From Vocational Schools to Universities: Navigating Educational Permeability for Vietnamese Students in Japan

Abstract

This article explores how Vietnamese international students in Japan navigate the transition from vocational education to university, using the concepts of “institutional permeability” and the “education‐migration industry.” Findings from qualitative interviews revealed that while vocational‐to‐university pathways exist, they are obscured by structural barriers and informational gaps perpetuated by study‐abroad agencies and institutional practices. The study identifies three types of vocational schools—vocation‐oriented, hybrid, and further‐education‐oriented—with varying degrees of support for academic progression. Educational mobility is shown to be stratified and conditional, highlighting the need for more transparent and equitable systems to support international students’ academic aspirations.