UCAS Personal Statements
UCAS Personal Statements: The Essentials
Only one part of your application to higher education, but an important one!
Strictly no more than 4000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines, whichever is smaller.
It is not an essay; there's no right or wrong, or argument to win. You're writing about YOU.
It is an opportunity to sell yourself as the ideal candidate for a course that you have identified as being right for you.
To do this, you will tell the universities what you want to do and show them how them that you are ready to it.
The ABC method is a great way to structure your personal statement paragraphs and examples. It ensures you demonstrate the link between YOU, what you have done and the course you want to study.
A - Activity
What did you do? What were the tasks and your responsibilities?
B - Benefits
What did you learn or develop from this activity? A skill, knowledge or quality?
C - Connection/Course
How is this relevant for the course (or career)? How has this helped you prepare for university study?
UCAS statements final.pdfIt's normal for students to get worried, stressed even, about their personal statements: What will you write, how do you start, how to fit it all in and will it be good enough? There is no set way to do a personal statement, but there are things you should aim to include and avoid.
What-Makes-A-Good-Personal-Statement.pdfThings to include
What has inspired you to study that specific subject at university level
How your current studies have prepared you (this could be course content but can also be linked to the study skills needed at university)
Any extracurriculars you have done - volunteering, work experience, part-time jobs, clubs and societies - and how they have helped you with relevant skills
Similarly, you can also talk about supercurriculars and how this insight has prepare you to take your next step into higher education
Things to avoid
Plagiarizing other people's statements. UCAS has software to check that your work is yours, which is why it's essential that you write your own statement in your own words.
Talking to much about one thing/giving your life story - try to keep it concise!
Writing too little or too much, there's a limit for a reason.
Mentioning something but not exploring why this is important for your application.
Lying - you will get caught out. Be truthful! Luckily you can write about lots of things, so there should be no reason to fib.
Poor grammar and spelling - this is a formal application and poor English will not be seen favorably.
Some courses may also require other methods to decide if you're right for their courses like a creative portfolio or interview...