British University Vietnam Retains QS 5-Star Rating for Six Consecutive Years

At the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025 held in Seoul, South Korea, British University Vietnam (BUV) was officially awarded the QS 5-Star rating for the 2025–2028 period. This marks the second consecutive time that BUV has received this prestigious recognition, reaffirming its position as the first and only university in Vietnam to consistently uphold outstanding international standards over six years (2022–2028). 

Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV (2nd right) and Mr. Tran Duc Trung, Deputy Head, Academic Services and Student Administration of BUV (2nd left), received the QS 5 Stars award at the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025.

Strong testament to comprehensive quality 

QS Stars is a global university rating system developed by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds). It assesses the extent to which higher education institutions meet international quality standards based on nine key categories comprising hundreds of rigorous indicators that cover every aspect of institutional performance. 

In the 2025–2028 assessment cycle, BUV achieved a total score of 818 out of 1,000, exceeding the 5-Star threshold of 700 points by 118 points. The university continued to demonstrate exceptional performance across key criteria: Academic Development scored 136 out of 150, surpassing the 5-Star benchmark by 31 points; Facilities scored 97 out of 100, exceeding the benchmark by 27 points; Employability achieved 135 out of 150, 50 points above the threshold; and Good Governance scored 95 out of 100, 25 points higher than the required 5-Star standard. 

Specifically, under the Teaching category, BUV demonstrated outstanding teaching quality with a student satisfaction rate of 79.4%. The programme completion rate reached 96%, while the first-year retention rate stood at 92%, reflecting a transparent and high-quality learning environment. In addition to 263 classroom contact hours, BUV provides 440 hours of academic consultation and tutoring support. On average, for every classroom hour, students receive an additional 1.67 hours of personalised academic support. Furthermore, 100% of BUV’s programmes are delivered through a digital Learning Management System (LMS), underscoring the university’s strong commitment to enhancing learning convenience and comprehensive student support. 

In terms of the Employability criterion, 99.3% of BUV graduates are employed after graduation, exceeding QS’s recommended benchmark of 90%. The overall employment outcome rate of 93.1% indicates that graduates not only secure employment but also obtain positions aligned with their field of study. In particular, BUV’s employer reputation reached 96 nominations, double the maximum threshold, proving the university’s strong credibility and the high quality of its graduates in the labour market. 

Representatives from partner universities, including the University of London, have described BUV as “the most beautiful university” within their entire network of partners.

Regarding the Academic Development criterion, BUV boasts a highly qualified faculty, with 89% holding doctoral degrees, surpassing QS’s recommended benchmark of 80% and significantly exceeding the national standard, which currently requires only 20%. All BUV lecturers participate in professional faculty development programmes, reflecting a strong culture of lifelong learning embedded within the University. BUV also allocates 45% of its revenue to teaching spending, surpassing QS’s benchmark by 25%, demonstrating a clear priority for academic quality and educational excellence. 

Under the Facilities criterion, BUV’s 6.5-hectare campus, certified as an EDGE Advanced green building, not only leaves a strong impression on students but also serves as a key factor in attracting international faculty and academic partners. Representatives from partner universities, including the University of London, have described BUV as “the most beautiful university” within their entire network of partners. Notably, BUV invests an average of nearly USD 33,000 per student annually in library resources, far exceeding QS’s recommended benchmark of USD 250. 

Each year, BUV allocates nearly 27% of its revenue to the scholarship fund, more than 13 times the QS-recommended benchmark of 2%, demonstrating a strong commitment to Social Responsibility. In addition, 1% of BUV’s annual revenue is dedicated to community engagement and charitable activities, reflecting the university’s dedication to creating a positive social impact beyond academia. 

Expanding priorities 

Notably, the Good Governance criterion was newly introduced in the 2025-2028 assessment cycle, and BUV achieved a 5-star rating in its first assessment. The University has completed 100% of its policy framework in line with QS standards, encompassing eight policies related to sustainability and integrity. Staff satisfaction stands at 92.2%, reflecting a positive and transparent working environment. BUV also ensures inclusive governance, with students in the governing body, over 35% of leadership positions held by women, and an Ethics Committee that meets monthly with publicly available reports. 

Global Engagement is also a new priority in this assessment cycle, reinforcing BUV’s vision of becoming a truly global learning environment.

Alongside this, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion criterion was also introduced, reflecting BUV’s commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive learning environment where every student can reach their full potential, regardless of their background, gender, or circumstances. QS recognised BUV for meeting and exceeding standards across all aspects of community support, including provisions for students with disabilities, those facing challenges with focus and balance, gender equality, disadvantaged groups, and ethnic minority students. 

Importantly, Global Engagement is also a new priority in this assessment cycle, reinforcing BUV’s vision of becoming a truly global learning environment. The University currently boasts a network of over 70 prestigious universities across 17 countries on 5 continents, with 10% of its students and 81% of its faculty being international. With 31 nationalities represented within its learning community, BUV offers a distinctly multicultural and globally connected educational experience. 

Commitment to the future 

Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV, shared: “We see benchmarking against prestigious international standards as a guiding principle that drives all our efforts to enhance quality. QS Stars currently represents the highest tier within BUV’s Triple Quality Framework, serving as a solid foundation for our continued expansion on the global stage. Our next destination is the QS Asia University Rankings.” 

Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV, delivered a keynote presentation at the event.

Mr. Samuel Ang, Regional Director of Asia at QS, remarked: “BUV’s consistent achievement of the QS 5-Star rating reflects its unwavering commitment to excellence and continuous improvement across all areas of higher education. Within the region, BUV stands out as a benchmark institution, showcasing how a university in Viet Nam can deliver world-class outcomes, reinforce national and regional competitiveness in global higher education.” 

In the context of Vietnam’s ambition to become a regional hub for transnational education by 2030, BUV’s consecutive achievement of the QS 5-Star rating reaffirms its leading position within the international higher education landscape in Vietnam, while also making a practical contribution to the Government’s overarching goal. 

About British University Vietnam (BUV) 

BUV is the first university in Vietnam to earn a 5-star rating from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and the first in Vietnam and ASEAN to achieve global accreditation from the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) – two of the world’s most prestigious education quality organisations. BUV’s curriculum is carefully designed and regularly updated to reflect the latest industry trends, emphasising the seamless integration of theory and practice. 100% of BUV graduates secure employment or continue higher education within three months of graduation. 

Learn more about BUV: https://www.buv.edu.vn/en/