This year, the number of students enrolling in universities across Korea is significantly lower than in previous years, with an estimated shortfall of 17,439 students across the country. This is particularly noticeable in local universities, where the number of incoming students is lower than last year. To address this issue, 180 universities in Korea are engaging in additional recruitment efforts.
Surprisingly, the top 50 universities with the most additional recruits are all located in non-metropolitan areas, indicating that students are increasingly seeking out universities in rural areas. Catholic Kwandong University leads the pack with 723 additional students, followed by Woosuk University, Gyeongju University, Dongmyeong University, and Far East University.
The situation is likely to worsen in the coming year, as the number of students graduating from high school is expected to decrease. As a result, universities may be forced to increase their recruitment efforts, both locally and in non-metropolitan areas. In addition, universities may need to introduce new strategies, such as offering more generous scholarships, in order to attract students to fill the freshman quota.
The recruitment challenges faced by universities in the metropolitan area are further compounded by the high competition for medical schools, which has seen a dramatic increase in the number of applicants this year. This is a particular issue for universities in Seoul, where the number of additional recruits has more than doubled from last year – reaching a total of 1,860 or 10.6% of the total. This is unusual given that the same trend is not seen in other cities and regions. Additionally, choosing the literature by science students to enter top universities has created an additional barrier to recruitment. This means that universities in the metropolitan area are having to work harder to find suitable students and fill their available places.
In order to overcome these challenges, universities in the metropolitan area are looking at innovative ways to attract potential students. This includes the development of more attractive marketing campaigns and the use of social media to reach a wider audience. Universities are also offering more flexible packages, such as discounts on tuition fees and the introduction of scholarship schemes. By implementing these measures, universities in the metropolitan area are hoping to be able to recruit the students they need for the upcoming academic year.