This blog is your first step to understanding and writing a personal statement that will help you stand out to universities. Ready to find out more?
Your personal statement is a piece of writing about yourself. It’s how you can tell admissions staff why you want to go to university, and why you’re passionate about studying a particular degree.
It’s also how you can showcase your skills and achievements, including things you’ve done outside of school or college.
And you can use it to demonstrate the qualities you have that your chosen university is looking for and why you’re the best candidate for a particular course.
In fact, write a strong personal statement and it can tip the balance in favour of a university making you an offer.
So, there’s a lot riding on your personal statement, and the information you include in it.
Until last year, the personal statement was a 4,000-character essay. But what you included in it could be a bit of a shot in the dark.
This was particularly difficult if you were applying for different subjects – because you only write one personal statement, even though you can apply for up to five courses.
That hasn’t changed – you’ll still submit just one statement with your application. But instead of an essay you have to answer three specific questions.
These questions have been designed to help you structure what you want to say. They’ll also guide you to include the information universities want to see in your personal statement.
Less stressful and more accessible – particularly if you’re an international student or need more support with your application – the questions will help you focus on what, why and where you want to study.
You’ll still have the same maximum word count of 4,000 characters (including spaces), and each question will have a minimum word count of 350 characters.
UCAS wants the three personal statement questions to act as ‘starting points’ for what you want to say.
It’s called them ‘scaffolding questions’ and they’re designed to help you build your answers.
Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?
This is where you can show off your knowledge of your chosen course, why you want to study it, and how it fits your career plans.
You could include what first got you interested in this course or subject, and why you’re excited to learn more about it. You could also talk about things you’ve done outside the classroom to develop your knowledge and passion for this subject.
Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This is where you can showcase your relevant and transferable skills. You could include how you’ve developed particular skills for your chosen course, and how this will help you succeed in your studies.
Think outside of the box and include academic achievements that aren’t grade-focused – your grades will be included elsewhere in your application, so don’t waste space on them here.
Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
This is where you can include anything else you think will support your application.
Do you have a part-time job? Have you completed relevant work experience? What about your hobbies, a summer school or community work where you’ve mastered new skills?
Highlight how these experiences tie in with your chosen course. Include personal life experiences and responsibilities that have helped you develop essential qualities for university.
Admissions staff use your personal statement to assess your potential as a student. They want you to flourish and succeed at their university, so they need to read about all the qualities and skills you have that show you’re the right fit.
They want to see evidence that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about the course or subject area you’re hoping to study, and that you’re excited about taking that next step to university.
This is your opportunity to show them how you’d make a great student, so make every word count.