PhD in International Trade

For PhD in International Trade, the tuition fee is 8,941 USD per year.

The doctoral program in International Trade at Sogang University, run through its Graduate School of International Studies in Mapo-gu, South Korea, trains researchers to analyze how goods, services, and investment flow between economies and how trade policy shapes those flows. Coursework covers trade theory, international economic institutions, trade law and negotiation, and quantitative methods for testing hypotheses about tariffs, trade agreements, supply chains, and comparative advantage. Candidates study topics such as regional trade blocs, the World Trade Organization system, non-tariff barriers, foreign direct investment, and the trade consequences of geopolitical tension, before producing an original dissertation under faculty guidance. Because classes are taught in English, the program attracts students from a wide range of countries who want to work on cross-border commerce issues rather than domestic economics alone. Graduates typically move into research or policy roles at trade ministries, customs and commerce agencies, international organizations, and think tanks, or take positions with multinational corporations that need specialists in trade strategy and compliance. Others pursue academic careers teaching international economics and trade policy. Seoul's concentration of government ministries, embassies, and multinational company offices gives doctoral students access to practitioners and policymakers who can inform their research and open doors to internships. The program is structured to be completed in two years, with admission cycles through the Graduate School of International Studies held twice a year, in March and September, so applicants are not limited to a single annual intake. Students who complete the degree leave with both the theoretical grounding and the applied analytical tools needed to work on trade issues in government, industry, or research settings, with English as the language of instruction throughout the doctoral coursework and defense.