The Faculty of Politics, Psychology, Sociology and International Studies at the University of Cambridge was created in January 2009 out of a merger of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences and the Centre of International Studies.[1]
The Faculty houses three departments: Politics and International Studies, Social and Developmental Psychology, and Sociology. It also incorporates the Centre for Family Research. Each of these departments has a worldwide reputation for teaching and research and the undergraduate curriculum (Tripos) is designed to serve both students who have a clear disciplinary commitment at the time of application as well as those who want a broader multidisciplinary degree. Students who want to be psychologists follow a curriculum approved by the British Psychological Society, while those with a passion for politics can take advantage of links with such departments as Economics and History, and those with interests in Sociology can draw on Anthropology and Geography.
Undergraduate students study several disciplines in their first year, and then specialise in one or two disciplines in their second and third years. Clearly specified tracks (Politics, Psychology, Sociology, or a combination of disciplines) ensure that students graduate with appropriate intellectual and professional skills.
At the postgraduate level, there are established one-year M.Phils in Sociology, Social and Developmental Psychology, and International Studies. A new M.Phil in Politics was launched in 2008. Ph.D students conduct research within a wide range of subjects within Politics & International Studies, Psychology and Sociology. The Psychometrics Centre, which is also based within the PPSIS Faculty, also supports a number of Ph.D students.
The Faculty is currently spread across two sites. The PPSIS Library and the Departments of Sociology and Social and Developmental Psychology are on Free School Lane at the New Museums Site. The Department of Politics & International Studies is currently at 17 Mill Lane, and is moving to new purpose-built accommodation on West Road in 2011.
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University & College Teaching Officers in the PPSIS Faculty
Members of the Faculty elsewhere in the University
Tripos (BA/MA)
A Politics, Psychology and Sociology Tripos (previously known as Social and Political Sciences, "SPS") has been running at Cambridge University, in some form, since 1970. For undergraduates, the course is initially multi-disciplinary, encompassing Politics, Psychology, and Sociology. Additional options available in the first year include Social Anthropology, Economic History and Archaeology.
Postgraduate (MPhil/PhD)
The Faculty teaches four masters programmes in Sociology, Social and Developmental Psychology, Politics, and International Studies. It also contains around 200 students studying for doctorates at any one time.
The number of applicants per place for Politics, Psychology and Sociology is one of the highest in Cambridge, with an average of over 6 applications for each place.[3]
As of 2008-2009[4] the MPhil in Social and Developmental Psychology received 66 applications, with 7 starting the course in October 2008. The MPhil in Modern Society and Global Transformations saw 99 applicants, with 26 starting the course in October 2008.[5]
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