In the process of applying to five universities through UCAS you will need to write a supporting personal statement. This will be the same statement for all of your course(s) and university choices, and as such it is a key part of the application process. You will be supported in writing it through a Personal Statement Supervisor. They will work with you, alongside your Form Tutor, to help you produce a high-quality statement that meets crucial deadlines. There will also be support available from the Higher Education team, Heads of department and your subject teachers.

The schedule for producing your personal statement is outlined in the “Dates for your Diary” section, and it will also be discussed with you at other points during the process, including the UCAS Day in June. It is important to have your first draft completed by late June, and the final draft by the end of September for early applicants and by mid-November for all others.

The personal statement gives you the chance to show passion, curiosity and knowledge, linking your achievements to your chosen area(s) of study. Through examples, you can highlight what you’ve learnt or done. Yet it remains crucial to remember there is no right nor wrong and, as the University of Durham states, “We want something that tells us about you and the contribution you can make to our community."

The three focus questions are as follows: Q1. Why do you want to study this course or subject? Q2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject? Q3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful? For Q1 you will want to show evidence of your motivations for study, your knowledge and why the course is a good fit for you. Q2 will require you to evidence recent and relevant examples. In answering Q3, you will need to be reflective and demonstrate further suitability for your chosen subject or course(s).

There are many things you will draw upon to support what you are writing beyond the simple confines of your chosen A Levels. The statement is personal to you, but think of the things you do which will give support to your application, including things such as work experience, competitions, mentoring, wider reading, projects, clubs and societies, volunteering, documentaries, podcasts, hobbies, awards and so on.