Enrollment increases by 1,000 slots, three more schools join admissions

This year, 23 military schools are recruiting for university and college programs, an increase of three schools compared to last year: Military Technical Officer School, Air Defense-Air Force Technical College, and Naval Technical College.

The total enrollment target is 5,420 university students, an increase of more than 1,000, making it the highest number for military schools in the past five years. Notably, Political Officer School is recruiting the most, with 779 students, an increase of 13 from last year.

Many other schools also increased their enrollment, including Military Technical Academy (up 40), Logistics Academy (22), and Air Defense-Air Force Academy (103). Conversely, some schools reduced their enrollment, such as Military Medical Academy (down 40) and Military Science Academy (20).

Military enrollment targets for 23 military schools in 2026

Additionally, 15 Ministry of National Defense schools are recruiting over 3,880 civilian students, ranging from bachelor's to doctoral levels. Military Technical Academy and Military Medical Academy have the highest civilian enrollment targets, with 880 and 600 slots respectively.

Applicants for civilian programs at military schools do not need to undergo pre-screening and are not guaranteed employment or placement upon graduation.

Civilian enrollment targets for 15 military schools in 2026

Four admission methods, first-ever independent examination

In 2026, military schools will use four admission methods: direct admission and priority admission for national and international award winners; scores from Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi) and Ho Chi Minh City National University capacity assessment exams; high school graduation examination scores; and scores from the Ministry of National Defense's Capacity Assessment Exam (QDA).

This marks the first time the Ministry of National Defense is organizing its own Capacity Assessment Exam (QDA) for admissions. The exam will be held in the third week of june at three locations: Military Technical Academy (Hanoi), Information Officer School (Khanh Hoa), and Army Officer School 2 (Dong Nai). Only applicants who pass pre-screening are eligible to register for this exam.

The QDA exam questions, developed by the Military Admissions Board in collaboration with VNU-Hanoi's Institute of Digital Education and Testing, aim to assess the core competencies of high school students.

The exam structure is similar to VNU-Hanoi's capacity assessment exam (HSA), comprising three sections: mathematics and data processing/quantitative reasoning, literature - language/qualitative reasoning, and science or english. The total score is 150, with 50 points for each section. Applicants will receive their scores immediately after completing the exam.

More detailed information will be provided by the Ministry of National Defense in late april, early may.

Structure of the Ministry of National Defense's QDA capacity assessment exam

C00 subject combination eliminated

In 2026, military schools will use the following 11 subject combinations:

Compared to last year, military schools have completely eliminated the C00 subject combination (literature, history, geography). Each school uses only two to four combinations, and the combinations for the same school all share two common subjects, such as mathematics - literature, mathematics - physics, or mathematics - chemistry.

Admission subject combinations for 23 military schools

Students of Military Technical Academy. Photo: MTA

Principles for nguyen vong adjustment and cutoff score determination

Applicants to military programs must register their first nguyen vong (admission preference) for the school where they submitted their pre-screening application. During the period allowed by the Ministry of Education and Training for nguyen vong adjustments on the system, applicants may change their first nguyen vong to a different military school than the one initially chosen for pre-screening, provided it belongs to the same group.

Group one includes the following academies: Logistics Academy, Naval Academy, Border Guard Academy, Air Defense-Air Force Academy (command and staff training program), and Army Officer School 1, Army Officer School 2, Political Officer School, Special Forces Officer School, Artillery Officer School, Armored Officer School, Chemical Officer School, Signal Officer School, Engineer Officer School.

Group two includes Military Technical Academy, Military Medical Academy, Military Science Academy, and Military Technical Officer School.

For military colleges, applicants may adjust their nguyen vong registration among Air Force Officer School, Air Defense-Air Force Technical College, Information Technical College, and National Defense Industry College. Cryptographic Technical College has its own regulations, which will be announced in april.

Regarding cutoff scores, schools calculate them based on permanent residence. Applicants are eligible for cutoff scores based on the Southern region if they have resided in provinces from Quang Tri southward for three consecutive years or more (as of september) and completed their 12th grade studies and high school graduation examination in Southern provinces.

Pre-screening until 15/4, fee is VND 50,000

According to the Military Admissions Board, Ministry of National Defense, applicants wishing to enter military programs must register for pre-screening at their local area. The pre-screening period runs until 15/4, and the fee is VND 50,000.

Additionally, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for political background, health, age, and academic qualifications.

For example, the age for application is 17 to 21, while active-duty or discharged military personnel must be 18 to 23.

Regarding health, schools training command, political, and logistics officers (group one) require a maximum body mass index (BMI) of 30. Male applicants must be at least 1.65m tall and weigh 50kg. Female applicants must be at least 1.54m tall and weigh 48kg. All must not have myopia.

Schools training technical officers (group two) and colleges have lower requirements. Male applicants only need to be 1.63m or taller. Applicants are permitted to have myopia of no more than 3 diopters, or up to 6 diopters if they have undergone stable corrective surgery.

Ethnic minority applicants, those from islands, or difficult areas are subject to slightly lower height and weight standards, potentially 1.58m and 46kg for males, and 1.52m and 44kg for females.

Duong Tam