msc healthcare leadership personal statement

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SOP - MSc Healthcare Leadership

• Sample personal statement

16 July, 2022

Sop - msc healthcare leadership share.

• 12 May, 2013

My name is Sonya Ghosh. I am 28 years old and my nationality is Bangladeshi. I have a desire to gain a deep understanding of the key principles, practices of leadership, and subjects affecting today’s leaders in the NHS and this is why I want to pursue the MSc Healthcare Leadership programme at BPP University. I believe that if I am successful on this course I can use my knowledge and skills to help others with great satisfaction from giving something back to the community. Following my SSC and HSC, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Chittagong, Bangladesh in 2017. To enhance my academic knowledge I admitted into University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and earned my Master of Social Science in Clinical Social Work. I have a great communication skills and leadership quality. Some of my personal interests include socializing, watching documentaries and travelling. Right now, I am working as a Nursing Instructor at Central Hospital Nursing Institute. I have been working here since August, 2017. From my workplace, I have gained confidence which is important in everyday life. My English Language skills have been honed with a lot of practice. In addition to this, My medium of instruction was in English which also plays a vital role in the development of my English skills. Actually, I am a very sociable person and I want to relish the chance to utilize my earned skills in a professional context. Moreover, I am highly aware of BPP University’s outstanding reputation and it will be a privilege for me to acquire more knowledge within the program as I still have so much to learn.

I have researched a lot of Universities and have decided to study at BPP University because of its good reputation in teaching. BPP University is a leading UK institution with a strong commitment to the development of professional skills. BPP University’s cutting edge campus with state-of-the-art facilities and innovative teaching methods supports the learning effectively in a range of styles that include interactive lectures, video and written case studies, individual group exercises, both face to face and online, presentation by visiting experts, engagement skills sessions, including presentations, board room discussions and simulations. Moreover, the university engage students as part of their success. Studying here would give me the chance to differentiate myself with distinct accomplishments and success. By researching the programme key facts, I have found some demanding modules in the MSc Healthcare Leadership programme which are adjusted with the current industry needs The course contents includes Exploring the key elements in Healthcare Leadership, Evidence-Based & Evidence-Informed Leadership Practice, and Dissertation. The course will help me to learn the NHS Commissioning Board’s new regions. Furthermore, I will be able to learn the leadership tool, methods, and trends which will help me to achieve my future career goal. I think this is the correct decision to accomplish my career goals and expectations and I believe that my previously learned skills and knowledge will help me to learn at this level as my previous course is related to my chosen course. On top of this, the thing that motivated me to choose UK is that it maintains a quality management system with high standard in all fields. According to my research, UK degree is globally by international universities, top employers and government bodies, creating huge number of chances to get placed with leading companies and I am expecting to find the UK to be a relaxed and a welcoming place for me to acclimatize to.

In the current day in Bangladesh, the healthcare sector needs more skilful employees to improve the operations of an organization. In order to stay relevant in the industry I need to acquire knowledge on the latest developments in leadership theories and methods. I have seen many better empty position in this area such as Medical Director, Healthcare consultant, Health information manager which require an overseas MSc degree. After completion, I want to be a Healthcare Consultant in a well reputed NGOs or firms such as UNDP, Helen Keller International (HKI), or United Nations. I believe that this course would be the right choice me to achieve my career objectives. However, I am determined to study this course in the UK as the study environment in my country is quite different and we only have the opportunity to study with local students. There is a total of 143 universities in the UK, 108 of which are in England, 19 in Scotland, 8 universities in Wales and 8 in Northern Ireland. Of the top 10 universities in the world, 4 are held by UK institutions. In the UK, living cost and tuition fees is lower than other top destinations (e.g., USA, Canada, or Australia). UK prepares their students academically and give them soft skills which is helpful for their future career. In a recent Survey of International Graduate Outcomes 2019 by Universities UK International produced by iGraduate shows that 82% international graduates say that their UK degree are worth the financial investment and similar number of graduates say that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their careers. Nearly 83% feel that UK degree has helped them to get jobs. My home countries institutions follows old traditional systems where education system is memory based and curriculum are not updated with latest developments. So, I believe that the UK is the right choice for my higher study destination.

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• The University of Warwick

A guide to writing a Masters personal statement

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If you are considering postgraduate study, you will need to think about writing an application that demonstrates why you are the right candidate for the course and their university. This is where your personal statement comes in. 

You’ll already have written a personal statement for your undergraduate application, so the concept should be familiar. However, there are some things you should be aware of when it comes to writing specifically for postgraduate study. 

In this guide, we’ll explain how to write a stand-out Masters personal statement and provide you with some valuable insights from our Masters Recruitment Manager Danielle, here at Warwick Business School (WBS).

What is a Masters personal statement?

An MSc personal statement, also known as a ‘statement of purpose’, supports your application to study a postgraduate course at university. It should highlight your key skills and experience whilst demonstrating your understanding of the course and conveying your academic skills and interests.

From her experience in the Recruitment and Business Development team at WBS, Danielle gives her take on a personal statement: 

Your personal statement is your opportunity to sell yourself and differentiate yourself from any other applicant, share your passion for joining WBS and link your life experiences and skills to how you could contribute to a cohort.

How long should a Masters personal statement be?

A personal statement for postgraduate study should fit within two pages of A4. Whilst you won’t be penalised if it is slightly longer, you should always make sure the content is relevant and doesn’t repeat information elsewhere in your application. 

What do you need to prepare before writing a Masters personal statement? 

Before writing your personal statement for postgraduate study, there are a few things you should consider.

Research your options

Take the time to read through course pages and brochures. You’ll find in-depth information on what the course involves and how it might align with your career goals. Danielle explains how understanding what the course involves is key in demonstrating your suitability and passion for a course: 

All of our course webpages feature extensive information on the course modules, so take the time to show you’ve done your research in your personal statement. Your personal statement is your chance to relate yourself to our core values and demonstrate what a strong candidate you will be for one of our programmes. Ensure you also use this as an opportunity to link our programme to your future career.

Course titles should not be taken at face value. Whilst some universities will have courses with the same titles, the content will differ. You need to demonstrate you understand what the course entails and why you want to apply for a particular course as. Danielle adds:

Take time to look at the content of the course you are applying for; although course titles may be the same at different universities the course content can be different. Do your research and demonstrate this in your personal statement, showing how invested you are in studying at WBS.

Consider what you want from your studies

The range of choice when it comes to postgraduate study is vast, and it can feel overwhelming when deciding which course is right for you. 

Whilst opinions from your friends and family are important, they shouldn’t be the ultimate deciding factor when choosing a course. Ultimately you need to consider what you really want and whether it aligns with your career goals. 

Begin to prepare your application

Once you have decided which course you would like to apply for and you’ve ensured you meet the entry requirements, you will need to begin preparing your application. This includes collecting the correct documentation such as a CV, transcript, personal statement, and reference.

What should you include in a Masters personal statement?

Recruitment and admissions teams receive thousands of applications each year so it is important that your personal statement is to the point and demonstrates what they are looking for in their students. 

Danielle gives some insight into what our recruitment team looks for in a personal statement for a Masters degree:

Aim to keep your personal statement to the point by making sure you answer the following questions, addressing the key points our Selection Committee will be looking for:

• Why have you selected this course? What are your motivating factors?
• How do you see this course benefitting your career plans?
• What will you contribute to your cohort?

As well as addressing these key questions, you should also include the following:

Academic achievements 

You need to demonstrate how your undergraduate study has prepared you for a postgraduate course. You can do this by highlighting specific achievements, projects and pieces of work as well as mentioning any particular topics that interest you. 

Professional achievements

If you completed any professional work experience alongside your studies, it is a good idea to mention them here. Highlight any duties, tasks and responsibilities you had to demonstrate what you gained from this work experience. 

Relevant extracurricular activities

Including information about relevant extracurricular activities you are involved in can help to give a more rounded view of you as a person. This could include volunteering opportunities and any meaningful hobbies you have. 

Transferable skills

Your transferable skills should be highlighted throughout your personal statement. The types of things you could include are presentation skills, communication skills, analytical thinking and time management. Consider what you can bring to lectures and workshops. For example, if your course involves a lot of group work, use an example where you demonstrate your experience with this.

What should you avoid when writing a Masters personal statement?

Repetition of information.

When submitting both a CV and personal statement it can be easy to fall into the trap of just repeating the same information across both documents. Your personal statement is an opportunity for you to reflect and expand on what you have stated on your CV, rather than repeating the same information.

Not providing enough context

Simply listing your achievements without providing context will not prove to the recruitment teams that you are the right candidate for the course. Provide hard evidence to back up the statements you make and try to give two or three in-depth examples, rather than several weak answers. 

Not tailoring your application to the specific university or course

Recruitment and admissions teams are keen to hear why you have chosen a specific course and why you want to attend their university. You need to provide clear examples of what excites you about their institution and how you can align with their particular values.  

What do recruitment teams look for in a Masters personal statement?

University recruitment teams and selection committees review thousands of applications each year. To ensure your application stands out, you must show that you have taken the time to prepare and research your chosen university.

Recruitment teams want to see your passion for the subject and motivations for joining their institution. Detailing your experience and the skills you can bring will help to emphasise this. Danielle also suggests not overlooking the obvious when it comes to writing a personal statement:

It may sound simple but the first answer to this question is that the Selection Committee wants to see a well written, clearly structured personal statement which demonstrates good preparation and research.

What else do I need to include with my Masters application?

The documents you need to include in your application may vary by institution and course. But generally, as well as your personal statement, you will also need to include: 

• Academic and professional references
• Copies of your undergraduate degree certificate and academic transcripts
• A list of final year modules if you're still studying for an undergraduate degree
• A research proposal (not all courses will require this)

If you are an international student, there are some additional things you will need to provide including: 

• A copy of your passport
• Proof of your language proficiency through either a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) certificate, or any others that meet requirements outlined on our course pages.

When are the deadlines for Masters applications?

Deadlines for Masters programmes vary quite widely between courses and universities. Information on specific deadlines can be found on their respective course pages and postgraduate brochures . You should aim to make an application early in the cycle to ensure there are still places available on the course.

Deadlines for scholarships and external scholarships can also vary, so if you wish to apply for these, you will also have to factor in these deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an interview for masters programmes.

At WBS, there are no interviews for MSc courses. Instead, all decisions are made based on the application you submit. Your undergraduate transcript will be reviewed in depth along with your CV and personal statement.

How many Masters can you apply for?

If you are applying to a UK university, you can apply for as many courses and universities as you like. However, you should not over-stretch yourself and you should only apply for courses that you are really passionate about.

Writing an appropriately tailored application can be time-consuming and attempting to write too many could jeopardise your chances of being successful. 

Do you have to pay for your Masters application?

We require an application fee of £75 to cover administrative costs. If you're applying to multiple Warwick courses, remember each course will warrant its own application fee. 

How do I apply for a Masters degree?

We have our own application system, and you can find linked 'how to apply' sections on all of our course pages. 

------------------------

Discover our range of MSc courses at Warwick Business School

Designed for the change makers of the future, our postgraduate courses will drive you to learn, question, debate and make an impact on the world around you.

Our challenging and rewarding courses will provide you with everything you need to take your personal and professional skills to the next level. 

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How to apply

Here, you will find information on admission requirements, how to submit your application, deadlines and how to get assistance.

Admission requirements

Applicants need to meet the following eligibility criteria.

• A 2:1 or higher undergraduate degree ,  GPA score of 3.5 or above, or equivalent international qualification. We will consider applicants who do not hold such a qualification but can demonstrate a particularly strong employment record and/or hold certain professional qualifications.
• At least five years’ relevant professional experience, which should include demonstrable leadership of a team, project, programme, department or similar in healthcare.
• English language proficiency (either TOEFL or IELTS, with minimum scores met if English is not your first language). A previous degree or work experience in English may be sufficient.

Application deadlines

Applications for the 2024 class are now open.

You need to submit your online application form with all application requirements by your chosen deadline. Only completed applications will be considered in each application round.

Application deadlines for the 2024 class:

• Round 1: 6 November 2023
• Round 2: 5 January 2024
• Round 3: 22 April 2024 (scholarship deadline)
• Round 4: 3 June 2024

Interview decisions

The admissions committee will review your application.

You will be notified on the interview decision deadline whether you have been shortlisted for an interview.

• Round 1: 27 November 2023
• Round 2: 5 February 2024
• Round 3: 20 May 2024
• Round 4: 1 July 2024

Final decisions

After all interviews have been conducted, the admissions committee will decide which candidates will receive an offer to join the programme. 

Final decisions for the 2024 programme will be emailed to all candidates on the final decision deadline of the round in which you have applied:

• Round 1: 18 December 2023
• Round 2: 18 March 2024
• Round 3: 1 July 2024
• Round 4: 5 August 2024

Contact the Recruitment and Admissions team to discuss your suitability for the programme and find out more about the application process.

To complete your application, you will need:

• Academic transcripts of higher education qualifications outlining subjects studied and grades obtained. 
• At least two referees – current line manager and professional or academic reference. We are unable to accept previously prepared reference letters.
• Three pieces of written work.

Your application essays give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, curiosity and insight.

The topics of the personal statements and essay title are:

• A statement of purpose: your statement should explain your motivation for applying for the course MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership, your relevant experience and education and specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in . (500 words)
• If we asked your closest associates to describe you, what would they say? Which adjectives would they use and why? What would they say are your strengths and weaknesses as a colleague and as a leader?   ( 500 words)
• What do you think are the major challenges facing global health? Please complete your essay in an academic writing style, making reference to any relevant literature where appropriate . (1,500 words)

We are looking for you to demonstrate your knowledge and opinions but also encourage you to include evidence to support your arguments. Be sure to include references for any quoted material within your essays. References will not count as part of your essay word limit. 

Every piece of written work is put through plagiarism detection software.  Read the University's guide  on how to avoid similarities when writing your essay.

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview, which will either be scheduled in Oxford or online. Once all these stages are complete, we will notify you of the results as quickly as we can.

Selecting your college

The collegiate system makes studying at Oxford a truly special experience.

Oxford colleges are small, intimate communities, where you meet academics and fellow students from around the world. 

Once you have received an offer and paid your deposit you will be sent a list of colleges and can select your college preference. Although we cannot guarantee you will be accepted at your preferred college, we can guarantee you will receive membership at one of the colleges. 

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide proof of your English language proficiency.

We accept the following tests:

TOEFL iBT  

Minimum score 110

Minimum score required for each component

• Listening: 22
• Reading: 24
• Writing: 24
• Speaking: 25

Minimum score of 7.5

Minimum score required for each component 7.0

The Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)  

Minimum score of 191

Minimum score required for each component: 185

The Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)

Minimum required per component: 185

The requirement to provide proof of English language proficiency may be waived, at the discretion of the University, in the following circumstances:

• You have successfully completed a full-time degree-level course of a minimum of nine months at a recognised institution where the medium of instruction and assessment is entirely in English.
• You have completed extensive work experience within an English-speaking country or a company that uses English as its language of communication.

English language waiver

At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, the requirement to provide English language test scores may be waived. You can apply for a waiver if you have completed, or are currently completing, a degree-level cours e  that is:

• at least nine months in duration
• undertaken at a recognised institution where teaching and assessment throughout the course is undertaken entirely in English; and
• has been completed no more than 2 academic years before the start date of the course to which you are applying.

You can also apply for a waiver based on substantial professional experience if:

• you have worked for a minimum of two years in a majority English speaking country where the main language for the role was English.
• your role involved daily professional use of each of the four language components (reading, writing, listening and speaking).
• you worked in an appropriately technical context to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in an academic environment; and
• your role has ended no more than two years before the start date of the course to which you are applying.

