A personal statement is an important part of your university application. Many students have similar grades and experience, so to ensure your application stands out a compelling personal statement is needed to stand out from the crowd.
Learn more about what to write about in your personal statement below, or visit SI-UK in London or Manchester for a free consultation to discuss your university application.
What should I include in my personal statement?
It is important to understand that a personal statement is not a detailed explanation of your resume. The focus needs to be what you have learned at school and work, and how this is relevant to the course you are applying to. If your experience is limited, you can describe which attributes make you a suitable candidate.
When writing a personal statement it is also important to demonstrate enthusiasm about where you are applying to. Research the university past and present, as well as learning as much as possible about the industry your course belongs in.
Remember that your personal statement needs to look professional, and little things such as the choice of font and its size can affect an admission officer’s opinion of you. A font size of 11 or 12 in either Arial or Times New Roman is advisable.
How long should my personal statement be?
The length of your personal statement is determined by each university, but for undergraduate applications it is generally between 400-600 words of 4-5 paragraphs on one side of A4. Certain postgraduate master’s courses may require up to 1,500 words, so check on the university website before beginning.
Personal statement format
- Your career aim
- How you became interested in this field
- What you have done to get closer to your aim
- Why you are applying to this university
- How you will use what you learn
Personal statement checklist
- Use Arial or Times New Roman
- Font size 11 or 12
- 4-5 paragraphs
- Include why you chose the university
- No negative information
- Don’t duplicate material from your resume
- One side of A4, unless the course specifically asks for more/less
Apply to study in the UK
Still unsure about what steps to take next? Visit us in London or Manchester for a free consultation on your application to study in the UK. Our international experts can help you apply with free advice on course and university selection.
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