How to make this key part of your application for postgraduate study stand out
A personal statement is a requirement for a postgraduate taught course, a Professional doctorate and some other MPhil and PhD courses.
What you write helps us to get to know you. It's a chance to highlight your personal experience, skills, academic achievements and what makes you an excellent fit for your course.
Your statement is our first impression of you so it's important to get it right. We have compiled some tips and guidance to make sure that you showcase yourself in the best possible way.
Your previous study and work experience are an important part of your postgraduate taught course application. Use your statement to tell us why they make you a suitable candidate for your course. Talk about the future too and what you want to do after graduation including how you want your career to develop.
Consider the following questions when writing your personal statement for your master's or PGCE course:
Your statement is an opportunity for you to reflect on your application for a research course and tell us about:
Organise the information in your personal statement in the following way:
Introduction - capture the reviewer's interest by outlining your research interests and overall aims of the project.
Main body - inform the reviewer of how your skills, knowledge and experience in the field related to the topic of research you are interested in.
Summary - a concise paragraph covering the overall aims, objectives and possible outcomes of your research project.
Your personal statement should:
