Writing personal statements for university

See our advice and resources to help and resources to help you write a successful personal statement

Your personal statement is an important part of your application to university. It explains who you are, why you think you are a good applicant and why you want to study the course you have chosen.

The Personal Statement is divided into three questions:

  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 education, and why are these experiences useful?

We have a range of resources to help you start your writing.

Personal Statement Guide

Have a look at our Personal Statement Guide to find top tips, ideas to help you structure each question and useful sentence starters. There is also space for you to start drafting your personal statement directly in the booklet.

Personal Statement Review Service

Our Personal Statement Review Service provides expert feedback to help you write a personal statement that stands out. This is a free, online service.

Advice on using AI 

Your personal statement is a way to show your own experience, in your own words. When you complete your UCAS application, you need to declare that the personal statement is your own work and not copied from another source. Learn more about the use of AI in personal statements.

Get help and advice for your application including information on visas and immigration.