Planning and Writing your UCAS Personal Statement
Introduction to personal statements
A personal statement gives you a chance to tell universities and colleges why you are interested in
the courses that you have applied for and what you hope to do after your studies. Personal
statements are important because admissions staff often use them to decide whether an applicant is
suitable for their course. If you are unsure about personal statements ask your tutor or Careers
Adviser in the Guidance Centre for help. The following handout helps you begin gathering your
thoughts before putting it into sentences/paragraphs.
What should be included in a personal statement?
It is up to you what to include in a personal statement, but the following points are often included:
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 Why you have chosen the courses you have listed.
What interests you about your chosen subject.
What you have gained from your current studies.
Any job, work experience, placement or voluntary work you have done, particularly if it is relevant to your subject.
Your future careers plans.
Your social, sports, or leisure interests.
Details of any subjects you are studying that do not have a formal assessment.
Involvement in Gifted and Talented or widening participation activities.
Details of non-accredited skills and achievement which you have gained through activities such as Young Enterprise, the Duke of
Edinburgh Award or Millennium Volunteers Scheme.
Any sponsorship or placements you have applied for.
If taking a year out, your reasons why.
Completing a personal statement
It is best to prepare this section beforehand in Microsoft Word so it can be spell checked before cutting and pasting it into the final application.
Use font size 12 and Verdana font. You have 47 lines and 4000 characters to use.
This contains written examples of a personal statement. Do not be tempted to copy phrases, sentences into
your statement as UCAS use plagiarism software which will detect this and will warn universities you apply to.
STAGE ONE:
GATHERING YOUR THOUGHTS
First Paragraph: Your reasons for choosing the course
Use your first paragraph to
give your reasons for
choosing the course. Select
from the following and/or
add your own reasons:
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Use this section to record your own
reasons in bullet form:
First draft
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I wish to apply for Law based on my
own personal enthusiasm for what I
consider to be a challenging but
genuinely stimulating subject. I would
eventually like to follow a career in the
Bar and I feel this course will be an
excellent preparation. My interest
began when I had the opportunity of
listening to a guest barrister talk about
his work during a visit to my college. I
began researching courses and
attending university open days for
further information and this confirmed
Law as my subject of choice. I also
enjoy reading about current aspects of
Law in the Times and Guardian.
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Became interested in
school
Developed from
hobby/interest
Insight gained through
work experience
Personal life experience
(useful for vocational
courses)
Required for a career aim
Other
Explain your understanding
of the subject you are
applying for with a brief
description of why your
current course is relevant
Example
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Use this section to record your
understanding in bullet form:
Interested Law –
challenging and
stimulating subject
Listened to talk by
barrister in college inspired
Will help towards
career aim of working
at the Bar
Example
 Covers a wide range
of subjects
 Opportunity to
specialise
 Current course has
helped me to prepare
for university by
developing time
management and
analytical skills
I particularly like the opportunity that
law offers by providing a broad
introduction to criminal and
constitutional law and the legal
process, as well as further specialised
study in, for example, European Law.
STAGE ONE:
GATHERING YOUR THOUGHTS
Second Paragraph: Your present study at St Helens College
Give an overview of what
your current course is
about
Explain which aspects of
the course interest you
most and why
Give examples of any
projects that you may have
been involved in that may
be of interest
Relate your study to the
course(s) you are applying
for
Use this section to record your ideas in
bullet form:
Example
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A levels Loreto – Law,
History, Geography
Law – English Legal
System
Criminal law
History – medieval
Geography –
glaciation
Field trip - Scotland
Skills
Analytical
Problem solving
Communication
Time management
I am currently studying three A levels
at Loreto College in Law, History, and
Geography. Within my study of Law, I
have particularly enjoyed the English
Legal System and am currently looking
forward with anticipation to the
examination of Criminal Law. In
History, I have enjoyed the study of
social life in the medieval period and
have found the notion of justice to be
somewhat different to the modern day!
