prospects postgraduate personal statement

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How to write a postgraduate personal statement

29 th September 2021

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Applying for postgraduate study? This guide supports you in writing a great postgraduate personal statement that’s tailored to your course.

• What do admissions tutors look for

How to write a personal statement

• What to write

Check and check again

What do admissions tutors look for in a postgraduate personal statement.

A personal statement is part of your university application. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for a course. Admissions tutors want to know why you want to study the course and how your experiences make you the ideal candidate.

The difference between a postgraduate application from an undergraduate one is that it is fully tailored to a particular university’s course. As an undergraduate, your statement is more generic as it can be sent to five universities. Whereas your postgraduate personal statement is for one course only – it should be a lot more specific to what and where you’re applying for.

Postgraduate study is also a significant level up from undergraduate, so avoid using the statement you wrote for your bachelor’s course as a template. The admissions team is interested in how you’ve grown since your previous studies.

Writing a personal statement for university is different to writing one for a job application. It should show your academic interests and explain why the university will help develop your learning and research. You’re not trying to charm the reader. Instead, you're providing insight into who you are, your achievements and your enthusiasm for the course.

Before putting pen to paper, read through all information about the course and what you need to do to apply.

If you can, arrange to speak with one of the course tutors or a current student to discuss what admissions tutors are looking for. Are you able to see examples of successful personal statements from previous applicants?

• Your relevant academic and practical experiences
• The bits about the course that particularly interest you
• Anything else the university has asked you to include

You can then use this to structure your plan.

Carefully plan what you’re going to write in each paragraph to ensure you include all the important information and present it coherently. Your course will demand effective communication from you, and admissions tutors will look for evidence of this in your writing.

• An interesting introduction that outlines your academic background and relevant experiences
• Engaging middle paragraphs that detail, with examples, how your interests, achievements and experiences make you right for the course
• A strong conclusion that pulls together the main points and summarises why you want to study it

Each paragraph and sentence should flow logically into the next. If you want, you can split up sections with headings (like ‘Academic achievements’ or ‘Career goals’) to make the statement easy to navigate.

For the word count, check with the university you’re applying to, as each may ask for different things.

What to write in a personal statement 

You want to show how your interests and experiences make you the right person.

• How will the course help with your future goals?
• What experiences do you have that provide evidence of your interest in the course?
• What modules or projects in your undergraduate degree really challenged your thinking?
• How has any employment shaped your ambitions?
• Have any personal or public events inspired you?
• Which books have you read, or activities have you been involved in, that have influenced you?

Rather than just listing experiences, explain how they shaped you and how they will help you succeed. There’s no need to write down your qualifications as the admissions tutor will have these details with the rest of your application.

• What are your hobbies?
• Are you part of any sports teams or societies?
• Do you volunteer?

This builds a picture of who you are and what you’ll be like as a student. If you want to and if relevant, refer to challenges you encountered during the pandemic – but in a positive way.

You don’t need to include everything in your statement. It should highlight the key information and leave the reader wanting to interview you to find out more.

The admissions team will be looking through many personal statements – they want to see a variety of experiences and stories. You can reflect this in your writing style; avoid repetition and use a variety of words to paint a unique picture.

Try not to use obvious phrases such as ‘I have always been interested in...’ or a gimmicky opening line like a famous quote. Instead, get to the point quickly and say in your voice why you’re excited about the course.

Be concise and make every word count. What you write should be relevant and honest, demonstrating your potential. Everything should be balanced; you can be confident in your abilities but try not to come across as arrogant. Show why you should be given the place, but don’t beg.

• First-person narrative
• Correct use of spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Varied and interesting vocabulary
• A positive and friendly, yet professional tone
• Paragraphs that flow logically into the next
• Clear and concise points backed up with evidence
• Clichéd language
• Waffle or too much irrelevant information
• Vague or confusing sentences
• Excuses for gaps in your experience

Proofread your statement to check that your points are clear and there are no spelling or grammatical errors. You can use spellchecking tools and free writing assistants like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to perfect your work. Reading your statement aloud can be helpful to see if it makes sense and flows well.

Ask at least one other person to read through and check it. This could be a friend, family member, careers adviser or a tutor if you’re still at university. A second pair of eyes may spot anything that doesn’t make sense or errors that you’ve missed.

Personal statement tips

• Give yourself plenty of time to write, edit and check
• Take lots of breaks and return to your work with fresh eyes
• Make sure your statement is unique and written by you
• If you’re an international student, say why you want to study in the UK
• Be prepared to talk about what you’ve written in an interview
• And if you’re applying for more than one course, make sure to write a different, tailored statement for each application!

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Postgraduate personal statement.

A postgraduate personal statement is one of the most important steps to consider when applying for a masters course  or applying for a PhD . 

Writing a postgraduate personal statement is a standard part of the admissions and entry requirements process. Your personal statement and your references are the two main sources of information in your postgraduate application, and the personal statement is the one you have control over. 

So, how do you write a postgraduate personal statement that stands out?

How to write a postgraduate personal statement

Follow this process to write the perfect personal statement. 

Check the course criteria

Firstly, you’ll need to check the course criteria. It is important that you become familiar with what the program involves, as well as its entry requirements, and the kind of skills that will be required from you in order to gain a place on the course.

This will provide you with key information to cover in your postgraduate personal statement, and give you an idea of the kind of student that the university accepts on that particular course.

Key information that will help you write your postgraduate personal statement includes:

Course modules - Are there any specific course modules that will play to your strengths? Mention how you can bring knowledge, passion and discussion to these particular areas of the course in your masters personal statement, and relate this to your previous experience at undergraduate level. 

Teaching and assessment style - Does the course specify particular teaching or assessment styles? Show the university that you are well suited to those styles. For example, if the course uses group presentation assessments, mention your previous experience with this during undergraduate study.

Key skills - Do the course details specify any desired skills or requirements from students? Tailor your personal statement to demonstrate your ability in these skills. 

Entry requirements - Most masters and postgraduate courses will specify entry requirements. This usually relates to the grade, or predicted grade, you have at undergraduate level. It is a good idea to mention this in your postgraduate personal statement when applying for a course. 

Outline your skills and experience

The next step is to outline your skills, knowledge and experience. You can do this by drafting out a rough mind map of the skills that you think would be relevant to your chosen postgraduate course. 

This will also help demonstrate your passion for the subject, and give the university a strong impression of why you want to study that particular course.

When including these skills in your statement, mention your intention to develop your skills at postgraduate level . This will help reflect your intentions to engage with the course content and thrive in an academic setting. 

Answer key admission questions

The easiest way to start writing a postgraduate personal statement is to make a plan. Work out what sort of things the university wants to know about you, and then answer those questions. Good questions to look at include:

Why do you want to study this particular course?

