About the GSIS

In 1997, the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS), Pusan National University was launched
as a fully accredited Graduate School by the Korean government. Emphasizing practical training, the
GSIS’s mission is to foster understanding of global matters and to prepare professionals and leaders
in international business and trade, international relations, and other global issues in order to meet
the demands of global society. Through business, social science research and applied practice, the
GSIS’s graduates and professors are working to improve social services, strengthen markets, enhance
cooperation, and secure peace in our communities and around the world. The GSIS draws its strengths
from the resources of Busan, a central city linking the Asian continent with the Pacific Ocean and one of
the largest marine trade cities in Asia, and Pusan National University, the hub of the intellectual community
in the southeastern region of Korea.

An innovative graduate education

Today the GSIS includes eight professors and one associate professor. The faculty earned their Ph.D.s in
America, England, France, Germany, Japan and Korea and has distinguished themselves in research and
leadership in the policy world. The curriculum at the GSIS includes more than 50 classes per year, more
than half of which are offered in English, and the rest are offered in Korean. The faculty and the school
offer students an innovative graduate education energized by the dialogue between the academic and
policy worlds.

A unique student group from a variety of backgrounds

The GSIS students are a unique group from various backgrounds, united by their energy, enthusiasm,
and dedication to changing the world. More than 130 students are enrolled in the M.A. and Ph.D. of
international studies. Recently, international students are increasing from China, Russia, Japan and
Taiwan. The GSIS students are very active, attending the Harvard Project for Asian and International
Relations, the United Nations Graduate Study Programme, the Exchange Program with Shanghai Maritime
University and the Internship Program in China and European Countries.

Home of the PNU EU Center

The GSIS hosts the PNU European Union Center sponsored by European Commission. The PNU EU
Center is aimed at enhancing depth of awareness and knowledge of the European Union, while allowing
students to study societal values and policymaking in the European Union, to engage in international
professional and international networking, to attend lectures and national or international conferences
on European Union issues, and to apply for European Union Center grants to conduct researches in EU
nation-states.
 Admission
Admission to the GSIS is based in large part on academic excellence and professional focus. An applicant
for Master degree must have a bachelor’s degree or evidence of equivalent preparation as determined by
the Director of Admissions. Initially, the applicants must request application forms for admissions on-line
or from the admission office. Then all admission documents, including application form, admission fee,
personal statement, C.V. letters of recommendation, diplomas and transcripts must be mailed to our office
no later than the deadline. Applicants are required to submit official transcript from all colleges, professional
schools and universities attended. The register should seal the transcript in an envelope, sign across the
seal, and return it to the applicant. Do not open these envelopes or break the seals. All documentations
should be translated into Korean or English by notarized translations.

Application deadline
May/October (the exact date to be posted on the GSIS homepage)

Admission documents to be submitted

Application form
Application fee (50,000 Korean won or USD 60)
Personal statement (no more than 250 words)
Curriculum vitae
Two letters of recommendation (optional)
Bachelor’s Degree Certificate(s) (photocopy acceptable)
Photocopy of passports or other documents to prove nationality of applicant and parents
Certificate of finance
Transcripts

Mail address and contact information

Graduate School of International Studies
Pusan National University
The GSIS office
2, Busandaehak-ro 63beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, South Korea
Tel : 82. 51. 510. 1663/510.1116 | Fax : 82. 51. 581. 7144
e-mail : gsis@pusan.ac.kr | http://www.gsis.pusan.ac.kr

Tuition and accommodation

Tuition fees
around 2.4 million Korean won (about US$2,200 ) per semester
Dormitory boarding fees including meals
around 1.4 million Korean won (about US$1,300) per semester
Please refer to the GSIS website for each year’s exact fees.

Financial aid
Financing a graduate education is a challenge.
To assist in this regard, the GSIS works with PNU and with the GSIS alumni who have generously donated
400 million Korean won in recent years.
Now the GSIS’s scholarship is awarded to 40 percent of enrolled students. For all
reign the GSIS students, approximately 50 percent of tuition fees are waived. In addition, many full or
partial Research Assistant scholarships are available for outstanding students.
If you have questions or concerns, please email or call the GSIS office.

GSIS
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
The GSIS office
2 Busandaehak-ro 63beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, South Korea
Tel 82. 51. 510. 1663 / 510. 1118 Fax 82. 51. 581. 7144
PUSAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
www.gsis.pusan.ac.kr
 COMMUNICATUON
EXCELLENCE
LEADERSHIP
NETWORKING
GSIS
Pusan National University

Graduate
School of
International
Studies
 Pusan National University
Graduate School of International Studies

Letter From the Dean

The Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS), Pusan National

University (PNU) was established in March 1997. The mandate given to
the GSIS at the time of its establishment was to serve as an outstanding
graduate program to prepare professionals who would be fluent in foreign
languages and well-versed in international affairs. About twenty years have
passed since the creation of the GSIS and we have produced hundreds
of graduates with master or PhD degrees. They are working as professors
or researchers in universities or institutes in various professional areas,
such as international trade, finance, international logistics, international
area studies, development cooperation, international exhibition/convention
industry, and other areas of global affairs.

