Table of Contents
Write a personal statement in 5 steps
Personal statement example (& why it works)
In this article, we’ll cover how to write a stand-out personal statement for your UCAS application, with top tips and guidance on what to cover.
What is a personal statement?
A personal statement is a piece of writing submitted as part of your university application in which you explain why you’ve applied for this particular course and why you should be offered a place.
It allows you to showcase your unique story, aspirations, and readiness for the academic journey ahead.
You have up to 4,000 characters or 47 lines to make a lasting impression on university admissions committees and convince them that you’d be a great asset to the faculty, wider university and its community.
Before you start writing
Writing a personal statement can be a daunting task, but one of the most critical factors that can determine whether or not your statement is impactful is the preparation beforehand.
It is crucial to invest time in brainstorming ideas and gathering relevant experiences that align with your goals and the degree programme you are applying for.
Start by making some notes, either as a simple bulleted list or a mindmap, covering the following aspects:
- why you want to go to university
- why you want to study the degree you’re applying for
Research your chosen institutions and courses
Before you sit down to write the first draft of your UCAS personal statement, the first thing to do is to research the courses you want to apply for. University websites and the UCAS website are the best sources for this information, and of course any open days you have attended will also help inform you. You should aim to cover the following in your statement:
- how your studies relate to your chosen degree (or, if not, why you’re applying for something you haven’t studied before)
- how you exhibit the qualities and skills your chosen universities are looking for
Be mindful though, that you only write one personal statement which is then read by each university you apply to. So, if you are applying for more than one subject (or it's a combined course) it's crucial that you include common themes or reference the overall skills needed for all subjects.
Reflect on your experiences and identify your goals
It’s important before you start crafting your statement to spend some time thinking about what you have done which demonstrates your enthusiasm for the subject you’re applying for, and where you hope your university studies will take you. You might want to consider:
- how your application is supported through work experience, placements or volunteering
- your hobbies and achievements, and how they showcase your strengths and suitability for your chosen degree
- your future plans - your career aspirations for after university and how your degree could help you achieve them
Write a personal statement in 5 steps
These five steps are crucial when it comes to writing and submitting a great personal statement.
Step 1: Draft an outline
The first thing you need to do is make a draft outline and structure. Breaking down your statement into smaller, more manageable chunks can make writing it easier and ensure you cover all key points.
Introduction
Your opening sentence should be something short, sharp and insightful. By the end of the introduction the reader should clearly know:
- What subject you are applying for
- Your reasons for applying for this subject (your academic interests)
Main body
In the rest of your text, your aim should be to demonstrate your suitability for the course.
Part 1: This should cover your personal skills and achievements. Universities like to know the abilities you have that’ll help you on the course, or generally with life at university - teamwork skills, for example. You should include any achievements that you’re proud of, positions of responsibility you have held inside and outside school, and the things that make you interesting or unique.
Part 2: Here, you should talk about any relevant work experience and future career plans. You should share details of jobs, placements, work experience, or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your course. Try to link any experience to skills or qualities that’ll make you successful, such as problem-solving, for example. If you know what you’d like to do after as a career, explain how you plan to use the knowledge and experience that you’ll gain to launch your career.
Conclusion
The conclusion of your personal statement should be more about leaving a good final impression rather than conferring any further information. Emphasising the the great points you’ve already made will hopefully make the admissions tutor remember you.
Tips for international students
If you're looking to write a personal statement as an international student, you should also include details of why you want to study in the UK; why a UK university is the right choice for you and fits your career dreams.
Step 2: Write multiple drafts
Your personal statement is a vitally important part of the application process, therefore allowing ample time to do several drafts is essential.
Personal statement writing is an iterative process, especially if you want to create an outstanding impression! It’s essential to write multiple drafts to ensure you refine your narrative with each redraft, enhancing clarity and impact and ultimately submitting best possible version.
Step 3: Edit and proofread
When it comes to finalising your personal statement, it’s essential to pay close attention to grammar, spelling and punctuation. Poor spelling and grammar makes for a bad first impression, so ensure you triple-check it’s written to the highest standard before submitting it.
