Studying IT and Tech in Vietnam: English-Taught Degrees at RMIT and VinUniversity
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published May 16, 2026 • Study Abroad
Vietnam's digital technology industry hit $198 billion in revenue in 2025, growing 26% year-on-year, and the country needs 350,000 IT workers by 2025 with domestic supply filling only 70% of those roles. RMIT Vietnam and VinUniversity both offer full English-taught bachelor's degrees in software engineering, computer science, and related fields, with RMIT fees starting around $12,000-$16,000 per year and VinUniversity offering scholarships worth up to USD 141,500.
Why Vietnam Is Drawing International Tech Students
Vietnam's tech sector is no longer a secondary option for international students. The country's digital technology industry reached $198 billion in revenue in 2025 , a 26% increase from the prior year, making it the fastest-growing digital economy in Southeast Asia. The government set a target for the digital economy to contribute 30% of GDP by 2030.
The workforce gap is equally striking. Vietnam's IT sector needs 350,000 workers by 2025, and demand is outpacing domestic supply. Companies including Samsung, Intel, LG, and Bosch have invested in Vietnamese operations. According to the US Department of Commerce Country Commercial Guide for Vietnam , the Vietnamese government is courting semiconductor and AI supply chain investments from firms such as Qualcomm, Google, and Meta.
For international students, this creates a specific opportunity: graduate from a recognized English-taught program in-country, build local networks during your degree, and position yourself for roles at multinationals before you leave.
RMIT Vietnam: Australian Degree, Vietnamese Fees
RMIT University Vietnam is the Vietnam campus of RMIT University Melbourne, operating since 2000. Students who complete a degree here receive the same credential issued by RMIT's Melbourne campus, making it a rare case where offshore tuition costs match a degree from a globally ranked institution.
RMIT Vietnam's School of Science, Engineering and Technology offers the following undergraduate programs in English:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Software Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electronic and Computer Systems Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Information Technology
All courses are taught in English. The campus operates across two main locations: Saigon South in Ho Chi Minh City and the Hanoi campus at Handi Resco Tower, 521 Kim Ma, Giang Vo ward, Ba Dinh District.
Tuition and Costs at RMIT Vietnam
Fees are set and invoiced in Vietnamese Dong (VND) on a per-semester, per-course basis. According to RMIT Vietnam's tuition fees page , undergraduate program costs typically fall in the range of $12,000 to $16,000 USD per year, which is a fraction of the cost at the Melbourne campus. For exact figures by program, RMIT publishes a Student Fees and Charges Guide updated each year.
Living costs in Ho Chi Minh City are low by international standards. RMIT's own Living in Vietnam guide estimates monthly student expenses at significantly less than equivalent costs in Melbourne or Sydney.
RMIT Vietnam Admission Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| English (IELTS) | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 |
| English (TOEFL iBT) | 79 minimum |
| English (PTE Academic) | 58 overall, no skill below 50 |
| Academic GPA | Minimum 2.0 (60%) or equivalent |
| Visa | Student visa DH code, sponsored by RMIT Vietnam |
Apply directly through RMIT Vietnam's undergraduate application portal . The application process is straightforward for students with a high school diploma and English test scores in hand.
VinUniversity: Cornell-Partnered, Hanoi-Based
VinUniversity opened in Hanoi in 2020 and is backed by Vingroup, Vietnam's largest private conglomerate. Cornell University helped design its curriculum, validates its programs, and advises on faculty hiring. In 2024, Cornell and VinUniversity signed a letter of intent to develop dual degree options, where students complete three or four years at VinUni and transfer to Cornell for a graduate degree.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science offers:
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
All programs are taught in English. The university targets a small, selective cohort and places heavy weight on non-academic factors such as leadership potential and creativity.
Tuition and Scholarships at VinUniversity
Vingroup provides a 35% tuition subsidy to all admitted students, Vietnamese and international alike, automatically applied for the full duration of study. After that subsidy, the remaining tuition cost for most undergraduate programs is approximately 530 million VND per year (roughly $21,000 USD at 2025 exchange rates), based on figures from VinUniversity's admissions tuition page .
