QS (Quacquarelli Symonds), a UK-based global education analytics organization, develops one of the world’s three most prestigious university ranking systems, alongside Times Higher Education (THE) and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

While rankings compare institutions by numerical position, rating/benchmarking systems assess universities against fixed standards. In this context, QS Stars is a comprehensive rating framework that evaluates institutions independently across dozens of performance indicators and awards ratings from 1 to 5+ Stars.

To earn QS Stars recognition, universities must demonstrate excellence in teaching quality, employability, research, internationalization, facilities, governance, and social impact. The latest QS Stars 6.0 framework (launched in early 2024) introduced significant updates, including:

• Integration of Sustainability as a core criterion

• Greater emphasis on Employability & Outcomes

• Stronger focus on Research & Innovation and Global Engagement

• Reconfiguration and refinement of previous evaluation categories

Globally, QS Stars functions as a transparent “capability profile” for institutions. With over 700 universities in 70+ countries rated, it enables learners to identify institutional strengths while supporting universities in benchmarking and strategic improvement.

The Mark of Vietnamese Higher Education on the QS Stars System

According to publicly available QS Stars data and official announcements, Vietnam currently has two universities rated 5 Stars:

• VinUniversity (certified September 2024), recognized as the youngest university worldwide to achieve 5 Stars

• British University Vietnam (BUV), the first institution in Vietnam to earn 5 Stars (2022)

Among Vietnamese institutions rated 4 Stars (Very Good), several have maintained or renewed their rating, including:

• University of Economics and Finance Ho Chi Minh City (UEF)

• Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH)

By late 2025 and early 2026, the list expanded to include:

• Nam Can Tho University

• Vinh University

• Thanh Do University

Notably, Thanh Do University achieved 5 Stars in 5 out of 7 core categories, including:

• Teaching

• Facilities

• Employability

• Good Governance

• Social Impact

The Good Governance category received a perfect 100/100 score, reflecting transparent and professional institutional management. The University’s 4-Star rating, achieved in its first evaluation under the new QS 6.0 standards, also highlights its strong applied orientation, high employability outcomes, and well-developed infrastructure, including a 10+ hectare campus, specialized laboratories (Pharmacy, Automotive Engineering, IT, Tourism), and the multi-functional Edupark Sports Center. Student well-being is further supported through modern dormitories and Thado Care healthcare services.

Historically, FPT University was the first Vietnamese institution to participate in QS Stars (2012), earning 3 Stars. Between 2018 and 2022, additional institutions achieved 4 Stars, including:

• Ton Duc Thang University

• Nguyen Tat Thanh University

• Van Lang University

• Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City

• Hoa Sen University

• Ba Ria Vung Tau University

QS Stars ratings typically remain valid for 3 to 5 years, after which institutions undergo re-evaluation.

From this broader picture, QS Stars is increasingly becoming a strategic reference framework for quality assurance and internationalization among Vietnamese universities. The growing number of 4-Star and 5-Star institutions not only elevates Vietnam’s academic standing regionally, but also creates positive momentum for:

• Enhancing student learning experience

• Strengthening graduate employability

• Advancing research and innovation capacity

• Reinforcing sustainability commitments and social responsibility

The QS Stars 4-Star certification achieved by Thanh Do University exemplifies this trajectory, affirming the institution’s commitment to international standards, academic excellence, and sustainable development in an increasingly globalized higher education landscape.

Thanh Do University

Address: Km15, National Highway 32, Hoai Duc, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotline: (+84) 934 078 668 - (+84) 243 386 1601

Website: https://thanhdo.edu.vn/ 

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/truongdaihocthanhdo