Why do you want to study at this particular university?

What part of the course in particular appeals to you? e.g. certain modules or work opportunities.

What previous experience do you have in the area you are applying to study?

What skills do you have that’ll lend themselves to postgraduate study? e.g. if you apply for a research masters , what did you learn from doing a dissertation?

What career path or further study route would you like to take after your postgraduate study?

Write with a positive tone

As well as thinking about what to write in your postgraduate personal statement, it’s just as important to consider how to write it.

Your postgraduate or masters personal statement should be received with a positive tone, demonstrating your passion and drive to the reader. Create a positive sentiment using confident language. 

Here’s an overview of action verbs to include in your personal statement:

Established

Write in an active voice to demonstrate your active participation in projects.

What do you mean by active voice?

Take a look at the two examples below:

Active voice: I developed key interpersonal skills through group work. 

Passive voice: Key interpersonal skills were developed through group work.

Add personality

This doesn’t mean you need to write something that no-one has ever read before, but that you need to make sure some of your personality comes across in your statement. 

Did you get into philosophy thanks to a certain work of fiction? Mention it (briefly). Did a particular incident doing undergrad biology make you want to study medicine ? Write it down! Remember, whilst there’s a set amount of things you need to include (like answering the questions above); don’t restrict your personal template to a template you find online if you see opportunities to make your writing stand out.

Tailor to individual universities

Remember that a postgraduate personal statement is different to an undergraduate statement as you can tailor it to each individual university. You shouldn’t send out the same masters personal statement to each university. 

There are two good ways to do this – either write one for each university, or write a basic template, and adjust it to focus on each university you apply for.

Create your first draft

Once you have all of your thoughts and key points together, it’s time to write the first draft of your masters personal statement. Don’t worry about perfecting it at this point. The aim of a first draft is to revisit it later on and identify any areas that need improvement.

How long should a postgraduate personal statement be?

A postgraduate personal statement should have a word count of around 500 words, or one side of A4 . Some universities will specify personal statement word count requirements in the application details, and some will use online submission forms with set character limits. 

It is important that you adhere to this and make sure that your postgraduate personal statement is the ideal length. This will show that you can interpret and deliver a brief. Some universities require much more than the standard personal statement length, such as the University of Oxford , so make sure you check!

How do you start a postgraduate personal statement?

Starting your personal statement can be the hardest part of writing your first draft. It is best to keep your opening statement simple . University admissions will have to read through a lot of applications, so it’s helpful to get to the point and demonstrate your interest in the course from the beginning.

Here are some top tips for writing your personal statement intro:

Avoid clichés. Admission staff will have read these a thousand times. Cliche openings can include sentences like “For as long as I remember…”, or “I have always wanted to be a…”

Show your passion for the topic and explain the reasons you want to study that course

Why are you excited about studying that course? Be specific.

Don't always start at the beginning. Try writing your introduction as the last step in the writing process.

Proofread and edit your statement

Finally (and the most important part of all!), proofread your personal statement. Take a few days away from it, and then go back and read it again. 

After you’ve edited it, find someone else to take a look too. Ideally, if you can find a tutor willing to help, they’re your best bet. If not, a friend already on a postgraduate course should have an idea of how to write a postgraduate personal statement successfully.

Once you’ve done all of this, your statement should be ready. Take a deep breath, upload the file (or put it along with your printed copy), and finish the rest of your application. 

Make sure you keep a copy on file, just in case you need to refer to it later!

Postgraduate personal statement tips

Another important thing to remember when writing your postgraduate personal statement is to be 100% honest and true - don’t just make things up ! 

In the same way that you should NEVER lie on your postgraduate CV , you shouldn’t do this on your postgraduate personal statement either. It’s not just important to make sure you don’t make things up about yourself – make sure anything you say about the university and the postgraduate course you’re applying to has been thoroughly researched. 

After all, the university is definitely the expert on what it offers, and the admissions office will certainly know if you’re making it up.

Make sure you’re memorable

Of course, there are also ways to help your postgraduate personal statement get noticed beyond what you actually write, and that’s to make yourself memorable in other ways . 

Name-dropping is probably not the solution here, but dropping in references to subjects you know their department specialises in is definitely worthwhile. Just make sure you know what you’re talking about and haven’t just picked something at random!

Fill in the gaps

But what if you’ve got some weak spot that comes up? Perhaps you did worse than expected on a certain module, or you have an unexplained gap in between leaving university and applying for further study? You simply need to own it. 

The university might want to know about these things, and the best thing you can do is explain it, and put a positive spin on it. Did you get worse results than expected because you were ill? Say as much – and then mention how much extra reading you’ve done since, and how much you’re looking forward to improving in that area!

The university will understand this and appreciate your additional efforts in other areas.

Keep it concise

A personal statement shouldn't be too long, there'll be many other personal statements that need to be read and considered, so you should ensure you make your points in a concise and engaging fashion.

Start early

This advice may be common sense but it is crucial. By starting early you will reduce the stress of writing a personal statement by a long way. This will give you plenty of time to get a head start and reduce your stress when applying for a masters or other course.

Use consistent structure

Keep your masters personal statement structure clear and consistent. If the overall structure and layout of your personal statement is poor, you will drastically decrease your chances of getting an offer. 

You can easily solve the problem of poor layout by following this simple check-list:

Ensure all margins are the same

Ensure the font is the same throughout

Ensure the size of the font is the same throughout (except subheadings)

Ensure spacing is the same throughout

You will need to plan the structure of your statement and make sure that it flows – with the best way of checking this being to read your personal statement out loud a number of times. This will enable you to weed out any sentences or words that just don't quite fit.

Things to avoid in your postgrad personal statement

So far in this article we’ve looked at how to write your postgraduate personal statement, but what about the things that you should avoid? Here’s our rundown of the top eight postgraduate personal statement no-nos!

