159 departments across 28 campuses; applications open through Jan. 22

Two new advanced-industry departments added; 50 AI-focused courses introduced

A student in the materials chemistry department at Ulsan Polytechnic quenches a metal specimen — heated to above 850 degrees Celsius — in water. [Provided by Ulsan Polytechnic]
A student in the materials chemistry department at Ulsan Polytechnic quenches a metal specimen — heated to above 850 degrees Celsius — in water. [Provided by Ulsan Polytechnic]

Korea Polytechnics will recruit 5,550 freshmen for the 2027 academic year across its 28 campuses nationwide, with applications open from Monday through Jan. 22 next year.

Available fields include electrical engineering, semiconductors, automation, mechanical engineering, IT, automotive, robotics, aviation, biotech and industrial facilities. By major, the school will admit 875 students in electrical engineering, 775 in semiconductors, 550 in automation and 575 in mechanical engineering and mechanical design.

Korea Polytechnics is also revamping its curriculum around AI and advanced industries.

The school will establish two new departments in advanced industries and restructure 20 existing ones. Across 18 major fields, it will introduce 50 new AI-intensive courses, including AI-based process data analysis and AI-driven power demand management. Korea Polytechnics had earlier made foundational AI subjects — such as generative AI and AI coding — mandatory starting with the 2026 academic year.

Recent survey data also point to growing interest in skilled trades among young job seekers.

In a survey of 1,800 Generation Z job seekers conducted in May by recruitment platform Catch, 68 percent of respondents said they viewed blue-collar jobs positively. The top reason cited was high pay, at 66 percent, followed by low risk of layoffs at 8 percent and low susceptibility to AI replacement at 6 percent.

IT, battery and semiconductor jobs topped the list of most-desired skilled trades at 32 percent, followed by automotive, shipbuilding and aviation at 25 percent, electrical and electronics at 18 percent, and mechanical, metalworking and welding at 10 percent.

Korea Polytechnics also highlighted the success stories of two graduates: Lee Woo-hyung, who completed the smart electrical engineering program at the North Jeolla Province campus and landed a metrology and inspection role at SK hynix, and Lim Hyeon-seo, who graduated from the automation systems program at the Gumi campus and now works at LS MnM.

"The more AI reshapes the industrial landscape, the more important it becomes to have people who can guide technology in the right direction," said Lee Cheol-su, chairman of Korea Polytechnics. "We will support our students in growing into true technical professionals who design their own careers."

Further details on admissions are available on the Korea Polytechnics website.


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