International Students Prefer 'Business Administration', Employment Rate is 'Engineering'... Clear Major Mismatch

As the number of international students enrolled in domestic universities continues to increase, a clear difference has emerged between the majors preferred by these students and those that are advantageous for actual employment. According to recent educational statistics, the most commonly chosen majors by international students are Business Administration and the Humanities and Social Sciences, but the actual employment rate after graduation is significantly higher for Engineering majors.

Looking at the trends in major selection among international students, there is an overwhelming preference for Business Administration and Korean Language and Literature in the Humanities and Social Sciences. This is interpreted as a reflection of interest in Korean corporate culture, the global popularity of K-content, and the relatively low barriers to entry in these academic fields. Particularly in undergraduate programs, this trend is even more pronounced, with many international students choosing Business Administration with the goal of employment in Korean companies.

However, the actual indicators in the job market show a different pattern from the preferences of international students. Comprehensive data from university public disclosure materials indicate that the top employment rates for international students are dominated by Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Computer Engineering. This is analyzed as being due to the immediate demand in the industrial field for Engineering majors and the predominance of technology-centered jobs that have relatively low language barriers.

This phenomenon is closely related to the fact that Korea's industrial structure is based on manufacturing and advanced IT technology. Domestic companies prefer technical talents who can be immediately deployed in practical work, and there is relatively broad access to visa issuance for specialized technical personnel (E-7). In contrast, graduates from the Humanities and Social Sciences face difficulties in passing through relatively narrow employment doors due to fierce competition with domestic students and limitations in language proficiency.

Experts point out that for policies aimed at attracting international students to be successful, there needs to be a strengthening of major education linked to industrial demand, going beyond simply increasing the number of students. There is a growing call for systematic career guidance that accurately informs international students about the realities of the domestic job market, encourages entry into engineering fields, or establishes interdisciplinary technical education programs for students in the Humanities.