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

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Original post by Poppyxx
But the OP is going to run into the Maths problem at other top universities offering PPE.

Good economics courses require mathematical aptitude.


I don't really like maths that much :frown: Now I'm not sure if I should just do Politics and Philosophy by itself but PPE just seems like a more respected degree and I want to work in Business so it'd probably a bit more useful in that industry instead of just straight up Politics and Philosophy. Is the maths in Economics like a huge factor of the course. Right now my 1st choice is Sussex I went to the talk explaining the course and they didn't really talk a lot about statistics so I assumed it must be a small part of it.
University stuff is confusing :confused:
Original post by Rlove95
I don't really like maths that much :frown: Now I'm not sure if I should just do Politics and Philosophy by itself but PPE just seems like a more respected degree and I want to work in Business so it'd probably a bit more useful in that industry instead of just straight up Politics and Philosophy. Is the maths in Economics like a huge factor of the course. Right now my 1st choice is Sussex I went to the talk explaining the course and they didn't really talk a lot about statistics so I assumed it must be a small part of it.
University stuff is confusing :confused:


I'm not saying all PPE courses involve lots of maths.

But I can't speak for how much maths other universities include in their courses.

For example Oxford don't require Maths A Level, it's just suggested, but to be able to handle the minimum amount of maths in the Economics of PPE you have to be able to do top end of AS maths (there are lectures and classes to help, but this is why 90% of PPEists did Maths beyond GCSE).

I know Manchester doesn't require Maths A Level for PPE, I don't think it even asks for an A at GCSE.

You're just going to have to look at the entrance requirements of different PPE courses, and see what level of maths they ask for.
Original post by Poppyxx
But the OP is going to run into the Maths problem at other top universities offering PPE.

Good economics courses require mathematical aptitude.


So you'd hope, but not all need it. If OP applied down a Philosophy and Politics route, they could manage :smile: Anyway, doesn't have to be a top one :smile:
Original post by Rlove95
I don't really like maths that much :frown: Now I'm not sure if I should just do Politics and Philosophy by itself but PPE just seems like a more respected degree and I want to work in Business so it'd probably a bit more useful in that industry instead of just straight up Politics and Philosophy. Is the maths in Economics like a huge factor of the course. Right now my 1st choice is Sussex I went to the talk explaining the course and they didn't really talk a lot about statistics so I assumed it must be a small part of it.
University stuff is confusing :confused:


I did PPE, admittedly graduating 4 years ago. Didn't have maths above GCSE. All it meant was I dropped economics like it was red hot coal.

Maths was a large part of introductory microeconomics.
Original post by RawJoh1
I did PPE, admittedly graduating 4 years ago. Didn't have maths above GCSE. All it meant was I dropped economics like it was red hot coal.

Maths was a large part of introductory microeconomics.


Was it maths you could do with a calculator? :colondollar:
Original post by Rlove95
Was it maths you could do with a calculator? :colondollar:


Yes. But that doesn't mean it's easy for someone who only has GCSE maths. The difficulty for me at least was that I had no experience of differentiation.
Hello everyone! My name is George and I am from Romania. I have just finished the 11th grade at the best high school in Romania, at the best class, so at the best class in Romania.
I would like to study Economics, at, hopefully, one of the Top 5 UK universities. University of Oxford is on my list with its PPE and Economics and Management courses. I am very scared and desperate and I am thinking about my future daily. What is to be done? Could you please help me with successful personal statements and useful pieces of advice?
Here is a part of the activities that I have already done:

Internships: 2 banks, 1 brokerage company + incoming 1 week internship at ICAP in London, in total 2 and a half months of Internships
Academic achievements: Participated in different stages of the National Mathematics Olympiad, National Physics Olympiad, 1st place at a National Physics contest in 2012 and 2013, Special Prize for excellent academic results from my high school in 2011 and 2013
Sports: I have played tennis as a professional for 5 years, I also play football basketball, etc
I also have voluntary work and I have worked as a bartender help for 1 month and for 2 months as a "worker" at a GSM Company


What do you think are my chances of getting admitted?

Thank you in advance for everything! :smile:
Hello everyone.

I am new to tsr and thought i would ask the question I have been wanting to ask for a while as I approach the end of my high school career.


