Student Tips on Writing Your Personal Statement

Student Ambassador Sigrid shares their top tips on writing a personal statement.

Be university specific

You should show the University that you want to go to their university specifically. As well as writing about why you want to study your chosen subject, writing about why you want to go to The University of Chester is important as well. You can write about the city, Open Days you’ve attended, or anything else that made you sure that The University of Chester was the right fit for you. This shows the University that you’re not just applying to the course, but you are aware of what the University is offering. Even if the University is not your first choice, you (hopefully) have a reason for applying.

Do your research

Is there anything specific the University is known for? Or was there something that stuck out to you while choosing where to apply? Show in your personal statement that you have done research about your course and the University. You can do this by mentioning any modules or topics that you will learn about that you find interesting, events, support or opportunities that you feel will make your student experience better. This shows interest in the University, and that you know what you are applying for. You can find this information by going on the University website, following social media or attending Open Days and events.

Show interest

This might seem like an obvious one, but it’s easy to forget when thinking of everything else you could include. Make sure you write about why you are interested in doing the course you’re applying for. You can write about how you first discovered this area, any relevant topics you’ve covered in school, or anything that shows this is something you could spend time and effort learning about.

Talk about the future

What are you planning on doing with your degree once you have it? Mentioning this in your personal statement can show that you have ambitions for your future and that you have a plan for your degree. You can talk about any steps you plan to take to get there, and how the University could help with this. If you don’t know yet what you are doing after your degree, you can still mention that you look forward to exploring career opportunities with the help of the support you get from the University. This is a great way to show that you know something about the career and employability support the University offers, if you have room for it.

Mention relevant experience and achievements

Have you ever achieved something that you’re proud of? Mention it in your personal statement! Write about any position or responsibility you held, or what the project was about. You want to show that you are a person who is successful. Including experience and achievements can make you stand out and help show who you are as a person and as a future student. If you know what you want to do after university, try connecting it with any future career plans. You could also relate it to how it will help you as a student.

Avoid small mistakes

This seems like a simple one, but make sure all spelling and formatting is correct. You want the reader to notice you and the content you’ve written, not any spelling mistakes you might have made. It can be helpful to get someone else to proofread your personal statement once you’ve written it, just to double-check. You also want to make sure it's not too long or short. You want to write enough to mention any important points, but you don’t want it to be too long. Keep it concise and to the point, don’t spend too much time on each point.

Good Luck!

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