Rising Interest in Vocational Higher Education in China
Vocational degree programmes in China, which focus on developing technical skills, are increasingly being chosen by students who achieve high scores in the country’s national university entrance exam, the Gaokao. The growing preference for these practice-oriented programmes over traditional academic disciplines is seen as a sign of a major transformation in the country’s education system.
This trend is not limited to individual choices. Following the transition of Shenzhen Polytechnic University in Guangdong into a vocational university in 2023, the minimum Gaokao entry score for its physics department rose to 595—and reached 617 in 2024. These scores surpassed those of many conventional universities and attracted significant attention. Similarly, Jinhua Vocational and Technical University in Zhejiang province set a record minimum score of 621, highlighting the increasing competitiveness of vocational higher education.
Currently, there are 87 vocational universities across China. Under a pilot scheme launched by the State Council in 2019, 51 of these institutions are actively enrolling students.