The deep roots of the University are so strongly entwined with Seoul that we cannot describe the University in isolation from the city. Like the University, Seoul, the heart of Korea, is the center of Korea’s remarkable economic growth over the past 40 years with its old unique tradition and newly innovated modernity. Seoul was the seat of government as early as the Baekje Kingdom, more than over 1,500 years. Even so, the city had its real genesis with the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty in 1392, when it became the capital city. Seoul is one of those cities which maintain the architectural beauty of the past in the midst of modern development. Seoul’s architectural symbols of the past have been carefully preserved to maintain a link between the city of yesterday and the thriving composition city of today.
As the cultural, economic, and political center of the nation, Seoul provides infinite opportunities for research. University students reap benefits from the city’s resources, and are able to put into practice what they have learned in the classroom. The University is located inside the city walls, within the original capital of Joseon.Located on the original Sungkyunkwan site, the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus is spread over a hill looking down on Jongmyo Royal Shrine, which has been designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Just like Seoul, the University grew rapidly, and the expansion called for building a new campus.The original site was preserved for the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus, while the expanding science programs were moved to a new campus in Suwon. Currently, 6 schools and 3 colleges and many graduate schools call the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus their home. To commemorate the founding philosophy of the University, the 600th Anniversary Building which houses the Academy of East Asian Studies was constructed on this campus. This new facility has a floor space of 31,930 square meters with four underground levels and six ground levels.

The University’s modern Natural Sciences Campus was established in 1978. This campus is situated 45km away from Seoul, on a 250-acre site. The campus is home to 5 Schools, 2 Colleges as well as various graduate schools. The management of the Natural Sciences Campus is considered a paragon of educational administration in Korea.When the new campus was built, the idea of a dual campus system was revolutionary in Korean higher education; this system remains unique in Korea. Some comprehensive universities located in big cities have tried to meet the need for expansion by founding a separate, usually smaller school in an outstanding rural area. In this regard, Sungkyunkwan is now expanding upon the original vision by establishing the 3rd campus in Pyeongtaek.
Suwon is one of the cities which preserve the traditional beauty of the Joseon era [1392~1910], but it now also flourishes as a center for business, education and economic research, thanks to its proximity to major industrial complexes.In an effort to serve society by building a bridge between academia and the industrial sector, another initiative the Science Technology Park [STP] TM is being developed at this campus. The University, the industries in the surrounding area, and the government has combined forces in this project.