be addressed promptly.

The deputy minister specifically directed the department to coordinate with the Internal Political Security Department under the Ministry of Public Security from the initial implementation stage and throughout the inspection process.

He also instructed the Higher Education Department to finalize and submit for approval standardized curricula for foreign languages, literature and culture, including English language studies.

Under the proposed requirements, graduates of second-degree English language programs must achieve learning outcomes equivalent to those of students completing regular full-time degree programs.

Regarding the Level 5, or C1-equivalent, language proficiency requirement, Le Quan stressed that universities must provide verifiable evidence demonstrating that students have attained the prescribed standard.

He emphasized that students should receive a bachelor's degree in English language studies only after obtaining a certificate confirming C1-level proficiency.

The deputy minister additionally assigned the Higher Education Department to work with the Department of Science, Technology and Information to develop a circular establishing standards for distance-learning platforms.

Thanh Hung