China’s vocational degrees rising as students seek skills over prestigious universities

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Xinyi WuFebruary 22, 2026 at 03:00 AM

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In China, more students are opting for vocational degrees over traditional universities after taking the National Higher Education Entrance Examination. Students like Lin Gangming are choosing vocational colleges, such as Shenzhen Polytechnic University, despite scoring high enough to attend prestigious universities. This trend is driven by a desire for practical skills and reliable employment prospects amid an oversupply of traditional college graduates. China is integrating academic and vocational-technical components in higher education to align with economic diversification and technological advancements. This shift reflects a change in perception, with vocational education increasingly viewed as a strategic choice rather than a backup plan.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Shenzhen Special Zone Daily 50% Yangjiang 60% University of Hong Kong 60% Gerard Postiglione 70% National Higher Education Entrance Examination (gaokao) 70% Guangdong province 70% Lin Gangming ×380% Shenzhen Polytechnic University 90% China ×3100%

Keywords

vocational degrees 100% higher education 80% technical skills 70% china 70% employment 60% gaokao 50% undergraduate 50% economic diversification 40% technological development 40%

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Positive

Score: 0.30

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South China Morning Post

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vocational degrees higher education technical skills china employment gaokao undergraduate economic diversification technological development

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