Korea University (KU)

Established in 1905, Korea University (KU) is South Korea’s oldest and among its most distinguished institutions of higher learning. Blending a proud heritage with a progressive global outlook, KU is widely recognized for its academic rigor, pioneering research, and societal contributions. The university plays a vital role in cultivating future leaders while safeguarding and promoting Korea’s cultural traditions.

As a comprehensive institution, KU provides a wide spectrum of programs in the humanities, sciences, and professional fields such as law, medicine, and business. Its strengths in the Humanities, Asian Studies, and the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) have earned international acclaim, drawing scholars and students worldwide. With more than 167 advanced research institutes, including the East Asiatic Research Centre and the Korean Cultural Research Centre, KU continues to be at the forefront of scholarship and innovation.

One of the defining features of KU’s international prestige is its business school, KUBS. As the first in South Korea to receive both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, KUBS has established itself as a leader in business education. Its membership in the esteemed CEMS Global Alliance further reinforces its reputation for nurturing globally minded business professionals.

Situated on a picturesque 182-acre campus adorned with iconic stone buildings and lush greenery, Korea University is often celebrated as one of the nation’s most beautiful campuses. Its dynamic academic environment, ambitious students, and distinguished faculty sustain KU’s standing as a symbol of academic, cultural, and global excellence.

PGS students will receive BA in Political Science or BA in Public Administration from Korea University as a result of our dual-degree collaboration.

Highlights

• Korea University (KU) is one of South Korea’s prestigious SKY universities, with over 30,000 students and a strong alumni network.

• There are two distinct majors to select from: 1) Political Science and Relations and 2) Public Administration.

• KU offers 19 colleges, 22 graduate schools, and leading programs in humanities, business, engineering, and health sciences, supported by top-ranked libraries and museums.

• Born from nationalist ideals, KU became a symbol of resistance during Japanese colonial rule and played a key role in the 1960 April Revolution.

• A pioneer in AI, blockchain ID, and global MBA programs, KU drives cutting-edge research and maintains partnerships with leading universities worldwide.

• Its Seoul campus spans 94 hectares with state-of-the-art academic, medical, and residential facilities, blending historic stone architecture with modern infrastructure.

• Semester 1

  • Politics and Government of Thailand

  • Development of the International System

  • Social Theory and Design Thinking

  • Media and Political Imagination

  • Reading Fundamentals for Politics and Global Studies

  • General Education: Foreign Language (Please see this link for Gen-Ed courses offered this year.)

• • Semester 2

    • Public Policy

    • Leadership and Strategic Management

    • Foreign Policy Analysis

    • Urbanization and Migration

    • Advanced Academic English for Politics and Global Studies

    • General Education: Foreign Language (Please see this link for Gen-Ed courses offered this year.)

Political Science and International Relations

(BA in Political Science)

Choose 24 courses (for 4 semesters)

*Approximately 6 courses per semester

• List of Courses

  • CITIZEN POLITICS(English)

  • INTERNATIONAL POLITICS IN NORTHEAST ASIA(English)

  • POLITICAL METHODOLOGY(English)

  • POLITICAL PARTIES(English)

  • ELECTION AND VOTING BEHAVIOR(English)

  • DIPLOMATIC HISTORY(English)

  • AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY(English)

  • LAW AND POLITICAL THOUGHT(English)

  • LEGISLATURE AND LEGISLATIVE PROCESSES(English)

  • INTRODUCTION TO GAME THEORY FOR POLITICAL SCIENCE(English)

  • INTERNATIONAL LAW AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS(English)

  • POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS(English)

  • SOUTHEAST ASIAN POLITICS(English)

  • POLITICAL ECONOMY(English)

  • POLITICAL PROCESS(English)

  • THEORIES OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS(English)

  • CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT(English)

  • INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY(English)

  • ETHICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS(English)

  • ON DEMOCRACY(English)

  • EAST ASIAN POLITICS(English)

  • EAST ASIA IN WORLD POLITICS(English)

  • POLITICAL ECONOMY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE RELATIONS(English)

  • CIVIL WARS(English)

  • POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY(English)

  • POLITICAL ECONOMY OF ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION(English)

  • TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS(English)

  • NATIONALISM AND WORLD POLITICS(English)

  • AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES(English)

  • AMERICAN POLITICS(English)

  • INTERNATIONAL NORMS AND INSTITUTIONS(English)

  • FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS(English)

Public Administration

(BA in Public Administration)

Choose 24 courses (for 4 semesters)

*Approximately 6 courses per semester

• List of Courses

  • RESEARCH METHODS(English)

  • SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC ADMNISTRATION (I)(English)

  • ORGANIZATION THEORIES(English)

  • PUBLIC PHILOSOPHY AND ETHICS(English)

  • DEMOCRACY AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION(English)

  • PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE(English)

  • SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY(English)

  • POLICY PLANNING(English)

  • NORMATIVE ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC POLICY(English)

  • MODERN WELFARE STATES(English)

  • COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT(English)

  • GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY(English)

  • ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC SECTOR(English)

  • PUBLIC MANAGEMENT(English)

  • PUBLIC POLICY FORMATION(English)

  • URBAN MANAGEMENT AND POLICY(English)

  • ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP(English)

  • ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY(English)

  • ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR(English)

  • ANALYSIS OF POLICY CASE(English)

  • POLICY ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION(English)

  • POLICY AND PROGRAM EVALUATION(English)

  • INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING FOR POLICY INFORMATICS(English)

  • MACHINE LEARNING TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATIVE INNOVATION(English)

  • QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC SECTOR(English)

• Semester 1

  • Administration and Society

  • Global Political Economy

  • Writing Academic and Professional English on Politics and Global Studies

  • Select 1 Major Elective Course:

    1. Internship (Student completes their internship prior to the beginning of this semester)

    2. Seminar in Current Issues

    3. International Development Studies

    4. Peace and Conflict Transformation

    5. Environmental and Energy Politics

• • Semester 2 

    • Senior Project for Society

    • Cross-Cultural Management 

    • Free Elective