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

I only ever did physics for 2 weeks (and not at A-level), but I'm still somehow subscribed to the IOP and I get constant Physics Worlds... which would be quite cool, if I ever had time to read them.

Hi s2000,

Firstly, I would say thank you for telling us we're useful, though I think London Prophet should take the compliment, considering he gives out the actual help .

Is good to know some PPEists are quite approachable, lol. Notably, London Prohet is a TSR legend?

Secondly, I assume that you did not get an offer from Oxford, but are instead planning on going to York. Have you also sat your A Levels already?

Thirdly, those Open Days are not compulsory I don't believe (I never went to any, even though Durham kept inviting me).

I didn't apply to Oxford, Warwick was my first choice following by York. Any York PPEists here hiding? What's PPE at York like?

I'm doing my A2 at the moment. Are you now studying in Oxford? Any good?

Fourthly, on to the important stuff! I BELIEVE (you should check this, as I can't seem to download the York PEP handbook) that you can drop a subject (for you, probably one of the Ps) after the first year, meaning that your essay writing will not be as important in your finals. Good essay writing really comes about through practice, so you could try this before you arrive, but your work in the first year should prepare you pretty well for your final honours schools. I'd say that if you got an A at A Level Economics, essay writing in philosophy is indeed different, but not necessarily much harder than that.

Just checked the York PEP handbook, very handy For essay writing (Philosophy in particular) I think I'm fine with coursework and such, but struggle to write good ones in exam condition. But yes, you're right, practice!

Hope that helped!

Thanks

It is also often pretty boring.

It isn't any better, but APS has a similar thing that is available online (I suppose it's better in that sense) helpfully called Physics.

I think there's also a Chemistry World, similar to Physics World but I've only seen it occasionally so it may have just been a beautiful dream.

Hi guys,

one question: If I had to read one book on Politics, as an introductory text, which was a good, interesting and accessible read and that filled me in on a lot of A level politics, which would it be?

Thanks, in advance, for you suggestions.

Perhaps "The New British Politics" - Budge et al.

not riveting but definitely informative

Perhaps "The New British Politics" - Budge et al.

not riveting but definitely informative

Hello! I will be starting PPE at Harris Manchester in October and I have never studied politics before. I also want a very good book on UK politics, but preferably something that I will use during the course.

My ex sixth form tutor recommended British Politics Continuities and Change (Dennis Kavanagh) but I have had difficulty to get hold of this (I think it may be out of print). I have looked on Amazon and seen a newer Kavanagh book called British Politics (I wonder if this is a newer version but it is not clear) and another big text book, which also looks good, called Politics UK. The reviews on Amazon for these books are mixed, and the reviews for The New British Politics say that it is good for A Level, not necessarily for degree. So I am not sure which one to go for..

If anyone else can make a suggestion I would appreciate it. Do you think it would be worth contacting the college to ask for a suggestion? My funds are very limited so I want to make the right choice!

Hi guys,

one question: If I had to read one book on Politics, as an introductory text, which was a good, interesting and accessible read and that filled me in on a lot of A level politics, which would it be?

Thanks, in advance, for you suggestions.

Not an A level book, but "In defence of Politics" by Bernard Crick is my favourite introduction to many of the themes of politics.

If you want an introductory text on Politics that is fact filled, I'd recommend Politics UK by Jones, Kavanagh, Moran and Norton (6th Edition) but it's not cheap (about £25). But it basically covers the whole of UK Politics, with recent examples.

I personally really like to have a political encylopedia by my side- sorry this isn't exactly what your looking for- but it is really handy to have when you read something in an article and want to know more about it. A good one would be seriously expensive though- i only have a shorter modern one which isn't ideal.