I am a high school student in Australia and I am thinking about applying to ppe at oxford. As corny/ridiculous as this may sound, I honestly feel as though ppe (particularly philosophy and economics) are perfectly suited to me and I was born to study them. I have been reading pretty much consistently about economics through my teenage years (and by extension some politics and government) and in the last 2 years become very interested in philosophy. Particularly the interdisciplinary study of economic philosophy and economic psychology.


For arguments sake, let's say I can get above the minimum requirement published on the oxford website (98.5 ATAR). And that my extra curricula's, albeit solid with consistent leadership, are nothing that jump off the page (excluding obviously extremely wide reading).


With all this taken into account, do I have a good chance of making it into oxford ppe. I understand that the obvious response is just "you can only get in if you apply," or "no matter what it is always hard to get accepted into oxford," but I feel as though I need a realistic view of my chances of continuing education at oxford in the United Kingdom.


Thanks anyone for reading this post and thanks in advance for any response.

(Edit: I forgot to add that I am, without sounding too arrogant, extremely good at maths. I do the hardest level of maths available and have been accelerated in maths all through high school. I understand this may be attractive to oxford for ppe but I may be wrong.)
(edited 10 years ago)
If you meet the requirements, then of course you can get in. It will cost you a fair bit though.
Original post by ^ForTheDream^
Hello everyone! My name is George and I am from Romania. I have just finished the 11th grade at the best high school in Romania, at the best class, so at the best class in Romania.
I would like to study Economics, at, hopefully, one of the Top 5 UK universities. University of Oxford is on my list with its PPE and Economics and Management courses. I am very scared and desperate and I am thinking about my future daily. What is to be done? Could you please help me with successful personal statements and useful pieces of advice?
Here is a part of the activities that I have already done:

Internships: 2 banks, 1 brokerage company + incoming 1 week internship at ICAP in London, in total 2 and a half months of Internships
Academic achievements: Participated in different stages of the National Mathematics Olympiad, National Physics Olympiad, 1st place at a National Physics contest in 2012 and 2013, Special Prize for excellent academic results from my high school in 2011 and 2013
Sports: I have played tennis as a professional for 5 years, I also play football basketball, etc
I also have voluntary work and I have worked as a bartender help for 1 month and for 2 months as a "worker" at a GSM Company


What do you think are my chances of getting admitted?

Thank you in advance for everything! :smile:


I think thestudentroom has sample PSes, and you could get yours vetted by PS helpers as well come application time. In terms of demonstrating interest, Oxford is more keen on why you want to study the subject as an academic pursuit (as opposed to a vocational qualification), so do things like reading beyond your syllabus or maybe take an Econs related module in your local uni, and mention this in your PS.

Oxford doesn't really care about ECs - the key consideration is whether you'd be academically suited for the PPE/ E&M course. Assuming you're doing the Romanian qualifications, you would need Diploma De Bacalaureat with an overall average of at least 8 (http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/international_applicants/international_qualifications/index.html)

Ideally, because Economics is maths heavy, you should also be trying to take maths if possible. PPE doesn't make maths a formal requirement, but E&M does (to A level equivalent standard). You would also need to choose between PPE and E&M because you can't apply to two separate courses at Oxford, so think carefully about which subject you'd prefer (bearing in mind the course structures and modules). You'd also need to sit for the TSA, either way.

Good luck!
Wow, mishieru07, thank you very much for your useful pieces of advice. I have started to read about Economics and I've also bought a book for the TSA. I would also like to know what you think my chances of getting admitted are. How important is the TSA result and what do you think about my activities above? Is it enough for Oxford?
Original post by ^ForTheDream^
Hello everyone! My name is George and I am from Romania. I have just finished the 11th grade at the best high school in Romania, at the best class, so at the best class in Romania.
I would like to study Economics, at, hopefully, one of the Top 5 UK universities. University of Oxford is on my list with its PPE and Economics and Management courses. I am very scared and desperate and I am thinking about my future daily. What is to be done? Could you please help me with successful personal statements and useful pieces of advice?
Here is a part of the activities that I have already done:

Internships: 2 banks, 1 brokerage company + incoming 1 week internship at ICAP in London, in total 2 and a half months of Internships
Academic achievements: Participated in different stages of the National Mathematics Olympiad, National Physics Olympiad, 1st place at a National Physics contest in 2012 and 2013, Special Prize for excellent academic results from my high school in 2011 and 2013
Sports: I have played tennis as a professional for 5 years, I also play football basketball, etc
I also have voluntary work and I have worked as a bartender help for 1 month and for 2 months as a "worker" at a GSM Company


What do you think are my chances of getting admitted?

