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What to include

Step 2: Applying

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Most courses have an Entry Profile that you can view in Course Search - these explain what the university is looking for in their students and what qualifications or experience you'll need for the course. Check these because they'll give you some ideas about what to include in your statement.

Below are some suggestions of what to include in your personal statement. These are guidelines only so don't worry if some of the suggestions do not apply to you.

In this section...

 

Writing about the course

Two of the most important things to include are:

  • why you're applying for the course you've chosen: this is particularly important when you're applying for a subject that you have not studied before. Tell the university the reasons why that subject interests you, and include evidence that you understand what's required to study the course, eg if applying for psychology courses, show that you know how scientific the subject is.
  • why you're suitable for the course: tell the universities the skills and experience you have that will help you to succeed on the course.
 

Also think about:

  • how your current or previous studies relate to the course(s) that you have chosen
  • any activities that demonstrate your interest in the course(s)
  • why you want to go to university or college.
 

We looked at some of the reasons why applications were unsuccessful and here's a few that were sent to applicants in 2010:

  • Your personal statement does not strongly support your desire to study your chosen degree.
  • Your personal statement did not show sufficient understanding, relevance or knowledge about the course you are applying for.
  • You failed to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and interest in the subject in your personal statement.
  • There is a lot of competition for places on this course and your personal statement and experience was not as strong as other applicants this year.
  • Application form (including personal statement, reference and predicted grades) does not evidence accurate understanding of or motivation for subject.
  • Unsuccessful as you have not expressed a strong enough interest in the subject area in your personal statement.
 

This should give you an idea of how important it is to show why you want to study the course and what you can bring to it - especially because it might be compared with other applicants applying for the same course.

Skills and achievements

Universities like to know the types of skills you have that will help you on the course, or generally at university. They also like to see if you've been involved in any accredited or non-accredited achievements. Include:

  • non-accredited skills and achievement which you have gained through activities such as:

    • ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) awards,
      for example, Universities Award
    • CREST awards
    • Diploma of Achievement
    • Duke of Edinburgh Award
    • National citizen service
    • OCNW Level 3 Certificate in Personal Development for Progression
      (previously known as the Liverpool Enrichment Programme)
    • vInspired Awards
    • Villiers Park Scholars and Residential Programmes
    • WorldWide Volunteering Certificate of Volunteering Achievement
    • Young Enterprise.
  • accreditation achieved for any activities in preparation for higher education, for example through the ASDAN Aimhigher Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE qualification).
  • any other achievements that you are proud of, eg reaching grade 3 piano or being selected for the county cricket team.
  • positions of responsibility that you hold/have held both in and out of school, eg form prefect or representative for a local charity.
  • attributes that make you interesting, special or unique.
 

Hobbies and interests

Think about how your hobbies, interests and social activities demonstrate your skills and abilities. If there's anything that relates to your course or to the skills needed to complete a higher education course, include it - the more evidence the better.

The Assistant Registrar for Undergraduate Admissions from University of Warwick says that:

'The strongest applicants are those who can link their extra-curricular activities to their proposed course of study.'

Your statement will be more convincing and personal if you write about why an experience, activity or interest makes you a good candidate for the course. Include enough additional information to make it interesting and to demonstrate your own interest. Rather than making a statement such as

'I enjoy badminton'

try to provide context and show what you have learnt

'I play badminton twice a week with a club that plays in local competitions and I play in both singles and doubles matches. Doubles matches requires good team working, an ability to support your partner, to devise a game plan but be able to adapt it as required and fast reactions. I enjoy the social side of the club and take responsibility for organising the social activities and fundraising events. This gives me an opportunity to develop my organisational and planning skills. Fitting in all these activities while keeping up with my academic studies demands good time management and I think I do that very well.'

Work experience

Include details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your chosen course(s). Try to link any experience to skills or qualities mentioned in the Entry Profiles. For example, rather than just saying

'I spent two weeks working at a department store. I enjoyed speaking to customers and helping them with their enquiries'

you could say

'I spent two weeks managing customer enquiries at a department store. I learnt how to interact with customers and handle complaints. The experience highlighted the importance of positive communication between a business and its customers, and taught me how to manage difficult enquiries effectively. I would like to develop this skill further by studying a degree in public relations.'

If you are not in full-time education, you should give details of any relevant work experience, paid or unpaid, and information about your current or previous employment.

Mature students

If you are applying as a mature student, use the personal statement to explain what you have been doing since leaving education, and provide additional evidence to support your application.

A representative from University of Ulster stated:

'a mature student might have valuable experience (perhaps 10 years working in the courts service, or a solicitor's office), and this might form the basis for an APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) offer. So it is worth seeing if your experience could count towards an offer.'

Find out more about APEL offers >>

International students

If you're an international student, use the personal statement to tell universities why you want to study in the UK. Also try to answer these questions in your statement:

  • Why do you want to study in the UK?
  • How can you show that you can successfully complete a higher education course that is taught in English? Please say if some of your studies have been taught or examined in English.
  • Have you taken part in any activities where you have used English outside of your studies?
 

Future plans

If you know what you'd like to achieve after completing a university course, explain how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you gain.