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CONTENTS

1. What to include

2. What not to include

3. What to remember before you start

What to include

One of the most important parts of your university application is your personal statement. Knowing what to include will help your chances of earning a place on your ideal course and help you stand out from other applicants.

Include the following when crafting your personal statement:

• Why you want a place on the course
• Your career aspirations and how your chosen subject fits into these. If you’re still unsure on your future career goals, give an idea of what you’d like to move into after graduating
• Your qualities and experiences, with proof of how you've shown them or gained them
• Examples of any relevant work, volunteering or academic experience to support your claims. Identify what you took away from each experience and link it to why you’ve chosen to apply for the subject
• Other examples of learning and growth to support your claims. Include extracurricular activities and achievements. This shows unis that you’re willing to engage with other aspects of the university experience beyond your studies
• List any sponsorships or placements you've acquired or applied for. Explain how they will help your career goals
• If English isn't your first language, describe any chances you've had to use it. For example, attending an English-speaking school or working in an English-speaking environment
• Details of your gap year, if you plan to take one, and how it contributes to your interest in your chosen subject
• The challenges you have faced, the positive ways you have handled them, and the lessons they have taught you
• Use positive language, especially in describing your experience. It should show why you want to study your chosen subject
• Words and sentences in active voice, such as ‘I intend to...’, ‘I strongly believe that...’ and ‘My future career aspirations include...’

Amanda is one of the senior Paramedic Science lecturers at the University of Brighton. She shared with us what she expects students to include in their personal statement:

Consider the subjects you're studying and their relevance to the course you're applying for. Demonstrate research into any professional bodies associated within the field you're applying for (if relevant). Articulate your preparedness for undergraduate study or awareness of the differences between college and university, in terms of study and level of expectations. Explain what's been learned from your experiences and how this will help with your future career aspirations.

Amanda Blaber, Senior Lecturer at the University of Brighton, Honorary Fellow of the College of Paramedics, and Senior Fellow Advance HE (Higher Education Academy)

What not to include

You don’t need to include everything in your personal statement. You only have 4,000 characters and 47 lines to work with, so keep your writing clear and concise.

Avoid including:

• Plagiarised content, under any circumstances. All personal statements are scanned by detection software – if you’ve used someone else’s work, your offers can be withdrawn
• Words that make you sound too clever or gimmicky – there’s no guarantee that admissions tutors will understand your humour
• Waffle or padding – only include relevant information
• Quotations or quirky language – unless it’s relevant and makes sense based on the qualities you’re describing
• Avoid mentioning specific universities or courses. You'll use the same personal statement for all your applications
• Listing your qualifications – unis will already have this information, so there’s no need to use up space listing them again
• Additional papers to UCAS – these can be sent directly to the universities you’re applying to, with your UCAS application number attached
• Anything that might come across as immature or that you can’t sensibly talk about in an interview
• Excuses about why you haven’t been able to gain relevant experience