Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics is an intellectually challenging degree which introduces you to foundational work in economic, social, political, and philosophical thought. The three-year course provides a general introduction to each of the subjects, followed by the opportunity for specialisation. In studying for the degree, you will learn to construct arguments, reason clearly and effectively, understand mathematical models of social and economic behaviour, evaluate quantitative as well as qualitative research, and draw practical conclusions based on pragmatic assessment of a range of evidence. It challenges and transforms our students’ intellectual lives. And we hope it leaves them better placed to go on to challenge and transform their wider worlds.

Teaching for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics is a mixture of lectures and tutorials. The lectures are organised centrally by the University and the tutorials are organised by your tutors in the college. Trinity has a long and distinguished history in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Our Tutorial Fellows are experts in each of their subjects and all our students are taught by them, and by our College Lecturers. Students will also be taught by experts elsewhere in the university when appropriate.

Course Details

In the first year, students take introductory courses in each of Philosophy, Politics and Economics. In years two and three, students may opt to specialise in any two of these subjects, or to continue in all three. A wide range of courses are offered across all three subjects.

Useful Additional Information

Oxford Faculty of Philosophy

Oxford Department of Politics and International Relations

Oxford Department of Economics

Teaching Structure

Your College tutors are responsible for organising all your small-group teaching (tutorials and classes) and play a key role in overseeing your development throughout the course. The University Departments organise lectures and classes to supplement the tutorials. PPE students are usually taught in tutorials of 2-3 students. Students will typically attend two tutorials a week throughout their course. The College library is well-stocked in all three subjects, with the core courses well provided for. The Bodleian Library (the main University Library) is right opposite Trinity, and all three departmental libraries are within easy walking distance. The tutors set practice exams at the start of most terms so that students consolidate their learning and prepare for their university examinations. Our students achieve excellent results.

Admissions

PPE is an intellectually challenging course and we welcome applications from intellectually curious students who are interested in these three subjects. Applicants should be prepared for a demanding but rewarding schedule of work, involving both independent and group work. The College normally takes six new students each year to read PPE. For details on the admissions criteria please see the University's main website at https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions

PPE course details and admissions criteria

Oxford Undergraduate Admissions

Trinity and the Manor Road Politics and Economics Departments

Trinity and the Faculty of Philosophy

Academic Study Support

All students have access to non-means-tested grants to support their studies; further funding is available to support research projects and placements, including travel grants. More detail is available on our Student Support pages.

Travel and Academic Funding for Students

Undergraduate Financial Support

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Google Maps

Career Prospects

The skills you develop while studying PPE – rigorous thinking and the ability to analyse information quickly in order to present a strong, clear argument – are valued very highly by employers. Trinity’s PPE graduates go into a wide range of careers, including journalism, consultancy, politics, non-governmental and voluntary organisations, and further academic study and research.

As a course which combines essays and quantitative approaches to learning, the work you do is extremely diverse and that definitely appealed to me as someone who was not yet ready to give up having a range of different subjects.

Belinda

Economic and Financial (ECOFIN) Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium, with a sign indicating the seating place for the European Central Bank.

PPE

Tutors

Alison Andrew

Associate Professor and Tutorial Fellow in Economics

Organising Tutor

Stephen Fisher

Fellow and Tutor in Politics

Organising Tutor

Anil Gomes

Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy

Organising Tutor

Zoe Walker

Career Development Fellow in Philosophy