{"id":213638,"date":"2024-07-19T12:34:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T12:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-info\/uk-study-info-personal-statement\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T12:08:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T11:08:40","slug":"personal-statement","status":"publish","type":"gsi_study_info","link":"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-in-uk\/study-info\/personal-statement\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing a UCAS Personal Statement"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>How to write a UCAS Personal Statement<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A personal statement is part of your application to study at a <a href=\"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-in-uk\/study-info\/university-rankings\/\">UK university<\/a>. In a personal statement, the student writes about what they hope to achieve\u00a0on a <a href=\"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-in-uk\/course-search\/\">UK university course<\/a>, what they hope to do after it, and why they are applying to this particular university. It is your first chance to show a demonstrable passion and understanding of your chosen subject away from exam results.<\/p>\n<p>If you wish to begin studying in the UK in 2025, you must complete a personal statement. If you plan on studying in the UK from 2026, a new format of personal statement is being introduced by UCAS. See below for more details.<\/p>\n<div class=\"panel panel-darkboot\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Personal Statement Editing<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">SI-UK will edit your personal statement and ensure the English is clear and grammatically correct. <a href=\"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-in-uk\/free-consultation\/\">Arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London<\/a>\u00a0to learn more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>What do I include in my Personal Statement?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Your career aspirations<\/li>\n<li>How did you become interested in studying the subject<\/li>\n<li>What, if any, relevant work experience you have undertaken that is related to the\u00a0course or subject<\/li>\n<li>What aspects of your previous education you have found the most interesting<\/li>\n<li>What attracted you to the particular\u00a0university<\/li>\n<li>Other relevant academic interests and passions which display positive character and personality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Genuine experiences of extracurricular clubs, work experience, or knowledge around a subject are much more likely to make your personal statement stand out. Admissions officers are also looking for positive evidence of your character, which will make you a productive member of the university.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How long should my Personal Statement be?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The length of a personal statement varies depending on the university, but generally, the average length for <a href=\"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-in-uk\/study-options\/undergraduate\/\">an\u00a0undergraduate<\/a> application is between 400 and 600 words, around one side of A4 paper or a maximum of 47 lines. Certain <a href=\"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-in-uk\/study-options\/postgraduate\/\">postgraduate programmes<\/a> may require a 1000-word personal statement, but this will be specified.<\/p>\n<p>Try not to exceed the given character limit. Admissions officers have many personal statements to review, and a clearly written and concise personal statement is more likely to stand out.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are common Personal Statement errors?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The personal statement is too short\/long<\/li>\n<li>The personal statement does not include important information\/includes negative information<\/li>\n<li>The personal statement has a confusing structure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is also important not to lie about any aspect of your personal life and education history or even exaggerate. Admissions officers will question you about almost all aspects of your application and will be able to see through any lies.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Tips for writing a Personal Statement<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Express a passion for your\u00a0subject<\/li>\n<li>Start the statement strongly to grab attention<\/li>\n<li>Link outside interests and passions to your course<\/li>\n<li>Be honest, but don\u2019t include negative information<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t attempt to sound too clever<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t leave it until the last minute; prepare ahead of the deadline<\/li>\n<li>Have friends and family proofread it<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t duplicate material from your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-in-uk\/study-info\/supporting-documents\/\">CV\/resume<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In terms of presentation, attempt to create five clear paragraphs of text in a clear font such as Arial or Times New Roman, with a maximum size of 12.<\/p>\n<h2>Personal Statement Changes<\/h2>\n<p>Starting from September 2025, the traditional UCAS personal statement will be replaced by three mandatory questions. The new questions will be:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Why do you want to study this course or subject?<\/li>\n<li>How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this course or subject?<\/li>\n<li>What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences helpful?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>If you have any questions about how the changes may affect your application to study in the UK, do not hesitate to <a href=\"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-in-uk\/free-consultation\/\">contact the SI-UK<\/a> team today.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Personal Statement Editing with SI-UK<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Once you have completed your personal statement, <a href=\"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-in-uk\/free-consultation\/\">arrange a free consultation<\/a> with SI-UK London. We can edit your personal statement and ensure the English is clear and grammatically correct. Once this process is complete, we will return it within 1-3 working days.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/study-in-uk\/free-consultation\/\"><button class=\"btn btn-primary btn-lg btn-dkblue\" type=\"button\">Contact SI-UK about your application<\/button><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Personal Statement FAQ<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div id=\"accordionExample\" class=\"accordion\">\n<div class=\"card panel panel-default\">\n<div id=\"headingFive\" class=\"panel-heading\">\n<h4 class=\"panel-title\"><strong><a class=\"btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseFive\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseFive\">What should you avoid in a UCAS personal statement?<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapseFive\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingFive\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\n<div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p>Applicants should avoid misspellings and grammar errors and discuss topics unrelated to their application and character.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card panel panel-default\">\n<div id=\"headingSix\" class=\"panel-heading\">\n<h4 class=\"panel-title\"><strong><a class=\" btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseSix\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseSix\">Do universities read personal statements?<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapseSix\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingSix\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\n<div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p>Yes, universities read UCAS personal statements, and they play a major factor when shortlisting candidates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card panel panel-default\">\n<div id=\"headingSeven\" class=\"panel-heading\">\n<h4 class=\"panel-title\"><strong><a class=\"btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseSeven\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseSeven\">What happens if you lie in your personal statement?<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapseSeven\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingSeven\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\n<div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p>If you lie on your UCAS personal statement, your application will be rejected, and any offers will be revoked.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card panel panel-default\">\n<div id=\"headingEight\" class=\"panel-heading\">\n<h4 class=\"panel-title\"><strong><a class=\"btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseEight\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseEight\">What happens if UCAS detects similarities in your personal statement?<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapseEight\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingEight\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\n<div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p>If UCAS detects similarities in your personal statement, it will be flagged for review, and your university choices will be notified while it is under review.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card panel panel-default\">\n<div id=\"headingNine\" class=\"panel-heading\">\n<h4 class=\"panel-title\"><strong><a class=\"btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseNine\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseNine\">Does UCAS tell you if you&#8217;ve been rejected?<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapseNine\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingNine\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\n<div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p>UCAS will notify you if your UCAS application has been rejected. You may also receive an email from the university stating why your application has been rejected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"card panel panel-default\">\n<div id=\"headingTen\" class=\"panel-heading\">\n<h4 class=\"panel-title\"><strong><a class=\"btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseNine\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseTen\">What happens if you make a mistake on your UCAS application?<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"collapseTen\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingTen\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\n<div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p>Once your UCAS application has been submitted, it cannot be changed. So, before submitting, make sure you proofread your application or get it proofread by someone else to make it error-free.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Personal Statement Example<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Please see below for an example of a personal statement to a Development Studies course.<\/p>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"\/\/static.studyin-uk.com\/assets\/images\/personal-statement-sample-only.png\"  width=\"850\" height=\"590\" \/><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tips and advice for international students on how to write and structure a UCAS personal statement for UK university applications.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false},"study_country":[1140],"class_list":["post-213638","gsi_study_info","type-gsi_study_info","status-publish","hentry","study_country-study-in-uk"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gsi_study_info\/213638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gsi_study_info"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/gsi_study_info"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=213638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"study_country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gostudyin-dev.com\/nigeria\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/study_country?post=213638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}