PS Archives - UK Study Options

New UCAS Personal Statement Format for 2026

26 November 2024

In a move designed to simplify and better support students’ university applications, UCAS is rolling out a new personal statement structure for students applying to UK universities starting in 2026.

The traditional, open-ended essay format has been replaced by a structured set of six targeted questions, allowing students to better showcase their academic drive, relevant experience, and unique qualities.

This change has been made to reduce the stress of writing a compelling narrative from scratch while ensuring admissions tutors receive clearer, more comparable insights into applicants’ suitability for their chosen courses.

Why Has the UCAS Personal Statement Changed?

According to UCAS, feedback from students, teachers, and admissions tutors highlighted that the old format often felt overwhelming and ambiguous. Many students were unsure of what to include or how best to structure their statement, sometimes leading to generic or formulaic essays. By shifting to a structured format with six defined questions, the new approach aims to make the application process more accessible, equitable, and reflective of each applicant’s unique strengths and aspirations.

This change is particularly beneficial for students from a wide range of backgrounds who may have found the previous format daunting. Now, all applicants have a clearer guide to follow, levelling the playing field.

The Six Key Questions: What They Mean and How to Answer Them

Each of the six questions has a specific focus, allowing applicants to address different aspects of their preparedness for university. Here’s a breakdown:

Motivation for Choosing the Course
This question encourages applicants to discuss why they are passionate about the subject. It’s an opportunity to convey enthusiasm and dedication. Admissions tutors want to see genuine interest, so applicants should provide specific examples, such as experiences, books, or influential figures that sparked their interest.
Relevant Academic Preparation
Here, students are asked to outline any academic experiences that directly prepare them for the course. This might include specific school subjects, projects, or even additional studies undertaken outside of school, such as online courses. Highlighting academic preparation shows commitment and readiness for the course’s academic demands.
Skills and Competencies
This section allows applicants to discuss any subject-specific skills that will be beneficial to their chosen field of study. For instance, a student applying for a science course might highlight their analytical abilities, while an aspiring writer could mention their proficiency in written communication. Focusing on these skills helps applicants illustrate how they are well-suited to the course requirements.
Personal Achievements Outside of Academics
Not all accomplishments happen in the classroom! This question provides applicants with a platform to share personal achievements that may not be directly related to their academic studies but demonstrate character, resilience, or dedication. Involvement in sports, volunteering, or creative projects can all help to paint a fuller picture of the student.
Preparedness for University Life
Transitioning to university is a major step. This question invites students to reflect on how ready they are for the independence and responsibility that come with university life. Examples might include time management skills, financial planning, or experiences living away from home, all of which show maturity and self-sufficiency.
Personal Qualities and Attributes
Finally, students can use this section to showcase the unique attributes they will bring to the university community. From being a team player to showing leadership skills, this is where applicants can highlight characteristics that make them stand out. It’s a chance to show how they will contribute positively to university culture.

How to Approach Writing the New Personal Statement

The new structure offers a more guided approach, which can be both a relief and a challenge. Here are some tips for making the most of the new format:

Be Specific and Authentic: Avoid clichés and general statements. Admissions tutors appreciate honesty and authenticity, so use specific examples to answer each question.
Reflect Deeply: Each question is designed to prompt thoughtful reflection, so take the time to consider what each answer reveals about your readiness and interest in your chosen course.
Seek Feedback Early: Share your responses with teachers, mentors, or parents. A second opinion can provide insights you might not have considered.
Use Each Question to Build Your Story: Although the statement is now segmented, each response should still contribute to a cohesive narrative about who you are as a student and why you’re the right fit for the course.

What This Change Means for University Applicants

The new question-led format benefits students who may feel daunted by the idea of crafting a single essay that effectively “sells” them as an ideal candidate. By focusing on individual questions, applicants can avoid the pitfalls of writer’s block and confidently tackle each topic with targeted responses.

For international and domestic students alike, this structured approach means they can now showcase relevant experiences in a way that is comparable across applicants, making it easier for admissions tutors to understand each candidate’s unique strengths and qualifications.

The Role of Support Services in Crafting the Perfect Personal Statement

Despite this more structured format, many students will still need guidance on how to answer these questions effectively. At UK Study Options, we offer personalised support to help students make the most of their personal statement. Our expert team can guide applicants through each question, helping them choose the most relevant examples, structure their responses, and ensure they meet the expectations of university admissions.

