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

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Reply 6000
Avatar for Bezzler
Bezzler
1
Original post by cratz911
Is it possible for a graduate to apply for ppe?


You can apply to do a second BA, but funding is different. You can't do a masters in PPE or anything like that though.
Reply 6001
Avatar for cratz911
cratz911
Original post by Bezzler
You can apply to do a second BA, but funding is different. You can't do a masters in PPE or anything like that though.


So would i need to re-do a-levels and get more A grades,or do i have a chance with a 2.1.In something like business management from a top 20 uni.
Reply 6002
Avatar for Bezzler
Bezzler
1
Original post by cratz911
So would i need to re-do a-levels and get more A grades,or do i have a chance with a 2.1.In something like business management from a top 20 uni.


I have no idea what their entry requirements are for people doing second BAs, sorry.
Reply 6003
Avatar for Lawlet
Lawlet
Original post by Bezzler
Some economics tutors have said in the past that they prefer students not to have studied economics before, so that they can teach them from the ground up, other than any reading you've already done. Maths, history + one or two others that you enjoy is the perfect combination, but if you don't like maths or history then don't do them. However, if you don't like maths, you might want to consider whether you can put up with a year of very mathematical economics.


So don't do A level economics if you want to study an economics related degree? Moreover what about Philosophy, where does it stand?
Reply 6004
Avatar for Bezzler
Bezzler
1
Original post by Lawlet
So don't do A level economics if you want to study an economics related degree? Moreover what about Philosophy, where does it stand?

Personally I don't like Philosophy A level. I think it misses the point of rigorous philosophical argument. A lot of it is very over-simplified to the point that the arguments don't make much sense. I think that is partly necessary by the fact that it's an A level. The topics seem quite good at first but then it almost becomes caricatures of arguments that just result in learning names rather than thinking about the problem itself.

I certainly don't think people who've studied Philosophy or Economics at A level are at any advantage to those who haven't for entry to PPE. It's probably not a disadvantage to have them either, but I'd say that maths and history are by far more important and useful.
Original post by Worrier12345
Thank you! :smile: I've submitted those subjects now!

Sorry to bother you again but would dropping Politics be unwise? Might the unis take this to mean that I am not adequately interested in the subject. Thanks again!


Politics is not on the blacklist. Anyway, Cambridge don't offer PPE so it's only Oxford you'd need to worry about! (Very unstatistical anecdote - 2 of my friends got into Oxford PPE within the last couople of years, both did Politics at A-level. So you certainly won't be denied an interview because you took it!)

Your subject combination sounds pretty perfect.
Original post by Lawlet
So don't do A level economics if you want to study an economics related degree? Moreover what about Philosophy, where does it stand?


That's not official guidance - economics A-level is very well respected, and if LSE like applicants to do Economics A-level then I'd say go for it!
Original post by cratz911
So would i need to re-do a-levels and get more A grades,or do i have a chance with a 2.1.In something like business management from a top 20 uni.


Well, the requirements for mature students are more flexible generally. BUT, I am guessing that they would want a good 2:1 or a 1st to compensate for worse A Level results.

Anyone following such a route would likely also be challenged about why they decided to do a second degree and specifically, why they decided to switch to PPE from a business-oriented degree. You'd need a very good reason for them to consider you seriously--there are a lot of good mature applicants these days, and it is definitely no easy route in.

If you had a good 2:1 (close to a first) or a first, and had developed a serious passion for the elements of PPE during your degree (with evidence from wide reading or other related activities), then you could stand a fair chance--remembering, of course, that you would have up-front fees to pay. I know a few people who have succeeded by this route, so it is possible.
Reply 6008
Avatar for Rostans
Rostans
Hello to everyone :smile:,

I recently got an offer to study for a second undergraduate degree in PPE at Oxford. Thus, I am facing the choice between the 3-year and 2-year duration of the program. While there is much information on the content and sequence of papers in the 3-year program on the PPE web page, I cannot find any information about how the program is organized for students with Senior Status (2-year program), e. g. whether the content of the 2-year program is significantly reduced in comparison to the regular program. I am looking for answers to the questions like the one above and the following ones. How much extra workload does a student take? Would the sequence of the courses be generally the same or would it be possible to take courses that are studied in the second year of the regular program? It would be also great to hear about how intensive studying for a student with Senior Status is. I know that a lot depends on whether 2 or 3 subjects are studied. I am inclined to studying all the 3 subjects; however, I have not decided yet, so I need some information about both cases.

I would be very grateful if anyone could share his knowledge or experience on this matter or recommend somebody who studied or studies for PPE with Senior Status to me :smile:
Reply 6009
Avatar for Teebs
Teebs
16
I don't know much about senior status PPE specifically, but I do know how the course works.

