UCAS Personal Statements:
Why They Matter

In what follows, we break down the three UCAS Personal Statement questions, and offer some expert guidance on how to make sure your Statement stands out—for all the right reasons!

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Question 1 is a great opportunity to say something honest and eye-catching—something that the tutor will not have read time and time again each admissions cycle. But you will have to craft your answer carefully: we recommend spending no more than 1,500 characters (with spaces) on your answer to Question 1.

A compelling answer to Question 1 will connect your passion and interest in your subject to the reasons you wish to study it further. You might wish to mention a personal life experience (such as inspirational family member or friend, or a book you have read), to give a ‘narrative feel’ to your Statement. The focus and the framing, however, should be academic. Here is an example:

Growing up in a bilingual household, I have long been interested in the relationship between language and cognition. My fascination with Linguistics deepened in Year 12, when I researched and wrote an extended essay on the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis. This project revealed to me how important it is to integrate scientific, sociological, and philosophical approaches into our thinking about language. I am eager to continue exploring how English and French differently shape my own perceptions of the world at university level. By accessing cutting-edge research and continuing to conduct my own, I hope to further explore the complex socio-cultural questions the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis raises.

As you can see, this candidate uses their personal background as a springboard for discussing their passion for Linguistics. Their focus is primarily academic, and they bring in an interesting example which goes beyond their A Level syllabus—a great way to evidence further reading and independent research.

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

If Question 1 is about the big picture—why you want to study this subject, and where your studies will take you—Question 2 is your moment to foreground how your studies to date have prepared you for this next stage in your academic journey. You should highlight the skills you have gained from your formal education, with a specific focus on the A Level or IB subject(s) most relevant to your chosen degree subject.

Again, your answer should be academic in focus. The best answers will use school or college studies as a foundation for demonstrating how you have explored your chosen subject area beyond the curriculum.

In reading different secondary sources about the Vietnam War for my History coursework, I became interested in the methodological issue of neutrality: is it possible for historians to give accounts of historical events that are morally neutral? How do our own values as researchers colour our perceptions of past events? After reading Donald Bloxham’s ‘History and Morality’, I was intrigued by his suggestion that using words such as ‘exploitation,’ ‘slavery’ or ‘genocide’ to label events involve making value-judgements. This challenged my view that ‘impartiality’ should always be the fundamental goal of the historian: studying History should also involve engaging reflectively with ethical questions, and trying to detach from our instinctive reactions to the past may actually prevent us from learning from it. I have since enjoyed a series of lectures on the topic delivered by Dan Snow.

In this response, the candidate moves from discussing their A Level coursework, to raising undergraduate-level theoretical questions. They then go on to evidence how they have moved beyond the syllabus, both in their reading and their thinking. The paragraph has a clear line of thought: moving from evidence of their A Level studies, explaining what they have learned, and showing signs of academic extension, too.

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Question 3 is a great opportunity to talk about any activities or extracurriculars you have undertaken outside of your school studies, which you feel make you a strong candidate for your chosen course. Perhaps you have volunteered teaching Maths at your local primary school, or completed an online course (such as a MOOC) which has enhanced your understanding of your subject. Maybe you are in your school choir or have gained a major sporting achievement, demonstrating skills such as teamwork or resilience.

I am a peer supporter at my school, which means I dedicate my free periods to running an open clinic where students with study-related concerns can come and voice their concerns and troubleshoot their problems in the presence of an understanding ear. I am a positive influence on my peers, and I would be bringing to the study of Anthropology and Archaeology not only passion and ability but a collegiate spirit. It is to these ends that I am confident a place on your course of study would not only allow me to bring out the best in myself but bring out the best in the young archaeologists and anthropologists I work with.

How can I get started?

Personal Statements are quite unlike any other kind of writing applicants will have encountered before, and so it is natural to feel out of your depth when you begin drafting. It may feel a little awkward at first to write about yourself and your achievements!

Here are some tips for getting started:

The Universities Team at Oxford and Cambridge Tutors wish you the very best of luck when it comes to planning and drafting your Personal Statement, and would be delighted to assist should you need further guidance.