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

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Reply 5940
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Budgie
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Maths is the most important. I know on the university level guidelines it lists Maths and History, but I know some colleges are very fussy about having maths. If you can see yourself doing economics afterfirst year, and especially if you can see yourself specialising heavily in economics, further maths would also be useful. Maths is certainly more useful than any of philosophy, politics, or economics.

In my opinion, if picking for PPE my priorities would be as follows: 1. Maths. 2. History. 3. Further Maths. After that I would just choose based on enjoyment, what you're good at, and what is generally respected. I did Maths, History, Religious Studies and Politics, dropping Politics after AS and doing AS economics on top in year 13. But there are people doing PPE with all kinds of subject backgrounds. Take a look at Trinity College Cambridge's list for a broad idea of what subjects are most respected.

I don't know how widespread this attitude is, but one of my tutors has said to me that sometimes he prefers candidates without A-level economics in order to start from a clean slate. Having done AS-level economics and now specialising in economics for my degree, I can see what he means insofar as economics is taught in an entirely different way at degree level. Nonetheless, if you're interested in doing it now then you should as it is respected and relevant.
(edited 12 years ago)
Hey PPE-people!
I'm really looking forward to reading PPE at Corpus next year and reading all the stuff on the university website and here is feeding my excitement immensely:biggrin:. The only thing I can't really imagine is how the whole essay writing is going to be like, what sources you use for writing them and what quality the tutots expect. Has anyone seen a sample essay somewhere on the internet or can PM me one of his own first year essays? I realise it might be a bit of a personal thing, but since the only essays I had to write in school were in exams and therefore under time pressure, the whole issue is a big mystery to me.
big thanks
(edited 12 years ago)
Reply 5942
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Bezzler
1
Original post by Yaw-Bruni
Hey PPE-people!
I'm really looking forward to reading PPE at Corpus next year and reading all the stuff on the university website and here is feeding my excitement immensely:biggrin:. The only thing I can't really imagine is how the whole essay writing is going to be like, what sources you use for writing them and what quality the tutots expect. Has anyone seen a sample essay somewhere on the internet or can PM me one of his own first year essays? I realise it might be a bit of a personal thing, but since the only essays I had to write in school were in exams and therefore under time pressure, the whole issue is a big mystery to me.
big thanks


I'd rather not send you one of my essays, but to give you an idea how it works: Your essays will normally be about 1500-2000 words each (I get the impression politics ones are longer than philosophy ones). You will be given a reading list, and you pick books that you think will be helpful from that - tutors normally don't expect you to have read everything on the list, though it depends on individual tutors, and they will often give some compulsory and then some extra ones. You think about the arguments different authors give, and then come to your own conclusion and write an academic essay outlining your argument. It's quite different to A level essays - none of this "balanced argument" stuff, you are arguing a particular point.
Hello TSR :smile:

I'm in Year 11 at a top grammar-state school, and with A-Level choices not that far away, I have some very brief questions about my choices, that the more experienced post-count-wh*res amongst you will have most likely heard many a time.

I really want to study PPE at Oxford. I have no idea what college I want to go to, but I have no questions about that, I can decide by myself.

I understand that History and Maths are deemed to be more important subjects with PPE at Oxford in mind. Is History fairly essential? Will it significantly affect my chances of getting in to Oxford without it?

I wish to do:
- Maths
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Politics

I'm sure some of you wish to tell me at this point that I should not set my heart solely on PPE, both with me really wishing to do that course and with me what could be seen as all of my A-Levels towards it. I want to do those A-Levels (although Politics is could possibly be replaced with Sociology, but either way that would be the subject I would drop for A2) because those are the subjects that I have a genuine interest in. As well as this, all three of the subjects I want to take for A2 are on Trinity College Cambridge's list of subjects recognised as not being 'soft' subjects. I am genuinely fascinated by Philosophy, especially a more political side of philosophy. I have always had an interest in Economics, I have a very genuine interest in current affairs both at home and on a more global scale, and I am competent at Maths :biggrin: . The PPE subjects also surely show a sustained interest.

I also read the Daily Telegraph, despite belonging to the intelligent left, as I like to read views that are against my own beliefs, so that I can challenge them and I have made an informed decision in forming my views, as I have heard from both sides. I am also going to start reading the Economist, something I have been meaning to do for quite a while. Is there anything else that I can do to show sustained interest? Nothing is forced, as I'm sure that I'll enjoy it.

Will not having History, or perhaps even Further Maths, put me at a disadvantage?

