The number of candidates using IELTS for university admission has increased dramatically. What do schools say?

TPO - The number of candidates using foreign language certificates, commonly IELTS, to convert into English scores or receive priority points has increased significantly at many top universities.

Dr. Le Anh Duc - Head of the Training Management Department (National Economics University) said that this year, about 25,000 candidates with international certificates such as IELTS and SAT registered to enter the National Economics University (NEU), an increase of one and a half times compared to last year.

Eight years ago, when the school first used IELTS with a requirement of 6.5 or higher or equivalent for admission, it received only about 50 applications. This number reached about 2,000 in 2019, and 11,000 in 2023.

According to Mr. Duc, the certificate scores have also improved. This year, although the minimum score is IELTS 5.5, more than 90% of candidates achieved 6.0 or higher.

Of the approximately 40,000 candidates wishing to enter the Banking Academy this year, more than 13,000 used foreign language certificates, more than double the number last year. The school said that overall, the certificate scores were better than previous years.

At Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Duy Hai, Head of Admissions and Career Guidance Department, said that 13,000 candidates used IELTS to register for admission to the school, an increase of 1.5 times.

In the southern region, many schools recorded similar increases. Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy said that this year nearly 2,000 students with IELTS certificates registered, while last year about 1,300.

At Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, the group submitting international language certificates is nearly 2,500, an increase compared to 1,600 last year.

The sharp increase was seen at the University of Industry in Ho Chi Minh City and the University of Economics and Law, with nearly 8,000 and 8,900 students submitting IELTS, TOEIC, and TOEFL evidence, respectively. Compared to the previous admission season, this group increased 2.6 and 4 times.

Why are schools "interested"?

Associate Professor, Dr. Le Huu Lap, former Deputy Director of the Academy of Posts and Telecommunications Technology, said that in reality, many schools now convert international English certificates into English scores for admission purposes. In fact, the vast majority of students with high-level English certificates have a fairly favorable time entering university programs, especially high-quality programs. And the conversion is the right of universities.

Mr. Lap assessed that international certificates such as SAT, ACT, IELTS... are all "stable" knowledge assessment certificates when compared with annual high school exam scores, so branded schools also tend to prioritize using these certificates.

However, according to Mr. Lap, some students who do not have the conditions to study for this certificate are certainly at a disadvantage. He gave an example of this year's high school English exam, it is not certain that students with an IELTS score of 6.5 can do the test to get 9 points while when converted to an English certificate, they will get at least 9 points.

“When schools recruit students with high English certificates, for example, IELTS certificates of 6.0 or higher, the school will save time training English for students (one of the school's output standards) and the learning materials for students will be more abundant (meaning students will have better conditions to study and research)” - Mr. Lap expressed his opinion.

Talking to Tien Phong, Dr. Le Anh Duc - Head of the Department of Training Management (National Economics University) said that the strategy of the Department of Training Management is to gradually increase the proportion of interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary training programs in English (taught and studied in English) with a system of international standard textbooks and learning materials, etc. to attract excellent candidates who are passionate and ambitious to pursue their favorite field of study. Analysis of learning outcomes at the National Economics University also shows that this is the group of students with the best learning outcomes.

IELTS admission boom: Opportunities, challenges and the problem of "foreign currency bleeding"

Dr. Sai Cong Hong, Association of Vietnamese Universities and Colleges, said that it is estimated that in 2025 there will be about 300,000 IELTS tests, equivalent to 1,500 billion VND in fees, of which about 85% or about 1,275 billion VND will flow abroad. If the number of tests increases by 12% each year, by 2029 this figure could exceed 2,000 billion VND.

This does not include the cost of imported textbooks, native teachers' salaries and many other expenses. A significant amount of money that, if invested in a domestic foreign language proficiency testing system, would create much more sustainable value.

According to Mr. Hong, not only a few schools apply, but by 2025, many large universities across the country will continue to expand the use of international language certificates such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE in admission methods.

A series of schools are flexible in recruiting students for mass, high-quality, international programs or priority joint programs or converting IELTS scores according to each level. This mechanism creates favorable conditions for candidates with certificates, but also increases the pressure to take exams to get certificates among high school students.

The increase in IELTS-based university admissions reflects the young generation’s desire for integration, along with the responsiveness of parents and schools. However, without adjustments, this trend could deepen the educational gap and cause significant foreign exchange losses.

The problem is to maintain the spirit of integration without being dependent. We need a reliable domestic language assessment system, combined with a fair support policy to make IELTS a voluntary choice, an added value, not a "compulsory ticket" to open the door to university. Only then will this trend truly become a long-term benefit for both learners and the Vietnamese education system.

Besides the opportunity to improve foreign language skills, this trend has a big potential drawback: Inequality in access. IELTS test fee is about 4.6-5.3 million VND/time, while test preparation costs can be up to tens of millions, even hundreds of millions of VND.

For families in remote areas or with low incomes, this is a barrier that makes it difficult for their children to compete through this path. When admission opportunities depend heavily on expensive certificates, the gap between rich and poor students is further widened.

“The international language certificate IELTS has entered the domestic university admissions arena. This presents opportunities, but also poses many challenges and the problem of “foreign currency loss”,” Mr. Hong affirmed.

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Source: https://tienphong.vn/thi-sinh-dung-ielts-xet-tuyen-dai-hoc-tang-vot-nha-truong-noi-gi-post1768516.tpo