As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at a rapid pace, concerns over its potential to replace human developers have contributed to a decline in competition for computer science programs at South Korean universities.
According to the admissions industry on Mar. 13, the number of applicants for early admission to domestic university computer science programs for the 2025 academic year totaled 27,266, marking a decrease of 2,229 from the previous year. The overall competition ratio dropped to 19.3 to 1, down 1.3 percentage points from last year.
Just three years ago, during the 2022 admissions cycle, some applicants opted for computer science over medical school in Seoul. That year, the regular admission competition ratio for Seoul National University’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering rose to 3.4 to 1 from 2.58 to 1 the previous year. Yonsei University’s Department of Computer Science recorded a ratio of 6.23 to 1, while the newly established AI program at Yonsei saw an 8.17 to 1 competition ratio, attracting top-tier students in the natural sciences.
The surge in interest followed the COVID-19 pandemic, when the rapid expansion of platform services fueled enthusiasm for AI and software-related fields. College admissions communities popularized phrases such as, “You can’t become a billionaire as a doctor, but you can by launching an IT startup.” The industry’s appeal was further reinforced last year when a perfect scorer on the national college entrance exam chose to enroll in Seoul National University’s computer science program over medical school.
However, the emergence of generative AI and concerns over the diminishing role of human developers, combined with hiring freezes at IT firms, have weakened the standing of computer science programs compared to previous years.
Industry sources note that as AI-driven automation advances, proficiency in AI utilization is becoming more critical than basic coding skills. Unlike in the past, when software development was the primary focus, today’s job market increasingly values expertise in AI management and data analysis.
Uncertainty over job security in the IT sector is also mounting amid shifting hiring trends. According to a recent survey by South Korea’s largest developer community, OKKY, half of 18 IT companies with more than 100 employees had no plans to recruit new hires.
The hiring landscape has also shifted for South Korea’s leading tech firms—Naver, Kakao, Line, Coupang, Baemin, Danggeun Market, and Toss—as competition in the platform sector has intensified and recruitment has slowed compared to previous years.
“The majority of companies in Pangyo Techno Valley, South Korea’s main IT hub, are actively encouraging developers to integrate AI into their work, while demand for junior developers has declined,” an industry official said. “However, demand for highly skilled professionals capable of effectively managing AI technologies is expected to grow.”
