How to write your personal statement
A simple, step-by-step guide and fill-in template for adults applying to university. Whether you have work experience, qualifications or both, here is how to show it.
What is a personal statement?
A personal statement is a short piece of writing in your application. It tells the university who you are, what you have done and why you want to study. It is your chance to explain, in your own words, why you are ready.
For adult applicants, admissions teams are usually most interested in three things: your motivation, your experience and whether you understand what studying involves. Check the word or character limit and any instructions for your application before you start.
- Write in your own words. A statement that sounds like you is stronger than a polished one that does not.
- Never copy examples or text from anywhere, including this page. Providers may check for copying.
The 5 steps
- Say why this subjectWhat first drew you to it? A real moment works better than "I have always wanted to". Maybe someone you cared for, a problem at work, or something you read.
- Pick your best examplesThink of three moments you are proud of. They can come from work, caring for family, volunteering, a course or a qualification. For each, note what happened, what you did and what you learned.
- Show the skills you builtTeamwork, communication, organisation, solving problems, staying calm under pressure. Link each skill to your example and to the course you want.
- Show you are ready to studyHow will you fit study around work and family? Have you looked at what the course covers? If it has been years since you studied, say what you have done to get ready.
- Finish with where you are headingWhat do you hope to do after the course? Be specific and honest. One or two sentences is enough.
If you have qualifications, and if you do not
If you have qualifications, write about them. Say what you studied, what you learned and how it connects to the course. If there is a gap since you last studied, mention it briefly and focus on what you have done since.
If you do not have many qualifications, do not apologise for it. Your work and life experience is the evidence. Show what you have done and what it taught you.
Weak and stronger: an example
Examples only. Use your own experience and your own words.
"I am a hard worker and I have always wanted to help people."
"For six years I have worked as a support worker. When a person I support became anxious about moving home, I made a simple weekly plan with them and kept their family updated. It taught me patience and how to explain things clearly, and it is why I want to study health and social care."
The stronger version is specific. It says what happened, what the person did and what they learned.
Common mistakes
- Listing job duties without saying what you learned from them
- Starting with a famous quote or a very general sentence
- Apologising for not having A-levels, instead of showing what you have done
- Saying the same thing in different words to fill space
- Exaggerating or including things you cannot talk about at interview
- Copying text from examples or websites
- Leaving spelling and grammar mistakes. Read it aloud, and ask someone you trust to read it
Checklist before you send it
- It is in my own words and sounds like me
- Every paragraph has at least one real example
- It says why this subject and why now
- It is within the length limit
- I have read it aloud and checked spelling
- Someone else has read it
Fill-in template
Answer each question in a few sentences. Then join your answers into one flowing piece in your own words. This is a planning tool. It is not a finished statement.
Want a real person to look over your statement?
We help applicants with their application at no cost to them, with or without A-levels or other qualifications. Places and funding are decided by the education provider and Student Finance England.