leeds arts university personal statement

Personal statement tips

The personal statement is an important part of your UCAS application.

It helps admissions staff at the University decide whether to make you an offer. Some courses have many more applicants than places and there may be many students with good grades applying for the same course as you. 

What is it?

Your personal statement is a short written piece about you. It gives evidence of your skills, knowledge and experience. It’s your chance to tell us why you want to study a particular course and why you would make a great student. Read about:

How to write a UCAS undergraduate personal statement (UCAS website)

Top tips for writing the perfect personal statement (The Complete University Guide)

Maximum length

47 lines or 4,000 characters maximum – whichever comes first.

What to include

Your personal statement is your chance to stand out from the crowd. It is unique and individual to you, but some things to include are:

• Enthusiasm and motivation – your passion for the course should be clear and relate to you and your experiences (eg projects, field trips or experiences at school that sparked your interest in your subject). 
• Understanding of the subject – you need to show you have some knowledge and understanding, even if you have not studied the subject at high school or college. If you have done some reading about the subject, outside of school, mention this.
• Academic prizes or scholarships – this will help you stand out and show evidence of your potential.
• Career aspirations – even if you do not have clear career plans yet, you can show you have thought about your future career and how your chosen degree could help you achieve this.
• Relevant work experience/voluntary activities – explain what skills you have gained from the experience, including skills that would be useful in your university studies. 
• Non-academic interests – your hobbies (such as sports, baking or reading) show your personality and can be a chance to demonstrate different skills.
• What you will contribute to the university community – we want to know what you can bring to Leeds, as well as what you want to get out of university life.

International and EU students

If you are a non-UK student, you should also mention:

• Why you want to study in the UK.
• Why you want to be an international student, rather than study in your own country.

What to avoid

• Plagiarism (copying) – all statements will be checked for plagiarism. Your statement must be your own work so do not use templates. If you have applied before, check your personal statement is completely up to date and relevant to your current application.
• Skills without examples – show how you have developed the skills you think you will need, don't just list them.
• Listing subject knowledge – explain how your knowledge has helped you build career aspirations, choose your degree, or prepare for coming to university.
• Repeating qualifications – don't repeat information covered elsewhere on the application. This uses up valuable space in your personal statement.
• Short personal statement – make the most of the space you have. A short statement suggests you lack of passion or commitment to the course you are applying for.

Our top tips

• Write your personal statement in MS Word (or similar) first, so you can check your spelling and grammar before you add it into your application.
• Get someone else, like your tutor, family or friends, to read your statement to check for any errors and make suggestions before you submit it. You may need a few drafts before you are happy with the final version.
• If English is not your first language, you could mention any opportunities you have had to use English (eg an English-speaking school or work with a company that uses English).
• Use plain, clear English. Be careful with humour, quotes or anything unusual. The admissions tutor might not have the same sense of humour as you!
• Don’t exaggerate. If you get an interview, you might be asked for more detail about what you have written.
• Check the faculty or school website of your chosen course for guidance on your personal statement - especially important if you are applying for a course in medicine or dentistry. For example, see Leeds University Business School's 8 ways to perfect your UK university application .
• Check UCAS application deadlines  to make sure you apply before the closing date. For courses in medicine and dentistry, this is earlier than many other courses.

Related links

• Faculty of Social Sciences
• School of Law
• Undergraduate

Admissions guidance

This information applies to the following courses:

• M100 LLB Law
• M101 LLB Law (2 year Graduate programme)
• MR11 LLB Law with French Law
• MR12 LLB Law with German Law
• MR13 LLB Law with Hispanic Law
• MM29 BA Criminal Justice and Criminology

All applications received by 31 January 2024 will receive equal consideration. Applications received between 1 February and 30 June will be considered at our discretion and subject to places remaining available. 

UCAS terms explained

The  UCAS glossary of terms  will help you to understand the application process.

