Almost every university will ask you to write a personal statement to gain a clearer idea of who you are and why you want to study a particular course. This is your chance to demonstrate your interests and skills, and show that you should be considered for a place. If you have never done something like this before, it can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Follow our step-by-step guide, and it may seem more simple.
How to start a personal statement
The best way to begin your personal statement is with a plan. Your writing needs to be concise and to the point. Universities receive a lot of personal statements, with many indistinguishable from one another. You should take some time to think about what to include. Here are a few tips to help you start:
- Write a list of your reasons for choosing the course
- Why do you think you would benefit from this teaching?
- Mention any previous experience that relates to the subject
Remember that your personal statement could be the deciding factor when being considered for a place on your desired course. Think about what each paragraph is trying to convey to avoid waffling. You might even want to ask a teacher, family member or friend about your strengths. Sometimes it can be hard to think of your own achievements, so a gentle nudge from others might be beneficial.
More generally, teachers have a wealth of experience when it comes to personal statements. If you have one you can speak with, be sure to ask for help when you are stuck. Alternatively, you may be able to get assistance when meeting an education counsellor.
Complete all required information
It may seem basic, but fill out all the required information about you on the page. By failing to do so, you can come across as inattentive. From an administrative perspective, missing details makes the lives of admissions staff tougher, and they are the ones with your destiny in their hands.
It simply makes sense to come over as well as you can without meeting these people. If they have to struggle to process your application because you have left out mandatory information, it may not come top of their very large pile.
What to include
Most prospective students around the world will be writing personal statements as part of their university applications, but there are a few requirements for international students in particular. See below for the key content you need to include:
- Proof of English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS/TOEFL)
- An explanation of why you want to study in that country
- Why you want to study abroad instead of in your home country
- Skills you have acquired e.g. music grades, languages
- Related wider reading
- Work or volunteering experience
- Trips abroad
- Clubs or activities you’ve been involved in
- Career or academic goals
Don’t worry if you haven’t got any work experience; you can still promote yourself in other ways. Think about your skills, interests and hobbies. Do you regularly visit museums and galleries? Are you part of a sports team? All of this can help paint a picture of who you are.
Feel like having a quick break? Watch our video of graduates reading back through their personal statements:
How should I write it?
The tone of your personal statement needs to be formal yet enthusiastic. Try to avoid humour as this could be off-putting and may be misunderstood by an admissions tutor. You should also steer clear of long sentences as this can affect readability. Aim for clear and concise writing, as this will help the reader to understand your key points.
To check whether your personal statement makes sense, read it out loud on your own or to someone else. This will help you notice any grammar or spelling mistakes that you might miss when reading silently. Leaving these mistakes uncorrected could suggest that you are not the most thorough student, so be sure to proofread thoroughly before submitting.
Want some more language tips? Take our advice on how to improve your English writing skills.
Show personality, but not too much
What you should take away is to distinguish yourself the best you can in your personal statement. You have to get across the individual that you are. While you may be applying for the same course as a hundred other students, you should stick out as unique and be remembered; just ensure it is for the right reasons! Unless requested to do so, do not include an image of yourself, nor anything to make your statement stand out. You will be asked to submit a portfolio of your work if you need to, for particular courses like art.
The tone of the statement should always be formal. Mentioning extra-curricular activities is always encouraged as they help distinguish you as a real person, as long as they reflect in some way the course you are applying to. Charitable endeavours or those activities affiliated with your previous educational community are usually received well. Think carefully about what your activities and personal interests say about you as a potential representative for that institution.
Don't go wild with a thesaurus (or AI)
Sometimes keeping things simple is for the best. If you can say something in five words rather than ten, do that. It can be tempting to use a thesaurus or generative AI service to appear more intellectual, but if you use too many words in the wrong context, a sentence can lose all meaning.
If English isn’t your first language, the people reading your statement should understand. They will be well aware that you are an international student, and given that, a simple and clear piece of writing can impress them. What will not impress them is any hint that you have used artificial intelligence – so don't do that!
For more advice on the topic of AI and writing, read our article on ChatGPT and plagiarism.
When should I start writing my personal statement?
If you are at school, they should tell you when to start thinking about university and when to apply. As institutions can set their own application deadlines – particularly for international students – you should check the website of the university you are applying to first. There is such variation that we cannot provide a single deadline date for your personal statement.
How long does my personal statement need to be?
The word count varies according to each country and even each institution in some cases. In the UK, there is a 4000-character limit, which equates to roughly 500 words. In Australia, you should aim for 700 words (approximately 1400 characters) while in the USA the recommended length is about 500-800 words. So, in general, a personal statement can be anywhere between one to two pages long, but we recommend checking with the institution to which you are applying.
Do all universities require a personal statement?
Most universities and application systems around the world seek some kind of insight into you as an individual, but this does not always have to come in the form of a personal statement. In the UK, for example, the application service UCAS has announced that it will no longer require essay-style personal statements from September 2025. Instead, it will ask students three questions about their interest in their chosen course, their prior education, and their experience outside of the classroom.
Now that you know all about writing a personal statement, you might want to read more about how to apply to university. Alternatively, you could take our advice on deciding where to study abroad, or just start looking for a university course with our straightforward search tool.
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