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How to write a personal statement

The personal statement is your chance to describe your ambitions, skills, and experience to uni admissions staff – find out what to write, and how to write it.

Applying to university

Find out when to apply, how to fill in your application, write your personal statement, and get a reference – and then what happens after your apply.

Personal statement advice: philosophy

Have you chosen to study philosophy? Then you’ll need to write a personal statement that’s thoughtful, reflective, and enthusiastic. Admissions tutors give us their top tips below:

Personal statement advice: politics

Have you chosen to study politics? Then you’ll need to write a personal statement that’s thoughtful, reflective, and enthusiastic. Admissions tutors give us their top tips below:

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.

Computer Science

Are you a world-changer? Whether it’s finance, health, the creative industries or sport, the study of computer science helps build the technology that fuels big leaps forward.

Doing research

Useful tools to help you think about what to do after your GCSEs or National 5s, including info about post-16 qualifications, and advice on different careers.

Drama and theatre studies 2026 personal statement guide

Whether you want to be writing plays or acting them out, admissions tutors are looking for evidence of your enthusiasm for drama and theatre studies that extends beyond the curriculum, and for your unique personality to come across in your personal statement.

How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber

The personal statement is your opportunity to talk about you, and why you want to enrol on a particular course. But how do you start it strongly? Read our advice below on what to include, what not to do, and how to approach it.