Vocational upper secondary education and training is open to those who have completed the syllabus of basic education or a corresponding earlier syllabus.
Moreover, those who have not completed the basic education syllabus but who are deemed to be sufficiently capable of studying, may also be admitted.

The main selection criteria are success in previous studies, grades in the school-leaving certificate with emphasis on the relevant field, work experience and various entrance or aptitude tests. A ´flexible selection process´ makes it possible to accept applicants, whose score would not otherwise be high enough for admission. Any possible entrance or aptitude tests are institution- or field-specific.

Students usually apply for vocational education and training through the national joint application procedure or directly to the institution. In principle, by filling in the joint application form, it is possible to apply to all institutions involved in the joint application system: in practical terms, it is now possible to indicate five preferences on the form. The education provider makes the decisions on admissions.