• Misinformation & exaggeration  – stick to the facts and don't lie, sounds fairly straightforward, right? But it's all too easy to write what you would like to have done rather than what you actually have done. Even easier than a little misinformation, is a little exaggeration. Stretching work experience to cover a gap or inflating your responsibility can get you caught out. Ultimately exaggerating or making up information in your personal statement can end up in you losing your place on the course or your funding – so stick to the truth.
• Typos – obviously, you need to proofread your personal statement and not just for the information you've contained in it. Don't rely on spell checkers to get it right, read through it a few times just for errors and get someone you trust to do the same as sometimes you can read and re-read something and not spot a small error. Small typos could have a big impact on the admissions panel.
• Passionless personal statement – try to convey your passion for your postgraduate subject through your personal statement, however be careful as you don't want to overdo it and come across as being insincere. It's a difficult balance, but an important one. Again, get someone you trust or who has experience of the course you're applying for to give your personal statement a read through and give you their honest opinion.
• Slang words – keep your language formal and avoid slang words as well as impenetrable technical language. You've already successfully applied for an undergraduate degree and you've probably also successfully applied for a job, so you should understand what clear language to use. Some courses, like law or medicine, might require more formal language than some of the arts, but check with trusted colleagues or those who've already completed the course. Which leads us onto…
• Ignoring feedback – if you ask someone to read through your personal statement, then you should probably take the time to listen to what they really think about it. If you disagree with them remember it is your personal statement and it is you who will be doing the course you're applying for, but, do listen to the advice in the first instance.
• Repetition – you'll want to include a short introduction and a short conclusion, but avoid repeating yourself in the main body of your personal statement. You will only need to explain a point once – again it is always useful to get someone else to read through to check you're not repeating yourself at any point.
• Plagiarism – unless you completed your undergraduate degree a long time ago, then you should know that almost everything you submit will be run through plagiarism software. Many universities and the system used in the UK for undergraduate applications use plagiarism software on personal statements already. Stay away from copying and pasting anything, even if you plan to rewrite it, as it is easy to forget or not notice the plagiarised sections once you've finished.
• Bitterness & negativity – avoid complaining about any past experiences you’ve had, especially educational ones, you will never know where the person reviewing your application has worked or studied before. Negativity reflects badly on you, and you should try instead to demonstrate any positive outcomes that you have had from a bad experience.

Masters personal statement examples

Personal statement example: psychology masters .

"I have always been fascinated by the human mind and its intricate workings, which is why I am excited to pursue a Masters in Psychology. My previous studies in psychology at undergraduate level have inspired my interests in this field, and I am now eager to take my understanding of the subject to the next level.

Areas that particularly interested me at undergraduate level include cognitive psychology and neuroscience. I am fascinated by the ways in which the brain processes information, and the impact this has on human behaviour. By studying a masters degree in psychology, I hope to further explore these areas and develop a deeper understanding of the subject.

Alongside my academic studies, I have volunteered for a local mental health support charity, where I gained experience in a practice-based setting. This experience helped me develop valuable insight into real-life applications of psychology, and has inspired me to pursue a career in this field. 

I am excited about the opportunity to study psychology in more depth, and am confident that I have the skills and motivation to succeed at masters level. I am committed to making a positive impact with my skills and knowledge, and believe that this course will provide me with the necessary tools to achieve this.”

Personal statement example: engineering masters

“As an ambitious and driven individual with a strong passion for engineering, I am excited to apply for the Master of Engineering program at XYZ University. My undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering provided me with a solid foundation in the field, and I am now eager to take my knowledge and skills to the next level.

Throughout my studies, I have had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through various internships and research projects. These experiences have not only confirmed my passion for engineering but also allowed me to develop important skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking.

I am particularly interested in the area of sustainable energy and am eager to explore this field further through the Master of Engineering program. I am confident that the program's emphasis on research and hands-on learning will provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive impact in this field.

Furthermore, I believe that the diverse student body and faculty at XYZ University will provide a valuable learning environment and endless opportunities for personal and professional growth. I am excited to be a part of this community and contribute to the university's mission of advancing the field of engineering.

I am confident that the Master of Engineering program at XYZ University is the perfect next step in my academic and professional journey – and I am eager to begin this new chapter of my life.”

Personal statement example: linguistics masters

“Having always been fascinated by language, I am thrilled to apply for the Linguistics masters course at XYZ University. My undergraduate studies in English Language and Linguistics have given me a solid foundation of knowledge in this field, and I am now ready to delve deeper and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of human language.

Throughout my undergraduate degree, I have been particularly interested in phonology and syntax, and have had the opportunity to conduct independent research in these fields of study. This experience further inspired my passion for linguistics and helped me develop important skills – such as analytical thinking and data analysis.

I am excited for the opportunity to continue developing my knowledge in these areas, as well as expand my understanding in other areas of linguistics. I am drawn to the program’s focus on computational linguistics, as this is not something that I have had the opportunity to explore at undergraduate level, despite being an area I find fascinating.

The diverse student body and renowned linguistics faculty at XYZ University will provide a valuable learning environment and promising opportunities for personal and professional development. I hope to be a part of this community and contribute to the faculty’s aims to advance the field of linguistics. 

I am confident that the program offers the perfect next step in my academic journey, and I am excited to begin this new chapter of my life.”

In conclusion, a personal statement is important to get right because it gives the university admissions panel their very first impression of you. Take your time, be proud of your skills and achievements. Your statement could make the difference between securing a spot and not, so make sure your application stands out from the crowd. 

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Law personal statement

While not essential a Masters of Law (LLM) can help you stand out in the competitive legal field. Find out what to include in an LLM personal statement

When writing a personal statement for an LLM you'll need to:

• state why you wish to study this particular LLM subject. Its undertaking will require considerable time and expense so be clear in your motivation.
• outline how your experience to date, both academic and non-academic has prepared you for the LLM and how this indicates that you will be successful on the course.
• link your study of the subject to your future career goals and state how completion of the course will support your achievement of this.

This example should be used for guidance only. Copying any of this text could significantly harm your chances of securing a place on a course.

LLM personal statement

My primary motivation for applying for the LLM in Criminal Litigation is to enhance my existing subject knowledge and to gain a solid foundation from which to build a career as a criminal defence solicitor. I have a great love of the subject and of academic study, so intend to pursue this further before applying for a position as a trainee solicitor. Throughout the study of my undergraduate LLB I strove to maintain consistently high grades in each module and I believe my achievement of a first is testament to my commitment, which I intend to take forward when studying the LLM.

My interest in law is longstanding and was first piqued through a work experience placement with a local solicitor while still at school, where I had the opportunity to witness a criminal case first hand. Through attending court with an outdoor clerk I gained an insight into the workings of the court and into how cases were managed and argued. I was drawn towards this type of work due to its human aspect - the importance of trust between lawyer and client and the life implications for the client depending on the outcome of the case. I built on this experience by attending the public gallery of the Crown Court in my own time and developing a greater understanding of how the criminal justice system functions through observing proceedings and speaking to solicitors and barristers whenever possible. It was this experience that prompted me to study an LLB.

While my experience of the criminal sector provided my initial motivation, on the LLB I also felt it was important to take modules that would allow me to develop skills and experience across a range of legal sectors, to test the area I was most suited to in terms of interest and aptitude. I undertook Business Law and International Commercial Law, as well as modules in Employment Law, Family Law and Criminal Litigation and Evidence. I enjoyed the technical challenge of the commercial work and successfully applied to complete a work experience placement with a commercial law firm. There, I sharpened my legal skills by engaging in tasks such as researching relevant law, drafting a memo to a trainee solicitor and drafting a letter of advice to a mock client. I also gained an appreciation of the daily duties of a solicitor through shadowing them at meetings and reviewing contracts. I gained an insight into how corporate lawyers' relationships with professional clients have a far greater commercial focus than those of lawyers working with the individual.

