Personal statement toolkit

This is the opportunity for students to showcase their passion, curiosity, interest, and knowledge of their chosen subject area and to demonstrate to universities and colleges why it’s a good fit for them and their future ambitions.

Examples of what they might talk about here are:

• Their motivations for studying this course(s): Have they been inspired by a key role model or moment in their life? Maybe it’s a subject they love and want to pursue further. We’re all driven by something and it’s important for students to talk about how their path has led them to this course or subject area.
• Their knowledge of this subject area and interests: Perhaps there’s a particular subject area they've researched and can’t wait to learn more about, or a book or subject expert doing great things that have sparked their interest? Universities and colleges want to see students have done their research so they can be confident this is something they will enjoy and excel in. This is a great place to highlight super-curricular activities as evidence of curiosity and interest in the subject outside of the classroom.
• Future plans and why this course/subject is a good fit: If they already have a particular profession in mind, they could talk about how they'll use their studies to launch their career. If they don’t, think about what’s important to them and their future, and how the knowledge gained from their chosen course(s) will help them to achieve this.

Here are some more examples for this section:

• Personal life experiences e.g. being a carer, the environment where you grew up or lived, an inspirational friend, colleague or family member, a book you read, a news article or blog/vlog, a YouTube video, a podcast, a show you saw, subject tasters
• Understanding of the area and the qualities you might need to succeed in it – research into the course/area

This is the chance for students to show evidence of the relevant or transferable skills they've gained from their formal education and highlight their understanding of how this will help them succeed in this subject area.

Examples of what they might talk about here are:

• How their studies or training relate to their chosen course(s) or subject area: This could be current or previous studies within a school, college, training provider, or even a short online university course – any form of formal education. The main thing here is to focus on what’s most recent and relevant to their chosen course(s).
• What relevant or transferable skills they have that make them a great candidate: Maybe there are a couple of subjects that have helped them develop a core set of skills required for their chosen course(s). Or, a particular module that helped them understand where their interests and strengths lie.
• Any relevant educational achievements: Universities and colleges will see students' grades elsewhere on their application, so don’t waste time talking about these. Consider accomplishments like winning a school or national competition, serving as a student ambassador or team captain, or landing the lead role in a play.

Here are some more examples for this section:

• Specific modules or topics
• Essays or projects that explore a particular view point or technique
• EPQ – Extended Project Qualification
• School, local, or national competitions e.g. UKMT
• Private lessons and qualifications e.g. music, stage school or sports if relevant to the course
• Tutoring or mentoring
• Online courses leading to a qualification

This is students' chance to talk about any other activities they have undertaken outside of their formal education or personal experiences which further demonstrate their suitability for the course. This section is likely to be highly personal to them and anything they do include should reflect on why they're including it.

Examples of what they might talk about here are:

• Work experience, employment, or volunteering: Whether it’s in-person work experience at their local school or virtual work experience through Springpod, or volunteering at a dog shelter, the key thing here is for them to reflect on their experiences and the skills gained relevant to their chosen course(s).
• Personal life experiences or responsibilities: Is there a situation they've personally overcome that has influenced their decision? Are there responsibilities such as caring for a family member that has helped them develop essential qualities for the course like resilience and empathy?
• Hobbies and any extracurricular or outreach activities: Think sports, reading, community work, summer schools – any activities outside of their studies that help further showcase why they'd make a great student.
• Achievements outside of school or college: This could be a position of responsibility such as captain for their local club, a music, competition they won, or a qualification they've attained outside of the classroom.

Here are some more examples for this section:

• Extra and super-curriculars
• Volunteering
• Personal life experiences e.g. caring for a family member, overcoming a challenge
• Young enterprise
• Work experience
• Job/employment – part-time or full-time
• Work-based learning/CPD
• Shadowing
• Online learning activities e.g. Springpod, MOOCs etc.
• Tutoring
• Trips and visits (online or in person) e.g. Museums, exhibitions, galleries, sites of historic interest, relevant sites connected to your course e.g. magistrate courts for law etc.
• Podcasts, TED talks, documentaries etc.
• Duke of Edinburgh/Duke of York awards

No; admissions staff will review the three questions as a whole, much like the current long form personal statement. 

This very much depends on the university or college the student is applying to, as well as the course they are looking to study. We would recommend checking providers' personal statement guidance and advice on this. For instance, courses like nursing or medicine will lean more heavily on the importance of question three due to the focus on work experience.

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

The 4000 characters can be used across all the questions in whatever way works best for your student - as long as they hit the minimum character count, they can absolutely write more in one section than another depending on what's more important for them and the course they're applying for. 

The questions will not be included in the character count; students will have the full 4000 characters as they do now. 

Yes, conservatoire personal statements will also follow the new format for 2026 entry applications, with all students answering the same three questions.

No, emojis should not be included in students' UCAS personal statements. The personal statement is a formal piece of writing, and using emojis is generally discouraged.