Writing your personal statement
Your personal statement is a chance for you to tell us why you want to study your chosen course or subject, and is submitted to UCAS along with the rest of your application. We know writing your personal statement can be a daunting task - so we've put together some handy tips below to help you get started.
You can also hear from our recruitment team for further guidance and tips on writing your statement:
Tips for writing your personal statement
Start to prepare your personal statement early on. Maybe start with a 'brain dump' of everything you can think of that you want to mention and then see how each of your points relate back to the three questions you're asked.
Remember that you don't have an unlimited number of words, so be clear and concise - don't waffle. Don't expect your first draft to be perfect; ask a teacher or careers advisor to check it over for you so that your spelling and grammar are spot on.
Showcase your passion and enthusiasm for the degree you're applying for. Make sure any experiences - personal, academic, work-related - relate back to the question you're answering.
Use the "so what?" test. Don't just list all your experiences or activities - pick a few strong examples and go deeper into how they've prepared you for the course.
Be confident, keep it positive, and really sell yourself. It may not come naturally to you to talk about your skills and strengths - but this is your chance to blow your own trumpet!
Use your own voice - but in a clear and thoughtful way. It might sound strange, but practice talking your statement out loud, it'll help you identify how you could reword or improve certain bits.
Further information
In addition to our top tips, there's lots of information on UCAS to help support you with your personal statement, from what to include (and the dos and don'ts) to downloadable worksheets and mind maps, so make sure you take advantage of all the resources available to you.