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Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Why Study PPE?
PPE brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding the social and human world around us, developing skills useful for a whole range of future careers and activities.
Studying Philosophy, you will develop analytical rigour and the ability to criticize and reason logically, and be able to apply these skills to many contemporary and historical schools of philosophical thought, and to questions concerning how we acquire knowledge or how we make ethical recommendations.
The study of Politics will acquaint you with the institutions that make crucial decisions which govern our lives as members of nations, states and other political groupings. You will also learn how to evaluate the choices which political systems must regularly make, and about the processes that maintain or change those systems. The study of Politics also includes opportunities to take core and optional papers in Sociology and International Politics.
An appreciation of Economics and the general workings of the economy has become increasingly necessary to make sense of governmental policy-making, the conduct of businesses and the enormous changes in economic systems which are occurring throughout the world at the current time. Economics focuses both on individual units and on the aggregate behaviour of groups, societies and international markets.
PPE at Oxford
All three branches of PPE at Oxford have an international reputation, supported by more than 200 teachers and scholars of the highest calibre; you will also be able to attend lectures given by the many distinguished visitors to Oxford each year. PPE is a most popular subject with students - more than 900 undergraduates at any time - from all corners of the globe. It offers excellent library facilities in the PPE reading room of the Bodleian Library, the Philosophy Library, and the Social Sciences Library; your college library will also have sections covering PPE.
The Course
In your first year you will study all three branches of PPE equally, in the form of introductory courses, to equip you with the basic tools of each discipline, and enable you to develop your own interests and preferences for further study. For Philosophy you will be required to study at least two of the following: general philosophy; moral philosophy; elementary formal logic. Politics includes the study of the current political institutions of Britain, the United States, France and Germany, in light of their recent history. You are also free to study selected political theories and theorists, as well as non-democratic movements. You can exercise some choice among these topics. Economics covers microeconomics, the functioning of the market economy, and macroeconomics, dealing with national output and employment, exchange rates, and policy issues. The course also includes the mathematical techniques used in economics, along with elementary statistics.
In your second and third years you can continue with all three branches, or concentrate on any two. Even then you have the option of focusing mainly on one branch - your tutors will be happy to advise you. The core subjects are compulsory; to those you add optional subjects.
In Philosophy, core subjects are: (i) either history of Philosophy from Descartes to Kant, or Plato and Aristotle; (ii) ethics. (See also the separate entry on Philosophy.)
In Politics, your core subjects are any two out of the following: (iii) comparative government; (iv) British politics and government since 1900; (v) theory of politics; (vi) international relations; (vii) political sociology.
In Economics, core subjects, which cover theory and applied work (with special reference to the UK), are: (viii) macroeconomics; (ix) microeconomics; (x) quatitative methods.
Your optional subjects can be drawn from a very wide range, covering most aspects of philosophy, politics, sociology, international relations and economics. However, the number of core and optional papers you take must total eight. This means that if you continue with all three branches you will take the six core subjects these branches require, and any two optional subjects; whereas if you continue with any two branches, you will take the four core subjects which the two branches require, and four optional subjects in the two branches. Up to three of those further options may be in one branch of the School, enabling you to develop a specialization.
Students who specialize in Politics and Economics may also take one optional Philosophy paper.
Although there is no reference to sociology in the title of the School, you may specialize in sociology by choosing from the relevant core and optional papers. International relations, though linked closely to politics, is also acknowledged as a separate specialization and up to three papers may be taken in this area.
Entry Requirements
You may apply for PPE having done any combination of subjects at school; it is not necessary to have studied philosophy, politics or economics. History and mathematics are a useful background, but are not essential and, if you require it, instruction in mathematics and statistics is provided. Your interviewers will usually seek evidence of your interest in social and political concerns and your ability to discuss them critically. Graduates of another university may usually skip the first year and complete the course in two years.
Admissions Criteria
PPE tutors are looking for evidence of the following qualities in applicants:
Application and interest: capacity for sustained study, motivation and interest, an independent and reflective approach to learning;
Reasoning ability: ability to analyse and solve problems using logical and critical approaches, ability to assess relevance, capacity to construct and critically assess arguments, flexibility and willingness to consider alternative views;
Communication: willingness and ability to express ideas clearly and effectively on paper and orally; ability to listen; ability to give considered responses.
Throughout the admissions process, tutors will be seeking to detect the candidate's future potential as a PPE student. Existing achievement (as revealed in official examinations, predicted examination results, and school reports), as well as performance in the pre-interview test and interview, is relied upon mainly as evidence of future potential.
Candidates are not expected to have studied any philosophy, politics or economics at school, but should be interested and be prepared to put their minds to problems of philosophy, politics and economics presented to them.
In the case of candidates whose first language is not English, competence in the English language is also a criterion of admission.
Final decisions about offers of places will use the full range of evidence available, including past and predicted exam results, the school report, the personal statement, the pre-interview test and the interviews. Entry is competitive, which means that not all candidates who satisfy the admissions criteria will receive offers.
Are all applicants interviewed?
No. We only interview those who have a realistic chance of getting in, when judged by past and predicted exam results, school reports, personal statements and the pre-interview test. Applicants who do not take the pre-interview test will not normally be shortlisted for interview. Candidates from overseas may be considered without interview.
What happens at interview?
The interview is aimed primarily at assessing the candidate's potential
for future development. Interviewers will be looking for evidence of
genuine interests and enthusiasms, and the motivation to work hard at
them. The candidates should listen effectively, absorbing facts and ideas
presented to them and assessing their relevance. They should be ready
to respond to problems and criticisms put to them. They should present
arguments and reasoning in a clear and carefully articulated manner.
The interview is not primarily a test of existing knowledge, and in particular,
is not a test of philosophy, politics or economics, unless these subjects
have been followed at school. The candidates are expected to show reasons
for their expressed interests in PPE. Candidates' general accomplishments
are not relevant except insofar as they bear on one or more of the general
admissions criteria.
Examinations
At the end of your first year you sit the Preliminary Examination, which consists of three papers covering what you have studied in Philosophy, Politics and Economics during the year, as explained above.
At the end of your third year, you sit the Second Public Examination, or 'Finals'. These include the eight core and optional papers you have chosen. A thesis of up to 15,000 words based on independent research may replace one of the optional papers. Finals determine which class of honours degree you are awarded.
Graduate Degrees
There are many possibilities for further study for higher degrees. Philosophy, Politics & International Relations, Economics, and Sociology all offer DPhil and MLitt research degrees, as well as the taught degrees of the MPhil (in Philosophy the equivalent is the BPhil). Oxford is endowed with internationally respected research institutes in Economics and Statistics, and a centre for international studies. In addition, some graduate colleges have developed their own research institutes in the social sciences and Modern History, which complement work conducted at University level.
Careers
PPE offers a good preparation for a wide variety of careers, many linked to subjects studied at Oxford. The careers most commonly chosen are in banking and finance, politics, journalism and broadcasting, law, industry, teaching, social work, accountancy, business management, advertising, and the many branches of the public service, including the civil and diplomatic services and local government.
Contact
General admissions enquiries should be directed to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Other enquiries can be sent to the Undergraduate Secretary using the online contact form.