VinUniversity goes beyond the standard subsidy with merit scholarships for international students:
- International Fellowship (need-sensitive): covers 50%-80% of tuition for the full degree, equivalent to USD 70,000-USD 112,000
- Full Merit Scholarship: covers 100% of tuition, plus a USD 1,500 living allowance per year
Scholarships are awarded automatically at admission based on academic achievement. Students do not submit a separate application for these awards, according to VinUniversity's scholarship page .
The university has awarded more than VND 882 billion in financial support since opening, to students from over 20 countries.
VinUniversity Admission Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| English (IELTS) | 6.5 overall, no skill below 6.0 |
| English (TOEFL iBT) | 79 minimum, with sub-score minimums |
| English (PTE Academic) | 58 overall |
| Academic GPA | 8.0+ recommended (out of 10 Vietnamese scale) |
| Application review | Holistic: AACC Standards (Aspiration, Ability, Academic, Creativity) |
Find the application portal at admissions.vinuni.edu.vn .
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | RMIT Vietnam | VinUniversity |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Ho Chi Minh City + Hanoi | Hanoi |
| Credential | RMIT Melbourne degree | VinUniversity degree |
| Instruction language | English | English |
| IT/CS programs | Software Eng, IT, Electronics, Robotics | Computer Science, Electrical Eng |
| Undergraduate cost (approx.) | $12,000-$16,000/year | $21,000/year (after 35% subsidy) |
| Scholarship | Limited scholarships available | Up to full tuition + living allowance |
| Academic partnership | RMIT Group (Australia) | Cornell University (US) |
| Enrolled nationalities | 50+ countries | 20+ countries |
The Student Visa Process in Vietnam
Both universities sponsor international students for a DH-code student visa, the standard permit for degree study in Vietnam. The visa is valid for up to 12 months and is renewable, or convertible into a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) for greater stability over a multi-year degree.
Key steps, based on RMIT Vietnam's visa guidance and VinUniversity's Study Visa Guidelines :
- Receive your official acceptance letter from the university.
- Apply for an entry approval letter through your university's international office (approximately 5 working days).
- Take the approval letter to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in your home country to obtain the visa stamp (3-7 additional working days).
- Arrive in Vietnam, then apply for your Temporary Residence Card if staying beyond 12 months.
You do not need to provide financial proof during the visa application. The university handles the sponsorship paperwork on your behalf.
A Real Example: Intel's Workforce Gap Creates Graduate Openings
Intel operates one of the largest foreign tech facilities in Vietnam's history at Saigon Hi-Tech Park. Its cumulative investment stands at roughly $1.5 billion, built from an initial $1 billion commitment in 2006 and an additional $475 million expansion announced in 2021 . The site is Intel's largest assembly and test operation globally and employs more than 6,000 workers.
RMIT Vietnam graduates with software engineering or electronic systems engineering degrees are directly eligible for these roles without the work authorization delays that graduates returning home from abroad would face. An RMIT Melbourne degree on a Vietnamese payroll budget is a combination that draws consistent employer attention in the local market.
What to Consider Before Applying
Choosing between RMIT Vietnam and VinUniversity depends on your priorities: Browse all universities in vietnam.
- Choose RMIT Vietnam if you want a globally recognized Australian credential, a large student community of around 14,000, a choice of Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, and lower base tuition costs.
- Choose VinUniversity if you want a Cornell-backed curriculum, are targeting graduate-level transfer pathways to Cornell, have a strong academic profile that qualifies you for large scholarship support, and prefer Hanoi.
Both universities require IELTS 6.5 or equivalent and award degrees in English. Neither institution's fees approach what you would pay at a comparable campus in Australia, the UK, or the US.
Sources
- RMIT Vietnam official website
- RMIT Vietnam School of Science, Engineering and Technology
- RMIT Vietnam Tuition Fees
- RMIT Vietnam Student Fees and Charges Guide 2024
- RMIT Vietnam 2024-2025 Fact Sheet
- RMIT Vietnam International Students page
- RMIT Vietnam Study Visa Information
- VinUniversity official website
- VinUniversity Admissions portal
- VinUniversity Tuition Fees (undergraduate)
- VinUniversity Scholarships page
- VinUniversity and Cornell dual degree announcement
- VinUniversity Study Visa Guidelines
- Vietnam digital technology industry surpasses 2025 targets (VietnamPlus)
- Vietnam Digital Economy, US Commercial Guides
- Intel invests additional US$475 million in Vietnam
- SANAN Software Vietnam IT Market Report 2024-2025