The Ministry of Education and Training has issued an official directive to universities and academies nationwide, calling for stricter oversight of undergraduate programs designed for students who already hold a university degree.

According to the ministry, media reports and public concerns have highlighted shortcomings in the organization of second-degree programs at several higher education institutions, particularly those offering English language degrees. These problems have raised questions about the credibility and quality of Vietnam's higher education system.

To address these concerns and strengthen academic integrity, the ministry has instructed university rectors and academy directors to urgently review their curricula and tighten the management of students' academic workloads.

Institutions must review and restructure their programs to ensure that undergraduate curricula meet the minimum requirement of 120 credits.

The ministry also requires all second-degree programs to fully comply with their prescribed learning outcomes.

Particular attention must be paid to English language programs, where graduation assessments must demonstrate that students have genuinely acquired the language proficiency required by the curriculum.

For students who already hold a degree in another discipline or at a different qualification level, the actual study workload may be adjusted through credit recognition, credit transfers or course exemptions in accordance with institutional regulations.

However, such decisions must be based on academic assessments that are fair, transparent and academically rigorous. Institutions must compare learning outcomes, workloads and course content before recognizing previously completed studies.

The ministry stressed that credit exemptions must not weaken academic requirements or alter the intended learning outcomes of a degree program.

Universities must also closely monitor the number of credits students register for each semester. Under the directive, the maximum workload must not exceed 1.5 times the average semester workload specified in the standard study plan, except for students whose academic performance is rated good or higher.

The measure is intended to prevent students from taking excessive course loads or accelerating their studies in violation of regulations.

Stricter controls on distance learning and academic misconduct

The ministry has also ordered institutions to improve the organization of teaching, examinations and student assessments, particularly in distance learning programs.

Universities offering distance education must maintain a learning management system (LMS), digital learning materials, student identity verification mechanisms and systems for monitoring academic progress.

They must also retain records of teaching activities, student learning and assessment results.

All examinations and assessments must be aligned with the prescribed learning outcomes and accurately measure students' achievement at both course and program levels.

Distance-based assessments may be used only when they can guarantee the same standards of integrity, fairness and objectivity as in-person examinations. Such assessments must account for no more than 50% of a course's total grade.

The ministry further called for stronger inspections, tougher disciplinary measures and continued compliance with quality assurance requirements.

Universities must establish and enforce strict disciplinary procedures for serious or organized academic misconduct, including impersonation during examinations, arranging for another person to take an exam, and unauthorized use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other technologies to cheat.

Unauthorized interference with learning management systems or academic grading systems must also be subject to stringent penalties.

Higher education institutions are required to regularly review whether they continue to meet quality assurance standards, fulfill their accountability obligations and take legal responsibility for the quality of their training programs.

The ministry has instructed all institutions to fully implement the directive and promptly identify and address any violations.

Thanh Hung