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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Oxford PPE

10 replies

susannahmoodie · 08/09/2015 21:16

Would A*AA in History, Maths and Further Maths be good enough or would F Maths not count as a full A Level?

OP posts:
halvedfees · 09/09/2015 15:37

Don't get me started again!

Oxford are not interested in Maths - it is not a requirement.

I would think that they would look at that as only 2 A levels.

I know Durham would.

halvedfees · 09/09/2015 16:14

A more balanced combination would be History, Maths and either a modern/ancient language or Economics.This would also leave your Dc with a greater number of alternative options - PPE is notoriously difficult to get into, as you probably know.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 09/09/2015 18:31

Rather than ask here, Susannah, I'd get your daughter (not you or her father) to contact the Oxford Admissions Office or individual college admissions tutors for advice on this point. Opinion is divided here.

RandomSocks · 11/09/2015 18:36

As preparation for PPE, of which Economics is the most difficult subject, I would think that excellent maths (as demonstrated by Further Maths) together with brilliance in History (as demonstrated by an A* in History) would be a good preparation.

There is a Thinking skills assessment - make sure your DC prepares will for this - that has to be taken.

In terms of the interview, there are other threads on this, assuming your DC is invited.

halvedfees · 15/09/2015 12:10

Having just been through all this with DS, I would strongly advise not concentrating on Maths: Oxford recommend Maths A level, but it is not a compulsory requirement; Durham specify Maths, but will not count Further Maths as another A level. Brilliance in (modern) History is certainly useful.

Furthermore, few people seem to realise that most Oxford PPE students actually drop one of the 3 subjects after 1st year - often Economics because they can't cope with the Maths(!), whereas at Durham, for example, all 3 subjects are compulsory for all 3 or 4 years.

Molio · 15/09/2015 13:18

So is your DS doing or about to do PPE at Oxford but didn't have maths halvedfees? (sorry, missed the previous thread).

halvedfees · 15/09/2015 14:14

Molio he's about to start PPE at Durham, very much with maths!

(Good that you missed the previous thread where I became a bitter and twisted bore Blush about Oxford's failure to recognise DS's obvious brilliance and suitability for PPE. We're over that now; is really pleased to be going to Durham).

Molio · 15/09/2015 14:27

Oh I might dial it up now :)

I know they're very mathsy up there these days halved fees. When I went there was no PPE course at Durham so those who'd have preferred PPE had to opt for two out of the three. Tough about Oxford but I'm sure he'll have a fabulous time, almost everyone does - it's incredibly beautiful.

halvedfees · 15/09/2015 14:53

Thanks Molio Smile. I think it will suit DS very well. Come to think of it, I've only heard positive reports about Durham; opinions on Oxford seem to be extremely mixed.

Would you mind saying what you studied?

Molio · 15/09/2015 15:34

Law. When I took my own DC up there to look around not having been back since the eighties it was even prettier than I remembered. I did have the good fortune with the girls to have a beautiful spring weekend and with the boys a fabulous autumn weekend - that helped!

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