Circular 54/2026: questions and answers
Short answers to the questions university leaders ask most about Circular 54/2026/TT-BGDĐT. Each answer gives the article, so you can check it in the official text.
About the circular
What does Circular 54/2026 regulate?
Training programmes at every level of higher education: bachelor's, master's and doctoral. It covers programme standards, building and issuing programmes, running and improving them, and approving, suspending or closing them (Article 1.1). A few programmes are excluded or follow other rules (Article 1.3 to 1.5).
When did Circular 54 take effect?
On 30 June 2026 (Article 24.1).
Which circulars does Circular 54 replace?
Circulars 17/2021/TT-BGDĐT, 35/2021/TT-BGDĐT, 02/2022/TT-BGDĐT and 12/2024/TT-BGDĐT (Article 24.2).
Who does Circular 54 apply to?
Universities and other institutions that provide higher education, together with the organisations and people involved (Article 1.2).
Outcomes and evidence
What must a bachelor's programme's learning outcomes include?
Digital competence, content on artificial intelligence, foreign-language ability, and adaptability and lifelong learning (Article 7.2(a)).
What makes a learning outcome acceptable under Circular 54?
It is made concrete as a requirement that can be observed, assessed and measured, so it can guide design, assessment, improvement and the award of degrees (Article 7.3).
Where do digital competence and AI go in the programme structure?
In the supplementary content of a bachelor's programme, together with interdisciplinary knowledge and foreign language (Article 9.3(b)).
How is attainment of learning outcomes measured?
Each institution measures it through its internal quality assurance, following the principles in Appendix II: course and programme outcomes linked through a matrix, direct and indirect methods, and thresholds, scales and tools set by the institution (Article 20.1 and 20.2).
Does Circular 54 set a pass mark for learning outcomes?
Not this circular. The institution sets its own threshold, scale and method, and the formulas in Appendix II are references only (Appendix II, items 4 and 5). Field programme standards may add specific outcome requirements (Article 7.2(d)).
The review and reporting
How long do universities have to review running programmes?
36 months from 30 June 2026, which means by 30 June 2029. Every running programme must be comprehensively reviewed and improved (Article 25.2).
Does the review include lecturers and teaching materials?
Yes. It includes reviewing and updating textbooks, teaching materials, the teaching staff and learning resources against the programme's objectives, outcomes and content (Article 25.2).
Does Circular 54 set an AI competence standard for lecturers?
Not a separate one. Article 11 requires lecturers' competence to meet the programme's outcomes (Article 11.1(a)) and sets qualifications and teaching shares, but no specific digital or AI competence standard. The AI requirement is in programme outcomes and structure (Articles 7.2(a) and 9.3(b)).
Do students who enrolled before 30 June 2026 change programme?
No. They continue on the programme in force when they enrolled, and any reviewed programme applied to them must protect their legitimate rights and interests (Article 25.7).
How often must a programme be reviewed after that?
At least after every two graduating cohorts, or when development and quality assurance need it (Article 20.3).
Is there an annual report?
Yes. Institutions report and update data on the higher education database every year before 31 December (Article 23.2).
About this guide and WorldWise Learning
Does the AI Law also apply to AI tools used with students?
The AI Law (Law 134/2025/QH15) has been in force since 1 March 2026. It is separate from Circular 54. Check the AI tools you use with students against it.
Is WorldWise Learning's self-check endorsed by the Ministry?
No. The self-check, the guides and the Toolkit are independent planning aids from WorldWise Learning. They are not legal advice, a compliance assessment or a Ministry of Education and Training tool.
Where can I read the official text of Circular 54?
On the Government's legal documents portal, vanban.chinhphu.vn, which links the signed PDF. The link is at the end of this page.