As the semiconductor industry continues to thrive, competition for admission to specialized programs linked to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix is intensifying.
Industry analysts predict that the cutoff scores for these semiconductor contract programs could reach levels comparable to those of medical schools in the upcoming college admissions cycle.
According to Yonhap News on June 9, an analysis by Megastudy Education of the June mock exam results suggests that the expected score for admission to semiconductor contract programs will be at least 288 points in the combined areas of Korean, mathematics, and inquiry.
This score aligns with the top-tier natural science programs, such as medical schools. For comparison, medical schools are projected to require 292 points, dental schools 290 points, and pharmacy schools 286 points.
Consequently, for the 2027 academic year, the cutoff for semiconductor contract programs is likely to be on par with medical schools and may even surpass that of pharmacy schools.
Semiconductor contract programs are employment-linked courses operated in collaboration with Samsung Electronics or SK Hynix, established at universities such as Yonsei, Korea, Hanyang, and Sogang. Historically, these programs had lower admission thresholds compared to medical, dental, and pharmacy schools.
However, with the semiconductor sector experiencing unprecedented growth, the landscape has shifted. Yonhap News reports that the high salaries and bonuses offered by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have significantly increased the appeal of these contract programs, which promise stable employment with major corporations after graduation.
In particular, the relative stability and high income potential of these careers are attracting both students and parents, especially when compared to the intense competition faced in the medical field.
Recent admissions results confirm this trend. In the 2026 admissions cycle, the average cutoff for Yonsei University's System Semiconductor Engineering program (a Samsung contract program) was recorded at 1.47, a significant increase from the 3.1 cutoff when the program was first established in 2021.
Similarly, Korea University's Semiconductor Engineering program (an SK Hynix contract program) saw its average cutoff rise from 3.25 in 2021 to 2.68 in 2026.
Experts in the admissions industry predict that as the semiconductor sector continues to grow and the benefits of employment-linked programs persist, the popularity of these contract programs will further increase, positioning them alongside top-tier medical and pharmaceutical programs.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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