Personal statements

The personal statement of the application form helps us to assess the nature of interest in the academic subject and is an important part of the selection process. It is essential that applicants take this opportunity to demonstrate their enthusiasm and aptitude for the academic subject.  We wish to hear about: 

Interest in the field 

Any relevant work or other experience 

Details of any particular skills, interests or attributes that will demonstrate aptitude, motivation and interested in the subject area 

Social and cultural awareness 

Responsibility 

Career aspirations 

UCAS also gives advice about  writing a personal statement .

Personal statement guidelines 

The personal statement is an important part of your application, which means accurate spelling and grammar are of paramount importance. You must be able to demonstrate your excitement for and suitability to the academic subject, in addition to your potential to contribute more widely to the School. This assessment will form part of the basis on which decisions are made.

Interest in and commitment to the subject   

Social and cultural awareness   

Any work or voluntary activities relevant to the programme   

Responsibility  

Non-academic interests and activities    

The School of Law do not use interviews as part of our standard admissions process.

Will I receive an offer?

Courses in the School of Law receive a high volume of applications relative to the places available (typically over 18 applications per place). This means that we cannot extend an offer to all applicants. Offer decisions are made based on an overall review of applications including predicted grades, breadth of knowledge demonstrated through qualifications, personal statement, and contextual information.

Applications may be unsuccessful based on an overall assessment or for specific reasons such as:

• An incomplete UCAS form
• Grades achieved from re-sits – typically we expect candidates to have completed their A-level or equivalent qualifications in 3 years total (though not necessarily consecutively)
• Failure to respond to a request for more information before the given deadline (where information is missing from the application form or additional clarification is needed, an email request for this information will be sent to the email address provided in the UCAS application)
• Low predicted or achieved grades
• Poor personal statement (see  personal statement guidance above on what to include). 

Please note that meeting, or being predicted to meet, the academic entry criteria does not automatically result in an offer being made.

Application decisions

We typically receive a high number of applications to our courses in the School of Law. The number of applicants exceeds the number of places available and so, to ensure that we treat all applications fairly and equitably, we review applications after the UCAS deadline before making a final decision.

This is a normal part of our process for these courses and may mean applicants have to wait longer than usual to hear from us.

Offer decisions are made based on an overall review of applications including predicted grades, breadth of knowledge demonstrated through qualifications, personal statement, extra-curricular and work experience, and contextual information.

Qualifications taken early

We recognise that some applicants may have studied a more flexible curriculum, where applicants have been able to progress through their educational development at an appropriate rate according to ability. Where a Level 2 (for example, GCSE) or Level 3 (for example, A Level) qualification has been taken ‘early’ the academic reference should include the reasons for this so that it can be taken into consideration by the admissions team. 

The School of Law generally expects that applicants have completed 3 A Levels (or equivalent) in one sitting. We may not be able to confirm a place in the upcoming academic cycle following an improved final grade after re-mark, in such cases applicants may be asked to reapply.

Deferral requests

We are  not currently able to consider applications for deferred entry.

Advanced entry

Entry onto Levels 2 and 3 of courses within the School of Law is not permitted other than through agreed partnership agreements.

Internal transfers 

We will consider applications from those who wish to transfer internally from other programmes at the University of Leeds, providing places are available. Current students enquiring about a potential change of programme will be required to complete this Change of Programme Initial Enquiry Form  in the first instance.  

Applicant assessment

Academic grades normally form only one part of the final decision and the section on personal statements gives examples of how applicants may demonstrate that they have the skills, knowledge and attributes that we consider will enable them to become successful students on our degree courses.

Admissions policy

Please see the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy .

Contact details

School of Law – email [email protected]

• Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
• School of English

Your personal statement

When you apply to study with us, you'll be asked to include a personal statement of around 500 words. Following these tips will help you to write a personal statement that demonstrates your knowledge, passion, and aspirations.

You can also find more information on entry requirements and how to apply on the course page of your chosen degree.

Your statement is a great opportunity to let us see your personality and creativity, but it should also be clear, concise, and written in a conventional style. Remember to give particular attention to your spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Show, don't tell

It's important that we understand the academic journey that led you to apply to study with us, but make sure that you show this progression instead of just describing it.

