If you used Clearing in 2024, how did you find it?

Applying to Mphil Traditional East Asia and Islamic Art and Architecture at Oxford

Heya! I am applying for two Mphil courses, one is Traditional East Asia, the other Islamic Art and Architecture. Because I have had multiple versions of answer as to what sort of personal statement they are looking for, I’m here to ask:

1) both courses all listed as taught masters, but a doctorate student who is doing paid application consultancy told me I should treat it like a research proposal, so with footnotes and references etc. My uni’s career advisor and my personal tutor told me to just treat it as an non-academic statement of purpose. So I’m a bit confused….

2) Do I need a cover letter for my application? Cause I requested a professor from another university with whom I have taken classes with and she asked me to send her my cover letter to tailor my reference. I haven’t read it on any page that I need a cover letter, so I’m a bit confused…

Can anyone please help me with these?