I sought to build on these combined experiences by gaining as much practical experience as I could to gain real-world insight and skills with clients in my own right. I volunteered as a Gateway Assessor with Citizens Advice, which gave me excellent experience in how to manage an interview with a client using an appropriate professional manner and identify the pertinent legal issues and draft advice. It also gave me practical experience of building relationships with often vulnerable people, from all walks of life and the ability to speak to them in a way that they understood. 

Further to this, I have undertaken several pro-bono opportunities. These include working on projects such as Street Law, teaching young people about legal issues like online privacy and rights regarding stop and search, through practical and interactive methods. I have also taken part in the Schools Consent Project, leading workshops around the legal definitions of consent and assault in secondary schools and youth groups. Through these roles I further developed my ability to effectively communicate with audiences from a range of backgrounds and to adapt my approach according to their needs. I believe this ability, together with my deep interest in the subject, will stand me in good stead when working with clients involved in the criminal justice system.

In addition to academic work, I have a number of achievements in the field of music. I have obtained Grade 8 standard in both cello and violin and as part of my university's Symphony Orchestra I have played to audiences in Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as around the UK. I have achieved this while maintaining excellent grades in my undergraduate studies.

My goal is to work as a criminal defence solicitor in the future. I have chosen the route of solicitor, as opposed to barrister, as I place great value on the strong relationship built with a client and have the intention, once qualified, to undertake Higher Rights of Audience qualifications to allow me to advocate in court and see a case through to its conclusion. I see the achievement of the LLM in Criminal Litigation as a crucial step in gaining the enhanced knowledge to really excel in this role. My career aims beyond the course would be to secure a training contract with a Tier 1 ranked firm for crime, ideally in London or the South East, where I have strong personal roots.

Find out more

• Search for an LLM .
• Discover more about LLM degrees .
• Learn about  personal statements for postgraduate applications .

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Personal statements for postgraduate applications

• August 15, 2023

When you’re applying for postgraduate study, the most important part of your application – aside from your name and qualification to study the course – is your personal statement. It is the part that really allows your experience to shine, and proves to the university that you’re applying to that they should give you a place. In this post, we’ll be looking at some of the things that you need to know about writing your personal statement when you’re applying for postgraduate study.

Navigate to section

What is a personal statement, how long should a postgraduate personal statement be, what do i need to include in a postgraduate personal statement, what shouldn’t be in my postgraduate personal statement, what structure should my postgraduate personal statement take.

• How can I write a good postgraduate personal statement? 
• What do admissions teams look for in a postgraduate personal statement? 

Final thoughts

Your personal statement is simply a short essay about yourself and your suitability for the course you are applying for that you add to your postgraduate application . It is there for you to showcase yourself to the admissions team, and to help them to see that you would be a great addition to this year’s cohort. 

If you are a UK student and applied to university for undergraduate study through UCAS, then you’ll have already written a personal statement for that. Although you might read that to reflect on when you’re going to write your postgraduate personal statement, don’t use it as your guide, especially if you’ve taken a break from your studies and have worked, and gained industry experience since then. Several years will have passed since you wrote your undergraduate statement, meaning that you will have developed significantly, both academically and personally since then – and that is something you definitely want to demonstrate in your application.

For international students that are applying for postgraduate study, the process may be a little different. You’ll need to consult the guidelines for the institution to ensure that you clearly demonstrate that you meet the requirements for the course. In your personal statement, you’ll be able to discuss the same things that other applicants would, such as your career aspirations. You’ll also be able to discuss how your time studying in the UK will contribute to your career prospects, or if you anticipate further study when you have completed the course. 

One of the biggest concerns for universities welcoming international students is that their use of English is good enough to comprehend the course. Your personal statement is an ideal place to demonstrate that even if English isn’t your first language, you speak and write it well enough to be interviewed for a place. 

Whatever your current status – as a recent graduate, international student or someone returning to study from employment, there’s a good chance that your academic interests have evolved since you began your undergraduate study. You’ll need to include a section about what really appeals to you about the postgraduate course you are applying for. Remember to show why you’re a great fit for the university, and what value you will contribute to the course while you’re studying. 

On average, universities require personal statements for masters level study to be around 500 words, which is around one side of A4

On average, universities require personal statements for masters level study to be around 500 words, which is around one side of A4. But some institutions will require much longer personal statements, and some will set a character limit. 

As with any other type of academic writing, always read the application guidelines carefully before you start writing to ensure that you don’t go over a word count or miss any essential information. To assist with your personal statement word count, you can utilise this tool to ensure you stay within the specified limit: the UCAS personal statement length checker .

Why you want to study the course, and why you deserve a place

When writing a personal statement for masters or any other postgraduate course, bear in mind that it’s your sales pitch to the institution. You will need to sell yourself, so include everything that demonstrates your academic interests and career aspirations. Discuss why the university and the course is the right choice for you, such as the staff members that you would like to work with, if there are opportunities to gain work experience as part of the course to show that you’ve done suitable research, and have thought out your options clearly.

Why you are ready to study the course

Why your skillset suits the course.

You may be able to apply for credit for your previous studies – and if you hold an accounting degree, you may be able to dramatically reduce the number of exams you will need to sit.

The prestige attached to the ACA is illustrated in the average salary once qualified – globally, the average ICAEW member salary is £108,000.

How long does the ACCA route take? The ACCA allows the qualification to be studied over ten years, but it is possible to complete it within three years if you can dedicate the time.

Why the course contributes to your goals

Why anything negative could be a positive.

If there are any points of concern that an admissions team member might have about your application, you should address them in your personal statement. Don’t ignore them – especially if they are really obvious! If you encountered low grades at a certain point, or you have a gap in your employment history, be clear about the reasons they happened.

Ensure that you are positive about it though. For example, if you were able to achieve a high grade despite illness, then talk about how you did this. If your gap in employment was due to family matters, state what happened and what steps you took to return to work. If you’re an international student and you have never lived away from your home country before, how do you expect to adapt to culture differences? Resilience, adaptability and the ability to move on from a setback are qualities that universities and employers look for, especially with the demands of postgraduate study.

When you are considering what to write, a few points you should look to cover include:

• Why you have chosen the university you are applying to, and if you are applying to a particular campus location, what appeals most about that one
• Your reasons for applying for the course
• What your intended career path is, and why studying the course will support your endeavours
• If you’re an international student and universities in your home country and the course you are applying for is offered in universities there, explain why you want to study in the UK and how you benefit from studying here
• If you have been in industry for a while, cover why you want to return to your studies, as well as what you bring to the course from your experience in the field
• Once you have completed the course, what do you intend to do next?

