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

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Original post by Bezzler

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.

Hmm, thanks, that did help quite a bit. ^_^ In the middle of the very complicated thing that is choosing options. :biggrin:

:biggrin:

Hmm, I'll keep the latter comment in mind. :smile:

:smile:

THANK YOU

:biggrin:

I have similar grades to your friend, but if they give you the TSA you can more than make up for the grades if you do well.

whatsername2009

Cambridge doesn't have a PPE course, so if the OP's friend applied there he would have to do SPS instead. Also, an offer from Cambridge would probably be A*AA rather than AAA. Both Oxford and Cambridge look at several factors when deciding whether or not to accept a candidate, so as long as everything else (TSA result, personal statement, reference, predicted grades etc) is up to scratch then I doubt a C in GCSE Graphics will make much difference. They actually compare your grades with the average for your school in that year, so if he was among the top students in his year then the admissions tutors will know.

Original post by Budgie

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.

Oh thanks, the average points at my school at GCSE is 498.9

How would my friend work out his points, to see how much he was above average?

Original post by Ocassus

I have similar grades to your friend, but if they give you the TSA you can more than make up for the grades if you do well.

Do you do PPE now?

Original post by xXxiKillxXx

Original post by xXxiKillxXx

Do you do PPE now?

Hell no, I will be competing against your friend for a place methinks. :wink:

:wink:

Original post by Ocassus

Hell no, I will be competing against your friend for a place methinks. :wink:

:wink:

Haha, are you in year 12? as in are you applying next year or have you already applied if your in year 13

Original post by xXxiKillxXx

Original post by xXxiKillxXx

Haha, are you in year 12? as in are you applying next year or have you already applied if your in year 13

Year 12

:wink:

Original post by Ocassus

Year 12

:wink:

What GCSE's do you have? If you don't mind saying lol

Original post by xxxikillxxx

Original post by xxxikillxxx

what gcse's do you have? If you don't mind saying lol

a*a*a*a*aaabbcc

im completing my A levels this year, and have applied for poltics 2011 entry although i would really like to do PPE.
if i completed my A levels in 2011, and then took further maths in 2011/12, how would this affect my application for 2012 PPE entry?

Philosopher-of-sorts

Original post by SAMIR.NASRI

im completing my A levels this year, and have applied for poltics 2011 entry although i would really like to do PPE.
if i completed my A levels in 2011, and then took further maths in 2011/12, how would this affect my application for 2012 PPE entry?

I did this, except I took Math this year. Worked out well for me. Since you would be applying post-qualification, you do need to really work to make sure you hit the highest grades you possibly can. Otherwise, the Further Math will look good. Make sure you do some relevant reading as well, including some that you can work into your personal statement.

I'd say go for it if you want to do PPE. Though of course you'll need to weigh up the higher fees (assuming you are a domestic student) for yourself.

Original post by Lawlet

So don't do A level economics if you want to study an economics related degree?

I'd just like to add in support of this* that my offer for PPE specifically does not include economics, whereas the option of Government&Politics is there (presumably as an essay subject, as they want either that or Law).

I know I'm just one person, but when they pick only Economics out of my A Levels to ignore, that sends out a pretty strong message to me that Economics is not needed (or even really wanted) for the PPE course.

*I don't mean you shouldn't take it, just mean it isn't a need for the PPE course, sorry if that wasn't clear.

CreativeUsername

Politics or English Lit?

This is the big question. I'm picking A-Levels at the moment, and have this dilemma on my hands. My other subjects are Maths, Economics and Philosophy.

Politics:
- Genuine passion for the subject.
- A new subject that I could have the upper hand on due to my prior interest.
- Second tier Trinity Cambridge subject (would definitely have to drop for A2)

English Lit:
- First tier Trinity Cambridge subject (means that instead of certainly dropping politics for A2 I can drop Econ, Philosophy or English).
- I'm good at it.
- I don't enjoy it as much. I don't dislike it, but it's nothing special.
- Another highly regarded essay-writing subject (Politics is a lesser subject)(important as I'm not doing history).

Anyone?!?

Original post by CreativeUsername

Politics or English Lit?

