Starting your UCAS personal statement might be the most difficult part but once you have decided on your introduction, getting the structure of the UCAS personal statement right is equally important.
UCAS Personal Statement structure matters.
You have 4,000 characters (with spaces) and 47 lines to demonstrate your passion for the course you have chosen, skills that you possess that suit the course and the personal interests and achievements that you will bring with you to the university of your choice. It is much shorter than your average A’level essay, and how you write it, may determine whether you are successful in your application. Therefore getting it right, matters!
Think of it as being like an essay, with an introduction, a conclusion, and the paragraphs in between building on the main theme (which is your course, you, and why you are perfect for it). Each paragraph will contain a sub topic of your overall statement. The paragraphs most directly related to your chosen course should ideally be at the beginning and then gradually work your way to the more personal paragraphs about your skills and achievements at the end. However, all should in some way or another relate to the golden thread of your course and why you are choosing it.
Tips for a rough structure.
A rough structure for your UCAS Personal Statement could be:
- An Introduction – Be original and relate it your chosen course. This could be details of a topic that you have enjoyed studying. Be knowledgeable and demonstrate the passion and joy for what you are writing about.
- Paragraph 2 – Your reasons for choosing the course and connect them to the introduction.
- Paragraph 3 – Areas of academic strength and interest. What have you enjoyed studying in your A’level courses and what do you look forward to developing. What are your particular areas of academic strength that you will bring with you to the course. This might be your analytical skills or ability to make an argument, or your data handling or precision skills.
- Paragraph 4 – Your academic experience outside of normal lessons. Any talks, visits or workshops that you have attended related to your course or maybe open days or residentials at universities or other educational institutions?
- Paragraph 5 – Volunteering or work experience connected to your course. It might be directly related. For example, a hospital placement if you’re applying for a healthcare course, or working in a school if applying for teaching. Or it could be indirectly related. For example, if you have worked in a restaurant you will have picked up marketing or customer relations skills and these will be useful when applying for a variety of courses.
- Paragraph 6 – Achievements in school. Are you a prefect or in the school choir? When you think about it, you will have achieved much more than you thought at first. What skills have you acquired through these accomplishments?
- Paragraph 7 – Extra-curricular achievements and interests. What do you do when you’re not at school? Often your school or tutor might not know, so it’s up to you to make sure that they do. This could be something very obvious like playing in a sports team, but it could be less obvious, like caring for an elderly family member or walking your neighbour’s dog. These activities will convey a great deal about you.
- Conclusion – This could be your chance to mention any personal obstacles that you have had to overcome and how you see your future and this next stage of your life.
When writing your personal statement, remember that it is personal to you, and is your own statement about why you are applying for your chosen course.
Here at www.studentnavigator.co.uk we offer guidance and advice in writing a personal statement and making your UCAS application.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you produce the ideal UCAS Personal Statement structure.