Temple University Gateway Program — a direct pathway into a U.S. university from Ho Chi Minh City
This is the first Gateway Program cohort to run again in Vietnam — so the October 7, 2026 course is completely free.
The Gateway Program is a 4-week university-preparation course helping Vietnamese students build the English skills and academic confidence to succeed at U.S. universities — a cost-effective alternative to develop the skills needed to gain admission.
The program is run by Temple University's Center for American Language and Culture (TCALC) in partnership with AAE, held in person at AAE's office in Ho Chi Minh City. Students who complete the program to the required standard are granted direct admission to Temple University.
Under Temple University's current admission requirements, IELTS 6.0 is the minimum score for direct undergraduate admission for international students. Through the Temple Gateway Program, pre-approved students can join the program with an IELTS score of just 5.5. After successfully completing the program and meeting the admission requirements, students are granted direct admission to Temple University.
Who is this program for?
Students who wish to apply to Temple University as an undergraduate and study in the U.S. can gain direct admission upon completion — a cost-effective alternative to build the skills needed to succeed in college and gain admission to a university.
Pre-approved students who complete the program will be granted admission to Temple University. Applicants must submit a high school transcript and have a minimum of 5.5 IELTS to be admitted.
| Typical pathway program | Gateway Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry requirement | Usually IELTS 6.0+ | Only IELTS 5.5 |
| School you're admitted to | One of several partner schools — not guaranteed which one | Pre-approved, direct admission to Temple University |
| Duration | Usually several months | Just 4 weeks (36 hours) |
| Location | Usually must study abroad | Study right in Ho Chi Minh City |
| Tuition | Usually several thousand USD | 100% free for the Oct 7 cohort (originally $300) |
- ✓Pre-approved from the start — you know the outcome before you even begin, not after months of waiting.
- ✓Held right at AAE's office in Ho Chi Minh City — no need to leave Vietnam early or cover living costs abroad.
- ✓Complete your CommonApp and get F-1 visa support as part of the program itself.
What will you learn?
Students improve their English, prepare for college-level courses, and receive 1-on-1 support with their college and visa applications.
What do you get on completion?
Students who successfully complete the course to the required standard are directly admitted to Temple University.
TCALC (Temple University) and AAE staff support you throughout.
Students complete their CommonApp as part of the program.
Strengthens your academic background and F-1 visa application.
Students who complete the program to the required standard are granted admission directly.
4 steps to join the program
Work through them in order — each is a prerequisite for the next.
Send your current high school transcript and IELTS score report. AAE helps you complete the application.
Students accepted into the program receive pre-approval for admission to Temple University.
This October 7, 2026 cohort is completely free — pre-approved students just confirm to reserve their seat, no tuition required.
Finish the program (36 hours, 15 classes) to the required standard for direct admission to Temple University.
Starts October 7, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City
The program runs for 4 weeks (Oct 7–31, 2026), with 15 classes totaling 36 hours. The detailed class schedule is sent to admitted students by AAE.
Meet your Gateway instructor
Rob is Associate Director for Academic Services at Temple University's Center for American Language and Culture (TCALC). He has taught English to primary and secondary students in Taiwan and South Korea, and led a Department of State-funded college access program in Jordan. Rob has a master's degree in English language teaching and is working on a Ph.D. in applied linguistics at Temple. He has traveled to about 35 countries, and his favorite place is Vietnam.
About Temple University
Temple University is a major public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with nearly 30,000 enrolled students and scholarships available for international students.
Frequently asked questions about Temple Gateway
It's a 4-week university-preparation course run by Temple University's Center for American Language and Culture (TCALC) with AAE in Ho Chi Minh City, helping Vietnamese students build academic English and gain direct admission to Temple University on completion.
Students must submit a current high school transcript and have a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 to be admitted to the program.
This is the program's first cohort back in Vietnam, so the October 7, 2026 course is completely free (originally $300).
Pre-approved students who complete the program to the required standard are granted direct admission to Temple University.
The program runs from October 7 to October 31, 2026 (4 weeks, 36 hours) at AAE's office in Ho Chi Minh City.
Yes. Students learn the visa application and interview process during the program, and the certificate of completion strengthens their F-1 visa application.
AAE is with you on the Temple Gateway journey
Leave your details — the AAE team will reach out to advise on your application, IELTS score, and next steps in the program.
Program details and schedule follow Temple University TCALC's official page and may change between cohorts. Tuition is completely free for the October 7, 2026 cohort, since this is the program's first run back in Vietnam — later cohorts may charge tuition. Please contact AAE to confirm the latest cohort information and for help applying.