The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has just issued Circular No. 54/2026/TT-BGDDT regulating the training program for all levels of higher education.
The Circular clearly stipulates the minimum study volume for each level. Accordingly, the university level training program and the level 6 training program have a minimum volume of 120 credits; specialized and specific training programs from 150 credits or more; master's level training programs from 45 credits or more; doctoral level training programs are 90 credits.
Output standards associated with digital competency, artificial intelligence and career requirements
According to the circular, for university level, output standards must have requirements for digital competence, content on artificial intelligence (AI), foreign language competence, adaptability and lifelong learning.
For the master's level, the output standard must reflect requirements for research capacity, innovation, application and knowledge development.
For doctoral degrees, the requirements are set for independent research capacity, proposing new technologies or solutions, having scientific publications or research result application products, and having the ability to guide scientific research and innovation.
The Circular also clearly stipulates the minimum study volume for each level. Accordingly, the university level training program and the level 6 training program have a minimum volume of 120 credits; specialized and specific training programs from 150 credits or more; master's level training programs from 45 credits or more; doctoral level training programs are 90 credits.
For the university-level training program, in addition to the block of general education knowledge, basic industry knowledge and industry knowledge, the program must have supplementary content on foreign languages, digital competence, artificial intelligence and other necessary knowledge and skills. Research-oriented and academic programs must strengthen scientific, academic research and innovation activities; application-oriented and professional programs must strengthen practice, internship, professional experience, projects or schemes associated with practice.
Linking autonomy with regulations on staff and quality assurance conditions
The Circular stipulates that training institutions are autonomous in building and developing training programs, and at the same time must be responsible for the quality of the program and perform accountability according to the provisions of law.
The training program must be built on the basis of training program standards at the corresponding level, industry, group of industries or field; be referenced and compared with professional standards, competency standards, professional requirements, training programs and domestic and international practices; must be appraised before promulgation.
The Circular specifically stipulates the requirement for full-time lecturers to play a core role in organizing the implementation and teaching the program. For the university-level training program, full-time lecturers with doctoral degrees must directly teach at least 50% of the total study volume belonging to the basic knowledge of the industry, industry knowledge and in-depth knowledge.
For in-depth training programs at level 7 and master's level training programs, full-time lecturers must directly teach at least 75% of the learning volume belonging to industry knowledge and in-depth knowledge.
For doctoral training programs, lecturers directly teaching must have a doctoral degree, regularly participate in postgraduate training and maintain research and scientific publication activities annually; and at the same time, must ensure that the team meets the standards for research student guidance and requirements for the doctoral dissertation evaluation council.
Regarding facilities, the Circular requires practice facilities, internships, equipment, libraries, digital learning materials, information technology platforms and training support systems to meet the requirements of organizing the implementation of the program. Each module must have appropriate textbooks or learning materials, ensuring science, modernity, and compliance with regulations on intellectual property, national defense, security, community interests, culture, ethics and fine customs.
For specific fields such as health, teacher training, arts, sports, ethnic minority languages or rare languages, the Circular stipulates appropriate requirements for lecturers, practice facilities, practicing licenses and professional experience, ensuring to meet professional characteristics and training organization requirements.