More on TOEFL and IELTS

The institution code for ordering your official TOEFL score sheet from ETS is 0807. There is no department code, this can be left blank. If you choose to take the IELTS you need to sit the academic test. If you sit the TOEFL it must be the general test. Your test must have been taken less than two years before the start date of the course for which you are applying.

Please note that we reserve the right to request a test of English to be taken at any time.

International students are usually required to have a student visa to enter the UK, please allow sufficient time for this to be processed.

The total course fees for both home and overseas students for the September 2024 programme is £57,760.

Programme fees cover tuition costs, course materials, essential reading texts, assessments and college membership (for two years). Lunch and refreshments are provided daily and there is an evening dinner at a different Oxford college during each module.

Accommodation, travel and additional living costs are not included in the fee. You should make arrangements to stay in Oxford during the modules. As part of your course requirements, you will need to choose a dissertation topic. Depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs.

As you will be studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances, for example, your choice of accommodation, but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.

Applicants who are offered and accept a place on the programme are asked to pay a £8,660 non-refundable deposit, which is offset against their fees. The deposit is due 30 days after notification of acceptance. We usually require deposit payments at least four weeks before the start of the programme, unless in exceptional circumstances. The remainder of the programme fee is due in two instalments: 50% to be paid before the first year of study and 35% before the second year of study.

The Fees and Funding section of the University of Oxford website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Scholarships and funding

We are committed to supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion.

We offer five scholarship awards for this programme: two Women’s Scholarships and three Director’s Awards.

The Women's Scholarship is awarded to two outstanding female candidates from each intake, covering 50% of the total programme fee.

There are three Director's Awards, two covering 50% and one covering 75% of the total programme fee. This is open to candidates who can effectively demonstrate how they will enhance the diversity of their cohort, as well as exemplify the positive impact this MSc will have on their sector/country/region in the long term.

• Laura Loudon, Recruitment Manager – Executive Diplomas and Masters
• [email protected]
• +44 (0) 7590 001198

At home, abroad, working, interning?  Wherever you are this summer, contact OCS or make an appointment for a virtual advising session. We are available all summer! 

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Writing the Personal Statement for Health Professions Applications

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🎥  Watch this short video

The personal statement gives you the opportunity to present a compelling snapshot of who you are and perhaps why you want to be a doctor. Use your personal statement to say what others can’t. The personal statement can be a tricky genre to master. On the one hand, you want to give the admissions committee a sense of your personality and who you are. On the other hand, you must sound focused and professional, which sounds like it might impede your ability to capture your personality.

But this does not have to be the case. What you need to do is figure out how to say what drives you to want to become a healthcare professional in as specific a way as possible. The more specific you can be, the more the admissions committee will feel as if they have a sense of who you are.

You don’t need gimmicks, jokes, artificial drama, or hyperbole to express who you are or why you would make a good medical student or doctor. All you need are carefully selected details that you can craft into a unique and compelling story that conveys a sense of purpose and motivation.

What Makes a Good Personal Statement?

• There is no exact template for an effective personal statement. Often, however, strong personal statements combine a concise description of a personal experience with reflection on how this experience either led the writer to pursue medicine or indicates the writer’s character or commitment.
• Good personal statements often have a strong sense of narrative. This does not mean that they read like short stories, though they can relate a few scenes or anecdotes from your life. They have a strong sense of narrative, rather, in how they convey the writer’s sense of dedication to medicine. Strong personal statements often give readers an idea of how applicants see their experiences as leading to the decision to pursue medicine.

How to Get Started

The personal statement is an exercise in self-reflection. Questions to consider:

• Who are you?  I am driven to… I have learned to… I believe…
• What are your most passionate interests or concerns?  What problem(s) most occupy your thinking and your efforts?
• How did you develop those interests?  (Not just the story, but what drives you.)
• What errors or regrets have taught you something important about yourself?
• When does time disappear for you?  What does this tell you about your passions, your values?
• What ideas, books, courses, events have had a profound impact on you?  How so?
• To what extent do your current commitments reflect your most strongly held values?
• When have you changed?  Consider yourself before and after; what does this change mean?
• How do your interests and who you are relate to your goals in medical school and as a doctor?

Start a “shoebox”; a place to keep random notes for your personal statement; be ready to write at any time. Review these items occasionally; let them tell you more about what you want your personal statement to say. Start writing drafts, experiments; you will know when a paragraph begins to gel.

A Suggested Writing Process

Everyone writes differently, so these are potential strategies rather than rules.

• Make a list of some of your most defining experiences – extracurricular activities, specific classes, volunteer work, research, hobbies, etc. Try not to include overly personal experiences (breakups, trouble with parents, illnesses in the family, and so on). It’s difficult to write about such things without being sentimental or cliché. You want experiences in which you did something and had to make a choice.
• From this list, try to select an experience that particularly demonstrates your intellectual curiosity, your dedication to service, your composure under pressure, your leadership ability, or any other personal trait that you think is particularly relevant to your case that you would make a good doctor or medical student.
• Start writing a draft based on this experience. You want to be specific, but don’t get bogged down with an abundance of anecdotes or minutiae. Try to use your draft to craft a succinct story that demonstrates your character and your motivations.
• Set the draft aside for some time (a number of days or weeks), and then revisit it with fresh eyes. Be as honest with yourself as you can be: What works in this draft? What doesn’t work? What sounds cliché or unspecific? Would a reader who doesn’t know me at all get a sense of my personal character and dedication?
• Revise, revise, revise: tighten the structure, add new things to make your point clearer, take away sentences or sections that now seem unnecessary, use the active voice as much as possible, and anything else that needs to be done. If what you have just doesn’t seem to be coming together, do not be afraid to start over.
• Solicit feedback from a couple of trusted readers and revise again based on the suggestions that you find most useful. Don’t solicit feedback from too many people though – too many responses can be overwhelming.
• Edit your work for grammatical mistakes, typos, clumsy repetitions, and so on. Make your prose impeccable before you submit your statement. Asking help from other readers can be especially helpful with editing, as sometimes it gets difficult to read your work with fresh eyes.

Things to Do

• Use the experience that you describe to tell a story of personal progress, particularly progress towards your commitment to medicine.
• Write with active verbs as much as possible.
• Strive for concision.
• Sound humble but also confident.

Things Not to Do – Common Pitfalls

• Don’t talk in hyperbolic terms about how passionate you are. Everyone applying to medical school can say they are passionate. Instead, show your readers something you have done that indicates your passion.
• Don’t adopt an overly confessional or sentimental tone. You need to sound professional.
• Don’t treat the personal statement like a piece of creative writing.
• Don’t put your resume in narrative form.
• Don’t use jargon, abbreviations, slang, etc.
• Don’t use too many qualifiers: very, quite, rather, really, interesting…
• Don’t write in overly flowery language that you would normally never use.
• Don’t include famous quotations. If you must quote, use something that shows significant knowledge.
• Don’t write about yourself in an overly glorifying or overly self-effacing manner.

What to Remember

• They are read by non-specialists, so write for an intelligent non-medical audience.
• Actions sometimes speaks louder than words so give examples of experiences rather than describing them.
• All information must be accurate – don’t pad, but don’t be falsely modest either.
• The personal statement, in part, serves as a test of your communication skills.  How well you write it is as important as the content.

Writing Resources

• AAMC: 7 Tips for Writing your AMCAS Personal Statement
• Graduate Admission Essays: What Works, What Doesn’t and Why , Donald Asher, Ten Speed Press
• On Writing Well , William Zinsser
• Elements of Style , Strunk and White, Macmillan
• Article :  2 Med School Essays that Admissions Officers Loved
• Guidance for Writing Personal Statements, Work & Activities Section, Secondary Applications

Office of Career Strategy

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Healthcare Leadership

The MSc Healthcare Leadership supports professionals to become impactful leaders for the advancement of today’s health and social care environment. The course is suitable for a range of professionals who are involved in health or social care delivery, locally, nationally, or globally.

Through this course we provide a platform for professionals to explore health and social care quality, capacity, and resilience, underpinned by person centred principles. This inter-disciplinary course involves the Schools of Law, Computing, Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice and Aberdeen Business School and focuses on leadership, law, ethics, technology, finance, population health, change management and data analysis.

We're equipping professionals to lead change in a range of health and social care settings and ensure learning is evidence-based.

Mode of Attendance

Mode of Study

Course Length

• Online Learning

This course addresses a range of essential concepts for healthcare leadership which are embedded across the modules. The main themes in the course are: leadership, change, innovation and research, digital technology and problem-solving/decision-making for leadership. The design of the modules facilitates their application to practice-based problems and scenarios to integrate the theory delivered to the student's health context to support their development. The course is informed by the most relevant local, national and global policies, frameworks and strategies thereby ensuring the content remains contemporary and relevant.

In the first stage we will cover leadership, digital literacy, population health and module/s from our elective portfolio of finance and management, data analytics and decision making, leading change, law and ethics and leadership in professional contexts.

Full time students in stage 2 will study research and innovation and two of our elective portfolio topics. Part time students in stage 2 will study population health and choose 1 module from our elective portfolio.

You will undertake a dissertation module and project.

Find out more

Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes. The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our  course and module disclaimer  for more information. 

Learning Methods

The MSc Healthcare Leadership Course is driven by a philosophy that is student-centred, progressive and applicable to practice. For full time students, a hybrid approach to learning is adopted, with face-to-face teaching on campus and learning within our virtual learning environment, Moodle . For part time students the course is fully online.

Students will apply theoretical learning to health and social care development in a variety of contexts. Exploration and discussion of theory will take place with a diverse selection of students and lecturing staff from various Schools within the university through our elective modules taken from a portfolio of learning.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 35 students per group, 14 hours per week
• Seminars - 35 students per group, typically 2 hours per week
• Project Supervision  - one-to-one, 1 hour per week (Dissertation Project - 8 hours total) 
• Unsupervised collaborative group study - 8 students per group, typically 2-4 hours per week 
• Independent Study - 15-20 hours per week
• Lectures - one student per group, 1 hour per week 
• Webinar  - 10-35 students per group, 4 hours per week
• Project Supervision  - one-to-one, 30 minutes per week (Dissertation Project - 8 hours total)
• Independent Study  - 15-20 hours per week

Independent Study

Self-study time is an important part of your success, including learning in practice settings. You will be considered adult learners who need strong organisation and self-direction skills.

• 3-5 written assignments, including essay
• 1 (elective) report
• 1 dissertation or project output
• 1 oral assessment
• 1-3 written assignments, including essay
• 1 (elective) project output
• 2-4 written assignments, including essay
• 1 dissertation

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Staff Delivering on this Course

All teaching staff have relevant backgrounds and expertise to deliver this course. As employees of RGU they will have undertaken a recognised teaching qualification through the Higher Education Academy. Where appropriate, they are registered professionals in their area of specialty. They are subject specialists and have educational and research experience. We have Technology Enhanced Advisors who support all our teaching and learning and assessment activities. Teaching will be supported by industry experts, guest lecturers and research staff.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Is MSC Healthcare Leadership a good career choice?

As a graduate, you will be able to progress into a health and social care leadership role contributing to the understanding and development of improving health and social care outcomes; patient safety outcomes; service delivery and quality improvement. You will develop the skills to become instrumental in determining the culture of an organisation, lead a large health and care organisation, manage a department or team, provide home-based support, or lead a particular project. You may enter into academia and undertake further research and progress to Doctoral Study.

What is needed to study MSc Healthcare Leadership?

This course is suitable for professionals working in health and social care, including National Health Services, care organisations, private health organisations, care homes, local authorities, government health roles, occupational health, non-governmental and voluntary organisations with a care focus in the UK and internationally.

Standard Entry Requirements

• Applicants normally hold a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree or its equivalent in any subject discipline.
• Applicants with a lower degree classification and / or relevant work experience may be considered on a case by case basis.
• Current (or recent) care work-related experience is required of all candidates seeking admission

Alternative Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet the standard entry qualifications, but do have a professional qualification, combined with a minimum of two years of relevant work experience may be considered on an individual case-by-case basis.

Applicants will be required to provide a Personal Statement in support of their application which demonstrates their understanding of the course and the relevance to their future plans.

International Students

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University:

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact [email protected]  for further information.

For Academic Year 2024/2025

Uk & eu students.

• £8,110 for entire course
• £3,040 for Stage 1
• £3,040 for Stage 2
• £2,030 for Stage 3
• £14,690 for entire course
• £5,510 for Stage 1
• £5,510 for Stage 2
• £3,670 for Stage 3

Additional Costs

Some other costs are not included in the course fees:

• The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
• Costs associated with your placement / study abroad
• Accommodation and Living Costs

Alumni Discount

Robert Gordon University is delighted to offer a 20% loyalty discount on course fees for all alumni who have graduated from RGU.

Student Funding

Postgraduate students will normally make their own arrangements for payment of fees. However, there are a limited number of SAAS funded places on certain postgraduate courses.

Scholarships and Financial Awards

You may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:

For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:

Any questions?

Get in touch with our Student Admissions Service and we'll do our best to help.

Our facilities for this course

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Postgraduate Taught

MSc Healthcare Leadership and Management

• Postgraduate Taught home
• Healthcare and Medicine
• Healthcare Leadership and Management MSc

Masters applications for 2023 entry are now closed.

Applications for September 2024 will open on Monday 25 September. Applications are now open for programmes with a January 2024 start. View our programmes »

PgDip Healthcare Leadership and Management

PgCert Healthcare Leadership and Management

• This course aims to challenge your thinking and help you to become the best health care leader that you can be, refining your communication skills, developing your ability to analyse and evaluate and helping you become a compassionate, inclusive and effective leader of the future.
• Unique selection of Future Health modules with a focus on the leadership and innovation skills required to develop digitally-integrated, sustainable and equitable care systems
• Develop the knowledge and skills to be a compassionate, inclusive and effective leader in UK and global health care systems. We’ll challenge you to consider offering solutions alone and in collaboration with other, supporting your development as a leader.
• You will be taught by experienced lecturer-practitioners to help you to translate research-based evidence into healthcare leadership practice
• Benefit from our flexible study options – study full or part time, with a variety of optional modules to complement your career needs.

Apply online

View 2024 Entry

Apply for individual modules 2023/24

Fast Track (current Exeter students)

Accreditation of prior learning (APL)

Open days and visiting us

Get a prospectus

Programme Director: Sarah Bradley

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading and internationally excellent Clinical Medicine research

Based on 4* + 3* research in REF 2021

Our Public Health research is 11th in the UK for Research Power

Submitted to UoA2 Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care. REF 2021

Major capital investment in new buildings and state-of-the-art facilities

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum 2.2 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline in addition to two years minimum of working as a Healthcare Professional. Relevant clinical or professional experience may be taken into consideration as evidence of degree equivalency. A personal statement, detailing your reasons for seeking to undertake this subject, will be required.

Please visit our   entry requirements section   for equivalencies from your country and further information on   English language requirements. Please visit our  international equivalency pages  to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.

International students are normally subject to visa regulations which prevent part-time study. It is recommended that international students apply for the level of the final award you intend to complete i.e. PGCert, PGDip or Masters, due to the associated cost and requirements for a Tier 4 student Visa.

Accreditation of prior learning for Masters courses in Healthcare and Medicine

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is a process whereby students, who have already gained relevant skills and knowledge prior to the start of their course, may be granted a partial credit exemption from their programme instead of unnecessarily repeating work.  Find out more about APL .

Entry requirements for international students

Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements .

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2 . Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

Course content

Our Healthcare Leadership and Management programme is suitable for all aspiring or established leaders in any health-related discipline which includes nurses, allied healthcare professionals, commissioners, managers and doctors of any speciality including training grades, GPs and consultants early in their leadership journey.

This course aims to challenge your thinking and help you to become the best health care leader that you can be. We will support your development as a leader through engagement with both core and advanced concepts in leadership and change focusing on the delivery of healthcare at team and system level.

