How To Write A Personal Statement For Your University Application
Writing a personal statement can feel pretty daunting, whether you’re applying to a university or updating your CV. At the end of the day, it’s all about showcasing who you are to your audience.
While grades and experience are crucial to universities, a compelling personal statement can set you apart from other candidates with similar qualifications.
But how do you make your personal statement truly stand out?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of crafting, planning, and submitting a powerful personal statement, complete with examples to help you ace your university application.
What is a Personal Statement?
A personal statement is a critical part of your university application.
Where you explain why you’re applying for a particular course and why you would be a good fit for the program. This is your chance to showcase not just your academic achievements but also your passion, interests, and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the university.
You should consider writing a strong personal statement, especially if you want to join a competitive course. Everyone has to write one, but it’s far more important than many realize. It can be the deciding factor between you and other candidates with similar grades.
“Starting with the 2026 entry (Applicants from September 2025), the personal statement format will shift from one long piece of text to three separate sections. This new structure, guided by scaffolding questions, ensures that every student has a clear and fair framework to articulate their experiences and aspirations. The aim is to foster equity and provide all applicants with clarity and focus in their writing.”
How Long Your Personal Statement Should Be?
It’s essentially a brief essay, typically around 4000 characters or 500-600 words, where every word should count and paint a clear picture of who you are.
What You Should Include in Your Personal Statement?
First let's plan, start by writing down some points. When doing so ask these questions to make it easy for you.
1. Why Am I Interested in This Course?
What inspired me to choose this subject?
Was there a particular experience (e.g., a class, project, internship, or book) that sparked my interest?
How have I explored this subject outside of school (e.g., hobbies, online courses, workshops)?
2. What Are My Academic Strengths?
Which subjects or topics related to the course have I excelled in?
Are there any specific projects, papers, or research that I’m particularly proud of?
How do my academic achievements demonstrate my suitability for this course?
3. What Experiences Set Me Apart?
Have I participated in any relevant extracurricular activities, volunteering, or work experience?What personal experiences (e.g., overcoming challenges, leadership roles, international travel) have shaped who I am?How can I relate these experiences to my chosen course or future goals?
4. Why Am I a Good Fit for This University?
What about this university specifically appeals to me (e.g., teaching style, campus, clubs, research opportunities)?
How will I contribute to the university community?
Why should they choose me over other applicants?
5. How Can I Show Passion Beyond Academics?
Have I attended seminars, conferences, or taken extra courses related to this subject?
Do I have personal projects or hobbies that connect to my course?
6. What Challenges Have I Overcome?
Have I faced any significant personal or academic challenges that demonstrate my resilience or determination?
How did I overcome these challenges, and what did I learn from them?
7. What Are My Future Goals?
How does this course fit into my long-term career or personal goals?
What do I hope to achieve after completing this degree?
While writing the answers always keep in mind everything you mention should revolve around "why an institution should accept you on a course".
How to Start Your Personal Statement?
Your first sentence should be concise. Focus on your motivation for taking the course. Don’t waste time talking about childhood daydreams, and avoid overdoing it. Remember, you can only write one personal statement for all your university applications, so it needs to appeal broadly while still showcasing your passion.
Be clear and concise. In one sentence, explain why you find this course so valuable. In the remainder of your introduction, you can go into greater detail about your excitement for the course, and how you came to this decision.
When you begin your personal statement. Avoid being cliché.
Here are just some overused phrases to avoid using in your personal statement:
From a young age, I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by]…
For as long as I can remember, I have…
I am applying for this course because…
I have always been interested in…
Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed…
Reflecting on my educational experiences…
[Subject] is a very challenging and demanding [career/profession/course]…
Academically, I have always been…
I have always wanted to pursue a career in…
I have always been passionate about…
How to Write About Your Achievements, Skills and Experience?
In your personal statement, you should focus on your accomplishments, skills, and experiences. Admissions tutors are not just looking for a summary of your qualifications that's what your CV is for. They want to see what makes you stand out as someone deeply committed to your subject.
Be selective when highlighting your accomplishments. You may be very proud of your GCSE grades, but your personal statement should not be a place where you rehash them. Focus on your accomplishments which demonstrate passion and dedication to the topic. Consider the times when you have excelled at something directly related to your subject. What else have you accomplished that shows your passion? These achievements, whether you've won a contest, led a project or initiated something new, will make you stand out.
You should not just list your skills, they must be related to the courses you are applying for. Think about all of the ways you have developed skills relevant to your application, such as through extracurricular activities or work experiences, but also personal hobbies. Debating societies, for example, may have sharpened your communication and critical thinking skills. A personal blog can demonstrate that you can express your ideas well. Demonstrate how your skills can help you succeed in the environment of academics you are applying for.
Think beyond the classroom when you're talking about experiences. It's especially crucial if you are applying to a course in journalism or medicine. In these fields, practical experience is crucial. Include any internships or work-shadowing experiences that gave you an insight into your chosen field. Even for subjects that are not vocational, like English, experiences gained outside the classroom can enhance your application. Have you attended public lectures, visited exhibitions or participated in clubs related to your subject? These experiences will add depth to your narrative.
