PPES vs BESS at Trinity College

Above responses seem to ignore that they are similarly broad courses!

In effect, there are two differences: 1) one has business where the other has philosophy, and 2) the PPES structure is slightly more rigid, as you must do three subjects in second year and two in third, whereas, after first year, anything goes in BESS, provided you take at least half of your modules in a single subject and meet your intended graduating major's prerequisites.

Personally...unless you have an interest in business/accounting/finance, I'd advise PPES. (And even if you do, I'd still probably advise it!) Philosophy is a great subject that is beneficial to anyone, whereas business...well... While not that important, PPES has a much better reputation on campus, and even though you'd share many of your lectures with BESS people, the feeling of being in the PPES cohort is definitely likely to provide some motivation to do well.

All that said, not much difference between them at all - certainly not one the points differential warrants.

reason vs religion wrote: »

I would largely agree with Grolschevik on the first point. One can categorically say having studied business is in no way preferred for getting into high finance, like investment banking. You may be right abouut job prospects in accounting / general business specifically, but it's foolish to think that philosophy trumps business elsewhere, including marketing. Difference for internship opportunities minimal too, and nothing that involvement in Student Managed Fund won't greatly overcome.

When did Finance become 'high finance'?

Indeed, what exactly is high finance because I'm certain that it doesn't mean what you think it does.

If you want to get into investment banking, you study a hard science that involves statistics and/or advanced math. You don't study philosophy or business. Most jobs in finance are not quants jobs and are not aimed at quants grads.

Internships certainly do differ, how many organisations directly target PPES in Trinity vs BESS? How many student ambassadors for said organisations in PPES vs BESS?

Studying two years of marketing (and at least on year of Org Behaviour) certainly trumps philosophy for a marketing job, particularly with how high profile the relevant lecturers are and how heavily Dr. Brady in particular 'markets' students to outside companies.

Let's not discuss the merits or otherwise of business studies. But I think the business corner would lose in a match up with the oldest academic discipline, famed for how it debelops critical thinking and depth of mind.

You are showing your naivety and lack of real world knowledge here if you think any but the slimmest majority of companies want critical thinking and depth of mind(quite the contrary, according to empirical evidence), or that they automatically represent the cream of the crop.

You're also making the logical error that because Philosophy has in the past been famed (in uncertain times and unspecified places), TCD Philosophy is great and everyone is recognisant of that.

Condensed philosophy?! While I have no idea what is covered in Business in Society, I would be fairly confident that's it's trivial versus what one studies in a philosophy degree.

A one year module is trivial next to 4 years of modules? Well I never! Here we see how the wonderful discipline of philosophy enables you to insightfully cut through my argument!

I never argued that BiS is equal to 4 years of Philosophy. Unfortunately it seems that studying Philosophy (the oldest academic discipline in the world!) teaches neither reading comprehension nor critical thinking.

'Condensed philosophy light on the role of business in modern society' (is an interesting and relevant module) would seem to be self explanatory on what it is and isn't.

And incidetnally, it's not the content that one studies that makes philosophy rewarding, it's the whole process of engaging with some of the most complex lines of thinking you'll ever encounter.

https://www.reddit.com/r/iamverysmart/ awaits you.

Without sounding snooty, to anyone it matters, PPES has a significantly better reputation.

I sincerely doubt that you know anyone that matters. Or else, the only people that matter to you are the people who agree with you that PPES is the best.

I suggest you should consider leaving your echo chamber occasionally, and try to avoid living up to unfortunate TCD stereotypes.