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

Hardly a strong application though, if I'd of tried I would apply anyway, but I know with a little effort I could get straight As so it would annoy me that I'd look weaker on paper than I actually am, especially with unis that don't interview.

How'd you find the economics paper today?

Hard to say.

I think I passed, anyway. That's more than I thought was going to happen at 9am.

I did the consumption and leisure question, which threw me off a few times but I think I did alright. I did the open economy question, which was a major fail, and I did the ISLM maths question which I think went okay.

My monopoly essay was lol-worthy.

If you're predicted 3 As that's fine.

Your GCSE's were fine. I'm mid-exams in my first year of PPE and I got the same GCSE's as you did, I didn't declare my AS results either.

Chill. Just apply with a prediction of AAA and work on your personal statement.

If I were to aim for PPE at Oxford, but had selected subjects such as 'Government & Economics' as 2-3 of my other choices, would having a small paragraph dedicated to Philosophy in my Personal Statement affect my offers from the other universities?

Oxford would be my #1 choice, and for that reason I would most likely include that paragraph, though I do understand the importance of having other, solid options.

What should I do?

Option 1:
Further Maths (A2)
Maths (A2)
Economics (A2)
History (A2)

If option 1 was to happen, I would need to retake 3 out the 8 maths modules that I have done (one of them being C4 trying to get an A*) and will probably struggle on FP2.

Option 2:
Maths (A2)
Further Maths (AS)
History (A2)
Economics (A2)
Politics (AS)

If option 2 was chosen, I would retake one applied module and C4 to get an A* in Maths and generally really high UMS score.

option two, I also think that is what you want to do.

However for PPE, which one would be more beneficial?

TBH there isn't much in it. It's completely up to you! I would say option two because, 1. you are likely to get a better grade. 2. because studying politics/economics will give you a starting point for all your reading etc. I'm also assuming that if you want to do ppe, you will enjoy politics than further maths A2.

What should I do?

Option 1:
Further Maths (A2)
Maths (A2)
Economics (A2)
History (A2)

If option 1 were to happen, I would need to retake 3 out the 8 maths modules that I have done (one of them being C4 trying to get an A*) and will probably struggle on FP2.

Option 2:
Maths (A2)
Further Maths (AS)
History (A2)
Economics (A2)
Politics (AS)

If option 2 was chosen, I would retake one applied module and C4 to get an A* in Maths and generally really high UMS score.

I'm going with option 2, as you seem more comfortable with it. However the A2 levels recommended by Ox for PPE do include Further MAths at A2, though don't worry too mch - it's only a recommendation and they do interview people who haven't taken it.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty
sure that technically oxford only say maths and history are useful. They make no reference to further maths.

Was that line-break intentional?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty
sure that technically oxford only say maths and history are useful. They make no reference to further maths.

I think it would depend on your reasons for dropping it. I didn't do economics A-level so when I asked at an open day whether it was useful, the reply was that if you did well at the A-level it was an indicator you would do well at it at uni. So as you've dropped it, they may wonder whether it was because you weren't good enough at it which clearly wouldn't be a good sign...
However, given you are expected to get at least an A in maths (which they said was a better indicator) I don't think it would be too much of a problem, and things like the TSA and your grades (which look like they will be very good) are far more important in getting an interview, and if you get an interview just make sure you have a decent explanation at why you gave it up.

On a completely different note, I'm starting PPE at Oxford next year and have just gotten a rather long reading list which says it is a good idea to read up on maths before I go - I was wondering whether anyone could reccommend any good maths for economics books. There are quite a few on the list given to me, but lots seem to be of the standard "maths for innumerate economists" which I don't classify myself as (maths is probably my best subject and I don't have a problem with the calculus I've done up to AS further maths), but the reviews for the advanced ones they suggest say things like "great for phd economists" which sound a little too ambitious...

I had the exact same problem. I solved it by saying I wanted to do Philosophy 'either as part of my course or as an outside option'. Uni's know these kind of things happen, it's not really weird to want both PPE and Gov&Ec, so they'll know what's going on and probably be ok with it.

I'm actually very curious here as well- perhaps for 2011 entry they've changed?
Clarification anyone? Could mean I double my dosage of self-studying F. Maths modules!!