The Student Room Logo
Applying to Uni for 2024? Find your Uni here and chat with others! >>
Applying to Uni for 2024? Find your Uni here and chat with others! >>
Applying to Uni for 2024? Find your Uni here and chat with others! >>

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

Scroll to see replies

Teebs
I'll be doing economics this year and have to do the core modules of micro and macro economics in the next couple of terms. I was wondering if someone who's done the course could tell me whether these modules use the main 1st year textbooks (Varian's microeconomics and Mankiw's macroeconomics) at all.


Definitely keep Varian - it's on the second-year reading list. Not sure about Mankiw, seeing as it's rather simplistic, although you may want to keep it for reference anyway.

My micro reading list consists of:

Gravelle H., Rees R. Microeconomics
Katz M.L., Rosen H.S. Microeconomics
Kreps D. A Course in Microeconomic Theory
Varian H. Intermediate Microeconomics: a Modern Approach
Hingie
Naturally I'm applying to study PPE, but I'm not really sure which subject(s) to drop.


Physics is marginally useful for PPE (primary and secondary qualities and all that jazz) - hence the fact that you can study physics and philosophy. But if you prefer chemistry, keep that up. Four A levels is probably better than three, and you may as well exploit your high marks by carrying one on to A2.
Which is more useful for PPE: AS further maths or A2 physics?
Reply 523
Avatar for kizer
kizer
15
wave_o_mutilation
Which is more useful for PPE: AS further maths or A2 physics?



Definitely further maths, paticulary if you get some stats in there.
Teebs
I'll be doing economics this year and have to do the core modules of micro and macro economics in the next couple of terms. I was wondering if someone who's done the course could tell me whether these modules use the main 1st year textbooks (Varian's microeconomics and Mankiw's macroeconomics) at all.

I'm asking because I want to sell on the textbooks and obviously that would be a stupid thing to do if I then find that I need them for my work. Unfortunately I haven't been a given a reading list yet, so I can't use that to find out.


Keep Both.

2nd year microeconomics is basically still Varian + referencing some other papers.
Mankiw is a good reference for 2nd year macro although you will need a number of other textbooks and papers.
Reply 525
Avatar for mit
mit
Hi! I need some advice here. I'm an international student, I took 4subjects in my AS (Economics, Accounting, Single Maths and Politics). But unfortunatly, the results I got last thursday weren't what I expected. I got AABB (B in Eco and Accounting -1% short to get an A in Accounting).I got a good grade in Statistics 1 and will take S2 instead of M1 next year. I'm also going to take a 5th AS subject (Spanish) while carry on with my A2. I plan to apply to PPE at Oxford, but with these results, will I stand a chance? Predict grades and AS results, which count more? I know that I can get AAAA as predict grades but as soon as I got the results, I lost all my confidence. Should I apply or not?
Reply 526
Avatar for LoveEng
LoveEng
Apply- go for it! You've got nothing to lose! Just try!
Reply 527
Avatar for Budgie
Budgie
12
I am a little bit confused and hope somebody will be able to help:

In my AS levels I achieved 4 As including in Maths. However, my module marks for maths were 99/100 A for C1, 98/100 A for C2, but 79/100 B for Statistics 1 - so a B by one mark which is very annoying. Now, my questions are as follows:

1.) Do I have to disclose the module marks? Statistics is obviously relevant, and I definitely feel I underperformed in that module. UCAS shouts at me if I don't put the grade in for the overall AS, saying that you can't leave a grade blank, but doesn't seem to care about the modules.

2.) If it does go down, do the admission tutors see it? Obviously it's on the UCAS form, but I remember reading a few months ago that Oxford use the module grades for statistical analysis and not yet for admissions. I do not know if this is accurate!

If it does have to go down, part of me wishes Oxford saw UMS to see I only missed it by one mark and that I got 300/300 in two of my other subjects. Never mind!

Thanks in advance.
Reply 528
Avatar for Feanor1
Feanor1
After having read the first and last pages of this thread and seeing how London Prophet depicted the interviews and how people are preparing for them and also keeping the description of the inverviews on the Oxford homepage in mind ("Your interviewers will want to find out if you can think clearly and analytically. They are not so much concerned with what you know as how you think about it and how you use it. They usually seek evidence of your interest in social and political concerns and your ability to discuss them critically.") I am just wondering:
Where is the border between interest in something and knowledge?
How much do I have to know?
I was just irritated about the fact that people were reading Marx and Macchiavelli (about whose works I have some form of incomplete knowledge by chance) as a preparation for the test, for example.
I won't be able to prepare for the interview and Oxford would have to conduct the interview with me via telephon, since I will be in Argentina working with street kids for a year. After reading about how extensively people were preparing for the interview and my inability to do so, I somehow saw my chances dwindling away.
Can anybody cheer me up?
Reply 529
Avatar for kizer
kizer
15
Feanor1

How much do I have to know?


