A UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) personal statement is a key part of the undergraduate university application process in the United Kingdom. It is an opportunity for applicants to showcase their strengths, skills, and experiences, and to demonstrate why they are a good fit for the course they are applying to. This article sets out some useful tips, tricks and key areas of focus when developing your personal statement.
Introduction
Understand the purpose of the personal statement: The personal statement is your chance to tell universities why you are a suitable candidate for the course you are applying to. It is important to tailor your statement to the course and to show your enthusiasm for the subject. We’ll begin with a quick 7-step guide to developing a solid foundation to your personal statement.
Plan your statement:
Keep it concise:
Be specific:
Show your personality:
Proofread and edit:
Get feedback:
Understand the purpose of the personal statement:
Let’s delve deeper into some crucial elements to keep in mind while crafting your personal statement:
Let’s delve deeper into some crucial elements to keep in mind while crafting your personal statement:
Let’s delve deeper into some crucial elements to keep in mind while crafting your personal statement:
Evidencing Your Passion for Your Chosen Subject
Another method of demonstrating your enthusiasm for the subject is by engaging in self-study. If you’ve made the effort to read beyond the required curriculum in your field of interest, it demonstrates that you are truly invested and eager to expand your knowledge. It’s crucial to begin this process early on, develop a sense of what interests you and what does not within your chosen subject.
self-study
self-study
Focusing on Areas Outside of Academics
When preparing to write a UCAS personal statement, it is important to balance highlighting your academic achievements and extracurricular activities. While it is important to evidence your passion for your chosen subject, you should not place too much emphasis on extracurricular activities alone.
Instead, focus on areas outside of academics that will further deepen your knowledge and passion for your chosen subject. This could include competitions, Olympiads, or other types of work experience that are relevant to your chosen subject. For example, if you are applying for a degree in engineering, you could mention any relevant engineering competitions or programmes you have participated in, such as FIRST Robotics or the National Science Olympiad.
Oxbridge vs Other University Applications
First, it is important to understand that Oxbridge places a strong emphasis on academic excellence and intellectual curiosity. Therefore, it is crucial to demonstrate a deep understanding of your chosen subject and a passion for learning. This could include mentioning any independent research projects you have undertaken, highlighting any books or articles you have read that have particularly influenced your thinking on the subject, and discussing any extracurricular activities or clubs that you have participated in that are related to the subject. Additionally, it is important to show that you have a passion for learning and have taken the initiative to explore the subject further on your own.
related to the subject
For other university applications, it is important to show that you are a suitable candidate for the course you are applying to. However, you do not have to demonstrate the same level of academic excellence and intellectual curiosity as for Oxbridge. Therefore, you can focus on highlighting your qualifications, skills, experiences, and achievements that are relevant to the course you are applying to, and how these experiences have prepared you for the course and what you hope to gain from it.
In addition, for Oxbridge, you might be required to answer additional questions, or to submit a supplementary essay, which is not required for other universities. These questions or essays might be related to the specific course you are applying to or might be more general questions about your interests and motivations.
Lastly, it is important to keep in mind that Oxbridge has a highly competitive application process, and the personal statement is an essential part of the application. Therefore, it is important to invest time and effort into crafting a well-written, compelling personal statement that showcases your strengths, skills, and experiences, and demonstrates why you are a good fit for the course you are applying to.
ProEd offers bespoke work experience programmes that can give you the edge over other students, offering a hands-on look at the world of different fields. Whether you are interested in computer science, economics and finance, engineering, law, medicine or psychology, our team has designed a programme to suit your needs and prepare you for university study. From access to some of the best academic minds and lecturers the UK has to offer, to real-life work experience in industry-leading facilities, ProEd’s internship programmes provide a comprehensive look at the field of your choice.
Discover our work experience programmes below:
Discover our work experience programmes below:
Discover our work experience programmes below:
Ages: 13-18
Ages
Location: On campus
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Location
Course length: One & Two week options
Course length
Ages: 13-18
Ages
Location: On campus
Location
Course length: One & Two week options
Course length
Ages: 13-18
Ages
Location: On campus
Location
Course length: One & Two week options
Course length
Why ProEd?
At ProEd, we understand that gaining real-life experience in the chosen field is crucial for both solidifying your career choice and for making your university application stand out. That’s why our work experience programmes are designed to give you an inside look into the world of your chosen field and provide you with the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals.
Not only will our work experience programmes give you a chance to discover your passion for your chosen field, but they will also provide you with valuable information and skills to include in your application to university. Our partnerships with leading professionals and experienced academic staff mean that you will have access to unparalleled industry knowledge and guidance throughout the application process.
Our team has decades of experience in the educational field and a proven track record of helping students successfully apply to universities. By participating in our internship programmes, you can gain a competitive edge in your university application and gain valuable experience in the field of your choice.
Ages: 13-18
Ages
Location: On campus
Location
Course length: One & Two week options
Course length
Ages: 13-18
Ages
Location: On campus
Location
Course length: One & Two week options
Course length
Ages: 13-18
Ages
Location: On campus
Location
Course length: One & Two week options
Course length
Manage your time effectively
Writing a personal statement is an important and often time-consuming task. It’s important to start early and give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, write, and revise. Depending on your writing speed and the level of detail you want to include, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to complete your personal statement.
Receive regular feedback
It’s also important to get feedback on your statement from others. This could include teachers, counsellors, mentors, or anyone else who you trust to give you an honest and constructive critique. Ideally, your personal statement should be reviewed by at least 2-3 people before you submit it. This will help you identify any errors, omissions, or areas that need improvement and make sure that your statement is as polished and convincing as possible.
In addition, it’s also important to proofread your statement multiple times to ensure that it is free of errors and typos. It may also be helpful to read your statement out loud, as this can help you identify any awkward or unclear sentences. Make sure to follow the instructions given by the university or programme in terms of the format, word limit, and any other requirements.
Writing a personal statement for top UK universities can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and attention to detail, you can create a statement that showcases your passion and qualifications. It’s important to focus on evidencing your passion for your chosen subject, and to include other areas such as your motivation for applying to the specific university and your long-term career aspirations.
It’s also crucial to highlight any super-curricular activities, competitions, Olympiads, or other types of work experience that are relevant to your chosen subject, as this will demonstrate your deep knowledge and dedication to your field. Additionally, it’s a good idea to research the specific university you are applying to and tailor your statement to show why you are an ideal fit for the institution. Remember to keep your statement concise and clear, and to proofread multiple times to ensure there are no errors. With a well-crafted personal statement, you can increase your chances of being accepted into the top UK universities of your choice.
