Samsung Electronics and SK hynix [Yonhap News Agency] 사진 확대 Samsung Electronics and SK hynix [Yonhap News Agency]

The number of applicants to semiconductor contract departments reached an all-time high in the 2027 early admissions cycle since the departments were established. The increase appears to reflect guaranteed employment at major companies and optimism about the semiconductor industry’s prospects.

According to Jongno Academy on the 11th, a total of 5,992 students applied to semiconductor contract departments at five universities: Yonsei University, Korea University (KU), Sungkyunkwan University, Sogang University and Hanyang University. This was an increase of 972 applicants, or 19.4%, from the previous year. The average competition ratio also reached a record high of 28.53 to 1.

Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, KU and Hanyang University saw particularly large increases in applicants. Sogang University recorded a 36.5% increase, or 354 applicants, from the previous year. Hanyang University rose by 21.3%, or 250 applicants; KU by 21.1%, or 71 applicants; and Sungkyunkwan University by 18.0%, or 309 applicants.

Yonsei University was the only institution to see a decline, with applicants falling 1.5%, or 12 students, from the previous year.

By company, the contract departments affiliated with SK hynix showed particularly strong growth. A total of 3,152 students applied to SK hynix contract departments, up 675 applicants, or 27.3%, from the previous year.

A total of 2,840 students applied to Samsung Electronics contract departments, an increase of 297 applicants, or 11.7%, from the previous year.

The SK hynix contract departments had relatively higher competition ratios. Sogang University’s Department of System Semiconductor Engineering recorded the highest ratio at 66.15 to 1. Hanyang University’s Department of Semiconductor Engineering posted a ratio of 44.41 to 1.

Among Samsung Electronics contract departments, Sungkyunkwan University’s Department of Semiconductor Systems Engineering recorded a ratio of 36.84 to 1. It was followed by KU’s SK hynix Department of Semiconductor Engineering at 14.57 to 1 and Yonsei University’s Samsung Electronics Department of System Semiconductor Engineering at 10.85 to 1.

Competition was particularly intense in the essay-based admissions track. Sogang University’s essay-based track recorded a ratio of 297.67 to 1. Hanyang University’s essay-based track posted 211 to 1, while Sungkyunkwan University’s mathematics-based essay track recorded 124.10 to 1. Yonsei University’s essay-based track also recorded a competition ratio of 33.75 to 1.

Interest in semiconductor contract departments has steadily increased in recent years. The number of applicants to the five universities rose from 2,234 in the 2021 academic year to 2,971 in 2022, 3,663 in 2023, 4,121 in 2024 and 4,829 in 2025. The figure reached 5,020 in 2026 and rose by nearly 1,000 this year to 5,992.

The average competition ratio also rose from 19.09 to 1 in 2021 to 28.30 to 1 in 2022. It then stood at 25.44 to 1 in 2023, 20.92 to 1 in 2024, 24.51 to 1 in 2025 and 23.90 to 1 in 2026. This year, it climbed sharply again to 28.53 to 1.

Semiconductor contract departments are established through agreements between major companies and universities, with companies selecting and training the talent they need. Their defining feature is that graduates are guaranteed employment at the relevant company.

Lim Seong Ho, head of Jongno Academy, said, “The popularity of semiconductor contract departments appears to have increased as employment difficulties, expectations for the semiconductor industry and guaranteed employment at major companies have converged.” He added, “Starting with the 2027 academic year, the introduction of the regional doctor system could lead to students being admitted to both medical schools and semiconductor contract departments, so it will also be worth watching which option applicants choose.”

This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.