Former names Department of Politics Head of Department David Runciman Website www.polis.cam.ac.uk Founded 2009 Undergraduates 560 | Established 2009 Doctoral students 201 Phone +44 1223 767255 Postgraduates 190 | |
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Location Cambridge, United Kingdom Address Alison Richard Building, 7 West Rd, Cambridge CB3 9DT, UK Hours Closed now Monday9:30AM–5:30PMTuesday9:30AM–5:30PMWednesday9:30AM–5:30PMThursday9:30AM–5:30PMFriday9:30AM–5:30PMSaturdayClosedSundayClosed Profiles | ||
The Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Cambridge (abbreviated "POLIS") is the department at the University of Cambridge responsible for research and instruction in political science and international relations.
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History
POLIS, formed in 2009 by the merger of the former Department of Politics and the Centre for International Studies, is administratively housed at the university's Alison Richard Building and is part of the Faculty of Human, Social, and Political Science. Its primary predecessor, the Department of Politics, was formed in 2004, prior to which political science had been fragmented across other departments. Notable teaching staff include Andrew Gamble, Peter Nolan, Brendan Simms, Marc Weller, and Julie Elizabeth Smith.
Centers and programs
Nine specialized programs and research centers are housed within the department: the Centre for Governance and Human Rights, the Cambridge Centre for Political Thought, the Centre of International Studies, the Centre for Rising Powers, the Centre of Development Studies, the Centre for the Study of International Relations of the Middle East and North Africa, the European Centre at POLIS, the Forum on Geopolitics, Cambridge Public Policy, and the Cambridge Review of International Affairs.
Degrees and reputation
POLIS grants a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Studies. At the post-graduate level, the department offers an MPhil in Public Policy, an MPhil in International Relations and Politics, and a Master of Studies in International Relations. The terminal degree awarded is the PhD in Politics and International Studies.
The 2016 edition of the QS World University Rankings named the department the fifth best in the world in its subject area. The 2014 "Ivory Tower Survey," published by Foreign Policy, rated the department's master's program 18th in the world for quality, and its doctoral program 16th in the world. POLIS' master's degree programs were ranked 16th in the world for study in international relations by the Christian Science Monitor.