Course Offered:

• BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Current Fellows and Lecturers

Dr Alan Beggs (Tutorial Fellow in Economics)
Mr Michael Hatcher (Lecturer in Economics)
Dr Paul Martin (Tutorial Fellow in Politics)
Dr Alexander Paseau (Tutorial Fellow in Philosophy)
Professor Scott Sturgeon (Tutorial Fellow in Philosophy)
Ms Emily Paddon (Lecturer in Politics)

Admissions
Wadham admits about nine students a year to read PPE. Because PPE bridges social studies and the humanities, the College welcomes applicants for PPE with either arts A-Levels, science A-Levels, a mixture of both, or equivalent qualifications. Although a background in Mathematics is not formally required for admission, PPE applicants should have sufficient interest in, and aptitude for, mathematics to cope with the mathematical elements of the course.  Mathematics is a particular advantage for the economics component of the course, as well as for the first year logic course in philosophy, and for understanding theories and data in politics.

Last year around 90% of the applicants who were offered places for PPE across the University had studied Maths to at least AS-level, or equivalent.  You may like to consider taking Maths to AS-level or an equivalent qualification such as IB Standard Level, even if you do not pursue it furhter.  It is useful to have learnt the basics of differentiation before starting your university course in PPE.

We particularly want to encourage applications from students who read widely, who are capable of writing and thinking clearly, who are self-motivated, and who are enthusiastic about finding solutions to problems that are new to them. PPE is a very broad course. In the first year you study all three branches of the school, but in the second and third years you may drop any one of them. The Politics and Economics course is probably the broadest social studies course available in the United Kingdom, while the Philosophy and Politics, and Philosophy and Economics courses offer many combinations of subjects in these branches of the school. Sociology may be studied within Politics. You do not need to decide which branches you wish to specialise in before you start PPE.

The Course
In the first year students are largely taught in College, but the breadth of options available later in the course requires that many specialist subjects be taught by Fellows or lecturers of other colleges. You will normally have two tutorials or classes a week, as well as seminars and lectures. The course is challenging and the PPE school at Wadham provides a supportive and friendly environment in which to develop new skills. Aside from the course requirements, Wadham is one of four colleges which currently take part in an annual three-day PPE Conference at Cumberland Lodge near Windsor, and a politics reading group runs one term a year.

The Tutors
Alan Beggs has research interests in economic theory, industrial organisation and applied econometrics. Paul Martin works on judicial politics, especially in the United States. He is currently working on books on the US Supreme Court's desegregation cases, and on the impact of technological change on judicial governance. Alexander Paseau has research interests in the philosophy of mathematics, logic, metaphysics and epistemology. Scott Sturgeon has research interests in epistemology, meta-ethics, metaphysics and mind.

Careers
A wide variety of careers is open to PPE graduates, irrespective of specialisation within the school. Recent graduates have undertaken further study in the UK and abroad, or worked in journalism, the civil service, the voluntary sector, industry and the City.

Further Information
For more information on the course and applying please see the Undergraduate Prospectus. Further information can also be found on the PPE website.

Student Profile

Nick Coxon, 2nd Year

At first I thought Philosophy, Politics, and Economics seemed disparate subjects, resulting in quite an odd degree. The thing you learn quite fast is that actually, they fit together very well. Importantly, I’ve found that the material you cover is diverse enough to mean that in each week you’re tackling a real breadth of material, writing essays in very different ways and developing very different skills for each subject, but at the same time there are enough links in the material for it not to feel as if you’re studying for three entirely separate degrees.

I think that’s a pretty good reason to choose PPE: its combination of variety and interconnectedness. I also think PPE is a subject which benefits particularly well from the tutorial system -- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics are subjects in which development of ideas through rigorous discussion is kind of pivotal, and so it works with the Oxford approach.

Wadham is great. It’s quite relaxed, very diverse. I’ve always thought its charm derives from how it balances the traditions of Oxford life with a more liberal, less pretentious approach. It’s also a particularly beautiful college -- the unusually-large gardens are amazing in the summer, and the front quad is to my mind one of the most striking pieces of architecture I’ve seen.

A final note: often you read Oxford prospectuses, and they go on about work, and how tough the place is. And they’re half right. The work is stretching, it challenges you -- and so it should -- but it isn’t overpowering, it doesn’t stop you from having a rich and enjoyable life outside of your subject. I’m deputy editor of a student magazine, I do a lot of graphic design, I go out a fair bit. Loads of people spend huge amounts of time rowing, playing rugby. I could go on, but the point is this: yeah, you have to be prepared to work, but never think that means that’s all Oxford is. It can be great fun too.