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Oxford PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) Students and Applicants

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Reply 3460
Avatar for Talexe
Talexe
Mrs Carrothead
As much as they tell you that the work isn't so bad, you'll quickly discover that if you hate the subject you're doing, 25 hours a week seems like a LIFETIME. Seriously, just do what you enjoy. My friend did a degree in Music at Cambridge and came out with a job in investment banking, so it's not even as if you're tied to what you do at uni.

On a point of interest, have you thought about applying for History and Politics if you're interested in social sciences? If I'd actually done some research and realised Oxford offered that, I'd have definitely applied :yep: !

I have heard of it, although I haven't researched it in quite as much detail. Like you said really, I'd imagine my interest would partially depend upon what the specification included. I'm much more geared towards modern political history than ancient history.

Still, it's worth looking into. Thanks! :yep:
Talexe
I have heard of it, although I haven't researched it in quite as much detail. Like you said really, I'd imagine my interest would partially depend upon what the specification included. I'm much more geared towards modern political history than ancient history.

Still, it's worth looking into. Thanks! :yep:


The requirements are that you do one pre 1900 paper in the 3 years, other than that you're free to do whatever (barring clashes between the disciplines)
Lucky you! So, I was all geared up to ask you which approach to modern IR you felt most drawn to, until I realised that you wouldn't have sat this paper :p:. I have duly taken out about 8 books and plan to read them by tomorrow. Joyful.
I was going to say that the interview is very much directed by the interviewer. They will generally have a set of questions, otherwise they wouldn't be able to compare candidates and they wouldn't require you to keep the content of the interviews to yourself. I know that I got asked (mostly) the same questions as my friends, so it's definitely the case that they ask from the same set of questions (though it's unlikely that they will use exactly the same questions).
Reply 3464
Avatar for dpatel
dpatel
Hi

I'm a year 12 student studying economics, maths, biology and chemistry (if all goes to plan i should get 4 A's). I would love to study PPE however i don't feel i have the right subjects to do so...will not taking history or government and politics really diasadvantage me?

Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated.
dpatel
Hi

I'm a year 12 student studying economics, maths, biology and chemistry (if all goes to plan i should get 4 A's). I would love to study PPE however i don't feel i have the right subjects to do so...will not taking history or government and politics really diasadvantage me?

Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated.


I've received an offer PPE 2009 and I take the following:
Further Maths
Biology
Chemistry
History

I think tutors are much less worried about what you have studied before, and more interested in your display of your interest in the subject and your ability to think critically, logically and communicate that well. Of course, all of these skills are still somewhat undeveloped, they are looking for potential. If you can show them this in your Personal Statement, Academic record (regardless of subjects) and Admissions Test, then your application would have a very good chance of succeeding.

Besides, your subjects wouldn't hinder your application at all - especially when on course for 4 As. Chemistry and Biology give you good scientific background to help you understand things that you may come across in other fields (This is how I spun them in my personal statement). Maths is listed as useful, but not essential to have, and from what I have read, the Economics and Politics strands use statistics and core maths topics. Economics is part of the degree, so there's certainly nothing holding you back there!
Reply 3466
Avatar for dpatel
dpatel
Thank you! It's nice to know there's some hope...
dpatel
Thank you! It's nice to know there's some hope...


If it helps, I did Maths Chem Bio and Politics AS. With Maths Bio and Politics A2. For some stupid reason, my 16 year old self figured that because I was pretty smart I have to go and be a doctor. Oh how I was wrong...I got an offer this year. :smile:

I'm not sure they mind. Economics is a good one to have, you just need to be clear why you want to study the other subjects on your PS! Good luck!
Hi all!

Currently in year 12, and planning to apply for PPE when the time comes around. Having nearly finished Simon Blackburn's Think, I'm looking around for some more material to cover in addition to newspapers. I've been advised away from reading many original texts, and am thinking of picking up The Social Contract, The Worldly Philosophers:..., Wolff's An Introduction To Political Philosophy and possibly The Communist Manifesto - if not in preparation, for my own pleasure.

Could you suggest any I should add, or remove, to my list? A fictional work, or original text perhaps? It would be nice to study one aspect of P/P, or indeed E, in more depth.

Thanks in advance :smile:
Try Mill's Utilitarianism. That's covered in both Pol Theory and Philosophy in the first year. Maybe Russell's Problems of Philosophy? And Discourse on the Origin of Inequality is entertaining so you can laugh at Rousseau's crazy-ass ideas.
For economics, what about Doctor Strangelove's game? It's fiction and rather odd, but forms a sort of loose commentary in a pretty non-boring way?
Thanks Mrs Carrothead. I thought twice about reading something that's on the reading list, on the basis that it doesn't seem to correlate with the whole 'Un-molded yet informed' student which Universities seem to prefer. Though I've never been a fan of "Oxbridge look for x, y and z" - this always seemed to make sense. Do correct me if I've taken the statement too far out of it's context, or have misunderstood completely. I can certainly see how a basic understanding of Mill would show that I've taken interest in the course.

