VnExpress reported that Melbourne – ranked Australia’s top in both QS and THE rankings – now includes a total of 23 Vietnamese schools on its direct admission list.

From July, the university will allow students from the 23 schools for gifted students entry on to courses, without attending a one-year university foundation program.

“This year, the university is applying this policy for the first time to four countries Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines,” said Lam Minh Khoa, country manager of the University of Melbourne in Vietnam.

After 10 years of allowing direct entry from the initial 12 Vietnamese schools, Melbourne has accepted that the academic ability of the students is satisfactory to skip the foundation program, the news organisation reported that Khoa suggested.

“Vietnam’s school system continues to improve, driven by relentless expectations from parents as well as the rapid growth of private schools (particularly bilingual schools) in recent years,” Haike Manning, executive director, Southeast Asia at Acumen, told The PIE.

In the five years up to July 2023, the number of international schools in the country grew by 65%, according to ISC Research.

“Overall, students are better equipped academically and with English, and so better prepared for international university study,” Manning continued.

“Foreign universities – particularly those from Australia and New Zealand – have been progressively recognising this fact by adjusting their direct entry policies for Vietnam, including top universities such as the University of Melbourne and University of Auckland.

“For parents and students direct entry has real value as it removes the need for foundation or bridging courses, which reduces total study time and cost; there is also a status aspect to having your high school diploma recognised internationally.”

Melbourne also offers direct entry for students with International Baccalaureate, A levels and US High School Diplomas curriculum.

“Overall, students are better equipped academically and with English”

With students able to satisfy English language requirements, it also offers opportunities for students with specific diplomas and certificates from Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Sri Lanka and a range of European countries.

Trinity College Foundation Studies is Melbourne’s “preferred” foundation studies program and pathway for international students seeking entry into the University’s undergraduate degrees.

A University of Melbourne spokesperson confirmed to The PIE that the Vietnamese schools would be added to its direct admission list, but did not give further details on the policy for Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.