ucas personal statement opening sentences

Alan Bullock Careers

Independent careers adviser and writer, ucas personal statements: writing a killer opening.

ucas personal statement opening sentences

This is a tweaked version of an article I originally wrote for the former ‘Which? University’ website. Large extracts from it can currently be found on the UCAS site. It might be useful for students who need inspiration to start their personal statement or for parents, teachers or advisers who are trying to help them put pen to paper.

Are you getting frustrated because you can’t think of a good way to open your personal statement? Or, worse still, are you struggling to write anything at all because you just don’t know where to start? If so, you’re not alone – and my advice is to stop worrying.

I picked up numerous tips on this from admissions tutors up and down the country, albeit a few years ago, and they all tended to take a similar line, which was …. don’t get stressed about trying to think up a killer opening!

Yes, it’s important to ‘sell yourself’, but don’t overdo it. In fact, one of the dangers of trying to come up with a killer opening is that what you often end up with is overkill. As one admissions tutor said: “Be succinct and draw the reader in, but not with a gimmick. This isn’t ‘The Apprentice’”.

Even some Oxbridge admissions tutors mentioned this. They emphasised the need for candidates to engage the reader with a punchy start, but not to fall into “the dreaded overly-dramatic X Factor style” of opening. They want to be engaged by your relevant perceptions or ideas, not by something flashy.

Here are some more admissions tutor comments and I hope they might help relieve some stress and give you a starting point:

Don’t waste time trying to think of a catchy opening. It’s often a complete turn-off.
Your interest in the course is the biggest thing. Start with why you chose it.
The best personal statements get to the point quickly.
Start with a short sentence that captures the reason why you are interested in studying on the programme you are applying for and that communicates your enthusiasm for it.
Go straight in. Why are you excited about studying this course?
The opening is your chance to introduce yourself, to explain your motivation for studying the course and to demonstrate your understanding of it.
It’s your enthusiasm for the course we want to know about. Start with that.
Write what comes naturally.
‘What you want to study and why’ should be in the first two sentences. What excites you about the course and why do you want to learn about it more?
Be specific from line one.
Talk about you and your enthusiasm for the subject from the very start.
In your opening paragraph you need to show that you know what you are applying for. Don’t waffle or say you want to study something just because it’s interesting. Explain what it is that you find interesting about it.
It’s much better to engage us with something interesting, relevant, specific and current in your opening line, not ‘from a young age’ or ‘I have always wanted to’. Start with what’s inspiring you now, not what inspired you when you were six.

And the following three comments from admissions tutors suggest you shouldn’t even begin at the start… :

I think the opening line is the hardest one to write, so I often say leave it until last and just try and get something down on paper.
Don’t spend too long on the introduction. Concentrate on the main content of your statement and write the introduction last.
I often advise applicants to start with paragraph two, where you get into why you want to study the course. That’s what we’re really interested in.

The general theme here is that the best statements tend to be those that are genuine and specific from the very start. So you won’t go far wrong if you begin by explaining or reflecting on your enthusiasm for the course, your understanding of it or what you want to achieve from it.

However, do try to avoid the most obvious opening sentences. UCAS once published a list of the most common opening lines in personal statements and urged applicants to avoid using ‘hackneyed’ phrases. The top five were:

From a young age….
For as long as I can remember…
I am applying for this course because….
I have always been interested in….
Throughout my life I have always enjoyed….

And at number eleven was a Nelson Mandela quote … which brings me to one last piece of advice.

In a very popular article I once wrote for ‘Which?’ called ’10 things not to put in your personal statement’ , quotations were top of the list of admissions tutors’ pet hates. They especially tend to dislike it if you put a quotation in right at the start – and it’s even worse if you don’t actually explain why it’s there.

So remember, in the opening line of your statement they don’t want to know what Nelson Mandela thought, they want to know what you think.

One last thought. A technique that can be quite effective is the ‘necklace approach’. This is when you make a link between your opening sentence and your closing sentence, whilst also adding an extra dimension to what you said at the start. For example, if you started with an interesting line about what is currently motivating you to study your chosen degree course, you could link back to it in your closing paragraph by briefly elaborating on something specific about the subject that you’re excited about exploring in more depth.

I can still vividly remember the person who first inspired me about the necklace approach. It was a student called Marianne, who used it herself and was accepted by Cambridge to study Law. Interestingly, she now has a very successful career as a Product Owner and Technical Writer. But that’s another story!

The photographic image (of Old Harry Rocks on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast) is from my own collection.

How to Write a UCAS Personal Statement [With Examples]

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What are the big challenges students should be aware of before writing their UCAS Personal Statement?

The essential ingredients for writing a great Personal Statement
How to write the UCAS Personal Statement [with examples]

Final hints & tips to help your students

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The UCAS Personal Statement can sometimes be a student’s only chance to impress a UK university. Read our in-depth guide to helping your students plan & write a winning application.

There are hundreds of articles out there on how to write a UCAS Personal Statement that will grab the attention of a UK university admissions officer.

But if you’re working with students to help them perfect their Personal Statement in time for the relevant UCAS deadlines , we can sum up the secret to success in three words.

Planning, structure and story.

The UCAS Personal Statement is a student’s chance to talk about why they want to study for a particular degree, course or subject discipline at a UK university.

As they set about writing a personal statement, students need to demonstrate the drive, ambition, relevant skills and notable achievements that make them a suitable candidate for the universities they have chosen to apply to .

But the UCAS Personal Statement requires students to write a lot about themselves in a relatively short space of time. That’s why lots of planning, a tight structure and a compelling story are essential if a student’s Personal Statement is to truly excel.

As important deadlines for UK university applications grow closer, we at BridgeU have put together a guide, outlining some of the strategies and techniques to help your students to write a personal statement which is both engaging and truly individual.

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Discover the simple steps that will boost the confidence of your native English speaking & ESL students alike in University Application Essays: The 5 Secrets of Successful Writing .

As they begin to plan their Personal Statement, students may feel intimidated. It’s not easy to summarise your academic interests and personal ambitions, especially when you’re competing for a place on a course which is popular or has demanding entry requirements. In particular, students will likely come up against the following challenges.

Time pressure

Unfortunately, the Personal Statement (and other aspects of university preparation) comes during the busiest year of the student’s academic life so far.

Students, and indeed teachers and counsellors, must undertake the planning and writing of the personal statement whilst juggling other commitments, classes and deadlines, not to mention revision and open day visits!

Because there is already a lot of academic pressure on students in their final year of secondary school, finding the time and headspace for the personal statement can be hard, and can mean it gets pushed to the last minute. The risks of leaving it to the last minute are fairly obvious – the application will seem rushed and the necessary thought and planning won’t go into making the personal statement the best it can be .

Sticking closely to the Personal Statement format

The character limit which UCAS sets for the personal statement is very strict – up to 4,000 characters of text. This means that students have to express themselves in a clear and concise way; it’s also important that they don’t feel the need to fill the available space needlessly. Planning and redrafting of a personal statement is essential .

Making it stand out

This is arguably the greatest challenge facing students – making sure that their statement sets them apart from everyone else who is competing for a place on any given course; in 2024 alone, UCAS received applications from 594,940 applicants. In addition, UCAS uses its own dedicated team and purpose built software to check every application for plagiarism, so it’s crucial that students craft a truly original personal statement which is entirely their own work .

The essential ingredients for writing a great UCAS Personal Statement

We’ve already mentioned our three watch words for writing a high quality Personal Statement.

Planning. Structure. Story.

Let’s dig deeper into these three essential components in more detail.

Watch: How to Write a UCAS Personal Statement with University of Essex

Planning a ucas personal statement.

It might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s vital that students plan their Personal Statement before they start writing it. Specifically, the planning phase could include:

Students thoroughly researching the UK university courses they plan on applying to.
Deciding on what relevant material to include in their Personal Statement (we’ll cover this in more detail later on).
Writing an unedited first draft where they just get their thoughts and ideas down on paper.

Structuring a UCAS Personal Statement

As we’ve discussed, the UCAS Personal Statement requires students to be extremely disciplined – they will be required to condense a lot of information into a relatively short written statement. This means that, after they’ve written a rough first draft, they need to think carefully about how they structure the final statement.

A stand out Personal Statement will need a tight structure, with an introduction and a conclusion that make an impact and really help to tell a story about who your student is, and why they are drawn to studying this particular degree.

This brings us nicely to our third and final ingredient…

Telling a story with a Personal Statement

The UCAS Personal Statement is a student’s opportunity to show a university who they are and how their life experiences have shaped their academic interests and goals.

So a good Personal Statement needs to offer a compelling narrative, and that means making sure that a student’s writing is well-structured, and that every sentence and paragraph is serving the statement’s ultimate purpose – to convince a university that your student deserves a place on their subject of choice.

How to help your students start their UCAS Personal Statement

In order to ensure that a personal statement is delivered on time and to an appropriate standard, it’s essential to plan thoroughly before writing it. Here are some questions you can ask your students before they start writing:

How can you demonstrate a formative interest in your subject?

It may sound obvious but, in order for any UCAS personal statement to have the necessary structure and clarity, students need to think hard about why they want to study their chosen subject. Ask them to think about their responses to the following questions:

What inspired you to study your chosen subject?

Example answer: My desire to understand the nature of reality has inspired me to apply for Physics and Philosophy

Was there a formative moment when your perspective on this subject changed, or when you decided you wanted to study this subject in more detail?

Example answer: My interest in philosophy was awakened when I questioned my childhood religious beliefs; reading Blackburn’s “Think”, convinced me to scrutinise my assumptions about the world, and to ensure I could justify my beliefs.

Can you point to any role models, leading thinkers, or notable literature which has in turn affected your thinking and/or inspired you?

