Personal Statement for Major/Minor Degree

Which universities are you thinking of applying to for each course?

Thinking of UCL/LSE for Maths with Econ, Imperial for straight Maths, Manchester/York/Leeds for Maths with finance/financial maths. Will probably only choose 2 London ones at most due to how competitive they are.

Personal characteristics, skills and attributes
For this programme, we are looking for students who demonstrate the following characteristics, skills and attributes:

- interest in both mathematics and economics
- evidence of your understanding of the links between the two disciplines
- participation in any relevant activities outside the taught curriculum, such as mathematics competitions or Olympiads
- an ability to apply logical arguments
- an ability to be creative and flexible in approaching problems
- an ability to follow complex lines of mathematical reasoning
- to be well organised and to think and work independently
- good communication skills
- intellectual curiosity and to ask questions
- motivation and capacity for hard work

Personal statement
In addition to demonstrating the above personal characteristics, skills and attributes, your statement should be original, interesting and well-written and should outline your enthusiasm and motivation for the programme.

You should explain whether there are any aspects of particular interest to you, how this relates to your current academic studies and what additional reading or relevant experiences you have had which have led you to apply. We are interested to hear your own thoughts or ideas on the topics you have encountered through your exploration of the subject at school or through other activities. We provide some suggestions for preliminary reading can be found in the preliminary reading section, but there is no set list of activities we look for; instead we look for students who have made the most of the opportunities available to them to deepen their knowledge and understanding of their intended programme of study.

You can also mention extra-curricular activities such as sport, the arts or volunteering or any work experience you have undertaken. However, the main focus of an undergraduate degree at LSE is the in-depth academic study of a subject and we expect the majority of your personal statement to be spent discussing your academic interests.

Then tailor your PS to LSE's PS guidelines for Maths with Econ. The others will be fine with a combined subject PS but LSE won't be interested in a single honours Maths PS.