VIET NAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HO CHI MINH CITY

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

FACT SHEETACADEMIC YEAR

2022 - 2023

CONTENT
01 Welcome from the Rector
02 About International University, VNUHCM
03 Overview of the University
04 Overview of IU Student Exchange and Study Abroad
Program (IU-SEaSAP)
04 Tracks of IU-SEaSAP
05 Study Tour Program / Faculty-led Program
06 Details of IU-SEaSAP
06 Application Package
06 Deadlines
07 Nomination Procedure
07 English Requirements
08 Student Visa
12 Orientation Week
12 Academic Calendar AY 2022/23
12 Academic Matters

Dear Partners and Students,
Xin chào!
Welcome to International University - VNUHCM!
Established in 2003, International University has been known as the first public Englishspeaking University in Vietnam.
Located in Ho Chi Minh City – the largest metropolis in Vietnam, International University,with the population of approximately 10,000 students, is where academic, research excellence,and student satisfaction constantly drive our every activity and decision.
Aiming to become a top Vietnamese research-intensive institution, we are committed tolaunch research products of highest and national and international significancefrom establishment of well-equipped facilities and scientific laboratories.
I strongly believe that international students will find our University an academic yet
lively destination.

President
Assoc. Prof. Tran Tien Khoa

CONTACT US!

Contact number:+84 (028) 37244270
Ext: 3617

Email Address:
cim@hcmiu.edu.vn

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Website:cim.hcmiu.edu.vn

Center for International Mobility (CIM)

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Viet Nam National University
Ho Chi Minh City
ABOUT

CONTACT

International University –Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City
▪ Established: 2003
▪ Type: the first public English-speaking University in Vietnam▪ Campus: Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam▪ Schools & Departments: 11▪ Students: 10,283▪ Study levels: Undergraduate and Graduate degrees▪ Fields of Study: 21 Undergraduate and 14 Graduate programs▪ Faculty members: 216 in total, with 102 PhDs, 34 Associate
Professors, 04 Professors, and 76 Masters▪ Staff: 212▪ Academic Calendar:- Semester I (Fall Semester): September - January- Semester II (Spring Semester): February - June
- Semester III (Summer Semester): July - August▪ Quality Assurance and Accreditation:✔ Institutional Accreditation:❖ National Accreditation by Ministry of Education and Training(MOET) (2016);❖ External Assessment by ASEAN University Network Quality
Assurance (AUN-QA) (2019)✔ ABET Accreditation:❖ Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (2019),❖ Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (2019)✔ ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance at Program
Level:
1. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (2009, 2017)
2. Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (2011, 2017)
3. Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (2012, 2017)
4. Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (2013)
5. Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial and Systems Engineering(2015)
6. Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (2015)
7. Bachelor of Engineering in Food Technology (2017)
8. Master of Science in Biotechnology (2016)
9. Master of Engineering in Industrial Systems Engineering (2016)10. Bachelor of Food Technology (2017)11. Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Banking (2018)12. Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering (2018)
13. Master of Business Administration (2019)2

International University Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh
City
Address: Quarter 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc
City, Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam
Phone: +84 (028) 37244270 Ext: 3220
Website: https://hcmiu.edu.vn/
Center for International Mobility (CIM)
Office of External and Public Relations
International University, Room A2.604
Address: Quarter 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc
City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Phone: +84 (028) 37244270 Ext 3617
Website: https://cim.hcmiu.edu.vn/❖
Ms. DINH, Kim Phung
Deputy Head, Office of External Public
RelationsHead, Center for International Mobility
dkphung@hcmiu.edu.vn❖
Ms. LE, Huynh Bao Tram
Inbound Coordinator for Exchange
Programlhbtram@hcmiu.edu.vn❖
Ms. NGUYEN, Bao Han
Outbound Coordinator for Exchange
Programnbhan@hcmiu.edu.vn❖
Ms. NGUYEN, Thanh Hang
International Admission Coordinator
nthang@hcmiu.edu.vn

Center for International Mobility (CIM)

OVERVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITYSCHOOLS AND DEPARTMENTSSCHOOLS

DEPARTMENTS

1. Business

1. English

2. Computer Science and Engineering

2. Civil Engineering

3. Electrical Engineering

3. Mathematics

4. Biotechnology

4. Physics

5. Industrial Engineering and Management

5. Environmental Engineering

6. Biomedical Engineering

TRAINING LEVELSBACHELOR LEVEL
1. Business Administration
2. Finance & Banking
3. Control Engineering & Automation

1.
2.
3.

