As demand for AI chips surges, South Korea's two semiconductor powerhouses have moved their talent war from the hiring floor straight into university lecture halls.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and SK hynix have teamed up with several top-tier domestic universities to create "contract-based departments" — programs that offer full scholarships and guaranteed employment in exchange for graduates joining the company. Interest in these initiatives is heating up fast, with competition intensifying year after year.

Fierce Competition: Over 13 Applicants for Every Slot

According to data from Seoul's Jongro Academy, for the 2026 academic year, applications for Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.-affiliated contract departments grew 6.5% year-on-year, while those for SK hynix programs jumped 12.7%.

The admission ratios are just as striking: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. sees an average of 13.44 applicants per spot, while SK hynix programs draw 9.14 applicants per opening.

Jung Chae-rin, a sophomore in Sogang University's System Semiconductor Engineering department, told CNBC that both the competition ratio and cutoff scores for the 2026 cycle were higher than in 2025.

Kim Tae-rin, a junior in the Intelligent Software department at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), put it more bluntly: "Every year, juniors from my old school apply, and I can clearly see the entering students' grades getting higher." He added, "If I were applying now, I doubt my scores would get me in."

Scholarships and Employment: Two Distinct Approaches

The SK hynix-Sogang University partnership offers scholarships upon admission. Jung Chae-rin noted she receives roughly 300,000 Korean won per month as a study incentive, with tuition fully covered by the scholarship. Outstanding academic performance or winning program competitions can unlock additional rewards.

Maintaining a GPA of 2.3 keeps the scholarship intact, while securing SK hynix's job guarantee requires sustaining a 2.7 GPA.

SK hynix has stated that graduates must serve at the company for a period matching the duration of financial support received. Entry-level positioning mirrors that of regular new hires, with equivalent base salary and benefits.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. takes a different route.

In the SKKU program, the first three years of tuition are waived, contingent on meeting minimum academic requirements. Starting from the second half of the third year, students can enter Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s dedicated hiring process.

Kim Tae-rin described this process as a "minimal procedural step," but stressed that passing it is mandatory to confirm employment eligibility. Only those who succeed continue to receive full tuition support for the remaining two years.

Notably, the SKKU program only launched in 2024, and its first cohort has yet to graduate. The university has not responded to questions about what happens if students fail Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s hiring process.

Additionally, students who withdraw from the program must repay all financial aid received — a standard clause across such initiatives.

Classroom as Workplace: Executives Teach, Factories Open Doors

These programs go beyond funding and job offers; both companies are deeply embedded in curriculum design.

SK hynix told CNBC that it participates in course design and review. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. stated it offers advice on coursework and syllabi, though it did not disclose the extent of employee involvement.

Jung Chae-rin's most memorable experience was a first-year course: "Every week, SK hynix employees, executives, or professors from SK hynix University would lecture on the technology or business areas they handle." She also had the chance to pitch solutions to real industry problems directly to SK hynix executives and receive instant feedback.

Last year, she visited SK hynix's headquarters and sat in on a future forum held there.

Kim Tae-rin added that students have toured Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s overseas branches and its Suwon campus, with company representatives also holding regular on-campus meetings.

Opportunities available to SKKU scholars under Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. include participating in the company's internship program, visiting overseas research centers, and attending international academic conferences.

SK hynix confirmed there are currently no formal internship or field practice arrangements, but that such options are under consideration for the future.