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The PPS Tripos is being discontinued in its current form.
Similar courses, but with more options are taking its place, please see the following two pages:
Human, Social, and Political Sciences Tripos
Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos
The page below is being retained for reference only.
Directors of Studies:
Dr Brendan Burchell
University Senior Lecturer
http://www.sociology.cam.ac.uk/contacts/staff/profiles/bburchell.html
Dr Jane Nolan
Senior Research Fellow
http://www.sociology.cam.ac.uk/contacts/staff/profiles/jnolan.html
We usually have about 15 students, of whom 12 are undergraduates and 3 postgraduates.
The average number of applicants per year is 15 and the average number of places is 4 per year.
The three year course in PPS is designed to give all students a broad background in the social sciences in the first year before allowing them either to specialise in one discipline or select interdisciplinary options in their second and third years. Modern society, and its problems, can rarely be understood from a narrow knowledge base or limited perspective; it is this philosophy which has given the department its unique blend of social science subjects. The course comprises of a one-year Part I and a two-year Part II. In their first year students will take a total of four introductory papers: two or three in the subject areas that make up the PPSIS Faculty (Politics, Sociology, Social and Developmental Psychology) and one or two others chosen from a list of related topics. This combination provides an excellent preparation for many other Part II subjects at Cambridge as well as PPS.
In their second year students focus on one of four disciplinary channels: Politics and International Studies, Sociology, Social and Developmental Psychology, or a combined Psychology/Sociology route.
After this grounding in the second year, students can take a combination of either advanced courses in their disciplinary specialisation, or interdisciplinary courses which draw on a combination of the disciplines taught in the department; assessment at the end of the second and final years is by a combination of examinations, essays, project work and dissertations.
The total number of optional papers on offer in any one year typically number about 20 and cover a wide range of topics, usually also reflecting areas of research in the department. Examples include Gender, Families, Media, Employment, Crime, Applied Psychology, International Studies, Political Theory and the Sociology and/or Politics of Western Europe, Russia, North America, Latin America and other parts of the world.
Further details of the courses can be found on the departmental website at www.ppsis.cam.ac.uk
The PPSIS Faculty (Politics, Psychology, Sociology and International Studies) prides itself on the quality of its teaching. Courses and teaching methods are constantly reviewed, with full participation from student representatives, to make the teaching as interesting, informative and useful as possible. Many papers are taught through Cambridge's traditional combination of lectures and small-group supervisions. However, there are a number of new innovations which add to the variety and quality of the teaching, such as student projects, interactive use of computers, student conferences, videos and seminars with outside speakers.
Magdalene College co-operates with many of the other Colleges to ensure that, where desirable, students are supervised by specialists in their chosen options. There are typically 8 lectures and 2 supervisions a week. The friendly reputation of Magdalene College is evident among the students studying PPS. Co-operation between students is encouraged, and there are several social functions arranged throughout the year for all the Magdalene PPS students. The subject has also gained an enviable reputation for achievement within the College; over the past ten years the examination record of PPS (previously known as SPS) has been one of the best at Magdalene.
Mathematics A-Level is desirable for Magdalene and some experience of the social sciences is a slight advantage. Prospective candidates may find a broad range of A/S-Levels beneficial as they equip themselves for the PPS course.
Conditional offers are usually made against A-Level grades (or their equivalent). The usual offer will be A*AA at A2 assuming good grades already obtained at A/S level.
Candidates are encouraged to take a gap year between school and university if there are some worthwhile activities that they wish to pursue.
We do not encourage re-applications in PPS.
The interviews in PPS aim to explore candidates' interests in, and knowledge of the social sciences, and their aptitude for the study of the social sciences.
Candidates are asked to send two A-Level essays, or their equivalents, to be used as a basis for part of the subject interview. Candidates are given a passage to read just before the subject interview. Extra-curricular activities that show a strong interest in the social sciences can be influential in decisions over admissions.
Overseas candidates will be invited for interview either in Cambridge or, when arrangements can be made, in their home country. Those who are not able to attend interview may be required to submit additional material in connection with their application.
In previous years PPS graduates have chosen a wide variety of careers in areas such as the civil service, journalism, commerce and the social services, as well as going on to do more advanced university courses or postgraduate research. Employers have shown themselves to be keen to take graduates with the combination of analytical and numerical skills that students acquire in PPS.
The British Psychological Society has given full recognition to the course for those who specialise in the psychology options in Part II. This is important for those who wish to practice as psychologists after postgraduate courses in psychology.
January 2010
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©2012 Magdalene College, Cambridge, CB3 0AG
Registered Charity Number 1137542