The GSIS was reinvented in March 2004 when it changed its legal status
to that of a professional graduate school. We have nine faculty members
from diverse academic backgrounds, including economics, management,
political science, area studies, history and anthropology. The GSIS faculty
profile is unusually colorful as the professors have earned their doctoral
degrees in six different countries. In 2009, we launched the PNU EU
Center, funded by the European Commission, which leads to the extensive
academic and cultural exchanges with the EU and its 27 member states.
It has allowed the GSIS to offer a wide range of activities including formal
courses, conferences, seminars, and lectures by well-known visiting
scholars and speakers from Europe. At this stage, we have completed
our initial efforts over the past decade to secure a set of state-of-the-art
infrastructure.

We are making further progress to make our curricula a world-class

level. Our M.A. and Ph.D. programs provide a unique combination
of academic training and practical knowledge for students who
wish to develop their professional careers in such areas as
international business, logistics, finance, international
development cooperation, international relations
and area studies. More and more students
with good qualification enter the GSIS.
Our students are devoting themselves to
studies of their majors, coming into contact
with new learning in the broad field of
international studies. Responding to such
academic passion of students, professors
are doing their best to make the GSIS a
home for top-level specialists in diverse
fields related to international affairs.
 History
of the
GSIS
1996
The establishment of the Specialized
Graduate School of International Studies
is authorized.
1997
The Specialized Graduate School of
International Studies is established,
creating majors in International Trade and
International Area Studies.
2001
A new major of International Logistics and
Port Management major was added
2003
The establishment of the Graduate School
of International Studies is approved,
including five majors in International Trade,
International Area Studies, International
Cooperation, International Logistics and
Port Management, and Korean Studies.
2004
The Graduate School of International
Studies was officially established.
2005
The Ph.D. program was established
with four majors : International Trade,
International Area Studies, International
Logistics and Port Management, and
International Cooperation.
2008
The PNU Strategic Center for Business
Ethics was established.
2009
The PNU EU Center was established.
2010
The PNU International Exchange and
cooperation project for Shipping, Port and
Logistics was started.
The PNU-KIEP Graduate Program for
Area Study (GPAS) was established. 
GSIS
Academics
The GSIS provides an education that enables
its graduates to flourish effectively in a variety of
professional settings, including the government,
academics, business, finance, media, the
nonprofit sector, and international organizations.
The School currently offers two degree programs
of master and Ph.D.
Degree programs
M.A. of International Studies
International Trade, International Area and
Cooperation Studies, International Logistics and
Port Management, EU Studies , Korean Studies
Ph.D. of International Studies
the above 4 majors except Korean Studies
M.A. of International Studies
Global Business major (for business executives)
Curriculum of the GSIS is designed to
provide students with qualitative and quantitative
analytical skills and the hands-on management
skills required by leaders in the major fields of
international affairs, combined with the substantive
knowledge of a policy concentration.
M.A. and Ph.D. of
International Studies
The M.A. and Ph.D. programs of International Studies have
been designed to develop international professionals who
understand the increasingly complex business and public
issues that transcend national boundaries.
The M.A. of International Studies has five majors
(International Trade, International Area and Cooperation
Studies, International Logistics and Port Management, EU
Studies and Korean Studies), while the Ph.D. of International
Studies has four majors: International Trade, International
Area and Cooperation Studies, International Logistics and
Port Management and EU Studies. And the major of Global
Business is offered to business executives and public sector
leaders.
International Trade
International Trade provides students with an understanding of the environment in which international trade
and commerce are conducted. Focusing on international business, trade, and economic issues, students
are fully equipped with skills and know-how, and ready to work well in any workplaces in the international
market. To do so, diverse courses are offered in theory and practice: microeconomics, international
business and economics, international finance, international marketing, international management strategy,
case studies in global business, international trade negotiation, international trade on game theory,
international trade law, and other areas. Students of this major will likely work in the areas of international
business/trade and related fields in the public sector.

International Area and Cooperation Studies

The International Area and Cooperation Studies is divided into two sub-majors, International Area Studies
and International Cooperation. International Cooperation is mainly focused on fostering the expertise
needed for the international cooperation in the age of globalization. International Cooperation offers
diverse courses as International Relations, International Political Economy, International Communication
and Culture, Research of International Organizations, BRICs Studies and Studies in Contemporary Global
Issues, and so on. International Area Studies is an interdisciplinary major committed to the preparation
of students for careers in global areas. Included course in the curriculum of the international Area
Studies are America Area Studies, Japan Area Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, comparative studies in
nation, Culture and Religion, Studies in Regional conflicts in Asia, and Studies in overseas Chinese. The
graduates from the international Area and Cooperation Studies are performing as regional specialists and
international cooperation professionals in the international agencies, NGOs, multinational cooperation, and
so on.

