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

Dude, that's undertalking complex numbers quite a bit. Unless you just meant first year physics.

Complex numbers are everywhere. Now that I have a degree in Physics, it's like the matrix except with argand planes instead of funny green things.

Make sure you know all the Core and FP modules inside out. Riley, Hobson and Bence (Mathematical methods for physicists and engineers) is the standard textbook for the course, so may well be worth having a look at that.

Oh, and don't buy RHB until you get here

You could have a look at the NST workbook if you liked. But you'll probably get sent that eventually anyway.

I don't think any of the things I mentioned are done full justice by my description, I was only thinking of first year applications. Physics is the only course which waves complex numbers at people in first year as I remember.

Hi guys,

Just a quick question really. I'm still only in Year 11, haven't taken my GCSEs yet, etc, but I would really like to know if there's anything I could do to maximise my chances of getting into Cambridge, for NatSci (Physical), considering that making the wrong decisions about my A-Levels could scupper my chances completely. Planning on taking Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics and English Literature.
I've been writing letters to institutions, labs, observatories et al to ask about work experience, but no joy yet. Also heard about the Nuffield Science Bursaries - hoping to apply for one of them next year. I do quite a lot of extra-curricular stuff, and considerable amounts of sport, and music too.
Is it now just a matter of studying like hell, getting good GCSEs, then AS & A2s, high UMS in modules etc?

Thanks guys, it's really great to get your advice on this

Another question - my school offers something called the Economics Pre-U as well as Economics A-level. The Pre-U is a linear course much like the old Economics A-level and apparently the top unis look favourably on it. Would it be any advantage doing it, because I wondered if: a) it is better than Economics A-level in any way b) the course content might put me at any advantage for the UCAS or the PPE interview/course (it's more topically based and harde apparently) and c) it is a better option than choosing Chemistry A-level?

Still inclined towards Chemistry, but just wanted to double check these things. Sorry...paranoid me! Thanks

Out of interest - for all those accepted recently or in the past for PPE at Oxford, where were you rejected from (if none, say so)

For me it was Durham - would be interest to see a tally.

Planning on taking Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics and English Literature.

Also heard about the Nuffield Science Bursaries

Out of interest - for all those accepted recently or in the past for PPE at Oxford, where were you rejected from (if none, say so)

For me it was Durham - would be interest to see a tally.

Out of interest - for all those accepted recently or in the past for PPE at Oxford, where were you rejected from (if none, say so)

For me it was Durham - would be interest to see a tally.

Out of interest - for all those accepted recently or in the past for PPE at Oxford, where were you rejected from (if none, say so)

For me it was Durham - would be interest to see a tally.

I'm unsure as to how this works as it seems to be a fairly big division between Nat.Sci students: Would anybody care to give me some information on this?

The only significant thing is that Physical NatScis have to do Maths whereas Biologists get a choice (and most choose not to do Maths but QB instead). Other than that there are people doing most combinations of subjects in the first year, it's just most people tend to follow the physical/biological divide.