How to write a UCAS personal statement by Lucy Parsons
UCAS Personal Statement Checklist to Have
Personal Statement Ucas Application
UCAS Personal Statement: Format, Sample, and Tips
VIDEO
UCAS Personal Statement Workshop
COMMENTS
What to include in a personal statement
Kate McBurnie, First Year student in French, Italian and Theatre. "I think it's really important to not only include why you'd like to study the course you're applying for, but also the things that set you apart from other applicants, i.e., your hobbies, interests, skills, volunteering etc.".
How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement
Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve. Avoid cliches! Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you. Keep it relevant and simple.
Personal statement dos and don'ts
Do be enthusiastic - if you show you're interested in the course, it may help you get a place. Do make it relevant. Connect what you're saying with the course and with your experiences. Do outline your ideas clearly. Do avoid the negatives - highlight the positives about you, and show you know your strengths. Do expect to produce ...
How to Write a UCAS Personal Statement [With Examples]
The character limit which UCAS sets for the personal statement is very strict - up to 4,000 characters of text. This means that students have to express themselves in a clear and concise way; it's also important that they don't feel the need to fill the available space needlessly. Planning and redrafting of a personal statement is essential.
How to write an excellent personal statement in 10 steps
Use your closing couple of lines to summarise the most important points in your statement. 9. Check your writing thoroughly and get someone else to check it, too. 10. Give your brain a rest by forgetting about your personal statement for a while before going back to review it one last time with fresh eyes.
The Ultimate UCAS Personal Statement Guide
Your submission should sharply focus on your academic interests, covering roughly 80% of your statement. The remaining 20% should highlight extracurricular activities that bolster your academic narrative, showing a well-rounded application. Your personal statement is essentially a persuasive text, not just a summary of your achievements.
The Ultimate UCAS Personal Statement Guide
The best Personal Statements get to the point quickly, so avoid starting with phrases like "From a young age", "I am applying for this course because", and "Throughout my life I have always enjoyed…". Go straight into why you are interested in your course subject. 2. Use cringe-worthy language and cheap gags.
How to write a UCAS personal statement
UCAS personal statement word limit. Your personal statement length can be up to 4,000 characters long. This may sound a lot, but it's a word limit of around 550-1000 words with spaces and only about 1 side of typed A4 paper. You need to keep it concise and make sure it's clear and easy to read.
How to Write a UCAS Personal Statement
The UCAS personal statement strikes fear into most sixth formers. Sculpting the perfect personal statement is an arduous an unavoidable process. With approximately 600,000 people applying to university each year, admissions officers need a way to filter stronger candidates from the rest of the pool.
7 tips for writing a great UCAS personal statement
Discuss your career aspirations. Demonstrate your knowledge of your chosen sector and your ambitions within it. 4. Describe the person behind the application. This can be a relatively short section: a few lines of interesting, relevant information will do. 5. Conclude by linking back to your introduction.
UCAS Personal Statement and Examples
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Personal Statement is the main essay for your application to colleges and universities in Great Britain. UCAS gives a nice explanation here, but in short, this is your chance to stand out against the crowd and show your knowledge and enthusiasm for your chosen area of study.
Writing a personal statement
future, small or big, it's the beginning. step of something great. Be authentic. No one knows you better than you know yourself, so show your interests, achievements, goals and personality. Be real. Don't get stuck in cliches like "I've always wanted to…". It's not about the goal — your ambition is real and important.
How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber
Top tips on how to write your statement opener. We spoke to admissions tutors at unis and colleges - read on for their tips. 1. Don't begin with the overkill opening. Try not to overthink the opening sentence. You need to engage the reader with your relevant thoughts and ideas, but not go overboard. Tutors said: 'The opening is your chance ...
How to write a personal statement for university
If you start waffling to fill out the 4,000 characters, unis will notice. Your personal statement should be filled with interesting points that present you as a well-rounded and capable applicant. The best way to do this is to write concisely. Again, back up every point and explain why it's relevant.
How To Write A UCAS Personal Statement
Tips for writing a Personal Statement. Express a passion for your subject. Start the statement strongly to grab attention. Link outside interests and passions to your course. Be honest, but don't include negative information. Don't attempt to sound too clever. Don't leave it until the last minute; prepare ahead of the deadline.
How to Write a UCAS Personal Statement
Important changes to the UCAS personal statement: Note that all students applying to university for 2023, 2024 or 2025 will still be required to submit a UCAS personal statement as normal. However, from January 2025 onwards (October 2024, for Oxbridge applicants), there will be changes to the UCAS application process and students will no longer ...