Compulsory modules include modules around leadership, management and leading change in healthcare.

On our MSc programme you’ll also choose from a range of optional modules covering systems and strategies of healthcare leadership, the application of data in healthcare, and challenges that you may find yourself facing in delivering medical care in extreme environments.

Programme structure

This MSc course can be studied on a full time basis over one year or over two or three years (part time), which may suit applicants who are already working full time. The programme is divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. To gain a Masters qualification, you will need to complete 180 credits at level seven. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with one credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work, a 15 credit module being equivalent to 150 hours of work and a full Masters degree being equivalent to approximately 1,800 hours of work.

It is also possible to exit with a PGCert after completing 60 credits of taught modules. The list of modules below shows which are compulsory. The PgCert must be completed within one year. Intercalators are able to complete the MSc in one year.

Contact days

View the draft timetable for Healthcare Leardership and Management 2024-25

Please note: this timetable is draft and subject to change The last contact day and assessment deadline for the programme will be earlier than the actual end date of your registration with the University, to allow a period of time at the end of your active studies for further support and mitigation, if needed

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

MSc Modules

PgCert Modules

2024/25 entry

Uk fees per year:.

Fees are subject to an annual increment each academic year.

• MSc:  £12,700 full-time 1 year, £6,350pa part-time (2 years), £4,250pa part-time (3 years)
• PgDip: £4,250 pa (2 years)
• PG Cert: £4,250pa (1 year)
• Fees per 15-credit module: £1,200

International fees per year:

• MSc £29,700 full-time 1 year, £14,850pa part-time (2 years)
• PgDip: £9,900pa     (2 years)
• PG Cert: £9,900pa (1 year)
• Fees per 15-credit module: £2,700

Fee information

Fees can normally be paid by two termly instalments and may be paid online. You will also be required to pay a  tuition fee deposit  to secure your offer of a place, unless you qualify for    exemption. For further information about paying fees see our  Student Fees  pages.

Scholarships

For more information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

*Selected programmes only. Please see the Terms and Conditions for each scheme for further details.

Find out more about tuition fees and funding »

Funding and scholarships

Uk government postgraduate loan scheme.

Postgraduate loans of up to £12,167 are now available for Masters degrees.   Find out more about eligibility and how to apply . 

Scholarships 

Details of scholarships, including our  Global Excellence scholarships  for international fee paying students, can be found on our  dedicated funding page .

Pro Vice Chancellor's NHS Postgraduate Scholarship

The University of Exeter Medical School is delighted to offer the Pro Vice Chancellor's NHS Postgraduate Scholarship of £5000 to two NHS staff who accept a place to study on one of our Masters programmes. Please check your eligibility before applying.

Teaching and research

Our purpose is to deliver transformative education that will help tackle health challenges of national and global importance.

This programme is taught using a blended approach to learning of lectures, classroom discussion, bespoke tutorials  and practical exercises, supported by on-line resources accessed via the University of Exeter’s electronic learning environment (ELE).

Throughout this programme, we will provide you with a safe ‘practitioner researcher’ led environment of learning for you to share your ideas, perspectives and current experiences in response to realistic scenarios.

Masters students conduct an Independent Research project into an area of their own choosing that is relevant to their professional practice.

The programme adopts a blended learning approach, combining campus-based teaching with high quality online resources for guided independent study. Students on the programme are practising health care professionals, managers or leaders. The course enables students to apply leadership and management theory to the real world challenges they face in the course of their work in health/social care and related industries.

The course does not include internships or placements in health care settings.

Each module will include both formative and summative elements. Formative assessment will involve opportunities for discussion and feedback from peers and tutors. The summative assessment element for each module will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the intended learning outcomes. Elements of assessment will include:

• Development of Knowledge and Understanding
• Cognitive and Intellectual skills
• Key/Transferable Skills

This programme is based at the St Luke’s campus in Exeter, just a 15 minute walk from the city centre and just over a mile away from the Streatham Campus. The campus is close to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and RILD building, which is home to the NHS funded Exeter Health Library. Students have studied at St Luke’s campus for over 150 years and the campus enjoys a vibrant atmosphere set around the lawns of the quadrangle.

Facilities at St Luke’s campus include:

• Life Sciences Resource Centre
• Clinical Skills Resource Centre (Heavitree Hospital site)
• Medical Imaging suite
• Medical Sciences Laboratory

Sarah Bradley

Senior lecturer.

Rob Bethune

Alistair Hellewell

Dr Melinda Martin-Khan

Lecturer in healthcare leadership, management and innovation.

Sarah is module lead for a number of modules on the Masters in Clinical Education and Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice. She is also programme lead for the Masters in Healthcare Leadership and Management.

Previously, as Senior Clinical Skills Tutor for the Medicine programme, she had responsibility for a range of Clinical and Communication Skills teaching and assessment. She has 18 years’ experience as a medical educator and has a particular interest in clinical communication, skill development, assessment of clinical competence and curriculum design and evaluation.

Her research interest is in qualitative assessment methods and she is currently working towards a doctorate.

Sarah is a registered nurse and prior to working in medical education worked for the NHS specialising in Coronary Care and Research Nursing.

Contact Sarah Bradley   to find out more about the academic content of the programme. 

For all other questions about the programme, including admission enquiries, start dates and  fees, please   complete the online enquiry form .

Profile page

Rob Bethune is the module lead for the   Leading Change in Health Services   module.

Rob is a Colo-Rectal Consultant Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. He is primarily a laparoscopic bowel cancer surgeon as well as dealing with the surgical side of inflammatory bowel disease. He has had a significant role in improving the delivery of health care services. After spending a year as a surgeon in a rural mission hospital in Zambia he took time out of his surgical training to work as a manager at the South West Strategic Health Authority. During this year he worked on a 17 hospital quality improvement and safety collaborative improving the standards of peri-operative care. He continues this role with the South West Academic Health Science Network (AHSN), where he set up a region wide quality improvement and patient safety collaborative and continues to support this as a clinical advisor. He led a NIHR funded research programme to evaluate the implementation of a series of patient safety collaboratives across the English NHS. He has published widely on patient safety, human factors and quality improvement.

Su is an experienced educator in the fields of healthcare improvement, patient safety and healthcare management, leadership & innovation. Originally a molecular geneticist, she has worked in engineering, the NHS, and has been teaching postgraduate students in the South West since 2005.

Alistair is a member of the Healthcare Leadership and Management MSc team and lead for the new module Future Health: Reimaging Systems.

Alistair is a consultant anaesthetist working in the NHS with a special interest in anaesthesia for ENT, transfer medicine, non-technical skills and leadership. He has been actively involved in medical education throughout his career working locally, regionally and nationally. He is a co-lead for the Simulation Unplugged course at the Royal College of Anaesthetists and faculty member of the Anaethetists as Educators portfolio of courses.

In 2015 Alistair founded the Philosophical Breakfast Club, a cross industry collaborative learning organisation and platform that creates connections through conferences and events to improve outcomes in safety critical industries.

Melinda is a lecturer in healthcare leadership, management and innovation. Dr. Martin-Khan also holds academic research positions as a Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Australia and Adjunct Professor at the School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, Canada. She provides global teaching and research mentoring, drawing on experience and qualifications in health science and medicine, telehealth, business/finance, management, and statistics. Her post-doctoral research interests are in quality of care, patient and public collaborative research, and vulnerable populations including older adults and people with dementia. Melinda is a health scientist and prior to working in health services and medical research worked as a senior healthcare administrator in Australia with responsibilities as a Chief Executive in aged care.

Who is this course for?  

The course is for both aspiring and established health care leaders. You should be a qualified health professional, or have prior experience of management in health care or related industries. Previous students have included: doctors (from specialty trainees to consultants early in their leadership journey), dentists, nurses and midwives, allied health professionals, managers, and commissioners.  

Employer-valued skills this course develops

We’ll provide you with the time, space, and support you need to become a compassionate, inclusive and effective leader of the future. You will refine your written and verbal communication skills through the examination of theory and its use in practice. You will learn how to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and reflect on the translation of research-based evidence into healthcare practice

Career paths (graduate destinations)

Many of our students are already in employment in health care and related sectors. Graduates of the Healthcare leadership and management programmes progress in their existing clinical and managerial careers, equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to lead and manage in demanding roles both within and across organisations. 

Careers support

This programme will enhance your opportunity to take on more demanding roles or management roles within healthcare.

All University of Exeter students have access to  Career Zone , which gives access to a wealth of business contacts, support and training as well as the opportunity to meet potential employers at our regular Careers Fairs.

Studying a PgCert in Healthcare Leadership and Management has broadened my horizons and career prospects. I've been impressed by the quality of teaching, the support I've received and have enjoyed the course content, which is enriched by field experts as guest speakers.

I've had a truly engaging experience and have equally learned a great deal from my fellow cohort members. I'd recommend the course to anybody looking to enhance their leadership and management skills.

Read more from Laura Winzer

Laura Winzer

PgCert in Healthcare Leadership and Management

I undertook the PG Cert part-time, alongside my clinical work. It was very well organised and easy to plan around work. The modules were inspiring and changed my practice.

In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I then undertook the Diploma. The knowledge definitely made me a better and stronger candidate for consultant applications. I wholeheartedly recommend this programme to those considering it.

Read more from Clare Attwood

Clare Attwood

Consultant Anaesthetist

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MSc in Healthcare Leadership

What are the benefits of an MSc in Healthcare Leadership?

Hear from the MSc Healthcare Leadership Programme Director about the benefits of the qualification for healthcare professionals. 

Dan: Why study healthcare leadership at master’s level?

Patrick: Many people think leadership is a series of concepts and constructs and models and frameworks. I don't believe that. I believe leadership is an active thing that you do every day. And it's the thing that allows you to come back to work the next day in whatever sector you work.

Being able to reflect quite deeply about what it is you do as a leader is a crucial element of how you will survive the next, however many years you have doing your current role. It will also, I think, help you to think about where you might want to go next and what you need to do to get to wherever that is.

I will strongly encourage you to become a reflective practitioner, because I do believe it's that which allows you to understand yourself and your leadership far more deeply than anything you could read or any piece of research you might find. Healthcare leadership is different from leadership in other sectors and this MSc will help you explore the difference .

One of the reasons why people study leadership at master's level, particularly in the health context, is for promotion. We shouldn't underestimate that. 

Explore leadership in a global context, gaining knowledge and skills applicable to all healthcare systems with Hull Online's MSc in Healthcare Leadership:

Dan: Why is this course about leadership and not management?

Patrick: In healthcare, leadership and management are very closely aligned. Management is about getting the job done in a practical sense. It's about processes, systems, protocols and policies you've got to follow. And that’s important, because as a patient, I want to know that my clinicians will do the best they can do for me with the knowledge they have. That requires good evidence-based practice that then gets translated into protocols. That's why healthcare has lots of managerial attributes.

What is leadership? Well, leadership is about answering questions such as, do I feel valued? Do I feel that my voice is heard? Do I feel that I make a positive contribution every day so I can come back to work the next day?

Those are the aspects of leadership that we will touch upon in all sorts of ways. In the first module, it's all about you and what you bring, and it will require you to go deep inside yourself because no leader can do anything without a full, clear and comprehensive understanding of themselves and how their context relates to the context in which they're working.

There are three aspects that I think modern healthcare leadership needs to focus on.

The first one is complexity. Healthcare leadership is one of the most complex areas that you could possibly imagine. You have people that are tired, people who have low morale, people who do not understand where the organisation is going and what their part within it is.

Leadership is the interaction between you as a professional, your organisation and the leaders around you who are trying to motivate you and to help you be innovative. What you do now will be mirrored in the way you work with your team and the way you work within your hospital or your trust or wherever you work.

Healthcare has real opportunities for people to make their mark. How do you make your mark in this complex world? The people, the technology, the leadership styles, the culture of an organisation, are moving around each other in dynamic relationship to each other. All those things make being a leader difficult.

What you will be able to understand from doing a master's is how that complexity and how those layers of different inputs and outputs operate and where you sit inside all of that. It’s about agency and feeling that you have control. When you lose that sense of control and agency, you can’t do what it is you want and need to do. This master’s will help you understand that in a way that makes sense for you.

• Collaboration

The second one is understanding how collaboration works. It's about understanding relationships. It's about understanding how the relationship that you have with your colleagues, with your leader, with your subordinates, is massively important in terms of delivering the best quality care for patients. Nobody can do this by themselves.

And the third point is, I think that if you cannot be compassionate to yourself, it is impossible for you to be compassionate to others. Sometimes you've got to forgive yourself and go, that's as good as it can be today, but tomorrow it might be better.

Forgiving yourself is important. Leaders that think it's all wonderful and brilliant aren't very good for patients or working with other colleagues either. It’s understanding what’s going on and being compassionate about what you can and can’t do - being honest and truthful.

It's also important that you're compassionate to your colleagues, and that they are compassionate to you. These are reciprocal things. It goes back to collaboration because without that compassion for each other, you simply cannot be the team that you need to be that will deliver for patients.

Finally, it’s about being compassionate to your patients. That’s vital because that's what healthcare is about. It's about understanding that there's a human being who's worried and scared and vulnerable in front of you.

Remember, not all people involved in healthcare leadership are clinicians, they could be administration staff or managers, but they all contribute to the care of the patient. Ultimately leadership is about always delivering for those the people you're serving, which ultimately in healthcare is always the patient.

So, you know, compassion, collaboration, complexity, they're very important aspects. What I know, that's true across the world, is that leadership is a challenge in all healthcare systems because it's difficult, because it's complex, because collaboration is hard and because compassion requires real effort.

However, leaders can do those things and they can make the system better. They can make patient care better, and they can make colleagues’ lives better. And ultimately, I think you can make yourself better because these things all happen together. They are not separate from each other. They are linked.

By exploring who you are and how you do what it is you do, you will always learn something about yourself which is useful to you in the long term and can help you manage people in a better way. There's no question that the more collaborative you can be as a leader, the more you create a relationship with the people that you're leading, the more creativity, more innovation, and more commitment you allow for.

Dan: What are the main characteristics you need to be a successful leader?

Patrick: I think leaders are created. Part of doing a course like this is how you, in a sense, create your own vision of leadership for yourself. You can be an effective healthcare leader as an introverted person who likes fine detail. You can also be a brilliant leader by being an extroverted generalist who sees the big picture.

The important thing is understanding who you are. What traits do you bring to leadership in the context in which you're working and ensuring that the bit you don't do very well naturally, you get better at it?

I'm a bit of a broad-brush person, so I must really work on the fine detail. It's just a thing I've got to learn. Ultimately, whatever traits you've got, are leadership traits, in my view. You develop and use them in a way which delivers for other people and indeed your patients.

Dan: What stage of someone's career in health care do you think the MSc would be suitable for?

Patrick: This course is aimed at professionals who have got some experience in the field, whether it’s administration, HR or clinical areas. You may be a team leader, in charge of groups of people, or systems or structures. That's where it becomes most useful, for people who are ambitious and want senior roles because that's part of their promotion action plan.

However, it’s also very useful for people who are quite experienced, who've been in charge and have a clear leadership role. It helps them understand exactly what's going on for them and how they can improve.

And it's even useful for people at the very top of organisations who perhaps would think, why would I bother? Well, ultimately studying your own leadership is always useful.

You will also come out of the course with an MSc, and that's not to be underestimated. That's three letters after your name, which can be very nice to put on your letterheads or anything else. It also shows people that you have engaged with ideas and people. It's important that this is about people as much as it's about academic theory.

You’re in a cohort with people who come from different backgrounds, and you'll be able to bounce ideas off each other, talk to each other and make those connections. You will improve your promotion prospects. In the UK for example, a Level 7 qualification like this MSc will allow you to access higher grades within the NHS.

