For the 2026 admissions cycle, the Foreign Trade University (FTU) continues to solidify its reputation as one of the most selective and top-tier institutions for students holding international language certificates. With an increased enrollment quota and the introduction of several new majors, mastering the FTU IELTS conversion policy is a critical step for students looking to maximize their chances of admission into high-demand programs like International Economics or Logistics.
FTU IELTS to Admission Score Conversion Table for 2026
Unlike other universities that often accept applications with a 5.5 band score, Foreign Trade University maintains high standards, only considering candidates with an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 or higher. The certificate score is converted to a 10-point scale to replace the English subject score in admission combinations.
Details of the 2026 IELTS conversion scale:
- IELTS 8.0 – 9.0: Converts to 10 points.
- IELTS 7.5: Converts to 9.5 points.
- IELTS 7.0: Converts to 9.0 points.
- IELTS 6.5: Converts to 8.5 points.
A score of 7.5 is considered the “sweet spot” for FTU applicants, yielding a 9.5 conversion. However, for majors with admission cut-offs approaching 28.5 – 29 points, achieving an 8.0 to secure a perfect 10 remains the ultimate goal for many students aiming to build a highly competitive application.
Comparison of FTU Admissions: 2025 vs. 2026
Based on a comparison between the 2025 Admissions Announcement and the latest 2026 data, FTU has implemented several key adjustments:
| Criteria | 2025 | 2026 (Updated) |
| Total Quota | 4,180 spots | 4,550 spots (Increase of 370 – 390) |
| SAT Threshold | 1,380/1,600 | 1,380/1,600 (Unchanged) |
| SAT Conversion (Minimum) | 18.0/20 points | 17.5/20 points (Decrease of 0.5) |
| A-Level Conversion (Grade A) | 8.5/10 points | 9.0/10 points (Increase of 0.5) |
| Number of Majors | Traditional majors | 10 new majors added (AI, Data Science, etc.) |
Changes to Priority Policy: A notable change for 2026 is that FTU has discontinued direct admission for winners of international Science and Technology (S&T) competitions and will no longer consider high school transcripts for national S&T competition winners. Instead, students in these categories will receive bonus points ranging from 0.5 to 3 points added to their total admission score.
FTU Admission Methods Using IELTS
IELTS acts as a “universal key,” allowing students to participate in most of FTU’s early admission methods.
Combined Admission Methods (Methods 2 & 3)
These are the most common methods utilizing IELTS. The admission score is typically the sum of the converted certificate score and the average academic GPA or high school graduation exam scores.
- For specialized high school students: IELTS ≥ 6.5 combined with an average GPA of 8.5 or higher in two subjects within the admission combination (Math-Physics, Math-Chemistry, Math-Literature) for Advanced/High-Quality programs.
- For non-specialized high school students: In addition to IELTS ≥ 6.5, candidates must have won a provincial-level Excellent Student award (First, Second, or Third prize) and maintain an average GPA of 8.5 or higher in two combination subjects.
Combined Admission with High School Graduation Exam Scores
Candidates with an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher can combine it with the results of two graduation exam subjects (Math is mandatory). The converted IELTS score completely replaces the foreign language subject, reducing pressure during the 2026 graduation exam, which features several structural changes.
Conversion of Other International Certificates (SAT, ACT, A-Level)
In addition to IELTS, FTU provides a detailed conversion table for other international academic certificates to align with global admissions trends.
SAT and ACT Certificates (20-point scale)
Candidates holding these certificates should note the slight adjustment to the minimum threshold for 2026:
- SAT: Applications accepted from 1380. The 1380 – 1390 range converts to 17.5 points. The maximum 20/20 requires a score of 1550 – 1600.
- ACT: Applications accepted from 30. A score of 30 converts to 17.5 points. The maximum 20/20 requires a score of 36/36.
A-Level Certificate (10-point scale)
The year 2026 shows increased favor for A-Level certificates, with Grade A now converted to 9.0 points (up from 8.5 in 2025). A mandatory requirement is that the Math subject in the A-Level certificate must be at least Grade A.
