Semiconductor schools reshape South Korea's admissions landscape

By Kim Yong-jae, The Herald Business

"In the past, I thought the safest path was to go to a regular high school and get into a good university — but I think differently now. In the semiconductor field, learning hands-on skills early can be a real competitive advantage."

A 45-year-old parent in Seoul with a ninth-grade child has recently been looking into semiconductor-specialized high schools. Vocational high schools, once chosen mainly by students aiming to enter the workforce straight after graduation, are now seen as a gateway to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

The semiconductor industry boom is reshaping not only university admissions but also the high school choices of middle school graduates. Top-performing students and their parents are taking a fresh look at specialized vocational schools. As competition for semiconductor meister and specialized high schools rises and moves to establish and convert schools for semiconductor talent continue across the greater Seoul area, the conventional formula of attending a regular high school is beginning to change.

The enthusiasm for semiconductor-specialized high schools is reflected directly in recent admissions figures. Korea Semiconductor Meister High School in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province — which has an industry-academia and personnel exchange agreement with SK Hynix — saw its competition ratio for this year's incoming class nearly double to 1.67 to 1, up from 0.88 to 1 the previous year.

North Chungcheong Semiconductor High School also recorded a sharp rise, with this year's competition ratio reaching 2.26 to 1, up from 1.51 to 1 the year before. The cutoff score for admission was analyzed at around 360 out of a perfect 400, indicating a steady stream of applications from high-achieving students.

The school produced 19 graduates last year who went on to work in Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions division, the company's semiconductor business unit. As word of that track record spread, interest grew. Parents continued to call in with questions at a recent admissions information session.

"In the past, most inquiries focused on employment prospects, but recently more parents are asking specific questions about the semiconductor industry outlook, corporate hiring processes and career paths after graduation," a school official said. "Interest from high-achieving students is also growing."

Meister high schools are special-purpose high schools that operate curricula tailored to industry demand. There are currently 59 designated meister high schools, with six more recently added. The Ministry of Education said it is reviewing the selection of at least 10 additional meister high schools going forward.

SK Hynix's recent decision to abolish its educational background requirement is also fueling the popularity of semiconductor meister high schools. The company said it would eliminate academic credentials as a hiring criterion and instead select talent based on job performance ability. The move is expected to increase the number of employees who are junior college or high school graduates.

In the greater Seoul area, where semiconductor industry hubs are taking shape, moves to expand related schools are also under way. In Seoul, Huigyeong Industrial High School is set to reopen in March next year as Seoul Semiconductor High School, the capital's first semiconductor-specialized high school. In Yongin, Gyeonggi Province — where a large-scale semiconductor cluster is being developed — Yongin Semiconductor High School is also preparing to open. "We are getting more than 10 calls a day about enrolling in semiconductor high schools," an official at a greater Seoul district education office said. "Most callers ask about the grade range needed to apply and whether the school has direct employment ties with companies."

The semiconductor concentration is also visible in university admissions. Major semiconductor contract departments linked to large conglomerates have established themselves as a top choice for the highest-scoring applicants, backed by strong job security and scholarship benefits.

According to an analysis by Jongno Academy, the average cutoff score for the 2026 academic year regular admissions cycle across five semiconductor contract departments affiliated with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix — based on the 70th percentile average of Korean language, mathematics and elective subject scores — came to 96.2 points. That surpasses the average cutoff of 95.8 points for general natural sciences departments at Seoul National University, excluding medical fields. While it fell short of the 98.8-point cutoff for medical schools in Seoul, it was within one point of the 97.2-point average for medical schools outside the capital.

By university, Hanyang University's semiconductor engineering department, linked to SK Hynix, posted the highest cutoff at 98 points, followed by Korea University's semiconductor engineering department (97 points), Sungkyunkwan University's semiconductor systems engineering department (96 points), Sogang University's system semiconductor engineering department (95 points) and Yonsei University's system semiconductor engineering department (95 points).

"As expectations for the semiconductor industry outlook grow, both the preference for contract departments and their cutoff scores are rising together," said Im Seong-ho, head of Jongno Academy. "Some applicants are now choosing semiconductor contract departments over medical school, weighing industry prospects and job stability rather than aptitude for medicine."