personal statement manchester university

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Undergraduate

Assessing your application

We look for outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds when assessing applications.

How we assess your application  

We assess each application individually and decide whether the content of your application provides evidence that you’re prepared to progress onto the course you’re applying for.  

You can review the 'application and selection' information on the course finder to understand how we assess applications for your specific course.   

We value good examination results, but they’re not the only factor we consider when assessing applications. 

What we consider

Your prior and predicted grades.

We look at your academic achievements based on the information your provided on your UCAS application.

Good exam results are the main factor for most of our courses, but we follow some key principles to treat all applicants fairly:

• We welcome applications from excellent students with a range of qualifications and achievements. 
• Evidence of recent study is generally required for our courses, but we also consider skills gained through work experience using the AP(E)L Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning process.  
• We look at applicants who have participated in one of our access schemes.

Your personal statement 

Our admissions staff may review your personal statement to see if you meet the criteria they’ve set. 

You should review the 'application and selection' information on the course finder for further guidance on any personal statement requirements for your chosen course.  

If you have any mitigating circumstances that could affect your application, we recommend that these are mentioned in your UCAS reference, however we understand that you may wish to mention them in your personal statement when you apply.  

Contextual admissions

We know that your individual circumstances may have had an impact on your grades and extra-curricular opportunities. This is why we consider additional information called ‘contextual information’, which helps us to understand any barriers you may have faced.

You don’t have to do anything extra for consideration, we get the information we need directly from your UCAS form.   

More information about contextual offers.

Additional considerations

In addition to the above, we may also ask you to: 

undertake an aptitude test or additional assessment

You may need to complete an aptitude test or provide additional work as part of your course’s entry requirements, for example:     

• producing a portfolio of work; 
• completing a test, such as the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT); 
• writing an essay.  

Your performance on these will be evaluated , along with all the other information we have about you from your application. 

You should review the ‘application and selection’ information on the course finder to understand if you need to undertake an aptitude test or additional assessment for your chosen course. 

attend an interview

We may invite you for an interview (in person or online) as part of the admissions process for your chosen course. Here are some important things to keep in mind:   

• Each course has specific interview criteria, which are explained in the course profile. 
• Interviews help our admissions teams assess aspects of your skills, suitability and experience that can’t be easily accessed through other methods.  
• The interview is a chance for you and the University to discuss your application and interests in more detail. You can ask questions and make sure that the course is the right one for you.  
• During the interview, we may explore the information in your personal statement to gain a better understanding of your qualifications and aspirations. 

Confirming your offer 

Lots of our courses receive a high volume of applications for each available place unfortunately, we can’t offer places to all applicants who attain the minimum entry qualifications.   

Where places are limited, we offer them to those eligible applicants who best meet our selection criteria and who, in our view, are most likely to benefit from their chosen course and to contribute both to their academic School and the wider University.  

When exam results are published, we’ll confirm the places of applicants who meet the terms of their offer.

If you do not meet the terms of your offer, there’s no guarantee that you will be offered a place. This will depend on the course and the achievement of other applicants.

Your results and next steps

Further information on what happens after you have received your results and any next steps you need to take. 

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Help with an application for a job or postgraduate course

Writing a cover letter or completing an application form for a job or applying for a postgraduate course can be tricky things to get started. Once you learn the skill of selling your experiences you will find the process quicker and easier.

Appointment availability is limited, therefore, before booking an appointment please ensure that you have used the following resources, this will ensure you get the most out of your appointment.

Use our learning and support pathways

Learn at your own speed, whenever and wherever you want. Complete short online modules including a mix of activities to help you gain confidence and build your skills.

• Get Application and Cover Letter Ready Pathway Use CareerSet Cover letter checker and access resources to help you with application forms and personal statements for jobs.
• Get Ready for Postgraduate Study Find out how to research postgraduate courses and write applications. Includes Masters, PhD, PGCE and postgraduate entry to medicine

Application Review Appointments

20 minute, 1-1 tutorial style appointment led by our student partner interns via Zoom or in person to help you tailor your application.

The aim of application review appointments is to help you to:

• Identify the relevant skills and experience required for the role or course you are applying to
• Identify and articulate your own skills and experience and relate that to the role or course requirements
• Structure your application in a logical manner so that it can be easily assessed by an employer or course leader
• Become confident in your ability to write application documents and successfully apply this skill to future applications

This is a student led service, for students and graduates, and as such you will receive overview feedback on your document by our fully trained Careers Service partner interns and be supported in checking you have accessed our full range of online resources.

