According to the training regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training , there is currently no mandatory regulation on the minimum age to be awarded a bachelor's degree - Photo: TRAN HUYNH
After the article "Ho Chi Minh City National University recognizes credits from high school, interdisciplinary, and inter-school" on Tuoi Tre Online, a reader asked: "What is the earliest age to graduate with a bachelor's degree? Or do you have to wait until a certain age to receive your diploma after finishing school?".
This is also a question of many people, especially as more and more students are studying ahead.
There is no minimum age limit for receiving a college degree.
In reality, students usually finish high school at the age of 18. The condition for university admission is high school graduation.
According to the training regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, there is currently no mandatory regulation on the minimum age to be awarded a bachelor's degree.
As long as students meet the entry requirements and complete the program and meet the output standards, they can receive a university degree at any age.
Conditions for a student to graduate include: completing all courses in the training program; meeting the prescribed output standards; not violating regulations; completing all graduation procedures; and meeting the requirements for a degree according to the regulations of the school and the Ministry of Education and Training.
The current regular university training period in Vietnam is usually 4-6 years, depending on the program. Specifically, bachelor's degree is 4 years, engineer is 4.5-5 years, pharmacist is 5 years, doctor is 6 years.
So, normally a student graduates from university at the age of 22 or older depending on the field. And of course, a degree is awarded if the conditions as mentioned above are met.
College is no longer 4 years
Notably, many universities now have the flexibility to shorten training time, and at the same time allow students to study ahead to graduate early, in just 3 - 3.5 years.
In addition, some international programs or foreign universities in Vietnam have a training duration of only 3 years. Not to mention, these schools also allow students to study in accelerated courses (summer semester), so the time can be shortened even more.
For example, at RMIT Vietnam, the bachelor's program here lasts 3 years (full-time), but students can study faster if they register for summer school or advance study (the "accelerated program" package), finishing in just 2.5 years.
In the above cases, since there is no minimum age limit for receiving a bachelor's degree, a student can receive a bachelor's degree upon turning 21.
Currently, many students at the age of 21 have completed university programs at many public schools. Notably, many excellent students can even own two bachelor degrees after only 3.5 years of study, instead of the usual 4 years.
A typical example is the case of student La Nguyen Gia Hy, Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Technology - Ho Chi Minh City National University, who completed the program in 3.5 years and graduated with honors in 2025.
The 2025-2026 school year is the first year that Ho Chi Minh City University of Law has implemented a reform of the training program, shortening the study time from 4 years to 3.5 years. Accordingly, students will complete 120 credits within 3 years and spend the remaining half year on their graduation thesis.
Master Cu Xuan Tien - Head of Admissions and Student Affairs Department, University of Economics and Law (Ho Chi Minh City National University), said that the bachelor's program is designed for 4 years. However, the school flexibly organizes an additional summer semester to create conditions for students to study ahead. In fact, there have been students who graduated after only 3 years of active study.
The secret to excelling in your studies and getting a college degree early
Sharing about his journey, La Nguyen Gia Hy said: "To graduate early, I carefully studied the academic regulations and built a suitable learning path for myself. An important requirement is to complete the major project before doing the graduation project. Therefore, I proactively did this project early in the second semester of my third year."
At Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, student Thieu Le Cam Linh (class 47) completed two majors at the same time: investment economics and international business in 3.5 years and achieved excellent results in both.
"I always try to find ways to create interest in difficult subjects, proactively allocate time reasonably and persistently study documents. Most importantly, I clearly define my goals and study strategies. With dual majors, I choose subjects that can be converted to both programs, and at the same time, I am not afraid to ask teachers and discuss with friends to clarify knowledge.
In addition, I make the most of resources from the library and the Internet to expand my knowledge" - Cam Linh shared.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/co-gioi-han-do-tuoi-tot-nghiep-dai-hoc-va-nhan-bang-la-bao-nhieu-khong-20250920125600824.htm
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