Whether you’re looking for tips on motivation, academic preparation, or discussing your unique qualities, UK Study Options is here to support you every step of the way. Get in contact today.

Expert Personal Statement Services

30 August 2024

A good personal statement can be the key to making a lasting impression on university admissions teams. At UK Study Options, we offer tailored personal statement services that can help you craft a narrative that reflects your unique strengths, experiences, and aspirations.

Why the Personal Statement Matters

The personal statement is a crucial component of your university application in the UK. It’s your chance to go beyond the numbers and show the admissions committee who you are as an individual. This document provides you with the opportunity to explain why you’re passionate about your chosen field of study, how your experiences have shaped your academic and career goals, and what makes you an ideal candidate for the programme.

A well-crafted personal statement can be the difference between a successful application and one that gets overlooked. It allows you to highlight your achievements, discuss any challenges you’ve overcome, and demonstrate your readiness for university-level study. With the fierce competition for places at top UK universities, investing time and effort into your personal statement is essential.

UK Study Options: Expert Guidance at Every Step

At UK Study Options, we understand how daunting the personal statement can be. That’s why we offer comprehensive support to help you articulate your story in the most impactful way. Our team of experts, who have extensive experience in the UK higher education system, will guide you through every step of the process.

Personalised Consultation: We start with a one-on-one consultation to understand your background, academic interests, and career aspirations. This initial discussion allows us to tailor our advice to your specific needs and ensure that your personal statement reflects your unique voice.
Strategic Planning: Crafting a personal statement isn’t just about writing; it’s about strategy. We help you identify the key themes and experiences that will resonate most with admissions committees. Our team will work with you to create a structure that flows logically and keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
Drafting and Feedback: Writing a compelling personal statement takes time and revision. We provide detailed feedback on your drafts, focusing on everything from content and tone to grammar and syntax. Our goal is to help you refine your statement until it’s polished and persuasive.
Final Review: Before you submit your application, we conduct a final review to ensure that your personal statement is error-free and aligns with the expectations of the universities you’re applying to. This last step is crucial in ensuring that your application stands out for all the right reasons.

Why Choose UK Study Options?

Choosing UK Study Options means partnering with professionals who are dedicated to helping you succeed. Our personalised approach ensures that your personal statement isn’t just another generic essay but a powerful reflection of your individuality and potential. Here’s why students trust us with their university applications:

Expertise in UK Admissions: Our consultants have a deep understanding of the UK university admissions process and know what it takes to impress admissions committees.
Tailored Support: We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every personal statement we help create is customised to highlight your unique experiences and aspirations.
Comprehensive Services: From brainstorming ideas to final edits, we’re with you every step of the way. Our services are designed to alleviate the stress of application writing and give you the confidence to submit a standout personal statement.
Proven Success: Our track record speaks for itself. Many of our clients have gained admission to prestigious UK universities, thanks in part to the powerful personal statements we helped them craft.

Start Your Journey Today

If you’re ready to take the next step towards your academic future, UK Study Options is here to help. Don’t let the pressure of writing a personal statement hold you back. With our expert guidance, you can present yourself as a compelling candidate who is ready to make a mark in your chosen field.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your university application process. Your path to a UK university starts here, and we’re excited to be part of your journey.

Personal Statement Essentials – What you need to know

21 August 2019

The Personal Statement is an important part of your application to any UK university which you submit through UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). It must meet quite specific criteria and plays a major role in determining whether your application is successful or not. Here we spell out what it is, what it should contain, how it’s used by Admissions teams and more.

Why is the personal statement important?

The personal statement is a very important part of the UCAS application. You may believe that you are only one of a handful of students applying for a course with a particular set of examination grades and predictions. But the reality is that there are lots of other, equally able candidates, all wanting one of the limited number of places. The Admissions Tutor for an oversubscribed course needs a way of deciding which applicants most deserve an offer and a carefully considered and well written statement is needed to help you stand out from the crowd.

The personal statement is likely to be the only communication that you as an individual have with an Admissions Tutor. Most courses do not interview applicants and it is likely to be your only opportunity to show that you are an interesting person who is genuinely interested in the course they are responsible for.

Who reads the personal statement?

