For the past three days, since receiving the university's notice about mandatory foreign language and IT exit exams for graduation consideration, Thanh Mai has felt upset.

The final-year student stated that she had been unaware of this requirement throughout her 4 years of study. In previous years, students only needed to complete 4 English modules and one IT module at the university, or convert an external foreign language certificate like TOEIC.

However, on 19/5, Mai received a notice stating the exam was compulsory, unless she possessed a valid certificate. Reviewing university documents, Mai found a 2024 decision regarding these exit exams, but it explicitly stated "applicable to cohorts admitted from 2024 onwards". Mai's cohort, however, entered the university in 2022.

What particularly frustrated the student was the short timeframe, approximately one week, between the announcement and the exam. The university had not finalized specific dates, only indicating English exams from 25 to 31/5 and IT exams from 22-31/5.

"The announcement was too rushed," Mai said. "I am worried about graduating late, even though I have already submitted my thesis."

Linh, who holds a TOEIC certificate, also expressed frustration because her certificate had just expired in early May. Previously, Linh took the exam to be exempt from English modules, not anticipating it would be needed as proof for the exit exam.

"While I am confident I can pass, if I had known earlier, I would have planned my exam date appropriately so I would not have to take anything extra during this pre-graduation period," Linh stated.

This morning, on several online forums, many students from Trade Union University reacted to the university's hurried approach, asserting they had not heard about the exam previously.

Trade Union University, 21/5. Photo: Duong Tam

According to regulations from the Ministry of Education and Training, in addition to completing their academic curriculum, students must achieve English and IT proficiency exit standards to be eligible for graduation. Previously, students only needed to complete a certain number of credits, but since 2021, this proficiency must be demonstrated through certification.

Responding to VnExpress on the afternoon of 21/5, Pham Duc Thinh, Head of Quality Management Department at Trade Union University, asserted that the students' frustration stemmed from "not remembering" and "misunderstanding".

Thinh explained that the English and IT exit requirements were published on the university's website and announced during the initial political activity week (first year). For English, students in most majors (excluding English Language) are required to have a TOEIC score of 500 or higher, or an equivalent B1 (level 3/6) certificate.

However, he acknowledged that this is the first year the university is organizing this specific exam. In previous years, students either needed a certificate or took "small tests" after completing their modules.

"Organizing a formal exam is a more structured approach. The university is providing favorable conditions for students; otherwise, they would have to submit an equivalent TOEIC 500 certificate to the university," Thinh said, adding that the exams are projected to take place in the last three days of May.

A representative for the university also stated that they would learn from this experience for subsequent cohorts.

Trade Union University currently enrolls approximately 2,400-3,000 students annually. For the English exit exam, students must take listening and reading tests, while English Language majors are assessed on four skills.

For IT, students are tested on three components: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The exam fees are 100,000 VND for English and 300,000 VND for IT.

Duong Tam

*Student names have been changed