Twenty-five years ago, Malaysia faced an education crisis when 20% of its brightest students were forced to study abroad due to a lack of quality institutions, resulting in brain drain and billions of dollars in losses. Today, Malaysia has transformed into one of Asia’s leading education hubs, expecting to welcome 250,000 international students in 2025.

Similarly, Singapore evolved from a small, internationally unrecognized education system into a nation with universities ranked among the world’s top 15, generating more than $5 billion annually from international students.

Both success stories share a common formula: "Standing on the shoulders of giants" in education. Local universities establish partnerships with leading international institutions, importing curricula and quality standards. This combination delivers advances far beyond what local universities could achieve on their own.

For students, the benefits are clear. Statistics show that 96% of Singapore’s international university graduates secure employment immediately after graduation, earning 25–40% higher salaries than local university graduates. Up to 78% of Singaporean students in international transfer programs choose to remain abroad, shifting the mindset from "studying abroad to stay" to "learning to reach out to the world."

As of June 2024, Vietnamese universities have launched 369 collaborative programs. However, this abundance of choice requires careful consideration: statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training show that 62% of international partner universities in Vietnam are not ranked among the world’s top 1,000. Quality control and degree standards vary, even among programs within the same university.

Some institutions, however, have taken bold steps to elevate the model. To ensure consistency, universities such as British University Vietnam (BUV) have implemented an "international education franchise" model.

This approach addresses common challenges: 100% of degrees are awarded directly by prestigious U.K. universities with global recognition, and teaching quality and facilities are aligned with the standards of the degree-awarding institutions.

To fast-track what typically takes decades, BUV has achieved two critical objectives. First, it operates entirely at international standards. The university has applied for and earned certification from the U.K.’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and a QS 5-star rating.

The QAA is considered the "gold seal of quality" in British education, ensuring compliance for institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge. This means every aspect of BUV—curricula, teaching methods, and facilities—meets stringent international standards.

Second, BUV has built deep partnerships with top-tier U.K. universities. It is a recognized teaching center of the University of London, making it the only university in Vietnam authorized to teach and award University of London degrees.

The University of London, founded 199 years ago, is an alliance of 18 world-leading institutions including the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University College London (UCL), and King’s College London. The university is renowned for its strict principles governing recognized teaching centers. Regulations cover all operational aspects and are continuously monitored to ensure quality and a student experience equivalent to studying in the U.K.

Impressed by BUV’s capabilities, in 2025 the University of London officially designated it as an International Partner, a rare status within the University of London network.

Beyond franchised programs in Vietnam, BUV has built a global partner network with over 70 prestigious universities across 17 countries on five continents. Students can choose from short-term study abroad programs, semester exchanges, transfers, or continue with master’s studies at world-leading institutions.

The network includes universities in the U.K.’s Russell Group, 24 of its most influential research universities, and business schools with Triple Crown accreditation, a recognition earned by only the top 1% of business schools worldwide.

Each program has its own partner network. For example, International Business Management students at BUV’s Business School can transfer to pursue bachelor’s degrees at the University of Liverpool (Russell Group), Oxford Brookes University (ranked 6th for teaching quality in the U.K.), or the University of New Brunswick (Canada). For master’s studies, options include the University of Bristol (U.K. top 10), the University of Exeter (Russell Group, ranked 11th in the Complete University Guide 2026), and Vancouver Island University (Canada).

With comprehensive support from BUV’s International Office, students reduce paperwork and procedures by 70–80%. The university boasts a 90% success rate across all international student mobility programs, and 100% of eligible students can access scholarship packages from partner institutions.

For those not pursuing long-term study abroad, short-term exchange opportunities are available. During their three years at BUV, students could visit up to three different countries.

This flexible model benefits both students and families. Parents are reassured knowing their children have quality "backup" options with U.K. degrees in Vietnam at 60% lower cost than overseas study. Students gain an additional "buffer" year before making long-term commitments abroad, based on actual academic and financial readiness.

Regardless of the pathway, students receive globally recognized degrees and, more importantly, an education rich in practical application.

"Our twinning programs are designed with a smart structure that gives students the best from both worlds. They start with a solid year in our 5-star environment here at home, which then opens up pathways to premium universities abroad. When students complete this multicultural learning journey, they emerge as true global citizens—resilient, adaptable, and with multinational networks that will serve them throughout their careers," said Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President of BUV.

See more information about BUV here.

Content by Thy An
Photos courtesy of BUV