Example answer : The search for a theory of everything currently being conducted by physicists is of particular interest to me and in “The Grand Design” Hawking proposes a collection of string theories, dubbed M-theory, as the explanation of why the universe is the way it is.

Asking your students to think about the “why” behind their chosen subject discipline is a useful first step in helping them to organise their overall statement. Next, they need to be able to demonstrate evidence of their suitability for a course or degree.

How have you demonstrated the skills and aptitudes necessary for your chosen course?

Encourage students to think about times where they have demonstrated the necessary skills to really stand out. It’s helpful to think about times when they have utilised these skills both inside and outside the classroom. Ask students to consider their responses to the following questions.

Can you demonstrate critical and independent thinking around your chosen subject discipline?

Example answer : Currently I am studying Maths and Economics in addition to Geography. Economics has been a valuable tool, providing the nuts and bolts to economic processes, and my geography has provided a spatial and temporal element.

Are you able to demonstrate skills and competencies which will be necessary for university study?

These include qualities such as teamwork, time management and the ability to organise workload responsibly.

Example answer: This year I was selected to be captain of the 1st XV rugby team and Captain of Swimming which will allow me to further develop my leadership, teamwork and organisational skills.

How have your extracurricular activities helped prepare you for university?

Students may believe that their interests outside the classroom aren’t relevant to their university application. So encourage them to think about how their other interests can demonstrate the subject-related skills that universities are looking for in an application. Ask students to think about any of the following activities, and how they might be related back to the subject they are applying for.

Clubs/societies, or volunteering work which they can use to illustrate attributes such as teamwork, an interest in community service and the ability to manage their time proactively.
Have they been elected/nominated as a team captain, or the head of a particular club or society, which highlights leadership skills and an ability to project manage?
Can they point to any awards or prizes they may have won, whether it’s taking up a musical instrument, playing a sport, or participating in theatre/performing arts?
Have they achieved grades or qualifications as part of their extracurricular activities? These can only help to demonstrate aptitude and hard work.

How to write the UCAS Personal Statement [with examples]

If sufficient planning has gone into the personal statement, then your students should be ready to go!

In this next section, we’ll break down the individual components of the UCAS Personal Statement and share some useful examples.

These examples come from a Personal Statement in support of an application to study Environmental Science at a UK university.

Watch: King’s College London explain what they’re looking for in a UCAS Personal Statement

Introduction.

This is the chance for an applying student to really grab an admission tutor’s attention. Students need to demonstrate both a personal passion for their subject, and explain why they have an aptitude for it . This section is where students should begin to discuss any major influences or inspirations that have led them to this subject choice.

Example : My passion for the environment has perhaps come from the fact that I have lived in five different countries: France, England, Spain, Sweden and Costa Rica. Moving at the age of 15 from Sweden, a calm and organized country, to Costa Rica, a more diverse and slightly chaotic country, was a shock for me at first and took me out of my comfort zone […] Also, living in Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, definitely helped me realize how vulnerable the world is and how we need to take care of it in a sustainable manner.

This opening paragraph immediately grabs the reader’s attention by giving the reader an insight into this student’s background and links their academic interests with something specific from the student’s personal backstory.

Discussing Academic Achievements

The next paragraph in this Personal Statement discusses the student’s academic achievements. Because this student has had an international education, they frame their academic achievements in the context of their personal background. They also cite useful examples of other curricula they have studied and the grades they have achieved.

Example :

Throughout my academic life I have shown myself to be a responsible student as well as a hard working one, despite the fact that I have had to move around a lot. I have achieved several other accomplishments such as a high A (286/300) in AS Spanish at age 15, and also completed a Spanish course of secondary studies for ‘MEP’(Ministerio de Educacion Publica), which is a system from Costa Rica.

You’ll notice that this student doesn’t just list their achievements – their strong academic performance is always linked back to a wider discussion of their personal experiences.

Showcasing Extracurricular Activities

As well as discussing academic achievements, a good Personal Statement should also discuss the student’s extracurricular activities, and how they relate back to the student’s overall university aspirations.

By the third/fourth paragraph of the Personal Statement, students should think about incorporating their extracurricular experiences,

Another valuable experience was when my class spent a week at a beach called ‘Pacuare’ in order to help prevent the eggs of the endangered leatherback turtle from being stolen by poachers who go on to sell them like chicken eggs. We all gained teamwork experience, which was needed in order to hide the eggs silently without scaring the mother turtles, as well as making it more difficult for the poachers to find them.

When the poachers set fire to one of the sustainable huts where we were staying, not only did I gain self-awareness about the critical situation of the world and its ecosystems, I also matured and became even more motivated to study environmental sciences at university.

This is a particularly striking example of using extracurricular activities to showcase a student’s wider passion for the degree subject they want to study.

Not only does this Personal Statement have a story about volunteering to save an endangered species, it also illustrates this applicants’ wider worldview, and helps to explain their motivation for wanting to study Environmental Science.

Concluding the UCAS Personal Statement

The conclusion to a UCAS Personal Statement will have to be concise, and will need to tie all of a student’s academic and extracurricular achievements. After all, a compelling story will need a great ending.

Remember that students need to be mindful of the character limit of a Personal Statement, so a conclusion need only be the length of a small paragraph, or even a couple of sentences.

“ After having many varied experiences, I truly think I can contribute to university in a positive way, and would love to study in England where I believe I would gain more skills and education doing a first degree than in any other country. “

A good Personal Statement conclusion will end with an affirmation of how the student thinks they can contribute to university life, and why they believe the institution in question should accept them. Because the student in this example has a such a rich and varied international background, they also discuss the appeal of studying at university in England.

It’s worth taking a quick look at a few other examples of how other students have chosen to conclude their Personal Statement.

Medicine (Imperial College, London)

Interest in Medicine aside, other enthusiasms of mine include languages, philosophy, and mythology. It is curiously fitting that in ancient Greek lore, healing was but one of the many arts Apollo presided over, alongside archery and music. I firmly believe that a doctor should explore the world outside the field of Medicine, and it is with such experiences that I hope to better empathise and connect with the patients I will care for in my medical career.

You’ll notice that this example very specifically ties the students’ academic and extracurricular activities together, and ties the Personal Statement back to their values and beliefs.

Economic History with Economics (London School of Economics)

The highlight of my extra-curricular activities has been my visit to Shanghai with the Lord Mayor’s trade delegation in September 2012. I was selected to give a speech at this world trade conference due to my interest in economic and social history. […] I particularly enjoyed the seminar format, and look forward to experiencing more of this at university. My keen interest and desire to further my knowledge of history and economics, I believe, would make the course ideal for me.

By contrast, this conclusion ties a memorable experience back to the specifics of how the student will be taught at the London School of Economics – specifically, the appeal of learning in seminar format!

There’s no magic formula for concluding a Personal Statement. But you’ll see that what all of these examples have in common is that they tie a student’s personal and academic experiences together – and tell a university something about their aspirations for the future.

Watch: Bournemouth University explain how to structure a UCAS Personal Statement

Know the audience

It can be easy for students to forget that the person reading a personal statement is invariably an expert in their field. This is why an ability to convey passion and think critically about their chosen subject is essential for a personal statement to stand out. Admissions tutors will also look for students who can structure their writing (more on this below).

Students should be themselves

Remember that many students are competing for places on a university degree against fierce competition. And don’t forget that UCAS has the means to spot plagiarism. So students need to create a truly honest and individual account of who they are, what they have achieved and, perhaps most importantly, why they are driven to study this particular subject.

Proof-read (then proof-read again!)

Time pressures mean that students can easily make mistakes with their Personal Statements. As the deadline grows closer, it’s vital that they are constantly checking and rechecking their writing and to ensure that shows them in the best possible light.

Meanwhile, when it comes to giving feedback to students writing their Personal Statements, make sure you’re as honest and positive as possible in the days and weeks leading up to submission day.

And make sure they remember the three key ingredients of writing a successful Personal Statement.

Planning, structure and story!

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Personal Statement Sentence Starters: Expert Advice

Good personal statement openings are crucial when it comes to engaging admissions tutors.

But in the process of writing your personal statement, you might realise that you’re repeating the words you use in your opening sentences and paragraphs.

This lack of variety can lead to a sense of monotony in tone and content, alienating the reader.

But don’t worry!

There are several sentence starters you can use that won’t leave your personal statement sounding stilted or unnatural and that will help your personal statement stand out.

Here’s an expert guide to using effective sentence starters to improve your personal statement…

Personal statement sentence starters fall into three specific categories. Introductions, comparisons and conclusions are effective ways to start paragraphs. Use connections, additions and relationships when developing content. Starters relating to the presentation of ideas work well throughout.

From sixth-form personal statement sentence starters to postgraduate applications, you’ll discover specific examples of each of these personal statement sentence starter categories in the sections below…

Introduction, Comparison and Conclusion Starters

Having a practical understanding of personal statement sentence starters in this category is extremely valuable if you want to achieve greater variety and originality in your writing.

Introducing a new point or topic can become repetitive quickly; how many times have you written “I also” or “as a result”?

Avoiding these common phrases can add depth to your statement, but also encourage the reader to view you as an informed and versatile candidate.

As Mary Curnock Cook, a former UCAS Chief Executive states:

“The personal statement is supposed to be personal. Learning to write about yourself in a compelling way is a vital skill when applying for jobs; using hackneyed phrases is not the best way to stand out.” Mary Curnock Cook

Have you ever felt the need to write the kind of overused opening sentences that start with “At a young age..?”

If so, here are some introductory personal statement openings that will add to the compelling quality of your writing, without making it sound as though you’ve plucked words from a dictionary:

The definition of…	It is thought that…	My experience of…	I justified my…
The key aspects…	It has always…	Engaging with…	Having analysed…
The central theme…	I have researched…	In advance of…	My understanding of…

If you can make good use of comparative sentence starters , your writing will be increasingly concise, your points will be made with greater precision and you will be more likely to meet the word or character limit.