A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing the UCAS Personal Statement
The first step to a good UCAS Personal Statement is to have chosen the subject you are applying for, consistent across the (up to) five choices you have. Often, when students struggle, it is because they are trying to make the statement work for a couple of different subjects. With a clear focus on one subject, the statement can do the job it ...
Writing your personal statement
How to write a personal statement for a conservatoire. The personal statement is your opportunity to talk about you, and why you want to enrol on a particular course. You should describe the ambitions, skills, and experience that'll make you suitable for the course.
The ten biggest mistakes when writing your personal statement
The university application personal statement is changing in 2025; University admissions service Ucas has announced that a new style of personal statement will be launched in 2025. This will affect anyone making a university application from autumn 2025 onwards. Find out more about how the Ucas personal statement is changing in 2025 here.
Writing a Personal Statement for UCAS: The 10 Big Mistakes ...
Students need to put a lot of time into making sure the UK course they are applying for is right for them. Starting a Personal Statement without having thoroughly researched university and course options is one of the most fundamental mistakes a student could make. 2. Spelling & Grammar Mistakes.
Personal statement advice: English
English personal statement pitfalls to avoid. A boring opening - avoid 'I have always loved literature/reading' or 'I have always had a passion for literature…'. Irrelevant context - talking about the Beatrix Potter book you were given when you were six probably won't impress. Overblown language - English applicants need a strong ...
The UCAS personal statement is changing in 2025
Navigating the New UCAS Personal Statement Format: A Guide for Applicants. The UCAS personal statement has undergone a significant change, introducing a structured format with three specific prompts. While this may seem daunting at first, it actually offers a clearer framework for applicants to showcase their strengths and motivations.
How to Write the UCAS Personal Statement
Often, when students struggle with a UCAS personal statement, it's because they are trying to make the statement work for a couple of different subjects. With a clear focus on one subject, the essay can do the job it is supposed to do. Keep in mind you're limited to 47 lines or 4000 characters, so this has to be concise.
Tips on Writing Personal Statement (docx)
Tips on Writing Personal Statement I. Some Words on Structure Structure refers to how you choose to present the information in your personal statement. Good structure will make your piece flow, and enhance the reader's ability to understand what you are trying to get across. Some people can write well without thinking too much about structure. They naturally organize their information to be ...
Personal statements for 2026 entry onwards
Adviser slide deck - new personal statement 2026 (10.75 MB) This presentation deck has been designed to support parents and carers through the changes to the personal statement for the 2026 cycle. You can copy and paste slides into your materials and guides to tailor the deck to your requirements. Parent slide deck personal statements 2026 (3. ...
Pharmacy Personal Statement
Check out our top tips for your pharmacy personal statement. Pharmacy applicants will be up against tough competition, according to the University of Manchester: 'Competition for places on the MPharm course is fierce, and only the best students are invited for interview.'
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Kate McBurnie, First Year student in French, Italian and Theatre. "I think it's really important to not only include why you'd like to study the course you're applying for, but also the things that set you apart from other applicants, i.e., your hobbies, interests, skills, volunteering etc.".
Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve. Avoid cliches! Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you. Keep it relevant and simple.
Do be enthusiastic - if you show you're interested in the course, it may help you get a place. Do make it relevant. Connect what you're saying with the course and with your experiences. Do outline your ideas clearly. Do avoid the negatives - highlight the positives about you, and show you know your strengths. Do expect to produce ...
The character limit which UCAS sets for the personal statement is very strict - up to 4,000 characters of text. This means that students have to express themselves in a clear and concise way; it's also important that they don't feel the need to fill the available space needlessly. Planning and redrafting of a personal statement is essential.
Use your closing couple of lines to summarise the most important points in your statement. 9. Check your writing thoroughly and get someone else to check it, too. 10. Give your brain a rest by forgetting about your personal statement for a while before going back to review it one last time with fresh eyes.
Your submission should sharply focus on your academic interests, covering roughly 80% of your statement. The remaining 20% should highlight extracurricular activities that bolster your academic narrative, showing a well-rounded application. Your personal statement is essentially a persuasive text, not just a summary of your achievements.
The best Personal Statements get to the point quickly, so avoid starting with phrases like "From a young age", "I am applying for this course because", and "Throughout my life I have always enjoyed…". Go straight into why you are interested in your course subject. 2. Use cringe-worthy language and cheap gags.
