Foundation Year in PPE
Are you a student from the UK who wants to pursue a Foundation Year in PPE at Oxford University but feel your personal circumstances or educational background may prevent you from meeting the standard entry requirements? If so, applying for the PPE Foundation Year could be the perfect opportunity. The Astrophoria Foundation Year is a fully free, one-year intensive academic programme designed to help eligible students bridge any gaps from school and prepare for the challenges of undergraduate study at Oxford.
This programme is carefully structured to strengthen three key areas:
Study skills – mastering research, writing, and academic management.
Subject knowledge – building a strong foundation in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
Academic confidence – developing the self-belief and skills to succeed in higher education.
Upon completion, successful students earn a nationally recognised Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE) and, if they meet the required standard, gain automatic Oxford admission without undergoing the standard re-application process. Understanding the Oxford application deadline and following the proper application process and deadlines for Oxford Foundation Year is crucial for prospective students looking to secure this exceptional opportunity.
Course Overview
UCAS code: L0VF
Entrance requirements: BBB
Course duration: 4 years (BA)
Application Deadline
29 January 2025
Subject Requirements
Required subjects: Not applicable
Recommended subjects: Maths
Helpful subjects: History
Written Work
You may be asked to submit a piece of written work.
Admissions Statistics
Places for Astrophoria Foundation Year: Up to 50
Places for PPE Foundation: Up to 8
Foundation Year in PPE Course
The Foundation Year in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) introduces students to all three subject areas. The programme includes:
- A ‘Foundations in PPE’ module that provides an overview of the three disciplines.
- Two separate modules in each subject area – Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
- A continuous Mathematics for PPE module, which runs throughout the three terms to build the essential mathematical skills needed for economics and data analysis.
Through these modules, you will gain essential academic abilities such as:
- Strong writing and reasoning skills.
- Critical thinking and analytical abilities.
- The confidence to take part in discussions and debates.
- Clear and effective communication skills.
The curriculum is designed in a way that introduces you to key debates, problems, and arguments within the PPE fields. You will not only learn new concepts but also practice applying them in essays, discussions, and problem-solving exercises.
Additional Support
Alongside the academic subjects, you will also take part in the Preparation for Undergraduate Studies programme. This support course is aimed at preparing you to succeed not only at Oxford but also at any other university you might choose in the future.
It covers three main areas:
- General academic skills and writing – learning how to structure essays, build arguments, and present ideas clearly.
- Communication skills – strengthening both written and spoken expression, so you can confidently join discussions as well as write effectively.
- Personal development – through courses on society and culture, as well as guidance from academic mentors who support your progress.
A Typical Week
During your Foundation Year, you will be expected to dedicate at least forty hours every week to your studies. This means that the programme is designed to feel very similar to a full-time job, requiring commitment, focus, and consistent effort.
For the PPE modules, your week will usually include a mixture of teaching formats:
- Around 2 hours of lectures, where you will be introduced to key topics, theories, and debates by a tutor.
- 2 to 4 hours of seminars and classes, which are smaller group sessions that allow you to explore topics in more detail, ask questions, and take part in discussions.
- 2 to 3 hours of tutorials, which are small, intensive teaching sessions designed to challenge your understanding and deepen your knowledge.
In addition to these scheduled sessions, you will also have regular meetings with your tutors to review your progress, receive feedback on your work, and discuss ideas in more depth. Independent study plays a central role in the course, so you will spend much of your week reading, preparing essays, and conducting research. Typically, you will need to submit 2–3 assignments every week, which may include essays, problem sets, or written exercises depending on the subject.
Balancing Different Courses
Your study time will be divided between two main areas:
- The PPE academic programme – covering Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Mathematics for PPE. Each term, you will focus on two of the three core PPE subjects alongside the continuous mathematics module. This structure allows you to gradually build both subject knowledge and confidence.
- The Preparation for Undergraduate Studies course – a parallel programme that supports your development in areas such as academic writing, communication, and personal growth.
Together, these will ensure that by the end of the year you have both the subject knowledge and the academic skills to succeed at undergraduate level.
Class Sizes and Teaching Style
The Foundation Year offers a variety of learning environments, each with a different level of interaction:
- Tutorials are the most personalised form of teaching. These are usually conducted in very small groups – often just two students with one tutor – which means you receive detailed feedback and close attention.
- Classes are slightly larger and often consist of around four students per session. However, this can vary depending on the module you are taking.
- When the whole PPE Foundation Year group comes together, the class size may increase to around eight students.
- Lectures are the largest format, usually delivered to the entire Foundation Year cohort of up to 50 students. These are designed to give an overview of broader topics that you can then explore further in classes and tutorials.
