22-year-old Phi Hanh Nguyen, an English language education student at the University of Foreign Language Studies, Da Nang University, was awarded a full scholarship to Oxford University in early May. The scholarship, worth nearly GBP 60,000 (over VND 2.1 billion), covers all tuition and living expenses for a one-year master's degree in education, specializing in technology and social innovation.

Oxford, the oldest university in England, has held the number 1 spot on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 9 consecutive years. Nguyen expressed pride in receiving the scholarship, calling it the culmination of a journey marked by effort and challenges.

Phi Hanh Nguyen. Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Phi Hanh Nguyen. Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Nguyen began considering pursuing a master's degree abroad in 3/2024, during her final year of undergraduate studies. Having developed a love for British culture during her time at Le Quy Don Specialized High School, she set her sights on the UK.

Over the next six months, she researched various universities but initially dismissed Oxford, believing it was beyond her reach. However, a chance encounter with a blog post by a Vietnamese Oxford alumnus, detailing their journey to the top-ranked institution, inspired her.

"Why not me?", Nguyen thought.

In her motivation letter, Nguyen recounted her passion for teaching, which began in kindergarten when she would use dolls as students and pretend to be the teacher. This dream led her to pursue a degree in education.

Through her involvement in school and community activities, Nguyen witnessed many eager children deprived of adequate educational opportunities. She hoped to use technology to bridge this gap and provide access to advanced learning resources.

"I chose the technology and social innovation specialization not just because it's trending, but because I believe technology is key to reducing educational inequality," Nguyen explained.

Nguyen's extracurricular achievements include being the only student representative on the University of Foreign Language Studies' board, alongside city leaders and university administrators. She also earned the title of "5-Good Student" at both the city and national levels.

Nguyen believes these accomplishments highlighted her academic abilities, leadership skills, and the trust placed in her by her teachers.

Hanh Nguyen receiving the "5-Good Student" award at the national level, 2025. Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Hanh Nguyen receiving the "5-Good Student" award at the national level, 2025. Photo: Provided by the interviewee

The application required two 2,000-word academic essays on a topic related to the chosen field of study. Nguyen explained that these could be original pieces or analyses of existing research.

Having engaged in research since her freshman year to hone her skills, Nguyen had several projects from her second and third years to include in her application.

Her second-year research explored ways to help students utilize open educational resources, while her third-year project focused on using ChatGPT to enhance student writing. Both projects won awards at the university and Ministry of Education and Training levels. She also conducted research on the impact of online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of AI on higher-order thinking skills.

Nguyen felt her application demonstrated consistency between her motivations, goals, and research, all centered on education and technology. However, she lacked confidence due to the limited scope of her research, which focused on the university or the student community in Da Nang.

Despite this, she believed her projects were practical and relevant to students. As a student board member, she advocated for improvements to the university's digital library system, among other student-focused initiatives.

Nguyen recognized the lack of international experience in her application, having completed her undergraduate degree domestically. Initially concerned, she gained a new perspective during the application process.

The international aspect of her profile was demonstrated through her participation in exchange programs, interactions with international students, and attendance at international conferences. Recently, she served as an interpreter at the ASEAN Summit.

"There are opportunities to internationalize your profile without having to go abroad," Nguyen stated.

After submitting her application in late 2024, Nguyen received an interview invitation two months later. She prepared by brainstorming potential questions and practicing her responses with a mentor. Knowing Oxford's emphasis on research, she focused on articulating her past projects, their key takeaways, impact, and significance.

Nguyen was slightly surprised by a question about her intended research topic for her master's degree. Though unprepared, she answered confidently, having already considered pursuing research on AI and its impact on teachers.

Last month, while teaching English at Le Quy Don Specialized High School during her practicum, she received the acceptance email.

"I was overjoyed. My students noticed my constant smile, inquired, and congratulated me," Nguyen recalled.

Scholarship applications are automatically considered for admitted students. For Nguyen, acceptance to Oxford was already beyond her expectations, and the full scholarship came as an even greater surprise.

Hanh Nguyen at the ASEAN Summit as an interpreter, 2025. Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Hanh Nguyen at the ASEAN Summit as an interpreter, 2025. Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Dr. Chu Cong Son, an Oxford graduate and director of D.U.T Consultant, served as Nguyen's mentor. Upon meeting Nguyen in mid-2024, he recognized her potential but noted her academic CV needed improvement.

"Nguyen was shy and lacked confidence, so she didn't know how to present herself effectively in her application, CV, or during interviews," Son said.

He believed Nguyen's academic abilities were strong. During their six months working together, he focused on instilling confidence in her.

"During her four years of university, Nguyen earned 30 awards, big and small, and was named a '5-Good Student' three times in a row, from the university to the city and national levels," Son said.

This September, Nguyen will embark on her journey at Oxford. She plans to combine her studies with research collaborations with faculty members, aiming to gain the foundation and experience for further academic pursuits.

Reflecting on her journey, Nguyen feels fortunate for overcoming her self-doubt. She believes that while a strong application and outstanding achievements are important for global opportunities, they are not everything. Sincerity, effort, a consistent personal narrative, and a desire to learn and contribute to the community empower young people to "dream big".

Thanh Hang