Bachelor in International Relations

This International Relations program at Sogang University, located in Mapo-gu, South Korea, is part of the Division of International Studies and introduces students to the forces that shape relations between states, international organizations, and global institutions. Typical coursework covers international law, diplomacy, comparative politics, security studies, and the history of global conflict and cooperation. Students learn to analyze foreign policy decisions, assess geopolitical risk, and understand how economic, cultural, and historical factors influence international behavior. The field draws on political science, history, economics, and law, giving graduates a broad foundation for interpreting current events and long-term global trends. The bachelor's degree runs four years, with intakes in March and September each year, following the standard South Korean academic calendar. Instruction is delivered entirely in English, allowing international students to study global affairs from a Korean vantage point without needing advanced Korean language skills. Graduates of international relations programs commonly pursue careers in diplomacy, government foreign affairs departments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Others move into journalism, international business, or continue their studies at the graduate level in political science or international law. Because South Korea sits at the center of major regional dynamics involving Northeast Asia, the program also gives students a practical setting for studying alliance politics, trade relations, and security cooperation, complementing the theoretical grounding covered across the degree.