PERSONAL STATEMENTS
uos.ac.uk
BE SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE YOU Steve Martin
What is a personal statement? Your personal statement is an explanation of why you want to study a particular subject at university and is your chance to stand out from other applicants. Universities use the personal statement to identify the right people for their courses can, therefore, be the most important part of the UCAS process.
What do universities want to see?
Commitment and enthusiasm for the course you wish to study Skills that will help you with university level study and examples of how you developed these skills Evidence that you will participate in university life A well written personal statement showing excellent communication skills
Things to remember:
It can only be 47 lines or 4000 characters long Pick one or two topics to talk about from your current course that links to the course you are interested in No bullet points or lists Font size should be no bigger than 12pt or smaller then 11pt Tell them why you want to study your chosen course Show them you are motivated and prepared for a career in your subject Tell them about any relevant experience Do not leave it until the last minute
In order to write a successful personal statement you need to sell yourself. See if you can sell yourself in 1 minute to a friend or family member?
How to set out a personal statement Remember your personal statement can only be one side of A4 paper.
Introduction
Part 1: Reasons for wanting to study
70
%
Part 2: Topics of interest
academic content Part 3: Course-related work experience
30
%
personal content
Part 4: Extra-curricular/part time jobs
Part 5: Interests and hobbies
How NOT to start your personal statement: Since I was a child... I have been interested in how the brain works Defining the subject Law is the glue that holds society together A quotation In the words of Albert Einstein
Part 1
Reasons for wanting to study You need to provide precise reasons as to why you want to study your chosen course and back them up with evidence. Write about the areas of the course you enjoy or look forward to studying. These reasons should show commitment and enthusiasm for the course.
To help with this you may want to consider the following: Reading about your course including what modules you will be studying on the university’s website Read around your subject, e.g. current topics in the news Consider how you enjoy the subject in everyday life Ask your teachers about wider reading to get an insight into studying your subject
Part 2
Topics of interest Select one or two topics from your current studies which relate to your chosen university course; what skills have you gained from these?
Remember to mention what subject you want to study and why you want to study it, your academic understanding of the subject and the areas you are interested in.
Identify two or three skills that are relevant to your university course and provide evidence as to how these will help you at university.
Part 3
Course-related work experience Can you think of any course-related activities, which you have taken part in or are relevant to your university application? For example, work experience, university lectures, extra academic activities at school or EPQ etc.
Focus on a specific aspect which you can relate back to your course and any skills that you have gained during the work experience which will help you at university.
Part 4
Extra-curricular/part time jobs Can you think of any extra-curricular activities that you have taken part in?
What skills has this provided you with?
For example, Duke of Edinburgh, part time jobs, NCS, music, mentoring, debating or sports etc.
For example, time management, communication skills or balancing work with other commitments etc.
Part 5
Interests and hobbies Universities want to see who you are as a person, so by adding what you like to do outside of school/college it helps an Admissions Tutor build a more well-rounded picture of you.
Make sure that you link your interests and hobbies back to the course you wish to study and highlight what skills your hobbies have taught you.
Final Checklist
Does it fit within the line/character limit? You only have 47 lines or 4000 characters
Is it your work? Do not plagiarise or lie. Did you know that universities and UCAS can scan each personal statement to check for plagiarism?
Have you linked your experience to either your subject area or useful study skills for university?
Have you proof read it? Always get someone to check for spelling and grammar
Notes:
Find out more Get advice — Personal statements
theuniguide.co.uk Undergraduate — Applying to university — Personal statements
ucas.com