Van Lang University has revised its admission combinations for health science programs for the 2026 academic year, notably removing informatics and economic and legal education while reintroducing biology. This adjustment, confirmed by Doctor Vo Van Tuan, Vice Rector of Van Lang University, impacts four out of five subject combinations, though specific reasons for the change were not provided.

The university's health sciences block currently comprises: medicine, odonto-stomatology, pharmacy, nursing, and medical laboratory technology programs. The updated combinations, announced in May, significantly differ from the initial admission notice released in January. Only the B00 block (mathematics, chemistry, biology) remains unchanged. Van Lang University replaced the previous combinations D07, A00, X10, and X09 with A02, B03, and B08. Crucially, the two compulsory subjects for each combination have shifted from mathematics and chemistry to mathematics and biology.

The revised admission combinations are detailed below:

Applicants to Van Lang University have six admission methods for the 2026 intake: 2026 high school graduation exam scores, academic transcripts, a combination of academic transcripts and competency assessment test scores (V-SAT, V-ACT, TSA), a combination of high school graduation exam scores and aptitude test scores, a combination of academic transcripts and aptitude test scores, and direct admission.

This move by Van Lang University aligns with a broader trend among medical schools this year to expand their admission combinations for medicine programs. A VnExpress survey indicates that, beyond the traditional B00 and common blocks like A00 (mathematics, physics, chemistry) and D08 (mathematics, biology, English), ten institutions are now utilizing combinations that include literature, history, economic and legal education, informatics, or technology.

According to regulations from the Ministry of Education and Training, universities are permitted to select subjects for their admission combinations, provided each combination consists of a maximum of three tests, which must include either mathematics or literature. However, last year, the Ministry had required institutions using admission combinations that lacked foundational subjects relevant to the major to provide scientific and practical justifications. This directive led many schools to make subsequent adjustments to their offerings.

A class session with students from Van Lang University's Faculty of Medicine. *Photo: VLU*

By Le Nguyen