Update as of 10 May 2024
Update on the validity of IELTS and Aptis certificates
The British Council would like to re-confirm that the two exams and certificates we administer, namely IELTS and Aptis, are internationally recognised assessments of foreign language proficiency, distinguished by their rigorous standardisation and global recognition. Notably, IELTS is the world’s most trusted high stakes language test and the IELTS certificate holds recognition from over 12,000 institutions across more than 140 countries. Furthermore, the examination procedures for both assessments strictly adhere to international standards, ensuring uniformity and integrity throughout all examination sessions.
On May 9, 2024, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) also issued a notice recognising the value of foreign language certificates issued by foreign organisations in Vietnam, following the document 889/QLCL-QLVBCC issued on 09/06/2023 and document 999/QLCL-QLVBCC issued on 15/06/2023.
Consequently, the British Council can re-confirm that all IELTS and Aptis certificates issued by the British Council in Vietnam are deemed valid for all educational, occupational and immigration purposes both domestically and internationally.
The British Council is committed to upholding the global quality of our testing activities in accordance with the regulations and standards of the International Testing Council and the Ministry of Education and Training of Viet Nam.
We are very grateful for the support and cooperation of all our partners and customers throughout the rewarding 30 year journey of the British Council in Viet Nam, and we look forward to your continued support in the future as well.
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Update as of 18 September 2023
Update on format of Aptis ESOL certificates
Technology-enabled assessments are evolving quickly, and the British Council is committed to leveraging the latest technological advances in testing practice to improve the exam experience for individuals and organisations and strengthen test security and reliability.
This includes the application of the latest technological solutions to provide a robust Aptis ESOL verification system. This system is based on the use of high-end block-chain technology to enable organisations to quickly and effectively verify a test taker's results by scanning the QR code or by entering the URL on the certificate directly onto a browser
For all Aptis ESOL tests taken from 11 September 2023 onwards, the British Council will issue an updated Aptis ESOL certificate with the inclusion of a QR code at the top right corner and a URL at the bottom front of the certificate. The updated certificate will change slightly in appearance. See a sample here.
The format of the Aptis ESOL test does not change.
The British Council submitted a report about this updated format of the Aptis ESOL certificate to Viet Nam Education Quality Management Agency, Ministry of Education and Training (VQA-MOET) on 17 August 2023.
All Aptis ESOL certificates issued by the British Council before or after 11 September 2023 retain the same validity in accurately assessing the English proficiency of test takers from level A1 to C2, according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
Worldwide, these certificate changes are applicable in all countries where Aptis ESOL tests are delivered, and do not affect certificate validity.
On the websites of all testing partners in Viet Nam (www.britishcouncil.vn and https://aptistests.vn), we will publish an announcement confirming the updated Aptis ESOL certificate. This will help test takers taking Aptis ESOL for professional or academic purposes, as their certificates will continue to be recognised by organisations and educational institutions in Viet Nam.
For all candidates who have received Aptis ESOL certificates issued before or after 11 September 2023, within two years of their test date, we will continue to verify results and issue additional certificates, as requested by test takers and Receiving Organisations; please see relevant information published on www.britishcouncil.vn/thi/aptis. With updated Aptis ESOL certificates, receiving organisations are also able to scan each certificate’s unique QR code to independently and quickly verify results.
Find out more from our FAQ page.
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Update as of 28 February 2023
Update on Aptis/Aptis ESOL
With regard to your inquiry about the recognition of Aptis certification at Ton Duc Thang University, please find our response below.
As the owner and awarding body of Aptis/Aptis ESOL International Certificates (Aptis ESOL) globally, the British Council would like to reaffirm that Aptis/Aptis ESOL is an international high-stakes English language exam and it has been organised appropriately following all processes registered by the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (MOET).
From the date of Decision 3646/QĐ-BGDĐT issued on 11 November 2022 until 22 December 2022, the British Council and our Distributors have been strictly following all the processes registered by the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) in conducting the Aptis exams. Following that, all Aptis tests and certificates issued by the British Council during the transition period retain the same validity in accurately assessing the English proficiency of test takers from level A1 to C2, according to Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Therefore, we reaffirm that Aptis and Aptis ESOL are equivalent certificates and have the same validity.
Trusted by many governments, educational institutions and employers around the world, Aptis/Aptis ESOL have both been recognised and used by numerous universities, colleges and schools in Vietnam as an accurate, reliable and valid evaluation of students’ English skills.
On the websites of all testing partners in Vietnam (https://www.britishcouncil.vn/ and https://aptistests.vn/), we published a statement confirming that the Aptis certificate and Aptis ESOL International Certificate both remain equally valid in accurately assessing the candidate's English ability. This will help candidates who have been issued Aptis/Aptis ESOL certificates to use Aptis for professional or academic purposes, and to be reassured that both Aptis/Aptis ESOL certificates will continue to be recognised by organisations/educational institutions in Vietnam.
Within two years from the test date, for all candidates who have received Aptis/Aptis ESOL certificates, we will continue verifying results and issuing additional certificates requested by test takers and Receiving Organisations as published on our website www.britishcouncil.vn/thi/aptis).
All higher learning institutions are given the right to autonomously choose the language proficiency accreditation of their choice to evaluate their students’ language proficiency. Therefore, in this situation, the decision of Ton Duc Thang University to not accept Aptis/Aptis ESOL as an English proficiency assessment for their students is solely one that rests with them.
If students have any enquiries, we recommend that they discuss this matter with their institution to finalise the acceptance of their certificates. Please do continue to reach out us via vn-communications@britishcouncil.org if you have any further questions.