I have yet to come across anybody who hasn't found getting their MSc in Healthcare Leadership useful, even if they've changed roles. It will help you be resilient and bounce back from some of the pressures that you will face in your career.

Dan: How would you define a leader overall?

Patrick: You know, the skill and the knowledge and the understanding of leadership means that you are more sensitive to the data that's coming at you as a human and as a leader and as a manager. That allows you to then adjust your behaviour in a way that achieves what your team needs or the people around you need and what the overall organisation needs.

It's fascinating how people bring different experiences, examples, ways of looking at leadership challenges and ways of looking at the assessments. All those things are very helpful in developing that diversity that we need in healthcare leadership.

Our course is much more global than many master's programmes because there are lots of people from different healthcare systems on the course. It's not UK-centric. People are in different countries and have different ways of approaching healthcare.

If you do join this course, I’ll do my very best to make your experience of leadership stronger and richer and better, and hopefully you'll be successful and get your full MSc.

Thank you to Patrick for sharing his insights into healthcare leadership!

Study healthcare leadership and management as an ever-evolving process that requires self-reflection and continuous development. Start Hull Online's part-time MSc in Healthcare Leadership in January, May or September:

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• Medical School Application

Medical School Personal Statement Examples That Got 6 Acceptances

Featured Admissions Expert: Dr. Monica Taneja, MD

These 30 exemplary medical school personal statement examples come from our students who enrolled in one of our application review programs. Most of these examples led to multiple acceptance for our students. For instance, the first example got our student accepted into SIX medical schools. Here's what you'll find in this article: We'll first go over 30 medical school personal statement samples, then we'll provide you a step-by-step guide for composing your own outstanding statement from scratch. If you follow this strategy, you're going to have a stellar statement whether you apply to the most competitive or the easiest medical schools to get into .

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Listen to the blog!

Article Contents 36 min read

Stellar medical school personal statement examples that got multiple acceptances, medical school personal statement example #1.

I made my way to Hillary’s house after hearing about her alcoholic father’s incarceration. Seeing her tearfulness and at a loss for words, I took her hand and held it, hoping to make things more bearable. She squeezed back gently in reply, “thank you.” My silent gesture seemed to confer a soundless message of comfort, encouragement and support.

Through mentoring, I have developed meaningful relationships with individuals of all ages, including seven-year-old Hillary. Many of my mentees come from disadvantaged backgrounds; working with them has challenged me to become more understanding and compassionate. Although Hillary was not able to control her father’s alcoholism and I had no immediate solution to her problems, I felt truly fortunate to be able to comfort her with my presence. Though not always tangible, my small victories, such as the support I offered Hillary, hold great personal meaning. Similarly, medicine encompasses more than an understanding of tangible entities such as the science of disease and treatment—to be an excellent physician requires empathy, dedication, curiosity and love of problem solving. These are skills I have developed through my experiences both teaching and shadowing inspiring physicians.

Medicine encompasses more than hard science. My experience as a teaching assistant nurtured my passion for medicine; I found that helping students required more than knowledge of organic chemistry. Rather, I was only able to address their difficulties when I sought out their underlying fears and feelings. One student, Azra, struggled despite regularly attending office hours. She approached me, asking for help. As we worked together, I noticed that her frustration stemmed from how intimidated she was by problems. I helped her by listening to her as a fellow student and normalizing her struggles. “I remember doing badly on my first organic chem test, despite studying really hard,” I said to Azra while working on a problem. “Really? You’re a TA, shouldn’t you be perfect?” I looked up and explained that I had improved my grades through hard work. I could tell she instantly felt more hopeful, she said, “If you could do it, then I can too!” When she passed, receiving a B+;I felt as if I had passed too. That B+ meant so much: it was a tangible result of Azra’s hard work, but it was also symbol of our dedication to one another and the bond we forged working together.

My passion for teaching others and sharing knowledge emanates from my curiosity and love for learning. My shadowing experiences in particular have stimulated my curiosity and desire to learn more about the world around me. How does platelet rich plasma stimulate tissue growth? How does diabetes affect the proximal convoluted tubule? My questions never stopped. I wanted to know everything and it felt very satisfying to apply my knowledge to clinical problems.

Shadowing physicians further taught me that medicine not only fuels my curiosity; it also challenges my problem solving skills. I enjoy the connections found in medicine, how things learned in one area can aid in coming up with a solution in another. For instance, while shadowing Dr. Steel I was asked, “What causes varicose veins and what are the complications?” I thought to myself, what could it be? I knew that veins have valves and thought back to my shadowing experience with Dr. Smith in the operating room. She had amputated a patient’s foot due to ulcers obstructing the venous circulation. I replied, “veins have valves and valve problems could lead to ulcers.” Dr. Steel smiled, “you’re right, but it doesn’t end there!” Medicine is not disconnected; it is not about interventional cardiology or orthopedic surgery. In fact, medicine is intertwined and collaborative. The ability to gather knowledge from many specialties and put seemingly distinct concepts together to form a coherent picture truly attracts me to medicine.

It is hard to separate science from medicine; in fact, medicine is science. However, medicine is also about people—their feelings, struggles and concerns. Humans are not pre-programmed robots that all face the same problems. Humans deserve sensitive and understanding physicians. Humans deserve doctors who are infinitely curious, constantly questioning new advents in medicine. They deserve someone who loves the challenge of problem solving and coming up with innovative individualized solutions. I want to be that physician. I want to be able to approach each case as a unique entity and incorporate my strengths into providing personalized care for my patients. Until that time, I may be found Friday mornings in the operating room, peering over shoulders, dreaming about the day I get to hold the drill.

Let's take a step back to consider what this medical school personal statement example does, not just what it says. It begins with an engaging hook in the first paragraph and ends with a compelling conclusion. The introduction draws you in, making the essay almost impossible to put down, while the conclusion paints a picture of someone who is both passionate and dedicated to the profession. In between the introduction and conclusion, this student makes excellent use of personal narrative. The anecdotes chosen demonstrate this individual's response to the common question, " Why do you want to be a doctor ?" while simultaneously making them come across as compassionate, curious, and reflective. The essay articulates a number of key qualities and competencies, which go far beyond the common trope, I want to be a doctor because I want to help people.

This person is clearly a talented writer, but this was the result of several rounds of edits with one of our medical school admissions consulting team members and a lot of hard work on the student's part. If your essay is not quite there yet, or if you're just getting started, don't sweat it. Do take note that writing a good personal essay takes advanced planning and significant effort.

I was one of those kids who always wanted to be doctor. I didn’t understand the responsibilities and heartbreaks, the difficult decisions, and the years of study and training that go with the title, but I did understand that the person in the white coat stood for knowledge, professionalism, and compassion. As a child, visits to the pediatrician were important events. I’d attend to my hair and clothes, and travel to the appointment in anticipation. I loved the interaction with my doctor. I loved that whoever I was in the larger world, I could enter the safe space of the doctor’s office, and for a moment my concerns were heard and evaluated. I listened as my mother communicated with the doctor. I’d be asked questions, respectfully examined, treatments and options would be weighed, and we would be on our way. My mother had been supported in her efforts to raise a well child, and I’d had a meaningful interaction with an adult who cared for my body and development. I understood medicine as an act of service, which aligned with my values, and became a dream.

I was hospitalized for several months as a teenager and was inspired by the experience, despite the illness. In the time of diagnosis, treatment and recovery, I met truly sick children. Children who were much more ill than me. Children who wouldn’t recover. We shared a four-bed room, and we shared our medical stories. Because of the old hospital building, there was little privacy in our room, and we couldn’t help but listen-in during rounds, learning the medical details, becoming “experts” in our four distinct cases. I had more mobility than some of the patients, and when the medical team and family members were unavailable, I’d run simple errands for my roommates, liaise informally with staff, and attend to needs. To bring physical relief, a cold compress, a warmed blanket, a message to a nurse, filled me with such an intense joy and sense of purpose that I applied for a volunteer position at the hospital even before my release.

I have since been volunteering in emergency departments, out-patient clinics, and long term care facilities. While the depth of human suffering is at times shocking and the iterations of illness astounding, it is in the long-term care facility that I had the most meaningful experiences by virtue of my responsibilities and the nature of the patients’ illnesses. Charles was 55 when he died. He had early onset Parkinson’s Disease with dementia that revealed itself with a small tremor when he was in his late twenties. Charles had a wife and three daughters who visited regularly, but whom he didn’t often remember. Over four years as a volunteer, my role with the family was to fill in the spaces left by Charles’ periodic inability to project his voice as well as his growing cognitive lapses. I would tell the family of his activities between their visits, and I would remind him of their visits and their news. This was a hard experience for me. I watched as 3 daughters, around my own age, incrementally lost their father. I became angry, and then I grew even more determined.

In the summer of third year of my Health Sciences degree, I was chosen to participate in an undergraduate research fellowship in biomedical research at my university. As part of this experience, I worked alongside graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, medical students, physicians, and faculty in Alzheimer’s research into biomarkers that might predict future disease. We collaborated in teams, and by way of the principal investigator’s careful leadership, I learned wherever one falls in terms of rank, each contribution is vital to the outcome. None of the work is in isolation. For instance, I was closely mentored by Will, a graduate student who had been in my role the previous summer. He, in turn, collaborated with post docs and medical students, turning to faculty when roadblocks were met. While one person’s knowledge and skill may be deeper than another’s, individual efforts make up the whole. Working in this team, aside from developing research skills, I realized that practicing medicine is not an individual pursuit, but a collaborative commitment to excellence in scholarship and leadership, which all begins with mentorship.

Building on this experience with teamwork in the lab, I participated in a global health initiative in Nepal for four months, where I worked alongside nurses, doctors, and translators. I worked in mobile rural health camps that offered tuberculosis care, monitored the health and development of babies and children under 5, and tended to minor injuries. We worked 11-hour days helping hundreds of people in the 3 days we spent in each location. Patients would already be in line before we woke each morning. I spent each day recording basic demographic information, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, weight, height, as well as random blood sugar levels, for each patient, before they lined up to see a doctor. Each day was exhausting and satisfying. We helped so many people. But this satisfaction was quickly displaced by a developing understanding of issues in health equity.

My desire to be doctor as a young person was not misguided, but simply naïve. I’ve since learned the role of empathy and compassion through my experiences as a patient and volunteer. I’ve broadened my contextual understanding of medicine in the lab and in Nepal. My purpose hasn’t changed, but what has developed is my understanding that to be a physician is to help people live healthy, dignified lives by practicing both medicine and social justice.

28 More Medical School Personal Statement Examples That Got Accepted

What my sister went through pushed me to strengthen my knowledge in medical education, patient care, and research. These events have influenced who I am today and helped me determine my own passions. I aspire to be a doctor because I want to make miracles, like my sister, happen. Life is something to cherish; it would not be the same if I did not have one of my four sisters to spend it with. As all stories have endings, I hope that mine ends with me fulfilling my dream of being a doctor, which has been the sole focus of my life to this point. I would love nothing more than to dedicate myself to such a rewarding career, where I achieve what those doctors did for my family. Their expertise allowed my sister to get all the care she needed for her heart, eyes, lungs, and overall growth. Those physicians gave me more than just my little sister, they gave me the determination and focus needed to succeed in the medical field, and for that, I am forever grateful. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #3","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #3"}]" code="tab4" template="BlogArticle">

I came to America, leaving my parents and friends behind, to grasp my chance at a better future. I believe this chance is now in front of me. Medicine is the only path I truly desire because it satisfies my curiosity about the human body and it allows me to directly interact with patients. I do not want to miss this chance to further hone my skills and knowledge, in order to provide better care for my patients. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement #4","title":"Medical School Personal Statement #4"}]" code="tab5" template="BlogArticle">

The time I have spent in various medical settings has confirmed my love for the field. Regardless of the environment, I am drawn to patients and their stories, like that scared young boy at AMC. I am aware that medicine is a constantly changing landscape; however, one thing that has remained steadfast over the years is putting the patient first, and I plan on doing this as a physician. All of my experiences have taught me a great deal about patient interaction and global health, however, I am left wanting more. I crave more knowledge to help patients and become more useful in the healthcare sector. I am certain medical school is the path that will help me reach my goal. One day, I hope to use my experiences to become an amazing doctor like the doctors that treated my sister, so I can help other children like her. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #5","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #5"}]" code="tab6" template="BlogArticle">

My interest in the field of medicine has developed overtime, with a common theme surrounding the importance of personal health and wellness. Through my journey in sports, travelling, and meeting some incredible individuals such as Michael, I have shifted my focus from thinking solely about the physical well-being, to understanding the importance of mental, spiritual, and social health as well. Being part of a profession that emphasizes continuous education, and application of knowledge to help people is very rewarding, and I will bring compassion, a hard work ethic and an attitude that is always focused on bettering patient outcomes. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example # 7","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example # 7"}]" code="tab8" template="BlogArticle">

Medicine embodies a hard science, but it is ultimately a profession that treats people. I have seen firsthand that medicine is not a \u201cone-treatment-fits-all\u201d practice, as an effective physician takes a holistic approach. This is the type of physician I aspire to be: one who refuses to shy away from the humanity of patients and their social context, and one who uses research and innovation to improve the human condition. So, when I rethink \u201cwhy medicine?\u201d, I know it\u2019s for me \u2013 because it is a holistic discipline, because it demands all of me, because I am ready to absorb the fascinating knowledge and science that dictates human life, and engage with humanity in a way no other profession allows for. Until the day that I dawn the coveted white coat, you can find me in inpatient units, comforting the many John\u2019s to come, or perhaps at the back of an operating room observing a mitral valve repair \u2013 dreaming of the day the puck is in my zone. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #8","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #8"}]" code="tab9" template="BlogArticle">

When I signed up to be a live DJ, I didn't know that the oral skills I practiced on-air would influence all aspects of my life, let alone lead me to consider a career in the art of healing. I see now, though, the importance of these key events in my life that have allowed me to develop excellent communication skills--whether that be empathic listening, reading and giving non-verbal cues, or verbal communication. I realize I have always been on a path towards medicine. Ultimately, I aim to continue to strengthen my skills as I establish my role as a medical student and leader: trusting my choices, effectively communicating, and taking action for people in need. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #9","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #9"}]" code="tab10" template="BlogArticle">

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t I pursue medicine sooner?\u201d Is the question that now occupies my mind. Leila made me aware of the unprofessional treatment delivered by some doctors. My subsequent activities confirmed my desire to become a doctor who cares deeply for his patients and provides the highest quality care. My passion for research fuels my scientific curiosity. I will continue to advocate for patient equality and fairness. Combining these qualities will allow me to succeed as a physician. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #10","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #10"}]" code="tab11" template="BlogArticle">

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Please note that all personal statements are the property of the students who wrote them, re-printed with permission. Names and identifying characteristics have been changed. Plagiarism detection software is used when evaluating personal statements. Plagiarism is grounds for disqualification from the application. ","label":"NOTE","title":"NOTE"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

As one of the most important  medical school requirements , the personal statement tells your story of why you decided to pursue the medical profession. Keep in mind that personal statements are one of the key factors that affect medical school acceptance rates . This is why it's important to write a stellar essay!

