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

Maths is useful but not essential. Basically doing PPE you do all three subjects in the first year, then most people pick two. If you don't do A level maths, you may struggle a little with economics in the first year, but you can drop it after that. So while taking maths is definitely recommended, as admissions tutors like to know you can do maths and write essays, it is possible to get in and cope with the subject without it.

If you really want to do PPE, your best bet is to take maths, history and any two other decent subjects and get As.

However, if your goal is a pupilage, why do PPE? Law is as respected a degree at Oxford, means you can skip the (expensive) year doing the GDL or CPE, and doesn't mean you have to take maths A level. Moreover, it'll give you a broader background to law than just having the GDL or CPE. What makes you set on PPE? It is a great subject, and if you're passionate about the three subjects by all means take it, but if you don't like maths so much and want to be a barrister, it doesn't seem to make as much sense to me.

PPE is my passion, but Politics is my love
I once followed Politics up the street to return a slyly-dropped glove
But when the stars glimmer bright
On a hot summer’s night
And PPE sighs in my arms
She is lovely, so fair-
Then what do I care
For Politics’ homelier charms?

Yes, Politics is my love –

but PPE is my passion.

Whilst being head boy will show you're responsible and have good time management skills (or perhaps just popular, or a teacher's pet), it's not something that'll particularly impress Oxford in itself! If you go to the FE college, take up a hobby or a position of responsibility, and you'll be able to demonstrate the same skills. Wanting to be head boy is a poor reason to stay at your current school.

See I knew I should'nt of wrote the Law thing because I am still not sure. But PPE is howver my greatest passion, but if I don't do maths I can stiil do Modern History and Politics andOxford anyway. Basically PPE is my passion, but Politics is my love.

I would ask if you're sure what PPE is? Economics at university is a world away from economics at A level. The first year especially is a lot of theory and a reasonable bit of maths. Philosophy too is a very different subject, with formal logic as a particular example.

I'd look into it and make sure the PPE you're passionate about isn't just an image. Look into MHP too, as it's a very good course if you're more into the politics side.

Also I like philosophy alot, i have many philosphy books such as the oxford guide to Philosophy. I study aristotle and plato just for the purpose of general knowledge and I am a memebr of "philosophy club". lol its true

Are you sure that your school wouldn't be willing to negotiate about the "boxes" thing if you decided that doing both history and maths was a good idea? My school had a similar ridiculous rule about subject combinations, and with the help of my parents I managed to talk them round so I could do what I wanted. Its sounds as though you'd prefer to stay at school, and even if they say its an absolute rule, presumably, if you're on track for being head boy/oxbridge/straight As they'd want to keep you there at more or less any cost.

On the other hand, if you're really reluctant to do maths, I'd consider replacing it with a different good academic subject.
A) there is little point torturing yourself with a subject you are already making sad faces about when it is not compulsory (and I know plenty of people who got in without it, albeit I think some of them struggled a little with certain first year topics)
B) if you are that unenthusiastic, is there a risk you wouldn't get an A in it? Because that really would be disatrous for your app.

ps. with regard to law - I've just finished an Oxford history degree, absolutely loved it, adore history. But everytime I look at my invoice for BPP's fees for the GDL year I die a little inside and part of me wishes I'd done undergrad law. Sure that won't chance your mind, but thought it worth mentioning. ;-)

Law Politics and Sociology are unlikely to help you, I think they're viewed as "soft" subjects.

Law Politics and Sociology are unlikely to help you, I think they're viewed as "soft" subjects.