WHY GSIS

Founded in 1997 as the Institute of International and Area Studies,

The Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS)

has evolved to become the premier graduate school of international studies in Korea.

Cultivating Connected Intellectuals

Since its foundation, GSIS alumni have gone on to become professionals in academia, as well as in public and private sectors. True to the motto, “think globally, act regionally,” GSIS programs aim to cultivate its students to connect with the world, both regionally and globally, through its integrated multi-disciplinary approach that encompasses both theory and practice.

Truly International

300 currently enrolled students,
50% of international students,
55 countries represented in the student bod

The student body at GSIS boasts of highly qualified graduate students from around the globe, including the Americas, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Africa. This uniquely international and multicultural environment encourages students to widen their perspectives beyond national and cultural borders.

World Class Standards in Research and Education

Research Institute

GSIS has Institute of International Affairs, Institute for Japanese Studies, and growing centers that specialize in international and regional studies to facilitate further in-depth research within GSIS and beyond.

International Studies Library

GSIS is one of the few graduate schools with its own specialized library. The International Studies Library (ISL) The ISL was designated as Korea’s “EUI (EU Information Center)” by the EU commission. It is stocked with more than 60,000 items.

Programs

Master's and Doctoral Programs, International Programs including CAMPUS Asia program, which grants three Master’s Degrees course in SNU-GSIS, the School of International Studies at Peking University, and the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo.

Ranked among the Best

Seoul National University, where GSIS is one of the many professional graduate schools, has been the academic pinnacle of Korea since its foundation. The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions worldwide for prestigious research and education.

GSIS History

1989

1997

2003

Center for Area Studies

In February of 1989, Seoul National University (SNU) established the Center for Area Studies to foster research on region-specific issues and to respond to the increasing demand for global perspectives within Korea

School of International and Area Studies (SIAS)

In 1997, the Center for Area Studies expanded to become the School of International and Area Studies (SIAS). SIAS was launched as a joint course program, offering students an array of masters' degrees including economics, business administration, political science, art and law. At the same time, trade negotiations, international cooperation, area studies, and Korean studies were firmly established as major fields in SIAS.

Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS)

On 1 March, 2003, the school expanded once again to become the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS), the premier graduate school of international affairs and area studies in Korea. This history of institutional development reflects SNU's continual efforts to meet the demands of a dynamic world. Consistent with this mission, GSIS SNU has established itself as an institution that continues to meet the challenges of today, training the international experts of tomorrow.

GSIS Vision

GSIS SNU educates global leaders for an increasingly complex global society. As both a professional and academic institution, it seeks to prepare its students to assume leading roles in government and non-government organizations, international organizations, multinational corporations, the media, as well as think-tanks and universities. The curriculum is based on an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, which connects theory with practice.

With the most prominent faculty in Korea specializing in international commerce, international cooperation, international area studies, International Development and Korean studies, GSIS SNU provides a truly exceptional research and educational environment.

The student body is composed of highly qualified graduate students from all around the world. As a source of knowledge and skills, GSIS SNU will continue to promote mutual understanding, peace, and prosperity, both regionally and globally.