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News: Blog: Zoe’s top tips and advice on writing your UCAS personal statement

Please note: This news story may contain information that is no longer current or up to date.

Your personal statement is your chance to demonstrate not only why you want to apply to a higher education course, but also what makes you a good candidate.

If you’re struggling to finalise your statement, or to bring it together into a meaningful structure, don’t panic! Zoe, our specialist UCAS Adviser, has put together some top tips and a plan to help. 

Zoe’s 5-point plan:

1. Express your interest in the course and why you’ve chosen it

Begin by addressing why you want to apply for the course. Refer to your course/​subject area explicitly and show your interest. 

2. Show your enthusiasm and why you’re suitable

You can do this by discussing what you enjoy about your subject and by using examples of topics you have studied or, for example, something you have read in the news. 

3. Relevant academic skills

Include your academic skills and link to what you might need for the course e.g. critical thinking for English Literature. 

4. Extra-curricular experience

Keep it concise and recent e.g. within the last two years. Try to link part-time work, volunteering or hobbies to relevant key skills or benefits to your wellbeing. 

5. Write a concluding statement

This should be a sentence or two, wrapping up once more, why you’re applying. You may wish to refer to your future plans or what you’re looking forward to studying at university. 

Zoe's top two tips

Avoid the clichés

Try not to include clichés like you’re ​‘passionate’ about your subject, to stand out from other applicants. I find using a thesaurus can help you to widen your vocabulary and even discover new words! 

Proofread

Buddy up with a friend and swap your statement for proofreading. It’s easy to miss mistakes in your own work, especially when you’ve read through it so many times! 

Find out more

Here’s some useful information from UCAS, including a short video and a Personal Statement Builder.

Take a look opens a new window

You don't need to go to university to go far

Published on:
  • 1st December 2021 (12:02 PM)
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