PPE without Maths?

To what degree is it possible on an Oxford PPE course to avoid the more mathsy elements of Economics? I know that you can drop Economics totally after the first year - but how much of the first year Economics stuff is Maths-based. I am taking Economics at A-level, and got an A grade in Maths at GCSE - would I be able to cope. It is worth noting that I am dramatically better at both Politics and Philosophy.

Reply 1

irishtrep

there is a compulsory maths question on the econ. paper (introduced this year). you can do a max. of three essays, giving a total of 4 questions.

there is also a logic option in the philosophy paper. much of prelims logic is quite mathematical. but you could, in theory, avoid logic completely by writing 4 essays (although this is probably very rarely done). you could get by by doing 1 less mathematical logic question and 3 essays, i suppose.

if you are not really weak in maths you should be ok. but at the same time, it's much easier to get a distinction in ppe prelims if you are good at maths, because you can get perfect/almost perfect marks in 3/4 of the philosophy paper and (almost) 1/2 of the economics paper.

Reply 2

nero076

this has come up loads of times, search for it.

Reply 3

Minta

5

If you are nervous about the PPE maths content, why not consider SPS at Cambridge? It has lots of Politics, and perhaps you could work in some Philosophy eg Political philosophy and sociology-orientated stuff like Marx and Durkeim

Reply 4

BazTheMoney

Minta

If you are nervous about the PPE maths content, why not consider SPS at Cambridge? It has lots of Politics, and perhaps you could work in some Philosophy eg Political philosophy and sociology-orientated stuff like Marx and Durkeim

Erm. PPE is a good course and SPS is as respected as Land Economics? :tongue:

(joke)

As said above, you do Maths in your first year, and if you carry it on to 2/3 year the Maths content increases. maths is very, very helpful for the first year, but not vital.

Reply 5

Acaila

17

Minta

If you are nervous about the PPE maths content, why not consider SPS at Cambridge? It has lots of Politics, and perhaps you could work in some Philosophy eg Political philosophy and sociology-orientated stuff like Marx and Durkeim

Yeah

It's like PPE without the E :biggrin:

. And it seems to overlap better. :smile:

Reply 6

Jessie

9

They dont require you to have A-Level Maths (although this may depend on the admissions tutors). In the prospectus it says AS Maths is highly desirable. Part of the Philosophy course at Oxford includes Logic, and I'm pretty sure that that requires some mathematical proof (which you do in A-Level Maths), so even if you drop economics after your 1st year, they may give you more technical, mathematical logic problems.

they will read your personal statement, and Im sure you are likely to place more emphasis on the politics and philosophy side, especially if you're not applying for PPE elsewhere. For the entrance test, there is an economics section which is pretty much maths. You have to show some sort of knowledge and ability to manipulate and use formulae. That said, very good GCSE grades (although they might prefer A* in Maths), an excellent PS and school statement, along with a fairly good interview, could get you a place...

You want to avoid the econ, but you have to pass your econ prelim to even get the chance to drop it. You'll probably need to work harder at the econ, but if as you say, you are much better at the politics and phil, then you'll need to prioritise, if and when you get there.

i'd suggest going to the library, having a look at some 'Introductory maths for economics' etc. See whether you think the maths is accessible or not. You'll have forgotten a lot since GCSE, even if you did get an A, and you'll probably need some catching-up to do. Ive got Mathematics for Economics and Business by Ian Jacques - its the main maths text for econ for my college (hopefully mine anyway). Its not too scary...honest!

Reply 7

irishtrep

Jessie

Part of the Philosophy course at Oxford includes Logic, and I'm pretty sure that that requires some mathematical proof (which you do in A-Level Maths), so even if you drop economics after your 1st year, they may give you more technical, mathematical logic problems.

you won't have to do any logic after first year if you don't want to.

Reply 8

nooneknows

At the Oxford open day the tutor I spoke to made it very clear that there is a compulsory mathematical paper in economics at the end of the first year and that the economics interview generally kicks off with a maths question. Obviously, there is also a maths question in the exam.