Here are some effective examples:

Similarly…	Conversely…	However…	In opposition to…
While this is the case…	In response I…	When set against…	As a reaction to…
In contrast to…	My previous experience…	By comparison…	Although the…

What follows are some excellent ways in which to start a concluding sentence or paragraph.

Remember that your aim is not to repeat previous content, but to use the opportunity to lead into the next paragraph or topic:

It has been proven that…	Applying my practical experience…	I believe that this research…	The values of…
As a consequence…	My volunteering experience has…	My high level of engagement in…	It is my ambition to…
This experience illustrated…	In conclusion…	As a committed student…	Having successfully…

Connection, Addition and Relationship Starters

Once you’ve begun writing about a specific point or topic, you’ll find you need to connect one idea with another in order to make a concise or compelling point.

This connection can be challenging, as very quickly you might start to use a limited range of vocabulary such as “also” or “along with” or “as well as”.

These are the kinds of words that applicants use frequently, and they can indicate a lack of breadth, vocabulary or research in the mind of an admissions tutor.

Unoriginal vocabulary can also lead to your personal statement being rejected, or even to your entire application being refused, in the case of plagiarism.

According to Carly Minsky at timeshighereducation.com these are some of the most overused phrases featured in UCAS personal statements , so do make sure you don’t repeat them.

Below are some excellent suggestions for connecting or adding phrases, concepts or ideas in your personal statement:

Specifically…	As an example…	Subsequently…	In opposition to…
To illustrate…	Of equal importance to…	To elaborate…	As a response to…
In addition to…	Furthermore…	By definition…	To counter this I…
By definition…	Equally…	Inspired by…	To compliment my…

It can be vitally important to effectively illustrate the relationship between an experience or piece of knowledge that you hold and the demands of the course or role that you are applying for.

The focus of the reader needs to be on the content itself , not the words you use to compare or contrast it, and these personal statement sentence starters will help you achieve this, every time:

The evidence suggests…	The correlation between…	This outcome shows that…	This research demonstrates my…
Considering this approach…	The effect of my…	Both experiences emphasise my…	The outcome of this internship…
It is apparent that…	The combined results of my…	The links I have developed between…	This qualification supports my…

Now you’re feeling more confident about your vocabulary, you should get to grips with the right structure to use for your personal statement.

My Personal Statement Template eBook gives you 10 original templates to follow when you’re writing a personal statement, meaning you’re guaranteed to find the right structure for your application.

It’s packed full of useful advice and shows you exactly what content to include. You’ll also discover how many words or characters to use for each paragraph for maximum effect!

Perfect for UCAS undergraduate applications, Oxbridge and Medicine , master’s degrees and employment , my eBook also includes exclusive guidance for writing a perfect statement of purpose .

Click on the image below to discover how my eBook can help you write the perfect personal statement…

Sentence Starters for Presenting New Ideas

An important aspect of your personal statement is the presentation of new ideas and concepts that illustrate your understanding of the course topic.

You should also show that you can synthesise aspects of your prior experience and knowledge.

This can be a complex process to write about, so having dynamic and effective vocabulary to work with can be extremely valuable.

The table below gives you a selection of examples of the kinds of sentence starters you could use to introduce a new concept in a personal statement opening sentence:

Seldom have I been…	The majority of…	As identified by…	Similarly, I…
I have further…	It is often presumed…	I challenged this by…	To better prepare for this application…
Having been inspired by…	Prior to my…	According to…	Additional research has revealed…

It’s worth noting that, generally speaking, new ideas and concepts should be contained within a specific paragraph. If you’re looking for advice on how to structure the paragraphs in your personal statement, check out my article here.

You may have noticed that I haven’t included a section in this post devoted to the kinds of sentence starters you shouldn’t use in your personal statement.

That’s because each personal statement is unique, and good sentence openers need to focus on different aspects of your experiences and ambitions. Try not to think about avoiding specific words or phrases and focus more on including content that best represents your ambitions!

If you really want some pointers on what not to include, Amy Davies has a great article on words you should never use in your personal statement over at whatuni.com .

If you want to focus on writing an amazing opening paragraph, then check out my post that tells you exactly how great first paragraphs are created!

If you’re just starting out, then this is the post for you…

Good luck with your personal statement, and don’t forget to contact me if you’d like some 1-1 support.

You’ve got this! D

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

How to write a Personal Statement

Your Personal Statement isn’t a long monologue of your life so far, nor a gigantic list of all your achievements. Think of yourself as a storyteller. Start at the beginning with how you developed an interest for your chosen subject and end with where you see yourself after university.

Before You Start

How to get started.

Before you sit down to write your UCAS Personal Statement, the first thing we recommend is to research the courses you want to apply for. This will help you prepare your statement as courses vary from university to university, and your content should reflect these. Bear in mind, you are only able to send one Personal Statement to all your chosen universities, so you can’t overly cater to one. Look at all of the details, including the structure, modules and examination methods, as well as what they’re looking for from a student. This will support your first draft, though bear in mind you’ll redraft a few times before it’s perfect.

For example, Oxford lists the personal characteristics that they look for in applicants to their Medicine degree:

How many words should a Personal Statement be?

Personal Statements can be up to 4,000 characters long (615-800), and no more. This might sound like a lot, but it’s just one side of A4 paper. There’s plenty of information to include, so make sure it’s concise, clear and easy to read.

When to start writing it

It’s never too early to start thinking about your Personal Statement and what you’re going to write about. But there is a deadline : October 15th for all Oxbridge courses including Medicine and Dentistry, and January 25th for other undergraduate subjects. We suggest you begin preparing at the start of the year, as this gives you plenty of time to plan, draft and rewrite until it’s perfect for submission.

Your Personal Statement is the first thing Oxbridge Admissions Tutors will see about you. It’s imperative you get it right.

Our Oxbridge Premium Programmes help you write a successful Personal Statment that ticks all the Admission Tutor’s boxes. Our proven support is implemented through various mediums including Personal Statment Intensive Courses, Personal Statment Marking and Personalised Reading Lists.

Discover our Oxbridge Premium Programmes by clicking the button below to enrol and triple your chances of success.

What To Include

Your Personal Statement is a glimpse into your passion, how keen you are to learn and what you already know about your chosen subject. Express your interest by commenting on the areas that fascinate you most. For example, is it helping people that draws you into Medicine, or is it the fascinating human anatomy?

Another great way to show your enthusiasm is through your previous experience in the subject. Demonstrate why you’re suitable for the course by providing evidence of any relevant skills and qualities that relate to this. What are you good at? What have you done that proves it?

Answering Your Personal Statement Questions

Mention any additional projects, work experience or extra-curricular activities you’ve got involved with that further demonstrate you’re an ideal candidate. Reflect on the skills you’ve gained from these (as long as they’re transferable to your studies). Admissions Tutors will be looking for such information, as well as your unique selling points — give examples of things you’ve done that show you have a wider interest in learning.

You should also try to link your interests, skills and qualities to your university research. However, Oxbridge are not interested in sports, hobbies or if you play any musical instruments — keep it academic.

Show you’re an interesting person and have a true passion for your subject, and your Personal Statement should be a winning one. Your enthusiasm is what will make your statement stand out, so don’t shy away from expressing your love for your chosen subject, though you don’t need to say you’ve dreamed about doing the course your entire life.

Aim to include things like:

Personal attributes, such as adaptability, problem-solving and organisation
Employment experience and volunteering work
Personal interests in your subject
Relevant extracurricular activities, like any clubs or societies you belong to
Your future after university

The Structure

The key to writing a good UCAS Personal Statement is getting the structure right, as this can have a huge effect on the message it delivers. Often, students get caught up in the content and forget that presenting information effectively is just as important as the words included.

Each section of your statement needs to be crafted correctly so that Admissions Tutors can digest the information easily. While there are no strict rules on how to structure it — since it’s personal to you — there are a few rules of thumb to use to find the right balance. In general, though, remember to consider the format, structure and content equally, and you’ll write a great Personal Statement.

Personal Statement Cheat Sheet

Here is a breakdown of how we recommend students to split up their essay:

Introduction - About six lines
Academic abilities - 22 - 27 lines
Extra-curricular information - 10 - 12 lines
Conclusion - No more than four lines

Personal Statement Introduction

Rightly or wrongly, it is highly likely that your UCAS Personal Statement will be remembered by its opening sentence. It must be something short, sharp, insightful, and catch the reader’s attention. It sets the precedent for the rest of your statement and unfortunately, decides whether your statement is paid particular attention to when read.

Avoid using overused words like “passionate”, “deeply fascinating”, and “devotion”.
Avoid using clichéd quotes like the infamous Coco Chanel’s “fashion is not something that exists in dresses only”.
If you are going to use a quote, then put some effort into researching an obscure yet particularly powerful one – don’t forget to include a reference.
Draw on your own personal experiences to produce something both original and eye-catching.

Once that’s out of the way, you need to answer the most important question:

The introduction does not need to be very long. It is generally a good idea to open the statement with something that sets the context of your application. For example, someone who is applying to study History may open: ‘History is all around us’, rather than ‘I have always been interested in History because…”

By the end of the introduction the reader should clearly know:

What subject you are applying for
What motivated you to apply for this subject

Make sure you keep it personal and honest! The exact phrase: “from a young age, I have always been interested in” was recently used more than 300 times in Personal Statements in a single year, and substituting “young” for “early” gave an additional 292 statements – these phrases can quickly become boring for Admissions Tutors to read!

