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

Thanks,

I will certainly take into account the advice you have given me although I can´t join the British Parliamentary Schools Debate competitions because I´m from Portugal.

I have 2 last question and I´ll stop pestering you:

1)I heard that the TSA is more of a "filtering process" because many candidates may have very inflated predicted grades and its not something extremely serious (assuming you haven´t got very inflated predicted grades). To what extent is this true?
+ what would be the best way of studying for it (apart from practicing the specimen papers available online)?

2) If i get an interview, how do I know what kind of interview I´ll get (politics/economics or philosphy)?

Good Luck!

Hi,

I also want to study PPE at Oxford and I would like some opinions on whether I could have any chances of getting in.

IGCSEs: 5 A* s , 3As and 1 B

IB Prediction: 40 + points

Economics Higher Level : 7
Maths Standard Level: 6
History Higher Level: 7

Extra info in Personal Statement:

- Headboy / Chair of Student Council and organised Amnesty international Group and debating club.
- Vice- President of local Conservative Association (I think this is my biggest achievement).
- Not very sporty
- I perform active charity work locally + Nepal
- Not "public school boy" although I study in a private school.
- Passion for Politics + Economics (not so much for Phil.)
- Work with local MPs on a regular basis.
- Written articles for local newspaper, organised debates inside and outside school.
- MUN (once) + invited to go to GYLC /but unable to go.
- Books + interests eg. fervent interest for British politics, haven´t missed a session of PMQs since 2009 (not British).
- Not excessively academic, but academic.
- 1/2 Ecological projects
- Internship at KPMG
- Not musical in any way.

I don´t mean to sound cocky or anything, I´ve just listed what I consider are my achievments. I would be very grateful if I receive any advice or help.
Thankyou

Hey, just looking for some a level advice, on what is best for Oxford PPE (and guessing you guys know best)
I want to keep my options open for other stuff, in case I change my mind, but I am very interested in PPE (at other places too, obviously)

I definitely want to do Maths, History, and English Literature at A level, and I will probably do Further Maths as a 5th option. I am choosing between Spanish and Economics as the other option, any advice?

Is A level economics worth doing for Oxford PPE - is it useful to do, is it highy regarded in the applications process, etc?

Is further Maths (just to AS) worth doing for PPE (I wouldn't want to do a straight Economics degree)?

Thank you

I would definately do Economics over Spanish. Economics will help you a lot, afterall its PPE. If you like Politics and Philossophy you must like Economics as all 3 subjects are pretty intertwined.
In case you change your mind and wish to study any other social science, economics will help you quite a lot.

Sounds a great mix there.

Economics - a lot of applicants will have done it, but it's definitely not a requirement. Economics in PPE is not really like A Level anyway - they teach from scratch. A Level Econ would give you an opportunity to get to know the basics of the subject, and whether or not you really enjoy it... But if you think you're suited to Econ anyway, I'd pick whatever A Level you think you'll enjoy most.

But having a language A Level is great - so choose what you'll love.

AS FM - not necessary for the level of Maths involved in PPE, so up to you. If you enjoy Maths and it won't be at a detriment to your other subjects, then take it if you want.

With Maths and History already decided, you can't really go wrong with whatever else you choose - all your options are strong, academic A Levels.

I would definately do Economics over Spanish. Economics will help you a lot, afterall its PPE. If you like Politics and Philossophy you must like Economics as all 3 subjects are pretty intertwined.
In case you change your mind and wish to study any other social science, economics will help you quite a lot.

As someone considering applying for PPE at Oxford, I was wondering if a current or ex-student might please be able to answer a few questions for me.

Is the workload essentially essays, and then exams at the very end of the first and last year?

What are the weekly/annual essay workloads - frequency and word counts?

What proportion of the essays and exams purely concern discrete subjects, e.g. philosophy, politics, economics, and what proportion, if any, synthesise, i.e. bring together the three subjects? Does a bringing-together happen only later on, or does it begin early, if at all?

When you and other students have your weekly tutorials, are they focussed on the tutor's discrete discipline, or are they (see previous question) to an extent about all the disciplines together and the new thing they form in combination, if you like, and if so to what extent?

With my sincere thanks in advance for anyone's thoughts on it

As someone considering applying for PPE at Oxford, I was wondering if a current or ex-student might please be able to answer a few questions for me.

Is the workload essentially essays, and then exams at the very end of the first and last year?

What are the weekly/annual essay workloads - frequency and word counts?

What proportion of the essays and exams purely concern discrete subjects, e.g. philosophy, politics, economics, and what proportion, if any, synthesise, i.e. bring together the three subjects? Does a bringing-together happen only later on, or does it begin early, if at all?

When you and other students have your weekly tutorials, are they focussed on the tutor's discrete discipline, or are they (see previous question) to an extent about all the disciplines together and the new thing they form in combination, if you like, and if so to what extent?

With my sincere thanks in advance for anyone's thoughts on it

Yeah, I'm finding it really difficult to choose, as I do love spanish (but don't ever want to do it at degree level), it is useful, and universities like languages, BUT economics is more relevant, and probably a better idea to see if i like the subject. But i don't want to give up Spanish yet so im just collecting opinions, so thank you
Yeah, I do enjoy Maths, and I am quite good at it, which is why I am considering it. Again, I've had mixed opinions about its usefulness for PPE

Thank you very much )




No, i do like Economics, and would be happy to study it at A level, but I've had mixed opinions of its relvance to PPE, which is why i wanted to ask the experts

Economics at A level is a bit meh to be honest, it's an interesting subject, but it holds close to zero relevance to how Economics is taught at Oxford. If you want to do Spanish, do Spanish is my advice, Maths and FM will leave you in much better stead for Econ at Oxford that Economics A level will. I'd say just read about economics if you don't take it to A level, stuff like the Economist, good newspapers and maybe even a textbook or two to just flick through and get some basic ideas.

Yeah, that's what I've been hearing, but I don't want to be in a worse position for application - does taking Economics A level have any effect on your chances of being accepted/ getting an interview? Thank you for the advice

Hey Everyone!
I have a very important question. Oxford has a list of 'recommended books' on their website for PPE. However, is it advisable to mention those books in the PS or should I develop a specific interest to read around and mention that in my PS? If you think the specific interest please give me some examples. I am very confused.

Nope, I know quite a few people who never studied Economics before starting their degree.

Okay, thank you have many people not studied any of P, P, or E before?

Couldn't really say as I don't know everyone who does PPE, but I'd guess that there are a few, with most having studied 1 or 2 elements of it before applying, then a proportion who have studied none of them formally, then very few who have studied all 3 formally.

Thanks Just wondering, as on the websites it just says you don't need to have studied any of them before, but I wasn't sure how it actually works, and if people are at a disadvantage for not having studied any of them before.