Personal Statements
This is the most important bit of your application - admission tutors rely on the information you write here to make their decision. Start by finding out what they are looking for - check out entry-profiles on www.ucas.com, read the comments in 'Degree Course Offers' - and make sure your personal statement shows how you meet their entry criteria. Then use the tips in this section to make your statement stand out from the crowd.
You need to include:
- Why you have chosen the courses/subject(s) applied for.
- What interests you about the course/subject?
- Information from your studies that supports your application - but don't go overboard with this one (subjects studied and grades achieved are listed elsewhere on the form).
- Career or future study/training plans - if you have any - this is particularly important if you're applying for a vocational course but not so important for a more general course such as Philosophy.
- Any work experiences you have (voluntary or paid) that supports your application. Don't just do a list - write about the skills and experience you have gained.
- Any extra stuff inside or outside school/college that supports your application - for example, you may have taken a master class, summer school or taster course for your subject. Write about what you learnt.
- A description of any skills and achievements acquired via, for example, the Duke of
- Details of year out plans if applying for deferred entry.
- Your social, sports or leisure activities - but be very selective and try and relate these to the course applied for, or talk about any transferable skills e.g. identifying team work skills from team sports.
More tips?
