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Successful Personal Statement For PPE At Oxford

Last Updated: 16th April 2020

Author: Adi Sen

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a PPE applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The PPE Course at Oxford brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding the world around us, developing skills useful for a wide range of careers and activities.

Read on to see how this candidate managed to navigate the many disciplines and perspectives of PPE. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

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PPE Personal Statement

I have been fortunate enough to have spent half my life overseas and to have attended eight different schools in five different countries and as a result I have engaged with people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Having enjoyed these experiences immensely, I am determined to build on this foundation by studying for a degree that will increase my understanding of how trans-national and cross-cultural transactions work. One of the key factors in these transactions, undoubtedly, is human nature.

I was very interested, therefore, to read Jonathon Wolff’s ‘An Introduction to Political Philosophy’, particularly the contrasting interpretations of the ‘state of nature’ that rose dependent on the interpretation of mankind. In my experience there is a parallel between inter-personal and international relations and I want to understand the ways in which states and people operate. My background has made me more aware of complex international issues, such as Australia’s current problem in reconciling the fact that its major trading partner has the potential to become its biggest adversary. Because of my interest in this situation I delved deeper into China’s rise, through the medium of an extended project which discussed whether China poses any threat to the USA. Research for this project caused me to question whether there is any justification for the Western ethical preference for a ‘free’ economy over command economies. This work made me realise that I need economic knowledge in order to better understand the complexities of international relations and encouraged me to fast track an A level in economics.

My research touched on the question of the apparent commonality of cultural morals and delving into this issue led me to reflect on the arguments for universal morality that J.S. Mill presents in ‘Utilitarianism’. His claim that public convictions and general happiness are the basis for a viable moral authority appears to reflect the operation of democratic governance. I would argue, however, that there is a strong, external ethical pressure that acts regardless of happiness, a knowledge of base morality that is followed for its own end. The complexity of such issues has always appealed to me, which is perhaps why I was so enthused by the mathematical elements of philosophical logic that Blackburn presents in ‘Think’. The notion of reducing rational questioning to formulaic equations was completely new to me and I found it very compelling. I was equally intrigued by the attempts, particularly of Descartes in ‘Meditations’ and Anselm in the ‘Proslogian’, to develop an irrefutable argument based purely on reason; the notion of an a priori argument that could establish what empiricism cannot is a profound possibility. I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in unknown and foreign situations. This probably stems from my travels across the globe, which took me from childhood in Moscow to my more recent time in Canberra.

Through school and college I have sustained an ability to balance my academic studies with a hectic social life, part-time jobs and my sporting commitments. I have been elected to the captaincy of two football teams and have played a consistent role in promoting youth involvement, through coaching a junior football team and being involved in the Olympic FLAMES programme. I am happy to lead or work within a team and can negotiate with difficult individuals, whether they are complaining customers or disaffected youngsters. I am eager to pursue a career path that will take me into an international and cross-cultural environment. This is why I feel strongly drawn towards a degree where I can use my experiences and ambitions to better prepare myself for the multinational market of the future. I want to develop an academic arsenal which will best establish me as a positive contributor in an increasingly trans-national, interlinked world – where global understanding looks set to become an essential attribute.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

The student demonstrates a clear interest in all three subjects and does especially well in linking the three together, detailing how their interest in one politics issue lead to studying Economics, which lead to readings in Philosophy. They give the impression of an individual who has naturally come to the conclusion that PPE is the right area of study for them and they back this up substantially with both their personal history and academic studies.

The balance between discussing their academic interests and other areas of their life is just right, and they use the latter to reinforce their worth as a student. The statement flows naturally while the conclusion rounds it off nicely with a look to the future and what they wish to do with their degree.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

At times, the student dwells on explaining their exact response to each book mentioned and their current position on each area of study. This is not particularly useful as those reading it will be more interested in how you think and how your reading developed your thought, rather than whether you, for example, tend towards consequentialism or deontology, as you don’t have nearly enough space in a personal statement to back up a philosophical position in any substantial or interesting way.