Most of your teaching will be delivered by Oxford tutors who are subject specialists in their fields. In some cases, you may also be taught by highly qualified postgraduate students who contribute to specific modules.
Course Structure
The Foundation Year in PPE is carefully divided across three academic terms. Each term combines subject-specific modules with broader skills development through the Preparation for Undergraduate Studies programme. Assessment is a balance of coursework and written examinations, ensuring you develop both practical and academic strengths.
Year 1
Courses studied:
- Foundations in PPE – an introductory module that gives you a broad overview of Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and shows how the three areas connect.
- Economics: Economic Development, Inequality and the Environment – explores key economic issues such as poverty, inequality, and the challenges of sustainable growth.
- Philosophy: Introduction to Philosophical Analysis – introduces critical thinking and logical reasoning, focusing on how philosophers analyse concepts and arguments.
- Mathematics for PPE – builds the essential mathematical skills required for economics, statistics, and analytical problem-solving.
- Preparation for Undergraduate Studies – develops your general academic and personal skills, including:
- Academic writing and research techniques
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Wider awareness through society and culture studies
Assessment:
- Coursework: Four essays submitted across the term.
- Examinations: Written papers testing your understanding of key topics.
Year 2
Courses studied:
- Politics: Theory of Politics – introduces political ideas, ideologies, and concepts, helping you understand how political systems and institutions are shaped.
- Economics: Economics of Society and Public Policy – examines the role of economics in shaping government policies and their impact on society.
- Mathematics for PPE – continues to strengthen your mathematical and analytical skills.
- Preparation for Undergraduate Studies – ongoing development of academic writing, communication, and cultural understanding.
Assessment:
- Examinations: Written papers on the modules studied.
- Coursework: A portfolio of essays submitted throughout the term.
Year 3
Courses studied:
- Philosophy: Problems of Philosophy – explores fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, morality, and human existence.
- Politics: Practice of Politics – focuses on real-world political systems, institutions, and current issues in governance.
- Mathematics for PPE – continues as a core module, ensuring you are fully prepared for undergraduate-level economics and data work.
- Preparation for Undergraduate Studies – final stage of developing skills in academic writing, communication, and cultural understanding.
Assessment:
- Examinations: Written papers testing knowledge and application of the subjects studied.
- Coursework: Portfolio of essays submitted during the term.
Academic Requirements
To be eligible for the Foundation Year in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), students need to meet certain academic requirements. These requirements vary depending on the qualification you are studying for, but they are set at a level that recognises students may not have achieved the higher grades typically needed for direct entry into Oxford.
Here are the entry requirements by qualification type:
- A-levels:
You should have achieved at least BBB across your A-level subjects. - Advanced Highers (Scotland):
You should have either BB or BBC in your Advanced Higher subjects. - International Baccalaureate (IB):
You should achieve a total of 35 points (including the core points), with 555 at Higher Level. - BTECs:
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: Minimum requirement of MMM.
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: At least MM, plus a grade B at A-level.
- BTEC Level 3 National Subsidiary Diploma: At least M, plus BB at A-level.
- Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma:
You should complete the diploma with all Level 3 credits at Merit grade. If you have also taken A-levels, you should have achieved at least B grades in them. - Other equivalent qualifications:
If you are studying another UK or international qualification, you can check how these compare by reviewing Oxford’s guidance on other UK qualifications and international qualifications.
Subject Requirements
When applying for the PPE Foundation Year, there are no strict subject requirements, but there are some recommendations that may help you prepare better for the course.
- Recommended:
It is strongly recommended that candidates have studied Mathematics at A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB, or an equivalent qualification. Having this background makes it easier to handle the mathematical aspects of the course. - Helpful:
You can apply for PPE with the Foundation Year regardless of the subject combination you studied at school. It is not necessary to have studied Politics, Philosophy, or Economics While History may provide useful background knowledge and strengthen your analytical skills, it is not essential.
Note: Although Mathematics is not a compulsory requirement, applicants should have a genuine interest in the subject and enough ability to manage the mathematical elements of the course. Mathematics is especially beneficial for:
- Economics – understanding statistics, graphs, and data analysis.
- Philosophy – applying logical and analytical thinking.
Politics – interpreting data and theories that shape political debates.
Applying
- Application route:
All candidates must apply through UCAS. - Deadline:
- For the Foundation Year: January 2025.
- For direct entry into the undergraduate PPE course: October 2024.
This means the Foundation Year has a later deadline, giving applicants additional time to prepare their application.
Written Work
As part of the application process, some candidates may be asked to submit a piece of recent written work.
- This should preferably be an analytical discussion on a topic connected to the subject area you wish to study.
