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

Who looks at gcses mostly? Oxford or Cambridge?

Currently I take Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Psychology. People at Oxford undergraduate admissions tell me that my subject choice is "perfectly fine" and "definitely worth an application". However, is this the reality? They told me that they regard psychology as an essay subject, but I am quite worried as I have not taken English and History. I wonder if you can give me some advice? :frown:

Reply 6082

Budgie

12

Original post by ak726

Currently I take Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Psychology. People at Oxford undergraduate admissions tell me that my subject choice is "perfectly fine" and "definitely worth an application". However, is this the reality? They told me that they regard psychology as an essay subject, but I am quite worried as I have not taken English and History. I wonder if you can give me some advice? :frown:

That will be absolutely fine. If it wasn't, they'd tell you. If any tutor were worried about a lack of writing skills, it might increase the focus on your TSA essay. But plenty of people without History or English get in every year.

Reply 6083

pinkpenguin

1

Original post by ak726

Currently I take Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Psychology. People at Oxford undergraduate admissions tell me that my subject choice is "perfectly fine" and "definitely worth an application". However, is this the reality? They told me that they regard psychology as an essay subject, but I am quite worried as I have not taken English and History. I wonder if you can give me some advice? :frown:

I did Maths, Chem and Bio A Levels, with Politics to AS, and applied successfully, so I seriously wouldn't worry :smile:

Reply 6084

goonerisma

I'm taking Maths A-Level a year early (year 12) and so have the option of taking Further Maths. I've been told that I have a good chance of getting a top grade but I'm not so sure whether it's the best choice...

I'm applying for PPE - might it be better to use the free time to prepare for the course (the subjects I haven't done, PP) through general wider reading for example?

Basically, what I am saying is what value does Further Maths carry for PPE? Personally I'm not a huge fan of maths and would rather not do it.

Help would be appreciated.

Reply 6085

Nymthae

16

Oxford's site says ..."Mathematics are useful backgrounds, but are not essential." so I would say there is no need to take it. I wouldn't if you're not interested in doing so. Everybody thinking of applying there will be looking at top grades so it won't be a special subject or set you out. Get those grades in the ones that interest you.

They'll want to see a real interest and passion for the subject so I think that free time would probably be better spent really getting the wider material covered so you can wow them at interview!

Reply 6086

7589200

18

People who get 90%+ in further maths are well clever! Not that it will help you necessarily for PPE, but if you do it, you'll feel well clever!
if you're not really a maths fan, dont bother doing it!

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 6087

JIRAIYA-ERO-SENNIN

19

seriously, these days you need to take at least A-level maths for PPE. when the website says that maths is only helpful it is very misleading. often, in interviews they give further maths type questions to candidates for economics. further maths is becoming more of a requirement these days in top economics courses. im not saying that you have to take further maths but you'll need to get acquainted with further maths type questions or they might catch you out.

Reply 6088

Derek_the_Sheep

8

Original post by goonerisma

I'm applying for PPE - ....Personally I'm not a huge fan of maths and would rather not do it...

If you look here -
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/philosophy_politics_and_economics/philosophy_politics.html

- you will see that "quantitative economics" is part of the core course in year one for everyone, and in years 2 & 3 if you continue with economics. If you're not a huge fan of maths that might give you pause for thought.

:sheep:

Reply 6089

ak726

Original post by pinkpenguin

I did Maths, Chem and Bio A Levels, with Politics to AS, and applied successfully, so I seriously wouldn't worry :smile:

PHEWWW that's a relief! turns out "reliable sources" weren't that reliable anymore. Congrats on your offer! :smile:

And regarding the application, are there any extra courses or competitions that you would recommend?

Reply 6090

pinkpenguin

1

Original post by ak726

PHEWWW that's a relief! turns out "reliable sources" weren't that reliable anymore. Congrats on your offer! :smile:

And regarding the application, are there any extra courses or competitions that you would recommend?

Haha, not just an offer, I'm in second year at the moment!

To be honest - not really. Do a bit of reading and find something interesting to talk about on your personal statement, but I'm not sure extra curriculars are THAT important. I perhaps put about 2 sentences at the end of my personal statement about what I did outside uni. My tutors didn't care (to the extent that my sport-related activities were forgotten as I keep having to remind them why I can't do tutorials on Wednesday afternoons!!).

The great thing about PPE is that people from all different academic areas end up here. I'm the token 'scientist' in my group, and yet I despised economics and am doing Pol and Phil for finals. I know another person who hates both politics and economics, so is doing 5 philosophy papers out of 8 and just scraping by with 3 politics papers. Its such a versatile degree that whatever interests you have you can find a finals paper to suit you.

Reply 6091

Budgie

12

Original post by goonerisma

Basically, what I am saying is what value does Further Maths carry for PPE? Personally I'm not a huge fan of maths and would rather not do it.

I would be wary of PPE if you're not a huge fan of maths. Economics is far more mathematical at university level than at A-level, where it basically has no maths. Of course, you can drop economics after first year, but just bear that in mind. Also, some people think that formal logic in first year is quite similar to maths.

