How to write a UCAS personal statement
Your personal statement is your chance to tell us why you want to study your chosen course and what you could bring to university.
Use it to show your interests, skills, experience and motivation – and, most importantly, explain why these things are relevant to the subject you want to study.
What are admissions teams looking for?
At NTU, we're interested in what motivates you to study your chosen subject and the skills, knowledge and experience you'll bring with you.
A strong personal statement should help us understand:
- why you want to study your chosen course or subject
- what you've done to explore or prepare for it
- the skills and knowledge you've developed through your studies and other experiences
- what motivates you and what you hope to achieve
- what makes your experiences and interests relevant to your application.
Your personal statement is considered alongside the rest of your application. Use it to give us information that helps us understand you as an individual.
Before you start writing: check the entry requirements and course information for your chosen course. This will help you identify the knowledge, skills or experience that are particularly relevant to your application.
Explore our undergraduate coursesHow do I make my personal statement relevant to my course?
A strong personal statement isn't just a list of everything you've done. Choose examples that help demonstrate why you're suited to the subject you want to study.
Think about:
Your interests
What interests you about the subject? Have you read, watched, listened to or explored anything that has made you want to learn more?
Your studies
What have you learned through your current or previous studies? Which skills, knowledge or achievements could you bring to your course?
Your experience
Have work experience, volunteering, caring responsibilities, hobbies or other activities helped you develop relevant skills or understanding?
Your ambitions
What would you like to achieve through studying this subject? You don't need to have your whole career planned, but explaining what interests you about your future can help show your motivation.
For every example you choose, ask yourself:
- What did I do?
- What did I learn?
- Why is it relevant to this course?
What should I include in a personal statement?
Your UCAS personal statement gives you three questions to answer. Each answer must be at least 350 characters and the total can be up to 4,000 characters.
1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Don't just say that you're passionate about a subject. Give an example that shows where that interest comes from.
For example:
- Instead of: “I'm passionate about business and have excellent communication skills.”
- Show it: Explain what sparked your interest in business and give an example of when you developed or used your communication skills.
2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare for this course or subject?
Consider:
- subject knowledge you've developed
- relevant projects or assignments
- skills you've gained
- achievements you're proud of
- how your studies have prepared you for your chosen course
3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
You could include relevant:
- work experience
- volunteering
- hobbies and interests
- caring or other responsibilities
- clubs, societies or activities
- personal experiences that have influenced your goals
How can I show my skills rather than just list them?
Whenever you mention a skill, try to provide evidence.
For example:
- Claim: “I have strong organisational skills.”
- Evidence: “While balancing my studies with a part-time job, I planned my time around deadlines and shifts. This helped me become more organised and confident in managing competing priorities.”
The second example gives context and shows what the skill means in practice.
Use the same approach throughout your statement: give the example, explain what you learned and connect it to your course or future goals.
Six tips for writing your personal statement
1. Give yourself time
Write a first draft early so you have time to review and improve it.
2. Answer the questions clearly
Make sure each part of your statement addresses what you're being asked.
3. Be specific
Use real examples rather than relying on general claims or clichés.
4. Be yourself
Your statement should reflect your own experiences, interests and ambitions.
5. Check your writing
Check spelling and grammar, and ask someone you trust to read it.
6. Keep it honest
Universities can only make decisions based on the information you provide.
Can I use AI to write my personal statement?
Your personal statement must be your own work. Submitting AI-generated content as your own can be considered cheating and could affect your application.
You can use AI tools to help you brainstorm ideas, organise your thoughts or improve clarity, but make sure the final content is genuinely yours and reflects your own experiences and voice.
Do I need anything else for my course application?
Some courses may have additional requirements, such as a portfolio, interview or relevant work experience.
Check your chosen course page to make sure you understand what you need to prepare.
If you're applying for a course that requires an interview, you can find advice on how to prepare in our university interview guide.
If your course requires a portfolio, see our guide to creating a university portfolio.
What should I do next?
Once you've started your personal statement, make sure you understand the rest of your application.
Explore undergraduate courses
Find a course that matches your interests and check its entry requirements and course-specific information.
Explore our undergraduate coursesCheck how to apply
Find out how to apply to NTU and what you need to do as part of your application.
Find out how to apply