International Logistics and Port Management

International Logistics and Port Management provides students with understanding of international
shipping, international logistics and port management. The main subjects are port economics, international
logistics management, global SCM (Supply Chain Management), international transport, port planning and
management, port logistics policy and law, comparative studies of international port management, shipping
management, maritime business and law, and related subjects. As logistics experts who combine theory
and practical ability, students of this major are expected to work in logistics and port management areas on
the international level.
European Union Studies
The major of EU studies provides students with the unique opportunity of developing expertise regarding
the organizations and policies of the European Union and cultural, business, and political relations between
East Asia and European countries. EU Studies covers diverse EU related subjects : EU politics and
governance, EU economic integration, EU and Korea, EU enterprise and industries and direct investment,
and business strategy of EU.

Korean Studies
The objective of the Korean Studies is to provide students with a broad background for Korea in various
professions. In particular, the major offers foreign students an insight into Korean language, history, social
organization, economy and politics. The Korean Studies covers diverse Korea-related subjects: the modern
history of Korea, Korean diplomatic history, and Korean laws, economy, politics, international relations and
business management. With their focus on Korea, students are also encouraged to take related courses
on China, Japan, and other international areas. Students of this major usually work as regional specialists
on South and/or North Korea at international companies and institutions, at home and abroad.

Global Business (for Executives)

This major provides students, especially for business and public sector leaders, with knowledge and
skills for doing successful job in global business. Corresponding to the globalization trend, new ideas
and strategies must be harnessed and applied effectively to real business and organizations. Combining
theories and practice in business, this MBA-type executive program takes an interdisciplinary approach
to enable students to grasp state-of-the-art knowledge and
ideas from diverse specialties including economics, business
administration, politics, and area studies. With a special focus
on international business, area studies and international politics,
the curriculum includes diverse subjects such as international
business/economics, international finance, international
marketing, international management strategy, case studies
in global business, Chinese, Japanese and Southeast Asian
economy and trade, Japanese economy and trade, and related
issues.

Certificate Program in European Union Studies

Through the European Union at PNU, the GSIS has launched the Graduate Certificate Program
in European Union Studies. The Certificate enables students of the GSIS and other departments to
complement their studies with interdisciplinary sets of the courses directly related to the EU.
 Centers
Three Centers have been established that reflect both the research interests of the faculty and the issues
faced by today’s policymakers: the PNU EU center, PNU International Exchange & Cooperation Project for
Shipping, Port & International Logistics and PNU-KIEP Graduate Program for Area Study(GPAS) center.

To meet the challenges and the demands placed on the world’s environment, economy and political
institutions of the 21st century, the GSIS will also sponsor a number of important research initiatives.

The PNU EU Center

Jointly funded by the European Commission, PNU, and Busan
Metropolitan City, the PNU EU Center promotes research and
learning on the cultural, political, and socioeconomic issues
facing Europe, both inside the EU and in its wider international
context. As “a regional knowledge hub” for European studies,
the center aims to increase depth of awareness and knowledge
of the EU, to enhance the visibility of the EU beyond academic
circles, to strengthen academic cooperation between the
European Union and Korea, and to contribute to the effective functioning of the network of EU Centers in
Korea. The center will organize a wide range of activities, including formal courses, conferences, colloquia,
and lectures by distinguished academics and policymakers.

PNU International Exchange & Cooperation Project for

Shipping, Port & International Logistics
PNU International Exchange & Cooperation Project for
Shipping, Port & International Logistics was started in the PNU
Graduate School of International Studies(GSIS), supported
and recognized by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime
Affairs. It has strategic goals for producing shipping, port and
international logistics experts of high-caliber who can lead
the shipping, port and international logistics industry. PNU
International Exchange & Cooperation Project for Shipping, Port
& International Logistics is doing projects for reinforcing exchange and cooperation in shipping, port and
international logistics industry through establishing international networks and performing joint researches,
international conferences, scholarships and international internship programs.

PNU-KIEP Graduate Program for Area Study(GPAS) Center

PNU Graduate School of International Studies(GSIS) has been
conducting Graduate Program for Area Study(GPAS) from
2010, supported by Korea Institute for International Economy
Policy(KIEP) to train experts on various world regions. For the
first three years, GPAS had focused on Europe and has carried
projects and activities for fostering experts on Southeast Asia
regions from 2013. The particular projects include international
collaborative research, students’ seminars, and support projects
on regional research. Students of the GSIS who participate in the GPAS program get a grant for research
and activities related to area studies. Additionally the GPAS provides global internship programs which help
students to do an internship in overseas research institutions.