Personal Statement Main Body

In the rest of your text, your aim should be to demonstrate your suitability for the course by exemplifying your knowledge of the course structure and its requirements through personal experience. Again, there are no rigorous guidelines on how to do this and it is very much down to your own writing style. Whereas some prefer a strict structure, others go for a more synoptic approach, but always remember to be consistent to achieve a flowing, easy to read Personal Statement.

Here’s the structure we recommend:

Paragraph #1: This should cover why you are suited for your subject. This will include your main academic interests, future ambitions (related to the chosen degree), and what makes the course right for you. This should be the academic side of why you want to study this subject.

Paragraph #2: This should still cover why you are suited for your subject. However, it can be less focused on academic topics. If you’ve had to overcome any significant challenges in life and wish to include these in your Personal Statement, this is normally the best place to do so. Similarly, any work experience or relevant prizes & competitions should be included here.

Paragraph #3: This is the smallest part of the main body and is all about extra-curricular activities. It is easy to get carried away in this section and make outrageous claims, e.g. claim to be a mountain climber if all you have ever climbed is a hill at the end of your street etc. Lying is not worth the risk, given that your interviewer may share the same hobby that you claim to be an expert in. So, don’t be caught out!

What you should include in your Personal Statement main body:

Sports and other hobbies
Musical instruments
Work experience
Personal interests in the field of study
Personal attributes

What you shouldn’t include in your Personal Statement main body (or anywhere!):

Negative connotations – always put a positive spin on everything
Lack of reflection
Controversy in whatever form it may come
Generic/stereotypical statements
Listing things

Personal Statement Conclusion

The conclusion of your Personal Statement should be more about leaving a good final impression rather than conferring any actual information. If you have something useful to say about your interest and desire to study your subject, you shouldn’t be waiting until the very end to say it!

A good conclusion should not include any new information, as this should be in the main body. However, you also need to avoid repeating what you have said earlier in your Personal Statement. This would be both a waste of characters and frustration for the tutor. Instead, it is better to put into context what you have already written and, therefore, make an effort to keep your conclusion relatively short – no more than four lines.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge

Successful personal statement for economics at cambridge, successful personal statement for land economy at cambridge, successful personal statement for chemistry at oxford, successful personal statement for geography at oxford, successful personal statement for classics at oxford, successful personal statement for law at oxford, successful personal statement for classics at cambridge, successful personal statement for engineering at cambridge, successful personal statement for philosophy at cambridge, successful personal statement for veterinary medicine at cambridge, successful personal statement for psychological and behavioural sciences at cambridge, successful personal statement for psychology at oxford, successful personal statement for history at oxford, successful personal statement for physics at oxford, successful personal statement for cambridge mathematics and physics, successful personal statement example for computer science at oxford, successful personal statement for english at cambridge, successful personal statement for oxford english language and literature, successful personal statement for medicine at oxford university, successful personal statement for modern languages at oxford, successful personal statement for engineering at oxford, successful personal statement for natural sciences (biological) at cambridge, successful personal statement for economics & management at oxford, successful personal statement for ppe at oxford, successful personal statement for law at cambridge, successful personal statement for dentistry at king’s college london, successful personal statement for medicine at cambridge, our personal statement do’s.

1. Show passion for your subject

Admissions Tutors aren’t going to pick a candidate who doesn’t seem particularly interested in their field. Show your passion and eagerness to learn and succeed. Why do you love your subject? Why have you chosen it? What do you find most interesting and why?

2. Talk about you

This is your chance to talk about you, your interests and skills. It’s no good saying you’re passionate if you don’t prove that you are. Write in a natural style to show off your personality, making sure it’s genuine, relevant and specific.

3. Use appropriate language

Re-read your Personal Statement multiple times and check that the content is academic, engaging and clear.

4. Provide evidence to back up your claims

It’s all well and good saying you love medical science, but this is going to fall flat if you can’t back it up. Talk about your school subjects and results, any wider reading and relevant work experience. Perhaps you attended a lecture on your subject — this would be good evidence.

5. Link your activities outside of education to your course

Tell tutors why these activities are relevant and what you have learned as a result. Focus on transferable skills gained too, such as time management or organisational abilities.

6. Spell check and look for grammatical mistakes

Poor spelling and grammar makes for a terrible first impression, so ensure you triple-check it’s written to the highest standard before submitting it.

Our Personal Statement dont’s

1. Write a clichéd beginning

Don’t waste time thinking of a catchy opening. The best Personal Statements get to the point quickly, so avoid starting with phrases like “From a young age”, “I am applying for this course because”, and “Throughout my life I have always enjoyed…”. Go straight into why you are interested in your course subject.

2. Use cringe-worthy language and cheap gags

This is not impressive and can indicate that you’re not a serious student. It’s essential you don’t come across as verbose or pretentious too, as Admissions Tutors will spot this immediately. They are well-versed in the ramblings of students who think this tone makes them seem more intellectual.

3. Overcomplicate things

Say what you need to, be specific and don’t waffle too much — you’ll run out of characters fast.

4. Go overboard with extra-curricular activities

Talking about these is good, but the truth is, Admissions Tutors have very little interest in what you do outside of education unless you can find a way to directly link them to your subject.

5. Plagiarise content

You can read Personal Statement examples online for inspiration but avoid copying and pasting them. During your interview, you’re likely to be asked about specific parts of your statement, and if you’re caught off-guard, you’re going to look silly. This could ruin your chances of being accepted. Use a plagiarism detector to ensure your essay is unique.

6. Mention universities or specific courses by name

You can only write one Personal Statement, so it’s the same for each course you apply for. Avoid mentioning specific unis by name or detailing exact specifics of a module, for example. Keep it general.

Now you know what to include in your Personal Statement and the best practices for doing so, we hope you feel more confident writing it. We have plenty of guides and successful personal statement examples to go through in our Free Personal Statement Resources page. Good luck submitting your UCAS application!

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How to Write a Personal Statement

If you’re just starting to think about writing your personal statement, then you probably have a lot of questions. We’re here to answer your top questions so you can stop wondering and start writing!

Students writing in notepads and typing on laptops in library

1. When should you start a personal statement?

Each year, the UCAS deadline falls at the end of January. So it’s a good idea to get started before Christmas so you can enjoy some time off and celebrate with your family without thinking about your personal statement.

Your school or college may even ask you to get your personal statement done early so they can check it and get it out of the way before January exams/mock exams begin.

Our student Ella advises to start early: “I had exams in January so it was important for me to complete my statement and send it off as early as possible!”

You can still apply through UCAS after the deadline, but some courses may be full.

2. How long should a personal statement be?

The personal statement should be one to two pages long. You have a maximum of 47 lines or 4,000 characters to work with so use short, concise sentences and delete any unnecessary words. This is all the space UCAS give you on their online application system to show off that you’re a great student – so don’t worry if it takes you a good few redrafts until you’re happy with it.

When you paste your personal statement into the UCAS application, be sure to check it hasn’t cut any words off the end!

3. How do you start the opening line in a personal statement?

The most effective opening sentences are simple, to the point and personal to you. Think about what made you pick the subject and what you enjoy the most about it. Remember, showing your interest and enthusiasm in the course is the most important thing.

Start with why you chose it, then try and summarise this in one or two sentences. But be careful, avoid overused opening sentences, quotes and clichés like ‘when I was young…’ They want to know about you now, not your childhood or Shakespeare!

Most common cliché opening lines:

"From a young age I have (always) been…" and most of these continued "interested in" or "fascinated by". 1,779 applicants
"For as long as I can remember I have..." 1,451 applicants
"I am applying for this course because..." 1,370 applicants

(UCAS, 2016)

Here are some better lead sentences from our students:

“I am applying for a place to study social work because I have always wanted to be able to make a difference to people's lives. With social work I believe I can do this in a caring and supportive way.”

“When deciding what I should study at university, I came to, what was for me, a natural conclusion: History. I find myself constantly astounded and inspired by history and I have never found another subject as exhilarating and interesting. My personal interests lie mainly in Early Modern and Modern History.”

4. What should you include in a personal statement apart from your studies?

Hobbies: Make a list of your hobbies, interests and social activities. Then think about how they demonstrate your personality, skills and abilities. Try to link them to the skills and experience required for your course(s). Make sure you include interests you have at school like extra-curricular activities. You’ll be surprised how relevant it all is.
Experience: Get some experience in the field you want to go into, if you haven’t got direct experience than relate how your studies have increased your passion for the course. Make sure everything you write about is relevant to the course.
Strengths: Concentrate on your strengths and what you’re good at. Do you run a successful blog and want to show off your skills for a marketing degree? Whatever it is, make sure you show off your achievements.

5. How do you structure a personal statement?

Make sure you structure your personal statement with an 80/20 percentage split: 80 per cent academic experience, work experience and extra-curriculars that relate to your chosen course, and 20 per cent related to your hobbies or other extra-curriculars.

A good way to structure your paragraphs is to use the ‘ABC’ method. When writing about each experience, use the ABC (action, benefit and course) structure. What is the activity, and what skills and qualities have come from it? and how does it relate to the course? Use this in each for each thing you talk about and before you know it, you’ll have a well-structured personal statement.

6. How do you end a personal statement?

In your conclusion, round up all the evidence you have given in your statement so far to show your knowledge, skills and experiences. Specify not only why you want to study the subject you’re applying for but also why it will help you succeed in the future. Make sure you don’t waffle and keep it simple.

Example from one of our students:

"Studying at university has been my ambition for many years. I find immense enjoyment in reading and researching History and believe that, in the future, I am confident that I will be very successful in inspiring and encouraging others to study the subject".

What should you do next?

Download your free personal statement guide.

