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

Hmm what do people think of physics? I need to submit a draft list of subjects I want to do first year, and I'm not sure physics should be one of them I don't particularly like it, and find it pretty boring, though that could be just the way I was taught Is it useful? I'm looking at the LHC and thinking it's a complete waste of money... There's a 0% chance I'm continuing it after year 1 if I do study it (Looking at chemistry really), but I get the feeling some of it will be useful in chemistry...I'm fairly set on chemistry/materials for the other choices.

Well, Im preparing for ppe, just done AS. Ive read some books, mostly economics. Got some work experience at a bank, an investment bank. Joined the school debating/ philosophy clubs. I'm part of 2 politics/ philosophy societies that are out of school a member of the conservatives/ campaign and go door to door, drop leaflets occasionally.

I have also entered an essay competition, in which I was congratulated for coming in the top bracket.

For economics, IEA books have been quite useful. Reading the economist/ spectator can be interesting and informative.


Just to give you an idea of what I have done for it so far. But i still dont feel like it's enough, even though I really enjoy all of it.

Well, Im preparing for ppe, just done AS. Ive read some books, mostly economics. Got some work experience at a bank, an investment bank. Joined the school debating/ philosophy clubs. I'm part of 2 politics/ philosophy societies that are out of school a member of the conservatives/ campaign and go door to door, drop leaflets occasionally.

I have also entered an essay competition, in which I was congratulated for coming in the top bracket.

For economics, IEA books have been quite useful. Reading the economist/ spectator can be interesting and informative.


Just to give you an idea of what I have done for it so far. But i still dont feel like it's enough, even though I really enjoy all of it.

LOL thanks, I did all that stuff during my AS year, most of it towards the end. So I'm sure you have the potential to do much more.

I suppose it's a lot, but is it enough? There are plenty of guys out there doing much more than me. One guy I know who is doing PPE did more than that and took 6 A-levels. At Oxford, they'll want the people most enthusiastic about the subject!

But I didn't mean to surprise you, just wanted to give you an idea of what I've done. XP

I'm having a panic attack about what modules to do in October. E&B is a given, and I would like to do both physiology and cells, however I would like to possibly specialise in biochemistry and therefore would need to do chemistry 1A wouldn't I? The problem is I don't really like chemistry, I'd rather do either all 3 bio modules or 2 bio modules and physics. Ahhh, really don't know what to do, any advice at all (I know I'm the only one who can make the choice but I really have no idea).

phil.

I don't think it's an official requirement, but our DoS strongly recommended we do IA chemistry if we were planning on doing biochemistry. Even this year, things like kinetics and thermodynamics in chemistry helped a lot in understanding enzyme kinetics and energy transduction (respiration/photosynthesis etc) - when they try to explain things like that in Cells it tended to be waffly and qualitative, but after looking at it from a chemistry perspective it made complete logical sense. I can't really say how useful it will be for biochem because I haven't done second year yet, but I'd say that chemistry will definitely help, if not necessarily essential.

A lot of people at my college were half coerced into doing chemistry when they didn't really want to do it, but most people ended up liking it, or at least not minding it (although we all had excellent supervisors). It's generally very well lectured (probably the best lectured out of all the IA subjects) and well structured, with pretty easy practicals.

Either E&B/Cells/Physiology or E&B/Cells/Chemistry are popular combinations and well balanced. E&B/Cells/Physics, on the other hand, may be met with some resistance if you are a bionatsci - at least, at my college.

I think Oxford care more for your ability in the subject than how 'committed' you are for the course. Considering both are complimented by each other, passion/ability will surely come across during an interview. You won't get in purely based on your ECs. It'll probably be of advantage when shortlisting, but even then I'd imagine it to be a minor factor.

RES essay competition "are economic recessions inevitable"

Thank you. I do think physics is a bit of a pipe dream anyways, and as most of it in IA is apparently classical (from what I've seen on the website) which I find boring I doubt that's a realistic choice. Do you think physiology or cells is more important for zoology/biochemistry related subjects in IB? I really found Chemistry boring at A level and have already forgotten most of it but I do think I'll probably end up doing E&B, Chemistry and Cells/Physiology.

phil.

Well done for getting highly commended.

I was going to enter that competition, and had started making a plan and everything, but then things just got too much and I didn't get round to it...

Thank you

If I were you, I'd finish it and submit it to Oxbridge anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I think you can still do biochemistry at IB without having done IA chemistry - I know a lot of people who did all 3 bio options doing biochem this year - but it's just that most people do take chemistry, and I think it will help. If you really dislike chemistry though, don't be forced into doing it. Your DoS may also have other opinions so discuss with him/her before making a final decision.

Cells is definitely the option that the vast, vast majority of bionatscis take and is the fundamental subject that is essential for a lot of IB options. Unless you are absolutely 100% sure that you don't want to specialise in something cellular (ie sure you want to do whole organism/ecology/zoology etc) then Cells is recommended. Bio of Cells is essential for IB biochemistry and cell & developmental biology, and is recommended for pathology. Physiology is not essential for any, and is recommended for neurobiology and physiology. Take a look here (clicky).

I didn't know I wanted to do PPE til June this year??
This may be a disadvantage... I was looking around for econ/international relations related degrees and my teacher told me about PPE at Oxford. Googled it and found TSR. Spoke to people about it. Looked through the Oxford Course guide/syllabus. Fell in love with it. I've always been doing LOADS of ECs... debating/MUN etc are a part of them. Worked at an NGO/Legal Aid project simply cos I wanted to, not because of Uni... BUT I HAVEN'T READ ANYTHING!! I read the papers and the Economist. But I just have. not. READ. Which freaks me out, but MY STUPID LIBRARY WAS CLOSED OVER THE SUMMER!! And I signed up for another... but they're TRASH. So I've just asked my teachers to lend me some books so I can read them quickly, I guess? Would this seriously affect my PS?