Further maths would be useful for PPE admissions insofar as it signals to the admissions tutors that you are likely to be very good at the more basic maths which is used in first year economics. It would not be useful for the first year course, but would be if you carried on economics and took the more technical options. I certainly wish I had done it as I have taken those options (including the 'mathematical methods' paper).

I would therefore say that so long as you have an essay subject (preferably history), further maths is better for PPE admissions than any other subject.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 6092

Antagonist_Love

Original post by goonerisma

I'm taking Maths A-Level a year early (year 12) and so have the option of taking Further Maths. I've been told that I have a good chance of getting a top grade but I'm not so sure whether it's the best choice...

I'm applying for PPE - might it be better to use the free time to prepare for the course (the subjects I haven't done, PP) through general wider reading for example?

Basically, what I am saying is what value does Further Maths carry for PPE? Personally I'm not a huge fan of maths and would rather not do it.

Help would be appreciated.

The general consensus here at TSR is that Further maths is useless unless you're applying to Maths, Statistics, Accountancy or Engineering - just including the latter two is a push. What were you planning on taking with F.Maths? I'd suggest History, Economics, Maths and something else of your own choice. Further Maths is an auxiliary A level; it's just one of the A levels you need to get as well as your main A levels to get the uni offer.

Reply 6093

Bezzler

1

Original post by Antagonist_Love

The general consensus here at TSR is that Further maths is useless unless you're applying to Maths, Statistics, Accountancy or Engineering - just including the latter two is a push. What were you planning on taking with F.Maths? I'd suggest History, Economics, Maths and something else of your own choice. Further Maths is an auxiliary A level; it's just one of the A levels you need to get as well as your main A levels to get the uni offer.

Did you read this in the context of the thread? Because everything you said was complete rubbish. In fact, outside of the context of the thread, it was a load of crap too - lots of places won't accept you for engineering or physics without at least AS further maths, with a strong emphasis on A2 further maths. And even then, if the universities don't consider it essential it can often be helpful for the course. So please, keep your "general consensus" rubbish out of where it's completely wrong.

Reply 6094

Antagonist_Love

Original post by Bezzler

Did you read this in the context of the thread? Because everything you said was complete rubbish. In fact, outside of the context of the thread, it was a load of crap too - lots of places won't accept you for engineering or physics without at least AS further maths, with a strong emphasis on A2 further maths. And even then, if the universities don't consider it essential it can often be helpful for the course. So please, keep your "general consensus" rubbish out of where it's completely wrong.

b Cite

The 'What Subjects Should I Do' Megathread http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=296517
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=27283371
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=26265942

General consensus means the general view, the next time so see a Further Maths Query thread, please read it.

Silly.

Reply 6095

Bezzler

1

Original post by Antagonist_Love

b Cite

The 'What Subjects Should I Do' Megathread http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=296517
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=27283371
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=26265942

General consensus means the general view, the next time so see a Further Maths Query thread, please read it.

Silly.

Okay, so I don't understand the relevance of what you just posted. Firstly was a medicine thread, when I didn't mention medicine at all. The second were random posts from further maths threads, some of which had people saying do further maths, and some which said don't.

For Physics:
Bath say further maths, while not essential, is "particularly useful": http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/ug/courses/SUG-N1?progCode=UUUN1-F300

For Engineering:
Trinity College's list specifies further maths, or at least AS if A2 is not offered: http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=604

Many physicists and engineers I know who didn't do further maths say they have to learn the further maths course in a ridiculously short amount of time to get up to speed, which is really hard. Even for certain branches of economics elements of further maths are needed. Universities often don't specify that it's necessary because not all schools offer it; this does not mean it's not useful.

Reply 6096

Maxm79

Hey... to any PPEists out there, I have some questions.

For AS level at the moment I do History, Government & Politics, Geography, English Lit and French (as well as Gen. Studies)
I have decided for university I want to do either History, History and Politics or PPE.

But... for PPE, I've heard a variety of opinions about whether you need Maths, up to A2, to stand a good chance of even getting an interview. Some have said you just need an aptitude.
What's the truth?

I did get an A* in my GCSE Maths and I also did an Add. Maths qualification in the same year but only got a C in the end :P I also got 12A*s and 1A in my GCSEs though.

I have a genuine interest in the three subjects and if anything, economics is the only part of Maths I've had a real interest for! This isn't just about prestige.
Yet, I know after the first year you can either carry on with the 3 or do 2. I suspect I will specialise in Pol. and Phil.

To sum up: do I need maths (to A2 or AS)?
Shall i mention Add. Maths on my UCAS?
Will I be wasting my time applying?
Is the course really that mathsy? (From looking at the 1st year course it seems very info/theory based)
Is there anything else you would recommend or add?

Reply 6097

modupes

I get the impression that tutors would find it extremely preferable if you had maths upto AS at the very least. If not, and you got an offer, then they would have to teach you alot of maths in the 1st term, and that may not be helpful when you consider that there will alot to be done on other aspects of the course (such as politics, philosophy, as well as economic content). If you get an offer; regardless of whether you do alevel upto A2 or not they recommend that you complete quite a bit of maths in the summer before you begin your study in october. Generally, you having maths is not so much an obligation; however, it will certainly aid your study of economics at university.