JBNU's major allocation, implemented as part of the Glocal University 30 initiative through the consolidation of admission units, has taken root stably from the first year and has generated high satisfaction among students.

Since being selected for the Glocal University 30 initiative, JBNU has implemented academic system reforms to expand students' choice of major. The university consolidated the existing 106 admission units into 46 for 2025 and plans to further reorganize them into 31 by 2028. It also increased the allowable rate of transfers and major changes to up to 30% so that students can design their own majors and learning pathways. In particular, for the 2025 academic year JBNU led the consolidation by admitting 2,920 of the total admission quota of 4,050 students (75.9%) as undeclared majors.

JBNU reported that, in a student satisfaction survey conducted after completing major allocation for the class of 2025, 54% of respondents were 'very satisfied' and 28% were 'satisfied', meaning 82% of all respondents expressed satisfaction. In the prior major-allocation results, 82.5% of the 2,770 students were assigned to their first-choice major, and when second choices are included, virtually all students entered a preferred major.

Notably, the number of students dropping out mid-program decreased after the admission-unit consolidation. The Division of Academic Support analyzed the retention rate of students who advanced to the second year (class of 2025) and found the rate rose from 60.5% last year to 62.7%, an increase of 2.2 percentage points. This exceeds the retention rate observed when the class of 2024, who had been admitted by major, entered their second year, indicating the consolidation has had positive effects on academic persistence.

The university evaluated that, despite being the first year of adopting the admission-unit consolidation, major allocation was carried out overall in a stable manner. In particular, strengthening prior communication with students before implementation and preparing practical measures to supplement students' choice of major led to positive outcomes.

In January, JBNU held pre-allocation consultations with the JBNU Student Council and other student self-governing bodies to focus on measures for students who were not assigned to their first-choice major. Through these discussions, the university preliminarily considered measures to expand opportunities for transfers and major changes and to promote completion of multiple majors, thereby practically expanding students' choice of major.

Specifically, the university plans to expand intake quotas for double majors and minors and to reserve a certain proportion of admissions at sophomore entry that will give priority to students from the same admission unit. Convergence and linked majors, as well as student-designed majors, are open so that all applicants can enroll, establishing a flexible academic structure that crosses disciplinary boundaries. The allowable rate for transfers and major changes was also increased from 40% to 50%, widening pathways for students to re-enter their desired majors.

To minimize confusion during the major allocation process, the university established a 'Consultative Council on Admission Unit Consolidation' and plans to collect continuous input and improve the system through a regular consultative body involving the university headquarters, faculty, and students.

In addition, four departments whose major allocations exceeded 130% were designated as 'lead departments' to operate tailored educational innovation programs such as section-based tutoring and problem-based learning (PBL). The university will also strengthen learning support by providing teaching assistant (TA) support and improving the educational and learning environment.

President Yang O-bong said, 'Admission-unit consolidation is a system centered on expanding students' choice of major so that every student can freely choose the studies they want to pursue.' He added, 'We will continuously reflect students' feedback on allocation results to refine the system and will respond responsibly to any future issues through ongoing communication.'