How to Write a Personal Statement

When you’re applying to university in the UK, your personal statement, a written essay submitted through UCAS that explains why you’re a good fit for your chosen course. Also known as a statement of purpose, it’s often the only chance you get to speak directly to admissions staff. It’s not a resume. It’s not a list of grades. It’s your story—why you care about the subject, what you’ve done to explore it, and how you’ll bring something real to the classroom.

Universities don’t want generic answers. They’ve read a thousand versions of "I’ve loved science since I was five." They want to see critical thinking, the ability to reflect on experiences and connect them to academic goals. Did you read a book that changed how you saw history? Did you volunteer and notice a gap in community support? Did you fix a broken gadget and wonder how it worked? Those moments matter more than any trophy. Your UCAS personal statement, the official form used by all UK universities to collect applicant essays has a strict 4,000-character limit. That’s about 47 lines. Every word needs to pull weight. No fluff. No clichés. No quoting Shakespeare unless you can explain why it actually relates to your chosen degree.

Many students think they need to sound like a professor. You don’t. You need to sound like yourself—curious, honest, and a little bit passionate. If you’re applying for psychology, talk about why you noticed how people react in group settings. If it’s engineering, mention the time you redesigned your bike to stop squeaking. The best personal statements aren’t polished. They’re personal. They show you’ve thought about your future, not just your grades. And they prove you understand what the course actually involves—not just what it looks like on a website.

You’ll find posts here that cover everything from how to structure your opening paragraph to how to avoid the most common mistakes that get applications rejected. Some posts dig into how to turn everyday experiences into compelling examples. Others show you how to tailor your statement for different courses—because a biology personal statement shouldn’t sound like a literature one. There’s advice on how to edit it down, how to get feedback without losing your voice, and even how to handle gaps or lower grades without sounding defensive. This isn’t about writing the perfect essay. It’s about writing the right one—the one that makes someone say, "I want to meet this person."

Below, you’ll find real, practical guides from students who’ve been there—no theory, no fluff, just what works when you’re up against the deadline with a cup of tea and a nervous heart.