Personal statements for university are a vital part of the applications process, with prospective students required to write statements with the purpose of ‘selling’ themselves as a suitable candidate for the programme of study.

The following guide will walk you through the most-asked questions, giving you expert advice on how to approach this important piece of writing.

What is a personal statement for university?

Writing a standout personal statement for university can be a daunting task. UCAS ask for candidates to supply this so that they can make sure that they are selecting people that are suitable for the course and will be a value to them. Consider this segment of the application process vitally important to further your chances of becoming a student at one of the UK’s leading universities. They will assess your skills, experience, and enthusiasm for the subject that you are applying for.  

With this in mind, you need to craft a statement that is targeted, succinct and – most of all – impactful. Your personal statement for university is your chance to sell yourself, and make a strong case for why you deserve a place at university. Every university will receive thousands of applications – so the key is to make sure that your statement is entirely bespoke and reflective of your achievements, unique skillset, and other personal attributes.

How long should a personal statement for university be?

The answer to this is entirely dependent on where you are applying. If you are applying to a British university, your university applications will go through UCAS.

The character limit for UCAS is 4000 characters – which equates roughly to 600-650 words.

As such, it is important to draft and redraft so that you can perfectly hone this important piece of writing. If you are applying to universities outside of the U.K., character limits can vary, and it is therefore vital that you seek clarification from university websites, or by speaking to someone from the university itself. You could even reach out to students from the university for their insider advice.

Postgraduate applications vary in length and are often longer and broken down into sections. Step one in your personal statement journey should be identifying how many words you have to play with, so that you can begin the writing process with the correct requirements in mind.

How to start your personal statement 

Before you begin – write a list or create a mind-map with your proudest achievements. For your opening, it is advisable to discuss where your passion for your subject choice comes from. Why this course? What is it about History/Law/Medicine that piques your interest and makes you want to dedicate yourself to it?

In the event that you are applying for different courses, you will need to discuss both. Above all else – make sure that you are enthusiastic! Universities want to give coveted places to people who have a genuine passion for their course, because this translates into the work that they produce.

Best opening sentences for your personal statement 

There is no standard opening for a personal statement. If anything, you should entirely avoid using personal statement openings that you have seen elsewhere. Great personal statements arrest the attention of the reader – perhaps calling to mind a memory/experience related to the subject choice. For example, students interested in medicine or nursing might recount a time that they were in hospital – or an experience in a medical setting that revealed to them the sensational job carried out by healthcare professionals.

If there is not a personal connection to the subject, then make an impactful statement about what you find so interesting about the course you are applying for. Why is it important for you – and for society at large that students dedicate their time and research to it? These are big questions that are important to address – and one key aspect of what admissions tutors will expect to read.

How should I structure my personal statement for university?

Write your introduction in three distinct sections. In the opening paragraph, you should make a case for why you wish to pursue the course, and – if possible – a personal story describing where your interest stemmed from, or why you consider it to be an important discipline.

In the main body paragraphs, you should include all of your experience and achievements. You will be attaching your school transcripts with grades listed – so don’t waste unnecessary space rehashing all of that information. Leave this section for prizes, notable activities such as being in a school show or taking part in fundraising events, and – crucially – any work experience that you have.

In the closing paragraph, discuss your personality and skills that you would bring to the university. If you are able to give examples of your wider reading or research into what you will be doing at university – even better! Universities appreciate candidates who have delved deeper into the subject and are familiar with the modules that they will be taking over the course of their studies. 

When do I need to submit my personal statement for university?

By the deadline! All deadlines are stated clearly on university websites or – if going through UCAS – on the main landing page. Type your statement up in a word document first – this is because there is often a ‘time-out’ function, and you do not want to lose your work.

A good personal statement for university will have been written well in advance, so be sure to dedicate plenty of time for drafting and editing, so that when you upload it you do so in complete confidence that you have given it the time and attention it deserves.  

What makes a good personal statement? 

A good personal statement is well-written, positive and full of examples that demonstrate your suitability for the course. Avoid being vague – instead, detail school achievements and any work experience you may have. Don’t panic if your work experience is not directly related to the course you are applying for – you will (knowingly or not) have gained a plethora of transferable skills, all of which will be beneficial to you during your time at university.