You should avoid biographical or extracurricular details unless they directly relate to your studies. Focus instead on your understanding and engagement with your chosen subject area, and use this to demonstrate how you've developed throughout your studies so far.

Make sure your statement goes into detail about why you want to study on your chosen course, and why you want to study at Leeds.

Does a particular module appeal to you, and if so why? Is our School strong in an area of personal interest? Are you attracted by the learning community here, and if so how would you contribute to it?

Ben Li MA English Literature

I had reservations about becoming a postgraduate student and was anxious that it would be a fiercely competitive atmosphere. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was the complete opposite: everyone encourages and supports each other and I have formed a lot of strong friendships. The diversity and welcoming attitude of the student community here makes it a pleasure to be a part of.

Creative Writing MA

Year of entry 2024, masters study and funding online event.

Join us online on Wednesday 5 June to receive expert advice on how to make your Masters a reality with funding. Book your place

Course overview

Take a tour of our School

Get a taste for life in the School of English as Masters student Alex takes you on a tour of the School building as well as some campus highlights.

The MA in Creative Writing offers the opportunity to develop your skills in creative writing within the context of a School of English with a long and distinguished history in creative writing. The course appeals both to those who wish to deepen and broaden their creative writing practice, and to those who are working towards a single publishable piece of work.

With expert guidance from teaching staff who are actively engaged in producing and publishing creative writing, you will engage with a wide variety of literary genres, including poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. You will also have the chance to develop your literary and critical skills more broadly.

Throughout the course, you will be able to explore areas of personal interest and participate in workshops to hone your skills in diverse forms of writing.

You will also produce an independent research project, which can be dedicated to a single creative idea, or which might comprise a portfolio of your creative writing, according to your interests.

Our expertise

The School of English has a long and prestigious history in creative writing. Creative Writing at Leeds has a great history of alumni and former staff, including Wole Soyinka, Geoffrey Hill, JRR Tolkien, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Hannah Copley, Luiza Sauma, literary agent Caroline Hardman, and our recent Douglas Caster Poetry Fellows Helen Mort, Anthony Vahni Capildeo and Malika Booker.

Our current staff includes Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, JR Carpenter, Kimberly Campanello, Campbell Edinborough, Zaffar Kunial, Alison Peirse, Sarah K. Perry, Jay Prosser, Jess Richards, Ross Raisin, Caitlin Stobie and John Whale. Our practices and passions run across creative and critical writing. They include: visual and experimental poetry; eco poetics; the contemporary novel and contemporary lyric poem; literature and medicine; disability studies; autofiction; and transgender memoir.

We are home to the University of Leeds Poetry Centre, which brings together the University’s strength and heritage in creative writing. It hosts regular poetry readings by visiting international poets and supports a poetry reading group.

Our creative writing community benefits from partnerships with llkley Literature Festival, Leeds Playhouse and Leeds Grand Theatre. We also support a thriving range of events and workshops with visiting writers.

Specialist resources

The University of Leeds Library is one of the UK's major academic research libraries. It has extensive holdings to support your studies, including English Literature Collections that have been designated of national and international importance.

Our Special Collections offer a huge range of rare books, manuscripts and art, as well as the archives of poets like Tony Harrison, Geoffrey Hill and Simon Armitage, and literary publications such as Stand and The London Magazine.

Other highlights include materials relating to novelists like Arthur Ransome, Angela Thirkell, Melvyn Bragg and Sophie Hannah, and critics like George Wilson-Knight and Bonamy Dobrée. The library also holds original manuscripts by the Brontë family.

Take a 360 tour around our libraries:

Brotherton Library Laidlaw Library Edward Boyle Library

Course details

The MA in Creative Writing covers a range of literary forms, including poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction genres.

