Personal statement changes in 2026

Hi, I am in Year 12, studying maths, further maths, econ and chemistry, and I want to do econ at uni. When I will be applying to uni, my year would be the first to have the changed personal statement structure where they want us to focus on the three questions:
Why do you want to study this course or subject?
How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
I've just been a little worried about this. Is this definitely similar or exactly the same as the normal personal statements, and the structure was just provided to help. The reason I'm worried is that, although I have work experience at a bank, have read economics books, and have done many other extracurricular activities, as well as having karate, volunteering, and being on the house council for extra, I feel that I cannot go into too much detail for some of these questions, particularly for question 2, which seems quite confusing, on how to link to what i have done. Pls could someone just help advise about this! Thank you!

Hi, I am in Year 12, studying maths, further maths, econ and chemistry, and I want to do econ at uni. When I will be applying to uni, my year would be the first to have the changed personal statement structure where they want us to focus on the three questions:
Why do you want to study this course or subject?
How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
I've just been a little worried about this. Is this definitely similar or exactly the same as the normal personal statements, and the structure was just provided to help. The reason I'm worried is that, although I have work experience at a bank, have read economics books, and have done many other extracurricular activities, as well as having karate, volunteering, and being on the house council for extra, I feel that I cannot go into too much detail for some of these questions, particularly for question 2, which seems quite confusing, on how to link to what i have done. Pls could someone just help advise about this! Thank you!

Hi there,
It sounds like you have lots of great experience and qualifications to talk about in your personal statement!
The change to three questions is designed to help people structure their personal statement but with the intention to get the most important information from applicants. Therefore, it is very similar to the previous personal statements guidelines as applicants should have been answering those three questions is a sense but just without the prompts. The prompts are designed to help applicants so do not panic!
You are also able to decide how you spread your characters over the three questions. For example, if you want to give a lot more information into your answer for question 3, you can write more for question 3 than for the other two questions. With question 2, you can discuss some of the books you have read as well as it is still independent study so that is a way you might distribute information across the questions.
The main thing unis want to understand is why you want to study the course and to learn a bit more about you. It seems like you have a lot to talk about so don't panic as you will be absolutely fine. It is likely you will have more guidance from your school/college in the upcoming months about writing a personal statement so I would recommend having someone read through multiple drafts just to give you a little bit of feedback!
I hope this helps and good luck with your application!
Eloise
Second Year Psychology Student