Applications to Contract Departments, Including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, Reach 8,994; Early-Admissions Applications Hit Record High

[Financial News] Early-admissions applications for the 2027 academic year to contract departments linked to major companies, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, reached an all-time high. As job prospects remain difficult, these departments have become more popular because they can lead to employment at major companies after graduation. Semiconductor-related departments were particularly strong.
According to Jongno Academy on the 15th, a total of 8,994 students applied for the 2027 early-admissions cycle at 13 contract departments operated in partnership with seven major companies, including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and Hyundai Motor. That was an increase of 1,387 applicants, or 18.2%, from last year’s 7,607, marking the largest total on record. The average competition ratio also rose from 20.67 to 1 to 23.48 to 1.
The concentration in semiconductors was the most pronounced. A total of 5,992 students applied to five semiconductor-related departments, up 19.4% from 5,020 last year. The competition ratio also climbed from 23.90 to 1 to 28.53 to 1.
By field, information security applications rose 15.1%, from 139 to 160, while automotive applications increased 10.3%, from 390 to 430. By contrast, battery-related applications fell 36.2%, from 323 to 206, the largest decline. Applications also decreased in mobile (-21.3%), telecommunications (-11.0%), artificial intelligence (AI, -2.7%) and displays (-1.1%).
There were also significant differences by company. Applications to three SK hynix contract departments rose 27.3%, from 2,477 last year to 3,152 this year, the highest growth rate. Applications to LG Uplus increased 15.1%, those to Hyundai Motor rose 10.3%, and those to Samsung Electronics grew 4.2%. Applications to Samsung SDI contract departments fell 36.2%, while those to LG Display declined 1.1%.
The newly established Department of Smart Home Appliance Engineering, jointly operated by LG Electronics and Pusan National University, received 603 applications for 20 places, recording a competition ratio of 30.15 to 1.
Among semiconductor contract departments, Sogang University’s Department of System Semiconductor Engineering, which has an agreement with SK hynix, recorded the highest competition ratio. It received 1,323 applications for 20 places, resulting in a ratio of 66.15 to 1. Hanyang University’s Department of Semiconductor Engineering recorded 44.41 to 1, while Korea University’s Department of Semiconductor Engineering recorded 14.57 to 1.
Sungkyunkwan University’s Department of Semiconductor Systems Engineering, a contract department linked to Samsung Electronics, received 2,026 applications for 55 places, recording a competition ratio of 36.84 to 1.
Competition ratios soared into the triple digits in essay-based admissions. Sogang University’s general essay-based admissions track for the Department of System Semiconductor Engineering, which selects three students, received 893 applications and recorded a ratio of 297.67 to 1. Hanyang University’s essay-based admissions track for the Department of Semiconductor Engineering recorded 211.00 to 1, while Sungkyunkwan University’s mathematics-based essay excellence track for the Department of Semiconductor Systems Engineering recorded 124.10 to 1.
Jongno Academy analyzed that, amid difficult employment conditions, contract departments tied to recruitment at major companies have become a major preferred group of departments among top-tier natural-sciences applicants.
Lim Seong-ho, head of Jongno Academy, said, "Preferences appear to have increased not only for semiconductor departments but also for departments related to smart home appliances, automobiles and information security." He added, "Depending on industry trends, the admission cutoffs for these companies’ contract departments are also expected to be affected each year."

[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter