Philosophy, Politics and Economics

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 criticise and reason logically, and be able to apply these skills to questions concerning how we acquire knowledge or how we make ethical judgements.

The study of Politics provides a thorough understanding of the impact of political institutions on modern societies. It helps you to evaluate the choices that political systems must regularly make, to explain the processes that maintain or change those systems, and to examine the concepts and values used in political analysis. Politics at Oxford also encompasses the study of Sociology and International Relations.

Economics is the study of how consumers, firms and government make decisions that together determine how resources are allocated. 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 occurring throughout the world.

All three branches of PPE at Oxford have an international reputation, supported by more than 200 tutors 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 at Oxford is a very flexible course which allows you to study all three branches, or to specialise in two of the branches after the first year. Although there is no reference to Sociology or International Relations in the title of the course, you may specialise in either of these subjects by choosing relevant options.

The careers most commonly chosen by PPE graduates are in banking and finance, politics, journalism and broadcasting, law, industry, teaching, social work, accountancy, business management, management consultancy, advertising and the many branches of the public services, including the civil and diplomatic services and local government.

Recent Philosophy, Politics and Economics graduates include a hedge fund analyst, a primary school teacher, and a fundraising officer for a disease research foundation. Amit, who graduated in 1996, is currently Head of Corporate Partnerships at the British Heart Foundation.  He says: ‘PPE encouraged me to be inquisitive, open-minded and analytical, preparing me for a career that has spanned the private, public and charity sectors.’

Masva, who graduated in 2007, is now a reporter at the Financial Times. She says: ‘After university I went into banking, then moved to journalism. I found the skills I learnt reading PPE invaluable in both of these very different fields. Most importantly, the course teaches you to think in a very rigorous way. Your tutors are constantly challenging you and won’t let you get away with woolly arguments. While this can initially be difficult to get to grips     with, it has been a source of great personal satisfaction and incredibly useful in my career so far.’

Students interested in this course might also like to consider Economics and Management, History and Economics, History and Politics, Philosophy and Modern Languages, Philosophy and Theology, or Human Sciences.