Summary: Political science was founded as an academic discipline at the University of Iceland in 1970; at that time one professor was hired, and students could only obtain a BA degree in social sciences with political science as a major. In the first two decades, few students graduated with a BA degree in political science. Now, 44 years later, 15 full-time academic staff with research duties is employed at the Faculty of Political Science (most with a PhD degree from a foreign university, three non-Icelanders), the annual number of registered students is around 600, multiple programmes are on offer for undergraduates, master students, and doctoral students. Since 2005, a total number 1181 students have graduated, 421 with a BA degree, 760 with a master's degree or postgraduate Diploma, and 8 with a PhD degree. Research in political science – almost non-existent in the beginning – now covers most areas of the discipline; major achievements in research on Icelandic politics have taken place. Most professors have extensive international connections. The Faculty of Political Science is related to three research institutes at the University of Iceland: the Institute of Public Administration and Politics, The Social Science Research Institute, and the Institute of International Affairs. Since 2005, an academic journal has been published, Icelandic Review of Politics & Administration (http://www.irpa.is).