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.

Keywords:  access to university; educational mobility; international student mobility; Japan; Vietnamese students; vocational education

Published:   24 July 2025

Issue:   Vol 13 (2025): Vocational Schools as Pathways to Higher Education: International Perspectives (In Progress)