Korean students putting off graduation
A growing number of university students are postponing graduation until they secure a job. Remaining enrolled allows them to use campus facilities for job hunting. They also want to avoid a rushed job search, because a person's first job dictates long-term pay and career prospects. An analysis by the Hankook Ilbo confirmed this trend. The newspaper reviewed disclosures from AcademyInfo, a…
Increasing numbers of university students in South Korea are delaying their graduation until they secure a stable job. By remaining enrolled, they can continue using campus facilities and resources for their job search. This growing trend is primarily due to the desire to avoid rushing into a job right after graduation, as a student's first job can significantly impact their long-term earnings and career prospects.
According to an analysis by the Hankook Ilbo newspaper, a state-run higher education portal called AcademyInfo, and data submitted to Rep. Jung Sung-kook of the People Power Party, the number of applications for deferral programs has surged by 45.5% at eight four-year universities in Seoul. These universities include Konkuk, Dongguk, Sogang, Yonsei, Chung-Ang, Hanyang, Hongik and Ewha Womans University.
The number of students applying for graduation deferrals increased from 4,825 in 2022 to 7,020 in April of this year. However, the actual number might be higher, as the figures do not account for students who postpone graduation by finishing their courses but not the necessary steps to obtain their diplomas, or those whose studies extend beyond the standard four years.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Korean students putting off graduation koreatimes.co.kr