Thank you in advance for everything! :smile:


In the Personal Statement section of TSR you can read lots of Economics, Philosophy and Politics personal statements. However you'll need to decide what you want to do not a lot of universities do PPE, so you'll have to decide whether you'll have a few PPE courses and then the rest straight economics. Or a few PPE and then the rest Politics and Economics Joint Honours degree. Your work experience for economics section looks good, but maybe it would be good to read philosophy books to mention in your statement which you may study on the course or a philosophy book which you are really interested in. Try and do the same for Politics too. You're chances look good though :smile:
Alex, thank you so much for your help! I think I'll stick to Economics and Management, read more books on Economics and prepare for the TSA. Do you have experience with this test? Also, do you really have to be a brilliant guy in order to get accepted?
Original post by ^ForTheDream^
Alex, thank you so much for your help! I think I'll stick to Economics and Management, read more books on Economics and prepare for the TSA. Do you have experience with this test? Also, do you really have to be a brilliant guy in order to get accepted?


Nope I've never done the test, it's more than just being the best in the year and having lots of work experiences. They look for candidates with strong academic ability and a good test score but also passionate candidates. They're looking for candidates who they want to teach, who they want to have detailed discussions and debates with, who can learn theories and then analyse, question, think outside the box. Those sorts of things can't be measured by grades
Hmm, I see... Well, I really hope for the best... How about your student career?
(edited 10 years ago)
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Original post by Rlove95
Was it maths you could do with a calculator? :colondollar:


It seems to me that you don't really have a good grasp of in what sense economics is a mathematical subject. The economics you do in first year is mainly theoretical, and thus is mathematically heavy as economics is about using mathematical models to analyse behaviour.

You might want to have a look at some of Varian's Intermediate Microeconomics book to get a sense of what it is like.

The maths you will do is basically all calculus. There is very little trigonometry in economics. The fundamental technique is constrained optimisation, which allows you to, for example, maximise an agent's utility function subject to their budget constraint, or minimize a firm's cost function subject to a given level of production.

You could probably do such maths with an advanced calculator that can differentiate and integrate, but not with a conventional scientific calculator.

You also said something above that implied you thought the only maths in economics is statistics. That is definitely not true, as explained above; economic theory is the analysis of mathematical models. You do do statistics in economics, but not in first year PPE (as of a few years ago).
Original post by ^ForTheDream^
Wow, mishieru07, thank you very much for your useful pieces of advice. I have started to read about Economics and I've also bought a book for the TSA. I would also like to know what you think my chances of getting admitted are. How important is the TSA result and what do you think about my activities above? Is it enough for Oxford?


Like I said, ECs don't count for as much at Oxford (compared to say LSE). Your work experiences look great, but I would tie them into studying economics as an academic subject (eg I came across xxx economic model during my internship at yyy. I later went on to do further research by reading zzz book/ journal. This fascinates me because etc.) Since you're not applying for straight Econs, you must also talk about what interests you in philosophy/ management/ politics, like what another poster mentioned.

I honestly don't know about chances for PPE/ E&M (beyond the stats listed on the Oxford website obviously), and I don't feel qualified to rate yours either. It's quite hard to rate qualities like teachability, ability to thrive in a tutorial system (not everyone's cup of tea!), academic suitability for economics etc over the internet.

All I can say is, insofar as you've got the appropriate grades, have a good testimonial, get a decent TSA score (I never did the TSA so I'm not sure about this either - sorry!) and have a decent PS, you should stand a chance of admission.
Hi people,

I've just finished my first year and it looks like I'm doing Early Modern Philosophy next term (used to be known as 'History of Philosophy from Descartes to Kant'). I have to choose some philosophers to study, so has anyone got any advice re: which philosophers to choose? Currently I'm leaning towards Locke and Leibniz but I'm not sure.

Thank you!
Hi guys, this thread is absolutely amazing.

i would like to know if you can get into PPE/E&M for Oxford with average GCSE grades (by average meaning 1 or 2 a*, 6 as and 2bs) but you get really good A level grades (all As) and also that you have extenuating circumstances at gcse level. Well in my case it was that I moved in London and had to come in the last term of year 10 in an average state school and had only 4 weeks to study for my gcse's. whereas in my home country I had just started year 9 and was told to come in between year 10 because of my age.

It would be really helpful if any of you can give detailed advice and also what score is the best for TSA. Thanx
How does UCL ESPS compare?

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