Variations on postgraduate personal statements

It is important to note that every course has unique requirements for their personal statements. If you’re applying for a postgraduate degree in a science subject, you’ll need different information than if you are applying for an arts or business subject. Always follow the guidance from UCAS or the university, but there are a few points to note about specific courses: 

• For the Legal Practice Course , you’ll apply for up to three courses through the centralised applications system, and you’ll have up to 10,000 characters for your statement.
• To apply for a Psychology conversion course , you’ll do so with the institution directly. 
• To apply for PGCE Primary teacher training to become qualified to teach Key Stage 1 or 2, you’ll need to have gained classroom experience, so ensure this is the main focus of your PGCE personal statement.

To work with older children, you will need a PGCE Secondary certificate, and you’ll apply via UCAS Teacher Training (UTT) . You can learn more about writing a UCAS teacher training personal statement here . Whichever subject you want to teach you will need to emphasise why you are a great candidate.

Some of these go without saying, but we’ll go over them anyway!

• Never lie or exaggerate about the extent of your achievements. You will almost certainly be found out, which could damage your career down the line. 
• Don’t put someone as a reference that doesn’t know you. Your references are likely to be contacted – many professors know each other. 
• Avoid using sentences that run on too long.
• Avoid using any type of inspirational quote that you might find on Instagram!
• Don’t claim that your career is your passion. It might be, but you don’t want your statement to be cheesy!
• Steer clear of using any kind of begging or pleading to be admitted to the course. If you’ve written a strong personal statement, and your qualifications back up your application, you shouldn’t need to plead for a place on your chosen course. If a place on your chosen course isn’t available, you have plenty of options – either applying again next year, or finding another course at another institution. 
• Don’t pay compliments to the institution – staff are well aware of the reputation – and why prospective students are attracted. 
• Don’t include autobiographical information.
• Don’t waffle – your statement needs to be succinct, with just the relevant information. 

Remember that you don’t have a huge amount of space in your personal statement, so don’t repeat anything that is already included in your application such as module information. You also don’t need to include information about your extracurricular activities – unless it is relevant to the course you are applying for, of course.

Personal statements can be structured like you would an essay – they need to follow a clear structure that flows logically

Personal statements can be structured like you would an essay – they need to follow a clear structure that flows logically. Admissions teams see a lot of applications, so keeping your paragraphs short and easy to read while clearly demonstrating your enthusiasm for the course will be appreciated. 

While there are countless online templates available online that you could follow to create your personal statement, we strongly advise against using them. You might look at a few to get a good idea about what sort of things to include – but following them exactly will mean your statement won’t feel authentic, and when you attend an interview, it will be clear that you didn’t write your statement without support. 

In terms of formatting your personal statement, if using headings helps you to direct the flow of your statement, then use them – you can always take them out when you’ve finished if you feel they are unnecessary. If you are applying directly to the university on their form, then use a professional font – Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman are good choices, in size 11 or 12. UCAS Postgraduate applications are formatted automatically, so you won’t need to worry about font or size. 

How should my postgraduate personal statement start?​

Put yourself in the place of the admissions staff. They are reading thousands of applications every year, so you need to get to the point and sell yourself as quickly as possible. Your opening line should make an impact, but shouldn’t be gimmicky, use cliché or exaggerations. Start with an introduction that shows why you want to study the course. Once you’ve covered that, move onto proving why you are an ideal candidate for the course, detailing relevant knowledge and skills. When you’re finalising your statement, be clear and to the point, and ensure you state why you’re a perfect candidate. 

If you can’t think of a good way to start your statement, then work on the rest of it first. Once you know exactly what is going in your statement, and the flow of your writing, you will probably find it easier to decide on your opening sentence and paragraph. 

How should my postgraduate personal statement end?​

Keep the end of your statement to the point, but by the point that you are at your concluding statement, anyone who is reading your statement should be in no doubt that you should be given a place. Your final statement should round up all of your key points, without being repetitive. 

Be straight to the point, and keep it simple – you want to show why you would be an ideal student, and your personal statement demonstrates your communication skills. 

Proofread your work carefully, and even if you’re confident, ask someone to check it for you.

How can i write a good postgraduate personal statement.

Your personal statement is an important piece of writing. Doing a good job on it is the difference between getting onto the course you want or an alternative, so these are our recommendations: 

• Take your time to read the guidance provided 
• Plan your statement, so that you don’t forget to include anything 
• Leave enough time to edit and write several drafts 
• Use plain English (unless the guidance requires another language as part of the application process) 
• Proofread your work carefully, and even if you’re confident, ask someone to check it for you. As a bare minimum use an online tool such as Grammarly to pick up any typos! 
• Be enthusiastic – your statement should show you are excited about the prospect of studying the course
• Use a customised statement for each application – don’t just cut and paste from a generic application! 

Remember, you are looking to impress the admissions team with your personal statement – so write it accordingly. 

What do admissions teams look for in a postgraduate personal statement?

It depends on which course you are looking to study, but there are several things that admissions staff will look for in every personal statement. 

• A well thought out, clear and easy to read statement that demonstrates your skills 
• Evidence of how the course you are applying for is the best step on your career path
• That you have looked at other options and why the institution that you are applying to is the right choice 
• Why both your academic and non-academic abilities support your desire to complete the course
• That you have a suitable amount of interest in the subject

There are many different ways to show these points, and so if your personal statement looks very different from others, but still answers these points and the requirements of the institution, then don’t worry! That is likely to be a good thing as it means your personal statement will be more memorable. 

Writing your postgraduate personal statement is something that you need to take your time to get right. Rushing, or using a template is a no-no – you need to fully personalise your statement to demonstrate why you are a good fit. If you’ve read our guidance here, you’re likely to be able to put in a great personal statement for your postgraduate application, and receive a place on the course you want. 

If you are just starting your application for postgraduate study, or are deciding where to apply, read our guide , and consider whether one of these courses might be right for you. 

Read more about the MSc Accounting and Finance (ACCA route) or if you’re ready to enquire, complete the or the International enquiry form .

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• Personal statements , postgraduate degree

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Careers Service Blog

Helping you get to where you want to be when you graduate

Top tips: personal statements for postgraduate study

So you’ve made the decision to apply for a postgraduate course and have researched the course and the university, what’s next .

A personal statement is your opportunity to showcase what you have to offer and convince the admissions tutor(s) that you have the motivation, relevant knowledge , and academic capability to successfully complete the course and reflect well on the institution.

Remember, when you have finished the first draft you can have it reviewed with one of our advisers via our Careers information and advice appointments . These can be booked via mycareer .

