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

*Last Updated - 19th August 2010*
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* Your Guide to PPE at Oxford University *
Everything you wanted to know about PPE but were afraid to ask
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Index:
1. Should You Apply?
2. The PPE course
3. Personal Statements and PPE Test
4. Interviews
5. Disclaimer and Final Notes
6. PPE 1st Year Reading List
7. My Personal Statement

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1. Should You Apply
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First, here is what Oxford say about the PPE Course
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/philosophy_politics_and_economics/philosophy_politic_4.html

What is PPE?
PPE brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding the social and human world around us, developing skills useful for a whole range of future careers and activities.
Studying philosophy, you will develop analytical rigour and the ability to criticise and reason logically, and be able to apply these skills to questions concerning how we acquire knowledge or how we make ethical judgements.

The study of politics will acquaint you with the institutions that make crucial decisions which govern our lives as members of nations, states and other political groupings. You will also learn how to evaluate the choices which political systems must regularly make, and about the processes that maintain or change those systems.

An appreciation of economics and the general workings of the economy has become increasingly necessary to make sense of governmental policy-making, the conduct of businesses and the enormous changes in economic systems occurring throughout the world. Economics focuses both on individual units and on the aggregate behaviour of groups, societies and international markets.
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/philosophy_politics.html

Does this sound interesting? If not turn around now - This may be one of Oxford University's most prolific courses, with some fo the best job prospects in the country (Many Prime Ministers have had PPE) BUT do not do it unless you are truly interested. Those who do the course for the job prospects tend to hate it, and through hating it tend to come out with a substandard degree. This course will take up a large portion of three years of your life so make sure you know what it's all about before you apply.

Why PPE in Oxford?
Oxford University's PPE course is generally thought to be superior to that of other universities offering the course. Oxford does not offer any of Philosophy, Politics and Economics as single subjects, but instead they are offered in such courses as PPE, Economics and Management (E&M), Modern History and Economics (MHE), Philosophy and Theology and Modern History and Politics (MHP) to name a few.
The Guardian 2009 league tables put Oxford as the top ranking university for Politics, Philosophy and Economics respectively. [http://education.guardian.co.uk/universityguide2009]. Oxford University has one of the five Copyright libraries in the UK meaning it has a copy of every research paper published in the UK. PPEists spend most fo their time in the Social Sciences Library, The Philosophy Faculty Library and the Bodleian Library. The 2007 THES World League Tables puts Oxford joint-2nd, after Harvard, and on par with Cambridge and Yale.
With Oxford you also gain from the one on one tutorial system that is relatively unique in the British education system (Cambridge and Durham university also teach through the tutorial system).

Despite it's facilities, Oxford University is not for everyone and there are many other universities which offer the course, some of these are:
University of East Anglia (UEA), University of Durham [course code VL52), University of Essex, University of Hull, Lancaster University, University of Stirling and University of York (all offering PPE courses in 2009), all (except Durham) use UCAS course code "L0V0".

So is Oxford right for me?
Well here is the yes no questions...
Would I be happy in a medium sized city? Yes/No
Would I be happy being taught in 1on1 or 2on1* tutorials? Yes/No
Would I be happy writing two 2000 word essays a week? Yes/No
*2 maybe even 3 students to 1 tutor
If the answer to any of the above is no then i strongly suggest you don't apply. Here are some other questions to think about (although answering no isn't such a bad thing as with above):
Could i cope with the possibility of being average?
- You may have been top in your school or 6th form, but PPE at Oxford brings about some of the brightest students in this country and others
Could I cope with the possibility of rejection?
- The success rate for applicants is 18.4% (http://www.ox.ac.uk/gazette/2007-8/supps/2_vol138.pdf) and all most of those applying are very bright, can you cope with the idea you may be rejected
Could I motivate myself to work on my own?
- PPEists are expected to work at 40 hour week, around 10 hours is likely to be lectures,classes and tutorials, the other 30 or so is reading and writing for essays on your own
Could I cope with doing exams at the beginning of nearly every term?
- "Collection" exams are set at the beginning of most terms, a few days before the first lectures
Have a good think about these questions.

