Semiconductor Department Admissions Increase by 12%, Non-Contract Programs Hold Steady

As the artificial intelligence (AI) industry grows, competition for skilled semiconductor workers intensifies, leading to notable changes in the admissions landscape for semiconductor-related programs at universities in Seoul. While the enrollment for contract programs, which guarantee employment at major companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, remains unchanged from last year, the number of admissions for non-contract semiconductor programs has increased by over 20%, driving overall enrollment growth.
 
On June 17, Jinhaksa, an admissions information platform, analyzed the rolling admissions figures for semiconductor-related programs at Seoul universities for the 2027 academic year. This year, a total of 564 students have been admitted to these programs, up from 502 students across 14 universities last year, marking an increase of 62 students (12.4%).
 
Despite the overall growth trend, the contrast between contract and non-contract programs is stark. The five major universities offering contract semiconductor programs—Korea University, Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, and Hanyang University—have maintained their total admissions at 205 students, the same as in the 2026 academic year.
 
In contrast, the number of admissions for non-contract semiconductor programs has risen from 297 last year to 359 this year, an increase of 62 students or 20.9%. Essentially, the entire increase in admissions for semiconductor-related programs this year has been driven by non-contract programs.
 
The expansion of non-contract programs is a result of new program launches and increases in existing program capacities. Kookmin University has changed its "Department of Applied Chemistry, Nano Materials Major" to "Department of Energy Semiconductor Chemical Engineering," increasing its admissions from 57 to 79 students. Sungshin Women's University has established a new "Convergence AI Semiconductor Engineering Department," admitting 29 new students this year.
 
Some universities have significantly increased their admissions while maintaining their program structures. The Intelligent Semiconductor Major at Seoul City University has expanded from 4 to 16 students, while Chung-Ang University’s Intelligent Semiconductor Engineering Department has increased from 10 to 18 students. Kwangwoon University’s Semiconductor System Engineering Major has also grown from 32 to 34 students.
 
Examining the admissions methods, the increase in the number of students admitted through the comprehensive evaluation method has been the most significant. The number of students admitted through this method for semiconductor programs in Seoul has surged from 310 in the 2026 academic year to 352 in the 2027 academic year, an increase of 42 students. In the same period, admissions through the academic evaluation method rose from 117 to 127, and through the essay evaluation method from 75 to 85, each increasing by 10 students.
 
The trend of diversifying admissions methods is also evident. The Intelligent Semiconductor Major at Seoul City University, which admitted only 4 students through the academic evaluation method last year, has increased that number to 6 this year while also introducing the comprehensive evaluation method, adding 10 more admissions.
 
Chung-Ang University’s Intelligent Semiconductor Engineering Department has also moved away from its previous structure of admitting only 10 students through the comprehensive evaluation method, now incorporating various selection pathways including the essay evaluation method to attract top talent.
 
Admissions experts predict that due to government support and industry-academic collaboration investments, student interest in both contract and non-contract semiconductor programs will continue to rise. Jin Won-cheol, head of Jinhaksa's admissions strategy research center, stated, "Interest in semiconductor programs has traditionally focused on contract programs with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, but this year we are seeing a clear expansion in admissions for non-contract semiconductor programs as well. Students now have more options beyond contract programs, so it is essential to carefully examine each program's curriculum and admissions methods."