Best of luck!

Jenny Livesey, Careers Adviser

Before you begin

• Check whether the University admissions team has written instructions on what to include, word count, etc
• Unless there are contrary instructions, we recommend you write about 500 words, which equates to approximately 1 A4 page.

A personal statement should address these questions:

Why do you want to study this subject.

Begin your personal statement with some concise motivations . Be careful not to waste space here on general comments that anyone could make, such as that you are “hard-working” or “enthusiastic”. Both these characteristics should not need to be stated so instead spend some time reflecting on phrases that are more personal to why you are applying.

Think about specific experiences that have motivated you. Perhaps an inspirational talk you attended, a debate in the field that excites you, or the chance to make a real difference to the world. Remember, don’t just make claims either – ensure your motivations are always demonstrated by brief evidence . Here is an example of this and clearly reflects this applicant’s passion for the subject.

Example: My passion for transport planning was sparked when I attended a talk by John Nash at the Bristol Festival of Ideas in 2016. Inspired by the concept of modal shift as a means of reducing traffic congestion and therefore environmental pollution, I joined the Transport Planning Society and developed my understanding through their policy reports and attending regional events every month. I am now seeking to develop my knowledge through a Master’s in Transport.

Why have you chosen this specific course, at this specific institution?

Reflect on why you’re applying for this course and this institution. Consider what attracted you to it in the first place, and what continues to inspire you about it?

For the course, think about what makes it unique compared to other universities to show you understand what it’s about. What excites you about the units? The course structure. Perhaps you will get to study abroad? Or maybe it’s the reputation of the course within the field?

When it comes to the institution, avoid general statements like ‘you’re an internationally renowned university’, unfortunately, this will show a lack of research and imagination. Instead, choose something specific about the institution you’ve discovered when researching it. Is there an academic you’d love to work with? Do they have strong links with industry? State-of-the-art facilities?

Example: I am applying to the University of Bristol as I was inspired by the ground-breaking research led by Professor Joan Bateman into the impact of music on children’s development. I drew on the project’s unique interdisciplinary methodology combining musicology and psychology in my undergraduate dissertation and would relish the opportunity to contribute to the development of this research.

What are your plans?

Show the admissions tutor that you’re not just doing further study because you can’t think of anything else to do. Even if you have not fully planned your next career steps, a broad statement will suffice. The example here is very focused, however, it is also acceptable to cite a love of learning , passion for the subject, and developing further knowledge as your reason for applying for the course.

Example: As I aim to become an accountant, I am particularly attracted to your programme for two reasons: first, it offers the accreditation needed; and second the extensive practical experience opportunities will allow me to develop good practice in advance of joining the work force and enhance my employability.

Are you academically capable of taking this course?

Admissions tutors will be looking for evidence of academic capability as well as motivation. Show that you understand what’s required to take your subject further, and that you have been developing this knowledge within and outside of your degree.

A good place to start is a dissertation or extended project, as this will show your passion for a certain area and requires the development of advanced knowledge or skills. You should also think about relevant units you’ve taken, projects you’ve been part of any technical skills you’ve developed, and any prizes or scholarships you’ve won.

Example: Attending the weekly seminar series run by the Department of Classics developed my knowledge of Latin and its reception. In my third year I took two optional units on Latin language and founded a Latin reading group for non-classicists. As a result, my Latin is now B1 standard. These language skills will allow me to engage with primary material and contribute to class discussion.

Do you have any relevant work experience?

Key skills for postgraduate study can be demonstrated by a wide range of work experience. In some cases, relevant work experience might be obvious, but even work experience that seems irrelevant provides you with transferable skills . Consider what you’ve been doing outside of your degree and reflect on the skills you have been developing.

For more tips, do’s, and don’ts, visit the Further Study page of our website and have a look at Prospects postgraduate personal statement guide .

Adapted from an original blog post by Dr Tracy Johnson

• Schools & departments

Personal statement

You will need to submit a personal statement of around 500 words, outlining your academic history and relevant experience.

Your personal statement is an important part of your application: it will help selectors to decide whether you are a good match for the programme you have applied for and, just as importantly, whether the programme is right for you.

Areas to cover

Your personal statement gives you the opportunity to outline your academic history and relevant experience in order to demonstrate that you are a suitable candidate for the programme you have applied for. 

You should also use your personal statement to outline your motivation for your chosen area of study. Try to answer questions such as:

• Why are you interested in studying at Edinburgh?
• Why have you chosen this particular programme?
• If you are studying for career development, what are your career plans and how will your studies support these?

If you have any other relevant experience, for example paid or voluntary work experience or additional qualifications not stated elsewhere, then please include this information in your personal statement, or you can add it to the “Relevant knowledge/training skills” field in the application form.

If you are applying for more than one programme you should write a tailored personal statement for each of your applications. This enables you to refer to the specific programme you are applying for and to highlight how your academic background and skills make you suitable for this particular programme.

Remember that your personal statement is an opportunity to tell us about yourself. The information you give us must be true. Copying information from elsewhere or asking someone else to write your statement, including the use of AI apps such as Chat GPT, could be considered fraud.

Length and writing style

Your personal statement should be no more than 3,500 characters (approximately 500 words) in length and should be written in formal English, using appropriate grammar and punctuation.

It is a good idea to ask a friend to proofread your statement for you before you submit your application.

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Nursing personal statement

If you would like to pursue a career as a registered nurse there are a number of pre-registration Masters courses available, that give you eligibility to qualify in two years

To apply for these courses, you will need to write a personal statement setting out:

• your interest in nursing, specifically within the NHS
• an understanding of the work environment
• knowledge of current challenges facing the profession
• previous relevant experience
• skills including teamwork, communication, problem solving and your capacity for leadership.

Relevant work experience is a requirement of study, but this can be gained in a variety of ways from hospitals to community healthcare settings. You may also include additional experience gained from other non-related areas. Wherever you have built your experience you will need to focus on demonstrating the practical and transferable skills you have developed.

When you write your personal statement it is also important to reflect the core values of working as a nurse in the NHS. These include working together for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion, improving lives and everyone counts. You also need to adopt a person-centred approach to healthcare.

This example should be used for guidance only. Copying any of this text could significantly harm your chances of securing a place on a course.

Nursing personal statement example

I have always been passionate about working in health and social care and chose to study this field at undergraduate level. I particularly enjoyed modules in 'Global Issues Within Social Care' and 'Working with Adults' and was delighted to take up a position after graduating in a social care role within my local council. This exposed me to working in a community-based adult residential care setting, where I saw how adopting a person-centred approach made a genuine difference to the experiences of our residents, empowering them to make care-related decisions and with an emphasis on compassionate care. I began to realise that my skills in communication, teamworking and problem solving, alongside my values of empowering vulnerable people to make choices, would make me an excellent candidate to train as an adult nurse.

