My tips for the UCAS Personal statement

Eoin shares some ways to help you ace the UCAS personal statement and get the university course you want

Written by Eoin Dillon

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Over the years the space given for a personal statement on a UCAS application has grown from a few lines to a whole page. This really shows how much emphasis British Universities place on your personal statement and also the importance of making sure your personal statement is to the highest standards that it can be.

The personal statement is the only part of your application that you truly control. It’s your chance to sell yourself to the University/ Universities of your choice. It is 100 per cent vital that you complete it with tact and enthusiasm as a good personal statement can reduce the amount of points you need for the course. So here are some tips I’ve learned that can help you with your UCAS personal statement. 

Reasons for choosing the course

It’s easy to blather on for 47 lines about yourself without ever mentioning the course you’re applying to. Just remember experts in your field are judging your personal statement. So, make sure you mention why you choose the course and previous experiences in the field.

It is a good idea to mention a book, article, documentary that you have read or watched relating to the field so the admission tutor knows you are passionate and that you’ve read up on the subject. Your reasons for choosing the course should take up 30 per cent of the personal statement.

List of achievements and experiences

This should take up a significant part of the statement, leaving some room for the opening and closing. Your list of achievements and experiences really separates you from other candidates.
Having some that relate to the course is fantastic but make sure you include everything that you can. For example: sport teams, voluntary work, committees you are a member of, awards, work, hobbies and interests. All of these combine to create a list of reasons to select you as a possible student.

Ensure there is a nice flow

Once you have all the content decided on it is time to structure the statement. It helps greatly to link your reasons for your choice of course to past experiences and then to your interests and hobbies etc. This will make the statement an easy read and more importantly impress the admission tutor.

Hopefully these steps have helped clear your mind whilst writing your personal statement and best of luck with your UCAS application.

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