Likewise I have found Geography
stimulating and geomorphology of
particular interest especially the
impact of glaciation on the landscape.
My field course to Scotland gave me
the opportunity to observe the impact
of glaciers first hand. I feel that the
skills I am developing have prepared
me for degree study. These include
analytical skills and problem solving
demonstrated by my investigative
course work in Geography;
communication skills developed in
debates and discussions within Law;
and time management required to
ensure that work is completed to fixed
deadlines
STAGE ONE:
GATHERING YOUR THOUGHTS
Third Paragraph: Work Experience
Discuss your work
experience and explain its
impact on you. Work
experience is especially
important where it directly
relates to future career
plans. Try to show any
work experience has
prepared you for higher
education and career plans.
You can also illustrate with
tasks and responsibilities
you undertook and how this
developed your skills
Use this section to record your ideas in
bullet form:
Example
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Good idea of demands
of modern day
employment
Comet – busy
Customer service
Developed confidence
and communication
skills
I have already engaged in valuable
work experience during year eleven. I
spent two weeks work experience at
Comet Electrical where I gained an
insight into the workings of a busy
retail company and was offered the
opportunity to help in sales. This gave
me customer service experience and
not only helped my personal
confidence but also the development of
other key skills including
communication and working with
others.
Fourth Paragraph: Personal Interests/Hobbies
Briefly describe your
interests and hobbies
outside of college.
Particularly highlight any
interests that imply you are
well suited to your chosen
career. For example an IT
student developing a piece
of software. Describe your
commitment by explaining
the length of time you have
been involved with these.
Include here any
achievements such as Duke
of Edinburgh.
Use this section to record your ideas in
bullet form:
Example
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Music
Photograph
Duke of Edinburgh
I enjoy an eclectic taste in music
outside of college and regularly attend
local gigs featuring new bands. More
recently I have developed an interest
in photography and have completed a
short introductory course to provide
me with the fundamentals of taking
well balanced photographs. During
year eleven I completed the Bronze
Duke of Edinburgh and particularly
enjoyed the environmental work I
undertook as part of my voluntary
experience. This was particularly
rewarding as being a leader of my
group helped me gain valuable skills in
STAGE ONE:
GATHERING YOUR THOUGHTS
organising a group of other young
people and delegating responsibility.
Fifth Paragraph: Concluding Statement
A final statement which
sums up your personal
statement and reflects your
hopes and thoughts for the
future
Use this section to record
your ideas in bullet form
Example
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Reflect on subject being
of keen interest
Draw on course and
experience to comment
on these helping prepare
for university study
Express enthusiasm for
subject and challenge
I am an active and well motivated
student who would welcome the
challenge of studying at degree
level. My passion for Law and the
preparation provided by my current
study will provide me with a strong
foundation to work towards a good
degree and beyond. I am a
conscientious and determined
young person and feel that I will be
able to contribute to a wider
student life. I would be happy to
provide further information if
necessary and look forward to your
response.
STAGE ONE:
GATHERING YOUR THOUGHTS
FIRST DRAFT:
PUTTING YOUR IDEAS INTO SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS
The ideas you have put together on the previous pages can now form the basis of your first draft. Use each heading to construct a paragraph in
sentences outlining your own personal reasons for applying to higher education and the relevance of your current study and experience. When you
have completed your first draft show it to your tutor or Careers Adviser who will check for mistakes and may advise on how you could improve the
statement.
Below are some useful phrases to help you:
Sentences starting with “I”
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
enjoy
took part in
am good at
am interested in
raised money for
organised
helped
have experience of
was thanked for
was congratulated on
want to
learnt to
learnt that I am
successfully
won
was chosen to
improved
wish
set up
was fascinated by
am keen
Include phrases like
taught me
gave me the opportunity to
developed skills in
communicating
managing
negotiating
work as part of a team
work on my own initiative
take responsibility for
be self disciplined
researched
confirmed my feelings
reinforced my view
strengthened my belief
confirmed my feelings