Can I afford Oxford?
For UK students fees are a little over £3,000 per year. You should be eligible for various loans, some means-tested (your parents income), others not - see here
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/studentfunding/undergraduate/home.shtml
EU students are eligible for extra help - http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/studentfunding/undergraduate/overseas.shtml
As an international student there are a limited number of scholarships available:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/student_funding/scholarships.html

Do I have the requirements for PPE?

The typical Oxford offer for PPE is AAA at A-level. Many applicants will be applying with predicted grades of AAA or better, so straight As is almost a must. For the International Baccalaureate, the typical offer is 39-40 points with 7,6,6-7,7,6 in your Higher Level subjects. GCSEs may be looked at but many students will not have straight As and A*s so don't feel you need it.
PPE has no required subjects, you do not need to have previously studied any of the composite subjects individually, but the university does say History and Maths is helpful. You will have to write essays so if you haven't in the past you will have to learn in your first term at Oxford. With regards to maths, read below.

Do I need maths A-level
As mentioned above, there are no officially required subjects for PPE, however maths is considered "helpful". As far as surviving the course maths is useful but not necessary there is also some light maths in the economics papers, but don't worry if you have only got GCSE maths since they will teach you, it is just a lot harder for non-maths people. Most PPEists i know would highly suggest having done at least AS-level maths before applying.
Nonetheless, many tutors (particularly the economics ones) will almost completely ignore candidates without a certain level of maths. This varies tutor to tutor [I chatted with an economics admission professor in 2009 who said he personally didn't feel maths was a necessity but some of his colleagues wouldn't pick candidates without it]. I would say you are at a slight disadvantage if applying without maths, but it is certainly possible to be accepted without it.

Well all of this considered, if you still want to apply then read on!

(edited 4 years ago)

Scroll to see replies

Reply 5060

pokerplayer1191

I'm thinking as all the US applicants wake up, since it's still morning here, they'll see their emails.

Good luck to all of you!

Reply 5061

Consti.Rules

I didn't get an interview at my initial choice of college... BUT I GOT REALLOCATED!!! I'm sooo excited about the interview. I'm over the moon!!!

Reply 5062

Zzaach

Anybody have info concerning invites from univ?

Reply 5063

DEPECHEMODE

Magdalen Interview Ppe!!!!!!!

Reply 5064

TsarinaMeg

Congrats DEPECHEMODE!!!!

Reply 5065

DEPECHEMODE

TsarinaMeg

Congrats DEPECHEMODE!!!!

Thank you! I am really obnoxious and calling all my friends and posting in every single thread in the Oxford forum and AAAAAH! Now it's time to prepare :woo:

Reply 5066

Oldspeak

DEPECHEMODE

Thank you! I am really obnoxious and calling all my friends and posting in every single thread in the Oxford forum and AAAAAH! Now it's time to prepare :woo:

i just got an interview there too, i'll be seeing you there!

Reply 5067

Kneechuh

Rejected by Univ :frown:

Reply 5068

Salparadise

DEPECHEMODE

Magdalen Interview Ppe!!!!!!!

Congratulations

Reply 5069

marlowe92

Magdalen interview PPE!!!!! :biggrin:

Reply 5070

Kneechuh

mcl

no wayy im sorry to hear that, i've seen you comment on here alot and thought you'd get an interview... at least you know now!
i really want to just know too!! i think i will be feeling the same as you tomorrow undoubtedly :frown:

but maybe i'll see you somewhere else!! good luck with the rest of your application, don't worry about it :smile:

I knew that applying with my GCSEs were a long shot, but thought that if I got an interview I'd stand a chance. I'm slightly disappointed, but life goes on.. :o:

Reply 5071

DEPECHEMODE

Heey Oldspeak and Marlowe! See you next sunday already! I can't wait!

I am so sorry for you Kneechuh, did you get pooled? Well, but you have all your other choices as well! I am sure you will end up at an amazing university!

Reply 5072

Kneechuh

DEPECHEMODE

Nah, they said: "I regret to inform you that neither University College nor any other Oxford college is able to offer you a place, and that your application is no longer under consideration by any Oxford college."