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A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing the UCAS Personal Statement

The first step to a good UCAS Personal Statement is to have chosen the subject you are applying for, consistent across the (up to) five choices you have. Often, when students struggle, it is because they are trying to make the statement work for a couple of different subjects. With a clear focus on one subject, the statement can do the job it is supposed to do. You are limited to 47 lines or 4000 characters, so this has to be concise and make efficient use of words.

To work out what information to include, my favourite brainstorming activity is the ‘Courtroom Exercise’. Imagine that you are prosecuting a case before a judge, and the case is that should be admitted to a university to study the subject you choose. You have to present your case, with evidence, to the judge, in a 47 line or 4,000 character statement. The judge won’t accept platitudes or points made without evidence, she needs to see evidence. What evidence will you present in your statement?

In a good statement, you will make an opening and a closing point. To open your argument, can you sum up in one sentence why you wish to study this subject? Can you remember where your interest in that subject started? Do you have a story to tell that will engage the reader about your interest in that subject?

Then you will present a number of pieces of evidence, laying out in detail why you are a good match for this subject. What activities have you done that prove you can study this subject at university?

Most likely, you will start with a class you took, a project you undertook, an internship you had or an extra-curricular activity that is directly relevant. For each of this activities, you need to then write a paragraph following the ABC approach:

A: What is the a ctivity?

B: How did it b enefit you as a potential student for this degree course:

C: Link this benefit to the skills needed to be successful on this c ourse.

With three or four paragraphs like these, each of about 9 or 10 lines, you have the bulk of your statement done. Typically two of these will be about classes you have taken at school, and two about relevant activities outside of school.

In the last paragraph, you then need to demonstrate wider skills that you have, which you can probably do from your extra-curricular activities. How do you show time management, or perseverance, or teamwork? Briefly list a few extra-curricular activities you do and identify the relevant skills that are transferable to university study.

Finally you close your argument, with a brief restatement of your points and a closing sentence linking to your desire to study this subject for the next three or four years of your life. Case closed!

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UCAS personal statement writing guide and tips for success

UCAS Personal Statement: A Writing Guide And Tips For Success

UCAS personal statement is one of the most important parts of student application when applying to a university in the UK . It is the first “contact” between you and admission tutors.

Read our detailed guide on how to write a UCAS personal statement with these extra tips. And, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

What is a UCAS Personal Statement?

UCAS personal statement is your cover letter. As the name suggests, this is a personal letter in which you will explain which courses interest you and why.

This letter allows you to express your point of view on the disciplines you want, show your enthusiasm and explain what are your skills and qualities to join the desired program.

Your personal statement for UCAS reflects your personality and your ambitions . It must therefore be sincere and authentic, and above all unique. Don’t copy someone else’s and doesn’t lie about your skills and accomplishments.

Of course, you have to show off, without exaggerating or appearing arrogant. It is quite simply a question of explaining the reasons which lead you to submit your UCAS application as well as your professional project while demonstrating your past experiences.

Both professional and personal, have given you all the keys to succeed in the courses in which you are interested.

How to write a UCAS Personal Statement?

Your Personal Statement for UCAS is an essential element of your application, so you have to take good care of it.

Start early

Don’t underestimate the time you will need to pass your paper, especially if English is not your first language.

So start gathering your ideas as soon as possible so you don’t forget anything. The earlier you become interested in your letter, the more time you will have to proofread, correct and refine your text.

You will have to take the time to work on your English so as not to miss any mistakes.

Use the official documentation made available to you

Whether on the UCAS site or the site of the university you are targeting, documentation is available to you.

If you don’t know where to start, reading the descriptions of the courses you have chosen, in particular using the search tool available on the UCAS website , can be a good starting point.

This will help you understand what skills and qualities are needed to be selected. Also, ask yourself about the reasons that lead you to choose these disciplines to show your enthusiasm and the consistency of your career.

Making a table in two columns can help you more easily match your skills, qualifications and qualities with the conditions and requirements needed to join the course of your choice.

The UCAS site has published a small guide online in the form of a worksheet to be completed to help you determine what you can include in your Personal Statement. By answering the questions, you will have a good overview of the elements that you will have to put forward.

Ask for help from your friends and family

If you can’t find qualities about yourself, what better way than to ask those close to you for their perspective? Your friends and family could certainly give you ideas and a different approach to your skills or what they admire about you.

The student chat rooms are also a great tool for connecting with students. Do not hesitate to ask them about the courses and universities they have chosen to get more information. Having successfully applied themselves, they will be in the best position to give you advice.

Find out directly from the source

Have you chosen your course carefully but are confused about the expectations of professors and admissions boards?

Open Days are organised every year to allow you to go directly to the campuses to visit and obtain information on the courses. On UCAS , a search tool allows you to easily find open days at universities.

Take care of your English

It’s no secret that your style and your English must be impeccable. A relevant cover letter loses all its impact if it is full of spelling mistakes.

If English is not your mother tongue, it is important to show that you have a sufficient level and that you can express yourself correctly in this language.

Don’t try to write with simplified turns of phrase: simplicity and conciseness are your best friends. Short, well-constructed sentences are the surest way to make yourself understood.

Choose your words carefully, and if in doubt, the dictionary is a safe source. In the Oxford directory, you will also find concrete examples to show you in which context you can use terms or expressions.

If you do not have the possibility of being corrected by a native, do not panic! There are proofreaders online who can help you. If these tools are not infallible, they can at least help you spot mistakes or improbable turns of phrases.

Get reconnected

A good personal statement is not written all at once. You will have to be patient and ask your loved ones to proofread you to eliminate as many mistakes as possible but also to advise you on the merits. If you know any, ask an English speaker to correct you.

Learn more:

If you’re looking for more guides on student application process, I’d recommend these articles:

A Simple Guide For Students To Overcoming Challenges In Studying Abroad
UCAS Will Replace Personal Statements in 2024: What Students Need to Know
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on student life essay
How To Write Masters Personal Statement
How To Write A Personal Statement For Psychology

Structure UCAS Personal statement

To keep the content understandable, you have to take care of the structure of your Personal Statement for UCAS by including an introduction, paragraphs in the body of the text and a conclusion.

Keep in mind you are limited to 47 lines or 4000 characters on UCAS. Line breaks and spaces matter, so you may be tempted to limit your paragraphs to save space. Don’t! Air your content by dividing it, it will be clearer and easier to read.

Build a plan

Before you start writing, put your ideas together by building an outline that will serve to guide you and draw the general look of your letter. There is no standard template to follow, the objective is only to show the relevance of your background and your motivation. Follow your logic but make sure that the sequence of your arguments is coherent for someone who does not know you. Be sure to order your ideas.

How to start a UCAS personal statement?

You need to open a personal statement with an original catchphrase that will make the recruiter want to read more.

It briefly explains which discipline you want to study and why.

This personal statement example shows how a candidate can draw on personal experience to explain their desire to study sustainable development, with an impactful catchphrase:

I realised the importance of my passion for sustainable development when I with my family visited the waste-site Capricorn in South Africa. Capricorn is a one million metric tons waste site and home for about 50,000 people. Experiencing the huge volumes of waste and the appalling living standards of its inhabitants had an enormous impact on me and helped me recognise the necessity of resolving the coming issue of waste.

Cut the body of your text into different paragraphs including your professional experiences , your extracurricular activities , your studies , your future projects , your interests or your hobbies, if they are relevant to justify the choice of the sector you want to integrate.

Keep one key idea per paragraph to stay clear. Illustrate each of your ideas with concrete examples to support your point and show the logic of your journey.

The conclusion of the personal statement

Finally, your conclusion should summarise what you can bring by joining the targeted program. Highlight the main reasons that make you a suitable student for the chosen course or that show your interest and passion for this subject.

Content of the UCAS Personal Statement

As said before, UCAS Personal Statement should state your background and show how passionate you are about the courses you want to study. It will therefore be a question of mentioning all the relevant elements that can support this passion and show your enthusiasm.

Since you are applying to universities through UCAS, do not name any particular university. It is better to stay general and only mention the disciplines you want to study.

To help you, we have also put together some inspiring Personal Statement examples .

Reasons why you want to study in the UK

As a student, it is important to justify your choice to study abroad, and more particularly in the United Kingdom. Why do you want to become a student? Why not start a job? Do not hesitate to explain the reasons that lead you to choose this country rather than another and all the positive points that you see there.

Also justify your level of English if you can, to show your mastery of the language. If you have taken tests such as the TOEFL, TOEIC or Cambridge Certificate, indicate the results you obtained.

Your motivations

Explaining why you want to study the chosen courses and how this appetite for these disciplines has developed will give depth to your letter.

These are essential elements to show in your UCAS Personal Statement. University staff, to select students, need to understand what motivates them.

You are unique, so your reasons are too and are unique to you. Avoid clichés and platitudes; on the contrary, put yourself forward personally.

You can also talk about what you understand about the courses and the topics that will be covered, and talk about your interests.

Your professional project

If you see further and you already have projects that will be the culmination of your studies, do not hesitate to describe them. This will support your motivations and show that you are sure of yourself and what you want to do.

School career

You can indicate everything relevant, such as your mention in the Baccalaureate. The projects you were able to carry out during your schooling, your taste for certain subjects, and your choices of orientation or specialities and options.

Show that your choice of studies today is the result of your previous journey and is only the logical continuation.

Your extracurricular activities

Sport, music, arts… your hobbies can say a lot about you, your abilities and your interests and give additional indications to recruiters. If you practice activities, you can mention them if you believe that they will be able to support your choices and your UCAS application. Show the qualities and skills they have brought to you.

Your professional or volunteer experience

Whether you have worked or are involved with an association, for example, professional experience can be an important point in your UCAS personal statement.

If you are a volunteer for an association or organisation, describe your missions and the reasons for your commitment.

