PhD in International Studies

International studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines global politics, economics, security, and diplomacy, drawing on political science, economics, history, and area studies to understand relationships between states, institutions, and societies. The International Studies doctoral program at Ewha Womans University trains students to conduct independent research on questions such as international relations theory, foreign policy, global governance, or regional politics, typically through a combination of advanced seminars and a dissertation supervised by faculty specializing in these areas. Graduates pursue careers in academia, international organizations, government foreign ministries and diplomatic services, think tanks, and nongovernmental organizations working on global affairs, applying their research training to policy analysis, advocacy, or teaching. Ewha Womans University is located in Seodaemun-gu, South Korea, and this doctoral program runs for three years or more, with admission cycles in March and September. Instruction is delivered in English, allowing international students to pursue doctoral-level international studies research without needing to first master Korean, while still benefiting from a location well positioned to study Northeast Asian politics and diplomacy directly. Doctoral candidates typically complete coursework in international relations theory and methodology, pass qualifying examinations, and then devote several years to original dissertation research, often involving fieldwork, archival research, or policy analysis depending on the topic. Because international studies sits at the intersection of multiple social science disciplines, graduates often develop research and analytical skills that translate well into roles across academia, government, and international institutions focused on cross-border political and economic questions.