The personal statement is your opportunity to explain why you are applying to university and why you have chosen your course/s. It is an opportunity to provide information on your
knowledge and skills, extra-curricular activities, and interests, where relevant to your chosen course. This information will help the Admissions Tutor to decide who to offer a place to when they are reviewing applications.
There are several questions you should think about before you start writing your personal statement:
Why have you chosen the course or courses you have listed?
What interests you about your chosen subject or field?
Take into account any jobs, paid work, or placements you have undertaken and what you have learnt from them. If these experiences influenced your choice of degree, why?
Consider your social, sport,s or leisure activities and how they relate to your chosen degree. However, these are not as important as your academic capabilities.
Have you held any positions of responsibility in school?
Emphasise any skills you have gained in or out of school (e.g., communication/IT/decision-making)
What are your plans for when you graduate from university?
Why choose you?
Do give specific examples, backing up the claims you have made.
Do ensure you include relevant information.
Do organize your statement so that it is structured and coherent.
Do check your spelling, punctuation and grammar before submitting your statement, particularly if English is not your first language.
Do link your current and future studies.
Do write an original personal statement - the Admissions Tutors want an insight into the person • Do be specific about mentioning e.g. 'reading' - what reading did you do and what did you learn from it?
Give the interviewer plenty of leads. This is your chance to control your interview.
Don't ramble or fill the space with irrelevant information.
Don’t repeat yourself.
Don’t use clichés.
Don't lie - you may be asked to provide evidence of your stated achievements, or if you are interviewed at another institution, they may ask you detailed questions about things you've mentioned in your personal statement.
Starting with the 2026 application cycle, UCAS has restructured the personal statement into three distinct questions, each designed to elicit specific information from applicants. This new format aims to provide a clearer framework for students to showcase their suitability for their chosen courses.
Each applicant is required to respond to three questions, with each answer having a minimum character count of 350. The overall character limit remains at 4,000 characters, including spaces.
The Three Questions:
Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Guidance: Focus on your motivation, knowledge, and future plans.
Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
Guidance: Highlight relevant academic achievements and experiences.
Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Guidance: Discuss extracurricular activities, work experience, or other relevant experiences.
1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Example 1: "Studying Economics in the IB has given me a profound appreciation for the interplay between policy, business, and societal welfare. Witnessing the impact of inflation on small businesses in my community inspired my interest in macroeconomic policies and sustainable financial strategies. I aspire to study Economics at university to develop analytical tools that can contribute to shaping more equitable financial systems."
Example 2: "From an early age, I was captivated by how technology shapes our world. My passion for problem-solving and logic found a perfect outlet in programming, and as I explored languages like Python and Java, I became fascinated by the limitless potential of computer science. AP Computer Science A solidified my love for algorithms and software development, and I aspire to study computer science at university to develop innovative solutions for real-world challenges, particularly in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity."
2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
Example 1: "IB Higher Level Economics has strengthened my ability to analyze real-world economic issues through both qualitative and quantitative lenses. My Internal Assessment on the effects of monetary policy in my home country allowed me to apply economic theories to real data, improving my research and critical thinking skills. Additionally, IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches has given me a solid foundation in statistical analysis, which is crucial for interpreting economic trends."
Example 2: "Taking AP Computer Science A introduced me to object-oriented programming, data structures, and algorithm design, giving me a strong foundation in software development. Additionally, AP Calculus BC has sharpened my analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for areas like machine learning and cryptography. Through AP Physics C, I’ve also explored computational simulations, reinforcing my understanding of how computer science can be applied across disciplines."
3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Example 1: "Beyond my IB studies, I founded my school’s Investment Club, where I led discussions on financial markets and organized stock market simulations. Interning at a financial advisory firm further developed my understanding of economic decision-making in real-world contexts. Additionally, my participation in Model United Nations helped me refine my public speaking and negotiation skills, which are essential for a career in economics and finance."
Example 2: "Beyond my coursework, I’ve built personal projects such as a mobile app that tracks local energy consumption, applying my coding skills to sustainability. Participating in coding competitions like the USA Computing Olympiad has challenged me to think critically and optimize solutions under time constraints. Additionally, interning at a software development company allowed me to collaborate on real-world projects, exposing me to agile development methodologies and teamwork in a professional setting."
UCAS:
UCAS Personal Statement section with links by subject
University of Essex Personal Statement Guide (includes examples by subject!)
Personal statement section within your Morrisby results
Future Pathways presentations from the spring of junior year as well as the fall of senior year