South Korea's elite science high schools will admit a record number of students next year, expanding opportunities for young science talent at a time when universities and companies are competing for students in fields from artificial intelligence and semiconductors to medicine.
The country's 22 science high schools will recruit 1,858 freshmen for the 2027 academic year, up 13.2 percent from 1,642 this year and the highest number since the first such school opened in 1983, according to private education institute Jongro Academy.
The increase comes mainly from two new schools in Gyeonggi Province — Bucheon Science High School and Bundang Jungang Science High School — each of which will admit 100 students. Jeonbuk Science High School will also increase its intake from 80 to 96.
"The math and science curricula at science high schools can give students an advantage in applying to specialized science and engineering universities," said Lim Seong-ho, head of Jongro Academy.
The highly selective institutions are designed around advanced mathematics and science and have long served as a major route into Korea's top science and engineering universities.
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology was the single biggest destination for science high school graduates entering university in the 2026 admissions cycle, enrolling 449 students — the highest number in six years. Sungkyunkwan University followed with 193, Pohang University of Science and Technology with 131, and Seoul National University with 110.
The choice facing top science students, however, is becoming more complicated.
Universities and major companies are expanding specialized programs in semiconductors, AI and other advanced technologies, including industry-linked departments that can lead directly to jobs at companies such as Samsung Electronics.
Medicine is competing for the same pool of high-achieving students.
Beginning with the 2027 admissions cycle, Korea will introduce a regional doctor admissions program to address physician shortages outside the capital region.
Students selected through the program will receive government support for tuition and other expenses in return for working in designated regions for 10 years after obtaining their medical licenses.
Science high schools, meanwhile, actively discourage students from pursuing medicine. Under measures introduced in 2021, students intending to apply to medical or pharmaceutical schools may be excluded from school-based admissions counseling and advised to transfer to a regular high school.
That tension could make the 2027 admissions cycle particularly telling: More science high school seats are available just as Korea is creating new incentives for top students to choose between science and engineering and medicine.
Interest in elite science education remains strong. Seven gifted high schools that have disclosed application figures for 2027 posted an average competition ratio of 6.21 applicants per place, up from 5.72 a year earlier. A total of 4,155 students applied, the highest number in five years.
Applications for science high schools for the 2027 academic year open Aug. 18 and run through Sept. 3.
hnpark@heraldcorp.com