- The purpose is to assess how you structure arguments, present ideas, and engage critically with material.
- Applicants will be informed individually if they are required to submit this work.
Admissions Steps
The admissions process for the PPE Foundation Year follows a clear timeline to ensure all applicants have enough time to prepare their application and submit the required documents. Below is a step-by-step guide:
- Now
Make sure you are on track to meet the academic entry requirements listed earlier (A-levels, IB, BTECs, or equivalent qualifications). - September 2024
Check whether you meet the eligibility criteria (relating to socio-economic or educational disadvantage, and residency status). - January 2025
Submit your UCAS application. You must apply for your chosen degree course with a Foundation Year (e.g., PPE with Foundation Year). - February 2025
Complete and submit the Foundation Year Additional Application Questionnaire (FYAAQ). This form collects information about your background and eligibility. - March 2025
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview. The interview is an opportunity to demonstrate your motivation, potential, and suitability for the course. - April 2025
Successful candidates will receive an offer of admission. - May 2025
Applicants must respond to their offers by the stated deadline.
Eligibility Criteria
Offers for Oxford’s Astrophoria Foundation Year are based on both:
- Academic suitability – your ability and potential to succeed in the programme.
- Eligibility relating to socio-economic and educational disadvantage – the course is specifically designed for students who may have faced challenges in accessing educational opportunities.
The purpose of the Foundation Year is to bridge the education attainment gap that can arise due to personal or social circumstances. By providing one year of tailored academic study, the programme helps students prepare for a smooth transition into an Oxford undergraduate degree.
Key points about eligibility:
- The programme is currently open only to UK state school students who are ordinarily resident in the UK and therefore eligible for home fees status.
- Applicants must provide evidence of meeting the eligibility criteria during the application process.
- This evidence is submitted through the Foundation Year Additional Application Questionnaire (FYAAQ).
- A full guide will be made available on the Foundation Year webpages to help applicants complete this questionnaire correctly.
Checking Your Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for the Astrophoria Foundation Year are currently under review. Any changes will be updated and confirmed on the official webpage before applications open again in September 2024.
At present, applicants should:
- Be state school educated and ordinarily resident in the UK (with home fees status).
- Usually meet either:
- The combined criteria from Categories 1, 2, and 3,
- Or the criterion of Category 4 (Care Experience).
Category 1: Socio-Economic Indicators
To meet this category, you must satisfy at least one of the following:
- Your main home postcode (where you live most of the time) falls within POLAR4 Quintile 1, an indicator of areas with the lowest rates of progression to higher education.
- Your home postcode falls within ACORN Category 4, 5, or 6, which highlights areas associated with socio-economic disadvantage.
- You have been eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) at any point in the last six years (also known as Ever 6 FSM).
Category 2: School/College Characteristics
To meet this category, you must have:
Attended, for most or all of your compulsory education (ages 11–18), a non-selective state-funded UK secondary school or college.
Category 3: Individual Experience
To meet this category, you must satisfy at least one of the following individual circumstances, which demonstrate socio-economic disadvantage or disrupted education:
- Eligibility for FSM within the last six years (Ever 6 FSM).
- Having refugee status or humanitarian protection.
- Being on a child in need plan or having a child protection plan.
- Having had caring responsibilities for a sustained period of time.
- Experiencing pregnancy or parental responsibilities while in education.
- Having a medical or health issue that caused long absences from school/college (over six months).
- Being from a Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman, or Boater
- Being a child of a military family.
- Being a service leaver or veteran.
- Coming from a household with an income below £25,000.
- Experiencing the bereavement of a close family member during secondary education.
- Being an estranged student (no family support).
- Becoming homeless while in education.
- Having experienced time out of education during secondary school or college (over one year).
- Receiving a late diagnosis of Special Educational Needs (within the past two years).
Category 4: Care Experience
If you meet this criterion, you are automatically eligible.
- This applies if you have spent any length of time in local authority care and have attended UK state schools.
Applicants with care experience do not need to meet the criteria in Categories 1–3, although you may still wish to provide that information to give admissions tutors a fuller picture of your educational journey.
Further Details
- You can refer to the 2024 Eligibility Guide for Applicants for detailed explanations of the criteria and how eligibility is verified.
- The 2025 Eligibility Guide will be published once the review is complete, and it will be available before the application process opens in September 2024.
Fees and Funding for the Foundation Year
One of the most important features of Oxford’s Foundation Year courses is that they are completely free of charge.
- No course fees: Students do not have to pay tuition fees for the Foundation Year.
- Covered costs: Both tuition and accommodation expenses are fully covered by the University of Oxford.
