Circular No. 07/2025/TT-BGDĐT stipulates the joint training between Vietnamese higher education institutions and foreign higher education institutions at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on Joint Training Programs between Vietnamese Higher Education Institutions and Foreign Higher Education Institutions at Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Levels
_______________________

Pursuant to the Higher Education Law dated June 18, 2012; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Higher Education Law dated November 19, 2018;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 37/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to Decree No. 99/2019/NĐ-CP dated December 30, 2019 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Higher Education Law;

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2018/NĐ-CP dated June 6, 2018 of the Government on cooperation and investment by foreign entities in the education sector; Decree No. 124/2024/NĐ-CP dated October 5, 2024 amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 86/2018/NĐ-CP dated June 6, 2018 of the Government on cooperation and investment by foreign entities in the education sector;

In accordance with the proposal of the Director of the Department of Higher Education;

The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular regulating joint training programs between Vietnamese higher education institutions and foreign higher education institutions at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular regulates the organization and implementation of joint training programs at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels approved by the competent authority in accordance with the Government's regulations on cooperation and investment by foreign entities in the education sector between Vietnamese higher education institutions and foreign higher education institutions.

Article 2. This Circular applies to Vietnamese higher education institutions, foreign higher education institutions implementing joint training programs with Vietnamese higher education institutions, and related organizations and individuals.

Article 2. Forms of Joint Training Programs

Clause 1. Direct joint training programs may be implemented up to a maximum of 30% of the total workload of the training program through an online education system.

Clause 2. Online joint training programs ensure that more than 50% of the total workload of the training program is conducted through an online education system and apply only to the bachelor's level.

Clause 3. Combined direct and online joint training programs ensure that from 30% to 50% of the total workload of the training program is conducted through an online education system and apply only to the bachelor's and master's levels.

Article 3. Admissions

Clause 1. The enrollment quota for joint training programs with foreign countries is included within the annual training quota of Vietnamese higher education institutions and is determined according to the current regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Clause 2. Proof of meeting the language proficiency requirements for admission includes one of the following language certificates or diplomas:

Point a. Language certificates issued by units authorized to organize language proficiency tests and recognized as equivalent to the levels of the six-level Vietnamese Foreign Language Proficiency Framework as stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training;

Point b. Foreign language proficiency certificates issued by legally recognized testing organizations in Vietnam or abroad and recognized as equivalent to the levels of the six-level Vietnamese Foreign Language Proficiency Framework;

Point c. Diplomas of graduation from bachelor's degree or higher in foreign languages issued by Vietnamese higher education institutions, which specify the language proficiency of the student according to the Vietnamese Foreign Language Proficiency Framework;

Point d. Diplomas of graduation from bachelor's degree or higher issued by foreign higher education institutions to students who have completed full-time training programs abroad.

Clause 3. Vietnamese higher education institutions shall coordinate with foreign higher education institutions to detail plans for admissions, announcements of admissions, methods of admissions, organization of admissions, and recognition of successful candidates; the organization of language training courses to enable students to meet the language proficiency requirements before starting the main curriculum; the storage, responsibilities, and sanctions for violations by collectives, units, and individuals involved in the organization of admissions and recognition of successful candidates for each joint training program.

Article 4. Organization of Teaching and Learning

1. Students study full-time at domestic higher education institutions in Vietnam or at foreign higher education institutions according to the study plan issued before the start of the course. The organization of online classes must comply with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training and those of foreign higher education institutions regarding the application of information technology in online training.

2. The organization of language training courses for students to reach the required level of proficiency before attending regular courses shall be implemented within a maximum period of 12 months from the date when the student is confirmed as conditionally admitted due to not meeting the required language proficiency level of the joint training program with foreign countries.