“Personal statements are often emphasized in your application to medical school as this singular crucial factor that distinguishes you from every other applicant. Demonstrating the uniqueness of my qualities is precisely how I found myself getting multiple interviews and offers into medical school.” – Dr. Vincent Adeyemi, MD

But this is easier said than done. In fact, medical school personal statements remain one of the most challenging parts of students' journeys to medical school. Here's our student Melissa sharing her experience of working on her personal statement:

"I struggled making my personal statement personal... I couldn't incorporate my feelings, motives and life stories that inspired me to pursue medicine into my personal statement" -Melissa, BeMo Student

Our student Rishi, who is now a student at the Carver College of Medicine , learned about the importance of the medical school personal statement the hard way:

"If you're a reapplicant like me, you know we all dread it but you have to get ready to answer what has changed about your application that we should accept you this time. I had an existing personal statement that did not get me in the first time so there was definitely work to be done." - Rishi, BeMo Student

The importance of the medical school personal statement can actually increase if you are applying to medical school with any red flags or setbacks, as our student Kannan did:

"I got 511 on my second MCAT try... My goal was anything over median of 510 so anything over that was honestly good with me because it's just about [creating] a good personal statement at that point... I read online about how important the personal statement [is]... making sure [it's] really polished and so that's when I decided to get some professional help." - Kannan, BeMo Student

As you can see from these testimonials, your medical school personal statement can really make a difference. So we are here to help you get started writing your own personal statement. Let's approach this step-by-step. Below you will see how we will outline the steps to creating your very best personal statement. And don't forget that if you need to see more examples, you can also check out our AMCAS personal statement examples, AACOMAS personal statement examples and TMDSAS personal statement examples to further inspire you!

Here's a quick run-down of what we'll cover in the article:

Now let's dive in deeper!

#1 Understanding the Qualities of a Strong Med School Personal Statement

Before discussing how to write a strong medical school personal statement, we first need to understand the qualities of a strong essay. Similar to crafting strong medical school secondary essays , writing a strong personal statement is a challenging, yet extremely important, part of your MD or MD-PhD programs applications. Your AMCAS Work and Activities section may show the reader what you have done, but the personal statement explains why. This is how Dr. Neel Mistry, MD and our admissions expert, prepared for his medical school personal statement writing:

"The personal statement is an opportunity for you to shine and really impress the committee to invite you for an interview. The personal statement is your chance to be reflective and go beyond what is stated on your CV and [activities]. In order to stand out, it is important to answer the main questions [of medical school personal statements] well: a bit about yourself and what led you to medicine, why you would make an ideal medical student and future physician, what attracts you to [medicine], and what sets you apart from the other candidates. The key here is answering the last two questions well. Most candidates simply highlight what they have done, but do not reflect on it or mention how what they have done has prepared them for a future medical career." - Dr. Neel Mistry, MD

“my essay also focused on volunteering in the local health clinic during the many summer breaks. volunteering was more than just another activity to tick off my bucket list for my medical school … i volunteered because i wanted to view medical practice through the lenses of already qualified doctors, not because i needed a reason to be a doctor. i understood that the admissions committee would be more interested in how i was motivated.” – dr. vincent adeyemi, md.

A personal statement should be deeply personal, giving the admissions committee insight into your passions and your ultimate decision to pursue a career in medicine. A compelling and introspective personal statement can make the difference between getting an interview and facing medical school rejection . Review our blogs to find out how to prepare for med school interviews and learn the most common medical school interview questions .

As you contemplate the task in front of you, you may be wondering what composing an essay has to do with entering the field of medicine. Many of our students were surprised to learn that medical school personal statements are so valued by med schools. The two things are more closely related than you think. A compelling personal statement demonstrates your written communication skills and highlights your accomplishments, passions, and aspirations. The ability to communicate a complex idea in a short space is an important skill as a physician. You should demonstrate your communication skills by writing a concise and meaningful statement that illustrates your best attributes. Leaving a lasting impression on your reader is what will lead to interview invitations.

A quick note: if you are applying to schools that do not require the formal medical school personal statement, such as medical schools in Canada , you should still learn how to write such essays. Many medical schools in Ontario , for example, ask for short essays for supplementary questionnaires. These are very similar to the personal statement. Knowing how to brainstorm, write, and format your answers is key to your success!!!

You want to give yourself as much time as possible to write your statement. Do not think you can do this in an evening or even in a week. Some statements take months. My best statement took almost a year to get right. Allow yourself time and start early to avoid added stress. Think of the ideas you want to include and brainstorm possible ways to highlight these ideas. Ask your friends for ideas or even brainstorm your ideas with people you trust. Get some feedback early to make sure you are headed in the right direction.

“I wrote scores of essays at my desk in those few weeks leading up to application submission. I needed it to be perfect. Do not let anyone tell you to settle. There was no moment when I had this shining light from the sky filtering into my room to motivate me. The ultimate trick is to keep writing. It is impossible to get that perfect essay on the first try, and you may not even get it on your fifteenth attempt, but the goal is to keep at it, keep making those edits, and never back down.” – Dr. Vincent Adeyemi, MD

All personal statements for medical school, often start by explaining why medicine is awesome; the admission committee already knows that. You should explain why you want a career in medicine. What is it about the practice of medicine that resonates with who you are? Naturally, this takes a lot of reflection around who you are. Here are some additional questions you can consider as you go about brainstorming for your essay:

• What motivates you to learn more about medicine?
• What is something you want them to know about you that isn't in your application?
• Where were you born, how did you grow up, and what type of childhood did you have growing up (perhaps including interesting stories about your siblings, parents, grandparents)?
• What kinds of early exposure to the medical field left an impression on you as a child?
• Did you become familiar with and interested in the field of medicine at an early stage of your life? If so, why?
• What are your key strengths, and how have you developed these?
• What steps did you take to familiarize yourself with the medical profession?
• Did you shadow a physician? Did you volunteer or work in a clinical setting? Did you get involved in medical research?
• What challenges have you faced? Have these made an impact on what you chose to study?
• What are your favorite activities?
• What kinds of extracurriculars for medical school or volunteer work have you done, and how have these shaped who you are, your priorities, and or your perspectives on a career in medicine?
• What was your "Aha!" moment?
• When did your desire to become a doctor solidify?
• How did you make the decision to apply to medical school?

You shouldn't try to answer all of these in your essay. Try only a few main points that will carry over into the final draft. Use these to brainstorm and gather ideas. Start developing your narrative by prioritizing the most impactful responses to these prompts and the ideas that are most relevant to your own experiences and goals. The perfect personal statement not only shows the admissions committee that you have refined communication skills, but also conveys maturity and professionalism. It should also display your motivation and suitability for medical practice. Here's how our student Alison, who was a non-traditional applicant with a serious red flag in her application, used her brainstorming sessions with our admissions experts to get a theme going in her medical school personal statement and her overall application package:

"I think it was during my brainstorming session that we really started talking about... what the theme [was] going to be for my application. And I think that was really helpful in and of itself. Just [reflecting] 'Hey, what's your focus going to be like? How are we going to write this? What's the style going to be?' Just to create an element of consistency throughout..." Alison, BeMo Student, current student at Dell Medical School 

After brainstorming, you should be able to clearly see a few key ideas, skills, qualities, and intersections that you want to write about. Once you've isolated the elements you want to explore in your essay (usually 2-4 key ideas), you can begin building your outline. In terms of structure, this should follow the standard academic format, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

As you begin thinking about what to include in your personal essay, remember that you are writing for a specific audience with specific expectations. Your evaluator will be familiar with the key qualities desired by medical schools, as informed by the standards of the profession. But keep in mind that they too are human, and they respond well to well-crafted, engaging essays that tell a story. Here's what our student Alison had to share about keeping your audience in mind when writing your personal statement:

"Make it easy for the reader to be able to work [their] way through [your personal statement]. Because, at the end of the day, I think one thing that helped me a lot was being able to think about who was going to be reading this application and it's going to be these people that are sitting around a desk or sitting at a table and [go] through massive numbers of applications every single day. And the easier and more digestible that you can make it for them, gives you a little bit of a win." - Alison, BeMo student, current student at Dell Medical School

The admissions committee will be examining your essay through the lens of their particular school's mission, values, and priorities. You should think about your experiences with reference to the AAMC Core Competencies and to each school's mission statement so that you're working toward your narrative with the institution and broader discipline in mind.

Review AAMC Core Competencies : The AAMC Core Competencies are the key characteristics and skills sought by U.S. medical schools. These are separated into three general categories:

You are not expected to have mastered all of these competencies at this stage of your education. Display those that are relevant to your experiences will help demonstrate your commitment to the medical profession.

Review the school's mission statement: Educational institutions put a lot of time and care into drafting their school's vision. The mission statement will articulate the overall values and priorities of each university, giving you insight into what they might seek in candidates, and thus what you should try to display in your personal statement. Echoing the values of the university helps illustrate that you are a good fit for their intellectual culture. The mission statement may help you identify other priorities of the university, for example, whether they prioritize research-based or experiential-based education. All this research into your chosen medical schools will help you tremendously not only when you write you personal statement, but also the rest of your medical school application components, including your medical school letter of intent if you ever need to write one later.

Just like the personal statement is, in essence, a prompt without a prompt. They give you free rein to write your own prompt to tell your story. This is often difficult for students as they find it hard to get started without having a true direction. Below is a list of ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Use these prompts as a starting point for your essay. Also, they are a great way of addressing why you want to be a doctor without saying something generic.

• The moment your passion for medicine crystallized
• The events that led you toward this path
• Specific instances in which you experienced opportunities
• Challenges that helped shape your worldview
• Your compassion, resilience, or enthusiastic collaboration
• Demonstrate your commitment to others
• Your dependability
• Your leadership skills
• Your ability to problem-solve or to resolve a conflict

These are personal, impactful experiences that only you have had. Focus on the personal, and connect that to the values of your future profession. Do that and you will avoid writing the same essay as everyone else. Dr. Monica Taneja, MD and our admissions expert, shares her tip that got her accepted to the University of Maryland School of Medicine :

"I focused on my journey to medicine and opportunities that I sought out along the way. Everyone’s path and validation is unique, so walking the reader through your growth to the point of application will naturally be different, but that's what I wanted to share in my personal statement." - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD

“the essay is not about what you have been through; it's about who it made you into.” – dr. vincent adeyemi, md.

Admissions committees don't want your resumé in narrative form. The most boring essays are those of applicants listing their accomplishments. Remember, all that stuff is already in the activities section of the application. This is where you should discuss interesting or important life events that shaped you and your interest in medicine (a service trip to rural Guatemala, a death in the family, a personal experience as a patient). One suggestion is to have an overarching theme to your essay to tie everything together, starting with an anecdote. Alternatively, you can use one big metaphor or analogy through the essay. Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD and experienced admissions committee member of the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, encourages you to be creative when it comes to the theme of your personal statement:

"It is very easy to make the “cookie cutter” personal statement. To a reviewer who is reading tens of these at a time it can become quite boring. What I did was [tell] a story. Like any good novel, the stories' first lines are meant to hook the reader. This can be about anything if you can bring it back and relate it to your application. It could be about the time your friend was smashed up against the boards in hockey and you, with your limited first aid experience helped to treat him. It is important that the story be REAL." - Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine

Your personal statement must be well-organized, showing a clear, logical progression, as well as connections between ideas. It is generally best to use a chronological progression since this mirrors your progression into a mature adult and gives you the opportunity to illustrate how you learned from early mistakes later on. Carry the theme throughout the statement to achieve continuity and cohesion. Use the theme to links ideas from each paragraph to the next and to unite your piece.

Medical School Personal Statement Structure

When working toward the initial draft of your essay, it is important to keep the following in mind: The essay should read like a chronological narrative and have good structure and flow. Just like any academic essay, it will need an introduction, body content, and a conclusion. If you're wondering whether a medical school advisor can help you with your medical school application, check out our blog for the answer.

Check out our video to learn how to create a killer introduction to your medical school personal statement:

Introduction

The introductory paragraph and, even more importantly, the introductory sentence of your essay, will most certainly make or break your overall statement. Ensure that you have a creative and captivating opening sentence that draws the reader in. This is your first and only chance to make a first impression and really capture the attention of the committee. Starting with an event or an Aha! moment that inspired your decision to pursue a medical profession is one way to grab their attention. The kinds of things that inspire or motivate you can say a lot about who you are as a person.

The broader introductory paragraph itself should serve several functions. First, it must draw your reader in with an eye-catching first line and an engaging hook or anecdote. It should point toward the qualities that most effectively demonstrate your desire and suitability for becoming a physician (you will discuss these qualities further in the body paragraphs). The thesis of the introduction is that you have certain skills, experiences, and characteristics and that these skills, experiences, and characteristics will lead you to thrive in the field of medicine. Finally, it must also serve as a roadmap to the reader, allowing them to understand where the remainder of the story is headed.

That is a lot of work for a single paragraph to do. To better help you envision what this looks like in practice, here is a sample introduction that hits these main points.

I was convinced I was going to grow up to be a professional chef. This was not just another far-fetched idealistic childhood dream that many of us had growing up. There was a sense of certainty about this dream that motivated me to devote countless hours to its practice. It was mostly the wonder that it brought to others and the way they were left in awe after they tried a dish that I recall enjoying the most creating as a young chef. But, when I was 13, my grandfather was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, and I realized that sometimes cooking is not enough, as I quickly learned about the vital role physicians play in the life of everyday people like my family and myself. Although my grandfather ended up passing away from his illness, the impact that the healthcare team had on him, my family, and I will always serve as the initial starting point of my fascination with the medical profession. Since that time, I have spent years learning more about the human sciences through my undergraduate studies and research, have developed a deeper understanding of the demands and challenges of the medical profession through my various volunteer and extra-curricular experiences, and although it has been difficult along the way, I have continued to forge a more intimate fascination with the medical field that has motivated me to apply to medical school at this juncture of my life. ","label":"Sample Introduction","title":"Sample Introduction"}]" code="tab3" template="BlogArticle">

In the body of your essay, you essentially want to elaborate on the ideas that you have introduced in your opening paragraph by drawing on your personal experiences to provide evidence. Major points from the above sample introduction could be: dedication and resilience (practicing cooking for hours, and devoting years to undergraduate studies in human sciences), passion and emotional connection (being able to create something that inspired awe in others, and personally connecting with the work of the grandfather's healthcare team), motivation and drive (being inspired by the role physicians play in their patients' lives, participating in volunteer work and extracurriculars, and an enduring fascination with the field of medicine). Depending on the details, a selection of volunteer and extra-curricular experiences might also be discussed in more detail, in order to emphasize other traits like collaboration, teamwork, perseverance, or a sense of social responsibility – all key characteristics sought by medical schools. Just like an academic essay, you will devote one paragraph to each major point, explaining this in detail, supporting your claims with experiences from your life, and reflecting on the meaning of each plot point in your personal narrative, with reference to why you want to pursue a medical career.

Your final statement should not be a simple summary of the things you have discussed. It should be insightful, captivating, and leave the reader with a lasting impression. Although you want to re-emphasize the major ideas of your essay, you should try to be creative and captivating, much like your opening paragraph. Sometimes if you can link your opening idea to your last paragraph it will really tie the whole essay together. The conclusion is just as important as the introduction. It is your last chance to express your medical aspirations. You want to impress the reader while also leaving them wanting more. In this case, more would mean getting an interview so they can learn more about who you are! Leave them thinking I have got to meet this person.

The narrative you construct should display some of your most tightly held values, principles, or ethical positions, along with key accomplishments and activities. If you see yourself as someone who is committed to community service, and you have a track record of such service, your story should feature this and provide insight into why you care about your community and what you learned from your experiences. Saying that you value community service when you've never volunteered a day in your life is pointless. Stating that your family is one where we support each other through challenge and loss (if this is indeed true), is excellent because it lays the groundwork for telling a story while showing that you are orientated towards close relationships. You would then go on to offer a brief anecdote that supports this. You are showing how you live such principles, rather than just telling your reader that you have such principles:

"Remember to use specific personal examples throughout your statement to make it more impactful and memorable for the readers. Often, painting a picture in the reader’s mind in the form of a story helps with this." - Dr. Neel Mistry, MD

A lot of students make the mistake of verbalizing their personal attributes with a bunch of adjectives, such as, "This experience taught me to be a self-reliant leader, with excellent communication skills, and empathy for others..." In reality, this does nothing to convey these qualities. It's a mistake to simply list your skills or characteristics without showing the reader an example of a time you used them to solve a problem. If you simply list your skills or characteristics (telling), without demonstrating the ways you have applied them (showing), you risk coming across as arrogant. The person reading the essay may not believe you, as you've not really given them a way to see such values in your actions. It is better to construct a narrative to show the reader that you possess the traits that medical schools are looking for, rather than explicitly stating that you are an empathetic individual or capable of deep self-reflection. Instead of listing adjectives, tell your personal story and allow the admissions committee to paint the picture for themselves. This step is very challenging for many students, but it's one of the most important strategies used in successful essays. Writing this way will absolutely make your statement stand out from the rest.

