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How to write your personal statement: 2026 entry

Applying for university or college to start your studies in 2026? Find out more about the changes to the personal statement format and tips on what to include.

What is a personal statement?

Your personal statement is a chance to get noticed for the unique talents and experiences you have. It’s an important part of the application process as it’s an opportunity to talk about yourself and your passions, outside of your grades.

We’re going to talk you through how to make the most of the 4,000 characters and write a personal statement that stands out.

Has the personal statement format changed?

You may have heard that the personal statement has changed from one longer piece of text to three separate questions. 

The three questions will help you to scaffold your answers and ensure you include exactly what universities and colleges want to see, to help you succeed in your applications. Each answer will have a minimum character count of 350 characters, which is clearly labelled on the question boxes, along with an overall character counter, so you can keep track. The 4,000 overall character limit (including spaces) remains the same, as does what you're expected to include. 

How to write your personal statement | 2026 UCAS applications

How to write your personal statement

Take a look at our top tips to help you start thinking about how to tackle your answers to the three personal statement questions.

More personal statement guidance

There's no right or wrong answer
There's no 'wrong' place to include information in your answers, so just make sure your evidence is included where you feel it is relevant...and don't panic about whether it should be in your answer for question 2 or 3!

Your answers will be reviewed as one
Admissions staff will still review your personal statement as a whole, so remember not to repeat information - focus on making your evidence relevant and specific to the subject you're applying to.

Maximising the character count limit
You can use the 4,000 character count limit across all answers in any way you choose, and the amount you write for each question can vary depending on your chosen course or experience.

The new personal statement questions

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

This is your opportunity to showcase your passion and knowledge of your chosen subject area and to demonstrate to universities and colleges why it’s a good fit for you and your future ambitions.

Examples of what you might talk about here are:

  • Your motivations for studying this course(s)

    Have you been inspired by a key role model or moment in your life? Maybe it’s a subject you love and want to pursue further. We’re all driven by something and it’s important to talk about how yours has led you to this course or subject area.

  • Your knowledge of this subject area and interests

    Perhaps there’s a particular subject area you’ve researched and can’t wait to learn more about. A book or subject expert doing great things that have sparked your interest? Universities and colleges want to see you have done your research so they can be confident this is something you will enjoy and excel in. This is a great place to highlight super-curricular activities as evidence of curiosity and interest in the subject outside of the classroom. 

  • Your future plans and why this is a good fit for you

    If you already have a particular profession in mind you could talk about how you’ll use this to launch your career. If you don’t, think about what’s important to you and your future, and how the knowledge gained from your chosen course(s) will help you achieve this.

Here are some more examples for this section:

  • Personal life experiences e.g. being a carer, the environment where you grew up or lived, an inspirational friend, colleague or family member, a book you read, a news article or blog/vlog, a YouTube video, a podcast, a show you saw, subject tasters
  • Understanding of the area and the qualities you might need to succeed in it – research into the course/area

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

This is your chance to shout about the relevant or transferable skills you’ve gained from your formal education and highlight your understanding of how they will help you succeed in this subject area.

Examples of what you might talk about here are:

  • How your studies or training relate to your chosen course(s) or subject area
    This could be current or previous studies within a school, college, training provider, or even a short online university course – any form of formal education. The main thing here is to focus on what’s most recent and relevant to your chosen course(s). If you are no longer in full-time education, use section three to talk about your experiences since leaving.
  • What relevant or transferable skills you have that make you a great candidate
    Maybe there are a couple of subjects that have helped you develop a core set of skills required for your chosen course(s). Or, a particular module that helped you understand where your interests and strengths lie.
  • Any relevant educational achievements
    Universities and colleges will see your grades elsewhere on your application so don’t waste time talking about these. Consider accomplishments like winning a school or national competition, serving as a student ambassador or team captain, or landing the lead role in a play.

Here are some more examples for this section:

  • Specific modules or topics
  • Essays or projects that explore a particular view point or technique
  • EPQ – Extended Project Qualification
  • School, local, or national competitions e.g. UKMT
  • Private lessons and qualifications e.g. music, stage school or sports if relevant to the course
  • Tutoring or mentoring
  • Online courses leading to a qualification

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

This is your chance to talk about any other activities you have undertaken outside of your formal education or personal experiences which further demonstrate your suitability for the course. This section is likely to be highly personal to you and anything you do include should reflect on why you’re including it.

