US - EducationUSA
In early October, 60 US colleges and universities participated in the EducationUSA exhibition in Hanoi – a market that the UK considers favourable.
The ‘Spring 2024 Snapshot on International Education Exchange report’ by the Institute of International Education (IIE) showed a 38% increase in the number of Vietnamese students applying for US universities in 2024 compared to the previous academic year. While the report does not mention actual student numbers, record shows an annual average of nearly 21,000 Vietnamese students enrolling in US higher education institutions between 2016-2020.
European Education Week
Also in October, 60 European universities from 18 member countries participated in an education exhibition in two major cities in Viet Nam: Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, attracting around 5,000 visitors seeking out study opportunities in Europe.
The exhibition was followed by Erasmus+ Day, the first ever Erasmus+ higher education partnership networking event to support new partnerships in teaching and research, drawing participation from 50 European universities and 100 Vietnamese universities. At the Erasmus+ Day, the discussion was focused on Project 89 - the Viet Nam post graduate scholarship scheme for university lecturers - and ways in which European universities could support, contribute and benefit from the project.
Australia
Australia, one of the largest Government scholarship providers to Viet Nam, has strengthened comprehensive strategic bilateral partnerships with Viet Nam through different initiatives. It is likely that Aus4Skills, a ten-year partnership (2016-2025) valued at AUD86 million between Vietnam and Australia to build Viet Nam’s human resource capacity, will be extended for another ten years, with similar support and focus.
What does this mean for the UK sector?
The interest in overseas study in Viet Nam remains high and major study destination countries are actively engaging and investing in student recruitment activities in Viet Nam. The UK is recognised as a value-for-money and ‘opportunity-cost saving’ undergraduate study destination, with its three-year degrees, but more needs to be done to raise the UK’s profile amid strong competition from countries that have strong historical and social links to Viet Nam.
A number of UK universities have started to directly recruit excellent Vietnamese students from grade 12 without requiring them to complete the Foundation for A-level programmes, but the scale is nowhere near that of Australia’s where eight top Australian universities directly recruit Vietnamese students with an overall high school GPA of 7 and above, into their undergraduate programmes. In addition to considering more direct recruitment of top-tier students, UK universities may also want to consider expanding scholarship and bursary opportunities for Vietnamese students.
UK institutions may want to consider connecting with the British Council’s network of education agents for stronger promotion in Viet Nam market through exhibitions and visits. These agents have completed their training under the British Council’s Agent Quality Framework and continuously receive professional development support from the British Council, such as through annual meetings. The upcoming Viet Nam Agent Annual Meeting on 14 November 2024 is an annual flagship event that provides the opportunity for agents and UK institutions to network and explore potential partnership opportunities. Those interested to attend can register at this link.
Reference
https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/vietnam-aus4skills-fact-sheet.pdf
Erasmus+ 2024: Thúc đẩy hợp tác giáo dục giữa Việt Nam và Liên minh Châu Âu