Basically as a second year entrant it just means you skip the first year modules. These have no bearing on the actual degree result and really from my experience were just meant to be a basic introduction to each of the subject areas. So essentially, you won't miss out on any decent academic experience by going for senior status, but you might find it harder because of the lack of a firm grounding in the subjects. I hope that helps and if you've got any more questions feel free to ask.
Reply 6010
Avatar for Bezzler
Bezzler
1
Original post by Rostans
Hello to everyone :smile:,

I recently got an offer to study for a second undergraduate degree in PPE at Oxford. Thus, I am facing the choice between the 3-year and 2-year duration of the program. While there is much information on the content and sequence of papers in the 3-year program on the PPE web page, I cannot find any information about how the program is organized for students with Senior Status (2-year program), e. g. whether the content of the 2-year program is significantly reduced in comparison to the regular program. I am looking for answers to the questions like the one above and the following ones. How much extra workload does a student take? Would the sequence of the courses be generally the same or would it be possible to take courses that are studied in the second year of the regular program? It would be also great to hear about how intensive studying for a student with Senior Status is. I know that a lot depends on whether 2 or 3 subjects are studied. I am inclined to studying all the 3 subjects; however, I have not decided yet, so I need some information about both cases.

I would be very grateful if anyone could share his knowledge or experience on this matter or recommend somebody who studied or studies for PPE with Senior Status to me :smile:


My understanding is that you just don't do the first year and first year exams, so you automatically start with Final Honour School subjects. In which case you'll be in exactly the same position as a second year; there's no such thing as a "second year subject" or a "third year subject", there's just a selection of modules you can pick, including some core compulsory ones. You will do 8 papers in total.

DISCLAIMER: I've never actually come across anyone doing Senior Status PPE, so this might be complete rubbish, but it's what I thought happened. I know someone doing Senior Status maths and that's what happened to her.
I've been thinking about PPE at Oxford.
Would this be a good A level combination?

Maths, History (Cambridge Pre-U in that), Biology, Chemistry and French

also, I have a lot of extra curric. stuff and I got nominated to attend a global young leaders' conference, as well as having various other distinctive things to recommend me

But is it true that having extra curric. things gets you pushed to the 'B' pile! :s-smilie:

I'd appreciate being quoted if you reply.

Thanks in advance! :smile:
Reply 6012
Avatar for Planar
Planar
15
Just do 4
One of my friends wants to do PPE, but hes concerned his GCSE grades will deny him the place. (he has 2A*s, 6As, 5Bs, 1C; the C being in Graphics) but these GCSE grades were third or fourth best in his entire school.

So could the GCSE grades be a big obstacle, and whats the average A* at GCSE (for each PPE applicant)
Reply 6014
Avatar for Bezzler
Bezzler
1
Original post by loopy786
I've been thinking about PPE at Oxford.
Would this be a good A level combination?

Maths, History (Cambridge Pre-U in that), Biology, Chemistry and French

also, I have a lot of extra curric. stuff and I got nominated to attend a global young leaders' conference, as well as having various other distinctive things to recommend me

But is it true that having extra curric. things gets you pushed to the 'B' pile! :s-smilie:

I'd appreciate being quoted if you reply.

Thanks in advance! :smile:


Sounds fine to me. Maths and History cover everything you might need, and a language and sciences look good. They don't look down on E.C.s unless they're a substitute for good grades, but they don't help that much either.
Reply 6015
Avatar for Budgie
Budgie
12
Those GCSEs definitely won't hold him back, especially if he's from a relatively poor school compared to applicants (which they take into account). I *think* the average is something like 4 or 5 A*s and the rest As, but that's off the top of my head and I can't quite remember where I've got that from.

But those are good enough for them to consider the application.
I heard Oxford look at grades a lot, perhaps Cambridge? They look at GCSEs less I think.

But those GCSE results are very good! And there is still a good chance for you mate. :smile: Especially because he's from a 'more deprived' school.
Reply 6017
Avatar for shaneli
shaneli
I love the euphemisms. :biggrin:
The average applicant will probably have more, but it's totally worth a shot. They allow for disadvantaged backgrounds and look deeper than gcses in most cases if you do well in the TSA. It's 1 choice out of 5 and it's certainly more likely than Cambridge to look past the gcses, go for it:smile:
Original post by sherlllll
It's 1 choice out of 5 and it's certainly more likely than Cambridge to look past the gcses, go for it:smile:


I don't think that's necessarily true. The general view is that Oxford places more weight on GCSEs, whilst Cambridge places more weight on AS results.

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