You can once again highlight everything you have been able to acquire during your experience, be it abilities, skills, qualities or even revelations about yourself and the world around you.

Explain how these newly acquired qualities will be useful to you as a student at a UK university, in the course you want.

The same goes for purely professional experiences, which can serve as concrete examples to show your motivation, your determination or your passion.

Even if your experiences have no direct link with the subject you want to study, you can find transversal skills, that is to say, knowledge or know-how that can still be used in your university course.

Anything that may be relevant

A book, a trip, an event, a meeting. What has marked your life and drawn your desire to study a particular discipline has value.

Tell in all sincerity what captivates you and shapes you, your authenticity will have every chance of making a strong impression on your reader. Be real and positive.

To conclude with these tips

With these personal statement tips , you now have all the tools to get started with writing. To increase your chances and apply to the university of your choice, start preparing as soon as possible.

If you’re looking for more guides on UCAS, I’d recommend these articles:

How Many Universities Can You Apply To UCAS In The UK
Top 30 Latest UCAS Statistics and Data For UK Universities
How Many UCAS Points To Get Into Oxford University
UCAS Deadline 2024: Everything You Need to Know
UCAS Application Process For 2024 Explained

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How to write a UCAS Personal Statement? (Examples)

To write an appealing UCAS personal statement for 2025 intake, start by exploring the courses and universities you are interested in. Understand what they are looking for and create the content accordingly. Start your statement with a clear introduction, a detailed main body, and a strong conclusion.

What is a Personal Statement?

10 steps to your ideal personal statement, how to open a personal statement, what to include in your ucas personal statement 2024, how to end your ucas personal statement, what makes a good ucas personal statement 2024, how to make your ucas personal statement stand out.

Dos and Don'ts for UCAS Personal Statement 2024

How to write a UCAS Personal Statement? (Examples)

Candidates must start the introduction by describing why they are interested in the topic. In the main body, discuss the academic achievements, relevant experiences, and personal strengths. Applicants must try to avoid general statements, and instead provide specific scenarios to support your points of view. Lastly, the conclusion should summarise the primary points while supporting your passion for the course of study.

All international students planning to study undergraduate courses in the UK are required to apply through UCAS application . Students are required to write a UCAS personal statement 2024 demonstrating their skills, education and other relevant information. A personal statement is usually like a one-page essay and UCAS personal statement word limit contains either 47 lines or 4000 characters.

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Writing a UCAS personal statement can be an exhausting and time-consuming task, but with careful planning and efficient writing, it is possible. In this article, we will guide you on how to write a UCAS personal statement 2024, what to include in your personal statement and more.

An undergraduate personal statement is an excellent opportunity to highlight your unique abilities and professional background. It plays an important part in the application process because it enables students to demonstrate their passions and interests along with the academic achievements. UCAS personal statement 2024 is a mandatory component of your application for admission to UK universities.

Here are 10 steps guide on how to write a UCAS personal statement 2024:

1. Start with a plan. Make a list of all the points you want to cover.

2. Highlight your experience and interests, describing how they relate to the course.

3. Demonstrate your achievements honestly.

4. Begin with a clear statement regarding why you wish to take this course.

5. Make sure your writing explains why you are passionate about the subject.

6. Write your statement freely; you can change it later.

7. Avoid using complex language. Be simple.

8. Use your closing sentences to summarise the main components of your statement.

9. Carefully review the content and have someone else review it as well.

10. Take a break from your personal statement before reading over it one last time with a new perspective.

The admissions committee read many personal statements on a daily basis, so it is important to write a strong UCAS personal statement 2024 to grab their attention and be considered for admission to the university of your choice. Candidates have a UCAS personal statement word limit of 4,000-character, which is two sides of A4. Students must choose their words wisely to fit everything in.

Here are a few tips on how to start your personal statement:

Do not overthink the opening.

Begin by demonstrating your passion for the subject, displaying your understanding and proficiency, and expressing your goals.

Your opening statement should introduce yourself and enable the admissions committee a chance to know you.

Keep it relevant and simple.

Use brief sentences to effectively convey your point of view.

Candidates must begin their application by highlighting their particular skills and achievements. Universities want to know what skills you have that can help you on the course or in your daily life at university. Students should be able to boldly discuss their previous achievements, which may involve positions of responsibility within or outside the school.

In addition, while writing your UCAS personal statement 2024, explain your professional experience, including details about jobs, placements, work experience, or volunteer work, especially if it is relevant to your course of study. Students must explore their short and long-term job goals and how the course will help them develop a successful career.

Additional questions you can add in your UCAS Personal Statement

International students must explain their motivation for studying in the UK and their confidence in their own ability to succeed in English-taught courses. Specify if parts of their academics were taught or tested in English, as well as any extracurricular activities where they used English. Here are a few questions you can answer to help you in writing your UCAS personal statement:

Why did you choose this course?

What interests you about the subject?

Is my previous or present research relevant to this course?

Do you have any work experience that can benefit you?

What life experiences could you share?

What achievements make you proud?

What skills do you have that qualify you for the course?

What goals do you have for your future career?

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Read more: How to write Statement of Purpose?

Candidates must consider the conclusion an opportunity to make a lasting impression on the admissions committee. It is beneficial to connect the beginning and end of your statement, highlighting your key points. This section of your UCAS personal statement should summarise the main points that you have presented and explain why you deserve a spot on the course.

This is an opportunity to show your excitement and dedication while also demonstrating how you can add value to a university. In most situations, colleges or universities choose to make offers rather than reject candidates, hence, your UCAS personal statement 2024 will play a major role in choosing the right university.

Explain why you chose this course and how it fits with your future goals. Provide examples of relevant academic or professional experiences. Demonstrate your understanding of the course content by stating particular topics that interest you. Remember that admission specialists are going to review your statement online, therefore keep it clear and brief.

Focus on what you can add to the course, rather than simply listing your experiences and discussing how they prepared you for university success. The personal statement not only highlights your skills and accomplishments, but it also provides details about your goals and potential contributions to the academic community.

One might have outstanding academic achievements or a strong application, but if they are not able to present their ideas properly, they might not be able to stand a chance to get admission to the university of their choice.

A well-written personal statement with a clear and refined framework will not only effectively display your knowledge but also demonstrate your ability to organise written work, which is required for many university courses.

The personal statement can also be used for other purposes, such as gap year applications, employment, internships, and apprenticeships. Hence, candidates must include the following:

A strong opening stating why you wish to study this course.

Approximately 75% of the application should focus on your academic achievements

Around 25% should highlight your extracurricular activities.

A clear conclusion.

Dos and Don'ts for UCAS Personal Statement 2024

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Start your UCAS personal statement with an honest passion for your chosen subject. Introduce yourself briefly, showing your knowledge and write in simple language. Students must try to attract admissions tutors with a straightforward and convincing introduction. This sets the tone for the rest of the essay by highlighting your ability and dedication.

The UCAS personal statement prompt asks applicants to explain why they chose their course, highlight relevant experiences, demonstrate understanding of the course content, showcase their strengths and achievements, maintain uniformity across their five choices, and explain what they can bring to university life.

Begin your personal statement with an interesting start that shows your passion for the subject. Share a specific experience that has increased your interest in that particular field. Maintain a simple tone throughout your personal statement and provide instances of your related work experience to boost your chances of admission in UK.

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Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..

To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as

TOEFL exam for getting admission to the universities in the US and Canada. The score of this exam is valid for two years after the declaration of results
There are plenty of universities abroad where you can apply to do master-level course, MSc in statistics, MSc in Operation Research, and Applied Mathematics, MSc in Mathematical Modeling, etc are some of the Master level Course in Mathematics that are available abroad. Students who have completed their graduation or bachelor's degree in Mathematics can apply for these courses. Foreign universities like Uppsala University, Dublin City University, Oxford Brookes University, University of York, University of Liverpool, etc offer all the above-mentioned courses in mathematics.

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How to start a personal statement

The process of writing your personal statement can be simple if you know how to start. this is our guide on where to begin..

Make a plan

Prepare how you’re going to write your personal statement before you begin any of the actual writing. Note down how you want to structure it and what you want to say in each paragraph. By summarising what you’re going to write in a plan, you can assess whether your personal statement will flow and if you have all the things you need to include.

What to include in a personal statement

Have a structure

Part of planning your personal statement is deciding how to lay it out. Keep in mind that you’re telling admissions tutors the story of you. All stories have a structure – there’s a beginning, a middle and an end. You can use a similar method to convey your motivation for choosing the subject you’re applying for.

There’s more than one way to structure a personal statement, but you should at least have a:

Clear introduction
Strong body of five–six paragraphs that link your experience and achievements to why you've chosen the subject
Conclusion to summarise it all

A structured statement also shows admissions tutors that you can communicate effectively.

Begin with you

Tackling the introduction first? This is your chance to talk about you, your background, and your excitement for the course. It should then flow naturally into the middle paragraphs, where you can expand on why you’re interested in the subject you’ve chosen.

Tina, Lead Admissions Tutor for Adult Nursing at the University of Brighton , shared with us what she looks for in the first few paragraphs of a student's personal statement:

They should start their application with the reason why they are applying and if they have any personal insight into a role such as being cared for when they were younger, attending hospital to visit a relative or any other experience as part of a course, volunteering, or work. Tina, Lead Admissions Tutor for Adult Nursing at University of Brighton

Be to the point from the beginning

Your introduction shouldn’t be long-winded, so two or three sentences are usually enough. You only have 4,000 characters and about 47 lines to play with for the entire statement.

Don’t be afraid to go straight into talking about what excites you most about your subject and the motivation behind choosing to apply. Use language that’s punchy, concise, and relevant too. This will help you to show your ambition and enthusiasm to admissions tutors.

