Economics-related university streams are the most in demand this year while social sciences and humanities courses have attracted far fewer applications than the number of places available. 

Students submit applications for university entrance exams at HCM City's Department of Education and Training. Economics-related courses are attracting more students than social sciences and humanities, according to data collected from submited applications in major cities. — VNA/VNS Photo Phuong Vy

The figures for applications sent in for university entrance exams at many high schools in major cities are telling.

At the Nguyen Thuong Hien High School in HCM City's Tan Binh District, 40 percent of the around 2,030 applications were for economics, Nguyen Hong Minh, a school official, said.

Only three applications were sent in for Group C comprising literature, history and geography, he added.

Around 1,100 students at the Mac Dinh Chi High School in the city's District 6 have sent in more than 2,850 applications, with 45 per cent of them being for economics.

Of the 1,100 applications by students from Le Quy Don High School in District 3, only one is for Group C.

The story is similar in Ha Noi and Hai Phong. At Thang Long High School in the capital, of the more than 2,000 applications submitted, only five are for social sciences and humanities.

At Le Quy Don and Nguyen Tat Thanh high schools there are only six applications each for Group C.

At the Ngo Quyen High School in Hai Phong, economics accounted for most of applications with only 1 per cent applying for Group C.

"I cannot see obvious job opportunities after graduating from degrees that require students to take the Group C test," Nguyen Hong Thai, a grade 12 student at Le Hong Phong High School in HCM City, explained.

Although she got very high scores in literature, history, and geography in school, she decided to take Group D1, comprising literature, mathematics, and English, for admission to the Foreign Trade University.

Nguyen Huong, a career consultant at the 1088 telephone service, said social sciences and humanities did not appeal to young people because it was hard to find good jobs after graduation.