Skip navigation

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: 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: Midwifery

What should you write in a personal statement for midwifery, to ensure you stand out and get a place on a midwifery course? We've asked admissions tutors to share their top dos and don'ts for midwifery personal statements, and included an example of how to write about any work experience you may have.

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

Personal statement advice: psychology

Impress admissions tutors by getting the tone of your psychology personal statement spot-on. Here are some top tips on how to do so (no reverse psychology required).

Personal statement dos and don'ts

The personal statement is your opportunity to talk about you, and why you want to enrol on a particular course. Use these easy-to-digest bullet points to help you decide what you should and shouldn’t include in your personal statement.

Personal statements for 2026 entry onwards

For students applying to university for 2026 entry, the personal statement format will be changing. Here, we'll cover what exactly is changing, why the changes are happening, and how you can support students.

Philosophy 2026 personal statement guide

Whether you’re inspired by Sartre, Noam Chomsky, or Martha Nussbaum, you’ll need to write a philosophy personal statement that’s thoughtful, reflective, and enthusiastic.

Photography 2026 personal statement guide

Whether it's an exhibition you've visited or an artist who inspires you, drawing on your photography influences is key to an impressive photography personal statement.

Physics and astronomy 2026 personal statement guide

If you’re a future physicist – or astronomer – in the making, admissions tutors say they’re looking beyond your grades for a sparkling personal statement that communicates what lights you up about the subject.

Politics 2026 personal statement guide

Why do you want to study politics? Write a personal statement that’s thoughtful, reflective, and enthusiastic if you want admissions tutors to vote for you.