American students are used to writing personal statements (a.k.a. college essays) that are full of narrative and personal hardships. This is a common theme in US college essays due to the competitiveness of US university admissions, as it helps students stand out from the pool of applicants. Sometimes, students are even encouraged to write an essay that will make an admissions board get emotional or even cry. Oh, the drama of it all!
Well, the UK admissions system and their personal statements couldn’t be more different! The UK admissions system primarily focuses on your academics, and your knowledge in the subject you are applying to, rather than you being a well-rounded student flourishing in academics, clubs, extra-curriculars, etc. That’s why UK personal statements are centered around showing why you are a good fit for the program, much like a professional cover letter to a job opening. UK statements are to the point, clear, concise and focus on the subject and factual information, such as your accomplishments. You might find writing a UK personal statement to be a little dry – which surprisingly means you’re doing it right!
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Outline for your Personal Statement (aka College Essay)
There is no ‘one way’ to write a personal statement, but to begin, you want the focus to be around the subject you are interested in pursuing to study and why. NOT the university or universities, specifically. It’s important to inform the reader of your ambition, interests, and intellect in the field. If you are applying to different subjects that aren’t related, you want to make sure that you incorporate the subjects into the essay cohesively.
Here is a general outline that might help:
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Intro: Talk about what you are applying for, why you want to study that subject, and what inspires you about the subject.
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2nd Paragraph: Talk about your academic history and any classes/projects you undertook that are related to the subject you’re applying for. How are you as a student? What makes you ready to study the subject at university level?
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3rd Paragraph: Talk about any work experience, internships, or volunteering you’ve done that is related to the subject you’re applying for.
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4th paragraph: Explain why you want to study this subject in the UK. Why do you want to attend university in the UK?
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Conclusion: Talk about your future educational and career goals.
It’s important to note that if you are applying to an English literature program, for example, you might bring up authors that inspire you. Or, if you are wanting to study mathematics, who are your favorite mathematicians?
Play around with the outline above, but remember to keep it centered on the subject you are applying for, while also showcasing your personal accomplishments.
How Many Personal Statements Do I Have to Write?
Students can only apply to up to 5 UK universities but only one personal statement can be submitted. Your personal statement will be sent directly to each university you have applied to, via the UCAS application. Therefore, it’s best to apply to the same program at all universities (or, at least, similar programs).
How Long Does the Personal Statement Need to Be?
You’ll be applying through UCAS, so there is a character limit you must abide by. Your statement cannot exceed 4,000 characters with spaces.
Further Information on Statements
Undergrad students can visit the UCAS website for more info on what’s needed in your statement, and even use some of the statement builder tools provided there.
About the Author:
Ashley Jeanson is an international education expert with over 9 years of experience in the field. She’s worked for a mixture of study abroad providers, universities in the US and the UK, and third-party providers, mostly specializing in helping American students attend UK universities. In her spare time, she travels the globe and is eternally in search of the best cup of coffee.