The statement also ought to be broken down into smaller paragraphs. This will improve the overall structure and will make for a much more natural read.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This is an excellent statement edging very closely to 5 stars; it ties the three subjects together and clearly conveys why each is personal to the student and what they want to achieve by studying them.

The candidate ought, however, to focus more on how their background has affected their way of thinking, rather than listing their positions on various issues.

Finally, the formatting could have been improved to make it easier to read, but this is a smaller point. 

And there we have it – an Oxford PPE Personal Statement with feedback from our expert tutors. 

Remember, at Oxford, the Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Check out our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your PPE application.

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• PPE Oxford Personal Statement Example

Below you can read a great personal statement for the Oxford course in PPE. The candidate successfully applied and was invited to interview at Oxford .

PPE Oxford Personal Statement

As I wandered the halls of Westminster, clutched my dictionary while watching Question Time, and poured over economic reports trying to grasp the principles within, I realised that I wasn’t indulging mere childhood curiosity – I was allowing my destiny to find me. 

My thirst to understand the machinery of society was unquenchable, leading me to explore the intersections of politics , philosophy , and economics from my early days. I peppered my grandfather with wide-eyed questions on the impacts of policies as he recounted stories of spearheading union protests. 

I ploughed through dense biographies of iconic leaders and treatises on rights by enlightenment thinkers, enthralled by their ability to reshape reality as my multi-coloured highlighters etched Rousseau’s Social Contract and my fingers folded page corners of Friedman’s Capitalism and Freedom, I knew I was forging the first wrinkles into my brain that would one day house a masterful command of PPE.

This led me to choose A-level subjects – History , Economics, and English Literature – that would provide relevant conceptual foundations and prepare me for the rigorous PPE course. Achieving predicted grades of A*AA has equipped me with sharp analytical abilities, critical thinking skills, and articulate communication proficiency to succeed at Oxford .

My passion for politics was sparked by my grandfather’s involvement in trade union campaigns that opened my eyes to labour rights issues. As an inquisitive child, I peppered him with questions about policy impacts that he patiently answered, nurturing my intellectual curiosity. 

This led me to proactively expand my knowledge by watching documentaries on sociopolitical movements, reading biographies of leaders like Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi fighting oppression, and following writers like Thomas Paine advocating radical reforms. I was fascinated by the power of political philosophy in inspiring real-world transformation.

An opportunity to intern with an MP at the Houses of Parliament allowed me unique insider perspectives on British politics. I closely observed the law-making process, party dynamics, and constituency responsibilities which reinforced deeper theoretical lessons from academic study. Attending parliamentary debates sharpened my critical thinking abilities as I analysed the argumentative techniques employed. Interacting with MPs from multiple parties also enlightened me on the varying ideological approaches which influence policy decisions. This first-hand experience solidified my passion for the multifaceted world of politics.

My interest in justice led me to participate extensively in school debates where I relished intellectual sparring, rhetorical skill development, and the construction of rational arguments. As president of the debating society in Year 13, I helped mentor junior students on persuasive speaking and logical reasoning to guide the school to county finals wins. In national Model United Nations events, building strong positions on complex global issues based on geopolitical constraints further honed my critical analysis and problem-solving abilities that will aid in my PPE study.

PPE’s interdisciplinary nature offers the perfect platform to advance my multipronged interests. Oxford’s tutorial approach will stretch my thinking capacities through rigorous engagement with eminent experts at the frontiers of their fields. The vibrant, diverse student communities I interacted with on-campus visits also strongly appealed to me; just the sort of collegial yet competitively stimulating PPE environment I seek to fulfil my potential as I chart my path in public service. I am confident my proactive passion for politics, honed philosophical perspectives, strong economics foundations, communication and leadership skills, and fierce work ethic make me well prepared to thrive on this prestigious course.

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June: Tips for writing an outstanding PPE personal statement

The importance of a good personal statement.

After we looked at how to build your reading list for the summer last month, this month’s blog looks at how to do yourself justice – with advice and tips on writing a personal statement that will highlight your strengths and USPs.