Oh, and please don't give me **** for thinking fairly heavily about this at a time that some may see as 'early on'.
Original post by CreativeUsername
Hello TSR :smile:

I'm in Year 11 at a top grammar-state school, and with A-Level choices not that far away, I have some very brief questions about my choices, that the more experienced post-count-wh*res amongst you will have most likely heard many a time.

I really want to study PPE at Oxford. I have no idea what college I want to go to, but I have no questions about that, I can decide by myself.

I understand that History and Maths are deemed to be more important subjects with PPE at Oxford in mind. Is History fairly essential? Will it significantly affect my chances of getting in to Oxford without it?

I wish to do:
- Maths
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Politics

I'm sure some of you wish to tell me at this point that I should not set my heart solely on PPE, both with me really wishing to do that course and with me what could be seen as all of my A-Levels towards it. I want to do those A-Levels (although Politics is could possibly be replaced with Sociology, but either way that would be the subject I would drop for A2) because those are the subjects that I have a genuine interest in. As well as this, all three of the subjects I want to take for A2 are on Trinity College Cambridge's list of subjects recognised as not being 'soft' subjects. I am genuinely fascinated by Philosophy, especially a more political side of philosophy. I have always had an interest in Economics, I have a very genuine interest in current affairs both at home and on a more global scale, and I am competent at Maths :biggrin: . The PPE subjects also surely show a sustained interest.

I also read the Daily Telegraph, despite belonging to the intelligent left, as I like to read views that are against my own beliefs, so that I can challenge them and I have made an informed decision in forming my views, as I have heard from both sides. I am also going to start reading the Economist, something I have been meaning to do for quite a while. Is there anything else that I can do to show sustained interest? Nothing is forced, as I'm sure that I'll enjoy it.

Will not having History, or perhaps even Further Maths, put me at a disadvantage?

Oh, and please don't give me **** for thinking fairly heavily about this at a time that some may see as 'early on'.



Definately not. I did Chem, Bio, Maths and Politics and didn't even get asked about my subjects. My tutor now didn't even remember noticing my subjects being odd.

Maths is pretty much the only essential one. Not even for entry, but just for realistic economics survival.
Original post by CreativeUsername
Hello TSR :smile:

I'm in Year 11 at a top grammar-state school, and with A-Level choices not that far away, I have some very brief questions about my choices, that the more experienced post-count-wh*res amongst you will have most likely heard many a time.

I really want to study PPE at Oxford. I have no idea what college I want to go to, but I have no questions about that, I can decide by myself.

I understand that History and Maths are deemed to be more important subjects with PPE at Oxford in mind. Is History fairly essential? Will it significantly affect my chances of getting in to Oxford without it?

I wish to do:
- Maths
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Politics

I'm sure some of you wish to tell me at this point that I should not set my heart solely on PPE, both with me really wishing to do that course and with me what could be seen as all of my A-Levels towards it. I want to do those A-Levels (although Politics is could possibly be replaced with Sociology, but either way that would be the subject I would drop for A2) because those are the subjects that I have a genuine interest in. As well as this, all three of the subjects I want to take for A2 are on Trinity College Cambridge's list of subjects recognised as not being 'soft' subjects. I am genuinely fascinated by Philosophy, especially a more political side of philosophy. I have always had an interest in Economics, I have a very genuine interest in current affairs both at home and on a more global scale, and I am competent at Maths :biggrin: . The PPE subjects also surely show a sustained interest.

I also read the Daily Telegraph, despite belonging to the intelligent left, as I like to read views that are against my own beliefs, so that I can challenge them and I have made an informed decision in forming my views, as I have heard from both sides. I am also going to start reading the Economist, something I have been meaning to do for quite a while. Is there anything else that I can do to show sustained interest? Nothing is forced, as I'm sure that I'll enjoy it.

Will not having History, or perhaps even Further Maths, put me at a disadvantage?

Oh, and please don't give me **** for thinking fairly heavily about this at a time that some may see as 'early on'.

Those subjects are fine, as said Maths is the only thing that really matters.
As for other stuff you can do, read read read. Newspapers is good, stick to that, but also read books. General stuff like Freakonomics, The Undercover Economics, Think, etc are a good way to get started, but make sure you put less generic stuff on your PS. Just go to a library or bookstore and get some things that seem interesting.
Original post by Yaw-Bruni
Hey PPE-people!
I'm really looking forward to reading PPE at Corpus next year and reading all the stuff on the university website and here is feeding my excitement immensely:biggrin:. The only thing I can't really imagine is how the whole essay writing is going to be like, what sources you use for writing them and what quality the tutots expect. Has anyone seen a sample essay somewhere on the internet or can PM me one of his own first year essays? I realise it might be a bit of a personal thing, but since the only essays I had to write in school were in exams and therefore under time pressure, the whole issue is a big mystery to me.
big thanks

Don't worry, it's totally normal to have no clue what the hell you're doing the first couple of essays. I had never even written an essay in school when I came up, just made it up as I went. Your tutors will be lenient the first weeks and will give you instructions on what they expect and feedback on where you can improve. The whole learning style of Oxford is that they give you stuff you can't handle and then see what happens, it's scary but in the end you'll be fine.
I'm doing maths, further maths, economics and ICT. Do I have a chance for PPE?
Original post by theseeker
I'm doing maths, further maths, economics and ICT. Do I have a chance for PPE?