Avoid cliché opening sentences

Clichés are clichés because they’re overused. Put yourself in the shoes of an admissions tutor – they’ll be reading lots of personal statements, so the ones that stand out will be those that aren’t like the others.

Make a note of any clichéd sentences you can think of or have seen online, and check you don’t include them when writing your personal statement. Some examples to avoid include:

‘I have always wanted to study...’
‘I feel I’ve always had a passion for...’
‘From a young age...’
‘Since I can remember...’

Don’t feel pressured to write the intro first

The introduction seems like the obvious place to start. But you may find it easier to leave the introduction until the end. Start at whichever point suits you best, provided you have a plan and structure in place.

Fortunately, the intro is only a few sentences, and given that the most important content will come in the body paragraphs, it may make sense to start with these paragraphs.

Just start writing! Don’t feel that you necessarily need to write your personal statement in the order in which it will be read. This is only for the author to know. Dr Ceri Davies, Economics Director of Admissions and Recruitment at University of Birmingham

Tips for writing your personal statement

Just get words down

The most important part of writing is to get words on paper. If you’re struggling to plan, try writing down the first words that come to your head about why you want to study the subject. If you do have a plan and structure, but don’t know where to begin, try taking the same approach. You can remove or edit any bits that you don’t like later.

Once you start writing you should hopefully enter a state of flow. You’ll piece sentences together and gradually craft an impressive personal statement.

Start by writing down all the reasons why you want to study the subject you are applying for and then, when all your enthusiasm is flowing, you can decide the order you want to put it in. Katherine Pagett, Student Recruitment Manager at University of Birmingham

How to make your personal statement stand out

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Top tips for writing an original personal statement

A student advisor offers some top tips for ensuring your personal statement and your university application stands out and avoids the common mistakes.

Hannah Morrish

A personal statement is an essay about yourself that is usually included in a university application. Writing a personal statement can seem like a daunting task, but the main thing to remember is that you should aim to show why you want to study at your chosen university, what experiences you have in the subject you have chosen and any extracurricular activities you’ve taken part in.

Many students worry about writing their personal statement because it is the first time they will have to write something about themselves with the aim of conveying their personality and drive to a stranger.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is an essay that is part of the application process when applying to university in the UK. The personal statement is your opportunity to showcase why you would be a good fit for your university, why you have chosen your university and why you want to study your chosen course.

It is an opportunity to showcase what makes you unique, what skills and experience you have and why you would be an asset to the university.

Personal statement reforms

Personal statements will soon be scrapped in Ucas applications , and replaced by a series of questions that applicants will have to fill out. These will be introduced in 2024 for the 2025 academic year start.

How to write a good personal statement

The main thing to remember when writing a personal statement is that it should be unique to you. It might feel strange to write down all of your achievements and ambitions, but this is your opportunity to show your university of choice why they should accept you.

Talk about your reasons for choosing your university, why you want to study the course you have chosen, any related work experience or hobbies you might have, and what your future goals are in relation to your course.

It’s best not to leave writing your personal statement until the last minute – a great personal statement is one that is well written and well structured and this can take some time to put together.

There are some more detailed tips on how to put your personal statement together below.

Here are some more detailed tips on how to write a postgraduate personal statement here .

Create two lists

Write down one list detailing what you know about the course you would like to study and why you know it is the correct degree choice for you, including any career aspirations you might have or if you have plans to continue into postgraduate study. The second list should focus on why you are the ideal student for that course and university, including things such as extracurricular activities and related work placements you have done.

Thoroughly research your subject choice

Admission tutors will read your personal statement to help them evaluate whether you are right for the course. By attending open days, reviewing the course and module content and having researched the university’s values you will have far more confidence in sharing why you want to dedicate the next three years to your chosen course.

Promote the knowledge you already have and why you would fit in

Make it clear you have thoroughly researched the course and explain why you have made the decision to study it at university. Highlight the relevant skills and subject knowledge you already have and outline any relevant work experience that you have too, which will help to round out your personal statement.

Show how capable you are

Your personal statement needs to convince universities that you have the study skills to motivate yourself and work hard. Give relevant examples of how you have developed your independent learning skills and what motivates you.

Be original

You know why you got excited about the degree when you read the course information or when you attended a Q&A with one of the lecturers during an open day. Use your personal statement as an opportunity to share your enthusiasm.

Outline any life experience you’ve had that relates to your course, any transferable skills, voluntary work, work experience and goals and aspirations to support your application.

Don’t use unsupported clichés

It’s a good idea to try to stay away from clichés as a rule, but if you do think that one will work in your favour make sure it’s supported. If it is the truth that you have wanted to study something from a young age then you may want to include this kind of statement.

What is more important is that you explain how this has inspired you to study supporting subjects and dedicate time to hobbies or interests that relate directly to what you would like to study at university and how this will help you.

Some phrases and words to try to avoid include:

1. Mentioning your work experience at your “father’s company” 2. Using the phrase “quenched my thirst for…” 3. Any metaphors using fire, such as “sparked my interest” or “burning desire” 4. Starting the statement with “ever since I was a child” or “from a young age” 5. Using any of the following words:

passion/passionate
furthermore
ground-breaking
thought-provoking

Ask for feedback

Don’t be shy about asking people to proofread for you. When you have been working on something for a while it can be hard to spot any mistakes or tweaks you should make. Ask friends, family or a teacher to proofread it and give their honest opinion.

They should feed back on whether your personal statement is well structured, do a spell check for any spelling or grammar mistakes and check whether it portrays your academic achievements and academic interests.

How long should a personal statement be?

Your personal statement can be up to 4,000 characters long, which is around two sides of A4 paper.

How to start a personal statement

The introduction of the personal statement is the most important part as this is what will draw the attention of the admission tutor reading it.

Consider your main reasons for choosing your course and lead with that. There are some more tips below on how to structure your personal statement.

And if possible try to avoid these common opening lines for your Ucas personal statement.

How to structure a personal statement

Admissions tutors will read a lot of personal statements, so you'll want to grab their attention from the beginning. A rough structure would include an introduction of yourself, your reasons for choosing your subject, the subjects you are studying now and how they relate to your chosen degree, any experiences you’ve had that relate to your chosen subject, interests and hobbies that relate to your chosen subject, your career goals after you leave university and why you would make a good addition to the university.

If you are writing a personal statement for a postgraduate degree , there are many more tips here.

Can I use ChatGPT to write a personal statement?

While ChatGPT or any other kind of generative AI technology can be a useful tool to write your personal statement, it is important that they are used with the right guidance.

Ucas does not necessarily ban the use of ChatGPT for writing a personal statement, however applications are run through anti-plagiarism software so if it does detect that whole paragraphs are plagiarised, Ucas will notify any universities that you have applied to and any offers might be revoked.

Some universities and colleges may also consider the use of ChatGPT as cheating so it might be better to avoid using these programs in case your universities take a stricter approach.

The main thing to remember is that admissions tutors will want to see your character and personality so using a program like this would remove any kind of personality from your personal statement.

More information on using AI for your personal statement can be found here .

This article was updated by THE Student Editor Seeta Bhardwa in July 2023. This article was originally published in December 2015.

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Exploring the Best Personal Statement Opening Sentence Examples

Table of Contents

A personal statement opener should be powerful and engaging to capture the reader’s attention. It can be tricky to write a statement that conveys your message while staying true to yourself. But with the right approach, you can craft an excellent introduction that will leave a lasting impression.

This article provides effective personal statement opening sentence examples and tips on how to create one tailored to fit your unique experiences and personality. With these tools, you’ll have all you need to write an impactful statement that stands out among other applicants.

Why Is a Personal Statement Opening Sentence Important?

A personal statement starting sentence is vitally important because it sets the tone for the entire piece. It gives the reader a glimpse into who the writer is and why they are writing the statement in the first place. When crafted with care, it can demonstrate the writer’s expertise, showcase their accomplishments, and illustrate their passion for the subject matter. It makes an emotional connection with the audience.

A well-crafted opening sentence conveys emotion, showcases creativity, and utilizes uncommon words to draw readers in and convince them to continue reading. This makes it essential for writers to take time to craft their opening sentences thoughtfully. They must draw upon their experience and knowledge to create something meaningful and powerful that stands out from the competition.

Effective Tips on How to Write a Personal Statement Opener

Below are some valuable tips on how to start writing your personal statement opening sentence and make it effective for the audience:

Take some time to brainstorm ideas and think through the main points you want to include in your personal statement opening sentence. Consider what makes a great opening line that can capture the attention of readers right away.

Be Creative

Create an original and interesting opening sentence by using creative language, vivid imagery, and humor if appropriate. Make sure it stands out from other statements that may be more generic or expected.

Evoke Emotion

Use language that elicits an emotional response from readers and allows them to connect with your story. This will help keep their attention and make them more likely to remember your statement when considering applicants for admission.

Keep It Short

Try not to exceed two sentences, as this can be overwhelming or unappealing to read. Also, check that each sentence contains only one core idea so as not to clutter the content with too much information at once.

Show Your Expertise

Let your experience shine through! Include factual examples demonstrating your knowledge of the subject matter and your expertise level. This will draw the reader in and build trust in your writing ability.

Use uncommon words to stand out from other candidates. Avoid repeating the same words and use varied sentence structures to create a unique and engaging statement.

Stay True to Yourself

Write in your own voice rather than trying to sound perfect or robotic like AI. Using colloquial language and weaving details about yourself can add personality to your writing and make it memorable.

a person sitting in front of a laptop and typing on the keyboard

Personal Statement Opening Sentence Examples

Here’s a list of different personal statement opening sentence examples to inspire you to write one on your own.

Personal Statement Example 1:

Applying to university is an essential step in furthering my education and enriching my career. So I’m thrilled to be submitting this application for consideration as a student on the course.