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Update as of 9 February 2023
Update on IELTS test venues
The British Council is pleased to announce that from 9 February 2023 onwards according to Circular No. 436/QĐ-BGĐT, the Ministry of Education and Training has approved our application for the delivery of IELTS testing at additional test venues by the British Council.
Additional list of approved British Council IELTS test venues are as follows:
Ho Chi Minh City:
- 2A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Da Kao ward, district 1, HCMC
Thai Nguyen:
- 324 Cach Mang Thang 8, Phan Dinh Phung ward, Thai Nguyen city, Thai Nguyen province
Gia Lai:
- 655 Truong Chinh, Pleiku City, Gia Lai province
Lam Dong:
- 1st floor, block B, Quoc Viet School of Economics and Technology, Le Hong Phong street, Lien Nghia town, Duc Trong district, Lam Dong province
Khanh Hoa:
- Lot STH39.17, Le Hong Phong New Urban Area 1, Phuoc Hai ward, Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province.
We appreciate the support and guidance from the Ministry of Education and Training to enable us to expand our test venues to provide better access to our test takers.
For more details about the official approvals issued by the Ministry of Education and Training, please visit:
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Update as of 11 January 2023
Update on cancellation of IELTS on Computer tests from 10 to 12 January 2023 for regular system maintenance
Currently, the British Council and IELTS co-owners all over the world operate the IELTS on Computer test on the Connect Plus system. This is a global operating system with high security and auto saving functions that support test takers if there are potential incidents on the test day. Regular maintenance of the system is important to ensure it runs effectively and provides a safe and smooth experience for IELTS on Computer test takers.
The IELTS on Computer test cancellation from 10 to 12 January 2023 is due to regular scheduled system maintenance. This test cancellation is not due to any system errors, as has been incorrectly reported in the media recently.
The IELTS on Computer tests scheduled from 13 January onwards will continue as planned. All IELTS on Paper tests are not affected at all and will continue as planned too.
The British Council contacted all affected test takers to inform them of the 10–12 January IELTS on Computer tests cancellation when we were informed of the system maintenance schedule. All affected test takers were immediately offered a free transfer to another test date in January. The British Council's IELTS on Computer tests are available on weekdays with test results available within 3–5 days.
For more information on IELTS on Computer tests, please visit https://www.britishcouncil.vn/en/exam/ielts
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Update as of 20 December 2022
Update on IELTS tests
As of 26 November 2022, the British Council has resumed all IELTS tests according to the guidance of Circular No. 3773/QĐ-BGĐT issued by the Ministry of Education and Training.
To support candidates who had to change their test dates during the IELTS tests postponement, we are offering more IELTS on Paper and IELTS on Computer test sessions. Additional IELTS on Paper tests are available on 22 and 29 December 2022, 5 and 12 January and 2 February 2023 in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hai Phong and Vinh City.
For the IELTS on Computer, candidates can register for the test on any day of the week. Three test time slots are available daily and candidates can get test results within three to five days. To familiarise yourselves with the IELTS on Computer, candidates can refer to the following guidance:
- IELTS on computer mock test: experience the test at home before the official exam
- A set of instructional videos and practice exercises for each type of question for the IELTS on computer: to help candidates become familiar and more confident with the IELTS on computer.
- Online webinar for the IELTS on computer: to help candidates familiarise themselves with the interface, features and preparation materials for the IELTS on computer.
In addition, the British Council have been working closely with potential partners to complete the registration procedures as prescribed in Circular No. 11/2022/TT-BGDĐT and Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP to expand our test venues in other provinces. We hope that candidates in all regions of the country can soon access the IELTS exam more easily and conveniently.
We sincerely thank our test takers for their continued patience and understanding, and we look forward to receiving you at our British Council test venues soon.
For more information about the IELTS test, please visit: https://www.britishcouncil.vn/en/exam/ielts
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Update as of 22 November 2022
Update on IELTS tests
The British Council has received approval from the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) to resume IELTS test delivery and is expected to recommence testing on 26 November 2022, five days after submitting the official test schedule to the local authorities, according to the guidance in decision 3773/QĐ-BGĐT issued by MOET.
At present, the British Council has been approved to conduct the IELTS test at 10 locations in 5 cities and provinces, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hai Phong and Vinh.
We are actively working with our partners to reschedule tests as soon as possible. Detailed information will be directly shared with affected test takers.
We will also continue working with potential partners to complete the registration procedures as prescribed in Circular No. 11/2022/TT-BGDĐT and Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP to expand our test venues.
We sincerely thank our test takers for their continued patience and understanding.
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Update as of 18 November 2022
Resumption of British Council IELTS tests
The British Council is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Education and Training has approved our application for the resumption of delivery of IELTS testing from 18 November 2022 onwards, according to the provisions of Circular No. 11/2022/TT-BGDĐT and Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP. We acknowledge the support and guidance from the Ministry of Education and Training to enable us to resume testing in a timely manner.
The British Council will reach out to all affected test takers directly by email to share further details of the resumption of their IELTS tests.
We also welcome new test takers to register for the test with us at British Council approved test venues.
We look forward to receiving them at our British Council test venues soon. For more information about the IELTS test, please visit: https://www.britishcouncil.vn/en/exam/ielts
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Update as of 16 November 2022
Update on postponement of IELTS tests
The British Council has supplemented and completed the application for joint delivery of the IELTS test according to the provisions of Circular No. 11/2022/TT-BGDĐT and Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP. We hope to receive approval from the Ministry of Education and Training for this application soon.
We look forward to receiving our test takers soon at one of our British Council test centres in Vietnam.