Private universities are struggling to attract students, with some colleges thousands short of their targets.

Students visit the Technical Teaching University in HCM City. Private universities are struggling to attract students, with some colleges thousands short of their targets.

While most public universities and colleges have achieved their enrollment targets for the academic year 2015-2016, many smaller private institutions are in danger of falling short with the deadline for second round applications coming today.

Colleges such as the College of Finance and Customs need 2,000 more candidates, HCM City Industry and Trade College are 1,500 short, HCM City Information Technology College have 1,000 spaces while HCM City Institute of Applied Science and Technology are 2,300 shy.

This year all candidates are offered the option of changing their choice, meaning that those who fail at the first round can apply to other universities and colleges in another round.

As many as 169 institutions throughout the country, including 66 universities and 79 colleges started their second enrollment round last week.

Most have relatively low enrollment scores, which are as high as the "floor marks" stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET).

The minimum score to be considered for university enrollment is 15 points, and 12 points for colleges.

However, the number of applications is reportedly much lower than targets.

The Ha Noi-based private Financial and Banking University (FBU) planned to enroll 1,200 students this year. Some 450 students applied at the first round, the remaining 750 slots were available at the second round, said Pham Ngoc Anh, vice rector of FBU.

However, the school has received about 300 applications so far.

"Only a third of them will be enrolled," Anh said.

Thang Long Private University is worried that the number of applicants will be lower than its enrollment target. The university has received about 600 applications, lower than its target of 700, according to a representative of the university.

Phuong Dong Private University is still enrolling students in all its training categories.

The university's vice rector, Vu Phan, said that the number of new universities was increasing while the number of candidates was limited so the enrollment process would face many difficulties.

According to FBU's Anh, in the first round of students' the MOET should have classified universities and colleges to avoid this situation.

"For example, the top tier schools will enroll the candidates scoring 25 points or more, the mid-tier ones will enroll those scoring 20 to 24 points, the lower tier ones will enroll those scoring 20 points or less," he said.

"The time for enrollment should last from 7 to 10 days to create favorable conditions for the private schools to start their enrollment processes," he said.

Many non-public universities in HCM City are in the same situation.

Nguyen Tat Thanh University has received half of the applications they hoped for, as has Hoa Sen University. Sai Gon Technology University has received 2,500 applications while its target was 3,100. Thai Binh Duong University planned to enroll 1,000 candidates but have received about 200 applications.