The number of medical school admissions for the 2026 academic year has been confirmed at 3,123 across 39 locations nationwide. This represents a reduction of 1,487 compared to the 2025 academic year, as the government withdrew plans to increase the number of medical school admissions from next year.
The Ministry of Education announced on the 30th the major points of the '2026 medical school admissions plan.’
On this day, the Ministry of Education's announcement excluded Cha University, which operates a medical professional graduate school. While it confirmed the admission quota within the limit at 40 students, the quota for admissions outside the limit was not set.
Excluding this, the admission numbers for next year's 39 medical schools nationwide confirm 3,016 students (96.6%) within the quota and 107 students (3.4%) outside the quota. Of these, 2,115 students (67.7%) will be selected through rolling admissions, while 1,008 students (32.3%) will be selected through regular admissions.
By screening type, 1,008 students (32.3%) will be selected through a CSAT-based admission system, and 991 students (31.7%) through a student records admission system.
Concerns have been raised over the admission numbers for next year's medical schools returning to pre-increase levels, suggesting potential discrimination against the metropolitan area. This is because the government has maintained its policy of withdrawing admissions increases while keeping the selection policy for local talent expanded to 60%. Consequently, the number of admissions for local talent has increased by 190 students (18.5%) to 1,215 compared to the 2024 academic year, before the increase.
Lim Seong-ho, the representative of Jongno Academy, said, "Competition among metropolitan area medical schools will be very intense, even less so than before the increase in admissions," and noted that "there is a possibility of discrimination occurring."
This year, the ratio of locally recruited talent for medical schools required to select local talent is tallied at 59.04%. Of this, 978 students (80.5%) will be selected from rolling admissions and 237 students (19.5%) from regular admissions. By screening type, 648 students (53.3%) will be selected through the student records admission system, and 315 students (26.0%) through the comprehensive student records admission system.
Earlier, the government withdrew its plan for increasing medical school admissions after medical students opposing the plan did not return. However, there were still a considerable number of medical students who did not return. According to the Ministry of Education, out of 19,457 medical students, 8,305 students (42.6%) became subject to academic probation. Additionally, there are 46 students subject to expulsion.