TLDR: I didn’t love all 3 of the disciplines + youyouxue for tsa is optimal
I focused too heavily on “shiny” supercurriculars — UNIQ, The Pelican Programme, UNIV PPE Taster Day, Christ’s King’s, LSE Springboard.
→ Great on paper, but didn’t translate into real subject knowledge.
I didn’t engage properly with my subject.
→ I didn’t finish a single politics or philosophy book.
→ As a result, I had little theoretical foundation going into the interview.
→ You don’t need one, but I personally feel it would’ve helped a great deal.
I did fine on the admissions test, but when questions turned abstract:
→ I had nothing to anchor my thoughts to.
→ No theories, frameworks, or concepts to build ideas on.
Not taking Philosophy or Politics A Level made it harder.
→ I lacked the ball knowledge to approach the subject intuitively or explore/validate my thoughts.
Read early and widely — not just full books, but also:
→ Introduction books (e.g. Oxford’s very short introduction series)
→ ChatGPT explanations/tables/summaries
→ Crash-course intros (YouTube, MOOCs) to key thinkers and debates
Only apply if you actually enjoy the subject.
→ If you do, go deep. Build a feel for the questions and ideas that matter.
Admissions Test isn’t everything
→ It helps or hurts BUT interview is kill or die.
The best one by far: YouYouXue TSA Strategy
Bottom line: don’t get distracted by shiny programmes. Read, think, and engage — that’s what makes the difference.