On the morning of 22 May 2026, Ba Ria – Vung Tau University (BVU) hosted the signing ceremony for an Academic Credit Recognition Agreement between BVU and the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE Bristol, United Kingdom). The event marked a significant milestone in the internationalisation of BVU’s educational programmes and opened a promising new chapter for the Health Sciences disciplines, particularly Nursing.
In an increasingly globalised world, a university degree is not only a recognition of academic achievement but also a passport that enables young people to pursue opportunities on the international stage. Speaking at the ceremony, representatives from both institutions emphasised that the partnership between BVU and UWE Bristol will provide students in Vietnam with a UK-standard learning experience, equipping them with a strong foundation of knowledge, critical thinking, and adaptability to thrive in a global environment.
Distinguished Delegates
Representatives from UWE Bristol
- Dr Paul Bennett – Head of Partnerships and Internationalisation, Faculty of Business and Law
- Dr Fiona Lawrence – Head of Health, Science and Society
- Dr Hoang Lan Hoa – Country Director for Indochina and Head of the UWE Bristol Representative Office in Vietnam
- Mr Tran Ngoc Duy, MA – Marketing Officer for the Indochina Region
Representatives from Ba Ria – Vung Tau University
- Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyen Ba Hoang – President
- Mr Vu Hai Nam, MA – Deputy Director, Institute of International Training and Cooperation
- Dr Nguyen Thi Duc Loan – Deputy Dean, Faculty of Management and Law
- Ms Lam Ngoc Nhu Truc, MA – Deputy Dean, Faculty of Languages and International Cultures
The ceremony was also attended by BVU leaders, lecturers, and staff members from various faculties and departments.
Study Locally, Graduate with a UK Degree
Through this agreement, the dream of studying in the United Kingdom has never been more accessible or cost-effective. Students enrolled in English Language Studies, Business Administration (including specialisations in Accounting, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Event Management), and Law at BVU will be able to choose between two highly flexible progression pathways:
2+2 Pathway: Students complete the first two years of study at BVU, which are recognised as equivalent to 120 UWE Bristol Level 4 credits, before progressing directly to Level 5 (Year 2) at UWE Bristol in the UK.
3+1 Pathway: Students optimise both time and cost by completing three years of study in Vietnam before progressing directly to the final year (Level 6 – Top-up Programme) at UWE Bristol to complete their degree.
Academic Credit Recognition: Under this agreement, academic credits (and grade conversions, where approved) earned by students at BVU will be recognised for entry into designated degree programmes at UWE Bristol, provided that students have successfully completed the corresponding approved programme at BVU.
A Valuable International Advantage: Regardless of the pathway chosen, upon successful completion of the programme, students will be awarded a prestigious Bachelor’s Honours Degree (BA (Hons) / LLB (Hons)) conferred by UWE Bristol. These internationally recognised qualifications provide global mobility and open the door to a wide range of international career opportunities.
The UWE Bristol delegation expressed great satisfaction following its comprehensive assessment of BVU prior to the signing ceremony.
BVU Meets Rigorous UK Quality Assurance Standards
The signing of this agreement followed an extensive quality review conducted by UK academic assessors.
BVU underwent a comprehensive evaluation covering:
✅ Modern teaching facilities
✅ High-tech laboratories and practical training centres
✅ Digital library resources
✅ Academic administration and student support systems
Meeting these stringent British standards demonstrates BVU’s strong investment in educational quality and its long-term commitment to sustainable development.
All curricula, learning materials, recommended textbooks, and assessment methods will be aligned with UWE Bristol’s academic framework and subject to ongoing quality assurance processes in accordance with UK higher education standards.
Mr Vu Hai Nam, MA, Deputy Director of BVU’s Institute of International Training and Cooperation, shared:
“We have not only invested in a modern learning environment but have also developed a comprehensive support ecosystem to help students integrate smoothly into an international academic setting from their very first day at university.”
Advancing the Internationalisation of Health Sciences Education
One of the most significant and forward-looking aspects of the agreement is the planned collaboration in the field of Health Sciences, particularly Nursing.
As the United Kingdom and many countries around the world face a growing shortage of well-trained healthcare professionals, BVU and UWE Bristol are working proactively to develop internationally integrated educational pathways.
Future cooperation in Nursing will focus on three key pillars:
Integrated Academic Programme
Combining internationally recognised clinical theory with hands-on practical training in major healthcare institutions.
English Language and Professional Skills Development
Enhancing students’ medical English proficiency and intercultural communication skills to prepare them for work in multicultural healthcare environments.
Global Career Pathways
Creating opportunities for graduates to pursue employment and legal residency pathways in the United Kingdom and other developed countries.
This carefully planned and long-term collaboration is expected to position BVU as one of Vietnam’s leading centres for Nursing education, producing highly skilled healthcare professionals with strong technical expertise, intercultural competence, and the confidence to excel on the international stage.
The signing ceremony between BVU and UWE Bristol not only strengthens educational cooperation between Vietnam and the United Kingdom but also reflects BVU’s unwavering commitment to continuously enhancing academic quality and making the journey towards global opportunities more accessible and achievable for Vietnamese students than ever before.
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The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)
Founded in 1595 and granted university status in 1992, the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is one of the largest and most dynamic higher education institutions in the United Kingdom.
Located in the vibrant city of Bristol, consistently ranked among the UK’s most desirable places to live and work, UWE Bristol is home to more than 38,000 students, including over 8,000 international students.
The University was ranked among the Top 30 UK universities in The Guardian University Guide 2024 and has been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)—the highest rating for teaching quality in the UK.
A key strength of UWE Bristol is its strong emphasis on employability and industry engagement. The University collaborates with more than 1,000 industry partners, including organisations such as Airbus and BBC, providing students with valuable real-world experience and outstanding career prospects.
This practical, career-focused approach contributes to exceptionally high graduate employment and further study rates, reinforcing UWE Bristol’s reputation as a modern university committed to student success.
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Ba Ria – Vung Tau University (BVU)
Established in 2006, Ba Ria – Vung Tau University (BVU) is a young, dynamic, application-oriented university located in the coastal city of Vung Tau.
BVU is dedicated to developing high-quality human resources, particularly for Vietnam’s Southern Key Economic Region.
The University has gained international recognition as the youngest university in Vietnam to achieve a QS Stars™ 4-Star rating, awarded by the UK-based global higher education assessment organisation. Notably, BVU received the highest 5-Star rating for both Employability and Facilities.
BVU has also been honoured with the Excellent in Quality Award at the London Summit (United Kingdom), recognising its innovation and effective management in higher education.
The University’s core strengths include:
– Practice-oriented programmes completed in just 3.5 years
– Strategic partnerships with more than 350 enterprises
– Paid internship opportunities from the second year onwards
With a strong focus on applied learning and its strategic coastal location, BVU has developed flagship disciplines such as:
Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Port Operations)
Tourism and Hospitality Management
Marine Economics
As a result, more than 95% of BVU graduates secure employment immediately after graduation, reflecting the University’s commitment to producing highly employable professionals for a rapidly evolving global economy.
