Graduates from vocational education and training schools can participate in the national entrance examination to obtain entrance to a university or higher vocational college. As the government subsidises students who study at higher vocational colleges, sometimes these colleges can be more attractive to students from remote areas or poor family backgrounds.

At present, it is difficult for vocational education and training students to access higher education. Higher vocational education (tertiary level) in China only recruits graduates from regular high schools. This means that graduates from vocational high schools or technical schools cannot move on to higher vocational education via this route.

Graduates of higher vocational education institutions cannot go on to take a bachelor degree unless the institution becomes a college. However, students can undertake self-study and gain an adult bachelor’s degree by taking the adult higher education examination.