IQR Case Study: Institutional accreditation in Vietnam
QAA’s International Quality Review (IQR) helped British University Vietnam to externally validate their academic quality standards against international benchmarks, leading to increased international partnerships and collaboration.
Le Thuy Linh Vu, Senior Officer, Accreditation at British University Vietnam, shares how the accreditation process acted as a catalyst for systemic improvements across the University.
Why did you choose to seek international accreditation?
BUV’s strategic goal is to deliver education of the highest international standards in Vietnam. Seeking international accreditation was essential to:
- Benchmark our quality assurance processes against global best practices
- Enhance trust and credibility with students, parents, industry partners, and government stakeholders
- Strengthen our international positioning and partnerships by demonstrating adherence to rigorous external standards
- Support our mission of shaping graduates who are confident, employable, and globally competitive.
Why did you choose to work with QAA and undertake an International Quality Review?
QAA is globally recognised as a leading authority in quality assurance, with a strong reputation for its rigorous standards and evidence-based approach. We chose QAA’s International Quality Review because it provides independent, internationally benchmarked evaluation aligned with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG), and offers valuable external insight to enhance and further develop our internal quality assurance mechanisms.
How has accreditation influenced internal quality assurance, academic programmes or administrative processes?
Accreditation acted as a catalyst for systemic improvements across BUV, particularly in curriculum development, staff professionalisation, and the embedding of a quality assurance culture across all functions. The accreditation journey encouraged us to reflect critically on our processes and pushed us toward more robust governance and continuous enhancement, which will help us achieve our strategic goals moving forward.
The accreditation process has triggered an institutional shift toward evidence-based, data-driven decision-making and continuous quality enhancement, leading us to ensure that all quality procedures are maintained and updated. Faculty members have shown increased ownership over programme improvement, and administrative teams are more aligned around quality assurance principles. Suggested actions from the full IQR report are reviewed in every University Senate meeting to ensure that continuous improvement is embedded in our strategic approach.
The creation of our ‘Programme Monitoring & Periodic Review Policy’ ensures that the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and QAA cyclical-review timetables are embedded in internal planning, which has made for a smoother process for gaining approval for new programmes with our new ability to launch these more easily following our accreditation.
The most significant benefit of QAA IQR accreditation has been the external validation of our academic quality and operational standards against international benchmarks. It has provided clarity and confidence for both internal and external stakeholders — from faculty and students to employers and partner institutions — that BUV operates at a globally recognised level.
Has accreditation affected your institution’s reputation locally or globally?
Since completing our IQR and becoming the first university in Vietnam to successfully achieve QAA accreditation, BUV has experienced a marked enhancement in both its local and international reputation. The recognition has served as a powerful validation of our academic quality and commitment to continuous improvement, and has strengthened our credibility. This has been reflected across multiple areas:
Strengthened employer engagement
Accreditation has bolstered the confidence of both multinational and local employers in the quality of our graduates. Several industry partners, including HSBC, KPMG, and Standard Chartered, have referenced our accreditation in discussions around internship placements, recruitment pipelines, and collaborative initiatives, recognising it as an assurance of academic rigour and graduate preparedness.
Enhanced student and parent confidence
Accreditation has become a key factor in student decision-making. Since the IQR announcement, BUV has recorded an increase in undergraduate applications, with prospective students and parents explicitly citing QAA accreditation as a trust signal for programme quality and international recognition.
Increased academic collaboration and partnerships
The recognition has opened doors for academic collaboration with other UK and international universities. Institutions that are part of QAA’s global network are more open to joint research, credit transfer arrangements, and faculty exchanges with BUV, seeing the accreditation as a guarantee of quality alignment.
Have you observed any changes in student recruitment, international partnerships, or faculty engagement since accreditation?
QAA accreditation has ushered in a period of significant positive developments for our international partnerships. Our institutional reputation has been substantially enhanced, fostering increased engagement from esteemed universities, including Russell Group members in the UK (the University of Sheffield and the University of York) and highly-ranked universities internationally (Swiss Hotel Management School in Switzerland, the University of New Brunswick and the University of Manitoba in Canada, the University of Galway in Ireland and many more).
This expanded global network has translated into a consistent and encouraging rise in both outbound applications from our students pursuing international opportunities and inbound interest from international students seeking to engage with BUV’s growing global reach.
About the University
British University Vietnam (BUV) is a private university in Vietnam, established in 2009, committed to delivering a world-class education that combines academic excellence, employability, and industry engagement. The University has a network of more than 500 enterprise partners ensuring that students gain real-world experience through internships, projects, and career development opportunities from their very first year. It is the first and only university in Vietnam to offer full British degree programmes directly in-country, awarded by UK universities including the University of London, Staffordshire University, the University of Stirling, Arts University Bournemouth, and Bournemouth University.
Contact us to find out more about IQR
If you would like further information about IQR and the process of QAA accreditation, please email us.
