HOW TO WRITE A PERSONAL STATEMENT
What to do, what not to do and some super useful examples - we'll help you slay your personal statement.
Your personal statement toolkit
Writing a personal statement can be overwhelming – but remember it’s all about showing who you are and what drives you. It's your moment to explain why you picked this course, share your enthusiasm, and show why you’re the best candidate.
Our toolkit provides handy guidance to help you create the best personal statement.
Who is it for?
- Your personal statement will be read by the admissions tutor or a member of the course team who wants to get a sense of who you are and why you’re motivated. This is your chance to share your goals and passions and explain why you are well-suited to study your chosen course.
Where do I start?
1. Introduce yourself and your interest in the subject
Make sure you clearly explain why you chose this course, highlight any interests or experiences that relate to it, and show off the skills and qualities that make you stand out. Be sure you give a clear explanation as to what sparked your passion for the course, even if this has been from a young age.
Example: Introduction
Here's an example introduction from a Computer Science applicant's personal statement:
"I am a hardworking and motivated young woman with a deep passion for computing, eager to pursue a degree and immerse myself in university life. My love of computer games sparked my interest in coding at a young age, and this hobby has grown into a genuine enthusiasm for technology and problem-solving. Over time, as I’ve explored careers in the tech industry, my desire to contribute to this field has only strengthened.
I enjoy engaging in activities that fuel my passion, such as helping to run coding workshops at my local school and completing various beginner courses online. These experiences have further reinforced my commitment to developing my skills and pursuing a future in computing".
2. Don’t forget to include academic interests and achievements
Share what you love about similar subjects, any projects or achievements that show off your skills, and any extra steps you’ve taken to explore the subject area.
Example: Academic interests
Here's an example from a Nursing applicant's personal statement:
“During my studies, I have taken a keen interest into learning about human biology and the ways in which the body responds to illness and recovery.
A highlight has been completing a coursework project on patient care, where I explored how emotional and cultural needs impact treatment outcomes.
This project deepened my understanding of the holistic approach required in nursing and strengthened my ability to research and better understand complex topics”.
3. Career goals
Talk about how this course fits with your future plans and how it’s going to help you reach those career goals you’re aiming for.
Example: Career goals
Here's an example from an Accounting and Finance applicant's personal statement:
“I’m eager to learn how businesses operate and succeed financially.
In the long term, I would love to be in a position where I can lead financial strategy, making sure businesses are not only profitable but also responsible towards their communities.”
4. Skills and experience
Highlight any skills you’ve picked up along the way – your hobbies, activities, work experience, or leadership roles you’ve taken on.
Example: Skills and experience
Here's an example from a Business and Management applicant's personal statement:
“I have undertaken work experience in a marketing agency which has helped me developed my communication skills in understanding and managing different client needs.
During this time I also won the ‘Innovator of the month’ award for suggesting new ways of working within the company”.
5. Motivation, commitment and enthusiasm
Show us how passionate you are. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited to learn and totally committed to this field.
Example: Motivation, commitment and enthuiasm
Here's an example from a Law applicant's personal statement:
“My commitment to law has grown through my time on the college debate team, where I’ve developed my skills in understanding different viewpoints and speaking confidently in front of others.
I am excited about the opportunity to study law at university, where I can delve deeper into the of legal system and engage with peers and tutors who share my passion”.
Dos and Don'ts
Personal statement "dos"
✅ Keep your statements clear and to the point, and don’t forget to make use of paragraphs. Remember, blank lines count toward your character limit.
✅ Be real, don’t exaggerate or make things up. Just be yourself.
✅ Begin working on your personal statement well in advance of the deadline, allowing ample time for drafting, revising.
✅ Seek feedback, don’t be shy in asking teachers, advisors or your parents. You will be able to get an idea on some of your best qualities which you haven’t mentioned.
✅ Stay relevant, make sure you explain the relevance of your experiences and skills to the course.
✅ Keep a copy of your personal statement for reference, as it may be used as a basis for interview questions.
✅ Proofread, double-check for any spelling or grammar mistakes. It's a good idea to write your statement in a word document first, then copy and paste it into your UCAS Hub because the system doesn't have spell check.
Personal statement "don'ts"
❌ Don’t be vague. Instead of saying, "I have been interested in (course) from a young age," explain why and how this interest began.
❌ Mention specific universities or course details. Remember the same statement will be used across your applications to different universities.
❌ Start every sentence with “I” make sure you vary your sentence structure. Just talk about one subject area if you are applying for a joint honours course, ensure you have a balanced representation of both subjects.
❌ Go over the word count - you’ve 4,000 characters, so make sure you stay within this limit.
❌ Format your text in bold, italics, or underline anything because the system will remove them automatically.
❌ Don’t copy any examples of personal statements from the internet or anywhere else – UCAS checks for plagiarism.
Need some tips at a glance?
Our Student Content Creator Akash has you covered...
@astonuniversity Writing a personal statement can be overwhelming – but remember it’s all about showing who you are and what drives you. It's your moment to explain why you picked this course, share your enthusiasm, and show why you’re the best candidate. Here are some tips to help you create the best personal statement. 📝 #universityapplication #personalstatement #sixthform #astonuniversity ♬ original sound - AstonUniversity
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Check out our range of undergraduate courses and then find out how to apply with our application guide.