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Patricka, UK Armed Forces Service leaver

Patricka Brice-Laughton has completed a HNC in Construction and the Built Environment (Civil Engineering) at Wiltshire College & University Centre and is currently in her first year at University of the West of England doing a BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management.

Personal statement advice: architecture, building and planning

If you’re applying for architecture, planning or building, admissions tutors say they need you to outline your reasons for wanting to study the course. Here’s how you do it. The built environment encompasses lots of courses and professions. As the University of Nottingham puts it, you need to 'be as specific as possible about your interests and enthusiasms'.

Personal statement advice: biology

We asked a biology admissions tutor what the secret is to writing a successful biology personal statement. Apparently, there isn't one - it’s all about genuine passion, enthusiasm and curiosity. The simple objective to writing a successful biology personal statement is to show that you understand what you're applying for, along with some evidence of your enthusiasm, and commitment to the subject.

Personal statement advice: dance

Writing a dance personal statement? We asked admissions tutors the dos and don’ts of personal statements – and that means steering clear of clichés.

Personal statement advice: engineering

Engineering admissions tutors explain why you'll need a 'personal', 'relevant' and 'reflective' personal statement if you want to tick all the right boxes.

Personal statement advice: English

Are you looking to study English literature or language at university? You'll need to pay attention to more than just your spelling and grammar, according to admissions tutors. Here's what else budding literary students will need to showcase – or avoid – in their applications.

Personal statement advice: environmental science

Passionate, concerned, or curious about environmental issues? Make sure you demonstrate this in your environmental science personal statement. Add into the mix something about yourself and your achievements or experience, and you should have a personal statement that fits the bill.

Personal statement advice: geography

Geography admissions tutors don't just want to hear about your academics, but also how you pursue your geographical interests outside of school or college.

Personal statement advice: history

Writing a personal statement for history? We asked admissions tutors what they're looking for – and it's all down to demonstrating your interest over and above the syllabus.

Personal statement advice: law

What should you write in a law personal statement? From wider reading to spot-on spelling and grammar, you'll need a personal statement that makes a convincing case. We asked admissions tutors to share their top dos and don’ts.

Personal statement advice: maths

Regardless of the subset of maths you love, demonstrating your motivation and enthusiasm for the subject is key to an impressive maths personal statement. Here are more top tips from tutors.

Personal statement advice: medicine

Aspiring to join the medical world professionally? Then you’ll need the right experience to be seriously considered for a place on a medicine course. Getting experience and researching what’s needed in your personal statement should ideally go hand in hand.

Personal statement advice: music

Writing a personal statement for music? Whether your musical interests lie in performance or music history, think engaging, detailed, and relevant to strike the right note with music admissions tutors.

Personal statement advice: nursing

Qualifying as a nurse opens up a wide and diverse range of career paths. However, the selection criteria will be quite rigorous and you need to show you fit the bill.

Personal statement advice: physics

Are you a future physicist in the making? You'll need a strong personal statement that communicates what inspires you about the subject. We spoke to physics admissions tutors to find out more: With keen competition for places on physics courses, Professor Jim Al-Khalili from the University of Surrey is looking beyond grades to select the best students