Keep in mind as you write that your personal essay is an opportunity to showcase who you truly are, beyond your academic abilities. Admissions tutors are interested in your motivations and the ways you have actively pursued interests outside of class. You should include activities that are relevant to you and demonstrate growth. This could be through volunteer work, hobbies, or gap year plans.
Don't hide your accomplishments. It's not time to be modest. Your goal is to sell yourself so you need to be confident and passionate. Let your personality come through, but keep the tone professional. Ask friends, teachers, and family for their feedback if you are having trouble describing your strengths. They may be able to see qualities in you you didn't consider.
Your personal statement must be a narrative that combines your skills and achievements. This will show the tutors that you are not only qualified but that you also have the drive and motivation to succeed in the program.
How to End Your Personal Statement?
It can be just as difficult to write a good closing as it is to come up with a great opener.
You want a bold, memorable sign-off. One that will leave them no choice but to make you an offer or invite you to an interview.
You can highlight all the positive points you have already made in the last couple of sentences. And most importantly address the question your personal statement must answer: Why should you be accepted on this course?
Personal Statement Don'ts and Dos
Do's
• Focus on yourself: Your personal statement should be about you, not an article on your subject. Share your experiences, motivations, and journey.
• Be prepared for interviews: Only include what you’re ready to discuss during interviews. Be honest and confident in what you write.
• Go beyond the basics: Don’t just say you “enjoy the subject”—give clear, convincing reasons why you want to study the course.
• Make it relevant: For competitive courses, research the course details and tailor your personal statement to match.
• Be reflective: Explain what you gained from your experiences. Instead of saying “I like reading” or “I traveled,” highlight how these shaped your skills or perspective.
• Check grammar and spelling: Proofread at least twice. Even if your course isn’t essay-based, mistakes will irritate the reader. Get someone else to review it if needed.
• Use clear structure: Break your personal statement into easy-to-read paragraphs. The reader will appreciate a well-structured, digestible format.
• Get feedback: Share your personal statement with friends, family, or teachers. Listen to their feedback and use it to improve your writing.
Don'ts
• Avoid starting like a letter: Don’t use a greeting like “Dear Sir/Madam.” It’s unnecessary and wastes valuable space.
• Skip the jokes: This isn’t the place for humor—save that for your first night at university.
• Don’t blame your teachers or school: Criticizing your current school or teachers for any disappointing grades won’t reflect well on you.
• Be specific: Focus on a few detailed examples of your experiences. It’s much better to dive into one or two in-depth than to skim over several.
• Highlight relevant experiences: Talk about experiences that are relevant to the course you’re applying for, not just everything you’ve done.
• Show, don’t tell: Don’t just say you have leadership skills—explain when and how you demonstrated them. Specific examples make your statement stand out.
• Skip early experiences: Avoid mentioning anything that happened before your GCSEs (or equivalent).
• Leave medical/mental health issues out: These should be addressed in your reference, not in your personal statement.
• Don’t apply to too many different courses: This will make it hard to write a convincing and focused personal statement.
• Avoid writing for just one university: Unless you’re applying to only one institution, make your statement suitable for all your choices.
• No plagiarism: Don’t copy and paste from elsewhere. UCAS automatically checks for plagiarism, and if you’re caught, it could jeopardize your application.
• Be cautious with AI: If you use ChatGPT or any AI tool to help, make sure you thoroughly edit and personalize the text. You’re still at risk of plagiarism if it’s not truly your own work.
Summary
Writing a personal statement for your university application is your opportunity to stand out. Here’s a recap of the essential steps to craft a compelling and successful statement:
1. Focus on Yourself: Your personal statement should reflect who you are, not just your academic interests. Share your personal journey, motivations, and unique experiences.
2. Plan Before Writing: Consider key questions about your interest in the course, academic strengths, and relevant experiences that set you apart.
3. Be Specific and Reflective: Highlight a few detailed achievements, skills, and experiences that connect directly to the course. Explain how each has shaped you.
4. Keep It Relevant: Tailor your personal statement to the course you’re applying for. For competitive programs, dig deeper into the specifics of the course and align your statement accordingly.
5. Show, Don’t Tell: Back up claims like leadership or communication skills with concrete examples of when you demonstrated these qualities.
6. Stay Professional: Proofread carefully for grammar and spelling mistakes, keeping the tone professional. If needed, ask someone to review it for you.
7. Get Feedback: Share your personal statement with others for input and act on the feedback to refine it.
8. Be Confident: Don’t shy away from highlighting your accomplishments. Write with confidence and make it clear why you’re the right candidate for the course.
9. End Strong: Conclude with a memorable closing statement that reinforces why the university should accept you on the course.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to craft a personal statement that not only stands out but also increases your chances of securing a place at your desired university.