Are you still at AS level or carrying on 4 to A2? Provided you get good AS results and at least AAA (maybe A*AA not sure if they're bringing in the A* for next year) predicted A2's you should be fine, of course grades aren't everything, and you'll have to do well in the TSA and in interview should you get that far. There's certainly nothing wrong with the subjects you've taken though, ICT may be seen as a bit "soft" but I took Business which is also a bit soft and I've got an offer. Having Maths + FM should put you in good stead for economics too.
Hello, I'm a PPE offer holder for 2011 entry, however, I don't do Maths at A level. I was good at Maths at GCSE, but having a couple of bad teachers really put me off of doing it at A level, and other subjects took my interest more anyway. Economics is the strongest of the 3 disciplines for me at the moment, but there's not much maths in the A level syllabus, is economics at degree level going to kill me? D:
Thanks for the replies, they have helped clearing the fog around the essays a little. Sounds like a lot of work, but also pretty cool and challenging!
Original post by SamF1992
Hello, I'm a PPE offer holder for 2011 entry, however, I don't do Maths at A level. I was good at Maths at GCSE, but having a couple of bad teachers really put me off of doing it at A level, and other subjects took my interest more anyway. Economics is the strongest of the 3 disciplines for me at the moment, but there's not much maths in the A level syllabus, is economics at degree level going to kill me? D:

You'll survive, but you'll have to put in some extra effort to catch up on the Maths, you really need it. There's a Maths workbook that most colleges work through in the first term and there's a lecture series that explains it all for those without A-level Maths, so if you do both of those you should be fine, but it'll be extra work. Alternatively, you could look into some AS-level Maths textbooks this summer and get started already.
Reply 5952
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Budgie
12
Original post by SamF1992
Hello, I'm a PPE offer holder for 2011 entry, however, I don't do Maths at A level. I was good at Maths at GCSE, but having a couple of bad teachers really put me off of doing it at A level, and other subjects took my interest more anyway. Economics is the strongest of the 3 disciplines for me at the moment, but there's not much maths in the A level syllabus, is economics at degree level going to kill me? D:


My advice would be to start on the Maths Workbook in the summer before you join, if you can get hold of it.
Reply 5953
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SaysWho?
If you really want to do the PPE course but have to really work at Maths and know you can achieve, what's stopping you? I would strongly suggest you take Maths AS level at least. And if Economics isn't a strong one for you, Oxford always has that option to just carry on with Politics and Philosophy after the first year. (As it says on the Oxford webite.)
I was thinking of doing PPE too, I personally think I will be taking Maths, Pre-U Biology, Pre-U History, Chemistry and French. :smile:
The first three you mentioned seemed good, for a fourth I think one of the actual PPE subjects would be useful just so you have a little bit of background in it...even though it's not a requirement at all. So Maths, History, Biology + Politics/Economics/RS ?

You just need a balance of sciences & essay writing really :smile:
Reply 5956
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Habitué
I'm thinking about the PPE too. Has anyone had experience with the Thinking Skills Assessment?

Thanks :smile:
Reply 5957
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SaysWho?
I'm not sure English Language is a 'soft' subject. Both English courses are quite different from each other and equally regarded. Language is very language based (obviously) and mainly consists of different forms of writing in the English Language, how babies learn to speak and how language can be sexist, ect... Literature, again, is books and reading and Shakespeare, ect...

Either way, you're set with History and Maths. Politics is very similar to History but they may ask why you didn't take the subject (if you choose not to). Choose what you will enjoy the most.
Reply 5958
Avatar for SaysWho?
SaysWho?
The reason I say that is because I would LOVE to study PPE at Oxford and have chosen my A-Level subjects. (My application form needs to be in by the 5th so even though I've handed it in, I could always 'change' my mind.) My school doesn't offer any of the PPE subjects so you're at an advantage with Politics.

I've chosen History, French, Maths and English Language but for me, it was a debate between Lang and Lit. What did it was the fact that I think I will enjoy Lang over Lit. I'm actually asking if that was the right decision for me and if these are suitable PPE A-Levels.
does anyone ever get in without a level math?

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