Planning Personal Statements for Post-16 learners

A good personal statement sets the tone for your application and is often the first impression you make to a university admissions team. It is an opportunity to showcase your unique talents and experiences, as well as your motivation to study your chosen subject and your interests outside of school or college.

The first thing you should do before drafting your personal statement is register for My Hub on the UCAS website. From there, you can access a range of tools and resources to support you with your application. It will also help you structure your personal statement around the three key sections:

  1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?
  2. How have your qualifications and studies helped prepare you for this course or subject?
  3. What else have you done outside of education to prepare for this course, and why are these experiences valuable?

Now that we know what we need to write about and why, there are a few important basics to keep in mind:

  • A personal statement is limited to 4,000 characters, so it is essential to make every word count and use the space effectively to help you stand out.
  • Showcase your skills and achievements in a clear and authentic way without overselling them.
  • Avoid clichés. Tell your own unique story and demonstrate your passion rather than trying to fit into a particular mould.
  • Use clear and straightforward language to communicate your ideas effectively.

    • The Personal Statement Builder within the UCAS Hub is the perfect place to get started. It is designed to help you think about what to include and how to structure your response. This can then be used alongside the UCAS Subject Guides, which are a valuable resource for ensuring your personal statement is tailored to the course you are applying for. The guides include structure advice, examples related to your subject area, and even insights and tips from university admissions and recruitment staff.

    It is important to remember that no matter how you approach your writing, your personal statement must remain personal. You can read all the guides and make use of every available tool, but ultimately it should be a genuine reflection of you and your experiences.

    While AI tools can help improve readability and identify errors, they have not lived your life or experienced your achievements. Universities want to hear your voice and learn about your journey. Personal statements that appear to be copied from another source or heavily generated by AI may raise concerns during the admissions process, so use these tools carefully and responsibly. You can read more about appropriate use of AI in the UCAS article here.

    Writing a personal statement can feel daunting at first, but breaking the task into manageable steps can make the process much more achievable. Allow plenty of time to write it and work on it in small chunks, rather than attempting to write it all in one go. The most important thing to remember is the goal isn’t to write the perfect personal statement; it is to give universities a genuine sense of you. Give your time and attention to it, then let the statement do its job.

    Content written by Matt O’Dare