Postgraduate personal statement - 900 words: too long?

I would try to get it to about 600-700 if you could just to show you were considerate of the reader.

Reply 2

OP

I would try to get it to about 600-700 if you could just to show you were considerate of the reader.

Thanks for the response. I shall try being a tad more considerate.

Reply 3

John402

majority of institutions recommend 1000words

Reply 4

gjd800

Mine was a little over 500 for both Masters and PhD.

Reply 5

OP

Original post by gjd800

Mine was a little over 500 for both Masters and PhD.

Damn, that must've been some concise applications! My section on my honours project is about 150 words alone!

What's your Masters and PhD in, if you don't mind me asking?

Reply 6

gjd800

Original post by CTLeafez

Damn, that must've been some concise applications! My section on my honours project is about 150 words alone!

What's your Masters and PhD in, if you don't mind me asking?

Philosophy - the box for the statement in the online application only let you put int something like 600 words, if I remember rightly! I do write concisely for work stuff, though. My application for funding was about 1100 words by comparison.

Reply 7

Notoriety

I went into loads of detail for mine -- because I thought master's were super-competitive. I think I did about 2-3 pages, describing my research interests and past research I'd conducted for my bachelor's disso.

I think it is important to put your case across clearly and not over-think; in both senses, don't make it too short and don't make it too brief.

Reply 8

PossiblyNotGod

Original post by gjd800

Philosophy - the box for the statement in the online application only let you put int something like 600 words, if I remember rightly! I do write concisely for work stuff, though. My application for funding was about 1100 words by comparison.

I did about 550 for the MSc PS and just checked my PhD application - was 680 for the PS and 3k for the proposal (I'd probably reduce the word count if I revised it now).

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 9

OP

Original post by gjd800

Philosophy - the box for the statement in the online application only let you put int something like 600 words, if I remember rightly! I do write concisely for work stuff, though. My application for funding was about 1100 words by comparison.

Nottingham allows you to upload a word document of your PS, so hypothetically I could upload a novella of my interests and desires :tongue:

Did you apply for funding with an outside body from your supervisor's University then?

Reply 10

iElvendork

18

Unless they give a specific word limit or suggestion aim for one side of A4 max - its just to give a sense of you as a person - you'll also have an interview, references and your CV/Transcript to also give information
Don't repeat information across platforms btw

Reply 11

OP

Original post by Notoriety

I went into loads of detail for mine -- because I thought master's were super-competitive. I think I did about 2-3 pages, describing my research interests and past research I'd conducted for my bachelor's disso.

I think it is important to put your case across clearly and not over-think; in both senses, don't make it too short and don't make it too brief.

Are they not super competitive? :P

I've cut down some unnecessary wording and on 3 pages (805 words). I may try and cut it down a bit more but I don't really want to be losing the good points I've written.

Reply 12

Notoriety

Original post by CTLeafez

Are they not super competitive? :P

Generally, no.

Reply 13

OP

Original post by Notoriety

Generally, no.

Do you think that's due to there being less applicants overall pursuing postgraduate or each course being so specialised/niche?

Reply 14

OP

Original post by iElvendork

Unless they give a specific word limit or suggestion aim for one side of A4 max - its just to give a sense of you as a person - you'll also have an interview, references and your CV/Transcript to also give information
Don't repeat information across platforms btw

I've highlighted I achieved 90% in two of my Level 5 modules to prove I'm competent in a laboratory. I'd hope some slight crossing over is fine in context?

Reply 15

Notoriety

Original post by CTLeafez

Do you think that's due to there being less applicants overall pursuing postgraduate or each course being so specialised/niche?

I am not really sure. You'll have to ask someone who works in HE, particularly PG, to get an answer. No doubt there are fewer applicants, and there is less certainty that the applicant you accept will in the end take up your place -- because the applicant is not bound to only 5 unis. They can apply to 50 courses, if they feel up for it.

Reply 16

gjd800