How to write a personal statement for university
4 June 2025By Amelia. A, Staff writer at Unite Students
Many students find the university application process overwhelming—especially writing a personal statement. It might seem daunting at first, but once you have a firm understanding of how to write a personal statement, the rest is a breeze.
A personal statement is a short piece of writing that students submit as part of their UCAS applications for university. It’s an opportunity for you to highlight your talents, skills, experience, and achievements to admission tutors.
The great thing about personal statements? It’s a single statement for all your course choices—so once you’ve nailed it, you don’t have to do it again (cue the collective sigh of relief).
If you’re looking for advice on how to write a good personal statement, you’ve come to the right place. This helpful guide will break it all down—what to include, how to structure it, and tips to make your statement stand out—so you can approach the process with confidence.
In this guide:
How to write a personal statement: Step-by-step
Step 1: Understand what universities are looking for
You should write your personal statement with what you think admission tutors want to see in mind. Parents, you can help here—this is where your experience in the job market can come in, as what universities look for in applicants is often similar to what employers look for in candidates.
Standout qualities like clear communication, enthusiasm, academic potential, and genuine interest can help you leave a lasting impression. And, remember, it’s all about showing—not just telling—those qualities through real examples and experiences.
Step 2: Brainstorm key experiences
Have a think about any experiences you’ve had that can be used to showcase your best skills and qualities. Parents, you can help here too by highlighting any experiences that might have been forgotten. Think volunteering, clubs, part-time jobs and the like. The experiences you discuss don’t have to be extraordinary either. Your own take on everyday experiences and what you learned from them can be powerful additions to your personal statement.
Step 3: Create a structure
Having a framework in mind can help to make writing your personal statement much easier. For example, you could follow a structure such as:
Introduction to yourself
Academic results
Work and personal experience
Conclusion
This ensures you cover all bases and leaves room for any special additions you want to make.
Step 4: Start writing
Now it’s time to confront your fear of the blank page with the only way that works—writing something. Remember, you should give an insight into what motivates you, why you’re passionate about your chosen subject, and what makes you the right fit for the course.
There’s nothing wrong with a messy first draft. In fact, we encourage it as it means you’re getting all your ideas down. Making a start is what’s important, not getting it right straight away.
Step 5: Edit and refine
This is a key step, as it helps you stick to the most impactful parts of your personal statement and get rid of any unnecessary excess. Fine-tune things like tone, spelling and grammar to ensure your document is free of any errors. This is the first impression you’ll make on admission staff, so make sure your language is polished and well-written.
You’ll also need to stick within the UCAS character limit (4,000 characters / 47 lines). To make sure your personal statement is at its best. Finally, get a parent or teacher to review it and provide feedback.
How long does it take to write a personal statement?
We recommend leaving yourself plenty of time to get your document written. It’s not likely that you’ll complete your personal statement in one sitting—most students take a few weeks with several drafts. Though it may not take that long, it can be comforting to know you don’t have to rush and have time to make edits.
For example, you could brainstorm in September, write your first draft and send it for review in October, then polish it off in November. That way, you can enjoy the festive season stress-free and submit your application well ahead of the deadline in January.
How to write a master’s personal statement
If you’re writing a personal statement for a master’s degree, you’ll want to structure your piece slightly differently from an undergraduate statement. Aim to focus on your academic background, research interests, and professional goals, with more depth applied to your specific research interests and career plans. Outline your reasons for wanting to pursue the course and discuss how it aligns with your long-term ambitions.
Here are a few key considerations when writing your master’s degree personal statement:
Why you want to do the course. Highlight why you want to study the course. Are you continuing with a specific academic interest? Is it required for your ideal career? Maybe it’s a step into a new professional area?
Why you want to study at the specific university. Explain why you’ve decided to apply for that specific institution. Reference the course itself, its modules, and any teaching styles you’re a fan of. You can even mention the university’s reputation and the campuses.
How your prior education is relevant. Your undergrad doesn’t always have to explicitly relate to your chosen master’s course, but it’s definitely worth a mention if it does. Talk about how this course can help you develop and refine the skills you learnt before.
Mention your achievements. Be sure to shout about anything you accomplished during and since your previous course. Whether you were elected student representative, were a key member of a university society, or promoted to a managerial role at your last job.
Common personal statement mistakes to avoid
There are a few things you’ll want to stay clear of when writing your personal statement. To help you stand out for the right reasons, try to avoid any of the following:
Overused phrases (e.g., “I’ve always wanted to be…” or “I love…”)
Too much personal autobiographical language, not enough subject or academic focus
Listing achievements without reflecting on them
Trying to impress without being authentic
Vague or generic statements
Too much jargon or colloquial language
Instead of doing any of the above, try to keep your language as focused and relevant as possible. Always give examples and evidence of any claims you make, even if they’re about yourself and your personal qualities and skills. That’s right, PEE (Point, Evidence, Explain) is still relevant to this day.
How parents can help their kids write their personal statement
As a parent, your child going to university is just as much of a big deal to you as it is to them. And, like all things when it comes to parenting, you’ll want to do all you can to help. But remember that it’s their journey! While you can’t do the hard work for them, there are ways you can contribute and support them.
For example:
Help your child brainstorm their strengths and experiences—you may be able to see things they don’t
Be available to read over drafts
Offer constructive feedback
Encourage a positive mindset and manage stress during deadline season
Help set up quiet time or a writing schedule if needed
Reflect back on your own experiences and offer any useful advice
Remember, your child is likely to appreciate any help and support you can give—even if it’s just leaving them alone for a while so they can focus. Supporting them from the sidelines can give them the boost they need to knock their personal statement out of the park.
FAQs
How long should a personal statement be?
According to UCAS, your personal statement should be 4,000 characters maximum, which is around two sides of A4. To make the most of your words, structure your work carefully and only include points that are relevant.
Can I use the same personal statement for different courses?
Yes, you can use the same personal statement for multiple courses, which is particularly handy if all your selected courses are related or have overlapping modules and focuses.
When should I start writing my personal statement?
It’s recommended that you start writing your personal statement as early as possible – this can be weeks or months in advance. What’s important is that you don’t leave it until the last minute, as this can cause added stress and affect the quality of what you submit.
