The Student Room Group

Personal Statement Tips for The University of Law

Writing a compelling personal statement is essential—not just to meet entry requirements, but to demonstrate your unique fit for ULaw. Your statement should be more than a checklist; it should be an opportunity to bring your strengths and individuality to the forefront. Undergraduate applicants to ULaw should stick to the UCAS limit (max 4,000 characters), which usually equates to around 450-500 words.

Reply 1

Original post
by TheUniofLawStaff
Writing a compelling personal statement is essential—not just to meet entry requirements, but to demonstrate your unique fit for ULaw. Your statement should be more than a checklist; it should be an opportunity to bring your strengths and individuality to the forefront. Undergraduate applicants to ULaw should stick to the UCAS limit (max 4,000 characters), which usually equates to around 450-500 words.

1. Structured Planning: Map the Flow💭
Begin by sketching a diagram of your statement. A strong structure includes:

Opening: a concise hook introducing you and your passion.

Middle: sections covering course choice, academic background, and broader experiences like extracurriculars.

Conclusion: a powerful summary reinforcing why you're a strong candidate.

Reply 2

Original post
by TheUniofLawStaff
Writing a compelling personal statement is essential—not just to meet entry requirements, but to demonstrate your unique fit for ULaw. Your statement should be more than a checklist; it should be an opportunity to bring your strengths and individuality to the forefront. Undergraduate applicants to ULaw should stick to the UCAS limit (max 4,000 characters), which usually equates to around 450-500 words.

2. Showcase Transferable Skills💻
Connect your current achievements and experiences to the skills needed at university. Highlight time management, communication, analytical thinking, or leadership...even if these came from non-law-related studies. If you’re applying to a field seemingly unrelated to your background, think creatively about how your skills overlap.

Reply 3

Original post
by TheUniofLawStaff
Writing a compelling personal statement is essential—not just to meet entry requirements, but to demonstrate your unique fit for ULaw. Your statement should be more than a checklist; it should be an opportunity to bring your strengths and individuality to the forefront. Undergraduate applicants to ULaw should stick to the UCAS limit (max 4,000 characters), which usually equates to around 450-500 words.

3. What Matters with the New Format❗
For students applying in 2026 and beyond, the personal statement has shifted to answering three specific questions. ULaw’ s Deputy Head of Admissions, Natalie Travis, advises structuring each answer around What (the experience), Why (its meaning), and Your Skills and Experience (the takeaway). Be honest, authentic, and don’t shy away from sharing challenges and motivations.

Reply 4

Original post
by TheUniofLawStaff
Writing a compelling personal statement is essential—not just to meet entry requirements, but to demonstrate your unique fit for ULaw. Your statement should be more than a checklist; it should be an opportunity to bring your strengths and individuality to the forefront. Undergraduate applicants to ULaw should stick to the UCAS limit (max 4,000 characters), which usually equates to around 450-500 words.

4. Connect Experiences to Aspirations📌
Your admissions team wants to understand:

Why you're interested in your subject

What has inspired you

Your career goals

How prepared you are for higher education

What experiences (including setbacks) have shaped you and your capabilities. Link these to your future academic journey

Reply 5

Original post
by TheUniofLawStaff
Writing a compelling personal statement is essential—not just to meet entry requirements, but to demonstrate your unique fit for ULaw. Your statement should be more than a checklist; it should be an opportunity to bring your strengths and individuality to the forefront. Undergraduate applicants to ULaw should stick to the UCAS limit (max 4,000 characters), which usually equates to around 450-500 words.
I hope those tips were helpful and pop any questions you have about applying these tips down below!

Lou, The University of Law

Reply 6

Thanks - this is super helpful. Unfortunately my school does not offer a lot of support for PS and am aware unis place a lot of emphasis on them so I am really worried. I know deep down why I want to study law but if I'm being honest, nothing aligns with the 'stereotypical' passions of a lawyer. For example, I am deeply interest in business cases such as big companies being greedy and avoiding paying tax etc. However, I am unsure of how to word this and am worried that it seems shallow to talk about as it doesn't directly compromise human rights or the typical injustice of someone who's been murdered. What's the best way to go about this?

Reply 7

Original post
by thankful-shrimp
Thanks - this is super helpful. Unfortunately my school does not offer a lot of support for PS and am aware unis place a lot of emphasis on them so I am really worried. I know deep down why I want to study law but if I'm being honest, nothing aligns with the 'stereotypical' passions of a lawyer. For example, I am deeply interest in business cases such as big companies being greedy and avoiding paying tax etc. However, I am unsure of how to word this and am worried that it seems shallow to talk about as it doesn't directly compromise human rights or the typical injustice of someone who's been murdered. What's the best way to go about this?

Hey @thankful-shrimp

Sorry to hear your school doesn't offer much PS support - we're running a virtual PS workshop on 21 October you can book a free spot here it might help.

Firstly, that’s a great topic for a UCAS personal statement don't doubt yourself —it shows a strong sense of justice and social responsibility, which are great qualities for a future law student. Here's some tailored tips on how to go about approaching this specific topic in your personal statement:

Frame the issue in a positive way (focus on justice not just criticism)

Connect your personal values to legal study

Demonstrate awareness of real-world issue (which the topic does anyway)

Avoid overly accusatory language like greedy try and opt for something like powerful


I hope that helps but let me know if you need some more support!

Mandi, The University of Law

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