The UK’s European university
UCAS and writing an
effective personal
statement
Ruth Westbury
Partnership Development Officer
What is UCAS?
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Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Applications for full-time undergraduate courses are
made through UCAS
Every year UCAS processes more than 2 million
applications
A wealth of information on their website:
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Course search
UCAS tariff
Key university information
Apply
Track
How to apply…the application calendar
September 1st – UCAS application cycle opens
October 15th – Oxbridge deadline
Medical, Dentistry & Veterinary deadline
January 15th – UCAS main scheme deadline
Finance applications can be made from this point
Applications received by UCAS & sent to institutions
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How to apply…the application calendar
November to March – Applicant invited for
VISIT or INTERVIEW
Decisions made (Conditional, Unconditional,
Unsuccessful) or UCAS Extra
April to May – Applicant chooses FIRM &
INSURANCE choices
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How to apply…the application calendar
April to July – Accommodation applications
August – Results & CLEARING
August to September – Registration packs
sent out
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and finally…
September or October –
START UNIVERSITY!
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Making sure you have the RIGHT course
Look for area of study rather than institution
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Don’t limit your options to your current subject
areas
Consider the debate surrounding choosing
something you enjoy versus career prospects.
Think about whether you prefer to be practical
or academic
Consider getting some work experience to try it
out
Make your own decisions
What you need to tell the Admissions Officers
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Why you want to study the course you are
applying for?
What makes you suitable and different to
everyone else?
What you can contribute to the
course/University?
Your Personal Statement
Introduction
• Start off by explaining what subject you are
applying for and why
Academic
interests
• Talk in depth about what you enjoy about your
chosen subject and why you want to take it
further
‘Super-curricular’
activities
• Anything related to your course that you have
done outside of school or college will
massively boost your application
Extra-curricular
activities
• This section will give the Admissions Officer a
little more information about your personality
and what you can contribute to university life
Conclusion
• Finish with a strong conclusion, summing up
why you want to study your chosen subject at
university
70%
30%
Your Personal Statement
Academic Interests
Which course(s) do you want to study?
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What do you particularly enjoy about your subject?
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What have you learnt from your current studies that you would like to
take further?
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Have you done any particular academic projects within your studies?
An extended essay or a research project?
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What personal qualities do you possess that make you suited to this
area of study?
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Is your interest sparked by particular career ambitions?
Your Personal Statement
Work/Life experience
• Examples might include:
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Work experience
Volunteering
Travel
Own reading/ research
Your Personal Statement
Extra-Curricular Activities
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Positions of responsibility
Sports
Volunteering
Music
Hobbies and interests
Activity
Explanation
What have you gained from it?
Drama group
I have been a member of X Theatre Group
for X years playing a variety of roles in
several plays and shows
Commitment, confidence,
communication skills, interpersonal
skills and determination.
Volunteering on
a school open
day
Last summer I volunteered on both of my
schools open days, informing students and
parents about Biology
This demonstrates that I am proactive
and responsible
Football team
captain
I have been part of my school football team
for 3 years, and this year I was promoted to
captain
I have learnt to be a team player and
have demonstrated good leadership
School prefect
As school prefect this year I have mentored
younger students and monitored the
corridors
I have shown leadership, and that I am
committed and responsible
Important things to remember about
Admissions Officers…
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The Admissions Officer is a real person
They want to know who you are, but it has to
be relevant
They do not need you to tell them what they
already know
They want to know where you want to go with
your study area
This may be your only chance to impress
They can not read minds
Reasons why applications are unsuccessful
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Wasn’t relevant to the degree applied for
Didn’t show sufficient understanding and
knowledge about the degree applied for
Failed to demonstrate sufficient interest in the
subject
CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR, SPELLING AND
PUNCTUATION!
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Simple Do’s
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Do expect to produce several drafts.
Do ask people you trust for their feedback.
Do check prospectuses and websites, as they usually tell
you the criteria and qualities that they want their students
to demonstrate.
Do be concise and make sure your personal statement is
well constructed
Do apply for a scholarship.
Do remember is an academic piece of writing but keep it
personal
Simple Don'ts
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Don’t feel that you need to use elaborate language.
Don’t say too much about things that are not relevant.
Don’t lie.
Don’t let spelling and grammatical errors spoil your statement.
Don’t rely on a spellchecker as it will not pick up everything.
Don’t leave it to the last minute - important information could
be left out.
Most over used phrases to open your
statement.........
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1. I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in ...
2. From a young age I have always been interested in ...
3. From an early age I have always been interested in ...
4. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career ...
5. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with
6. "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only” ...
7. Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with ...
8. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in ...
9. I am an International Academy student and have been
studying since ...
10. Academically, I have always been a very determined and ...
(Telegraph)
THE UK’S
EUROPEAN
UNIVERSITY
www.kent.ac.uk