4. Biomedical Engineering

4.

5. Electronics & Telecommunications
Engineering
6. Information Technology
7. Industrial & Systems Engineering
8. Logistics and Supply Chain
Management
9. Civil Engineering

MASTER LEVELBusiness Administration
Biotechnology
Information Technology
Management
Electronics Engineering

5. Biomedical Engineering
6. Food Technology
7. Public Management(Vietnamese only)
8. Industrial Engineering andManagement
9. Logistic and Supply Chain
Management

10. Space Engineering
11. Environmental Engineering
12. Biotechnology
13. Accounting
14. Food Technology
15. Applied Mathematics
16. Chemical Engineering
17. Chemistry
18. English Linguistics
19. Data Science
20. Construction Management
21. Computer Science3

PH.D LEVEL
1. Business Administration
2. Biotechnology
3. Biomedical Engineering
4. Public Management(Vietnamese only)Center for International Mobility (CIM)

OVERVIEW OF IU STUDENT EXCHANGE and STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMIU STUDENTS EXCHANGE and STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS (IU-SEaSAP)
1. IU STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM⮚ Incoming Exchange Program: IU offers international students an opportunity to explore academic
interests and improve cross-cultural understanding by taking one or two semesters at IU. Students
enrolling in these programs will not be awarded a degree from IU; however, they can transfer credits
to their home university upon completion of their study in Vietnam.
⮚ Outgoing Exchange Program: IU students are provided with a chance to earn valuable international
experience and cultural awareness by involving in the study at one of IU’s partners institutions aroundthe globe in one or two semesters. Students enrolled in these programs will not be awarded thedegree from the partner university; however, they can transfer credits to IU upon completion of theirstudy overseas.
2. STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS⮚ Incoming Study Abroad Program: a regular full tuition program for international students whose
home university is not an IU partner or students who are not selected for the exchange program.
Students enrolling in this program are responsible for paying the tuition fee to IU.
⮚ Outgoing Study Abroad Program: a regular full tuition program for IU students who desire to study
at non-IU exchange partners or students who are not selected for the exchange program. IU students
going on this program should pay tuition fees to the host university.

4Center for International Mobility (CIM)

STUDY TOUR PROGRAM / FACULTY-LED PROGRAM
The faculty-led/non faculty-led program is customized to provide participants with culturalexperiences, academic opportunities, closely address participants’ interests as well as bring themcloser to values which just can be found in Vietnam.
Basically, IU offers tailor-made study tour program for a duration from 01 to 02 weeks. Please contact
us for further details.
Cultural Activities

Academic Activities

Exploration Tours

LecturesMarket Tour

Company Visit

Field Trips

Campus Tour

Vietnamese Traditional Form of Entertainment

Group Discussion

Cultural-Oriented Classes

Project/Presentation

SERVICES FOR INCOMING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS
To assist international students and scholars with the challenges that they might face during theirtime abroad, we provide supporting services as follows:
Immigration & Visa
Health Insurance
Accommodation
Orientation
Buddy Program

Academic Support and Consulting
IU Policies and Procedures
Daily Challenges (personal and social matters)
Cultural Adjustment
Alumni Network for International Students

5Center for International Mobility (CIM)

DETAILS OF IU STUDENT EXCHANGE AND STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMAPPLICATION INFORMATION
Eligibility

Entry Requirements
To be considered for the Student Exchange and Study Abroad Programs, undergraduate andgraduate applicants must:– Complete at least one year of full-time study (undergraduate level) or one semesterof full-time study (graduate level)– Achieve GPA at least of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent– Accept to be a full-time exchange student at IU (no less than 12 credits per semester)– Have a letter of nomination from the home institution as required forexchange students (or letter of approval for participating in Study Abroad
Program at IU)
RequiredApplication

Step1

Nomination

To be an exchange student, student must be nominated by
the home institution.

