Introduction to the Application Development Program
Focus on Personal Capacity Development
In addition to training students in technical knowledge and skills, the program provides them with professional skills, such as working in a cross-cultural environment, personal development planning, time management, customer needs analysis, product design, project management, and more.
The program is student-centered, treating each student as a unique individual who requires personalized guidance and attention.
Teaching in English
Students who have not achieved an IELTS score of 5.5 will participate in the International Foundation Year program (including 2 major-specific courses) along with 3 university-level courses in the first year. Students who have achieved an equivalent IELTS score of 5.5 or higher will only take 5 major-specific courses in the first year. From the second year onward, all courses will be taught entirely in English.
High Level of International Connectivity
The faculty team includes both international lecturers and instructors who graduated from developed countries.
The program is taught entirely in English, employing advanced teaching methods and curricula from developed education systems, making it easier for students to transfer or pursue higher-level studies in developed countries.
Students gain exposure to an international working environment through study tours, student exchange activities, and internships in various countries around the world at preferential costs.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in exchange and transfer programs such as 1+3, 2+2, and 3+1, as well as cultural exchange activities at leading partner universities in the United Kingdom, Eastern Europe, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and more.
Emphasis on Practical Application and Professional Work Attitude
Students are provided opportunities to be trained and mentored by experts from companies during the early years, allowing them to independently discover and build their own passions and career direction.
The curriculum includes multiple internship courses, developed based on the long-standing experience of Aston University as well as lecturers graduated from developed education systems. Students will intern at leading companies and organizations in their field, both in Vietnam and internationally, giving them a competitive advantage through practical experience in professional work environments.
Students are not only trained in specialized knowledge but also in awareness, attitude, behavior, creative thinking, entrepreneurship, and a system of transferable skills necessary in today’s world.
Program Structure
Training Program Structure for the 2025 Admission Cohort
| No. | Knowledge Block | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Knowledge (University-level knowledge) | 50 |
| 2 | Foundational Knowledge of the Major | 43 |
| 3 | Specialized Knowledge of the Major | 40 |
| 4 | Internship and Graduation Project | 19 |
| Total | 152 |
First Year of University
• Introduction to Programming & Computing
• Academic English 1, 2, 3
• English for Information Technology
• Academic Skills
• Applied Informatics
• 3–4 elective courses in General Knowledge
• 3–4 elective courses in Core Knowledge
Second Year of University
• Systems Analysis and Database Design
• Mathematics for Computer Science
• Object-Oriented Programming
• Application Development Process 1
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• Web Application Design and Development
• Mobile Application Design and Development
• Application Development Process 2
• Networks and Parallel Processing
• Marxist-Leninist Philosophy
• Marxist-Leninist Political Economy
Third Year of University
• 4–5 elective courses in the specialized knowledge block
• Scientific Socialism
• Ho Chi Minh Thought
• History of the Communist Party of Vietnam
• 6-month Professional Internship
Fourth Year of University
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• 4–5 elective courses in the specialized knowledge block
• Graduation Project
Elective courses
Elective courses – General knowledge:
• Academic Writing
• Communication Skills
• Personal Development Planning
• Global Culture
• Probability and Statistics
• Entrepreneurship
Elective courses – Core knowledge:
• Java Programming
• Introduction to Operating Systems
• Design Thinking
• Design with Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
• Data Challenge 1
Elective courses – Specialized knowledge:
Application Development Group:
• 3D Graphics Programming
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Advanced Web Application Design
• Advanced Web Programming
• Human–Computer Interaction
• Blockchain Technology
Scientific Research Group:
• Malware Analysis
• Big Data Analysis
• Data Challenge 2
• Data Challenge 3
Career Development Group:
• Best Practices in Software Development
• Software Testing
• Software Project Management
• Software Development and Operations
• Leadership Skills
• Introduction to Management and Business
Detailed Training Program
Detailed information about the Application Development training program is presented below:
Training Program Versions:
Program Learning Outcomes:
Ability to apply knowledge and social skills to work effectively and behave professionally in the field of information technology.
