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

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Thank you very much! :smile: Are any of my subjects deemed to be 'soft'? Just curious.
all of your subjects are fine.
just pick the one you'll enjoy most- i've done both at as level and either one will be fine for PPE.
Reply 5382
Avatar for ~Ollie~
~Ollie~
8
Worrier12345
Hey,

Not sure if I should be posting this here or not but I need some help as to my last A Level subject. The subjects I am definitely taking are Politics, Maths, Further Maths and Economics. I have to take one more subject (which I will probably only take to AS) and basically, I'm split between English Lit. and French. Which of these do you think would be more useful in applying to PPE?

Also, will the unis be able to see your AS results for the subject you drop?

Thank you! :smile:

You're fine either way, and it's a good combination for PPE
So you wouldn't say either might carry more weight? Thank you! :smile:
Worrier12345
So you wouldn't say either might carry more weight? Thank you! :smile:


both of equal weight, both proper subjects, just pick whatever you enjoy more or what u will get a better grade in! IMO French sounds good, knowing a language is just useful!
Ooh, okay! :smile: That makes sense. I prefer English but I think I'm better at French!

And again, can the unis see your AS results for the subject you dropped after Yr 12?
Reply 5386
Avatar for ~Ollie~
~Ollie~
8
Worrier12345
Ooh, okay! :smile: That makes sense. I prefer English but I think I'm better at French!

And again, can the unis see your AS results for the subject you dropped after Yr 12?

Neither would carry more weight; no admissions decision would hinge upon which of those you took. That being said you do study political institutions and you might do France, so studying that might give some interesting insight into the country and background for institutions. And having a language is always great (there are sometimes some sources you could read in French if you wanna get fancy :p: )

The AS grade thing depends on your college - they would probably see the grade (though not the mark) if it was cashed in, but if your college doesn't cash in grades they would see a predicted grade I would think, though this would almost certainly be the grade you had achieved unless you were doing / considering retakes.
Reply 5387
Avatar for Teebs
Teebs
16
I'd say pick the one you enjoy most because it won't affect your Oxford application but you'll probably do better in it and have more fun. That being said, a language is always a useful thing to study for the wider world (but that's unrelated to university admissions).
I'd say English Lit. because it's essay-based, which'll help you both during the admissions process and the actual course. Seems like a great set of subjects. Side note, better take 4 and have A*'s or A's in all of them then have 5 and have a B.
Worrier12345
Hey,

I am in need of some help as to my last A Level subject. The subjects I am definitely taking are Politics, Maths, Further Maths and Economics. I have to take one more subject (which I will probably only take to AS) and basically, I'm split between English Lit. and French. Which of these do you think would be more useful in applying to PPE?

Also, will the unis be able to see your AS results for the subject you drop?

Thank you so much! :smile:

do philosophy and ethics so you can have something about philosophy to write about in your personal statement when applying for PPE
Reply 5390
Avatar for Syron
Syron
5
MJlover
do philosophy and ethics so you can have something about philosophy to write about in your personal statement when applying for PPE


Really not necessary. You by no means have to do all three subjects to have a chance at PPE. I don't think I know anyone who did do all three, for that matter.

As for universities seeing AS level results for the things you drop, I think that depends on when your school 'cashes in' the results. Not certain on that front though. I wouldn't worry about it too much though, it doesn't particularly matter if you get a lower grade in an AS. I got a B in Philosophy AS which I dropped, and still got an offer - obviously this is anecdotal evidence, but I haven't seen any compelling evidence that the grades for your dropped AS's are important.

As most other people have said, choose the one you enjoy more. They're both good, and I doubt choosing one over the other will have a significant effect on your application.
Syron
Really not necessary. You by no means have to do all three subjects to have a chance at PPE. I don't think I know anyone who did do all three, for that matter.

As for universities seeing AS level results for the things you drop, I think that depends on when your school 'cashes in' the results. Not certain on that front though. I wouldn't worry about it too much though, it doesn't particularly matter if you get a lower grade in an AS. I got a B in Philosophy AS which I dropped, and still got an offer - obviously this is anecdotal evidence, but I haven't seen any compelling evidence that the grades for your dropped AS's are important.

As most other people have said, choose the one you enjoy more. They're both good, and I doubt choosing one over the other will have a significant effect on your application.