Documents

Step 2Complete theApplication
Package

Fill in and attach all required documents:– An application form (for exchange program)– A letter of nomination from your home university (orletter of approval for participating in Study Abroad
Program at International University)– An official transcript– An evidence of English Proficiency– A copy of passport– All documents should be certified and translated into
English.

Step 3

Submission

Step 4

Application
OutcomeSubmit the applications to the Student Exchange office atthe Home Institution.
Once student’s home institution confirms that student isselected for the program, he/she will receive an official
notification package from IU, including:– An Acceptance Letter– General information before your arrival includes Visa,

Accommodation, Health insurance, Orientation Days,
Academic schedule– Registrar forms for visa, accommodation, buddy
program, airport pick up service, courses
At the same time, IU incoming coordinator will assist
student for the next steps.
Nomination
Deadlines⮚ May 01 for Semester 1 (September – January): Fall Semester⮚ October 01 for Semester 2 (January – June): Spring Semester

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Center for International Mobility (CIM)

Nomination
Procedure

Application
Deadlines
Application
Procedure

Englishrequirements

An email contains following information should be sent to IU Inbound Coordinatoraddress:– Name and email address of the student(s)– Field of study– Level of desired study at IU (undergraduate or graduate level)– Duration of exchange term
⮚ May 15th for Semester 1 (September – January): Fall Semester⮚ October 15th for Semester 2 (January – June): Spring Semester
Students have 02 weeks to complete the Application package and send to IU Inbound
Coordinator.
Once a student is accepted to IU they will received the Letter of Acceptance and the
supporting documents of courses registration, accommodation options and airport
pick up service by email. The original Letter of Acceptance will be sent to student home
university (if required).
No English proficiency assessment is required for students who live in an English-speaking
country or study in a tertiary institution where the language of instruction is English.
If students are not from an English-speaking country or if the language of instruction atstudents’ Home Institution is not English, one of the following certificates is applied:– IELTS minimum overall band score of 6.0 (no sub-score bellow 5.5);– TOEFL (PBT) minimum score of 550;
– TOEFL (CBT) minimum score of 213;
– TOEFL (iBT) minimum score of 61 (no sub-score bellow 19);
– Unicert 1 (Certified by German Academic Exchange Service – DAAD);– CEFR Level B1 (Common European Framework of Reference’s English Certificate);– ISEP’s Language Proficiency Report (accepted for students from ISEP-Exchange

programs);– Language Confirmation Letter from IU Partner Universities

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Center for International Mobility (CIM)SERVICES
Visa Process⮚ Student Visa (Type: DH) is a non-immigrant visa that does not require the holder toobtain citizenship. Any prospective students seeking higher education in Vietnam
must obtain a student visa.
⮚ Center for International Mobility (CIM) is the unit at International University that
supports international students to obtain the pre-approval visa before theirdeparture to Vietnam.
Visa Procedure

Sent to students by IU
nt Acceptance Letter

Acceptance Letter

Issued by IU

Filled out by students

Visa Information Form

Form sent by CIM

Prepare the visa application
package

Done by CIM

Submit the package at Vietnam
Immigration Department in Ho
Chi Minh City (VID-HCMC).

Done by CIM

Students receive the scanned
Pre-Approved Visa Letter via
email

Letter sent by CIM

Decision

Done by student

sstuents

Bring the Pre-Approved Visa
Letter and relevant
documents* to Vietnam
Embassy or Vietnam Consulate
General in students’ homecountry to get the visa

8*The relevant documents
include:- Passport with validity ofat least 12 months;- Decision issued by IU;- Letter of Acceptanceissued by IU;- Visa Application Fee (theamount varies dependingon
each
Vietnam
Embassy/ Consulate instudents’ home country.

