Year 12s: It’s time to start preparing for University

Next year marks the first time in DECADES that the personal statement is changing.

With no previous examples to look back on, schools aren't sure how to support their students and universities will be too slow to give any meaningful help.

That's why we're starting early. The "new" UCAS personal statement will be broken down into the following 3 questions:

The new personal statement format for those applying in September 2025

So how does one prepare for this? 

There are many ways - universities are looking for a demonstrated interest in the subject you are applying for. That means they don't just want you to talk about the subject, they want evidence of things you have done above and beyond school.

They want things like: 

• relevant work experience (for a week rather than a whole internship)

• mention of things like University insight days/ shadowing

• attendance at public lectures

• participation in olympiads, essay competitions and other academic challenges

• MOOCs (online courses in the students relevant subject field)

• Extra reading of related books and/or academic papers

• Volunteering

Please don't be alarmed, applicants DEFINITELY do not need anywhere near one of each of those, but having 3 would put them in a great position.

By the time students think about their application, most of these become inaccessible. Deadlines have passed and in Year 13 the focus should really be A levels.

This resource is for the students and parents in Year 12 who wish to begin preparing now so that they can get a head start.