These techniques can all be useful:
- read what you’ve written out loud, slowly
- print out a copy – sometimes it’s easier to edit on a paper copy than via a screen
- ask a family member or friend to spell check your personal statement and look for mistakes or typos
Step 4: Seek feedback
It’s always a good idea to seek feedback from teachers, peers, or mentors before submitting your personal statement to UCAS. External perspectives can be very valuable in both refining and strengthening your final version, and in ensuring you haven’t omitted anything important.
Step 5: Make sure you followed instructions
It’s really important to ensure that you have followed all stipulated requirements when it comes to the word count; personal statements have a 4000 character limit (including spaces). Be aware that software such as Microsoft Word may not give a character or line count that completely matches what the UCAS form says.
The only way to be 100% sure what the character and line counts are is to copy your draft statement into your online UCAS form (but be careful not to submit it unless you're sure it's the final version). You can edit and save your personal statement without submitting it as many times as you like, and you'll only be able to mark the section as complete when you're on the preview screen.
Personal statement example (& why it works)
Below is an example of an excellent personal statement, created by Kings student Alex who wants to study Law. His stand-out statement, coupled with strong LNAT score, secured him offers from four top UK universities.
(Please do not copy or plagarise this content)
My interest in the field of law was sparked after observing the international trial after the August War of 2008 when the Russian Federation invaded Georgia. I was fascinated with carefully crafted arguments of both sides, especially Russia's justification of its aggression. Having displayed interest regarding the topic in class, my English teacher gave me a copy of Lord Bingham's 'The Rule of Law'. Reading it gave me a preliminary understanding of the similarity and significance of legal systems on a national and international scale. My passion for history and law are deeply intertwined as I have always had an interest in how states function and interact with each other. Observing the Rule of Law as a foundation for any community within national or international level prompted my interest to study the subject in higher education.
The aspect which fascinates me the most about legal systems is their ability to evolve alongside society. While doing independent research about drafting of the Civil Code, I was amazed how French legal scholars managed to combine aspects from Roman law with parts from both republican and monarchist legal systems to best fit with the societal demands of the era. Nonetheless, I am fascinated about how English law, overlaps with the UK's organic constitution, to best adapt over time with society and continues to adapt to meet societal needs. Furthermore, my wish to pursue a law course in the UK stems from its rich history of being a pioneer in perfecting and executing the philosophical idea that laws should aim towards bringing the most welfare and happiness to the people.
This summer I attended an online course by 'InvsetIn', called the 'Young Lawyer Summer Experience'. We covered all the major branches of law, with simulations in every field. Negotiating terms and drawing up contracts during the sessions on corporate law was the most captivating. Consequently, I undertook work experience in a Georgian firm to understand the role of contract law in civil affairs. I was privileged to work on a project about the implementation of the secured transactions reform into the Georgian banking system, through amendments to our civil code. Assigned to read several versions of reform recommendation documents, I saw how several minute changes to our civil code in the face of secured transactions could have a dramatic effect. This experience demonstrated the crucial part laws play in bringing welfare to society and solidified my commitment to explore and pursue my future legal career.
In addition to developing deep commitment to law, I believe I have already developed many skills to do well academically. My history and Geography A-levels will give me an important advantage during the course. While history is an essential subject for comprehending the evolution of law, Geography equips me with necessary knowledge and understanding to approach the field from a global perspective.
Having participated in mock trials of historical figures and being a member of the law society at school, I have experienced the ambience of a courtroom. Observing the procedures and debates reminded me of how topics were discussed at 'Model United Nations' conferences that I attended. The most fascinating part of MUN is having to defend an argument, which I don't support. This experience has enhanced my skill of understanding other people's viewpoints and thus presenting strong arguments.
I believe I will make a valuable contribution to university life. My practice of Kendo and Kyudo teaches
me how to maintain a clear mind in the toughest situations. In addition, it equips me with important
social skills such as the ability to maintain respect and the ability to synchronize with your training
partner to achieve mutual development. I am fascinated with studying different cultures and languages
which I hope will help me progress in the vibrant, and multicultural environment of academia.
