Busan Meister High Schools Post Record Admission Ratio of 3.07 to 1

[Financial News] The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education said on the 26th that the admission competition ratio for incoming students at Meister high schools for the 2027 school year had reached a record high.
Applications for the 2027 school year were accepted from the 19th to the 22nd at four local Meister high schools: Busan Mechanical Technical High School, Busan Maritime High School, Busan Automotive Meister High School, and Busan Software Meister High School. A total of 1,623 students applied for 528 places, resulting in an average competition ratio of 3.07 to 1. This was well above last year's ratio of 2.34 to 1 and the highest on record.
Special admissions at two specialized high schools recruiting students during the same period—the Busan Aviation High School, a Busan-style Meister high school, and Busan Naval Science and Technology High School, an agreement-based specialized high school—also drew 292 applicants for 152 places, for an average competition ratio of 1.92 to 1. 
The Office of Education views the application results as evidence of growing interest in vocational education among students and parents, and plans to actively support recruitment of incoming students at 32 specialized high schools, which will take place from the 30th of next month through December 1.
Busan Superintendent of Education Kim Seok-jun said, “The record-high competition ratio at Meister high schools is the result of students placing great value on vocational education, which enables them to grow into skilled technical professionals based on their aptitudes and talents.” He added, “We will continue to strengthen our support so that students at vocational high schools can realize their dreams and grow into skilled technical talent.”
Meanwhile, the Office of Education is pursuing various policies to boost the competitiveness of vocational high schools in response to changes in industrial structure and the educational environment. It is strengthening school- and department-level restructuring, the operation of National Competency Standards (NCS) course-assessment-based qualifications, the vocational high school credit system, hands-on education linked to local industries, and employment support. Next year, it plans to convert and reopen the tentatively named Busan Semiconductor Meister High School and expand specialized high schools tailored to regional needs. 


[email protected] Kwon Byeong-seok Reporter