Kyungbok University Sees Third Consecutive Year Increase in Transfer Students... 1.5% Rise This Year

Gyeongbok University Campus View

The number of so-called 'U-turn enrollees' who re-enrolled at Gyeongbok University of Science and Technology has increased again this year.

Gyeongbok University announced on the 28th that an analysis of this year's enrollees showed that 134 students who graduated from four-year universities or junior colleges and then enrolled as 'U-turn enrollees' registered, marking a 1.5% increase compared to the previous year (132 students).

Among them, the number of students who enrolled as U-turn enrollees from four-year universities was 38, a 26.6% increase from the previous year (30 students).

By age group, those in their 20s accounted for the largest share (73.9%), followed by those in their 30s (15.7%), 40s (6.0%), and 50s (4.5%). The oldest student was 56 years old.

The departments preferred by U-turn enrollees were in the nursing and health fields, including the Department of Nursing, Department of Dental Hygiene, Department of Clinical Pathology, Department of Physical Therapy, and Department of Occupational Therapy. This was followed by the Department of Visual Design, Department of Spatial Design, Juno Hair Design Department, Department of Video Media Contents, and Department of Companion Animal Health.

Looking at the recent increase rate of U-turn enrollees at Gyeongbok University, it was 5% in 2021 and 5.6% in 2022.

A Gyeongbok University official explained, "The increase in U-turn enrollment is due to the high employment rate and the expansion of the medical and health market caused by the aging population, leading to more adult learners preparing for retirement and seeking a second career." The official added, "The perception of junior colleges, which offer practical education tailored to the field rather than academic background and even enable overseas employment, seems to have also influenced this trend."