IELTS to University Admission Conversion 2025: Updated Guide and Top School Requirements

The 2025 university admissions season is fast approaching, bringing with it several changes and updates to how institutions handle applications. One of the most prominent trends that many candidates are focusing on is the use of international language certificates—particularly IELTS—to convert into English subject scores or for use in combined admission methods. Understanding the specific conversion scales and requirements for each university will help candidates build a more effective study and application strategy.

We invite you to join the ECE Language Center as we explore the latest information on this topic.

General Trend: IELTS is Increasingly Popular in University Admissions

The year 2025 sees the continuation and expansion of the combined IELTS admission method across many universities nationwide. Institutions allow candidates to use their IELTS scores to:

• Convert directly to an English subject score: This converted score is added to the total admission subject combination score (replacing the English score in the high school graduation exam).
• Combine with other criteria: Such as high school transcripts, competency assessment exam scores, academic awards, etc., for specific admission methods.
• Add priority/bonus points: Some universities offer bonus points to candidates who achieve a certain IELTS band score.

However, the most important point for candidates to note is that the minimum required IELTS score and the conversion scales vary significantly between universities.

Diverse Minimum IELTS Scores and Conversion Scales

Broad Acceptance: Some institutions, such as the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi Metropolitan University, and Saigon University, accept candidates with an IELTS score of 4.0 or higher. However, the corresponding conversion scales differ. For example, at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, an IELTS 4.0 is equivalent to 6 points, reaching 10 points with an IELTS 6.0 or higher (when using high school graduation exam scores for admission).
Common Requirements: Most other universities require a minimum IELTS score of 5.0 or 5.5 to begin the conversion or admission process.
Varied Conversion Scales:

• Group achieving 10 points with IELTS 6.5:

Many top-tier universities apply this level, including Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi Open University, Electric Power University, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Academy of Finance, and Vietnam Women’s Academy.

At Hanoi University of Science and Technology: IELTS 5.0 = 8.5 points, 5.5 = 9.0, 6.0 = 9.5, and 6.5 or higher = 10 points (applied when using high school graduation exam scores for admission).

• Group with higher requirements for a 10-point score:

National Economics University and Thang Long University: Require an IELTS score of 5.5 (converted to 8 points at both schools), and you must achieve an IELTS 7.5 or higher to be converted to 10 points.

Banking Academy and CMC University: Set the highest requirements; candidates must achieve an IELTS 8.0 to be awarded 10 points.

• Other scales: Many schools have their own unique scales, for example:

Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City: 5.0–5.5 = 8 points, 6.0–6.5 = 9 points, 7.0+ = 10 points.
University of Transport and Communications: 5.0 = 8 points, 5.5 = 8.5, 6.0 = 9.0, 6.5 = 9.5, 7.0+ = 10 points.

Summary Table of IELTS Score Conversions at Selected Universities

Priority/Bonus Points

In addition to score conversion, some universities apply priority bonus point policies. For example, Hanoi National University of Education adds 1 to 3 points for candidates with an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher when applying to English Education or Natural Science Education programs taught in English.

Regulations from the Ministry of Education and Training to Note

According to the proposed admission regulations for 2025, the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates:

• Universities are permitted to convert foreign language certificates into English subject scores for admission, but the weight of the converted score must not exceed 50% of the total admission combination score. (Example: For a 3-subject combination on a 30-point scale, the converted English score can account for a maximum of 15 points).
• Bonus points for foreign language certificates must not exceed 10% of the maximum total score of the admission scale (Example: A maximum of 3 points on a 30-point scale).
• The candidate’s total admission score (including exam scores, converted scores, regional priority points, subject priority, and bonus points) must not exceed the maximum score of the admission scale. This means that if a candidate has already achieved a perfect score in other subjects within the combination, having a high converted English score may not increase the final total admission score (though the certificate remains valid for meeting admission requirements).

The use of IELTS scores in 2025 university admissions offers many opportunities for candidates with strong language proficiency. However, the diversity in conversion policies and minimum requirements means candidates must carefully research the information for each university they are interested in.

The most important advice is to visit the official admissions websites of the universities directly to get the most accurate and detailed admission schemes for 2025. Preparing early and understanding the regulations will help students feel more confident on their path to conquering their dream university. We wish you success!

For more information, please check out: IELTS course fees at ECE Language Center