Earning an Ontario OSSD Online as a Vietnamese Student
Earn a Canadian high school diploma online, with free PLAR recognition of your prior schooling in Vietnam.
Vietnam has seen a sharp rise in students looking beyond the National High School Graduation Exam, known locally as the THPT Quoc Gia, toward study abroad options in Canada, Australia, and the UK. The Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or OSSD, gives students in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and across the country a coursework based route to a Canadian high school credential, without needing to leave home. Royal Ontario Academy teaches it fully online, so it sits alongside your current studies, and past schooling may already count through free PLAR.
Royal Ontario Academy is a Ministry inspected online high school delivering the Ontario curriculum and granting OSSD credits. Families can read independent Royal Ontario Academy reviews on OurKids.net.
Why Families in Vietnam Choose the OSSD
- a diploma built for direct entry into Canadian, American and European universities
- recognition of hoc ba (report cards) and graduation diplomas through free PLAR
- English medium coursework that prepares students for study abroad
- rolling enrolment, so you can start mid school year or anytime
- the same tuition rate as students studying from Canada
- steady, feedback driven progress instead of one high stakes exam
Free PLAR: What We Review
PLAR stands for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. The ROA Principal reviews your records individually. For the full process, see our PLAR guide for international students. This can include:
- official transcripts and report cards (hoc ba)
- the Lower Secondary Education Graduation Diploma
- the Upper Secondary Graduation Diploma, where available
- National High School Graduation Exam results, where available
There is no automatic formula converting a Vietnamese diploma into a fixed number of credits. The Principal confirms your grade placement and credit total in writing.
Matching a Vietnamese Education to Ontario Grade Levels
Grade matching at a glance
| Vietnamese school stage | Local credential or exam | Typical age | Ontario grade equivalency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Secondary, Grade 9 | Lower Secondary Education Graduation Diploma | 14 to 15 | Grade 9 |
| Upper Secondary, Grade 10 | School transcripts and report cards (hoc ba) | 15 to 16 | Grade 10 |
| Upper Secondary, Grade 11 | School transcripts and report cards (hoc ba) | 16 to 17 | Grade 11 |
| Upper Secondary, Grade 12 | National High School Graduation Exam, Upper Secondary Graduation Diploma | 17 to 18 | Grade 12 |
The Principal confirms your actual placement from your official records.
What This Means for Your Credits
Thirty credits make up the full OSSD. PLAR recognized credits count toward that total directly, so most students avoid restarting at Grade 9.
| Previous schooling completed | Maximum PLAR credits | Credits still needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year, such as Grade 9 | Up to 8 credits | 22 credits |
| 2 years, such as Grade 10 | Up to 16 credits | 14 credits |
| 3 years, such as Grade 11 | Up to 23 credits | 7 credits |
| More than 3 years | Up to 24 credits | 6 credits |
To have Royal Ontario Academy grant your OSSD, you complete at least 6 credits through us, with 4 of those at the Grade 11 or 12 level.
Building Your Course Plan
Vietnamese students commonly pursue business, engineering, and health science programs abroad. A typical university focused plan may include some of these courses:
- Grade 12 English
- Grade 12 Advanced Functions
- Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors
- Grade 12 Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
Graduation Requirements, in Brief
Alongside the 30 credits, you also satisfy Ontario’s literacy requirement, usually through OLC4O for those outside Ontario, and log 40 hours of community involvement. The full list, including anything tied to your entry year, comes up once you request your PLAR review.
Getting Started
All coursework happens online, so there is no need to relocate from Vietnam. Start by requesting a free PLAR review and preparing your official records. The Principal confirms your credits and remaining course list in writing, and you can enrol at any time of year.
Request Your Free PLAR Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Vietnamese school records be recognized?
Yes. Eligible past learning may be recognized through PLAR, our free assessment. The Principal reviews your official records and confirms which credits will be accepted.
Can my graduation diploma or exam results support my PLAR assessment?
Yes. Your Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary graduation diplomas and any National High School Graduation Exam results can be included. Your transcripts and report cards are also important.
Do I need strong English to study at ROA?
ROA courses are taught in English, so you need to be ready for coursework in English. If English is not your first language, our team helps you build the skills you need. We also confirm the right starting point when you enrol.
Can I take ROA courses alongside my current school?
Yes. Many Vietnamese students take ROA courses to add to their current studies. They add Ontario credits or reach ahead. Courses are online with rolling enrolment, so you start whenever it suits you.
Do I need to repeat high school?
Usually not. PLAR recognizes past learning, so you do not repeat courses you have already done. You focus on the credits you still need.
My documents are in Vietnamese. Is that a problem?
No. Vietnamese records are welcome. Our team will guide you on official translated copies where they are needed for the PLAR review.
How many credits do I complete at ROA?
For an ROA-granted OSSD, you complete at least 6 credits with ROA. At least 4 must be Grade 11 or Grade 12 credits.
Can I study from Vietnam?
Yes. All courses are online and taught in English. You can study from anywhere in Vietnam, at your own pace. Tuition is the same as for Canadian students.
How do I meet the literacy requirement?
Most students outside Ontario meet it through OLC4O, the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course, completed online with us. ROA confirms the right pathway when you enrol.
Is the OSSD recognized by universities?
Universities in Canada accept the OSSD. Many universities in other countries also consider it, based on their own rules. Check the requirements for each university and program.
Final Thoughts
For Vietnamese students, the OSSD is a flexible path to university. It fits alongside your current studies. ROA learning is online, anytime and anywhere. You can add Ontario credits, reach ahead, or work toward the full diploma at your own pace. With free PLAR, we review your past high school learning. We show how it counts toward the OSSD. Then you complete your remaining Ontario credits online.
If you are a Vietnamese student interested in the OSSD, prepare your official school records. Then contact Royal Ontario Academy to request your free PLAR assessment.