- Living bursary: In addition, every student admitted to the programme receives a bursary (financial support) to help with everyday living costs such as food, travel, and study materials.
Because the programme already provides this full package of financial support, students are usually advised not to take out student finance loans for the Foundation Year itself.
However, there are some exceptions:
- In certain cases, students may be encouraged to apply for a student loan of £0 during their Foundation Year. Doing this enables them to access extra financial support through the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if they are eligible.
- Taking this step also ensures that students do not need to reapply for DSA when they begin their degree course in Year 1.
- Any applicant who may qualify for DSA and is offered a place on the Foundation Year will be contacted directly by the Foundation Year Team for guidance and support.
Fees and Funding for the Undergraduate Course
If you successfully complete the Foundation Year and progress onto an Oxford undergraduate degree course, the funding arrangements will change.
- You will be required to pay undergraduate course fees and cover your living costs (such as rent, meals, and personal expenses).
- In most cases, students cover these costs by applying for student loans (tuition fee loans and maintenance loans).
- Full details of the fees, funding options, and available support can be found on:
- The undergraduate course pages for your chosen subject, and
- The University’s fees and funding webpages.
Contextual Information
When you look at Discover Uni course data, you can find statistics about student life and learning at Oxford. While these numbers are useful, they cannot fully capture the unique Oxford experience. Oxford offers much more than data can show, especially through its teaching style, college community, and academic support.
The Oxford Tutorial
At the heart of Oxford’s teaching system is the tutorial – a method of learning that is unlike what most universities offer.
- Where tutorials take place: They are normally held in your college and are led by your academic tutor(s), who are both teachers and active researchers in their subject.
- Other types of teaching: Depending on your course, you may also attend lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, or fieldwork. However, tutorials stand out because of their personal and intensive nature.
- Small group learning: Tutorials usually last about one hour and involve just you and one or two other students from your course and year. This allows for detailed discussions and close feedback on your work.
- Depth and support: Your tutor will provide feedback on essays, problem sheets, or other prepared work, and guide you through the topic in depth. Because groups are small, tutors can monitor your progress closely and quickly provide extra help if you are struggling.
- Unique advantage: This style of learning helps develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and confidence in discussing ideas — skills that are difficult to gain from lectures alone.
👉 You can read more about Oxford’s teaching and tutorial system on the University’s education pages.
College Life
Oxford’s colleges are one of the main reasons the University is considered among the best in the world. Being part of a college gives you the advantages of both:
- Belonging to a large, world-class university, and
- Having a supportive small academic community.
Each college or hall includes students, academic tutors, and support staff, creating a safe and welcoming environment. This helps you focus on your studies, enjoy friendships, and take advantage of Oxford’s many opportunities.
College Facilities
Although every college has its own traditions and character, most provide similar core facilities, such as:
- Porters’ lodge: a staffed reception and entrance
- Dining hall for meals
- Lending library, often open 24/7 during term time
- Student accommodation
- Tutors’ teaching rooms
- Chapel and/or music rooms
- Laundry facilities
- Green spaces for relaxation
- Common room (JCR), where students gather and organise social activities
Accommodation
- Guaranteed housing: All Foundation Year and first-year students are guaranteed accommodation, either within their college site or in a nearby college-owned annexe. This means you live with other new students (‘freshers’), making it easier to settle in.
- Beyond the first year: Every college offers at least one additional year of housing, and some provide it for your full degree. You can choose to stay in college or move into private accommodation with friends after your first year.
Support and Welfare
College tutors primarily help with your academic progress, but they are also approachable for other concerns. In addition, colleges have:
- Welfare officers and support staff to assist with health, wellbeing, and practical matters.
- Student-led support networks, including peer supporters trained by the University’s Counselling Service.
- A college ‘family’ system, where senior students mentor and support those in earlier years.
Application Support
Prospective applicants can also sign up for step-by-step support throughout their Oxford application journey. This ensures that students are not only well-prepared academically but also fully informed about the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Foundation Year in PPE is a free, one-year academic programme under Oxford’s Astrophoria scheme. It prepares eligible UK students for undergraduate study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
The programme is open to UK state school students from disadvantaged backgrounds who show strong academic potential but may not meet standard entry requirements.
Applicants must follow Oxford University’s official timeline. The Oxford application deadline for the Foundation Year typically aligns with UCAS deadlines, so checking Oxford’s admission page is essential.
The application process involves submitting your UCAS form, providing supporting documents, and meeting eligibility criteria. Deadlines for the Foundation Year follow the standard Oxford admission schedule.
Students who meet the required academic standard receive a Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE) and can progress directly to the Oxford PPE undergraduate degree without re-applying.