The new way to write a Personal Statement
If your young person is interested going to university from 2026, they’ll need to write a personal statement as part of their UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) application. A personal statement is their chance to make a good impression to the Admissions Officers and Tutors and can help them decided whether they’ll be a good fit for the course. It’s just as important as providing other required documents like qualifications, employment history, and personal details.
In the past, personal statements used to be one long piece of text about why they wanted to study a particular course, integrating key skills and work experience. However, this has changed for those looking to join university from 2026. Now, students will need to answer three questions:
1 Why do you want to study this course or subject?
2 How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
3 What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
The new format makes it easier to structure answers, guides applicants a lot better, and focus on details universities are most interested about. ALTHOUGH, bear in mind, the structure of the statement has changed, the expectations from students and the content they need to cover are the same.
Looking for more guidance?
We have a whole webpage dedicated to Personal Statements including how to structure each question, how much to write, and whether ChatGPT/AI should be used.
At our Open Days, we also offer 1-2-1 advice and a talk all about Personal Statements. Come down and visit us in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough or Writtle and speak to the experts directly. Book your place for the next Open Day now!
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If your young person is interested going to university from 2026, they’ll need to write a personal statement as part of their UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) application. A personal statement is their chance to make a good impression to the Admissions Officers and Tutors and can help them decided whether they’ll be a good fit for the course. It’s just as important as providing other required documents like qualifications, employment history, and personal details.
In the past, personal statements used to be one long piece of text about why they wanted to study a particular course, integrating key skills and work experience. However, this has changed for those looking to join university from 2026. Now, students will need to answer three questions:
1 Why do you want to study this course or subject?
2 How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
3 What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
The new format makes it easier to structure answers, guides applicants a lot better, and focus on details universities are most interested about. ALTHOUGH, bear in mind, the structure of the statement has changed, the expectations from students and the content they need to cover are the same.
Looking for more guidance?
We have a whole webpage dedicated to Personal Statements including how to structure each question, how much to write, and whether ChatGPT/AI should be used.
At our Open Days, we also offer 1-2-1 advice and a talk all about Personal Statements. Come down and visit us in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough or Writtle and speak to the experts directly. Book your place for the next Open Day now!
Sign up to our Parent and Guardians emails
Find out more key info like this delivered straight to your inbox when you sign up to receive Parent and Guardian emails.