Commenting on what makes this personal statement so successful, Head of EAP & UCAS Advisor at Kings Oxford Melrose Fernandes said:
"This personal statement is strong for a number of reasons. First of all, it shows clear motivation and interest in the subject. It begins with a specific and personal anecdote—the international trial after the August War of 2008—which clearly demonstrates the applicant's early interest in law. This is followed by how this interest was developed through reading Lord Bingham's 'The Rule of Law,' showcasing an active approach to learning. Secondly, it shows a clear connection between disciplines. The applicant effectively intertwines his passion for history and law, demonstrating an understanding of how these fields intersect and influence each other. This interdisciplinary approach highlights the applicant's intellectual curiosity and ability to think critically.
Additionally, the applicant's fascination with the evolution of legal systems, particularly through the example of the French Civil Code and English law, shows an appreciation for both historical and contemporary legal developments. This indicates a full and reflective understanding of the subject matter and relates to his choice of studying French law as well. Finally, the description of attending the 'Young Lawyer Summer Experience' course and subsequent work experience in a Georgian firm provides concrete evidence of the applicant's active engagement with the field. Specific details about projects and tasks, such as working on secured transactions reform, add credibility and demonstrate hands-on experience.
Overall, in my opinion, this personal statement is effective because it presents a well-rounded candidate with a clear passion for law, demonstrated through both academic and extracurricular activities. The applicant's ability to connect different experiences and skills to their future studies makes their case strong for admission."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What should I avoid including in my personal statement?
- Mistakes! Whether grammatical or informational, make sure your statement is completely free of errors.
- Overly exuberant language and cliches. Remember – the key to an excellent personal statement is showing, not telling.
- Quotes - especially those that are very commonly used. UK university admissions tutors have probably seen the same quotes again and again. Students writing a personal statement are encouraged to use their own thoughts and insights, not someone else’s.
- Childhood anecdotes are great, and can certainly add character to an application. But they’re not always necessary to showcase a student’s devotion to their chosen subject. Generally, admissions tutors at UK universities are more interested in an applicant’s more recent contributions or achievements in their chosen field of study.
- Exaggerations! Even small, believable exaggerations can come back to haunt you - especially if it is something which is referenced by the admissions tutor at interview stage. It could be as small as pretending to have read a particular book.
- Qualifications. There’s already a section on the UCAS form for this, so don’t waste the space on your personal statement.
- Other people’s content; any sort of plagiarism could result in your application being automatically rejected. Also bear in mind that is not a good idea to use AI technology such as Chat GPT. For more guidelines on this, visit the UCAS website.
Q2. How do you structure a personal statement?
A strong personal statement should have a logical structure, presented as a piece of formal written English.
The best personal statements have a clearly defined structure, making them more understandable and compelling, and also easier to write.
Here is sample template:
- Introduction - around six lines
- Academic abilities - 22 - 27 lines
- Extracurricular information - 10 - 12 lines
- Conclusion - four lines maximum
Q3. Why do university admissions teams rely on personal statements so much?
While your grades show your academic achievements and admissions tests assess your knowledge and capabilities, a personal statement is all about you. Tutors want to see the person behind the application and understand why you’re a suitable candidate for your chosen course.
Although each university will have its own unique way of shortlisting applicants, your statement is your opportunity to demonstrate your strengths and let your personal characteristics shine through.
Need Help With Preparing an Outstanding Personal Statement?
At Kings, we offer a range of pre-university programmes, from A-levels to specialist foundations for international students, such as the Advanced Level Foundation.
We have four colleges in the UK — Kings Brighton, Kings Bournemouth, Kings London, and Kings Oxford.
By selecting to study at our UK schools, you will maximise your potential, and be sure of a place at the best possible UK university. With specialist support, you will be guided through the UCAS application process, including extensive support in crafting the best possible personal statement.
Next steps
We hope that this article has helped you understand more about how to write a stand-out personal statement.
If you would like receive more detailed information about the Kings and our programmes, please get in touch with us at enquiries@kingseducation.com.