This service will not provide specific advice around the requirements for particular sectors or roles other than that stated in the job description. If you need help understanding what skills are needed for a job you should look at the guidance appointment service or use our drop-in services.

You can use Applications Advice appointments for help with

• A cover letter (use Careerset Cover Letter checker and aim to score over 70 before booking an appointment).
• Personal statement for a job or postgraduate course.
• An application form.

For CVs please use our CV advice and support resources and services. For LinkedIn profiles please use our LinkedIn Review appointment .

• BEFORE BOOKING: Complete the relevant module/s in the Get Application and Cover Letter Ready Pathway and tailor your document for the job or postgraduate course you are applying to.
• IN THE APPOINTMENT: be able to share a link to the information about the role. Take your own notes.
• We aim to tutor you in skills for making applications to teach you to become self-sufficient. We cannot look at every application you prepare.

How to book

• Log into CareerConnect
• Go to >book>appointment>application review. You will need to upload your document at this point. We can review ONE application document per appointment.
• Appointments are automatically released 24 hours in advance on a rolling basis. Monday appointments are released on Friday.
• You may book two appointments in a 30 day period so use them wisely.
• A missed appointment will use up one of your allocation, an appointment cancelled before the start time will not and you will be able to rebook. Please cancel on CareerConnect before the start of your appointment.

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Writing your undergraduate personal statement

Our top tips for making the best possible impression.

Advice, tips and examples

What is a personal statement.

Your written personal statement is an important part of your UCAS application. It’s your opportunity to tell a university why you want to study a particular course, show passion for your chosen subject area, and demonstrate your relevant skills and experience.

Research your course options

Make sure that you check the detailed information on our online prospectus about your course choices. This will allow you to properly identify the qualities, skills, and experience you need to study the course. 

It’s very important that you allow yourself plenty of time to research your course and write your personal statement. You may have to write several drafts until you get your statement right.

Length: How much should I write?

You only have 4,000 characters to make your case. You need to structure it well and check that each sentence adds something new. There is also a minimum limit of 1,000 characters.

Getting started

Make a list of what you plan to include - it might help to start by answering the questions below.

• Why you would like to study the course?
• What do you know about the subject?
• What skills and knowledge have you gained from your current studies and other activities that may be relevant to the course?
• What are your plans for the future and career aspirations?
• What academic skills do you have?
• What work experience, placements or voluntary work have you done?
• What are your interests and hobbies?

Once you’ve listed everything, think about what you have learnt from your experiences and how this relates to the course. Select relevant examples to include and organise the information so that you build a strong case for why you should be offered a place.

Download our personal statement workbook

I found that by breaking each section down into individual pieces, it felt more approachable rather than writing the entire statement in one go. Once I’d broken it down, I then knitted it back together in a way that felt right with the examples I’d included.

How to structure your personal statement

Introduction.

Why do you want to study your course? Focus the reader’s attention in the opening paragraph - first impressions count.

Main body of application

• Why have you chosen the course you have listed?
• What is it about the subject that you like?
• How are your current studies relevant?
• Include details of any extra reading you have done about the subject.
• Outline your academic skills, for example working to deadlines, doing research and completing reports.
• What knowledge, skills and qualities do you have which are relevant to your course choice?

Work experience

• Do you have any experience relevant to your chosen subject?
• If you do, what skills have you developed and how will they help you to complete the course?
• What skills/personal qualities has your part-time job or voluntary work given you?

Interests and hobbies

• What other activities both in and out of college/school/work do you take part in?
• If you have a hobby or other interest, how has it helped your interpersonal skills or your ability to work in a team?
• If you are applying for deferred entry, explain your plans for your year out.
• Don’t let your personal statement fizzle out. Try to pull together everything that you have covered and finish on a positive note.

Personal statement: Dos and don’ts

• Don't:
• Make sure what you say is appropriate to all of your choices
• Be positive and enthusiastic
• Make sure that your statement flows naturally, try not to overuse ‘I’ at the start of sentences
• Provide examples to illustrate your points
• Have several attempts until you’re happy with it
• Leave plenty of time and keep deadlines in mind
• Get feedback from tutors, family and friends
• Feel that you have to use elaborate language to impress
• Just make a list of the things you’ve done – reflect on what you have learnt from your experiences
• Make simple mistakes - check your spelling and punctuation
• Make things up to make it sound better – the information could form the basis of an interview
• Use anyone else’s work – UCAS put all statements into software that looks for similarities in applications

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Cover Letters and Personal Statements

Cover letters and personal statements provide the opportunity for the reader to hear your voice and see your fit for the organization or program. Career and Professional Development are here to answer questions and provide critiques. Email  for an appointment.

