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Politics, Psychology and Sociology
Politics, Psychology and Sociology (PPS) is one of the most wide ranging degrees on offer at Cambridge. In the first year you study all three disciplines and one other topic, and specialise in your second year and third year in either one or two of these. The flexible nature of the course means you can also take papers from departments as wide-ranging as Education Studies, History, Oriental Studies and Natural Sciences.
Greg Patton
Jesus
3rd Year
London
Learning four different but related disciplines in the first year poses a challenge that is unique to Cambridge but the different perspectives each subject brings really helps you to understand the ideas and concepts that you study. Plenty of people also end up loving a subject that they never considered before Cambridge.
“ Your less-enlightened friends will call you a slacker - but don't be fooled. ”
Most of the teaching is done by lectures and supervisions. Although many scientists will call you a slacker for the small number of lectures you have to attend (about 10 hours a week), this is more than compensated by the large reading lists provided in order to write your essays. The PPS library will have most of the books and journals you need. It is very central and also close to your lectures but can often be cramped and hot in the summer. If you can’t find what you need in the PPS library, or fancy a change of scenery, you have access to any other department library and the central University Library.
Almost all your work will be assessed in supervisions, which are held in small groups or one-on-one with an academic related to the subject you are studying. Both the positive aspects of your essay and those areas that could be improved are discussed. It also allows you the chance to ask questions about the lectures and the material you have covered. Whilst this can be quite nerve racking, especially when the supervisor has written some of the books on the reading list, you soon get used to it and appreciate the benefits it brings. The flexible nature of the course means your final exams can be examined as a mixture of unseen papers, long essays and a dissertation.
Best thing? The range of options available
Those who study PPS go into a wide range of fields afterwards. Whilst a career in politics often springs to mind, plenty of students choose to go into law, advertising or do further studies. Those who specialise in Psychology can also be accredited by British Psychological Society, which is the first step towards becoming a Psychologist.
PPS is a fantastic degree that gives you both the breadth and depth of knowledge to challenge your views on society and politics and a wide range of skills to take into jobs afterwards. The only negative aspect of the course is that your less enlightened friends will call you a dosser or a slacker. But don’t be fooled!
Worst thing? Being called lazy and a slacker the whole time