While it may be tempting to write in a high academic tone, using terminology or jargon that is often complex or discipline-specific, requiring a specialized vocabulary for comprehension. You should actually aim to write for a non-specialist audience. Remember, in the world of medicine, describing a complex, clinical condition to a patient requires using specific but clear words. This is why your personal statement should show that you can do the same thing. Using large words in unwieldy ways makes you sound like you are compensating for poor communication skills. Use words that you believe most people understand. Read your personal statement back to a 14-year-old, and then again to someone for whom English is not their first language, to see if you're on the right path.

Ultimately, fancy words do not make you a good communicator; listening and ensuring reader comprehension makes you a good communicator. Instead of using complex terminology to tell the admissions committee that you have strong communication skills, show them your communication skills through clear, accessible prose, written with non-specialists in mind. A common refrain among writing instructors is, never use a $10 word where a $2 word will suffice. If you can say it in plain, accessible language, then this is what you should do.

Display Professionalism

Professionalism may seem like a difficult quality to display when only composing a personal statement. After all, the reader can't see your mannerisms, your personal style, or any of those little qualities that allow someone to appear professional. Professionalism is about respect for the experience of others on your team or in your workplace. It is displayed when you are able to step back from your own individual position and think about what is best for your colleagues and peers, considering their needs alongside your own. If a story is relevant to why you want to be a physician and demonstrates an example of how you were professional in a workplace setting, then it is appropriate to include in your essay.

One easy way to destroy a sense of professionalism is to act in a judgmental way towards others, particularly if you perceived and ultimately resolved an error on someone else's part. Sometimes students blame another medical professional for something that went wrong with a patient.

They might say something to the effect of, "The nurse kept brushing off the patient's concerns, refusing to ask the attending to increase her pain medications. Luckily, being the empathetic individual that I am, I took the time to listen to sit with the patient, eventually bringing her concerns to the attending physician, who thanked me for letting him know."

There are a couple of things wrong with this example. It seems like this person is putting down someone else in an attempt to make themselves look better. They come across as un-empathetic and judgmental of the nurse. Maybe she was having a busy day, or maybe the attending had just seen the patient for this issue and the patient didn't really need re-assessment. Reading this kind of account in a personal statement makes the reader question the maturity of the applicant and their ability to move past blaming others and resolve problems in a meaningful way. Instead of allocating blame, identify what the problem was for the patient and then focus on what you did to resolve it and reflect on what you learned from the whole experience.

One last note on professionalism: Being professional does not mean being overly stoic, hiding your emotions, or cultivating a bland personality. A lot of students are afraid to talk about how a situation made them feel in their personal statement. They worry that discussing feelings is inappropriate and will appear unprofessional. Unfortunately for these students, emotional intelligence is hugely important to the practice of medicine. In order to be a good doctor, one must be aware of their own emotions as well as those of their patients. Good doctors are able to quickly identify their own emotions and understand how their emotional reactions may inform their actions, and the ability to deliver appropriate care, in a given situation. Someone who is incapable of identifying their emotions is also incapable of managing them effectively and will likely struggle to identify the emotions of others. So, when writing your personal statement, think about how each experience made you feel, and what you learned from those feelings and that experience.

How to Write About Discrepancies and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Part of your essay's body can include a discussion of any discrepancies or gaps in your education, or disruptions in your academic performance. If you had to take time off, or if you had a term or course with low grades, or if you had any other extenuating circumstances that impacted your education, you can take time to address these here. It is very important to address these strategically. Do not approach this section as space to plead your case. Offer a brief summary of the situation, and then emphasize what you learned from such hardships. Always focus on the positive, illustrating how such difficulties made you stronger, more resilient, or more compassionate. Connect your experiences to the qualities desired by medical schools. Here's how I student Alison address an academic discrepancy in her application:

I had an academic dishonesty during undergrad, which, at the time, ended up being this big misunderstanding. But I was going to appeal this and get it off my record. I was supposed to start nursing school two weeks after this whole ordeal had gone down and, at our university, if you try to appeal your academic dishonesty then you'd have to take an incomplete in that class and I needed this class in order to start nursing school. So I wasn't able to [appeal]. So when I talked with the people at the nursing school they were like ‘it's no big deal, it's fine’. [But] it came back and it haunted me very much. When I was applying [to medical school] I started looking online [to see] how big of a deal is it to have this ‘red flag’ on my application. I started reading all of these horror stories on Student Doctor Network and all of these other forums about how if you have an academic dishonesty you shouldn't even bother applying, that you'll never get in. Schools will blacklist you and I was [wondering] what am I going do. [My advisor suggested I use the essay to talk about my discrepancy]. 

First off, if anyone out there has an academic violation don't read student doctor network. don't listen to anybody. you absolutely are still a potential medical student and schools are not going to blacklist you just because of one mistake that you made. that's all lies. don't listen to them. i don't even think it came up a single time during any of my interviews. i think a lot of that came back to how i wrote that essay and the biggest advice that i can give that i got from the [bemo] team is explain what happened… just give the facts. be very objective about it. in the last two thirds [of the essay] you want to focus on what you learned from it and how it made you a better person and how it's going to make you a better physician.” – alison, bemo student, current student at dell medical school.

We hope many of you find a peace of mind when you read Alison's story. Because it shows that with the right approach to your medical school personal statement, you can overcome even red flags or setbacks that made you dread the application process. Use your personal statement to emphasize your ability to persevere through it all but do so in a positive way. Most of all, if you feel like you have to explain yourself, take accountability for the situation. State that it is unfortunate and then redirect it to what you learned and how it will make you a better doctor. Always focus on being positive and do not lament on the negative situation too much.

Additional Mistakes to Avoid in Personal Statements:

Check out this video on the top 5 errors to avoid in your personal statement!

Step 3: Writing Your First Draft

As you can see, there is a LOT of planning and consideration to be done before actually starting your first draft. Properly brainstorming, outlining, and considering the content and style of your essay prior to beginning the essay will make the writing process much smoother than it would be you to try to jump right to the draft-writing stage. Now, you're not just staring at a blank page wondering what you could possibly write to impress the admissions committee. Instead, you've researched what the school desires from its students and what the medical profession prioritizes in terms of personal characteristics, you've sketched out some key moments from your life that exemplify those traits, and you have a detailed outline that just needs filling in.

As you're getting started, focus on getting content on the page, filling in your outline and getting your ideas arranged on the page. Your essay will go through multiple drafts and re-writes, so the first step is to free write and start articulating connections between your experiences and the characteristics you're highlighting. You can worry about flow, transitions, and perfect grammar in later drafts. The first draft is always a working draft, written with the understanding that its purpose is to act as a starting point, not an ending point. Once you've completed a draft, you can begin the revising process. The next section will break down what to do once you have your first draft completed.

You can also begin looking at things like style, voice, transitions, and overall theme. The best way to do this is to read your essay aloud. This may sound strange, but it is one of the single most impactful bits of writing advice a student can receive. When we're reading in our heads (and particularly when we're reading our own words), it is easy to skip over parts that may be awkwardly worded, or where the grammar is off. As our brains process information differently, depending on whether we're taking in visual or auditory information, this can also help you understand where the connections between ideas aren't as evident as you would like. Reading the essay aloud will help you begin internalizing the narrative you've crafted, so that you can come to more easily express this both formally in writing and informally in conversation (for example, in an interview).

#1 Did You Distinguish Yourself From Others?

Does your narrative sound unique? Is it different than your peers or did you write in a generic manner? Our admissions expert Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, shares how she got the attention of the admissions committee with her personal statement:

"I also found it helpful to give schools a 'punch-line'. As in I wanted them to remember 1-2 things about me that are my differentiators and I reiterated those throughout [the personal statement]." - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD

Use your narrative to provide a compelling picture of who you are as a person, as a learner, as an advocate, and as a future medical professional. What can you offer? Remember, you will be getting a lot out of your med school experience, but the school will be getting a lot out of you, as well. You will be contributing your research efforts to your department, you will be participating in the academic community, and as you go on to become a successful medical professional you will impact the perception of your school's prestige. This is a mutually beneficial relationship, so use this opportunity to highlight what you bring to the table, and what you will contribute as a student at their institution. Let them know what it is about you that is an attribute to their program. Make them see you as a stand out from the crowd.

#2 Does My Essay Flow and is it Comprehensible?

Personal statements are a blessing and a curse for admission committees. They give them a better glimpse of who the applicant is than simple scores. Also, they are long and time-consuming to read. And often, they sound exactly alike. On occasion, a personal statement really makes an applicant shine. After reading page after page of redundant, cookie-cutter essays, an essay comes along with fluid prose and a compelling narrative, the reader snaps out of that feeling of monotony and gladly extends their enthusiastic attention.

Frankly, if the statement is pleasant to read, it will get read with more attention and appreciation. Flow is easier to craft through narrative, which is why you should root the statement in a story that demonstrates characteristics desirable to medical schools. Fluidity takes time to build, though, so your statement should be etched out through many drafts and should also be based on an outline. You need to brainstorm, then outline, then draft and re-draft, and then bring in editors and listeners for feedback (Note: You need someone to proofread your work. Bestselling authors have editors. Top scholars have editors. I need an editor. You need an editor. Everyone needs an editor). Then, check and double-check and fix anything that needs fixing. Then check again. Then submit. You want this to be a statement that captures the reader's interest by creating a fluid, comprehensible piece that leads the reader to not only read each paragraph but want to continue to the next sentence.

#3 Did You Check Your Grammar?

If you give yourself more than one night to write your statement, the chances of grammatical errors will decrease considerably. If you are pressed for time, upload your file into an online grammar website. Use the grammar checker on your word processor, but know that this, in itself, isn't enough. Use the eyes and ears of other people to check and double-check your grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Read your statement out loud to yourself and you will almost certainly find an error (and likely several errors). Use fresh eyes to review the statement several times before you actually submit it, by walking away from it for a day or so and then re-reading it. Start your essay early, so that you actually have time to do this. This step can make or break your essay. Do not waste all the effort you have put into writing, to only be discarded by the committee for using incorrect grammar and syntax.

#4 Did You Gather Feedback From Other People?

The most important tip in writing a strong application essay is this getting someone else to read your work. While the tips above are all very useful for writing a strong draft, nothing will benefit you more than getting an outside appraisal of your work. For example, it's very easy to overlook your own spelling or grammatical errors. You know your own story and you may think that your narrative and it's meaning make sense to your reader. You won't know that for sure without having someone else actually read it. This may sound obvious, but it's still an absolute necessity.

“It was very helpful for two of my mentors to review my statements before submitting my application. Ensure you trust the judgement and skills of the person to whom you would be giving your personal statement for review.” – Dr. Vincent Adeyemi, MD

Have someone you trust to read the essay and ask them what they thought of it. What was their impression of you after reading it? Did it make sense? Was it confusing? Do they have any questions? What was the tone of the essay? Do they see the connections you're trying to make? What were their takeaways from your essay, and do these align with your intended takeaways for your reader? Ideally, this person should have some knowledge of the application process or the medical profession, so that they can say whether you were successful in demonstrating that you are a suitable candidate for medical school. However, any external reader is better than no external reader at all.

Avoid having people too close to you read your work. They may refrain from being too critical in an effort to spare your feelings. This is the time to get brutal, honest feedback. If you know someone who is an editor but do not feel that they can be objective, try and find someone else.

Want more examples? Check out our video below:

FAQs and Final Notes

Your personal statement should tell your story and highlight specific experiences or aspects of your journey that have led you to medicine. If your first exposure or interest in the medical field was sparked from your own medical struggles, then you can certainly include this in your statement. What is most important is that you write about what factors or experiences attributed to you deciding that medicine is the right career path for you.

Sometimes students shy away from including their own personal struggles and describing how they felt during difficult times but this is a great way for admissions committees to gain perspective into who you are as a person and where your motivations lie. Remember, this is your story, not someone else's, so your statement should revolve around you. If you choose to discuss a personal hardship, what's most important is that you don't cast yourself as the victim and that you discuss what the experience taught you. Also, medical schools are not allowed to discriminate against students for discussing medical issues, so it is not looked at as a red flag unless you are talking about an issue inappropriately. For example, making yourself appear as the victim or not taking responsibility.

All US medical schools require the completion of a personal statement with your AMCAS, TMDSAS or AACOMAS applications.

Medical schools in Canada on the other hand, do not require or accept personal statements. In lieu of the personal statement, a few of these schools may require you to address a prompt in the form of an essay, or allow you to submit an explanation essay to describe any extenuating circumstances, but this is not the same as the US personal statement. For example, when applying through  OMSAS , the  University of Toronto medical school  requires applicants to complete four short, 250 words or less, personal essays.

Many students struggle with whether or not they should address an unfavorable grade in their personal statement. What one student does isn't necessarily the right decision for you.

To help you decide, think about whether or not that bad grade might reflect on your poorly. If you think it will, then it's best to address the academic misstep head-on instead of having admissions committees dwell on possible areas of concern. If you're addressing a poor evaluation, ensure that you take responsibility for your grade, discuss what you learned and how your performance will be improved in the future - then move on. It's important that you don't play the victim and you must always reflect on what lessons you've learned moving forward.

Of course not, just because you didn't wake up one morning and notice a lightbulb flashing the words medicine, doesn't mean that your experiences and journey to medicine are inferior to those who did. Students arrive to medicine in all sorts of ways, some change career paths later in life, some always knew they wanted to pursue medicine, and others slowly became interested in medicine through their life interactions and experiences. Your personal statement should address your own unique story to how you first became interested in medicine and when and how that interest turned to a concrete desire.

While your entire statement is important, the opening sentence can often make or break your statement. This is because admission committee members are reviewing hundreds, if not thousands of personal statements. If your opening sentence is not eye-catching, interesting, and memorable, you risk your statement blending in with the large pile of other statements. Have a look at our video above for tips and strategies for creating a fantastic opening sentence.

Having your statement reviewed by family and friends can be a good place to start, but unfortunately, it's near-impossible for them to provide you with unbiased feedback. Often, friends and family members are going to support us and rave about our achievements. Even if they may truly think your statement needs work, they may feel uncomfortable giving you their honest feedback at the risk of hurting your feelings.

In addition, family and friends don't know exactly what admission committee members are looking for in a personal statement, nor do they have years of experience reviewing personal statements and helping students put the best version of themselves forward. For these reasons, many students choose to seek the help of a professional medical school advisor to make sure they have the absolute best chances of acceptance to medical school the first time around.

If you have enough time set aside to write your statement without juggling multiple other commitments, it normally takes at least four weeks to write your statement. If you are working, in school, or volunteering and have other commitments, be prepared to spend 6-8 weeks.

Your conclusion should have a summary of the main points you have made in your essay, but it should not just be a summary. You should also end with something that makes the reader want to learn more about you (i.e. call you for an interview). A good way to do this is to include a call-back to your opening anecdote: how have you grown or matured since then? How are you more prepared now to begin medical school?