Cover Letters

Personal statements and essays, download resources.

• Cover Letter Guidelines Sample Cover Letter

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Tips for writing your Statement of Purpose

• Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Alliance MBS

• United Kingdom
• minute read

What is a Statement of Purpose?

Your Statement of Purpose explains your motivation for applying for the course. An interesting and well-written statement of purpose showing strong motivation for the course you have chosen can influence the final decision.

Why do we ask for a Statement of Purpose?

The statement of purpose helps us to assess how well you are able to articulate goals, motivations and values, and your writing and reasoning abilities. Tell us who you are, what your academic and professional interests are and how you'll add value to the Master’s course you're applying to.

1. Structure

Have an interesting introduction that acts as a framework for the rest of your statement. Explain what you’re interested in and how you became interested in it, give an overview of your background in this area, your experience, skills and knowledge and conclude with your career aims.

Tell us what will make you stand out as an exceptional candidate for the course.

• Why this Business School? Be specific – don’t make generic statements such as “Because you are an internationally-renowned university with an excellent academic reputation”. If the university/business school itself made a difference in your choice - what was this?
• Why this subject? When did you become interested in this subject and what have you learned about it? It is especially important to demonstrate your commitment if you are applying to a conversion course – why the change of direction?
• What is your academic ability? Highlight any relevant units from your undergraduate degree which will benefit you in your chosen course. You can talk about any relevant work experience, volunteering and extracurricular activities.
• What are your career aims? How will this course help you to achieve them? Knowledge, skills, accreditation with professional bodies etc. If, for example, if you have a particular career or job in mind, talk briefly about this on your application. The same applies if you plan to go on to study for an MPhil or PhD in your chosen subject.

3. Evidence

The statement of purpose will only be convincing if the points are backed up by hard evidence, i.e. examples drawn from academic achievements, work experience and extra-curricular activities. Use a sentence structure where you make a claim and back this claim up with evidence.

This should be concise, it can be over the 300 – 500 words stated on the application form, but make sure it’s not more than one A4 page. Do not upload as a document to your application. You will be able to complete your statement of purpose in the application form. We suggest writing it in a word document and then copying and pasting it into the personal statement section of the application form.

5. Mistakes

Proofread your statement of purpose and check your spelling, punctuation and grammar. Avoid clichéd and overused sentences: 'I have always wanted to study' or 'I feel I have always had a passion for this subject.' Tell us what has influenced you to study this course, be specific. If you are applying for multiple courses or institutions, don’t use the same statement of purpose. It must specific to Alliance MBS and the course you are applying for.

Read further tips on The University of Manchester website

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Electrical and electronic engineering – 2014 ( imperial college, warwick, ucl, manchester, southampton ).

Born in a double generation of engineers, my curiosity about how systems work is endless. Since I was a child, I wonder how everything processes and once I am satisfied ...

Please note UCAS will detect any form of plagiarism. PSE and its contributors do not take any responsibility for the way in which personal statements are used.

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The Manchester Metropolitan University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to The Manchester Metropolitan University. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

Biomedical Sciences Personal Statement Example 31 Ever since the early years of my scholastic life I have been hugely fascinated by the biology of the human body and how the world we live in has been changed and reshaped by the discovery of new medicines...

Physiotherapy Personal Statement Example 3 My fascination with the body and understanding how it functions has fuelled my desire to pursue a career in physiotherapy as it incorporates science, sports and medicine which are all areas of specific interest to me...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 47 At first, it was all about the interest to know exactly what really brings the voice in to the radio speakers, then as I came across Science in my junior years at school, I started to understand what really is happening in our days, the world of technology...

Computing Personal Statement Example 8 Computers, computers, computers is the passion that has always been within me ever since I first has the chance to use a computer. I just didn’t want to come of the computer; I have wanted to expand my knowledge of ICT...

Geography Personal Statement Example 20 Geography is an all-encompassing subject where the geography of the past helps us to understand the present and forecast the future. I am particularly interested in the inter-relationships between physical and human Geography...

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