To continue to build relevant experience, alongside my social care role, I volunteered in my local hospital where I worked on several wards including A&E, the maternity ward and within the diabetes clinic. I used this opportunity to further develop my skills in patient care, empathy and communication and have received positive feedback from the ward sister praising my communication, excellent time management and my high levels of motivation. Patient feedback was similarly positive, noting my calm demeanour and cheerful manner. Volunteering gave me the opportunity to speak with nurses from a variety of clinical areas about their roles and to explore the many routes a career in nursing presents for professional development and growth. The most important thing I learned from this valuable experience was the profound impact nurses make on individuals' lives and it was this knowledge that firmly cemented my ambition to pursue a career in nursing.

Nursing as a profession demands many core skills, including displaying a professional attitude at times of high pressure, excellent attention to detail, communicating clearly and with confidence, teamworking and being able to work independently. I first developed my professional behaviour while working as part of the waiting team in a busy restaurant where I prioritised excellent customer service. I continued to improve my leadership skills by captaining my high school hockey team and the second XI team at university. My university course demanded a clear focus on detail, and I believe the research I conducted for my dissertation on 'Demystifying drug abuse' is a clear and relevant example. Working in the residential home has always been rewarding  but has, at times, had  challenging moments when my skills in keeping calm and defusing tension through clear and open communication have been valuable. I believe these professional skills would enable me to be a calm and patient nurse, able to handle the difficult situations and conflicting demands inherent in the role.

I have chosen to apply for the MSc Nursing at X University due to the focus on person-centred care and the holistic approach on caring for both the patient and their wider family. I appreciate the combination of theoretical and placement-based modules within your partner NHS Foundation and am eager to learn from both the academic team at the university and from the staff who work within the NHS. I am particularly interested in studying the core module 'Improving Safety and Quality of Care', which would give me a greater understanding of person-centred care in practise. Experiencing a variety of practical placements also greatly appeals, and while I have developed some ward-based experience through volunteering, I look forward to discovering nursing in a range of different settings to better inform me of potential career options.

My academic skills, as demonstrated by my 2:1 degree in social care from the University of Y, alongside my strong A-level performance are a clear indicator of my ability to cope with the intellectual challenge of studying at Masters level. I enjoy both research and writing academically and my grounding in biology and chemistry from A-level studies will be of great benefit. I have always been a proactive student, volunteering to be a class representative in my undergraduate studies and taking an active role in both the hockey team and the student film society. I intend to become a proactive member of the student body if I’m  offered a place on this programme and would be interested in becoming a class rep, something I see from your website that the university values greatly.

The MSc Nursing from X University represents an exciting step towards my professional goal of nursing and I believe my practical and academic skills combined with my passion for delivering excellent patient care make me an outstanding candidate for your consideration.

Find out more

• Search postgraduate courses in nursing .
• Gain an insight into the healthcare sector .
• Learn more about personal statements for postgraduate applications .
• Discover more about applying for a Masters .

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Personal statements for postgraduate study

A personal statement is a standard part of applying to postgraduate courses. It's used to convince an admissions tutor that you want and deserve a place on the course to which you are applying.

Some institutions ask you to follow specific guidelines when writing your personal statement. Otherwise, you can consider the following general advice.

Structure and content

Your personal statement should match the course you are applying for, so you should create a new one for every application you make.

Introduction

The introduction should quickly communicate that you are enthusiastic about applying to the course. It should show that it's worth the admissions tutor’s time to keep reading.

The body of your personal statement should include why you are applying and why you should be selected, with a paragraph on each topic.

Why you are applying

You should explain both why you are applying for postgraduate study in general and why you are applying to this course specifically. You should discuss your academic and career interests and plans, and how the course will help you explore and reach these.

Show your motivation for the course by explaining what you have learned about the course content in your studies so far and why you want to explore it further.

If you want to pursue a career outside academia, you should show an understanding of the sector you are interested in and how the skills learned through the course will help you.

If you are considering an academic career, avoid simply stating that the course is the first step to achieving this. Instead, show a detailed understanding of academic career pathways and how you see this course helping you.

You should also explain why you are applying to this specific institution or department. You could comment on:

• specific academic staff you want to research with or be taught by
• how your interests align with the interests of those who already work there – say whether you’ve read any of their work, and cite your sources
• how it would differ to where you did your undergraduate degree, such as being larger or more specialised
• networks of contacts it can provide
• facilities and resources that it offers, such as research equipment and libraries.

Why you should be selected

You also need to explain why the admissions tutor should admit you to the course. Show evidence of your skills and knowledge, mentioning your achievements. Outline how undergraduate study has prepared you for postgraduate study.

You could comment on:

• your academic strengths and interests
• high grades you’ve received for specific modules, essays, projects and dissertations
• academic prizes or bursaries you’ve received
• experience of attracting research or travel funding
• work experience or extra-curriculars that have prepared you for the course
• research activities you’ve been involved in, such as working alongside academic staff during vacations
• how you can successfully balance academic study with other commitments.

Address any significant weaknesses in your application, such as poor performance in a module. Try to give good reasons for why these weaknesses exist and what you have done about them. This suggests that these problems are not typical of you, and shows that you can confront setbacks in your academic and professional life.

Your conclusion should briefly bring what you have said together and reiterate that you believe you are well suited to the course.

Your personal statement should be no longer than one A4 page, and your font no smaller than size 10 and no larger than size 12. Use a modern and professional font, such as Arial, Aptos, Calibri, or Times New Roman. 

Your personal statement should also be well written.  Admissions tutors will reject applications with poor spelling or grammar, so revise English grammar rules . If applying for courses in the UK, ensure you use British English .

If you use English as a second language, the University's  Academic English Service offers one-to-one English tutorials.

Additional resources

• Perfecting your postgraduate personal statement (Careers360)
• Personal statements (Prospects)
• Postgraduate personal statement library (The Student Room)

Writing a personal statement for postgraduate study

Put your best foot forward

Explore what to include in your personal statement

The application process for Master's study is competitive.

A strong personal statement will optimise your chances of success. Your personal statement gives your reasons for wanting to do the course and shows your ability to complete the course successfully.

Your Personal Statement is a great opportunity for you to introduce yourself and outline why you're a compelling candidate for a course. You should demonstrate your enthusiasm for the course and highlight the skills you've gained from your academic studies and your work or life experience. If you're not currently studying you should include information about if you've taken a year out, and why, and details of your current or previous employment.

Each university is likely to provide its own guidance on what to include in your personal statement. Check the requirements carefully for each application. They might include a word or page limit, or specific content requirement. Make sure to follow the guidelines and address all the areas they want you to cover. Failure to follow the guidelines could lead to rejection – especially where competition for places is strong.

