Seoul's "Subscription University" program, which allows citizens to choose and take university lectures, will expand to 10 universities this year. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Lifelong Education announced on the 6th that it has selected 10 participating universities for the 2026 Subscription University program and has been accepting course registrations since this month.
Subscription University is a lifelong education program that lets citizens select universities and courses as they would a subscription service. It differs from the existing job skills-focused "Seoul My College" program by opening universities' expertise and educational infrastructure to the public. All Subscription University courses are available free of charge.
This year, the program will offer a total of 30 courses for approximately 800 participants. This is double the scale of last year's pilot operation of 15 courses. The institute is currently recruiting approximately 210 participants in the first round, focusing on eight courses starting in April and May, with plans to recruit additional participants sequentially as more courses open.
Ten universities are participating this year: Kyung Hee University, Kyung Hee Cyber University, Myongji University, Seokyeong University, Seoul Women's University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Chung-Ang University, and Hongik University. The institute selected the universities based on criteria including program relevance, curriculum structure, learner-friendliness, and operational effectiveness. Notably, whether universities offer evening and weekend classes was also included as an evaluation criterion to improve accessibility for citizens.
This year, course offerings have expanded beyond humanities to include psychology, science, and the arts. Courses combining specialized fields with social issues are drawing attention, such as Yonsei University's "Semiconductors and AI" and Kyung Hee University's "Korean Medicine Clinical Lecture." Humanities courses including Sungkyunkwan University's "Caigentan and Myeongshimbogam" and Chung-Ang University's "Understanding and Communication Skills Through the Philosophy of Emotion" are also expected to attract public interest, along with Myongji University's "World History Through Iran" and Sungkyunkwan University's "Understanding the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Digital Twins, and AI."
Programs that deepen and expand courses that received positive responses last year have also been prepared. Ewha Womans University will offer "Reading Humanities Masterpieces Season 2," and Hongik University will run "Art Stories Through an Artist's Eyes." The first course begins on the 15th with Myongji University's "Stories at the Chinese Table," and all courses will continue through October according to each university's schedule.
Han Yong-jin, president of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Lifelong Education, said, "Subscription University is an innovative lifelong education model that connects the academic assets universities have built to everyday learning for citizens." He added, "We will continue to share universities' expertise with citizens and expand learning opportunities."
