Q&A with VinUniversity

Every admission round, VinUniversity receives countless questions from parents and students from all over the world. Especially, in this “last-minute” phase of application for the final admission, to provide the best support and answers for all applicants, we will gather the top FAQs by topic to answer.

Topic 1: Opportunities for Exchange Programs and Integrated Bachelor’s-Master’s Degree Program Overseas

Q: While studying at VinUniversity, can I study abroad, or only study in Vietnam? What kind of support programs does the faculty offer?

A: Yes. Having international experience is a very important factor in studying at VinUniversity.

Students have many opportunities to experience learning and research at leading universities and research institutes around the world. Currently, VinUniversity has successfully signed cooperation agreements with 19 universities to implement student exchange programs, integrated Bachelor – Master programs 3+2 and/or 4+1.

With the 3+2 Integrated Bachelor – Master program, VinUniversity students will study for 3 years at VinUniversity and the next 2 years at VinUniversity’s partner institution. With the 4+1 program, students will study 4 years at VinUniversity and 1 year at VinUniversity’s partner institution. After 5 years, students will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree awarded by VinUniversity and a Master’s degree awarded by the partner University. This route helps students “save” time from 0.5 – 1 academic year as compared to the conventional 4-year Bachelor’s and 1.5 – 2-year Master’s programs.

VinUniversity’s signed agreements on these integrated Degree programs are with partner institutions such as Cornell University (ranked #14 in the World’s top universities – QS World University Rankings 2020), University of Pennsylvania (ranked #13 in the World’s top universities by QS World University Rankings 2022); University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (ranked #4 for graduate programs in Computer Engineering and #3 for Environmental Engineering by US News 2022); University of California San Diego (#34 globally by Times Higher Education 2022); University of Technology Sydney (ranked #11 in The Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2022).

VinUniversity has also cooperated with many prestigious international universities to implement student exchange programs (Student Exchange) such as: Cornell University (USA), University of Technology Sydney (Australia); Yonsei University, Pohang University of Science and Technology (Korea); Technical Institute of Lausanne Switzerland – EPFL; Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; University of Toronto (Canada), NYENRODE Business School (Netherlands); … In particular, the program is equally recognized by each university for the same educational quality and corresponding credits.

Q: What support programs does the university offer to students participating in these Integrated Bachelor-Master Degree programs and student exchange programs?

A: With the Integrated Bachelor – Master Degree program, VinUniversity students have the opportunity to apply for Vingroup’s 1,100 Science and Technology Scholarships Program for Overseas Study for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees to be sponsored with a full-aid scholarship for 1 or 2 years studying abroad. Each year, the program will provide 100 scholarships covering all tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, round-trip airfare, and other related expenses.

When participating in the Student Exchange program at VinUniversity’s partner institution overseas, all VinUniversity students will not be charged additional tuition fees. However, they will be responsible for their travel and living expenses while studying abroad.

Q: After graduating from the Bachelor’s Degree Program, I want to study overseas for Master’s and Doctoral degrees, can VinUniversity support me?

A: Students of Bachelor’s programs and Engineering majors at VinUniversity are offered great support if they wish to continue their studies to the Master’s or Doctoral level. Specifically, they have the opportunity to apply for the following Programs when as VinUniversity students:

• Integrated Bachelor – Master’s Degree Degree Program: as mentioned specifically in the previous question.
• The PhD program: a combination between VinUniversity and partner universities. Currently, VinUniversity has signed cooperation agreements for the Doctoral program with the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Accordingly, doctoral students of each university will be able to participate in research at the partner university for at least 1 year and will graduate with a Doctoral Degree awarded by both universities. Doctoral students under this Program will receive Vingroup’s
• Vingroup’s 1,100 Science and Technology Scholarships Program for Overseas Study for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees. VinUniversity graduates can apply for Vingroup Scholarships for overseas masters and doctoral programs. There are more than 50 key science and technology majors that they can choose to apply to at nearly 70 of the world’s most prestigious universities in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Israel, and Japan, Korea, Singapore….. Further Information about the Scholarship Program is available at the website: https://scholarships.vinuni.edu.vn/ 

Topic 2: Scholarship and Financial Support Opportunities During the Course of Study at VinUniversity

Q: Will I have a chance to apply for a higher level of scholarship? When and how?

A: Yes. At the end of each academic year, students should actively submit a Self-Assessment Report on: (1) Academic performance, (2) Other achievements/activities that reflect VinUniversity’s core values ​​(EXCEL), and (3) Personal aspirations for scholarships. Through this information, combined with an assessment of disciplinary violations during the course of study, the faculty will consider maintaining, increasing or lowering your scholarship to the most appropriate level. In these reports, if you can showcase your outstanding academic ability, excellent extracurricular achievements, and the ability to influence and inspire others, you have a chance to receive a higher level of scholarship for the upcoming period of study.

