- Gachon University announced early recruitment for 2026 employment contract-based undergraduate programs and additional spring intake for its general graduate school.
- The industry-academia model guarantees employment for students who meet academic requirements, focusing on work-ready talent in strategic sectors like semiconductors, automotive, and digital media.
- The initiative offers strong financial support, including full and partial tuition scholarships and company-backed salaries for both undergraduate and graduate students.
An announcement has been made by Gachon University stating that it will hold a simultaneous recruitment process for the undergraduate course in the early employment contract-based departments for 2026 and additional recruitment for spring intake in the general graduate school. The notice was put out on December 15 and highlights the university’s efforts to promote industry cooperation with a focus on developing work-ready talent in accordance with national strategy.
The employment contract model in the early departments is based on an industry and academia collaboration model, which is facilitated by the Ministry of Education. The model ensures guaranteed jobs for students admitted into the programs if they achieve academic requirements. The main idea behind the model is to foster work-ready graduates with a strong focus on aligning programs with industry requirements.
For Undergraduate Regular Admission Type B, Gachon University will enroll new students in five specialized departments: Biomedical Device, Game & Visual Media, Semiconductor & Display, Semiconductor Design, and Future Automotive. Application will be accepted from December 29 to December 31. The first announcement of successful applicants will be made on January 13, 2026, with interviews on January 15. The final announcement of accepted students will come out on January 23.
Students participating in these programs follow a basic four-year format for a bachelor’s degree. Once they progress into the third year, they are expected to enter into an employment contract with a predetermined company and keep this up until they complete their education. As this course of study is meant to be a continuous learning experience, taking a leave of absence is not feasible.
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In the graduate course, the early employment contract system-based Department of Next-Generation Semiconductors at Gachon University will intake 25 new master’s degree students through special Admission procedures for admission in 2026 Spring Semester. The course will have two specializations, which include Next-Generation Semiconductor Engineering and Next-Generation Semiconductor Design. The admission will be processed from December 18 to December 26, until 5:00 p.m., and Selection, January 7-12, 2026, according to companies' schedules. Winners will be announced on January 20, with admission staring in March 2026.
The graduate course will be a one-year, full-time curriculum. Students will take 12 credits in each of the first two semesters, emphasizing major course work and on-the-job training based on corporate demand. Students will work on a six-credit research and development project in cooperation with their companies during the third semester, accumulating a total of 30 credits. A research and development project report can be an alternative to the conventional final thesis.
Scholarship benefits are available in both undergraduate and graduate studies, with a good amount being offered. Undergraduates have their tuition covered in full by a government scholarship in the first year, and in the second year, they have a 50% tuition scholarship from the university. After the third year, they have scholarships covering half of their tuition from partnering companies. For graduate studies, students have tuition covered in full for two semesters with additional support covering living allowances of up to one million won a month. The third semester involves a salary from a company with other assistance in tuition.
