University of Oxford intake process for Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

The University of Oxford PPE Entry Requirements

If you are interested in applying for the PPE program, there are several requirements for international students in the PPE programmed at the University of Oxford that you need to meet. These include:

• Obtaining A-levels with AAA grades or an equivalent international qualification.
• It is recommended that you have studied Mathematics to A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB or another equivalent.
• It is not necessary to have studied Politics, Philosophy, or Economics. While History can provide a useful background, it is not essential.
• You do not need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency during your UCAS application process. However, you must demonstrate the required level of proficiency by July 31st of the year in which you receive the offer.
• All candidates are required to take the paper-based Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) as part of the University of Oxford PPE program admission process.

How to Apply for the University of Oxford PPE Program

Here’s a numbered outline of the application and admission process for the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) program at the University of Oxford:

1. Register for the TSA: You need to register for the TSA separately from your application.
2. Submit your application: Submit your application online through the UCAS system before the mid-October deadline.

• Fill out the UCAS application form, providing your personal information, academic qualifications, and a personal statement explaining why you want to study PPE at Oxford.
• Along with your UCAS application form, you will need to submit supporting documents, such as academic transcripts and references

1. Take the TSA: Take the TSA on the scheduled test date.
2. Receive notification of your interview: If you pass the initial screening process, you will be invited to an interview via email notification.
3. Prepare for the interview: Prepare for your interview by researching the program and practicing potential interview questions. 
4. Attend the interview: Attend the interview in person or via video conferencing.
5. Receive your decision: You will be informed of your admission decision via email. If you receive an offer, you will have a specific period to accept or decline the offer.

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Tips & Strategies to Prepare for the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA)

The TSA is divided into two sections:

• Section 1 consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and is designed to assess your problem-solving skills, including numerical reasoning, and your critical thinking skills, including your ability to understand arguments and reason using everyday language. Here are a couple of tips to ace this section:

• Practice problem-solving questions to become familiar with the types of problems likely to appear on the exam, and brush up on your Maths skills.
• Analyze and learn from the errors you make during all this practice.
• Read the questions carefully, since many questions are deliberately worded to be confusing or misleading.

• Section 2 is a writing task that aims to evaluate your ability to organize ideas clearly and concisely and communicate effectively in writing. Questions are not subject-specific, and you must answer one question from a choice of four. Here are a couple of tips to succeed in this section:

• Familiarize yourself with the essay question format and structure, including the word count, time limit, and the type of question being asked.
• Plan your essay before you start writing to stay focused and organized.
• Use real-world examples and evidence to support your argument and make your essay more convincing.
• Do not forget to proofread at the end.

Tips to Prepare for Your Interview

Here are some tips to prepare for your admission interview:

• Know the course materials: The Oxford interview for PPE will test your understanding of the course content. To prepare, and read academic journals, newspapers, and books related to the course. Explore the Oxford PPE website to learn about course structure and topics.
• Familiarize yourself with the format: The interview will usually consist of two to three 30-minute interviews with different faculty members. Familiarize yourself with the format, the types of questions that might be asked, and the interview process itself. You can also look for past interview questions and practice answering them.
• Practice critical thinking and problem-solving: The interview will test your ability to think critically and solve problems on the spot. Practice answering challenging questions and presenting logical arguments. Review past interview questions on the Oxford PPE website.
• Articulate your thoughts clearly: The interviewers will be interested in how you think and articulate your thoughts. Practice speaking clearly and concisely. Listen carefully to questions and take time to gather your thoughts before answering.