Q: Is there a chance for me to raise my financial aid level to a higher level than it is now? When and how?

A: During the course of your study, if you and your family experience a major event impacting your financial conditions, please submit a Financial Aid Review Request, outlining the reasons for applying for an increase in financial support (for example, unexpected expenses, sudden loss of job, the sudden death of parents, etc.). The faculty will consider increasing the level of support based on this request. In case your family’s economic condition does not change significantly, you do not need to apply every year, this financial aid will automatically renew, provided that you maintain an academic rating of Average or higher. (ie GPA from 2.0) and continuously demonstrate personal qualities while having no record of serious violations of student regulations.

In addition, if you are confident about your outstanding growth in achievements, and academic results as well as the ability to make an impact on the large community, do not hesitate to apply for a Scholarship for the upcoming academic year.

Q: Will the scholarship be maintained for my course of study at VinUniversity? What do I have to do to ensure this?

A: Your scholarship will automatically be maintained for the next academic year, if your academic ranking stays at a GPA of 2.5 (for 90% scholarship) and 3.2 GPA (for 100% and Full-aid scholarship) or higher while continuing to demonstrate outstanding and excellent ability without serious violations of student regulations. In case the above-mentioned requirements are not met to maintain the Scholarship, the School will evaluate your demonstration of the EXCEL core values ​​to determine the Scholarship status.

Topic 3: Freshman-Year Internship Opportunities & Career Prospects After Graduation

Q: Can I work at VinUniversity during my studies? If so, what is the salary range for students?

A: Yes. With the Work-Study program, VinUniversity students will be able to work at the faculty from the freshman year with a maximum salary of VND 5,000,000 net/month.

Students can take on different work positions such as research assistants, and interns at VinUniversity departments such as the Provost’s Office, Library, Admissions & Marketing Department, Information Technology Department, Business Cooperation Department, Student Affairs Management Department,…

Thus, the students can both experience and gain practical work insights while earning an income for themselves. In addition, students will practice and improve their time management skills, financial management skills and communication skills. These valuable experiences will help them make the right career choices and enhance their career prospects in the future. The Work-Study program is quite popular among universities around the world and VinUniversity is proud to be the pioneer in implementing this program for its students right from the freshman year.

Q: Where can students have their internship while studying? Are student internships important to the faculty?

A: Industry Engagement is one of the most important components of VinUniversity’s training program. VinUniversity students from the 3 Colleges are offered various practical internship opportunities, not only at VinUniversity (under the Work-Study program) but also at leading domestic and international corporations, to directly learn from their high-level leaders, managers, and industry experts.

VinUniversity’s Internship programs are also designed in various forms. During the semester, students can participate in the internship program “5-in-5 Internship” – for 5 consecutive weeks, students spend every Friday interning in different positions in their registered company to understand the business’ overall operating model. Thus, with this program, students can take on internships in various companies of different fields within an academic year, in order to decide where they want to have their intensive internship during the Summer Internship program.

Specifically, right from the freshman year, students of VinUniversity’s College of Business and Management can join internships at VinPearl, Vinhomes, Melia International Hotels Group, Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts; telecom industry such as Viettel Digital Services, FPT Telecom; Finance majors such as Ernst & Young, Woori Bank…. Students of VinUniversity’s College of Engineering and Computer Science can participate in internships at VinFast, VNPT Technology, Techcombank, and Ernst & Young,…

Particularly, for the specialized curriculum of the medical study major, after completing the courses of Foundational Studies, Basic Sciences and Pre-clinical sciences; students of VinUniversity’s College of Health Sciences will be able to take on clinical practice in Vietnam’s healthcare systems, including the Vinmec International General Hospital System. In particular, VinUniversity has established a Medical Simulation Center right on campus. The center is designed as a simulation hospital with more than 30 training rooms with modern facilities, models, and equipment, meeting the technical standards of the world’s leading medical simulation centers. With this Simulation Center, VinUniversity’s medical students can enjoy the outstanding privilege of experiencing early clinical practice right from their freshman year.

Q: After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from VinUni, what are our career opportunities?

