The development and transformation of vocational teacher education grounded in university traditions has been analysed by several Hungarian researchers (Ballér 1991; Katona 2015; Orosz 2003; Patyi 2021). There are also studies that trace the evolution of individual programmes—such as engineering teacher education (Holik, Nemes-Németh and Sanda 2021; Horváth 2013), agricultural engineering teacher education (Surányi 2018), and economics teacher education (Antal and Baksa 2013) from their inception to the present day. Beyond historical and structural analyses, research has also addressed the methodological and curricular characteristics of these programmes (Benedek and Szabóné Berki 2011). However, only a limited number of studies have examined the recruitment base of applicants entering vocational teacher training (Szabóné Berki 2015; Engler et al. 2017; Máté-Szabó 2019). More recently, scholarship in the field has shifted towards VET-pedagogical perspectives and methodological renewal (Rádli 2011; Tóth 2012; Szabóné Berki 2015; Tordai 2015; Holik 2016), as well as institutional case studies (Bacsa-Bán 2014; Tóth 2011; Nagyné 2024). The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the sociocultural background, prior educational pathways, and learning motivations of students enrolled in Hungarian vocational teacher education. Our research examined 215 students across four study programmes: agricultural engineering teacher, health teacher, economics teacher, and engineering teacher education. Findings show that vocational teacher training predominantly enrols adult learners who typically possess multiple degrees, substantial professional experience, and a stable family background. The study also explores geographical access to programmes, students’ satisfaction, and their attitudes towards learning. Regarding learning motivation, two key dimensions were identified: emotional–self-realisation motives and external, instrumental drivers. Results indicate that family status exerts a significant influence on intrinsic motivation; single students demonstrate substantially stronger knowledge-acquisition and self-development intentions compared to married or divorced peers.