A personal statement is like a handshake – a weak one and you won’t be worth remembering, but a good one will leave a lasting impression. With an Oxbridge application, your personal statement is a positive way of laying the groundwork with regards to what you might want to talk about in an interview and for allowing the interviewers to learn more about you and your interests before December.  For an Oxford application especially, your personal statement can make the difference between an invitation to interview, or the end of your application.

What to include

Before you put pen to paper to draft your personal statement, it’s a good idea to take some time to make a list of things that you do or have participated in to demonstrate your commitment to, and passion for, your subject. Cast your mind back over the last two years and make a note of extra-curricular activities, lectures/talks you have attended, books you have read and anything else that you can think of that may demonstrate your unique selling points and your ability to engage with your subject. Revisit your list a day or two later to make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything that could interest an Oxbridge interviewer.

Once you have a full list, work out the things that are most relevant to your subject and the things that are most likely to set you apart from other students. For example, whilst doing your DoE award is impressive, it may be better to focus on the Economics society that you helped set up. Even if you haven’t yet read all the books you intend on reading for your Oxbridge interview, by discussing them in your personal statement, your Oxbridge interviewer is going to be able to personalise your interview more easily and to learn more about your interests in advance.

How to draft a personal statement

Show your personal statement to subject teachers for feedback and make changes where necessary. Read your personal statement a few days after writing it as this will show you weaknesses and you can keep redrafting until you reach a version you think shows the best of you. Remember- whilst other people’s feedback can be very valuable, this is your  personal statement and needs to reflect you as well as possible.

Happy Drafting!

All views and ideas represented in this blog post are exclusive to Resham, and do not represent those of any other third party.

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Politics, philosophy & economics (ppe) personal statement example 3.

In this day and age virtually every aspect of our lives may be considered political. My passion to study Politics stems from this tenet and a belief that a comprehension of Politics is integral to understanding the current state of humanity.

However, I believe that to approach Politics without appreciating the ethical motivations and implications of political decisions, as well as the economic context of political events, would be futile. My study of Mathematics will be advantageous in learning the quantitative aspects of Economics.

Moreover the intellectual clarity of Mathematics and Physics has equipped me with a logical rigour useful in Philosophy. Through History I have developed a greater understanding of Politics through analysis of Gladstone and Disraeli and of Russia's transition from autocracy to communism.

The course has altered my perceptions of the extent to which politicians must approach situations pragmatically, not simply ideologically, in order to achieve their goals.

I have explored this theme in my additional reading; in 'Thatcher and Thatcherism' Eric J Evans challenged many of my pre-conceptions about Margaret Thatcher, her ideology and the extent to which, like similarly ideologically driven politicians such as Lenin, she was forced to make concessions for wider political gain.

Economics fascinates me and I have enjoyed reading Edmund Conway's '50 Economics Ideas You Really Need to Know' to gain a basic understanding. Reading 'Micromotives and Macrobehaviour', I was intrigued by the use of Econometrics in modelling human behaviour.

It forced me to question my belief that desirable social outcomes, such as racial integration, can be achieved without government intervention.

My confidence in laissez-faire was again brought into question by reading 'False Dawn' by John Gray, as I found his condemnation of the propensity of free markets to exacerbate social ills compelling.

Notwithstanding this, I found merit in many arguments in favour of markets put forward by Friedman in 'Capitalism and Freedom', notably his claim that economic and political freedoms are inextricably linked; this reaffirmed the importance of studying Politics alongside Economics. I have read several introductory texts regarding Philosophy and recently attended a Philosophy conference at York University.

Reading 'Religion for Atheists' by Alain de Botton, I considered the author's analysis of humanity's emotional needs very valuable, yet was frustrated by the impracticality of many of his recommendations, for example to reduce the emphasis on vocational education.

This has confirmed my desire to study Philosophy alongside the practical disciplines of Politics and Economics. The History: Race and Protest course at the Oxford University UNIQ summer school, accompanied by Stephen Tuck's 'We Ain't What We Ought to Be,' fundamentally altered my perception of racial inequality, by presenting a far harsher portrayal of the struggle for civil rights than the often diluted version present in much of the media.

