The Student Room Group

Getting accepted into PPE

I am currently a 17 years old girl in Malaysia who have finished her SPM and is about to take her A-levels. The only things I have done for PPE so far was reading why Nations Fail, the social contract, two treatises of government, the burden of white people etc.Do I need more to do to get into PPE course at Oxford uni? Pls advise. Tq
Reply 2

Hi, thx for your recommendations. Though, I would like to ask, will putting the moocs down in my personal statement put me ahead of other applicants and will Oxford Uni interview me ABT it if I do?
Original post by Nishaishere
Hi, thx for your recommendations. Though, I would like to ask, will putting the moocs down in my personal statement put me ahead of other applicants and will Oxford Uni interview me ABT it if I do?




The personal statement should indicate your commitment to the subjects you are applying to study. It should be more than a list of books you have read or online things you have done. It is impossible to say how your application will compare to those of other applicants. The academics who consider your application will look at your academic performance to date, your predicted grades, your personal statement, your school's reference, your performance in any relevant aptitude test, and finally how you do at interviews which resemble Oxford tutorials.
(edited 10 months ago)
Reply 4
As above, you need to demonstrate that you are interested in this course / these subjects - and for PPE, studying them together - and at a level beyond A level, by using examples of reading /studying outside of your current studies.
'I have read about xxxxx concept/theory/whatever and what interested me about this was........... and I have further explored this idea by reading xxxxxx' etc. See Guide-to-Super-curriculars.pdf (ox.ac.uk) There is no 'magic bullet' that will automatically get you an offer - its about expanded your knowledge and being able to show this, and reflect on it, within your Personal Statement
Reply 5
Original post by Stiffy Byng
The personal statement should indicate your commitment to the subjects you are applying to study. It should be more than a list of books you have read or online things you have done. It is impossible to say how your application will compare to those of other applicants. The academics who consider your application will look at your academic performance to date, your predicted grades, your personal statement, your school's reference, your performance in any relevant aptitude test, and finally how you do at interviews which resemble Oxford tutorials.
Hi, tqvm for this. However, I would like to ask shd I write my personal statement in a way which I describe about politics in one paragraph, philosophy in another and economics in the third and the things I have done for them or how else should it be written?
Original post by Nishaishere
Hi, tqvm for this. However, I would like to ask shd I write my personal statement in a way which I describe about politics in one paragraph, philosophy in another and economics in the third and the things I have done for them or how else should it be written?

You're welcome. I regret that I cannot give a reliable answer to your question, because I was not and am not a student or teacher of PPE. The word limit for the statement does not give you much elbow room. Maybe one brief paragraph for each of the three subjects, or focus on two of them; but for a reliable guide try to talk to people who have recently obtained a place for PPE, or enquire of a PPE tutor if you get the chance. Will you be able to visit Oxford from Malaysia before applying? I know it's a long way to travel!
Reply 7
Original post by Stiffy Byng
You're welcome. I regret that I cannot give a reliable answer to your question, because I was not and am not a student or teacher of PPE. The word limit for the statement does not give you much elbow room. Maybe one brief paragraph for each of the three subjects, or focus on two of them; but for a reliable guide try to talk to people who have recently obtained a place for PPE, or enquire of a PPE tutor if you get the chance. Will you be able to visit Oxford from Malaysia before applying? I know it's a long way to travel!
Yes, I do plan to visit actually. Tqvm for the link!
(edited 10 months ago)
McGinger supplied the link. Good luck!
Reply 9
Original post by Stiffy Byng
McGinger supplied the link. Good luck!
I still have one more q to ask, I know I have to show my interest and all through the personal statement, but... Can I just show it through reading, videos and observations or do I still need to find my way to join a competition and win something to prove it. The competitions in Malaysia dedicated to Politics for kids my age is very limited or only for the privilege. Furthermore, the debate club on which I am in is very slow on having any competitions at all. Pls advise. I am getting really paranoid/ worried about this.
Reply 10
"Competitions" are meaningless for Personal Statements - and one in Malaysia, utterly pointless.
Focus on reading and the other suggestions above.
Reply 11
Original post by McGinger
"Competitions" are meaningless for Personal Statements - and one in Malaysia, utterly pointless.
Focus on reading and the other suggestions above.

Alright, tqvm 🙏
Reply 12
The most important factor in shortlisting for interview is your score on the TSA admissions test, so, in terms of preparation, practicing past papers is one of the best things you can do (note that the format of the test is currently under review, but I imagine past papers will still be useful).

As far as the personal statement goes, Oxford themselves say it is of low importance in decisions about admissions. I would probably at least briefly mention all three subjects, but it’s definitely fine to focus on two (which is what I did). Again, note that the format of the PS is changing for entry from 2025 onwards, with individual shorter questions rather than one essay as previously.
Reply 13
Original post by sfp04
The most important factor in shortlisting for interview is your score on the TSA admissions test, so, in terms of preparation, practicing past papers is one of the best things you can do (note that the format of the test is currently under review, but I imagine past papers will still be useful).
As far as the personal statement goes, Oxford themselves say it is of low importance in decisions about admissions. I would probably at least briefly mention all three subjects, but it’s definitely fine to focus on two (which is what I did). Again, note that the format of the PS is changing for entry from 2025 onwards, with individual shorter questions rather than one essay as previously.

Tq so much for your help! It's been hard finding people who knows these things even after visiting the British council 😭😭. I cannot express my thanks enough. But uhm, sorry curiousity kills me but how does individual shorter questions look like?
(edited 10 months ago)
Reply 14
Just remember that only Oxford PPE wants this test - and you have 4 other UCAS choices at other Universities offering PPE courses..
Reply 15
Original post by McGinger
Just remember that only Oxford PPE wants this test - and you have 4 other UCAS choices at other Universities offering PPE courses..

Tq tq, sorry one more question is there any possible website to check my personal statement draft or something? If there is a link for that, may I have it? Tq

Quick Reply