This is the big question. I'm picking A-Levels at the moment, and have this dilemma on my hands. My other subjects are Maths, Economics and Philosophy.

Politics:
- Genuine passion for the subject.
- A new subject that I could have the upper hand on due to my prior interest.
- Second tier Trinity Cambridge subject (would definitely have to drop for A2)

English Lit:
- First tier Trinity Cambridge subject (means that instead of certainly dropping politics for A2 I can drop Econ, Philosophy or English).
- I'm good at it.
- I don't enjoy it as much. I don't dislike it, but it's nothing special.
- Another highly regarded essay-writing subject (Politics is a lesser subject)(important as I'm not doing history).

Anyone?!?

You have three other academic subjects, so the choice between Politics and English Literature is not -- at least in my view -- one that would make or break your application. Given that, do what you enjoy most - if you get to interview, it will be more your performance there rather than your A-level combination that will be the major factor in determining your success.

(As an aside, I was given an offer and I studied Government and Politics. My A-levels were History, Economics, Politics and Law at A2 and Mathematics at AS, if it's of use.)

I'm 16 and halfway into my first year of sixth-form. I got 2A*s, 5As, 2Bs and 1 C in relatively difficult subjects at GCSE. I was originally taking Biology, Chemistry, History, Psychology and Critical Thinking for AS level but I've come to realize that science isn't for me (to this, I dropped biology and chemistry and now I'm studying economics AS over a single term).

But anyway, I've been looking around for courses, and PPE at Oxford seems like something I'd really enjoy doing. As well as having a critical and analytical mind (I got 85% on the Oxford TSA past papers), I'm also fascinated by arts and ideas and I'm a (self-dubbed) freethinker.

I'm currently predicted AAA(B) but I'm sure I can go higher if I put my mind to it. I do at least five extra-curricula activities a week (including Duke of Edinburgh Award) and I'm a confident speaker.

So how could I fare at PPE, what are my chances of getting in as it stands and how could I better suit myself for this course.

Thanks!

(edited 12 years ago)

I read and hear that for PPE, Mathematics A-Level would be very useful, if not required.

I'm afraid PPE isn't for kids at all. It's for men! (and women!).

Original post by plliterplatter

I'm 16 and halfway into my first year of sixth-form. I got 2A*s, 5As, 2Bs and 1 C in relatively difficult subjects at GCSE. I was originally taking Biology, Chemistry, History, Psychology and Critical Thinking for AS level but I've come to realize that science isn't for me (to this, I dropped biology and chemistry and now I'm studying economics AS over a single term).

But anyway, I've been looking around for courses, and PPE at Oxford seems like something I'd really enjoy doing. As well as having a critical and analytical mind (I got 85% on the Oxford TSA past papers), I'm also fascinated by arts and ideas and a (self-dubbed) freethinker.

I'm currently predicted AAA(B) but I'm sure I can go higher if I put my mind to it. I do at least five extra-curricula activities a week (including Duke of Edinburgh Award) and I'm a confident speaker.

So how could I fare at PPE, what are my chances of getting in as it stands and how could I better suit myself for this course.

Thanks!

Give it a go? You might need an A in maths and english at GCSE but otherwise those grades seem to be fine .............if you do well in your interview.

My best advice is to do some essay competitions for PPE, im sure there a few about. And read up.

You'd realllyyyyyy need maths if you wanted to stand a chance. I mean you could apply - maths wasn't a requirement for this year, but from what I've heard those who aren't taking maths A-level will find it extremely difficult. They only list it as 'recommended' - and with the competition in getting in to oxford anyone with a maths A-level will probably be preferred over someone who hasn't got it for PPE.
I was in your situation pretty much. I was thinking of applying for York PPE, I mean I had an A in maths for GCSE and everything, but I went for Politics and Philosophy in the end, it was too high a risk really.

If you can, try and take up Maths AS or do something to show on your personal statement that you do it. Of course, if you don't like maths or aren't very good at it, don't take it up just for one uni (Lancaster don't require maths A level, so that's the one uni I've successfully got a place in PPE for; all the others I just went for Politics & Philosophy).

(edited 12 years ago)

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