We suggest you include some or all of the following points.

Your reasons for choosing the course.

Outline your reasons for doing postgraduate study and specifically the course you've chosen. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for further study and/or research.

Your personal statement should convey your views and be written in your style. To be successful, make sure you're clear, concise and factual. Don't get someone else to write it for you.

Write about relevant previous academic study, achievements and projects. Focus on academic skills you've developed and wish to develop further. Does the course link to your dissertation? Mention anything that significantly influenced your choice. Why do you want to study at the particular institution you're applying to? Are you interested in a particular research focus or quality of research?

Your interest in your chosen subject

Demonstrate that you're clear about what the course will involve. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What is it about this course that interests you?
• Are there any features of this course that particularly attract you and why?
• What sparked your interest in this study area?
• What have you done so far to develop your interest?
• What have you learned about yourself in the process?

Give details of any relevant jobs, work experience, placement or voluntary work you have done. Include the skills and the experience you've gained from these activities.

Reflect on work experience and how this has influenced your choices. What will you bring to the course as a result? Consider the skills you'll need to be successful on your course and give evidence you have these skills.

Your future career plans

Do you have a clear career goal? How does your course choice fit with this? This could demonstrate commitment to the programme to achieve a specific outcome. Where your chosen course is of a vocational nature, this section will be especially important. You'll need to include evidence of work experience and career exploration.

Your social, sports or leisure interests

For some courses it might be useful to provide evidence of additional skills that are useful in your studies. For challenging courses it demonstrates that you have an outlet outside your studies.

International students

If you're an international student you may also like to include the following:

• Your reasons for studying in the UK – this could include the course, research, cultural experience, and/or a desire to improve language skills
• Your language skills – what evidence do you have to show that you can complete a higher education course that is taught in English?
• Evidence of previous studies in an English–speaking environment

Make sure your personal statement is written to a high standard with good spelling and grammar and make sure the meaning is clear. Don't get someone else to write your personal statement for you – you have to demonstrate that you have the right level of English to support your studies.

The Careers and Employability Service can offer support with writing your Personal Statement. Find out how you can get  feedback on your application .

You can find further advice on writing a personal statement from the  Prospects website .

Get more guidance on further study after graduation

Applying for a phd.

Have a look at our advice on applying for your place in further study.

Getting into medical school

Read our advice, information and resources to help you progress your career in medicine.

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Personal and supporting statements

Popular pages on the careers website

What's the difference?

Although it sounds like they could be the same thing, there are distinct differences between a personal statement and a supporting statement:

• A personal statement is used in applications for further study.
• A supporting statement is used in job applications to demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Postgraduate applications

Your personal statement is your opportunity to make your postgraduate application stand out. This piece of writing is similar to the personal statement that you likely submitted for your undergraduate degree application. It's a chance for you to show your passion for studying, highlight relevant skills and experiences, and outline your future goals. Since most postgraduate applications are made directly to each institution you apply to, you should customise your statement for each institution and course to maximise its impact.

What to include

Craft a strong personal statement by checking the institution's website and course information for specific guidelines. Make sure to tailor your statement to the specific course and university you are applying to by addressing the following key points:

Motivations and career goals: Explain your interest in the course, its relevance to your academic and career aspirations, and how it aligns with your future ambitions.

Reasons for choosing the institution: Highlight what sets the institution apart and specific aspects of the course that excite you, such as modules or work experience opportunities.

Your academic skills: Showcase how your undergraduate degree has prepared you for postgraduate study and highlight your relevant academic achievements.

Your additional skills, experience, and interests: Mention extracurricular activities, relevant work experience, and other interests that will make you an excellent postgraduate student at their institution.

How to structure them

Create a compelling personal statement using the following structure:

• Beginning: Engage the reader with a captivating introduction, showcasing your motivations for choosing the course.
• Middle: Use separate paragraphs to highlight your skills, experience, and knowledge of the institution. You can use the STAR technique to help you structure your examples.
• End: Summarise why you are an ideal candidate for the course and deserving of a place.

Write concisely and positively. Write one side of A4 unless there is a specific word or character limit provided in the guidelines.

What are they?

A supporting statement is a crucial part of many job applications, particularly in education, public sector, and non-profit organisations.

It allows you to demonstrate how you meet ALL the essential and, if possible, desirable criteria outlined in the employer's person specification.

What is a person specification?

A person specification is a document that lists the skills, experience, and knowledge required for the job. Each criterion is labelled as 'essential' or 'desirable.' Be careful – some person specifications will be a separate document that you have to download.

Your supporting statement will be assessed against the person specification and determine whether you progress to the next stage of the recruitment process, typically an interview. Therefore, you should use the person specification to inform the way you write your supporting statement.

How to write them

Your supporting statement should have a clear structure based on the criteria provided in the person specification. You should tailor your supporting statement for every job you apply for. Keep these tips in mind:

Follow the order of the criteria in the person specification to create a logical flow to your supporting statement. Use the criteria as subheadings or if the person specification uses numbered headings, you can number your paragraphs accordingly. This will help the recruiter understand how you fit their role requirements clearly.

Explain how and why your skills and experience meet each criteria using specific examples. Avoid talking about your generic skills and instead focus on specific examples, being as succinct as possible. We recommend using the STAR technique .

Where possible and if logical, group similar criteria together to save space and avoid repetition. E.g., can you include an example of when you have demonstrated problem solving and excellent communication skills at the same time?

Quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, did you score highly for the module your example is from, or did you receive positive feedback from a line manager or customer? Quantified results make your examples more tangible for the reader.

Focus on examples from the most relevant experiences you’ve had, but if needed, draw from your wider experiences and explain how you can transfer these skills into the new role.

Use positive and impactful language, reflecting the job description and company language. Top Tip: check the company website for their business values or mission statement and include how your personal values align to their strategic aims in your supporting statement.

Follow the specified word count if there is one, otherwise aim for 1-2 pages of A4.

Remember to proof-read your statements and ask others to check them too. Book an appointment with a Careers Adviser for detailed feedback and extra support.

Create your statement in a separate word document, once you're happy with it copy and paste it into the application form. This will help you spot spelling and grammar errors, as well as prevent you from sending your application in before your statement is finished.

Save a copy of your statement to your files so you can familiarise yourself with your key points before an interview.

Remember that these statements are your opportunity to sell yourself, so be positive, use convincing language, and persuade the reader that you are the perfect candidate for the opportunity!

Speak to a careers adviser

Get guidance from our friendly team of advisers. Book an appointment  or call 0161 295 0023 (option 5, option 3). 

Open to current students and Salford Alumni only.