UCAS personal statement word limit. Your personal statement length can be up to 4,000 characters long. This may sound a lot, but it's a word limit of around 550-1000 words with spaces and only about 1 side of typed A4 paper. You need to keep it concise and make sure it's clear and easy to read.
The UCAS personal statement strikes fear into most sixth formers. Sculpting the perfect personal statement is an arduous an unavoidable process. With approximately 600,000 people applying to university each year, admissions officers need a way to filter stronger candidates from the rest of the pool.
Discuss your career aspirations. Demonstrate your knowledge of your chosen sector and your ambitions within it. 4. Describe the person behind the application. This can be a relatively short section: a few lines of interesting, relevant information will do. 5. Conclude by linking back to your introduction.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Personal Statement is the main essay for your application to colleges and universities in Great Britain. UCAS gives a nice explanation here, but in short, this is your chance to stand out against the crowd and show your knowledge and enthusiasm for your chosen area of study.
future, small or big, it's the beginning. step of something great. Be authentic. No one knows you better than you know yourself, so show your interests, achievements, goals and personality. Be real. Don't get stuck in cliches like "I've always wanted to…". It's not about the goal — your ambition is real and important.
Top tips on how to write your statement opener. We spoke to admissions tutors at unis and colleges - read on for their tips. 1. Don't begin with the overkill opening. Try not to overthink the opening sentence. You need to engage the reader with your relevant thoughts and ideas, but not go overboard. Tutors said: 'The opening is your chance ...
If you start waffling to fill out the 4,000 characters, unis will notice. Your personal statement should be filled with interesting points that present you as a well-rounded and capable applicant. The best way to do this is to write concisely. Again, back up every point and explain why it's relevant.
Tips for writing a Personal Statement. Express a passion for your subject. Start the statement strongly to grab attention. Link outside interests and passions to your course. Be honest, but don't include negative information. Don't attempt to sound too clever. Don't leave it until the last minute; prepare ahead of the deadline.
Important changes to the UCAS personal statement: Note that all students applying to university for 2023, 2024 or 2025 will still be required to submit a UCAS personal statement as normal. However, from January 2025 onwards (October 2024, for Oxbridge applicants), there will be changes to the UCAS application process and students will no longer ...
The first step to a good UCAS Personal Statement is to have chosen the subject you are applying for, consistent across the (up to) five choices you have. Often, when students struggle, it is because they are trying to make the statement work for a couple of different subjects. With a clear focus on one subject, the statement can do the job it ...
How to write a personal statement for a conservatoire. The personal statement is your opportunity to talk about you, and why you want to enrol on a particular course. You should describe the ambitions, skills, and experience that'll make you suitable for the course.
The university application personal statement is changing in 2025; University admissions service Ucas has announced that a new style of personal statement will be launched in 2025. This will affect anyone making a university application from autumn 2025 onwards. Find out more about how the Ucas personal statement is changing in 2025 here.
Students need to put a lot of time into making sure the UK course they are applying for is right for them. Starting a Personal Statement without having thoroughly researched university and course options is one of the most fundamental mistakes a student could make. 2. Spelling & Grammar Mistakes.
English personal statement pitfalls to avoid. A boring opening - avoid 'I have always loved literature/reading' or 'I have always had a passion for literature…'. Irrelevant context - talking about the Beatrix Potter book you were given when you were six probably won't impress. Overblown language - English applicants need a strong ...
Navigating the New UCAS Personal Statement Format: A Guide for Applicants. The UCAS personal statement has undergone a significant change, introducing a structured format with three specific prompts. While this may seem daunting at first, it actually offers a clearer framework for applicants to showcase their strengths and motivations.
Often, when students struggle with a UCAS personal statement, it's because they are trying to make the statement work for a couple of different subjects. With a clear focus on one subject, the essay can do the job it is supposed to do. Keep in mind you're limited to 47 lines or 4000 characters, so this has to be concise.
Tips on Writing Personal Statement I. Some Words on Structure Structure refers to how you choose to present the information in your personal statement. Good structure will make your piece flow, and enhance the reader's ability to understand what you are trying to get across. Some people can write well without thinking too much about structure. They naturally organize their information to be ...
Adviser slide deck - new personal statement 2026 (10.75 MB) This presentation deck has been designed to support parents and carers through the changes to the personal statement for the 2026 cycle. You can copy and paste slides into your materials and guides to tailor the deck to your requirements. Parent slide deck personal statements 2026 (3. ...
Check out our top tips for your pharmacy personal statement. Pharmacy applicants will be up against tough competition, according to the University of Manchester: 'Competition for places on the MPharm course is fierce, and only the best students are invited for interview.'