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An introduction to your ucas personal statement

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What’s the purpose?

It’s your �chance to:

  • show your curiosity, knowledge and passion.
  • evidence relevant skills and your potential.
  • communicate your genuine interest and a desire to learn more.

Question prompts �are there to help you �but remember to:  

  • link your academic, extra-curricular and other experiences to your chosen area(s) �of study.
  • use relevant examples throughout your personal statement.

Don’t panic about �the sections:

  • the important thing is to explain why you’re including the example.
  • reflect on what you’ve learned from it.
  • the statement will �still be reviewed �as one piece. 

Remember there's no right or wrong! 

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Format and structure

Three �sections with question prompts

4,000-total character count split across sections

Minimum character count 350 characters per section

Don’t waste characters listing grades and subjects

Don’t repeat information across �sections

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What are the questions?

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

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

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Why do you �want to study this course or subject?

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Universities & colleges will consider

    • Have you chosen the course for the right reasons?
    • Do you have a depth of interest in the subject?
    • Do you appear motivated and committed?
    • Can you study independently?
    • Are you genuinely engaged and �knowledgeable about the area �you're applying to?

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Research is the foundation

Research and preparation is key when you’re starting to think about your personal statement.

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Don’t worry about making your notes perfect; this is about checking �you fully understand the course and have specifics to refer to in your personal statement.

Whether you know what you’re applying to or still considering your options, the more research you do the easier it will be to write.

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Before you start writing anything, take some time to:

  • mind map what you might want to include
  • build up a bank of examples you can refer to
  • list evidence of your skills and experiences
  • rank your evidence and examples that are MOST relevant �to the course(s) you're thinking of applying to

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Where can I start?

There are lots of places you can start to research the details of the course(s) / subject you're looking to apply to.

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Remember requirements may differ for each university or college, as well �as depending heavily on the course. So, this research on your chosen area of study is vital before you start writing your personal statement. 

  • Start by looking at the course description; this’ll help you with what �to include and give you a good idea of what they are looking for. 
  • If you visit a UCAS Discovery event, ask the university or college representatives.
  • Attend an open day and ask faculty staff what they like to see in �the personal statement.
  • Use Unibuddy to speak to a student ambassador on a course �you’re interested in.

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Q1: why do you want to study this course or subject?

Motivations for studying this course(s): 

  • Have you been inspired �by a key role model or moment in your life? 
  • Is it a subject you love and want to pursue further? 
  • What is your drive? 
  • How has your path led �you to this course or subject area? 

Knowledge of this subject area and interests: 

  • Is there a particular subject area you’ve researched?
  • Something you can’t wait to learn more about?
  • What about a book or subject expert doing great things that’s sparked your interest? 

Future plans; demonstrate why this course/subject �is a good fit: 

  • Do you already have a particular profession in mind? 
  • How might you use your studies to launch your career? 
  • What’s important to you and your future, and how might �the knowledge gained from �this course(s) help you �achieve this?

You’ll want to show evidence of passion, curiosity and interest, this might include:

Remember these are just some examples, you don’t need to include it all. �The key is to research the course(s) to find out what might be most relevant.

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Q2: How have your qualifications and studies helped� you to prepare for this course or subject?

How your studies or training relate to chosen course(s) or subject area: 

  • This could be your current or previous studies.
  • This could be from any form of formal education – think school, college, training, or short online courses.

What relevant or transferable skills have you got that make you a great candidate: 

  • Are there a couple of subjects that helped you develop a core set of relevant skills required for your chosen course(s).
  • Maybe a particular module or project helped you understand where your interests and strengths lie.

Any relevant educational achievements

  • Universities and colleges will �see your grades on your application - don’t waste space talking about these.
  • Focus on your other accomplishments like a competition, holding a position �of responsibility or �representing the �school/college.

Focus on what’s most recent and relevant to your subject or course(s), examples could include:

Remember these are just some examples, you don’t need to include it all. �The key is to research the course(s) to find out what might be most relevant.

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Q3: what else have you done to prepare outside of � education, and why are these experiences useful?

Work experience, employment, or volunteering

  • In-person or virtual �work experience.
  • Paid for work or volunteering. 
  • The key thing is reflection on the experiences and �the skills gained relevant to your chosen course(s).

Examples should be reflective and demonstrate further suitability for your subject or course(s), this could include:

Remember these are just some examples, you don’t need to include it all. �The key is to research the course(s) to find out what might be most relevant.

Personal life �experiences or responsibilities

Hobbies and any extracurricular or outreach activities: 

Achievements �outside of school �or college

  • Is there a situation �you’ve personally overcome that has influenced your decision? 
  • Are there personal experiences that have helped you develop essential qualities for �the course?
  • Think sports, reading, community work, �summer schools. 
  • Any activities outside �of core studies that �help further showcase �why you’d make a �great student.
  • This could be a position �of responsibility for �local clubs or groups, competitions, or qualifications you’ve attained outside of �the classroom. 

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Personal statement guides

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