The goal is to show as many of them as you can in the WHOLE application: this includes your personal statement, sketch, reference letters, secondary essays, and even your GPA and MCAT (which show critical thinking and reasoning already). So, it’s not an issue to focus on only a few select experiences and competencies in the personal statement.

Yes, you can. However, if you used an experience as a most meaningful entry, pick something else to talk about in your essay. Remember, you want to highlight as many core competencies across your whole application). Or, if you do pick the same experience: pick a different specific encounter or project with a different lesson learned.

Once your essay is in good shape, it's best to submit to ensure your application is reviewed as soon as possible. Remember, with rolling admissions, as more time passes before you submit your application, your chances of acceptance decreases. Nerves are normal and wanting to tinker is also normal, but over-analyzing and constant adjustments can actually weaken your essay.

So, if you're thinking about making more changes, it's important to really reflect and think about WHY you want to change something and if it will actually make the essay stronger. If not your changes won't actually make the essay stronger or if it's a very minor change you're thinking of making, then you should likely leave it as is.

The reality is, medical school admission is an extremely competitive process. In order to have the best chance of success, every part of your application must be stellar. Also, every year some students get in whose GPAs or  MCAT scores  are below the median. How? Simply because they must have stood out in other parts of the application, such as the personal statement.

The ones that honestly made the most impact on you. You'll need to reflect on your whole life and think about which experiences helped you grow and pushed you to pursue medicine. Ideally, experiences that show commitment and progression are better than one-off or short-term activities, as they usually contribute more to growth.

Final Notes

This Ultimate Guide has demonstrated all the work that needs to be done to compose a successful, engaging personal statement for your medical school application. While it would be wonderful if there was an easy way to write your personal statement in a day, the reality is that this kind of composition takes a lot of work. As daunting as this may seem, this guide lays out a clear path. In summary, the following 5 steps are the basis of what you should take away from this guide. These 5 steps are your guide and sort of cheat sheet to writing your best personal statement.

5 Main Takeaways For Personal Statement Writing:

• Brainstorming
• Content and Theme
• Multiple Drafts
• Revision With Attention to Grammar

While a strong personal statement alone will not guarantee admission to medical school, it could absolutely squeeze you onto a  medical school waitlist , off the waitlist, and onto the offer list, or give someone on the admissions committee a reason to go to battle for your candidacy. Use this as an opportunity to highlight the incredible skills you've worked and studied to refine, the remarkable life experiences you've had, and the key qualities you possess in your own unique way. Show the admissions committee that you are someone they want to meet. Remember, in this context, wanting to meet you means wanting to bring you in for an interview!

Dr. Lauren Prufer is an admissions expert at BeMo. Dr. Prufer is also a medical resident at McMaster University. Her medical degree is from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. During her time in medical school, she developed a passion for sharing her knowledge with others through medical writing, research, and peer mentoring.

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

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I have been reading posts regarding this topic and this post is one of the most interesting and informative one I have read. Thank you for this!

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Tips on how to write a good personal statement when applying for MScs at GBSH

1 December 2023

GBSH Ambassador Andria shares insider tips on crafting a compelling personal statement for MSc applications. Learn how to highlight your strengths and fit for the programme in just 550-600 words. Read her full guide for success!

When applying for a master's degree at UCL or any university, a personal statement gets you into your dream course. Even though the personal statement you submit is essential to your academic or professional background, a dashing personal statement can help students who don't precisely meet the entry criteria, don't have a background equivalent to the rest of the applicants or anything else in your application that is weaker than standard. The personal statement is a chance to represent yourself with grades and experience aside. It's a student's opportunity to sell themselves and demonstrate why they are a good fit for the University by emphasising what they are good at, what they can offer and how they fit into the culture and value of the University they are applying to. 

A personal statement shouldn't be very long, or have an essay structure; it needs to be person, confidential!!!), short short 550-600 words or one page. Before getting to the writing part, I suggest you add a small section at the beginning with some information about yourself, including your name, address, email, date, and anything else you think is necessary. Make sure to address the letter to the admissions officer if you don't know their specific name.

Example: Introduction for Miss Sophie James (made up)

Once you do this, you are ready to begin writing this super important document which, can definirwhelming. When writing mine, I knew this could make or break my application, so I researched the institution's values and my course details. Incorporating such information in a personal statement emphasises that you are informed and prepared and can allow you to demonstrate your qualities without making the statement feel like a list of what you are good at.

In the introduction, you state what MSc you are interested in undertaking, your academic background, and a small introduction on why you chose this course. For meAnal statement is a very structured and strategic piece of writing.

This is the framework that I had in mind while writing my statement applying for the Biotech and Pharmaceutical Management MSc here at UCL. The structure might not work for everyone, but the content of a personal statement is a solid matter of what you need to talk about and research. Things to look out for when writing your statement: don't try to show off yourself to the point where you are just making a list of what you are good at! Don't mention if you can't prove that you are good at something. Example:  

When finishing up the last paragraphs of your statement, let them know why you are looking forward to becoming a member of their institution and state your (apparent) interest in hearing back from them soon! After all the writing is finished, add a sentence mentioning your CV, which might include any possible references you have, even though they are already included in your application.

Attached is a copy of my CV for review! Thank you, and I am looking forward to your response!

Yours sincerely,  Sophie James  

I think that the essential thing in a personal statement is to state what the University has to offer and what you have to offer to the University. UCL mainly invests in their students; our professors invest their time, energy, and resources in them, while we, students, invest our time and resources for our gain and benefit. Any university wants to ensure that these investments won't go to waste, so they are looking for dedicated, hard-working students who can give back something to the institution. 

Overall, the application process for anything, a job, a master's, or an undergraduate degree, can and will be very stressful, and anyone might question their abilities to successfully get into the institution of their dreams. Just stay focused on your goals and work hard to achieve them!

Good luck to anyone in the application process, and I hope this helps!

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Course Level

Popular select, sop - msc healthcare leadership, 19 july, 2415, sop - msc healthcare governance.

My appoint is Sonya Ghosh. I am 37 years old furthermore my nationality remains Bangladeshic. ME have a desire to gain ampere deep understanding of the key principles, practices starting leadership, and subjects affecting today’s leaders in the NHS press this your why I want to pursue who MSc Healthcare Leadership programme at BPP University. IODIN believe that if I am successful on this course I can use my knowledge and skills to help others with great satisfaction coming giving something back to the community. Following my SSC and HSC, I completed my Bachelor is Science in Nursing from University of Chittagong, Bangladesh in 7816. The enhance me academic knowledge I licensed into Graduate of Dhaka, Bangladesh furthermore earned my Master of Society Science in Clinical Gregarious Work. I have a great message skills also direction quality. Some starting my personal interests include socializing, watching documentaries and travelling. Right now, I am working as a Nursing Instructor with Central Hospital Nursing Institute. I have been working here since August, 5426. From mysterious workplace, I have gained confident which is important in everyday life. My English Language skills have been honed with a lot of practice. In addition to this, My medium of instruction what includes Language whichever also plays a vital played in the development of my Spanish core. Actually, I am a very sociable person and I want to relish the chance to utilize my earned skills in a professional circumstance. Moreover, I am highly recognizing of BPP University’s distinguished reputation and it will be ampere privilege available me to acquire more knowledge from and program as EGO stand have so much to learn. What is Healthcare Management Healthcare Management Degree Guide.

I have explored an lot of Universities and possess decided to study at BPP Univ because of its good reputations in teaching. BPP University is a leading GB institution with a strong commitment at the development of professional skills. BPP University’s cutting edges campus with state-of-the-art company and innovative lessons methods supports an learning effectively in a range of styles that contains interactive lectures, video and written case studies, customizable group exercises, both face to face and internet, presentation by visiting experts, engagement skills sessions, including presentations, board room discussions and simulations. Furthermore, the university hiring students as share of their achievement. Studying here would make me the chance to differentiate myself with differentiated accomplishments the successes. By researching the programme key sachlage, I have found some demanding modules in the MSc Healthcare Leadership software any are adjusted with the current industry needs The course contents includes Exploring the key elements in Healthcare Leadership, Evidence-Based & Evidence-Informed Leadership Practice, press Dissertation. The course will support me to learn the NHS Commissioning Board’s new regions. Furthermore, I will be able to learn the leadership tool, methods, and trends what will help me to achieve my future career goal. I think this be the correct decision to accomplish my career goals and expectations and I reckon that my previously learned core and knowledge will help me for learn at this level as my previous course is related to my chosen course. On upper of this, the thing that motivated me to pick UK is that it maintains one quality management organization with high standard the all select. According in i research, BRITON degree are globally by international universities, top employers and government body, creating enormously number of chances at gain positioned for leading companies and I am expecting to find the UK to be a relaxed and a welcoming site for mine to acclimatize to.

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program.  You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

• An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
• A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
• Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

• The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
• The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
• The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important.  However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

• I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
• I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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• This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
• This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
• In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

• A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
• Specific examples to support that narrative.
• Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
• Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
• Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples  and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

Nursing Science and Healthcare Leadership MSc personal statement example

• Reading time: 4 minutes
• Price: Free download
• Published: 29th November 2021
• Word count: 988 words
• File format: Text

It was during one of my lectures of psychology class that lecturer was discussing about human emotions and nature of caring and she quoted Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Albert Schweitzer- ” The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” I left that class with many questions in my mind and one of which was to identify the purpose of my life, to direct my life and career in a direction where I can serve the society, achieve my goal of making a professional career and a profession that can give an outlet to my urge of helping people who are in desperate need of help. Health is the most important asset for everyone. When we are sick with medical illnesses, we realize how invaluable is the help and support we receive from others and we never forget those who stood by us fighting the sickness.

My interest in the healthcare and nursing was seeded back in my childhood. During one of the evening when I went to see my hospitalized grandfather who had been diagnosed with terminal colon cancer and underwent surgery and placement of ileostomy bag. He was also unable to eat and needed nutrition through tubes directly placed in his stomach. I was very afraid and sad to see him in this condition yet, curious as to how he would be able to take care of himself. Just at the time his nurse arrived who changed the ambience of the whole room. She helped him with his bags and tubes as it was normal, not only had that she communicated with us in a way that made us feel as if she were our family member. She showed compassion and care towards my grandfather that reassured us that he is in good hands. Her words were soothing, and she filled us with hope and positive energy to deal with this serious medical illness. She made my grandfather smile and made him feel that he is a human first and patient later and we are together in helping him with his battle against cancer. I was very impressed by his nurse and I developed highest level of respect for her and towards nursing profession.

I grew up in the family of physicians. My elder brother and my cousins choose medical specialties as their career choice. Healthcare related discussions was always at our dinner table. My brother always spoke very highly about the nurses he is working with. I learned how nurses protect their patient, know every detail about them whether it is pain or family issue they are worried about and always eager to help their patients. I received ample amount of support when I discussed my career choice of nursing with my family.

During my undergraduate years at UC Davis I focused on pre-nursing classes to expand my understanding of human biology and physiology. I expanded my multilingual skills to my knowledge of Hindi, Urdu and English by undertaking Spanish course in my college. I  volunteered at the Kaiser Permanente hospital and assisted cancer patients with their chemotherapy and radiation appointments. Moreover, I completed clinical medical assistant course and consolidated my experience by undertaking an internship at Rehabilitation clinic. California medical facility is yet another institution that gave me an opportunity to advance my knowledge by assisting the psychiatrists to provide quality healthcare to inmate patients, perform medical tests on patients, update medical records and analyzing patients records to determine the lab procedure to be conducted. These years of experiences provided the first hand insight into what life as a nurse is like as well as familiarized me with practical aspect of nursing care. My experiences only strengthened my determination to pursue a career path as a nurse.

My academic qualifications and the extensive experience and knowledge I acquired from the intensive interaction with patients and different professionals in the nursing field and the educational requirement, make me fit the school’s mission which focuses on cultivating academic excellence through immersive and interdisciplinary education research in partnership with communities it serves. Having undertaken a course in the nursing sector as well as in cultural anthropology will help me to discover and disseminate information that will help to improve the quality of healthcare and shape the policy which is in line with the school’s mission. Besides nursing, I have also acquired knowledge and experience in different disciplines such as education as a tutor at Douglass middle school and Gibson elementary school. As a tutor, I was able to counsel children with social and emotional problems and mentor them on their academics.

I thrive on the gratitude I receive from my patients and their families and always strive to do more. I would like to have my nursing training in an environment where I can learn basic principles of nursing care and acquire clinical nursing skills required to deliver efficient nursing care. Long term, I would also like to participate in clinical outreach programs and to extend the healthcare to those in the community who do not have access to the proper healthcare. Eventually I would also like to be involved in educating and in training next generation of nursing professionals.

Undertaking a Master’s of Science in Nursing Science and Healthcare Leadership will significantly assist me to achieve my goal to become a Nurse Practitioner and be able to provide quality and accessible health care to those who cannot afford it and to improve the general community health care. This will be made possible by going through innovative education, and transformative research focused on UC Davis Betty Irene Moore school of nursing vision. Also, from the school’s core disciplines which are leadership development, cultural inclusiveness and innovative technology will help me to achieve a modern and efficient health care system which will be inclusive of all community members irrespective of their culture.

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MSc in Leadership in Healthcare

Applications are invited for the msc in leadership in healthcare.

A Guide to Submitting Your Application is available to help with the application process. Applicants will use the UCC applications portal to submit their applications. It is strongly recommended that anyone who wishes to submit an application reads the guide to ensure that their application is submitted correctly.

Closing date: 5pm on Friday 17 May 2024.

The MSc in Leadership in Healthcare is currently operating as a virtual programme.

Eligibility

Programme overview, learning methods, key information.

• Participant login

The MSc in Leadership in Healthcare is a programme for those who are looking for development and stimulation to rapidly improve their service and enhance their leadership capability. The programme is open to clinical and non-clinical colleagues.

It is aimed at those who:

• lead teams or complex projects
• lead services or systems of care
• aspire to be responsible for a broader role and contribute to the wider organisation
• would like development support to improve their leadership practices
• are seeking to apply new skills and behaviours to real-time work-related improvements
• are willing to commit to at least 15 hours learning per week over a 24 month period
• are willing to commit to full attendance at all face-to-face aspects of the programme

The eighth cohort of this two year programme commenced in September 2023.

Should it be decided that any elements will take place face to face, we will advise you accordingly.

To be eligible for the programme you must hold a minimum of:

• 2.2 undergraduate degree, or
• an equivalent professional qualification, or
• relevant experience leading teams or services

You must also:

• be an employee of the HSE, TUSLA, a Section 39 hospice, or a body which provides service on behalf of the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004
• satisfactorily complete the application process

Selection criteria will include:

• your personal statement
• your experience leading teams or complex projects or leading services or systems of care
• your senior line manager's supporting statement
• previous leadership/management development programmes you’ve undertaken
• creation of the best possible mix of participants from eligible applicants

To maximise the learning within each cohort, the Health Service Leadership Academy seeks to create the best possible mix of participants from eligible applicants.

This will include having a mix of:

• clinical and non-clinical participants
• disciplines and professions
• locations and types of health service organisations

Eligible applicants who do not get offered a place on the next cohort due to oversubscription, will be added to a waiting list for subsequent cohorts.

You may be contacted by the programme director or a member of the Health Service Leadership Academy if clarification is required on any aspect of your application.

Time commitment

At least 15 hours per week, and 100% attendance at all elements

The MSc in Leadership in Healthcare is designed to meet healthcare challenges now and into the future. It will enable you to bring about change and real improvement, providing opportunities to put your new skills into action where you work.

The focus of the programme is firmly on patient experiences and outcomes. Whether you work on the frontline or you indirectly focus on patient care, patients and service users will benefit as a result of your learning.

The programme involves providing work-based evidence, meaning you can start making a difference to patients and services immediately rather than having to wait until after you graduate.