3. Vietnamese higher education institutions organize or cooperate with other higher education institutions to implement mandatory subject teaching for Vietnamese citizens according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

4. Teaching plans; assignment of lecturers, advisors for projects, theses, proposals, dissertations, and doctoral theses, academic support staff, administrative staff; organization of enrollment; organization of examinations, assessments, recognition of completion of subjects or modules; guidance, assessment, and defense of projects, theses, proposals, dissertations, and doctoral theses; retention of academic results; temporary leave of absence, shortening or extending the study period, forced withdrawal; graduation recognition, issuance of diplomas; handling violations and other related matters during the organization of training shall be carried out in accordance with the current regulations of the issuing authority and agreements between both parties.

5. Lecturers currently teaching the corresponding training programs of foreign higher education institutions shall take the lead and be responsible for organizing teaching for no less than 25% of the total workload of the joint training program.

Article 5. Transfer of Programs and Training Institutions

1. Students may transfer to another joint training program with a foreign country, another domestic training program at the same level, in the same field, or in the same area of training if they meet the following conditions:

a) Currently studying joint training programs with foreign countries through direct collaboration;

b) Not currently under disciplinary action from a warning or higher;

c) Meeting the admission requirements for the intended program and major in the same year of admission; ensuring compliance with the study period and other regulations of the issuing authority; being accepted by Vietnamese higher education institutions or collaborating parties if they still have the capacity to train.

2. The number of credits accumulated by students will be recognized but not exceeding 50% of the total workload of the intended training program or according to the regulations of the foreign higher education institution issuing the diploma.

Article 6. Diplomas and Graduation Certificates

1. Diplomas issued to graduates of joint training programs must ensure full benefits equivalent to those of graduates of corresponding programs in the home country.

2. Vietnamese higher education institutions issue graduation certificates to graduates of joint training programs (to be used alongside the graduation diploma when required), which clearly state information about: the name of the joint training program, the form of collaboration, the duration of training in Vietnam and abroad, the initial level of proficiency in a foreign language of the student according to the Vietnamese Foreign Language Competency Framework of six levels, the language used during the study period, the reference level of training according to the National Qualification Framework of Vietnam or the corresponding system of levels and diplomas of foreign higher education institutions in the home country.

Article 7. Implementation Organization

1. Vietnamese higher education institutions

a) Develop and promulgate regulations on the organization and management of joint training programs with foreign countries in accordance with the Higher Education Law, Government Decrees on foreign cooperation and investment in the education sector, this Circular, and relevant current laws; ensuring transparency, consistency, and integration with the general management system of the institution.

b) Organize communication and dissemination of the institution's regulations on joint training programs with foreign countries to students, foreign higher education institutions, and related individuals and organizations.

c) Implement plans for monitoring, inspecting, and internal auditing of joint training programs with foreign countries; report and update information on joint training programs with foreign countries into the Higher Education Management Information System (HEM-IS) according to current regulations.

d) Support the recognition of diplomas for students when requested, and implement measures to ensure the rights of students and related parties.

2. National Universities and Regional Universities

a) Direct affiliated training units and subordinate units to implement the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article; organize supervision, inspection, and auditing of joint training programs with foreign countries of affiliated units and subordinates within their jurisdiction.

b) Aggregate information on joint training activities with foreign countries of affiliated units and subordinates, regularly or ad hoc reporting to the Ministry of Education and Training and competent authorities according to current regulations.

Article 8. Implementation clause

1. This Circular takes effect from the year 05 the 05 2025 and replaces Circular No. 38/2020/TT-BGDĐT dated October 6, 2020, issued by the Minister of Education and Training, regulating joint training programs with foreign countries at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels through online and combined online-offline forms.

2. Joint training programs approved before the effective date of this Circular continue to be implemented according to the published regulations until the end of the term specified in the decision. Joint training programs approved or extended by the competent authority after the effective date of this Circular shall be implemented in accordance with the Higher Education Law, Government Decrees on foreign cooperation and investment in the education sector, this Circular, and relevant current laws.

3. The Director of the Office, the Head of the Higher Education Department, the Heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training; rectors of universities and academies; presidents of higher education institutions; and related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular./.