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Economics Joint Schools

Economics & Management

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

Hertford is home to one of the largest communities of undergraduates studying economics in the University. With 8 or 9 in each year studying each of Philosophy, Politics & Economics and Economics & Management, you’ll never be short of peers with whom to discuss your ideas. This large group also means that we can resource additional classes and ensure that your training in mathematical techniques is well supported. We bring students from both disciplines together for these classes – the slightly different perspectives from those also thinking about philosophy, versus business management, really enrich our discussions.

This large community is also very mutually supportive. With our regular econ socials, as well as the extensive independent study these degrees require, our students tend to work as a team, helping each other and challenging each other to do better. This collaborative attitude at Hertford has contributed to our recent excellent results.

Our students are supported by four tutors in Economics with long-term commitments to the college, three of whom are female. These degrees allow a wide choice of specialisation and options in the third year, for which we draw on expertise across the University.

Teaching and learning

Analytical and logical skills are key to understanding how modern economies work. Degrees in Oxford are taught in both the department and the college. The department provides lectures, attended by students across the University; the first-year Economics course is partly lectured by our college fellow Elizabeth. But the follow-up, in the form of tutorial teaching, classes, independent study and regular contact with leading researchers in the field, is focused in the college.

Small-group tutorials mean that you get to work alongside expert tutors and test your ideas in a supportive setting. Every tutorial should be different, focusing on what individuals find interesting. Classes focus on what everyone needs to understand, and are a good opportunity to bring to whole group together. However, a large portion of your learning will be independent study – for which it is a great advantage to have many others around you in the same position.

In your first year you’ll gain an overview of microeconomics and macroeconomics. You can then build on these foundations in your second and third years with more in-depth economics and a whole range of optional subjects, ranging from game theory to the study of developing countries.
After Hertford

We’re proud of the high academic results consistently achieved by our students at Hertford. These results mean that many of our graduates are well-placed to continue on to competitive further study.

But our graduates go on to a wide variety of other exciting careers, using the analytical and logical skills they develop during their degree. In the past, many former students have started careers in government, law, teaching and the City. But the skills they develop on our courses at Hertford are very transferable, and valued across the workforce.
Making an application

At Hertford, you can apply to read Economics in one of two course options: Philosophy, Politics & Economics or Economics & Management. We take all aspects of your application into account when making admissions decisions. If you’re shortlisted, you will be interviewed by tutors from both joint schools. There are no right or wrong answers in interviews – we’re looking to see how you think logically and analytically, how you can construct and defend an argument, and how you can think on your feet. We know you might be nervous, so we’ll do all we can to make you feel comfortable.