Center for International Mobility (CIM)

Notes:--

Cost of Living

Visa on Arrival is issued only when there are not any representative diplomatic
offices such as Vietnam Embassy or Vietnam Consulate General in students’ homecountry;
If student enters Vietnam using different types of visa such as tourist visa: student
need to exit our country and re-enter in order to apply for DH student visa.

Students will prepare at least USD 3,200 (or 2,720 EUR) per semester for living costs in
Vietnam, including room, meals, textbooks, materials, student’s activities and personal
expenses.
The table below shows an approximate budget for a student taking the exchange semester
at IU. The amount varies depending on each student’s specific needs.
Room
280 USD USD/month + 1 or 2 month(s) rent deposit
Food
150 USD/month
Public transportation*
40 USD
Monthly utility (electricity, water, 60 USD
garbage, internet)
Personal expenses
50 USD
Average total per monthAround 580 USD

Buddy Program Buddy Program is offered to international students with no cost. It is a program for newlyadmitted international undergraduates & incoming exchange students. IU offers the Buddy
Program, in which new international students will be paired up with local students (Buddy
Mentors) who provide a helping hand and friendship to the international new comers at IU.
⮚ IU buddies will contact incoming students via email to get to know about their new
friends, and help incoming students to be well-prepared prior to their departure toVietnam, normally in middle July.
⮚ IU buddies also provide assistance during the stay and studies of international
students in Vietnam.
IU
also
offers
Airport pick up service for new international students.
Airport Pick-up⮚ Airport Pick-Up Form need to be completed at least 7 working-days before
students’ arrival in Ho Chi Minh City;⮚ International students will then be picked up at Tan Son Nhat International Airportby their buddy and transported directly to the accommodation destination of theirchoice. However, international students are responsibility for the cost of this trip.
On the First Day of the Orientation Week, international student will be provided an account
Web Accountthat gives them access to university’s e-mail, Edusoft web (including course registration,
time table, exam schedule, student scores) and Blackboard.
*Note: IU offers free wireless around its campuses

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Center for International Mobility (CIM)

Orientation
Week

Dates in details will be updated one month before the start of semester
Orientation Program
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City

First Day

Second Day
Third Day

International students are advised to arrive in Ho Chi
Minh City at least 1 week prior to the start of eachsemester.
The first day of the Orientation Week is the mostimportant day of the Week since all of the important
information relating to students’ studies (accounts andcourses registration), living matters in Ho Chi Minh City,
daily challenges, etc. will be inducted on this day.
Tour exploring Ho Chi Minh City and nearby areas with IU
BuddiesOutgoing Trip to Mekong Delta⮚ There’s a wide range of health insurance plans and service providers in Vietnam,
IU can assist international students to purchase one (if needed). International
students are responsible for the cost of such insurance.
⮚ In case students purchase their own overseas health insurance from their homecountry, please make sure that this insurance valid through their stay in Vietnam.
IU reserves the right to ask for proof of insurance.
Where to go for Center for International Mobility (CIM)
Office of External and Public Relations
questions?
Hall A2, 6th Floor, Room A2.604
Tel: +84 (28) 3724-4270 – Ext: 3617
Email: cim@hcmiu.edu.vn
Morning: 9:00 am to 11:00 am; Afternoon: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
HealthInsurance

SEMESTER INFORMATION
Type ofacademic
calendarWhat are theacademic
calendar dates?

Three-semester system:o Semester 1: August/September – January/Februaryo Semester 2: January/February – Juneo Summer semester : June – August
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS (2022-2023)
Semester 1 (20 weeks)Start of courses
August 29, 2022
Midterm Exam
October 24, 2022 to November 05,
2022
Final Exams
January 02, 2023 to January 14, 2023
Semester 2 (20 weeks)Start of courses
January 30, 2023
Midterm Exam
March 27, 2023 to April 08, 2023
Final Exams
June 05, 2023 to June 17, 2023
Summer Semester (8 weeks)Start of courses
June 19, 2023
End of courses
August 12, 2023

