You'll need to write a personal statement as part of the UCAS application process. This is your chance to show admissions tutors why you should be accepted onto this course.
UCAS have introduced a new style of personal statement. It's still a total of 4,000 characters, but split into three questions:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare for this course or subject?
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
These questions help to give your personal statement structure and focus. Take a look at our personal statement guide to help you answer these questions.
1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?
This question allows you to show your interest in the course. This is important because universities want to know that you are committed to your degree. They don't want students to drop out.
You should explain what motivates you to study this course. Is it an interest from childhood, an inspiring person or does it align with your career goals? Keep it authentic and stick to your real motivation.
You should also show what you have done to explore your interest in the subject. You might have picked it at A Levels, read lots of books or joined a local club. How has this made you sure that it's the right course for you?
Finally, you should show how this course connects with your career or personal goals. If you don't have a specific career in mind, don't worry. You can discuss the transferable skills you'll gain from the course and how this helps you keep your options open.
2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare for this course or subject?
This is your chance to show that you have the academic ability to study this degree. You should focus on your knowledge, as well as key skills and achievements.
Start by discussing what you have studied. Demonstrate your knowledge of the subject, including key theories and debates. Are there any topics you really enjoyed and that you want to explore more?
You should also show that you have the skills to study at university. Read the course description to identify the skills you will need. This could include critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills. Don’t just list these skills - provide evidence of them and show how this would help you on the course.
Don’t forget to include other academic achievements as well. This could include an Extended Project Qualification, tutoring, and being a prefect or part of an academic team. These demonstrate skills like independent study or leadership.
3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences helpful?
Show who you are outside education and demonstrate how this can help on your degree. This could include work, sports, hobbies, volunteering and personal experiences.
This might connect directly with your course. For example, if you want to study history and you have volunteered at a museum.
If it doesn’t directly relate to your course, you should focus on transferrable skills instead. If you play a sport, you might discuss how this has developed your communication and teamwork skills.
You should share any further reading you’ve done around your subject, including your opinion on it. This doesn’t just have to be books, it could include podcasts and events as well.
You may also want to share how your personal experiences relate to your course. For example, caring for a family member may have inspired you to become a nurse, doctor or social worker. Alternatively, the challenge of balancing your A Levels with caring may have given you the time-management skills you need to study a degree.