Personal Statement Example 2:

With over five years of experience, I am confident my qualifications make me a prime candidate for this opportunity at your esteemed university.

Personal Statement Example 3:

I’ve been driven by curiosity and ambition throughout my life, pursuing opportunities to expand my knowledge and grow professionally and personally. Thus, I am making my application for the course an exciting prospect indeed.

Personal Statement Example 4:

Fostering relationships with peers and mentors has always played a significant role in how I approach each challenge. It is no surprise I am looking forward to embracing the unique environment of your university and applying what I know to the course.

Personal Statement Example 5:

From mentorship programs to research initiatives, the opportunities available to students within the program are something I’ve long admired. This is why I’m incredibly enthusiastic about this [program name] and becoming part of such a vibrant academic community.

Personal Statement Example 6:

My relentless ambition to become a successful student has driven me to apply for university in the best way possible. I wish to show my hard work, dedication, and passion for people.

Personal Statement Example 7:

I have honed my skill set through careful study and countless hours of practice. And am now ready to put it to work on a university course that will propel me toward success.

Personal Statement Example 8:

I’m applying for admission into a top-tier university with an unwavering desire to make a difference in this world. I want to gain the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to contribute to the world.

Personal Statement Example 9:

As a passionate individual with strong interpersonal capabilities, I believe I can excel as a student and contribute significantly to any application process.

Personal Statement Example 10:

With an expansive set of academic credentials combined with industry experience, I’m confident I can enhance your university’s student body through my presence.

Personal Statement Example 11:

I have been enamored with the subject of (subject) for years. My experience and expertise allow me to cultivate a deep understanding of its nuances and complexities.

Personal Statement Example 12:

Having already established myself in the industry, I am now looking for an opportunity to use my skills and expertise at a college level.

Personal Statement Example 13:

As I start my studies and gain further qualifications, I want to learn how to apply my knowledge to future work opportunities.

Personal Statement Example 14:

Desiring to unleash my potential and creativity, I seek the opportunity to challenge myself academically while advancing my personal goals through higher education.

Personal Statement Example 15:

Drawing from my past experiences and newfound inspirations, I am excited to begin this new chapter of my life as a student.

Personal Statement Example 16:

I choose to ask myself one vital question. How best can I utilize my years of experience to make the most impact on my intended field of study?

Personal Statement Example 17:

With years of experience behind me, I am ready to take the next step in pursuing my higher education. It will refine my existing skill set and open up new growth opportunities.

Personal Statement Example 18:

Motivated by a passion for learning and driven to succeed, I seek admission to [program name] at your esteemed university. This will help me start on a path toward realizing my highest potential.

Every individual has a varied personality and different intentions for pursuing higher education and their respective career paths.

Knowing what to put in your personal statement and how to craft it can be complicated and overwhelming. This article provides valuable tips and examples for writing effective opening sentences for personal statements that will grab the reader’s attention.

Exploring the Best Personal Statement Opening Sentence Examples

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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UCAS personal statements: writing a killer opening

November 29, 2020

We’ve picked up numerous tips on this from admissions tutors up and down the country and they all tend to take a similar line, which is …. don’t get stressed about trying to think up a killer opening!

Here are some more admissions tutor comments and we hope they might help relieve some stress and give you a starting point:

Don’t waste time trying to think of a catchy opening. It’s often a complete turn-off.
Your interest in the course is the biggest thing. Start with why you chose it.
The best personal statements get to the point quickly.
Start with a short sentence that captures the reason why you are interested in studying on the programme you are applying for and that communicates your enthusiasm for it.
Go straight in. Why are you excited about studying this course?
The opening is your chance to introduce yourself, to explain your motivation for studying the course and to demonstrate your understanding of it.
It’s your enthusiasm for the course we want to know about. Start with that.
Write what comes naturally.
‘What you want to study and why’ should be in the first two sentences. What excites you about the course and why do you want to learn about it more?
Be specific from line one.
Talk about you and your enthusiasm for the subject from the very start.
In your opening paragraph you need to show that you know what you are applying for. Don’t waffle or say you want to study something just because it’s interesting. Explain what it is that you find interesting about it.
It’s much better to engage us with something interesting, relevant, specific and current in your opening line, not ‘from a young age’ or ‘I have always wanted to’. Start with what’s inspiring you now, not what inspired you when you were six.

And the following three comments from admissions tutors suggest you shouldn’t even begin at the start… :

I think the opening line is the hardest one to write, so I often say leave it until last and just try and get something down on paper.
Don’t spend too long on the introduction. Concentrate on the main content of your statement and write the introduction last.
I often advise applicants to start with paragraph two, where you get into why you want to study the course. That’s what we’re really interested in.

However, do try to avoid the most obvious opening sentences. UCAS occasionally publishes a list of the most common opening lines in personal statements and urges applicants to avoid using ‘hackneyed’ phrases. Last time the top five were:

From a young age….
For as long as I can remember…
I am applying for this course because….
I have always been interested in….
Throughout my life I have always enjoyed….

And at number eleven was a Nelson Mandela quote … which brings us to one last piece of advice.

In an article I wrote called 10 things not to put in your personal statement , quotations were top of the list of admissions tutors’ pet hates. They especially tend to dislike it if you put a quotation in right at the start – and it’s even worse if you don’t actually explain why it’s there.

So remember, in the opening line of your statement they don’t want to know what Nelson Mandela thought, they want to know what you think.

One last thought. A technique that can be quite effective is the “necklace approach”. This is when you make a link between your opening sentence and your closing sentence, whilst also adding an extra dimension to what you said at the start. For example, if you started with an interesting line about what is currently motivating to study your chosen degree course, you could link back to it in your closing paragraph with something about why you would love to study this further at uni.

Originally posted on alanbullockcareers.com – visit the website for more articles including a weekly update on the impact of COVID-19 on higher education and apprentices opportunities.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

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Personal statement examples by subject: complete list

Take a look at how other students have written their personal statements

When you're writing your university personal statement, a little inspiration can be handy.

On The Student Room, we have hundreds of real personal statements written by students when they applied for university in previous years.

You'll find all of these listed below, in order of subject.

For more help with writing your personal statement, our personal statement section is a good place to go. You can also find tips and discussion in the personal statement advice forum .

And don't forget our sister site The Uni Guide , which has expert advice on getting your personal statement sorted.

Accounting personal statements
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How to end your personal statement

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Carers, estranged students, refugees, asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain
Personal statement guides
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You want to leave the admissions tutor reading your personal statement with a strong lasting impression – one that will leave them no choice but to make you an offer (or invite you to an interview).

There are several ways you can do this.

HE Careers Adviser Liz says:

A good ending can link back to what you claim at the beginning or be a short summary as to what you’re looking forward to at university, new challenges etc… or even your commitment as to why you would be an ideal candidate (without bragging).

Read more here about how to begin a personal statement . Then follow our tips on how to bring it all together at the end.

Think about what you’re writing in this critical spot – what’s your reason for including it here? Keep the ending of your personal statement short, concise and to the point.

Shona Barrie – Director of Admissions, University of Stirling

How to end your personal statement: what to write.

A key academic skill at degree level is being able to form a structured written argument, including a conclusion that summarises the key points.

As Liverpool student Joseph says:

You don’t want a conclusion in the same way as you would for an essay, as that’s just taking away from your word count. Don’t draw it out.’

In other words, keep it to the point and punchy.

There’s no set way to end your statement. Instead, think about the following and how it might help you to stand out:

Tie it back to what you’ve written earlier

Revisit the key points you’ve already spoken about in the main body of your personal statement and emphasise them again in your conclusion. This could be reiterating key skills, interests, and experiences you’ve already touched on, giving them one last chance to hit home (but don’t just regurgitate what you’ve already said).

Talk about the future

Looking to the future is an optimistic way to finish. It shows you’re goal-oriented, and you’ve carefully thought about how this course fits into your plans. You don’t need to have the next ten years mapped out, but if you’ve a broad sense of your career path – or any related life ambitions you want to fill – it’s worth mentioning them here, as well as how this course will help you achieve those.

Learn more about career prospects for your subject (and more) in our subject guides .

Think about your university experience

You could conclude by talking more generally about what you want to get from your overall university experience. For instance:

Would you like to build your confidence meeting people from a variety of backgrounds?
Are you hoping to engage with a local community through a mutual passion or vocation?

Also, talk about how you will be an asset to a university.

Remember, all of your UCAS choices will see your personal statement , so it may be best to keep it general, rather than being specific about one university.

The personal statement tool image

Don’t be tempted to copy or share your statement.

UCAS scans all personal statements through a similarity detection system to compare them with previous statements.

Any similarity greater than 30% will be flagged and we'll inform the universities and colleges to which you have applied.

Find out more

Chloe ng – higher education career coach, manchester metropolitan university.

Do tie it all in together – your passion for the subject and your future career.
Do think about what you will bring to the broader university experience (not just the academic side).
Do check your spelling and grammar – admissions tutors say it demonstrates an attention to detail and accuracy.
Don’t go off on a tangent right at the last minute.
Don’t list too many career ambitions at the end – keep it focused.
Don’t repeat yourself – they only need to read each point once.

Final thoughts

Be positive and remember concluding your personal statement is a reminder to the admissions tutor on why they should choose you over someone else.
If you’re struggling with the ending, take a break and come back to it.
Even though you might want it off your plate, it’s important not to rush the ending.
Re-reading what you’ve got so far may also help you see what you’d like to reiterate in (or leave out of) the conclusion.

Need more advice?

Mature students: Five things to do now to boost your personal statement

Starting your personal statement

Personal statement dos and don’ts

Writing your full personal statement

Search for a course and learn more, including modules, graduate stats, and student satisfaction scores.