A: VinUniversity has laid the foundation for cooperation with leading domestic and foreign enterprises to facilitate internship, research, and mentorship for its students. Therefore, VinUniversity students have the opportunity to learn from multiple leading corporations such as Ernst & Young, Deloitte, BCG, Vietnam Airlines, FPT Telecom, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott, Business Council Vietnam-Cambodia, Techcombank, Woori Bank, and pioneering startups, as well as other dynamic non-profit bodies and NGOs. Companies in Vingroup’s ecosystem such as Vinpearl, Vincom Retail, VinAI, VinBrain, VinBigdata, VinFast, Vinmec, and Vinschool… are all highly interested in and actively facilitating VinUniversity students through the provided internship environment, research projects, and career opportunities. These are outstanding advantages that only a few universities can offer.

The faculty believes that the above advantages will open the door to exceptional career prospects for VinUniversity graduates not only at Vingroup but also at other leading organizations, businesses, and corporations in Vietnam and around the world.

Topic 4: “I’m Interested in Creating Startups and Doing Research. In Which Ways Can VinUniversity Support Me?”

Q: Can I start a business while studying at VinUniversity? If yes, what support does the faculty have for students’ start-up projects?

A: Certainly. However, no one is born knowing how to start a business, so the faculty will make multiple efforts to provide the best support for students to start a business. Examples include training programs, competitions, startup incubator funding programs as well as startup accelerator funding programs.

With the orientation to be a university of innovation and entrepreneurship, VinUniversity established the Entrepreneurship Lab (E Lab) similar to many international universities’ models for entrepreneurship, such as at Cornell University and MIT University of Technology, USA.

Right from the moment they entered the university, VinUniversity freshmen have had their entrepreneurial mindset cultivated through the Adaptive Innovation Course – providing the foundational knowledge about entrepreneurship. At the end of the Agile Innovation course, students will participate in a 36-hour Hackathon – students from different Colleges work together in groups to come up with a startup idea for a specific product. The most potential projects will be closely mentored by E-Lab’s advisors with weekly support for idea development. When the idea is fully ready, students will be given small funds of 2,000 USD/project to test their incubation phase in the Incubator Program. The most outstanding projects will be selected for the Acceleration round with more support and funding up to 10,000 USD/team. E-Lab’s advisors are all current entrepreneurs/managers, co-founders and C-level leaders from Finhay, MoMo, Amazon Web Services…

In particular, with such an opportunity to study and live in a community of excellent students from many different fields, VinUniversity students can find partners – “Co-Founders” to accompany them to future success.

Q: Can I do research at VinUni? Specifically, in what ways can I participate in research work and is there compensation?

A: Of course, the faculty encourages students to do research and believes that research is an important avenue for cultivating systematic thinking, scientific mindset, and integrity.

With the current “golden” ratio of lecturers, professors to each student being 1/7, right from the freshman year, VinUniversity students have been offered the opportunity to participate in research projects alongside their lecturers as Research Assistant and receive compensation under the Work-Study program. In addition, students are also facilitated and funded by the faculty to carry out their independent research projects, where the students accumulate research credits in the transcript as elective subjects instead of receiving financial compensation.

In addition, VinUniversity students can join as research assistants at VinUniversity Research Center – Illinois Smart Health Center (VISHC), to carry out top-notch research projects that have an impact on the lives of millions of people under the guidance of leading professors in the field from VinUniversity and the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC).

One of the special offerings of VinUni is that students from the freshman year can participate in research with professors and lecturers. Not many famous universities in the world can offer such a privilege. Instead of just being an acquirer of knowledge, when being “embedded” in a real-world research environment early, students can directly learn, discover, and verify their understanding to master the process of creating new knowledge while having early access to the latest knowledge in many fields.

Many research projects with the participation of VinUniversity students have been published in journals of the Q1 group, and a number of independent research projects of VinUniversity students are funded by the faculty to speed up their process, including a research project on HPV vaccine, the quality of sleep of postpartum women in Vietnam, or the Quality of Life (QoL) of Vietnamese women patients who diagnosed with urogenital prolapse post-treatment, etc.

Q: I have many personal interests besides studying, will I be supported to develop those interests at VinUni?

A: Yes. you will be spending 4-6 years of your youth with VinUniversity. Therefore, the faculty aims to become your second home, a place that not only helps your study, but also develop your interests and personal abilities.

VinUniversity is a diverse, open and highly supportive environment for students to develop themselves in the most comprehensive way, not just for in-class studying and researching. There are currently more than 20 clubs active in many fields such as art, sports, debate, culture, etc. that you can join according to your interests, or start a new club yourself if you want.

In addition, there are also a variety of community projects such as projects to help high school students across the country to define their own orientation, build a nursing home model, teach English to people in Khanh Hoa province, etc. for you to join if you are a person who likes community activities.

If you are a person with big ideas and passion for the field of entrepreneurship, the Entrepreneurship Lab (E-lab) has many programs to support you as mentioned above.