HOW TO WRITE A PERSONAL STATEMENT
What to do, what not to do and some super useful examples - we'll help you slay your personal statement.
Your Personal Statement: Let Your Story Shine
- Your personal statement is your chance to show us who you are beyond your grades. It's where you share your passions and ambitions. We know it can feel daunting, but we're here to guide you through it. Think of us as a safe pair of hands
For 2026 entry, you'll answer three questions. Here's how to approach each one.
1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?
This is where your enthusiasm shines. Share what excites you about your chosen subject:
1. What sparked your interest? Maybe it was a book, a documentary, or a personal experience
2. Which aspects of the subject are you most curious about?
3. How does this course connect to your future goals?
Our advice: Be genuine. We want to see your authentic passion for the subject, not what you think we want to hear.
Example: Why do you want to study this course or subject?
My interest in computer science began when I tried to automate my dad's small business inventory using Python. What started as a simple spreadsheet became a proper database system, and I was soon hooked by how code could solve real problems.
I'm particularly drawn to artificial intelligence and machine learning—the idea that we can create systems that learn and adapt feels incredible to me. I've been following developments in neural networks and really want to learn more about how these systems actually work, under the hood.
In the future, I’d love to work in tech development, potentially in healthcare AI, where I feel like computing can genuinely improve lives.
This course’s focus on both theoretical foundations and practical application is exactly what I need to turn my enthusiasm into expertise
2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
Connect your academic work to your chosen course:
1. Highlight specific modules or projects you've enjoyed and what you learned
2. Mention any relevant achievements, competitions, or responsibilities
3. Explain how your studies have prepared you for university-level work.
Our advice: Go beyond listing subjects. Show us how they've shaped your thinking and prepared you for this next step.
Example: Preparing for this course or subject
Maths A-level has been crucial for developing my logical thinking and problem-solving skills. I loved the module we did around algorithms and graph theory, which directly connects to how computer systems make efficient choices. In Computer Science A-level, my project involved building a quiz application with a SQLite database. Debugging the SQL queries taught me patience and systematic thinking - skills I know I'll need at university.
I also take Physics, which has strengthened my analytical approach, especially in the mechanics units where I've had to break complex problems into smaller, manageable parts.
Last year, I took part in the UK Informatics Olympiad, which pushed me to think creatively about optimisation problems. These subjects together have shown me that computer science isn't just about coding—it's about understanding systems, thinking algorithmically, and always asking "why does this work?"
3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
University is about more than the classroom. Tell us about the whole you:
1. Work experience, volunteering, or part-time jobs
2. Hobbies, clubs, or personal projects
3. Skills you've developed - teamwork, leadership, time management
Our advice: Reflect, don't just list. Whatever you mention, tell us what you learned and why it matters for your chosen course.
Example: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
For the past year, I've been a mentor at my school’s Coding Club, teaching Python basics to Year 7 and 8 students. Explaining concepts like loops and variables to beginners has actually strengthened my own understanding, and it's incredibly rewarding when someone's face lights up after creating their first working program. It has also taught me patience and how to adapt my communication style for different learners.
I work part-time at a consumer electronics shop, which has taught me valuable customer service skills – time-keeping, politeness, teamworking, and listening to customer concerns.
In my spare time, I'm teaching myself web development and recently built a personal portfolio site using HTML and React. I also play chess, which has honed my strategic thinking and ability to plan several moves ahead - skills that translate surprisingly well to programming. These experiences have taught me a lot about self-motivation, organisation, and time management.
Before you submit:
You have 4,000 characters total (including spaces) for all three answers
Write in your own voice—be authentic
Proofread carefully and ask someone to review it
There's no "perfect" personal statement. The best one is true to you. We're excited to hear your story.
Dos and Don'ts
Personal statement "dos"
✅ Keep your statements clear and to the point, and don’t forget to make use of paragraphs. Remember, blank lines count toward your character limit.
✅ Be real, don’t exaggerate or make things up. Just be yourself.
✅ Begin working on your personal statement well in advance of the deadline, allowing ample time for drafting, revising.
✅ Seek feedback, don’t be shy in asking teachers, advisors or your parents. You will be able to get an idea on some of your best qualities which you haven’t mentioned.
✅ Stay relevant, make sure you explain the relevance of your experiences and skills to the course.
✅ Keep a copy of your personal statement for reference, as it may be used as a basis for interview questions.
✅ Proofread, double-check for any spelling or grammar mistakes. It's a good idea to write your statement in a word document first, then copy and paste it into your UCAS Hub because the system doesn't have spell check.
Personal statement "don'ts"
❌ Don’t be vague. Instead of saying, "I have been interested in (course) from a young age," explain why and how this interest began.
❌ Mention specific universities or course details. Remember the same statement will be used across your applications to different universities.
❌ Start every sentence with “I” make sure you vary your sentence structure. Just talk about one subject area if you are applying for a joint honours course, ensure you have a balanced representation of both subjects.
❌ Go over the word count - you’ve 4,000 characters, so make sure you stay within this limit.
❌ Format your text in bold, italics, or underline anything because the system will remove them automatically.
❌ Don’t copy any examples of personal statements from the internet or anywhere else – UCAS checks for plagiarism.
What's next?
Check out our range of undergraduate courses and then find out how to apply with our application guide.