What is PPE and should I study it?
October 23rd, 2024Last updated: October 24th, 2024
Are you considering a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)? Read more to discover if PPE is the right course for you.
Introduction to PPE
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, more commonly known as PPE, is a degree level course which combines these three subjects. It was first offered at the University of Oxford, where it was designed to give future leaders a wider understanding of both politics and economics, and is now offered by many Universities in the UK. Students and employers typically value a degree in PPE as it demonstrates economic literacy, political / real world understanding and critical thinking skills.
Why are Philosophy, Politics, and Economics important?
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics all offer useful insight into the structure of our society, and the thinking that led to this society.
Specifically, Philosophy is valued as it teaches critical thinking, problem solving skills and also a good understanding of ethics. Degree level study in Politics will leave students with a deep understanding of policy and governmental structures. Studying Economics helps students understand big picture decision making processes around resource allocation, as well as provide a deep understanding of how markets function and how trade works.
Taken together, these three subjects will help graduates grasp many of the complex challenges facing the world, and will therefore make them valuable to employers.
Should I study PPE?
The answer to this question depends entirely on your interests and what you hope to do for work, as well as your skill set. You will need to be able to write complex essays to degree level, and you will need to be able to handle some relatively complex Mathematics to support the Economics side of things.
Students also need to be self starters, or at least more than those who specialise in one subject. You may occasionally need to handle clashes in lecture or seminar times, and be able to organise yourself across the demands of multiple departments.
Ultimately, deciding whether you should pursue a degree in PPE depends on what you hope to do in future. If you have a passion for understanding the underlying reasons behind how and why society functions in the way it does, PPE might be right for you. The biggest single requirements are probably being intellectually curious and adaptable.
What are the benefits of a PPE degree?
Possessing a degree in PPE indicates to employers that you have a broad skill set, with good problem solving, research and analytics skills. These skills are valuable to many employers. As it is interdisciplinary by nature, a PPE degree also shows that you have a good degree of flexibility and adaptability, both of which are valuable to employers. Lastly, employers often value graduates with a PPE degree as they have developed good communication skills through the variety of seminars and essays they have participated in.
PPE at Oxford University
PPE was introduced at Oxford University in 1920. It was initially known as “Modern Greats”, not PPE. According to Oxford, “It was born of the conviction that study of the great modern works of economic, political and philosophical thought could transform students’ intellectual lives, and thereby society at large”.
Numerous political leaders have studied PPE at Oxford, including five British Prime Ministers (Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, David Cameron, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss), as well as many other world leaders. Many notable journalists and broadcasters also studied PPE at Oxford.
Pursuing Careers with a PPE Degree
PPE graduates often work in politics, consultancy, finance, journalism, amongst many others. As above, employers value the variety of skills learnt.
What grades are needed for PPE?
Entry requirements vary between institutions, but are typically towards the top end of the spectrum. Applicants are usually recommended to have studied Maths, and also subjects like History.
Oxford has its own internal exam, the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA), which it asks applicants to take. For Oxford, applicants are asked to have 3 A-grades at A-Level. In the three years to 2024 they interviewed 35% of applicants, and accepted 11%, with a total intake of 232.
Other universities will ask for similar grades. For example, Manchester also asks for 3 A grades.
How to prepare for studying PPE
Firstly, you need to develop strong reading, writing and analytics skills. You need to be able to read and understand information at a high level, both in written form and also in other formats like graphs and data for Economics. You will need to be up to date with current events, and informed about longer term economic and political trends. (Studying an A-Level in History is usually recommended for this reason).
Reading a publication like The Economist would be very useful, as this covers a lot of the material mentioned before. You may also wish to participate in a debating society if available, to help develop public speaking skills.
Are there any drawbacks to studying PPE?
Despite the above benefits, there are downsides to studying PPE. Some students find that the broader scope of study leaves them with a lack of specialisation in any one area, which some employers may find useful. (For example, a financial institution might well prefer a graduate with a specific Economics degree). As mentioned, you will also need to manage a wider workload across three different departments.
Conclusion: Is PPE right for you?
PPE is prestigious and intellectually challenging. It shows a passion for economic strategy, political theory and philosophical enquiry, and more ultimately a nuanced understanding of how the world works. It also demonstrates a versatile skill set to potential employers. The main question to answer is if the above outcomes align with what you enjoy and what you want to do. Good luck!
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