Nothing.

You require NO specific knowledge to apply for PPE.

BUT - it would be odd to apply for something you knew nothing about, right?

So read whatever interests you about each subject, and mention it in the PS. You will NOT be asked specific questions about any of the subjects unless a) you do the subject now b) you mention something about it in your PS.

Don't be disheartened - people reading Machiavelli and Marx pre-interview can do it all they want - it will only help them in so far as it proves to the tutors their commitment and aptitude for the subject. And you can prove that just be reading stuff you like and discussing it critically + clearly at interview.
Reply 530
Avatar for DNA
DNA
O Levels (not GCSE)
English-A
English Lit.-A
History-A
Economics-A
Religious Studies-A
Religious Studies-A
Tamil-B
Maths-B (got 80 marks, A is 81)

How much would the two Bs affect my chances for PPE.

I'm doing A Level Math, History, English Lit., and Econ

By the way I home schooled while going to the local school (In tamil) for what my parents called "social interaction" in a remote area.
DNA
O Levels (not GCSE)
English-A
English Lit.-A
History-A
Economics-A
Religious Studies-A
Religious Studies-A
Tamil-B
Maths-B (got 80 marks, A is 81)

How much would the two Bs affect my chances for PPE.

I'm doing A Level Math, History, English Lit., and Econ

By the way I home schooled while going to the local school (In tamil) for what my parents called "social interaction" in a remote area.


I don't think the B's will matter. I got in with a B and C in GCSE.
Reply 532
Avatar for kizer
kizer
15
It could matter since its in maths. But probs not.
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~scat3104 this seems like a really good website, if a little bizzarely written.
Reply 534
Avatar for DNA
DNA
kizer
It could matter since its in maths. But probs not.



Thanks Kizer and London Prophet, just one more question (to all)- what is the wisdom of doing maths modules S3 and S4?

Best wishes to all.
Could anyone doing this course please tell me what they think to it? For instance, does it carry a particularly strenuous workload, and also is it feasible to do well having had no prior encounter with one (possibly two) of the three subject areas?

I have just completed my AS levels and have to apply (to Oxbridge at least) within the next couple of months. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Reply 536
Avatar for Schott
Schott
11
I'm not doing the course but two of my friends are. For Oxford the workload is going to be quite strenuous whatever subject you do but I don't think PPE is any/much worse than any other Oxbridge subject. While doing Politics/Economics/Philosophy A levels might give you some insight and background knowledge I think the official line is that you don't have to have studied them. However, from what I hear Maths is advisable.

One of my friends studied History, German, Maths and English, while the other did Music, Maths, and I'm not sure but either German or History. Clearly they don't have a direct link, but I'm sure the Maths was useful for the Economics and the History was useful for Politics, so there are transferable links I guess. Good luck with your application :smile:
tony_ron
I'm not doing the course but two of my friends are. For Oxford the workload is going to be quite strenuous whatever subject you do but I don't think PPE is any/much worse than any other Oxbridge subject. While doing Politics/Economics/Philosophy A levels might give you some insight and background knowledge I think the official line is that you don't have to have studied them. However, from what I hear Maths is advisable.

One of my friends studied History, German, Maths and English, while the other did Music, Maths, and I'm not sure but either German or History. Clearly they don't have a direct link, but I'm sure the Maths was useful for the Economics and the History was useful for Politics, so there are transferable links I guess. Good luck with your application :smile:


Thanks very much :smile:
Reply 538
Avatar for lololol
lololol
just wanted to ask: i've read a few books and am currently reading one on utilitarianism. its really complicated and i can understand most of it, but not all. obviously it seems helpful to put it into the personal statement, yet im worried i will get questioned in depth about the theory when i come to interview. shall i just take out the reading?
Which book did you read? Working my way through the introductory reading list I came across utilitarianism a few times. I found "Elements of moral philosophy" by Rachels really helpful and very easy to read. There are one or two chapters on utilitarianism and they basically included everything I later read in Mill's "Utilitarianism" plus some criticism. The book would also introduce you to all other major theories on moral philosophy.

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Trending

Latest

Latest