The UCAS Personal Statement

Very often, the most difficult thing about writing a personal statement can be getting started, so make time to do this. So, research well and chose the universities and courses that are right for you. Start writing your personal statement well in advance, allowing yourself plenty of time to re-read and improve your document prior to the UCAS submission date in January. Parents and teachers can proof-read and offer advice on spelling, punctuation and grammar. A useful tip is for the applicant to read it aloud, to ensure that what they have written is what they mean to say.

This is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd, to show your uniqueness and your suitability for the course. However, you need to be concise, because you are limited to 4,000 characters / 47 lines (electronic devices can count these in a different way, so you must ensure that it fits the UCAS electronic template on their candidate application website). It is therefore likely that you will produce several drafts. It is best to prepare it and make amendments as a Word document – that way you have a record of what you have written, and it can be “cut and pasted” into the UCAS form (the form times out after 35 minutes of inactivity but can be saved regularly).

Make sure that your personal statement is your own work and unique. UCAS software detects similarities and could void your application.

The UCAS Personal Statement has three sections and you must write at least 250 words in each to answer the questions posed:

1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?
2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Preparation for writing your personal statement

• Be aware that you will only write one personal statement which must be suitable for all the universities that you are applying for, therefore do not mention a specific university. The courses you apply for should broadly be in the same field.
• Research university websites to confirm that your predicted / actual grades make you suitable and to confirm the qualities that they expect of their candidates.
• List the things that you want to say in your personal statements.
• Start writing well in advanced of the deadline to allow for re-drafting.

Writing your personal statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Why have you chosen to apply for this course? (Remember, whilst you may apply to 5 universities, the general sources that you have selected will be similar). Why does the subject interest you? You must show that you have what it takes and understand what is required to study the course. Why do you think you are suitable for the course? Show your understanding of the course and your enthisasm to study it.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Mention how your exam subjects are relevant to your chosen course. If something you have learned about has excited you, talk in greater depth about this and how it relates to your future programme.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

This is your opportunity to talk about any supra-curricular activities: work shadowing, summer courses, additional reading, lectures, competitions that are relevant to your proposed course. You should demonstrate how these expereiences are useful and relevant.

Positions of responsibility can also be outlined in this section, showing how these have developed you as an individual. You may want to mention other pertinent skills or how you can demonstrate resilience and other attributes that make you a "good fit" for the course.

If you are an intrnational student, yoou may choose to say why you want to study in the UK. If English is not your first language, you can also say why you think you can complete a course which is taught in English. Previous experience of being taught / instructed in English should be referred to. You should also say why you want to be an international student in the UK, rather than study in your own country.

And finally, here are some Dos and Don’ts when writing your personal statement:

• Do show off your written work at is best. This is the first opportunity for the university to learn about you, so make sure your spelling, punctuation and grammar are perfect.
• Do be ready to show off your strengths and explain your ideas. Your words should use appropriate vocabulary which will be understood by the tutors who read it.
• Do enthuse about the course and your reasons for wanting to follow it.
• Do be ready to make improvements to your personal statement. Re-drafting it will allow for improvement.
• Do ask parents, teachers, and others that you trust for feedback.
• Do read your personal statement out loud to make sure that what you have written is what you want to say.
• Don’t lie. An interviewer may catch you out if they ask you to elaborate.
• Don’t rely on spell checkers to pick up all errors. Proof-reading is critical.
• Don’t purchase personal statements from internet providers.
• Don’t leave it to the last minute. This is an important document, and you must ensure that it is written to the very best of your ability, including all relevant information within the UCAS character limit.

It is perfectly acceptable to use AI to start the Personal Statement for you but you will definitely need to amend, edit and enhance it yourself!

Your personal statement can make or break your UCAS university application. It is therefore vitally important that each individual student has ownership of this. At Education Advisers Ltd we don’t write the Personal Statement on behalf of the student, but we do give expert and experienced advice and guidance.

Please contact Fiona, our Academic Director, at fiona@educationadvisers.co.uk / +44 303 003 2259 to discuss how Education Advisers Ltd can support your pathway to university.