UCAS, or Universities and College Admission Services, requires candidates to submit a personal statement, which is an essential component of their UCAS applications. The statement is intended to allow students to demonstrate their unique qualities, notable experiences, and skills.
If you are looking for some genuine advice for writing a winning UCAS personal statement, look no further! Read on for key tips on writing a compelling personal statement to better your chances of admission.
How does a UCAS personal statement help in the admissions process?
The UCAS personal statement is an essential admission document that determines whether an application is approved or declined. It is thus critical to craft the statement in such a way that it makes a lasting impact on the college’s admissions committee.
In essence, this is a student’s golden opportunity to demonstrate their keen interest in the subject and persuade the evaluators.
Importance of UCAS personal statement
The UCAS personal statement is a 4000-character document that helps you demonstrate that you are the right fit for the undergraduate course you are applying for.
While the application includes basic information such as academic scores, this personal statement goes a little deeper to help your application stand out and persuade the academic committee to award you an acceptance letter.
UCAS Personal Statement – New Format
UCAS has revised the personal statement format which now is divided into 3 distinct sections. Each section has a specific question that needs to be addressed. Every section must be at least 350 characters long and the total of all three should not exceed 4000 characters. You can find many helpful tips and guidance on the UCAS official webpage.
Here’s a breakdown of the three sections along with suggestions on what to include:
1. Why are you interested in this course or subject?
Focus on your passion, motivation, relevant skills, and how the course aligns with your future goals.
What to write:
✅ “I am captivated by genetics and explored my interest through a self-initiated project on Genetic Modelling, which deepened my understanding of the subject.”
Why it works: Clearly shows passion, initiative, and a direct connection to the subject.
❌ “I like genetics because it seems interesting, and I think it could be useful for my future.”
Why It fails: Vague and lacks depth about specific interests or efforts.
Relevant Skills and Experience
✅ “During my internship at Sun Pharma Ltd, I applied theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, enhancing my understanding of genetics in practical scenarios.”
Why it works: Demonstrates hands-on experience and its relevance to the course.
❌ “I had an internship at Sun Pharma where I worked on different tasks and learnt a few things about genetics.”
Why It fails: Too generic and doesn’t highlight specific contributions or skills.
Career Goals
✅ “This course will equip me with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career as a Genetic Counsellor, aligning with my long-term goals in healthcare.”
Why it works: Connects the course to clear career aspirations.
❌ “I want to take this course because it will help me get a good job in the future.”
Why It fails: Lacks specificity and insight into career objectives.
2. How have your academic qualifications prepared you for this course?
This section should highlight your academic foundation, relevant projects, and skills gained.
What to Write:
✅ “My A-level coursework on chemical reactions strengthened my laboratory skills, preparing me for the hands-on requirements of this program.”
Why it works: Demonstrates a clear academic connection to the course.
❌ “I studied science and was good at chemistry, which is related to this program.”
Why It fails: It is oversimplified and doesn’t showcase how prior academics prepared the student.
Skill Development
✅ “A group project on ‘human behavior’ honed my research and teamwork skills, which are critical for success in psychology.”
Why it works: Highlights transferable skills relevant to the course.
❌ “In my coursework, I worked with classmates to complete assignments.”
Why It fails: Too vague and lacks evidence of skill development.
3. What experiences outside of education have prepared you, and why are they important?
Share extracurricular involvement, leadership experiences, and how they’ve shaped your readiness for the course.
What to Write:
✅ “As the leader of the Science Club, I organized STEM workshops, fostering problem-solving and collaboration—skills vital for engineering studies.”
Why it works: Provides specific, relevant experiences and links them to the program.
❌ “I was in the Science Club and attended meetings.”
Why It fails: Lacks details and doesn’t show impact or transferable skills.
Independent Learning
✅ “I completed an online course in Robotic Design, which gave me foundational knowledge for further studies in robotic engineering.”
Why it works: Demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach to learning.
❌ “I watched videos on robotics because I found it cool.”
Why It fails: Casual tone and no evidence of structured learning.
Please note: Universities and colleges will review all three sections, so it’s crucial to avoid repeating information across responses.
Do’s and don’ts of UCAS personal statement
| S No. | Do’s | Don’ts |
| 1 | Start writing your statement well in advance and let others read and share feedback. | Do not mention the name of any college or university as the application goes to all universities you are applying to. |
| 2 | Be genuine and honest. | Do not use plagiarised content as the UCAS has software to detect plagiarism and decline the application. |
| 3 | Show your enthusiasm. Let the admission committee know how excited you are to join the program. | Do not get informal or use witty language. Write in simple English but remember this is a formal document. |
Ready to start writing your UCAS personal statement?
LilacBuds has a team of experts to offer subject-specific support to help you write an impeccable personal statement as well as help you with the overall application process.
Feel free to get in touch with us to get personalized assistance with your application. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a word limit for the UCAS personal statement?
A: Yes, the personal statement must not exceed 4000 characters and 47 lines.
Q: Do I write a different statement for every college I am applying for?
A: No, the same application is sent to all colleges you are applying for so you do not have to write multiple statements.
Q: What does UCAS stand for?
A: The term UCAS stands for the Universities and College Admission Services.
Q: Can we apply to the UK without UCAS?
A: Most universities do not allow you to apply for UCAS if you are applying for a full time undergraduate course.
Q: How many colleges can you apply for with UCAS?
A: You can apply to a maximum of 5 universities/courses with one single UCAS application.
