A-levels for PPE at oxford

You may apply for PPE having done any combination of subjects at school or college; it is not necessary to have studied politics, philosophy or economics. All courses at Oxford are highly academic in nature, and require a great deal of reading. If you study PPE, you would usually be expected to write one or two essays each week. Therefore, you may wish to choose academic A-levels, and at least one that involves writing essays, as this will help to prepare you for the style of studying at Oxford.

History and Mathematics are recommended as subjects that can be helpful to you in completing the PPE course, but they are not required for admission.

However, although a background in Mathematics is not formally required, students should have sufficient interest in, and aptitude for, mathematics to cope with the mathematical elements of the Economics course. Mathematics is also an advantage for the first year logic course in philosophy, and for understanding empirical evidence in politics. You may like to consider taking Maths to AS-level, or equivalent, even if you do not take the full A2.
Some experience of studying History is also useful as a background, particularly for elements of the Politics course.

Although PPE applicants are not required to submit any written work with their application, it is good for the breadth of your application that you are studying the Extended Project (EPQ). The EPQ will provide applicants with the opportunity to develop research and academic skills relevant for study at Oxford. Candidates are encouraged to draw upon relevant EPQ experience when writing their personal statement. However, candidates are advised to prioritise their A-level study, as we do not include the EPQ in our conditional offers, so the final grades in A-levels or other qualifications are more important. The EPQ will however be a good indicator of your ability to conduct independent research and also undertake an extended piece of writing.

PPE offers a good preparation for a wide variety of careers, many linked to subjects studied at Oxford. The careers most commonly chosen are in:
Banking and finance
Politics
Journalism and broadcasting
Law
Industry
Teaching
Social work
Accountancy
Business management
Advertising
Many branches of the public service, including the civil and diplomatic services and local government
Recent Philosophy, Politics and Economics graduates include a hedge fund analyst, a primary school teacher, and a fundraising officer for a disease research foundation.