Apologies if I appear to be trying to 'tick boxes'. I hope that my enthusiasm extends beyond that. It's for confidence I suppose!
No no, you took it right. Tbh it depends on where you're applying, but chances are you'll cover Rousseau, Mill etc. We also did Tocqueville and Locke.... I think :smile:. If you want some stuff that's not on the reading list, some Nietzsche's always interesting. I particularly like Beyond Good and Evil. There's Candide (Voltaire), which is overly-allegorical fiction but only a 100 or so pages. George Orwell is also good (and just generally fun). *looks at bookshelf* Hmm... Machiavelli's The Prince? I read half of that for interview and that was it :biggrin:. Oh, and the light-hearted approach to economics is always good so The Naked Economist and still Dr. Strangelove's Game maybe? I also have QI's Book of General Ignorance which I'd recommend to anyone, but that probably won't do you a lot of good at interview. Then again, you never know...
I'd also recommend Machiavelli's "The Prince". I've just finished reading it now and it was a great read, reasonably short and not at all difficult to read through.
I've made some updates to section 3
Reply 3474
Avatar for Esraymuk
Esraymuk
Look, the essence to getting into oxford for PPE is to know how to waffle intelligently, and find interesting points of views on whatever question they ask you. You don't actually have to know too much, but being generally well educated helps.

If you can, subtly indicate that you're well read. For example, in my interview I linked a given situation to the prisoner's dilemma, which I incidentally read 2 books on (on game theory obviously, not just the PD) and had said so in my PS.

Be confident and suave. If you want an example, check out Sir Humphrey from Yes Minister. That's exactly who you want to be.

(and yes obviously I got in).
Esraymuk
Be confident and suave. If you want an example, check out Sir Humphrey from Yes Minister. That's exactly who you want to be.


I hope that's a joke.

Yes Minister may be funny, but you'll be torn to pieces if you try and win an argument through obfuscation.
i recently received an offer to read natsci physical at cambridge, with A levels in biology, chemistry, maths and AS further maths, with 3 mechanics units. i was wondering what the content of the physics 1a course is like- and whether i would be able to cope with it if i were to teach myself A2 physics over the summer or something suchlike? i have read around physics a lot more than i have about chemistry, even though that is what i initially applied for.

also how do people find evolution and behaviour, as i am considering that as well?

thanks:eek:
Reply 3477
Avatar for paneity
paneity
alexburns1991
i recently received an offer to read natsci physical at cambridge, with A levels in biology, chemistry, maths and AS further maths, with 3 mechanics units. i was wondering what the content of the physics 1a course is like- and whether i would be able to cope with it if i were to teach myself A2 physics over the summer or something suchlike? i have read around physics a lot more than i have about chemistry, even though that is what i initially applied for.

also how do people find evolution and behaviour, as i am considering that as well?

thanks:eek:



hmm, well a lot of physics 1a is stuff you wouldn't have seen really at alevel, special relativity and quantum etc. If you have 3 mechanics then you should be quite hot on the mechanics section anyway, you would probably have to teach yourself some simple harmonic motion, electromagnetism ad the like.

I would find out who your DoS will be and email to ask them if they will let you take physics, and if they agree then they can recommend you some books to read etc.
alexburns1991
i recently received an offer to read natsci physical at cambridge, with A levels in biology, chemistry, maths and AS further maths, with 3 mechanics units. i was wondering what the content of the physics 1a course is like- and whether i would be able to cope with it if i were to teach myself A2 physics over the summer or something suchlike? i have read around physics a lot more than i have about chemistry, even though that is what i initially applied for.

also how do people find evolution and behaviour, as i am considering that as well?

You should have covered most of the mechanics you'll need in M1-3, including things like SHM, but you'll probably have to do some catch up work for some things (equations involving G and electromagnetism come to mind, but there's probably more). As for evolution and behaviour, it's a pretty popular module, even among phys natscis - I recommend it.
Hi

I'm taking AS-Level atm - Chem, Physics, Biology, Maths - C1, C2, S1, and am doing the AS Further Maths (over 2 years due to timetable issues) units M1, FP1, and D1, and have already gor an A grade in AS Level Engineering.

So hopefully I'll have maths, chem, phy, bio to A2 level, and AS further maths and engineering to As level.

I want to do NatSci (atm Chemistry, Biology of Cells, Physics, and maybe the Maths A unit).

1). With these units in mind should I be classed as a biological or physical NatSci in your opinion?

2). Because I will only have 1 mechanics unit - do you think I will be able to keep up with the physics course?

3). And is Maths A full of people that have taken the complete A2 further maths course, or are they mostly people that have just got the normal maths A2 level?
my school do C1-4, S1 and S2).

Thanks in advance

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