Brief
What is the Autonomous Major Selection System?
Concerns and Hope for the System
In 2025, the Korean government plans to increase the number of autonomous major quotas by four times compared to last year, aiming to nurture talented students. As a result, Gachon University is accepting 881 freshmen through the Autonomous Major Selection system. The university’s Autonomous Major Selection System is divided into two categories: a “free major” program and “widened recruitment units.” The former, which accepted 51 students last year, will increase its enrollment to 321 in the upcoming year. The latter—the new recruitment process—will accept 506 freshmen.
In fact, the concept of this system is not entirely new to Korean education. Students uncertain about their specialization enroll through the Autonomous Major Selection System to discover their passion and future goals. After one year of taking classes without a declared major, students can choose what they want to study for the rest of their university years.
Although the system provides students with time and experience to discover their interests, there are ongoing concerns about its potential to contribute to a high dropout rate. For example, a 2022 analysis by Jongro Academy found that undergraduates without a declared major were up to five times more likely to drop out compared to their peers with specific majors.
The high dropout rates indicate that the system may not be functioning as intended. Sophomore students who previously enrolled in the Autonomous Major Selection System frequently raise concerns about not having a declared major. The first issue is a lack of belonging. Since students are not assigned to a specific major or a cohesive curriculum, they often feel disconnected.
However, as a positive aspect, Gachon University has developed a methodical system to give students opportunities for personal growth. One of these is the Major Career-Planning Care Center. The center focuses on curriculum development, counseling, career planning, and building student relationships. Additionally, six autonomous major professors and fourteen professors from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences will serve as academic advisers.
Moreover, team-taught major classes will be held to introduce students to the university's 44 different majors. The "Infinite Major Archive" program will be conducted to offer students with a "Major Selection Guide" video and a "Career Development Roadmap," helping them learn about each major's characteristics and potential career paths. The school hopes these support systems will help students develop a good fit between their skills and the job, increasing both satisfaction and academic achievement, and guiding them toward becoming future leaders.