Professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo, head of the Department of European and International Studies at King’s, and Professor Kim Hyun-Cheol, dean of the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University (SNU), signed a partnership agreement between the two institutions at a ceremony held in London on 5 February.

The partnership will see the launch of a new postgraduate qualification, the King's College London-Seoul National University Double Masters in International Affairs, offering students the opportunity to study in both London and Seoul at world-leading institutions.

Professor Linda McKie, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy, said: “The Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy is pleased to agree the signing of the King's College London-Seoul National University Double Masters in International Affairs with SNU's Graduate School of International Studies.

“This is a premier education offer developed and delivered by universities who are global leaders in this area of research and education. We are looking forward to engaging with a diverse student population to further enhance the strong links across the departments and universities in Korea and the UK.”

Professor Kim Hyun-Cheol, said : "This partnership with King’s is one of the first double degree agreements Seoul National University has made with UK universities. This will pave the way for further university collaboration between Korea and the UK. By joining forces with King's College London, we hope that it will be a significant step toward fostering global academic collaboration."

King’s College London has a long history of collaboration throughout East Asia, with South Korea being a key strategic partner in the region. Alongside being host to more than 200 South Korean students annually and conducting a growing body of collaborative research with South Korean partners, King’s hosted South Korea’s Foreign Minister, Park Jin, for an academic roundtable in September of last year.

The establishment of this joint degree with Seoul National University represents a major new step in the university’s engagement with South Korean partners, and furthers King’s international strategy within Vision 2029, in which King’s outlines aims to “be an international community that serves the world”.

The double MA will be hosted by the Department of European and International Studies at King’s, part of the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy.

SNU is the top-ranked university in South Korea and is in the top 10 institutions in Asia (QS World University Rankings). Like King’s, it is also ranked among the top 50 universities in the world.

Professor ‘Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President (International, Engagement and Service) at King’s, said: “King’s is committed to developing successful students, staff and alumni who can contribute to building a better world around them. Engaging with our partners globally and building new networks is a key part of that commitment.

“This new partnership with Seoul National University will build on our ambition to engage and work collaboratively in every region of the world and I am confident will provide diverse and enrichening educational experiences for our students.”