I have also examined inequality from a philosophical angle, through reading Rousseau's 'Second Discourse'.

Whilst I agreed with his arguments regarding the origins of political inequality, I found myself opposed to his claims regarding the state of nature, particularly that humans would naturally live alone, a claim which appears contrary to modern knowledge of early human society. Next year I look forward to expanding my knowledge of PPE, but also to fully immersing myself in the extra-curricular aspects of university.

I enjoy playing Rugby and Hockey, run Chess Club, am a member of a Boys' Vocal Group and the Sixth Form Debating society; served on the latter for two years as its youngest member.

Having always enjoyed debating ideological issues as well as current affairs I also organised a talk regarding the importance of the separation of church and state delivered by Michael Meadowcroft.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by finnplees for application in 2014.

finnplees's university choices The University of Durham University of Leeds The University of Hull Oxford University The University of York

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

finnplees's Comments

I felt this was a moderately good personal statement. It got me 5 offers, including ones from Oxford (where I am currently a student) and Durham.

This personal statement is unrated

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A Guide to Effective Oxford PPE Personal Statement Examples

Table of Contents

Writing a personal statement for Oxford University’s Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) program is an important task.

Your Oxford PPE personal statement examples should be to the course you are applying to. It should be giving insight into your motivations and interest in the subject. It should also demonstrate that you have the necessary skills to pursue this demanding academic program.

This blog post will provide tips on writing a compelling personal statement and examples of successful PPE student statements from previous applicants.

We hope these resources help you craft an impressive personal statement that will make your application stand out from the rest!

What Is an Oxford PPE Personal Statement?

An Oxford PPE personal statement is a written document that serves as part of the admissions process . It is into the University’s Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program. Your statement should provide proof of your interest in and commitment to the course.

Demonstrate any relevant experience or skills you may have acquired, and explain why you are the person for the program.

Tips for Writing an Effective Oxford PPE Personal Statement

1. research.

Before writing your personal statement, it is vital to research the course and understand what makes it unique from other political science degrees. Investigate any current topics related to the subject area, review past readings and assignments. Gain further insight into how this degree could help advance your academic career.

2. Show Your Enthusiasm

Let the admissions officers know that you are excited about pursuing this degree. State why you believe it is the right fit for your academic interests. Explain what makes this course unique to you and demonstrate how your goals could be achieved by completing it.

3. Be Concise

Keep your statement concise, clear, and direct. You want to communicate your interest in the subject matter effectively without wasting the reader’s time with unnecessary details or flowery language.

4. Proofread Carefully

After writing your personal statement, go over it with a fine-toothed comb. Look for any mistakes or typos which may have been overlooked during the writing process. This is especially important because even minor errors can lead to significant misunderstandings in the admissions’ office.

Successful Oxford PPE Personal Statement Examples

I am applying to the PPE program because it will allow me to study philosophy, politics, and economics in a stimulating environment. The combination of these three disciplines excites me, as it offers a unique approach to understanding complex issues from theoretical and practical perspectives. My previous studies have honed my analytical skills, allowing me to think critically about current affairs and their implications on society at large. With my enthusiasm for this research field and solid academic foundation, I am confident that I will succeed in the PPE program.

Throughout my academic and professional career; I have been committed to exploring the impact of politics on society. I have my experience organizing a political discussion forum to researching the links between economic development and inequality. This makes me passionate about understanding how policy decisions shape our lives. Oxford’s PPE program is the perfect place to continue this exploration as it offers an unparalleled combination of philosophy, politics, and economics courses. This will give me with the knowledge to pursue a career in public service or international affairs. With my strong interest in this field of study and to understanding its implications, I can make an invaluable contribution to the program.

Writing an effective oxford PPE personal statement requires thoughtful research, a clear understanding of the course content. And also an ability to communicate your enthusiasm for the subject matter. By following these tips and using examples from successful applicants, you can ensure that your application stands out from the crowd. It demonstrates why you are an ideal candidate for this program .

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Personal statement example philosophy, politics and economics (ppe).