Ability to solve complex problems in economic, political, social, and legal contexts based on the application of information technology and other scientific fields.
Possess critical thinking, creative thinking, entrepreneurial thinking, professional behavior; demonstrate ethics and professional responsibility.
Communicate and present ideas, solutions, or IT products in English, reaching IELTS 5.5 or equivalent.
Design, implement, and operate IT systems in the context of enterprises, society, and the environment.
Ability to plan and manage IT projects.
Graduation Requirements:
At the time of graduation, the student must not be under criminal investigation or suspended from studies.
Accumulate all required courses and credits according to the program.
Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
Obtain an international IELTS score of 5.5 or above, or equivalent according to VNUK regulations.
Have certificates of National Defense Education and Physical Education.
Pay full tuition fees for all courses before graduation.
Meet other conditions as regulated by VNUK.
Career Prospects:
Vietnam is currently experiencing strong development in the 4.0 era. According to reports, the IT sector consistently ranks among the highest-paying industries, with average monthly incomes ranging from 20 to 30 million VND. Recognizing this potential, foreign companies have chosen Vietnam as an investment destination, offering over 1,000 USD to recruit talent proficient in English and excellent in their field. Understanding this, VNUK proudly positions itself as one of the key “incubators” nurturing IT talent in Central Vietnam, producing programmers who meet the four essential criteria for the 21st century.
Job Positions:
Graduates of the Application Development program can work in various fields, including:
Analyzing, designing, and developing IT projects for different applications in agencies, companies, and educational institutions.
Planning and formulating policies for software applications or developing system software.
Working in domestic and international software production or outsourcing companies.
Working in consulting companies, proposing solutions, building and maintaining information systems, or in IT departments.
Conducting IT research and applications in institutes, research centers, and government agencies, or in universities and colleges.
Teaching computer science-related subjects at universities, colleges, vocational schools, and high schools.
Industry Perspective – Employer Feedback:
Gameloft Vietnam
For alumnus Dương Đức Hùng
“Dương Đức Hùng interned as a Game Developer at our company. Overall, Hùng is a talented student who adapts quickly to the working environment and is eager to learn and improve knowledge. With strong capabilities and more practical experience, Hùng can advance in mastering the entire game production process from development, testing, to product release.”
— Mr. Đinh Minh Hoàng, Android HD+ Producer
Sioux High Tech Software
For alumnus Ngô Lê Huy Hiền
“Ngô Lê Huy Hiền was the best and only intern in the Product Owner department in Sioux’s history. I was impressed with Hiền’s work skills, technical and business knowledge, creativity, and … Hiền has become a valuable member of Sioux, and I am confident that Hiền has a successful career ahead. Thanks to VNUK for sending such a young talent to Sioux.”
— Mr. Matthew Phillip John Jameson, Project Leader
IZI Software Joint Stock Company
For alumnus Lê Thị Thu Hương
“Lê Thị Thu Hương adapted quickly and handled tasks flexibly during her internship as a programmer. She worked diligently and excelled in UI design, function development, and debugging. I hope she continues to improve herself to become even more professional in the future.”
— Mr. Phạm Văn Tú, Team Leader
Papagroup Co., Ltd.
For alumni Đoàn Nhật Anh and Thành Công Chiến
“Nhật Anh is a capable intern, quickly adapting to new technologies and communicating well with team members. He participated in the game project server setup. He is diligent and organizes work effectively, with knowledge of server architecture and API development.”
— Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Quỳnh, Lead Developer
“Công Chiến is a friendly, open-minded student who listens well. He interned as a Unity Game Developer, focusing on UI-related tasks. He is highly motivated, eager to improve, ready to take on new tasks, and able to handle high work pressure.”
— Mr. Đỗ Văn Quốc, Senior Developer
