British University Vietnam seeks aggressive expansion in Vietnam with new programs

British University Vietnam (BUV) has announced the introduction of seven new programs directly accredited by university partners in the UK across various fields, part of its expansion strategy in the country with a growing number of students seeking to study abroad.

The programs, due to start in 2025, belong to various fields such as business, computing & innovative technologies, communications & creative industries, hospitality & tourism.

The seven new programs include six undergraduate programs, which are Data Science and Business Analytics, Management and Digital Innovation awarded by the University of London (UoL) with the academic direction by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); Film and Media Production, awarded by Arts University Bournemouth (AUB); Software Engineering, by the University of Stirling; and Tourism Management and Event Management by Bournemouth University (BU).

One Master's program dually awarded by BUV and the University of Staffordshire is Master of Business, featuring five streams: international management, digital marketing, tourism and hospitality, creative industries, and financial technology and data analytics.

The new programs will build upon and enhance BUV's established academic strengths, including world-class facilities with a QS 5-star rating, and curriculum and teaching quality accredited by the UK's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

Established in 2009, BUV currently provides teaching for 17 undergraduate programs and an MBA program. It has a partner network of nearly 50 universities across five continents.

At the event, Professor Raymond Gordon, vice-chancellor and president of British University Vietnam (BUV), emphasized: "The continuous enhancement of high-quality academic programs is a strategic priority for BUV, aligned with our guiding motto, ‘Here for the future of Vietnam,’ to drive progress in the national education landscape.”

Marcus Winsley, British deputy ambassador to Vietnam, said: “BUV serves as a crucial bridge, fostering strong cooperation between Vietnam and the UK in education, one of the three key areas of partnership between two nations.

“The launch of new academic programs and the largest scholarship fund to date by BUV provides even greater access to the UK’s advanced and long-standing educational heritage for Vietnamese students, regardless of their social background,” he added.

As part of the event, BUV also officially announced the 2025 BUV Scholarship Fund, valued at VND150 billion ($6.04 million), an increase of nearly 75% compared to 2024. This indicates more opportunities for outstanding young individuals nationwide, regardless of their geographic or social background.

BUV is the first university in Vietnam to achieve a 5-star certification from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and the first university in Vietnam and ASEAN to be awarded global quality accreditation by The UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), two of the most recognized accreditations for higher education quality in the world.

BUV has plans to invest up to $165 million in three phases in its 6.5-hectare campus on the outskirts of Hanoi. The first phase, costing $52 million, was put into operation in 2018, providing space for up to 3,000 students.

The $33-million second phase began construction in August 2022 and is expected to be completed in Q1/2025 to accommodate up to 5,500 students. The third phase, to cost $80 million, is scheduled to be finished in early 2028.

According to UK government data, Vietnam had 7,140 students in the UK in 2022, excluding K12 students, the highest number in five years, ranking 20th among countries and territories with students in that country.

Jason MacVaugh, dean of higher education at BUV, said an overseas student spends around £30,000 ($39,164) per year in the UK. At BUV, a student spends 50-60% less than that figure while still having access to UK-standard qualifications.

Talking to The Investor, Raymond Gordon said BUV, a joint project between the UK and Vietnamese governments, works with the Vietnamese government to address its key needs and concerns, and BUV can help stop the brain drain in Vietnam.

“If we can bring an authentic British education to Vietnam, then there's a greater chance that many students who probably won't get the opportunity to go abroad also have the opportunity to acquire international qualifications and to experience a learning experience which is different to those that they would in local universities,” he said.