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Center for International Mobility (CIM)

GRADUATE PROGRAMS (2022-2023)
Semester 1 (20 weeks)Start of courses
August 29, 2022
End of courses
January 14, 2023
Including examination period. The examination schedule may varydepending on each school/department
Semester 2 (20 weeks)Start of courses
January 30, 2023
End of courses
June 17, 2023
Including examination period. The examination schedule may varydepending on each school/department
Summer Semester (8 weeks)Start of courses
June 19, 2023
End of courses
August 05, 2023
Holidays/ Daysoff❖ Semester 1:
˗ New Year ‘s day: 01 January 2023

Note: There is no day-off on Christmas Day❖ Semester 2:
˗ Lunar New Year: January 16 to 28, 2023
˗ Hung King’s day: April 29, 2023
˗ Independence Day and Labor Day: 30 April to 01 May 2023
COURSE INFORMATION

What is themain languageof instruction?

EnglishCourseRegistration/
Dropping or
Withdrawing
from the course⮚ The information of course registration will be provided to exchange students twomonths prior to the beginning of each semester. Students should have theapproval from their home institution before participating in any courses.
⮚ One week after the classes begin, students cannot drop or withdraw the courses.
The courses that students withdraw after the drop period will not count as thecompleted credit toward their transcript.
Semester 1 (or Semester 2): 12 credits ≤ Workload per semester ≤ 24 credits
Summer Semester: 6 credits ≤ Workload per semester ≤ 12 credits
Note: Each credit is considered to equate to approximately 15 hours, including all formsof teaching contact.

What is thestandard fulltime
workload?
CourseRegistration

Students are expected to complete course registration online before their arrival in Vietnam(in August for Fall Semester and in December for Spring Semester). The process includes:
1. Before the registration
Students are provided with (1) an IU account to log in IU registration platform named
Edusoftweb at http://edusoftweb.hcmiu.edu.vn/, (2) a list of opened subjects for
Fall/Spring Semester to prepare for the registration - login and testing account is highly
recommended, and (3) notification on specific timeline (GMT+7) to register courses.

11Center for International Mobility (CIM)

2. During the registration
Students log in the registration system at http://edusoftweb.hcmiu.edu.vn/ by using
provided user names and passwords*Minimum credits to be taken per semester: 12*Maximum credits to be taken per semester: 24
3. After the registration
Students can modify their own Timetable and add/drop courses only in the first week ofeach semester.
*Students can always seek further support from IU Inbound Coordinator.
CREDIT/ GRADING SYSTEM AND COURSE ASSESSMENT
Credit system●●●

Grading system

IU has a similar credit system to the U.S system. Every 1 IU credit equals to 1.7 ECTS
credit.
Each credit represents 15 hours of theoretical lectures per semester, plus 30
hours of student self-preparation time at homeNormally each course is awarded 3 credits and each contact hour is presented 45
minutes spending time in the classroom.

Classification

100 – Point Grading

Letter Grades

4- Point Grading

Passing
Excellent

90 <GPA <100

A+

4.0

Very good80 < GPA < 90

A

3.5

Good

70 < GPA < 80

B+

3.0

Fair

60 < GPA < 70

B

2.5

Average50 < GPA < 60C

2.0

40 < GPA < 50

D+

1.5

30 < GPA < 40

D

1.0

GPA<30F

0.0

No passing
Weak
Very weak
CourseAssessment⮚

Assignment and class participation: 20-40%⮚

Mid-term exam: 20 - 30%⮚

Final exam: 40 - 60%

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Center for International Mobility (CIM)

Possibilities forstudents to dotheir final
project
work/thesis
work at thehostinstitution?
Bachelor/
master thesis?
(Supervisor
andregistration ona projectcourse isnecessary.)

Yes, for Bachelor and Master program either.

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CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY
Tel: +84 (28) 3724 4270 - Ext: 3617 | Fax: +84 (28) 3724 4271
Email: cim@hcmiu.edu.vn | Website: cim.hcmiu.edu.vn