Although some UCAS forms are processed by a centralized admissions department, most personal statements for competitive courses are read by a tutor in the department to which you are applying. Admissions tutors will be actively involved in both the research and teaching that takes place in the department. In other words, you must assume that your statement will be read by an expert in the field who is looking for students who share their enthusiasm for the subject and that they will enjoy teaching.

When are personal statements read and how are they used?

The primary role of a personal statement is to help admissions tutors differentiate between candidates of similar academic ability and decide who they will make offers to. They are read (together with the rest of the information on the form) when the UCAS application is sent to the university. Many admissions departments will consider applications as soon as they arrive and make offers immediately – others will wait until they have a batch of applications.

Sometimes statements are used to decide which candidates to call for interview. This is especially true of Oxford and Cambridge who interview all applicants before making any offers. Personal statements may also be used to generate questions at interview. Be warned – anything you claim to have read or be interested in is fair game for Admissions Tutors to quiz you about.

Sometimes statements are used to reject candidates outright – especially if they are poorly written and contain grammatical and spelling mistakes.

The personal statement can also make a difference much later on in the UCAS process, after offers have been made and accepted and examination results known. If an applicant has narrowly missed the required grades (and there are still places available to be allocated) Admissions Tutors may look again at the personal statements to decide whom to give those remaining places to.

Why write your personal statement early?

It is important to start early – good students redraft their statements many times until they are satisfied. Keep in mind the deadline for your application – October 15th (Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science) or January 25th (most other courses). You will also need to work to any deadlines set by your school. Teachers and UCAS referees do not have an unlimited amount of free time available to check your statement – help yourself by ensuring that they receive your statement in plenty of time.

Many admissions departments look through applications and make offers well before the official deadlines – it is in your interest to apply early while there is still a full complement of offers available. In addition, early applications show organization, good time management and enthusiasm – qualities that university students need and that you are trying to demonstrate.

As the official UCAS deadlines approach admissions tutors are inundated with a rush of applications – you want your application to cross their desk well before this, so that they have more time to carefully consider your application.

How long should the statement be?

The electronic UCAS application form allows you 4,000 characters, including spaces, which is about the same as one side of A4 paper. You should draft your statement in word and then copy and paste the finished article into your UCAS Hub account. There is no spell-check facility on the UCAS form so it is essential that you have checked and double checked your statement for spelling and grammatical errors.

Many students try to use complex language in order to impress Admissions Tutors but good writing is often concise and it can be more useful for you to use the limited space by putting your points across directly and simply. Be careful not to waste any of the valuable space by including information that is already available to the admissions tutor elsewhere on the application (e.g. details of A-levels being studied.)

Can I write more than one personal statement?

No, you are only allowed to write one statement for all five course choices. This is relatively simple if you are applying for the same single honours course at all five choices but becomes more problematic if you are applying for slightly different courses – the skill here is to identify and focus on the common ground between the courses and then provide evidence that you are a suitable candidate to study these elements. With joint honours courses you will need to show that you are equally interested in both subjects.

If you are applying for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or Dentistry you are only allowed four choices for these courses and a fifth back up choice that is usually for a related subject but can be for something completely different. For these applicants the personal statement must be purely directed to the Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry course and needs to be much more work experience based than the majority of statements. Most ‘fifth’ choice admissions tutors are happy to accept a statement that is clearly aimed at one of these ‘early entry’ courses, but this may not always be the case and you should always check with individual institutions. (Some may ask for a separate statement to be sent to them directly.)

What about plagiarism?

UCAS check each incoming personal statement (via their similarity detection software) against a library of personal statements previously submitted to UCAS. They also sample statements collected from a variety of other sources. If your statement is found to have enough similarities to any other, then UCAS will contact your universities to inform them that they suspect you have copied your statement. The decision about what action, if any, to take regarding cases of plagiarism rests with the Admissions Tutors at individual institutions.

Lots of students look at statements that have been used before, either from friends or from websites – this is fine for research purposes, but your statement MUST be an original piece of writing and your own work.

Needless to say, your UCAS personal statement is a very specific piece of writing so it’s worth taking the time to understand its purpose, how it is used, who reads it and any specific requirements, such as character limit. Once you have a good understanding of this then it’s time to start crafting the content.

As ex Admissions Officers for top UK universities, the UKSO team know well what makes an excellent personal statement and we are experts in coaching students to write compelling, competitive and successful statements. Read about out Personal Statement Package to see how we can help you succeed.