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Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

As a Slovak who is conscious of my nation’s turbulent history, I have been fascinated by questions that fall within the domains of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. From questions about Slovakia’s Communist past, her current membership of the EU, and her economic future I am constantly grappling with broader issues and concepts that transcend my nation’s history and bring me to the great debates that constitute the lifeblood of my chosen course.

Influenced by my mother’s stories about her upbringing under Soviet rule I have long had an interest in both the theory and implementation of Marxist thought. Initially this interest brought me to ‘Communist Czechoslovakia’ by Dr Kevin McDermott which disturbed me with its description of real-world oppression, but it also brought me to Marx’s ‘Communist Manifesto’. Reading this text to better understand an ideology which played such a significant role in my nation’s history I found myself questioning the morality of Marxism and wondering if the attempt to move power from the bourgeoisie to the proletariat via the state would always end up – as was the case in Slovakia – with power simply being centralised in the hands of state bureaucrats. This question continues to intrigue me and provided the basis for my EPQ: “By eliminating the class system, Marxism ideology provides a just society.’ To what extent is this statement correct”.

Another debate that I find fascinating is the role and function of mathematical models in economic thought. At the University of Oxford UNIQ Summer School, I was introduced to the Neyman-Rubin causal model. This non-parametric model is revolutionary and seemingly of high utility; quantifying causal effect is vital to rational decision-making. However, reading George Szpiro’s ‘Price the Future’ and learning about how the Black Scholes’s model may have contributed to the 2008 financial crisis I am much more sensitive and alert to the way in such models may disguise more than they reveal. This is certainly not to say that such models are irrelevant to economics but we may need to show much more care in how we use them, and the possibly suspect assumptions upon which they are based.

Even though my background has brought me to important debates about society, I am also drawn to fundamental questions about truth, reality and ultimate meaning. I explored this interest when I entered the 2017 John Locke essay competition, arguing that the five-minute hypothesis (5MH) - the belief that the universe came into existence only five minutes ago, and all apparent knowledge of a past beyond that is a product of the time of creation – shouldn’t be believed. However despite my conclusion I found it both fascinating and a little disturbing that this theory, birthed to strengthen Russell’s argument about memory, is hard, if not impossible to disprove. The 5MH is certainly at odds with common sense and counter-intuitive but nonetheless it has a certain logical sense. It is such insights and challenges that I find deeply appealing about Philosophy and which can only add greater depth and value to my other areas of interest.

Apart from wider reading, essay competitions and summer schools there are many other ways in which I have fuelled my interest in PPE. For example, in my work experience at the United Nations in Geneva, I reflected on the importance of international cooperation to secure basic human rights and dignity worldwide. After visiting the Houses of Parliament, I completed an introductory MOOC into UK Politics to understand more about the dynamics of our bicameralism. While working at Deloitte, I learnt about how government regulation and systems of taxation shape the decisions of small business owners. As has hopefully been demonstrated I have deep and abiding interest in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and it is due to this that I seek to read them at university, finding answers to the many questions I have about the society, world and reality in which I live.

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A bit about you

I’ve always been politically minded and the PPE course at Oxford specifically appealed to me it allowed me a chance to study philosophical and economic theory in the view of becoming a more well-rounded politician one day. I’m so glad I made the plunge to apply for Oxford as I’m having the time of my life and am enjoying the course – even if it is really hard work!

How did you find the programme?

I found the company on Google.

How did it help with your Oxbridge application?

Having a tutor who was an Oxford student. They had all the insight needed to really help me out with my application. I found some information online that seemed old or out-of-date so having someone who had recently been in my position was helpful. I liked the resources used too, they were well designed and very helpful.

When it came to applying for uni I was quite indecisive. I’ve always enjoyed learning and couldn’t make my mind up about what I wanted to study! I’ve always wanted to understand how the world works and PPE (specifically at Oxford) seemed like a good way to do that as you approach problems from political and philosophical angles. I always wanted to apply to Oxford but don’t know anyone else who’s been through the process so I was quite nervous about making sure I was doing everything possible to give myself the best chance.

