Career Colleges and Vocational Schools in China

Vocational education in China trains technicians and skilled workers at secondary and higher level,. China's Vocational Education Law, revised in 2022, defines vocational education as education that gives students the professional ethics, knowledge and technical skills needed for a particular occupation, and states that it has the same importance as general education. It includes both vocational school education and vocational training.

SpainExchange currently lists one vocational provider in China, The Center for Sustainability Shanghai, an initiative of industry and academic professionals that promotes education on sustainability for international students.

How vocational education is organised

The law divides vocational school education into two levels:

• secondary vocational education, given at upper-secondary level by secondary vocational schools, including technical schools
• higher vocational education, given at associate-degree (zhuanke), bachelor's and higher levels by higher vocational schools and by regular universities

The scale is large. According to the Ministry of Education's statistical bulletin for 2025, China had 6,741 secondary vocational schools with 11.19 million students. At higher level there were 1,554 higher vocational colleges (zhuanke level) with 17.66 million students, and 87 vocational universities at bachelor's level with 518,300 students. Shenzhen Polytechnic University (SZPU) is an example of the newer vocational universities: founded in 1993 as Shenzhen Polytechnic, it was upgraded to university status with the approval of the Ministry of Education in June 2023 and offered 15 undergraduate and 84 diploma programmes in 2024.

Qualifications

Students who complete a vocational programme and pass the school's assessment receive an academic certificate; vocational training leads to a training certificate, and assessment by an authorised body leads to a vocational qualification or skill-level certificate. Graduates of higher vocational education who meet the national standard can apply for a degree. The law also gives vocational graduates the same opportunities as general-school graduates at the same level in further study and employment, and asks higher vocational schools to reserve places or hold separate exams for vocational school graduates.

The law promotes apprenticeships with Chinese characteristics, in which companies offer apprentice places and recruit students jointly with vocational schools, combining work and study. Practical training bases built with industry are part of the system.

Options for international students

Each vocational institution decides whether and how it admits international students. SZPU, for example, lists diploma programmes, student exchange programmes and Chinese language courses for international students. Check the language of instruction and the Chinese level required before applying; a language course at the same institution can be a first step.

A course of up to 180 days requires the X2 short-term study visa; longer study requires the X1 visa. The school provides the admission documents for the visa application, and the Chinese Visa Application Service Center recommends applying three months before travelling.

Costs and funding

Fees for international students are set by each institution, so ask the international office for its current fee list. The Vocational Education Law establishes a system of awards and financial support for vocational students, and allows companies, organisations and individuals to fund scholarships and grants.

How to choose a programme

• Level: decide between a short training course, a zhuanke diploma or a vocational bachelor's degree.
• Language: check whether the programme is taught in Chinese, and what level of Chinese is required.
• Recognition: find out which certificate the programme awards (academic certificate, training certificate or skill-level certificate) and how it is recognised in your own country.
• Industry links: look at apprenticeship places and practical training with companies.
• Visa: confirm that the institution can issue the documents for an X1 or X2 visa.

Frequently asked questions

What is a zhuanke diploma?

It is the associate-degree level of higher vocational education in China, below the bachelor's degree. In 2025, China had 1,554 higher vocational colleges at this level, according to the Ministry of Education.

Can foreigners study at a Chinese vocational college?

Yes, at institutions that recruit international students. Shenzhen Polytechnic University, for example, offers diploma programmes, exchange programmes and Chinese language courses for international students.

Are vocational qualifications in China officially recognised?

Yes. Under the Vocational Education Law, academic certificates, training certificates and vocational qualification or skill-level certificates serve as proof of qualification for employment in China. Recognition abroad depends on the authorities of each country.