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

Maths is a problem here. Most people who get in have it at A2, or at least AS. There is a chance without it, but you'd need an A at GCSE in that case. It's not really a point of wheter you'd manage the course without (although that's also questionable), but they just won't consider you.
The rest of your grades and subjects are just fine.
Either step it up on Maths and study like crazy and get a higher grade, or consider something without Economics, maybe History & Politics?

Do you think that Maths is really that crucial for Oxford? I saw a table of qualifications required somewhere on their page and it was stating that Maths, in addition to History, is just 'helpful', regarding to PPE. (There were two other columns as well: 'required' and 'preferred'.) I mean: Isn't it just important when applying to certain colleges? You know, I might have a different meaning of the word 'helpful'.

Do you think that Maths is really that crucial for Oxford? I saw a table of qualifications required somewhere on their page and it was stating that Maths, in addition to History, is just 'helpful', regarding to PPE. (There were two other columns as well: 'required' and 'preferred'.) I mean: Isn't it just important when applying to certain colleges? You know, I might have a different meaning of the word 'helpful'.

Does it really involve that much maths? They do say they provide a maths tutor for those who do not have a-level maths, so they must understand that everyone does not have it at a-level. Also, you can drop economics after the first year

out of curiosity did anyone ever get any feedback from oxford? my head of 6th send 2 emails and a letter and never got anything back from exeter college, safe to say he isnt happy! (and neither am i)

I applied for PPE at Hertford college. When I went to Oxford for the interviews I asked how I could receive feedback if I was rejected. The answer was that as soon as I received the letter I (not my teacher/parent) should phone/email the admissions tutor (try the politics prof as well) asking for feedback which they said they'd give willingly.

If you got called for an interview, I'm guessing it's likely that they made notes on your performance. Under Part I of the Freedom of Information Act, you can essentially gain access to any written document that has your name on it, so long as it's under the jurisdiction of a public authority. Universities are public authorities, and so must fall within this purview. So yeah, if you make a request citing the freedom of information act, you're likely to get somewhere..

This is all assuming that they keep the records of their interviewees; something I'd deem unlikely.

Erm, no. First of all, you're talking about the Data Protection Act. Second, they can charge £10 or more. Third, there are various exemptions which may enable them to avoid sharing such information with you. It is absolutely not as broad as "you can essentially gain access to any written document that has your name on it".

The Act only applies to public authorities (listed in Schedule 1 of the Act), including universities, and not private organisations.

Under Part I of the Act, anyone may make a request for information to any public authority providing it is in writing, states the name and address of the enquirer and describes the information requested [S8(1)]. Requests can be made electronically (eg by email or fax) so long as they are legible and are capable of being used for subsequent reference [S8(2)]. The identity of the enquirer is of no concern to the authority except in the case of vexatious or repeated requests [S14] or personal information [S40(1)]. There are no restrictions as to nationality or residence. The authority has the "duty to confirm or deny" whether or not it holds the information [S1(6)], and if it does, to supply it [S1(1)] within 20 working days from receipt of the request [S10(1)] (with certain exceptions).

I don't really want to get into a pedantic argument over the internet, but I think you're confused:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/ukpga_20000036_en_2#pt1-pb1-l1g1
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/content/1/c6/01/33/49/FOIOverview.pdf

"The more you know.."

26% of the current Lib-Con Cabinet studied PPE at Oxford

Hi

I'm in Year 11 at the moment and these are the A Level subjects that I've chosen:

Maths, Further Maths, Politics, Economics and English Lit.

Basically, some of my friends have started to make me feel a bit apprehensive about taking English Lit. and so I'm considering replacing it with either French or Philosophy.

However, would taking Philosophy, Politics and Economics be a disadvantage in any way? Also, I'd probably end up dropping Philosophy, which I'm guessing would look a bit odd...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. History's not an option unfortunately.

10. Is it a disadvantage having studied philosophy before applying?

Not directly, no. If it’s a disadvantage at all, it’s often because studying philosophy will usually be at the expense of studying something else, and the ‘something else’ might be a better preparation – might better develop the skills and aptitudes we are looking for. To give one example: studying English literature ought to involve a development of skills of careful reading of, and critical engagement with, texts, which we value, and it seems to do this to a higher degree than A level philosophy. So there can be an indirect disadvantage; by studying philosophy, there is less time for mathematics, history, languages, and so on, studies which may support an application for one of our degrees involving philosophy better, and may in fact be better indicators of success in studying philosophy at university