Ministry allocates funds for fairer university admissions

South Korea’s Ministry of Education has allocated KRW58.5 billion (US$40.2 million) to address inequalities in university admissions. It is part of a broader effort to reform the education system, which has faced criticism for favouring students from affluent backgrounds and particularly those from the capital, Seoul.

The initiative aims to strengthen the connection between university admissions criteria and high school curricula and to reduce the financial burden on students and parents caused by the pressure to pay for private supplementary classes.

With respect to the latter, the funds will go towards university schemes, including providing elective and creative courses to high schools that will replace the tuition provided by cram schools and other supplementary forms of education that are seen by parents as necessary to gain a competitive advantage in securing university places.

The ministry plans to select around 80 universities that will receive support for two years.

In addition to additional education and training, selected universities can also use the support funds for expenses related to employing admissions officers, collaboration activities with high schools, research funding to look into college admission processes, and other related expenditures.

Significant disparities

Recent studies have highlighted significant disparities in university admissions. A Bank of Korea report released in August 2024 found that parental wealth was a major factor. Students from the top 20% income bracket were 5.4 times more likely to enter prestigious universities compared to those from the bottom 20%.

Approximately 75% of this gap is attributed to parental economic power, while a student’s own abilities contribute only about 25%, it said.

A representative from a university in Seoul, who did not wish to be identified, said: “The new funding programme has been revised to align with the introduction of the high school credit system from the 2028 academic year. Universities are expected to propose solutions to bridge the gaps in the current admission process.”

According to a government decision in 2019, 16 universities in Seoul will be required to allocate at least 40% of their admissions through the regular entry process based on scores achieved in the standardised college scholastic ability test, or suneung.

Changes to school leaving exam

From 2028, the high school grading system will change from the current nine-grade results system to a five-grade system. All students taking the school leaving exam will take the same core subjects, eliminating optional subjects that are often seen as giving affluent families an advantage.

The ministry has said competition among students will therefore decline, with the five-grade system reducing demand for extra private coaching.

The requirement to allocate 40% of admissions on the basis of suneung will be relaxed for selected institutions participating in the High School Education Contribution University Support Programme.

This programme, in place since 2017, aims to strengthen the link between secondary education and university admissions while encouraging innovative and flexible approaches to the selection process.

An official from the Ministry of Education said: “The primary goal of this initiative is to ensure continuity between the secondary school curriculum and university preparation. We will support universities in developing admissions processes that align with high school education.”

However, a representative from another university in Seoul (who did not wish to be identified) noted: “Enhancing the link between university admissions and the 2028 revised curriculum will not be easy. Universities will need to present pioneering examples [of fairer admissions] and conduct extensive research to establish effective models.”

Demographic challenge

The ministry’s funding allocation for university admission fairness is also seen as part of a broader strategy to address demographic challenges and a rapidly declining school-age population. Experts predict up to half of the country’s universities could close within the next 25 years due to insufficient student enrolment.

Universities, particularly those outside Seoul, are struggling to meet their admission quotas and are actively trying to recruit more international students and adult learners to maintain student numbers.

But with more equitable admissions, the government hopes to attract a wider range of students, including those from rural areas who might otherwise be deterred by the current system.

This could help universities outside Seoul maintain their enrolment numbers, mitigating the effects of the country’s declining student population.

Despite an uncertain political outlook due to the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, a Ministry of Education official stated: “While the current political situation is regrettable, we must not stop considering the best path forward for both universities and students.”