University of Seoul Records 5.15-to-1 Competition Rate for 2026 Regular Admissions

Group C Advanced Majors Show Exceptionally High Competition Rates

On January 5, the University of Seoul announced that the average competition rate for its 2026 regular admissions was recorded at 5.15 to 1.

Seoul City University campus. Seoul City University

This year, 4,665 applicants competed for a total of 905 available spots in the regular admissions process, marking an increase from last year's competition rate of 4.86 to 1.

By admissions group, the competition rates were 4.89 to 1 for Group A (General Track), 4.31 to 1 for Group B (General Track), and 16.72 to 1 for Group C (General Track). Among the regular admissions (excluding arts and physical education), the highest competition rate was recorded by the School of Advanced Convergence (Advanced Artificial Intelligence Major) in Group C, at 36 to 1.

Within Group A (General Track), the Artificial Intelligence Department posted a competition rate of 7.17 to 1, the Department of Urban Administration 5.64 to 1, the Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Natural Sciences) 4.37 to 1, and the Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Humanities) 4.06 to 1, all showing relatively high competition. In particular, the strengthening competitiveness of AI-related programs stands out, indicating that applicants' preference for this field continues. In the arts and physical education category, the highest competition rate was for the Violin Major in the Department of Music, at 9 to 1.

In Group B (General Track, Humanities), the Department of Korean History posted a competition rate of 6.00 to 1, the Department of Chinese Language and Culture 5.71 to 1, and the Department of Philosophy 5.22 to 1. In the natural sciences, the Department of Architecture (Architectural Engineering Major) recorded 7.58 to 1, and the Department of Urban Engineering 6.50 to 1, both showing high competition. The Department of Sports Science, in the arts and physical education category, recorded 4.83 to 1.

In Group C (General Track), the School of Advanced Convergence (Advanced Artificial Intelligence Major) posted 36.00 to 1, the School of Advanced Convergence (Convergence Biohealth Major) 26.50 to 1, and the Department of Convergence Applied Chemistry 13.33 to 1, all showing high competition rates.

This year, for the first time, the Group C special admissions track for equal opportunity (Type II), targeting rural and low-income students, also recorded high competition rates. The special admissions for rural students posted a rate of 25 to 1, while the track for students from basic livelihood and lower-income backgrounds recorded 30 to 1, confirming strong interest from applicants. In Group B, the special admissions for rural students posted 5.74 to 1, for specialized high school graduates 4.54 to 1, and for basic livelihood and lower-income students 6.63 to 1, maintaining high competition rates as seen last year.

The University of Seoul will conduct practical and interview exams for arts and physical education applicants from January 6, starting with the Department of Music, through January 14. The initial list of successful candidates for regular admissions will be announced on February 2.