UCAS personal statement examples

This guide will support you in putting together the statement that is going to help you get a place on your ideal course.

Students often find this the most daunting of tasks within the application process. This guide will help you through putting together the statement that is going to help get you a place on your ideal course.

Knowing where to start and what to say when setting out your reasons for applying and convincing the admissions tutor to offer you a place can be a challenge. Looking at examples of how other students have approached this can sometimes be helpful.

What is a personal statement?

Your UCAS personal statement is your chance to tell the universities you’re applying to why you’re interested in the course and what makes you a great candidate, outside of your grades. You only submit one personal statement for all of your university choices.

In your personal statement you need to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to university level study and, above all, ensure that you stand out from the crowd.

The UCAS personal statement application format is now broken down into three clear sections, removing the need to write an introduction or conclusion. They’ve done this to level the playing field.

You have three questions to answer to demonstrate why you’re a great candidate for your chosen universities, with a maximum of 4,000 characters.

Personal Statement example

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

My interest in primary education stems from my experience working with children with special educational needs in my local primary school. During this time, I built rapport with the children and their families, created engaging activities tailored to individual needs, and observed the children’s progress. This experience showed me the importance of inclusive teaching and confirmed my commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life by becoming a primary school teacher. Studying primary education at university will allow me to deepen my understanding of how children learn and develop the skills needed to create a positive, supportive, and inspiring classroom environment.

I am also passionate about addressing the challenges children face in the modern world, such as managing screen time and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Studies show that high screen time combined with low physical activity is liked to lower self-esteem, emotional distress, and increased anxiety and depression in children, demonstrating the importance of supporting healthy habits alongside learning. Studying primary education at degree level will allow me to develop the knowledge and skills needed to tackle these challenges effectively in the classroom and help every child reach their full potential.

• This applicant shows a genuine interest in teaching and strong ambition to become a primary school teacher.
• They give a strong example from their work experience in a primary school to show how they have begun developing the skills needed for success on a primary education degree. They also reflect on what they learned from the experience and how it shaped their commitment to teaching.
• The applicant shows awareness of the challenges children face today and highlights the important role teachers play in supporting pupil’s wellbeing.
• At the end of each paragraph, they link back to why they want to study primary education at university, which makes their statement well-structured.

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

Studying BTEC Sport and Exercise Science has given me a strong foundation for a degree in sports performance analysis and talent identification. As part of my BTEC, I created a training and recovery programme for football, which included a weight training plan to improve upper body strength and match footage analysis to evaluate my performance. This experience helped me apply theoretical knowledge in a practical way, while also developing key skills in performance analysis that will support me in studying this subject at university.

Studying modules in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics as part of my BTEC, further developed my understanding of how the body moves and responds to training. For example, I studied lever systems in the body, which work together to produce movement. By understanding these systems and applying this knowledge to my own football performance, I was able to improve my body positioning to shield the ball more effectively. I am excited to build on this knowledge at university, especially in applying sports biomechanics to analyse technique, enhance performance, and reduce the risk of injury in athletes.

• This applicant clearly shows how their BTEC in Sport and Exercise Science has prepared them for studying sports performance analysis and talent identification at university.
• They do a great job at linking their coursework directly to the subject, using specific examples to demonstrate their knowledge and their ability to apply theory into practice.
• Their enthusiasm for course clearly comes across and makes their statement engaging.

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

Outside of school, I have actively sought opportunities to further my knowledge of law, ethics, and public debate. I attended a St Mary’s Masterclass Day session on the Assisted Dying Bill, which explored how definitions of crime, public morals, and shifting opinions shape legislation. Debating different perspectives in this session strengthened my understanding of how law is shaped and contested in society and developed my confidence in public speaking and presenting a persuasive argument, skills which are essential for studying a law degree.

Volunteering with Citizens Advice also gave me an insight into how legal frameworks can protect vulnerable communities. I supported community outreach, by listening to people’s concerns and helping connect them to the right services. This experience taught me the importance of empathy, active listening and clear communication, skills that I will bring to studying Law with Criminology at university.

Overall, these experiences have not only confirmed my passion for Law and Criminology but have also given me the confidence and skills needed to succeed on the course.

• This applicant demonstrates their motivation for studying law and criminology at university, by attending a St Mary’s Masterclass Day.
• They use strong examples, showing the skills they gained and how these are directly relevant to studying law at university.
• Each paragraph ties back to studying Law and Criminology at university, which keeps their statement focused.