Transferable skills include; communication, leadership, interpersonal, time-management, organisation (to name a few), and will be things that you have picked up naturally during your school years. Speaking to teachers about this can help, as they will have recognised your talents during their time with you – and, having been to university themselves, have first-hand knowledge of what needs to go into a good personal statement.

A good focusing exercise can be asking your close circle what words they would use to describe you. Are you hardworking? Diligent? Determined? A motivating presence for those around you? If so, include this in your statement. These are attributes that are attractive to universities, who want to rest assured that you will be able to work both independently, and collaboratively.

An excellent personal statement for university will also give a strong sense of who you are as a person. Are you well-travelled? What are your hobbies? Can you speak multiple languages? These facts are what makes you unique, and should be included in your statement. Try to dedicate at least a couple of lines to extra-curricular activities.

Make sure you do not fall into the trap of having lengthy quotations in your personal statement. Avoid any quotations, preferably – because UCAS and other portals have advanced plagiarism software that will detect it. More than anything else, you don’t want to lose any space that could be used to sell you on the words and deeds of someone else.

How to write a personal statement for university?

Before you begin, spend time listing all of your achievements and volunteer/work experiences on a piece of paper or a mind-map. This is an effective tool to organise your thoughts, as well as a chance to identify your key strengths. Once you have done this, spend time looking at the specifics of the courses you are applying for – how does the university describe the course? What are the buzzwords that they use? You will then be able to fuse these into your personal statement.

You can then begin to write the personal statement, ensuring that you are within the character limit and that you manage to include all of the most essential information. Do not lose sight of the fact that the statement is to be a reflection of you as a person: universities want to know that are applying to them fully understanding what will be asked of you, and with a clear goal in mind.

If you are not certain about what vocation you will end up in – don’t worry! You can add that you are sure that the degree will open up networking opportunities, and that you are excited to explore potential careers as you get further into the course. If, however, you do know exactly what job you want – then state this clearly in the closing remarks of your statement.

Make sure you take time to read it over and see if the ‘tone’ is correct. Universities do not want robots and people who are only mildly enthusiastic about being there. Life on any campus is a privilege and the one time in your life where you have the luxury of dedicating your time and energy to researching a subject of your choice.

When writing your personal statement for university, stick to the following checklist:

• Show off your experience

• Make sure your personal statement has no mistakes

• Focus your writing on why you've chosen that subject

• Plan what you want to cover

• Keep it simple

Make sure you pass your personal statement on to friends and family before you submit – after all, they know you better than anyone and will be able to tell you if you are selling yourself short. Likewise, take the time to speak to teachers at your school or college and ask for advice. They will have been through this process before and will have lots of ideas about what you could include to enhance your chances.

If you are worried that your personal statement and experience is ‘lacking’, be proactive and identify things that you could do to improve your chances. You could, for example, volunteer at a local food bank or rehoming centre. If you have been unable to secure any work experience in the sector you are going into – reach out to people and ask if you could shadow them for a day, or take an online course to give you a flavour of what studying at university will be like.  

What should admissions tutors look for in personal statements for university?

Admissions tutors are looking for personal statements that are memorable. With a huge pool of applicants, their job is to whittle through the statements and select the best candidates for the program of study.

Remember that admissions tutors are well-versed in reading personal statements. They will find it easy to spot statements that are not authentic or come across as vague – so be as authentic as possible so that they get a sense of you. It is called ‘personal’ for a reason: consider it a combination of personal writing and a cover letter, detailing your outstanding achievements.  

Your personal statement should clearly state why you have chosen the course that you are applying for. When selecting the next university cohort, admissions tutors are responsible for ensuring that places are awarded to people with a genuine desire to be there. The more you are able to demonstrate your passion for the subject, the better.  

The writing itself should be of a high standard. Admissions tutors want to be sure that applicants will be able to keep up with a university workload and can produce work of a high standard. This short piece of writing is your chance to showcase your writing ability, and prove yourself capable of the leap into tertiary education.

Smart ways to end your personal statement for university

End your statement with a purposeful declaration of what you will bring to the university if you are given a chance. If you can, describe where you see yourself after the course ends – and state how the program of study help to get you there. Think about impact: universities want their alumni to leave with a sense of purpose and fueled with the tools and knowledge to make an impact on the world around them. How will you do this?