UCAS personal statement

Instructions for UCAS personal statement

• Be honest and write with integrity

• Cover interest in the course, relevant subjects studied, super-curricular activities

• At least 80% academic content

• Very different from a US style application essay

• Extra-curricular activities that aren’t relevant to the course applied for won’t be taken into account

UCAS personal statement 2026 (new form)

https://sites.google.com/edu.hel.fi/ressunlukioib-studyguide/ib-counselling/applying-to-central-europe/applying-to-uk/ucas-personal-statement#h.otd5yh43ez7c

In personal statements DO...

•  Remember that tutors want to gain an insight into the applicant

•  Be reflective

•  Be honest!

•  Remember the personal statement goes to UCAS universities you applied

•  Critically engage with any reading or activities that are mentioned

In personal statements DON'T...

• Over-edit

• Be overly dramatic!

• Just list achievements

Useful links

• https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/writing-personal-statement/how-write-personal-statement

• https://www.arts.ac.uk/partnerships/ual-awarding-body/stories/how-to-write-an-effective-ucas-personal-statement