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

i know someone who got in with A2 in critical thinking, general studies and media studies

And thats why your the trollman

How does Oxford treat reapplicants generally?

Is your English offer from Oxford? If so, have you asked about the possibility of transferring to PPE? I know people are occasionally able to switch before starting, but I suppose English to PPE is quite a big change. I can't really help you with your subject-specific enquiries, but I can answer this question:



In my experience, no differently than first-time applicants: that I had previously applied (for a different subject) was not brought up at all.

I have an offer for PPE. Your chances are about 15% to put it bluntly. I think it's more like 50%, or even less, which get interviewed.

What you need is a lot of luck. But things you can do is to do a lot of reading, learn about your subject.

Are you at a state school? Sorry to ask, but it may make your grades look better if that makes sense. Having just 1A* at GCSE isn't too good my oxford's standards, but if your school doesn't normally get v good results, or you had extenuating circumstances you may be ok.

Yes, you really need a good TSA.

Best of luck!

Yeah I went to a state school, where ~50% of people get 5A*-Cs. At the minute I'm going to an FE college. I do have some extenuating cicumstances, had pre-diabetes through yr10 and got diagnosed during yr11 so I was a little messed up lol. I'm hoping I'll be lucky, but Oxford isn't the be all and end all, I'd just like a shot :P

In that case then you should have a very good chance. I expect your GCSEs wont be an issue at all, you will be on a level footing to everyone else. Do you think you may be able to get some A*s in your A2s? If so, that would look really good.

Have you done some reading? I can suggest a few books if you're a bit stuck.

Best of luck. Where else are you thinking of applying?

Thank you. I'm very limited on my economics knowledge, and I've ordered The Undercover Economist off of Amazon to have a look. After that, can you think of anything else that'd be nice as an introduction?

I don't know if I can manage an A*, it'd be nice huh? :P

It really depends, I'm having some time to think. I'll have to go check them out properly, but right now I'm thinking: Bristol; Manchester; Warwick; Durham; Oxford; LSE. I'll have to check some more out.

in all honesty i think you should take your english place, ppe is incredibly competitive, and is kind of a lottery.

Take me for example, i achieved 8A* 3A 1B at GCSE got AAAAB at AS predicted A*A*A in my a levels, i am head boy etc and go to a state school and i was rejected from Oxford, Warwick, York and LSE for ppe/economics and politics.

reapplying is always risky, especially if it is for a competitive course, sorry if i sound negative, my experiences this year have made me very pessimistic (have a look at my sig)

Have a look at David Smith's Free Lunch, quite a good introduction, but also fascinating. Freakonomics is really enjoyable and a bit more light than those heavy in theory. Keynes and After was the book that really inspired me to study Economics, although it's a bit more advanced so you probably would want to read some other stuff first.

I'd say apply for a couple of v competitive, risky ones, and keep the others less so. As your GCSEs, although you have reasons, whilst good, aren't as good as some people's, so as you prob don't want to have to take another gap year, i wouldn't take too many risks. The LSE is a very dodgy one. I got rejected But maybe they jsut didn't like me!

Can I help with anything else?