PPE tutors are looking for evidence of the following qualities in applicants:
- Application and interest: capacity for sustained study, motivation and interest, an independent and reflective approach to learning;
- Reasoning ability: ability to analyse and solve problems using logical and critical approaches, ability to assess relevance, capacity to construct and critically assess arguments, flexibility and willingness to consider alternative views;
- Communication: willingness and ability to express ideas clearly and effectively on paper and orally; ability to listen; ability to give considered responses.
Throughout the admissions process, tutors will be seeking to detect the candidate's future potential as a PPE student. Existing achievement (as revealed in official examinations, predicted examination results, and school reports), as well as performance in the pre-interview TSA admissions test and interview, is relied upon mainly as evidence of future potential.
Candidates are not expected to have studied any philosophy, politics or economics at school, but should be interested and be prepared to put their minds to problems of philosophy, politics and economics presented to them.
In the case of candidates whose first language is not English, competence in the English language is also a criterion of admission.
Final decisions about offers of places will use the full range of evidence available, including past and predicted exam results, the school report, the personal statement, the TSA admissions test and the interviews. Entry is competitive, which means that not all candidates who satisfy the admissions criteria will receive offers.
