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

I've got very high UMS in my top 3 AS levels (97 UMS average) but i know Oxford don't really care about that. Thing is I only got 6A*'s and 7A's at GCSE, I know that won't mean automatic rejection but how much of a disadvantage would those GCSE grades be? Does anyone currently studying PPE know roughly what the average GCSE grades are for PPE students? And when considering applications how highly is the TSA weighted? Thanks

I've got very high UMS in my top 3 AS levels (97 UMS average) but i know Oxford don't really care about that. Thing is I only got 6A*'s and 7A's at GCSE, I know that won't mean automatic rejection but how much of a disadvantage would those GCSE grades be? Does anyone currently studying PPE know roughly what the average GCSE grades are for PPE students? And when considering applications how highly is the TSA weighted? Thanks

Hello,

I'm hopefully applying for 2015 entry to read PPE at Oxford and was wondering what I could do between now and 15th October to enhance my application.

Whilst I know that the personal statement is only a small part of the application I'd like to do as much as I can do make it as good as possible (and at least I'd feel I was using my time well). therefore I was wondering what people would suggest that I could do?

By the way I've already got: sports, head boy and a debating society to start with but compared to some people on here it seems quite paltry!

I'd say reading and preparing for the TSA. Your last paragraph makes it seem like you think you need extra-curriculars. You don't, and you have a lot more that's relevant than I did :P. I'd say reading around your subject is vital preparation for both writing your personal statement and for any potential interview, and you should look into what you're meant to do for the TSA, and take a practise paper or two.

Let me know if you want me to elaborate on either of these points.

Thank you, that's reassuring. What books would you recommend? I've seen the past papers for the TSA and a few books that seem to be recommended (such as those on the suggested reading list) but are there any you would specifically recommend for that too?

Hello,

I'm hopefully applying for 2015 entry to read PPE at Oxford and was wondering what I could do between now and 15th October to enhance my application.

Whilst I know that the personal statement is only a small part of the application I'd like to do as much as I can do make it as good as possible (and at least I'd feel I was using my time well). therefore I was wondering what people would suggest that I could do?

By the way I've already got: sports, head boy and a debating society to start with but compared to some people on here it seems quite paltry!

On the TSA, I personally didn't read any books for that so I can't help you there :P. I'd just recommend doing all the past papers, and look over every single question you get wrong to understand why.

On the book front, my favourite intros into each of the subjects so far have been: the intro to political philosophy by jonathan wolfff (could very possibly be spelt differently), the rough guide to economics, the art of strategy, and philosophy: the basics/philosophy gym. I'd then find areas that you're more interested in and read around those from there (e.g. I read quite a lot of stuff about happiness indicators in economics).

How strangely similar to my application

Ahaha there must be a PPE type, I know of no other course with so many Head Boy applicants. The sport wouldn't happen to be rugby would it?

It would be indeed (although some football too). There really is a type! At least there is a higher chance of having people with similar interests.

Ahaha fair play the only thing that will separate us out will be the TSA and interview!

That'd be good, maybe one day we'll meet (with 1 in 6 getting in, the numbers aren't on our side!) what college are you looking at?

No pressure then! I hope so! Balliol or Hertford I'm thinking at the moment but not totally sure to be honest, you?

Exactly! Neither am I! I'm going back down to Oxford on the 19th September for the Open Day. At the moment, Worcester, St Edmund Hall or Keble! they're all bootiful

I'm going to the open day too, hoping one will jump out although they'll all lovely really.

Hi there, I'm an international student applying for PPE in 2015.

I had myself quite set on applying to St Catherine's as my choice of college, but my college admissions tutor advised me to consider applying to Exeter instead.

"I was hoping you would pick Exeter as it's better," he said.

Any thoughts on deciding between the two? I had liked St Catz for its proximity to the Social Sciences library and its supposedly cosmopolitan and modern environment.

I got into all five of my PPE choices, including Oxford, only mentioning political philosophy. It's absolutely fine. Also, unis do realise that you won't necessarily like all three subjects equally/ might not be applying for just PPE, so will give you a bit of leeway. Good luck!