My friend found the company as he was also applying. It sounded like it was really helpful for him so I also decided to sign up. Funnily enough we both got offers!

It was amazing! The tutor I was paired with helped me with every single step of the application and I couldn’t fault him. I was probably a bit of an annoying student as I had a million different questions – but he answered every single one and filled me with a lot of confidence to take forward to the interview.

Both of my parents went to Cambridge so naturally I knew I HAD to go to… Oxford. My school was really helpful and had a scheme to support students applying to Oxbridge but I was the only one applying for PPE. I wanted more PPE-specific advice and help which is why I reached out to Oxbridge Mind.

I searched on Google for TSA online courses and this seemed like the best.

The most helpful thing for me was the resources for TSA preparation. My tutor helped me realise that the essay section was my weakest point, so I went through and wrote essays for every single past paper question available. Oxbridge Mind had sample essay plans for each question available and comparing my answer to that helped me realise exactly where I was going wrong.

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Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

Applied in: winter 2013, university offers: oxford.

Philosophy, politics & economics each provide a compelling opportunity to analyse and discuss the systems that govern our daily lives, from free will to the power of maths in modelling human behaviour. I realised my interest in PPE when trying to answer the question: Is it self-contradictory for something that is unjust to be justified? I wondered if an answer to this question could be found in the attempt to legitimise an unjust government.

After reading Rousseau's discussion of democracy and after considering Plato's Guardian theory, I won a school prize with an extended essay entitled 'On the tyranny of the Majority', inspired de Tocqueville's claim. De Tocqueville highlights the fact that a simple majority does not have the right to make political decisions simply by virtue of their being a majority. They are, in this sense, tyrannical. I addressed whether the democratic theorist can satisfactorily counter de Tocqueville's challenge by arguing that democracy, by its nature, legitimises a government. I concluded that they could not. In my research, I was struck by how our conception of rights can be misleading in assessing the strengths of democratic theory. This is something that I am looking forward to studying further, especially having read passages of Kant's The Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, which could be viewed as the beginning of the discussion of human rights.

Since then I have furthered my interest in PPE by reading around my A-level subjects. For example, having been intrigued by a brief reference to Jean-Jacques Rousseau when studying Kant's ethics, I read On the Social Contract. I found that both their discussions of the role of the 'will' were very similar and that the 'Categorical Imperative' bore a striking resemblance to the basis of Rousseau's vision for society. I concluded by asking whether Kant would have produced such a striking normative system at all without Rousseau's work, an extended essay on this topic won a school essay competition. Having read Quine's Two Dogmas of Empiricism, I was surprised by his argument that the self-referential nature of language means that the divide between analytic & synthetic statements is dogmatic. The notion of language being self-referential had occurred to me in considering Searl's Chinese room thought experiment. The only difference between the Chinese speaker & the computer is that the computer lacks the rules to associate one character to another in the context of the rules that it knows. 'Understanding' is rooted in linguistic rules and not in the human mind uniquely.

I am interested by the use of maths in economics and I have enjoyed passages from von Neumann and Morgenstern's Theory of Games & Economic Behaviour. Although I thought that their opening remarks concerning the power of mathematic models in economics were very convincing, I also found the underlying assumptions of game theory to be a useful insight into how the failure of models contributed to not foreseeing the 2008 crash. In addition, when writing for a school magazine, I developed an argument from Michael Sandel's 2009 Reith Lecture on The Moral Limits of Markets in opposing Liberty's 'Snoopers Charter Campaign'. I chose to write on this subject because I enjoyed the distinction he drew between the roles market and non-market norms in criticising the practice of carbon trading, but also because I thought that the negative reaction to his argument by economists, though valid, had missed the point he was trying to make. In my spare time I have enjoyed being involved in running my school's political society.

I have also furthered an interest in international politics & relations by being involved in international Scouting, representing the UK in Sweden, Denmark & Finland in 2011 and Switzerland 2013, which has allowed me to take part in international MUN style conferences and similar events. I hope to be selected to represent the UK at a similar event in Japan in 2015.

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