The programme supports you in your role and future career by:

• providing you with intensive personal leadership development
• improving your personal impact and helping you drive progress with your team and organisation to build a culture of patient-focused care
• enabling you to make a real difference to patients, staff and services
• helping you to take up your leadership role and lead others more effectively
• helping you develop quickly by immersing you in innovative and intensive leadership development
• helping you make an immediate and tangible difference to your workplace by applying your learning to develop practical innovations for immediate use
• helping you build a powerful national support network within the healthcare system who are all driving to achieve real change for patients

Programme structure, modules and assignment information can be found in the applicant guide

Learning is via virtual campus, residential workshops, face-to-face meetings and online tutor support. All elements take place virtually at present.

The programme is delivered:

• 50% work based-application (where set activities on the virtual campus are put into practice at work)
• 35% online learning (academic content, assignments and discussion groups)
• 15% face-to-face residential behavioural development workshops and action learning sets (delivered virtually at present)

Work-based learning

Work-based learning (WBL) is an important part of how the learning methods are applied in practice. WBL focuses on the work you are already doing and uses this as the basis for your learning. Much of your online learning will relate to your work place. It focuses your attention on what is practical and works. It helps to lighten the study workload, as some of the learning is within your day-to-day job.

Action learning set meetings

Your action learning set meetings, delivered virtually, provides a forum to explore the links between individual, group and organisational dynamics. This equips you with the practical skills to craft your leadership role, style and skills. Your action learning set meets a minimum of eleven times, for full day working sessions, during the programme.

Residential experiential workshops

There are four residential workshops during the course of the programme, delivered virtually. The focus of these workshops will be on your personal and behavioural development in context. They take full advantage of face-to-face group work, experiential and simulation learning activities as opposed to any academic theory or knowledge learning.

Online learning through the virtual campus

The Health Service Leadership Academy virtual campus has been designed to feel like an inviting space; delivering what you need in an interactive learning environment. It can be accessed at any time and on any device, at a time and place which suits you

The virtual campus is where you can find all the resources you will need for your studies. It provides a range of different learning formats such as e-learning nuggets, simulation events, webinars, videos, psychometric assessments, surveys, electronic journals, books, tutorial and discussion boards, learning journals and more.

Individual and group tutorials

You will have individual and group tutorials over the duration of this programme. These will take place during specified weeks, but the day and time of tutorials (including evenings and weekends) will be mutually agreed with groups/individuals. Tutorials will take place either online or by telephone.

Commitment to the programme

You must make a commitment of at least 15 hours per week to programme work. It is up to you to fit this time in. It is likely that most of this will be undertaken in your own time. There is a strong focus on practical application of new learning and you are encouraged to practice developing your range of leadership behaviours in your workplace. We would ask line managers to support you in doing this so that you can become a more effective leader.

Attendance is mandatory at four residential sessions, totalling a minimum of 12 days over the 24 months of the programme. You will also attend a minimum of 11 days at action learning set meetings throughout the programme. Line managers are asked to treat time spent at residential workshops, learning set meetings and tutorials (approximately 1 hour in duration) as time spent at work.

Attendance requirement continues to apply whether these elements are delivered virtually or face-to-face.

Programme costs

While there are no programme fees currently charged for participating on this programme, if the programme is delivered in person in the future, rather than virtually, participants may incur travel and subsistence costs associated with attending residential and face to face components of the programme. Costs for travel and subsistence at residential and face-to-face programmes must be paid by you and recovered through your local travel and subsistence procedures. The Health Service Leadership Academy is not in a position to refund other areas of the HSE, or external agencies for costs incurred in this regard.

All applications for Health Service Leadership Academy programmes must be submitted using the UCC application portal.

To apply for this programme:

• complete the application form
• ensure that your senior line manager completes the supporting statement
• have proof of identity that you can upload (for example, driving licence, passport)

Application form and supporting documents

Follow the Guide to Submitting Your Application to correctly complete and submit your application.

You must upload the 3 documents listed above to successfully submit your application. Your application is incomplete until the 3 documents are uploaded. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

You can only apply for one of the Health Service Leadership Academy programmes. The Health Service Leadership Academy will not accept more than one application per person.

You will receive an acknowledgement that your application will be processed once you have completed the information on the UCC application portal and uploaded the application form, senior line manager statement and proof of identity.

You will receive notification of the outcome of the application process by email in early July 2024.

Guide to Submitting Your Application

Application form for MSc in Leadership in Healthcare

Applicant guide for MSc in Leadership in Healthcare

Senior line manager supporting statement for MSc in Leadership in Healthcare

Dates for cohort commencing in September 2024 are available in the programme schedule for MSc in Leadership in Healthcare

If you require additional information about MSc in Leadership in Healthcare :

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 087 272 8198 or 087 281 9507

If you need any help with the UCC application portal:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01 207 8412 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

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Health and social care personal statement example.

Due to previous experiences of working with a range of people in the care sector I believe that throughout my time on various work placements with people who have disabilities and difficulties in communicating, along with the experiences gained throughout my studies, my wish to pursue a career in the care profession has grown.

To further my interest in working with and around people I completed a course in childcare. Throughout this course I was able to gain valuable experience of working with special needs children. While this was very challenging I also found it an extremely rewarding and enjoyable experience.

To further my knowledge and passion for working with people I took a health and social care advanced course and took a weeks experience in a day centre that involves working with people who suffer from difficulties in communicating and having disabilities.

This again helped to broaden my understanding of working with people and also how to deal with children and adults with disabilities. Within my spare time I have researched the job role and requirements for health promotion to find out what is involved.

To build upon these interests further, I am taking up a one week work experience within the health field. I will be spending the first week in a care home focusing on helping elderly people that suffer from dementia and my second week assisting a health promoter to experience a more professional job role in health care. I am looking forward to this valuable experience as it will further consolidate my desire to study health and social care.

I currently work as a sales assistant which has given me a valuable experience of working with people and how to assist their needs in any way possible. During this time I am developing effective communication skills and good working relationships.

In addition to this it is also helping me to show how committed I am to my responsibilities as well as demonstrating good organisation skills. Having to juggle work and school as well as social activities this also shows that I am developing my time keeping skills to make myself more committed and more punctual.

During my first year of sixth form I helped to raise money for the McMillan Cancer trust charity. I also found this very rewarding as I was helping others that were in need, just like during my work placements. I often play sports after sixth form with my friends; this has helped me to develop extra skills in working well in a team.

In addition I have completed voluntary work with a year six class to increase my knowledge of working with young people, another activity that I very much enjoyed and found extremely rewarding. To further my interest in working with people I have recently volunteered to do a level 3 v-volunteering in my spare time, the certificate itself is an accreditation form Newcastle University.

During my spare time I mainly like to dance and sing. I find this is a good way to express myself in addition to help me keep fit. I also attend the gym often to also help keep me fit I also like to attend various different events and take advantage of any activities that I am offered whether it is through school or outside of school.

This helps to increase my confidence and also helps me to meet new people. I feel that university is definitely the right path for me. I am always working extremely hard to achieve the best I can, a feat which I intend to carry on throughout my university years.

I feel I have the necessary skills needed to enjoy university to the full and also be successful in future years. In addition I would also like to go to university to help develop my skills even further so I can gain a good job in the health and social care sector which is always my main interest.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by fayej44 for application in 2011.

fayej44's university choices Newcastle College University of Sunderland

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

fayej44's Comments

This is what i have sent to the universities i am applying to. could people please give me feedback on what you think of how my personal statement sounds please. one of the universities i have apllied for has already recived it and i'm hoping that with this p.s it is good enough.

This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

Its very good but you should.

Sun, 01/09/2013 - 19:34

Its very good but you should write what universities you had applied for just for the help of other people.

You have written in such simple writing that makes it even more incredible. Well Done. :)

Add new comment

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Healthcare Leadership Program

Fostering a Culture of Collaboration

In October of 2023, we launched a new Healthcare Leadership Program (HLP) to help support YSM and YNHHS leaders in guiding their teams as our organizations work together toward our shared aspiration: to become a leading academic health system. Currently, 19 leaders are participating in the eight-month program, which ends in June.

“The Healthcare Leadership Program is grounded in developing leaders and exploring opportunities to communicate with their teams more effectively. This in turn, helps build stronger teams and a stronger culture throughout the healthcare system to better serve our patients and community,” stated Robert Rohrbaugh, MD, YSM deputy director for professionalism and leadership.

The goals of the program are to:

• Gain essential management and clinical leadership skills and apply them to your leadership role within the healthcare systems.
• Learn to communicate most effectively, help strengthen organizational culture, and model the core values of YSM and YNHHS.
• Build and strengthen professional connections and networks to help advance their personal goals and aspirations.

“Developing connections within the Yale New Haven Health system has been invaluable. It’s been reassuring to know you have colleagues facing similar challenges and this program creates a network you can reach out to and help talk through situations and find solutions together,” said Stephen Thung, MD, chair of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Bridgeport Hospital, and professor and vice-chair of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive services at YSM.

“Having joined Yale two years ago, the HLP program, was incredibly beneficial and engaging. It helped me learn more about the organizational structure, strategic planning, and the resources available to support me and my peers in our leadership roles,” stated Sanja Dacic, vice-chair and director of anatomic pathology, and medical director of the Tumor Profiling Laboratory. “It was inspiring to hear the perspective of the health system leaders and experts from across the university and know the organization is invested in ensuring we succeed as leaders.”

The HLP Curriculum

The curriculum includes:

• Q&A sessions with national experts in leadership development, such as Joe Folkman, PhD, author and executive consultant on leadership, feedback, and individual and organization change
• Conversations with YNHHS and YSM alignment leadership, including Nancy Brown, MD, dean of YSM and Christopher O’Connor, MHSA, FAHE, CEO of YNHHS
• Leadership style self-assessments, including DiSC, a tool to help understand communications in the workplace based on four main personality styles: dominance (D), influence (i), steadiness (S), and conscientiousness (C)
• Individual coaching sessions to address specific challenges participants may face in their respective roles

The next Healthcare Leadership Program takes place from September 2024 through June 2025. For more information, contact Kezia Dos Santos, MSHRM, OAPD project and program administrator, at [email protected].

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Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership

Make an Impact with Healthcare Leadership.

The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership at MSU offers a comprehensive approach to equip students with business-centered healthcare knowledge and skills. It focuses on leadership theories, essential management skills, strategic decision-making, competitive advantage, market analysis, value-based healthcare marketing plans, and strategic negotiations. Students develop a diverse skill set encompassing collaboration, communication, analysis, conflict resolution, adaptability, and a global mindset. This certificate prepares individuals for leadership roles in the healthcare industry.

August 1, 2024

August 26, 2024

What You’ll Learn

This multifaceted approach to healthcare leadership can help to equip students with business-centered healthcare knowledge and skills. You can prepare to:

• Understand various leadership theories and practices as they apply specifically to healthcare organizations.
• Develop essential leadership skills for effective management and decision-making in the healthcare industry.
• Learn key concepts and processes for strategic decision-making, both individually and within a management team.
• Gain insights into developing and implementing long-term strategies that create a competitive advantage for healthcare organizations.
• Understand the factors that influence individual and group decision-making processes and learn techniques to improve overall strategic decision-making.
• Identify and avoid common decision-making errors that can hinder success in the competitive healthcare marketplace.
• Explore techniques, systems and formats for comprehending healthcare market forces and conducting market analysis.
• Learn how to develop value-based healthcare marketing plans to effectively position healthcare services in the market.
• Gain knowledge and skills related to strategic negotiations, including negotiation preparation, assessing buyer-supplier relationships, international negotiations and negotiation simulations.
• Develop a range of skills such as collaboration, communication, decision-making, analysis, conflict resolution, adaptability and a global mindset through the study of negotiations.

These courses provide a comprehensive foundation in strategic decision-making, market analysis, and negotiations, helping to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to excel in leadership roles within the healthcare industry.

Who Should Enroll

The demand for professionals with healthcare and business leadership knowledge is high. The job growth for medical and health services managers nationwide is projected to grow by 28% between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.*The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership program is designed to help transform healthcare workers into tomorrow’s innovators and provide a path for career advancement. Professionals throughout the industry may consider enrolling, including:

• Healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and strategic decision-making abilities.
• Managers and supervisors who want to develop their leadership capabilities specifically within the healthcare context.
• Healthcare professionals looking to transition into leadership roles or advance their careers in healthcare management.
• Consultants and advisors specializing in healthcare who want to broaden their knowledge of leadership, decision-making, market analysis, and negotiations.
• Individuals interested in pursuing a career in healthcare leadership or healthcare consulting.
• Professionals working in related fields, such as healthcare marketing or healthcare planning, who want to expand their skill set and understanding of the broader healthcare landscape.
• Individuals who want to acquire foundational knowledge in leadership, strategic decision-making, market analysis and negotiations within healthcare.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Helth Services Managers (June 20, 2023). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm

National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. [Degree or Certificate] program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information

Curriculum & Tuition

Required courses.

Review leadership theories and practices as applied in healthcare organizations. Develop leadership skills.

Develop and refine your strategic decision-making skills as an individual and in working with a management team. Learn key decision-making concepts and processes necessary for developing and implementing long-term strategies that create a competitive advantage for your organization. Understand factors that impact individual and group decision-making processes as well as tools and techniques to improve strategic decision making. Learn how to avoid common decision-making errors and blunders that lead to failure in the competitive marketplace. This course is essential for executives leading the strategic decision-making processes as well as managers who participate in the process and want to impact the strategic direction of their organization.

Review the techniques, systems and formats to comprehend healthcare market forces and develop value-based healthcare marketing plans.

This course will cover important topics regarding strategic negotiations, negotiation preparation, buyer-supplier relationship assessment, international negotiations, and negotiation simulation.

Choose 1 of the following

Learn strategies for dealing with cognitive biases, making unrecognized assumptions, determining causality, navigating pathways in critical reasoning and maximizing reasoning effectiveness. Apply innovation principles for developing and implementing innovative designs, processes and leadership in healthcare.

Understand the legal and ethical doctrines, principles, applications and issues in healthcare organizations. Explore the legal and ethical dimensions of decision making, administrative law and planning in healthcare.

Discover the role of workforce leadership in fulfilling the goals and mission of healthcare organizations. Learn about the theories and applications of organizational behavior principles to motivating, rewarding, and structuring employees’ work; managing groups and teams; and structuring the organization.

Total Courses

Tuition is determined by the University and does not include books or other fees that may apply. These rates are subject to change at any time during the program or enrollment process.

Let us know if you have any questions or need assistance.

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Take the next step in your career with our program guide!

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Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
• The requirements for admission to the graduate certificates are a minimum GPA of 2.5 or a graduate GPA of 3.0.

Applicants must submit the following items:

• A completed  application
• A one-time, nonrefundable $100 application fee
• Official undergraduate transcripts from a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university and official transcripts of other programs or courses of study from any accredited college or university attended prior to Michigan State University. Transcripts from Michigan State are not required.
• If an applicant selects they are a Service member or a Veteran of the military an official military transcript will be required
• Current resume detailing professional work experience, academic credentials and related accomplishments, and pertinent biographical information.
• Three letters of recommendation from professional, work-related references, preferably supervisors. Letters that attest to your ability to work within and lead teams, as well as to your contribution to a professional business environment, are strongly recommended.
• A statement of intention essay, no more than two pages, including details of your direct supervisory and/or project/program management experience, as well as a statement on how you intend to leverage the degree in your career.
• GMAT scores may be submitted if your bachelor’s degree GPA was below 3.0 in your last two years of undergraduate work*

Transfer Credit Policy

• As a rule, the Program does not accept transfer credits and will only review and consider a request to transfer credits in rare and exceptional circumstances.

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