UK transnational education enrollment grows 20% annually in Vietnam as partnerships deepen

The trend reflects increasing demand for high-quality international education accessible within Vietnam, while underscoring the UK’s expanding academic cooperation with Vietnamese institutions across a broader range of disciplines.

Strong growth in UK TNE programs, student enrollment

TNE refers to a model in which students pursue programs offered by foreign institutions without having to go abroad, such as joint programs.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Hoang Van Anh, head of Education at BC Vietnam, said the UK currently leads in Vietnam in the number of joint programs, with around 70 in operation.

More than 12,600 students are enrolled in UK TNE programs in Vietnam, with enrollment rising at about 20 percent annually since 2018.

Anh said the structure of academic disciplines has shifted markedly, with stronger growth in engineering, science, and technology fields aligned with Vietnam’s evolving economic priorities, compared with earlier programs focused on traditional disciplines.

She added that Vietnamese universities are moving beyond simple program transfer models toward deeper academic cooperation, including joint curriculum development, collaborative research, and partnerships in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), artificial intelligence, and green technology.

This shift reflects a transition from ‘program transfer’ to ‘value co-creation.'

Strengthening quality assurance in line with UK standards

UK TNE programs are designed and regulated under strict academic quality assurance systems to ensure they meet the same standards as those delivered in the UK.

These standards cover learning outcomes, assessment methods, and academic integrity, and are supported by the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), which is widely recognized internationally for its transparency and rigor.

Anh said BC Vietnam is working with the Department of Quality Management under Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training to strengthen higher education quality assurance and support the implementation of the Vietnamese prime minister’s Decision 78/QD-TTg, which outlines plans to develop the quality assurance and accreditation system for higher education and teacher training institutions in the 2022–30 period.

In cooperation with QAA, BC Vietnam is also supporting Vietnamese universities in improving their internal quality assurance systems through institutional reviews, training programs, and policy exchanges aimed at strengthening academic collaboration, credit recognition, and two-way student mobility.

Expanding access to education

Anh said TNE plays an important role in expanding access to international education in Vietnam by bringing modern curricula and advanced teaching methods directly to local institutions.

The model also supports academic collaboration and student and staff mobility, while strengthening institutional capacity and improving teaching quality and graduate employability.

She added that TNE provides a more cost-effective pathway to international education than full overseas study, allowing students to complete internationally recognized programs in Vietnam while also having opportunities to transfer abroad and gain global experience.

Research conducted by BC Vietnam shows that graduates from UK–Vietnam partnership programs are making significant contributions to the job market, particularly in the digital economy, technology, and green economy sectors.

A survey of around 550 alumni found strong competencies in digital skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to work in international environments.

Training programs are increasingly aligned with labor market needs in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, fintech, and automation, while in the green economy field students are also equipped with knowledge of renewable energy, environmental governance, and sustainable development.

BC Vietnam has supported talent and high-quality workforce development by funding collaborative TNE projects, including eight partnerships linking eight UK universities with 13 Vietnamese universities in STEM and emerging technology fields.

It has also supported internationalization initiatives, research collaboration, and publications on international education hubs, as well as guidance on education investment cooperation.

In the coming period, BC Vietnam said it will focus on strengthening higher education quality assurance, further developing TNE, and promoting research and innovation.