Important Notes on Certificate Validity
Foreign Trade University is extremely rigorous in its application review process. Candidates must keep the following in mind:
- No At-Home Testing: FTU does not accept any language certificates obtained through online testing formats (such as TOEFL iBT Home Edition or other online exam variations).
- One Skill Retake (OSR): Currently, the university has not issued an official announcement regarding the acceptance of IELTS certificates using the One Skill Retake (OSR) feature. To be safe, candidates should aim to achieve their target score in a single sitting.
- Certificate Expiration: Certificates are generally required to be valid within 2-3 years of the application submission date. Students should plan to take the test no later than April of their 12th-grade year to ensure they receive their official score report in time.
Tactical Advice for FTU 2026 Applicants
With the addition of 10 new majors focusing on AI, Data Science, and Fintech, opportunities at FTU are expanding. However, cut-off scores for these programs are expected to remain high.
- Aim for IELTS 7.5+: Don’t stop at 6.5. With a 7.5 (9.5 conversion) or 8.0 (10 conversion), you can compensate for any potential shortfall in your graduation exam or high school transcript scores.
- Prioritize Math: Most of FTU’s combined admission methods require Math to be part of the subject combination or require an academic performance of 8.5 or higher.
- Follow the Two-Step Registration Process: Do not forget the strict registration procedure: Step 1 on the University’s system and Step 2 on the Ministry of Education and Training’s system. Missing either step will result in your application being disqualified.
Registration Schedule and IELTS Submission Deadlines for FTU 2026
Beyond score requirements, mastering the system deadlines is crucial to ensure your application is not rejected. For the 2026 admissions cycle, Foreign Trade University enforces strict deadlines for submitting language certificates based on the specific admission method and candidate category.
General Regulations on Certificate Validity
To be considered valid, a candidate’s IELTS Academic certificate must be valid for 02 years from the date of issuance until the time of registration on the Ministry of Education and Training’s system. The university has set a hard deadline: your certificate must be valid at least until July 2, 2026. If your certificate expires near the submission date, the system will automatically mark it as invalid.
IELTS Application Deadlines by Admission Method
Candidates should note the online registration portal closing dates on the university’s system to complete their declarations and upload original or notarized proof corresponding to their admission category:
Method 1 – Direct Admission combined with language certificates: Applies to candidates participating in or winning prizes in international Olympiads, national excellent student competitions, or international students meeting language proficiency requirements. Deadline for online application: 5:00 PM, June 20, 2026.
Method 2 – Combined Admission with high school transcripts and language certificates: Applies to students from specialized high schools/national key schools, or non-specialized students who won First, Second, or Third prizes in provincial/city-level excellent student competitions. Deadline for online application: 5:00 PM, June 23, 2026.
Priority Admission (Bonus Points): Applies to candidates who won national excellent student awards or national/international Science and Technology competition prizes wishing to add bonus points to their admission combination. Deadline for submitting proof: 5:00 PM, June 20, 2026.
Combined Admission with High School Graduation Exam Scores: Applies to all candidates with an IELTS Academic certificate of 6.5 or higher participating in the 2026 High School Graduation Exam. The system for updating certificates is expected to be open from July 2, 2026, to 5:00 PM, July 14, 2026.
Mandatory Synchronization Process on the Ministry of Education and Training System
After completing registration and submitting IELTS proof on the university’s online admissions portal, all candidates (regardless of the admission method) must synchronize their preferences on the Ministry of Education and Training’s admissions portal. This step must be completed between July 2, 2026, and 5:00 PM, July 14, 2026, in accordance with the general admissions plan.
Source: https://thongtintuyensinh.ftu.edu.vn/admissions-methods
To stay updated on the latest changes, watch video tutorials on how to use the registration software, or check admission results, candidates can visit the official Foreign Trade University portals directly:
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Official Admissions Website: tuyensinh.ftu.edu.vn
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Department of Academic Affairs Website: qldt.ftu.edu.vn
Thorough preparation and a solid grasp of the FTU IELTS conversion rules, as well as submission deadlines, will give you a significant advantage in your journey to join this university. We wish you a successful 2026 admissions season!
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