No, it helps if you really don't know much about philosophy and maybe stuck when writing a PS and in your interviews.
also, between english lit and french I would say definitely french, it's always good to have a language A level when it comes to job applications and for your UCAS form.
i also want to apply for ppe, are these subjects adequate?
maths, bio, chem, econ
all thoroughly enjoy each of these, would they be ok? or do i need history?
Worrier12345
Thank you very much! :smile: Are any of my subjects deemed to be 'soft'? Just curious.


Sure that seems a good combo, only thing is Politics, whilst not exactly considered 'soft', is on Cambridge's (kind of reflective of other top uni's view) of a subject only recognised as a third subject (ie. less preferred.) If you were to do a fifth (which is by no means necessary, I got an offer with just 4 ASs), I would recommend History or Philosophy (if your school offers it). Much more relevant than English lit or French.

I did History, Philosophy, Economics and Maths. So that is obviously an acceptable combo.

Good luck and let me know if you have any specific PPE quests having been through the process!
economics_girl
Sure that seems a good combo, only thing is Politics, whilst not exactly considered 'soft', is on Cambridge's (kind of reflective of other top uni's view) of a subject only recognised as a third subject (ie. less preferred.) If you were to do a fifth (which is by no means necessary, I got an offer with just 4 ASs), I would recommend History or Philosophy (if your school offers it). Much more relevant than English lit or French.

I did History, Philosophy, Economics and Maths. So that is obviously an acceptable combo.

Good luck and let me know if you have any specific PPE quests having been through the process!


Oh, I did not know that! Thank you very much. I'll definitely take that into consideration then. Is it true that if you have taken either Philosophy, Politics and Economics, they expect more of you? And also, will the unis be able to see the AS result you got for the subject that you dropped after Yr 12?

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help. And congratulations for your offer! I am totally in awe of you! :smile: You must be thrilled.
Worrier12345
Oh, I did not know that! Thank you very much. I'll definitely take that into consideration then. Is it true that if you have taken either Philosophy, Politics and Economics, they expect more of you? And also, will the unis be able to see the AS result you got for the subject that you dropped after Yr 12?

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help. And congratulations for your offer! I am totally in awe of you! :smile: You must be thrilled.


They won't exactly 'expect more of you', but they will ask more subject specific quests at interview. At my college, the people who had done Economics were asked about fiscal policy etc, but if you hadn't they gave you a scenario about a business that you could answer without any specialist knowledge. Really, they test the way you think, and as long as you have a good subject combo, then it won't make much difference. Very few people have done all three previously!

Also, in terms of AS results, it will depend on if your school has a policy of 'cashing in' on ASs. My school didn't, so we were unable to put down any of our ASs. But if your school does, then unfortunately you will have to put it down.
Reply 5397
Avatar for Ilyusha
Ilyusha
Worrier12345
Is it true that if you have taken either Philosophy, Politics and Economics, they expect more of you?


Well at my college they gave you interviews according to what they thought you were most interested in (from looking at your application, I guess choice of A Levels played a part). The people who got the two economics tutors for one interview (incl. me) were all asked exactly the same questions by the woman, the man asked everyone different things, for me he asked me to talk about my extended project, then asked lots of follow-up questions. For another boy he said "why do you want to do economics" and then picked up on a concept he had mentioned and interrogated him for 15 mins on it. (this boy hadn't studied economics so i felt a bit sorry for him!) Someone else was asked about flaws in the essay they had written in the TSA (harsh!). So basically there's no rule, you might get exactly the same questions as the people who have done the subject (but these shouldn't be too technical).

Also they decide not to ask you too much about a subject you've done already if they think you will be good enough - perhaps this is why I was only asked 10 mins of economics questions, all the rest philosophy (even the head economics tutor asked about philosophy!) - they felt it would test my potential better?
Reply 5398
Avatar for Ilyusha
Ilyusha
Also it might be better if you posted this in the PPE thread (http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=956112) rather than make a separate thread for it.
economics_girl
They won't exactly 'expect more of you', but they will ask more subject specific quests at interview. At my college, the people who had done Economics were asked about fiscal policy etc, but if you hadn't they gave you a scenario about a business that you could answer without any specialist knowledge. Really, they test the way you think, and as long as you have a good subject combo, then it won't make much difference. Very few people have done all three previously!

Also, in terms of AS results, it will depend on if your school has a policy of 'cashing in' on ASs. My school didn't, so we were unable to put down any of our ASs. But if your school does, then unfortunately you will have to put it down.


Right! I understand. Thank you! :smile: Would you say these subjects are a good combination:

Maths, Further Maths, Politics, History and Economics

Thank you again!

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