Junior college, that is, junior college education, is an integral part of higher education and one of the levels of university education. College education is mainly divided into full-time college and part-time college. Generally, the basic study period for middle school graduates or those with equivalent educational level is two to three years (the study period of part-time education should be appropriately extended).

After 1999, in addition to the specialized education in normal colleges, medical colleges and public security colleges, specialized education usually refers to the specialized education in higher vocational education (hereinafter referred to as higher vocational education), which is to cultivate and master the necessary basic theory and professional knowledge of this major on the basis of completing secondary education, and to have the basic professional skills and preliminary ability to engage in practical work in this major.