Examples of what you might talk about here are:

  • Work experience, employment, or volunteering
    Whether it’s in-person work experience at your local school or virtual work experience through Springpod, or volunteering at a dog shelter, the key thing here is for you to reflect on your experiences and the skills gained relevant to your chosen course.
  • Personal life experiences or responsibilities
    Is there a situation you’ve personally overcome that has influenced your decision? Are there responsibilities such as caring for a family member that has helped you develop essential qualities for the course like resilience and empathy?
  • Hobbies and any extracurricular or outreach activities
    Think sports, reading, community work, summer schools – any activities outside of your studies that help further showcase why you’d make a great student.
  • Achievements outside of school or college
    This could be a position of responsibility such as captain for your local club, a musical achievement, competition you won, or a qualification you’ve attained outside of the classroom.
  • Post-education activities
    If you’re no longer in full-time education, it’s a good idea to detail what you’ve been doing since and how this has equipped you with the skills and qualities for your desired course(s).

Here are some more examples for this section:

  • Extra and super-curriculars
  • Volunteering
  • Personal life experiences e.g. caring for a family member, overcoming a challenge
  • Young enterprise
  • Work experience
  • Job/employment – part-time or full-time
  • Work-based learning/CPD
  • Shadowing
  • Online learning activities e.g. Springpod, MOOCs etc.
  • Tutoring
  • Trips and visits (online or in person) e.g. Museums, exhibitions, galleries, sites of historic interest, relevant sites connected to your course e.g. magistrate courts for law etc.
  • Podcasts, TED talks, documentaries etc.
  • Duke of Edinburgh/Duke of York awards
Students using laptops in classroom

Subject-specific personal statement guides

Looking for more subject-specific guidance for your personal statement? Packed with relevant and accessible examples, our personal statement guides will give you an extra helping hand when it comes to understanding what to include, and how to evidence your skills in your answers.

Personal statement guides

Getting started: Things to think about

Here are a few questions you can answer to help you get started:

  1. Why have you chosen this course?
  2. What excites you about the subject?
  3. Is my previous or current study relevant to the course?
  4. Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  5. What life experiences have you had that you could talk about?
  6. What achievements are you proud of?
  7. What skills do you have that make you perfect for the course?
  8. What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Using AI and ChatGPT with your personal statement

If you're not already using ChatGPT or other AI tools, you've probably heard about them. But should they be used to help with your UCAS personal statement? Is it cheating? Or can they be helpful in crafting your personal statement?

Our guidance will help you understand how best to use ChatGPT and AI when tackling your personal statement, with some handy do's and don'ts. 

ChatGPT and AI tools guidance

Studentslaptopuni

Personal statement checklist

Not sure where to start? Use this checklist to guide you through writing your personal statement. By following this checklist, you'll be well on your way to creating a personal statement that truly represents you and your aspirations.

 

 

 

What universities and colleges are looking for

When reading your personal statement, admissions tutors are looking for evidence that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about the subject area you’re looking to study further and have the relevant skills, experiences, and potential to be a great student. 

Helen Bousfield-Myatt
HE Admissions Team Leader, Hartpury University and College

When we consider an application we want to understand why someone has applied for the course, what interests them about it, and what inspires them to pursue education and a career in this area. An applicant is more than a set of qualifications; of equal importance is what they do outside of their studies. We use the personal statement to understand this.

Dos and dont's

Dos

  • Do talk about why you’re a good candidate – talk about you, your motivations and what brings you to this course.
  • Do be enthusiastic – if you show you’re interested in the course, it may help you get a place.
  • Do make it relevant. Connect what you’re saying with the course and with your experiences.
  • Do outline your ideas clearly.
  • Do avoid the negatives – highlight the positives about you, and show you know your strengths.
  • Do expect to produce several drafts of your personal statement before being totally happy with it.
  • Do ask people you trust for their feedback.

Don'ts

  • Don’t be modest or shy. You want your passions to come across.
  • Don’t exaggerate – if you do, you may get caught out in an interview when asked to elaborate on an interesting achievement.
  • Don’t use quotes from someone else, or cliches.
  • Don’t leave it to the last minute – your statement will seem rushed and important information could be left out.
  • Don’t let spelling and grammatical errors spoil your statement, but don't just rely on a spellchecker. Proofread as many times as possible.
  • Don’t copy and paste – make yours original.
  • Don’t post your personal statement on the internet or on social media or share your personal statement with anyone including your friends and family, unless asking for feedback from people you trust.
  • Don’t worry about it – we have all the advice you need to help you stand out in your personal statement. 
Personal Statement Dos and Don'ts

Admissions and student personal statement tips | 2026 UCAS applications

The new personal statement

Head of Admissions Sally Rutterford and students Millie and Nawal share their insights and advice for the new personal statement format.