The course develops your skills as a creative practitioner. It also explores the history, generic conventions and experimental possibilities of creative literary forms. Through the Creative Writing core module you will learn about key practices in and approaches to creative writing, which you will then expand on through optional modules that allow you to tailor your studies to suit your interests and career ambitions. Optional modules include offerings in Creative Writing and English Literature, alongside modules in digital media and performance in the School of Performance and Creative Industries. Your research project will apply and expand upon what you have learned in these core and option modules.

Through your research project you will gain experience of creative practice as research. You will write a creative research project on a subject of your choice with support from a specialist supervisor and with access to the outstanding research resources of the University's Brotherton Library.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below).

For more information please read MA Creative Writing (full time) or MA Creative Writing (part time) in the course catalogue.

Learning and teaching

You’ll have weekly seminars or workshops in each module where you discuss the themes and issues arising from your reading and writing. You’ll have the opportunity to share your writing and receive feedback on work-in-progress. You’ll be able to enhance your learning by attending the wide range of seminars and talks by visiting speakers and creative writers that we arrange throughout the year.

Independent study is a vital part of the degree, as it allows you to build your skills and explore your own ideas as an academic researcher and a creative writer.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment for this programme includes both creative and critical reflection on your creative practice. Modules are assessed either by a combination of these equivalent to 4,000 words, or by a single essay of around 4,000 words. While formal assessment tends to take place at the end of the module, during term you may also be expected to submit work in progress in order to gain feedback, or give presentations in your seminars.

The research project is typically a 9,000-word (or poetry equivalent) creative writing project with a 3,000-word critical reflection.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in English literature or Creative Writing, or a degree scheme that includes a significant proportion of English Literature or Creative Writing content, or a related subject. You will also submit a Creative Writing sample comprising approximately 1,000 words of prose or 3 pages of poetry (or a portfolio combining both genres). This gives us a chance to get to know some of the writing you have produced so far to help us determine suitability for this course.

Applications from those with degrees in other subjects may be considered on an individual basis, along with the sample you will submit.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office for more information.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications .

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks) .

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals.  Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional .

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses .

How to apply

Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines.

You will need to apply for a place before applying for any scholarships, so check the deadlines for available scholarships on our website .

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you need

You’ll need to upload the following documents when completing the online application form:

A transcript of your completed BA degree or grades to date

A personal statement of around 500 words in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form. It is important that you consider and respond to these questions.

A Creative Writing sample comprising approximately 1,000 words of prose or 3 pages of poetry (or a portfolio combining both genres)

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to submit proof of your English language results (eg IELTS).

We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application.

We will decide whether to offer you a place based on your application form, personal statement, transcripts, predicted or actual degree results and, where appropriate, any additional documentation requested.

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures receives very large numbers of high-quality applications and regrets that it cannot make offers to all of its applicants. Some particularly popular schools may have to reject many that hold the necessary academic qualifications.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students . We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

This course is taught by

School of English

Postgraduate Administrator

Email: [email protected] Telephone:

UK: £12,000 (Total)

International: £25,250 (Total)

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees .

Read more about paying fees and charges .

Part-time fees Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page .

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview .

The School of English also offers a range of scholarships for taught postgraduate study. Find out more on our Scholarships page .

Career opportunities

This course will equip you with advanced transferable skills which are valuable in a wide range of careers.

You’ll be a confident researcher who can work independently as well as within a team. You’ll be a strong communicator, both verbally and in writing, and be able to think critically and analytically. In addition, you’ll have a strong level of cultural and critical awareness, and you’ll be able to look at a situation from different points of view.

All of these qualities are attractive to employers across sectors, and you’ll be well equipped to pursue a career in a wide range of fields depending on your interests. These could include teaching, journalism, publishing, advertising, broadcasting and law. Many of our graduates also progress to PhD-level study and you’ll be in a good position to develop a career in academia. Students from our programmes have gone on to have successful careers as literary agents, journalists and researchers, as well as to become published novelists and award-winning poets.

Careers support

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website .

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support .

Whether you're looking to pursue further study, change career, or stand out in the competitive graduate job market, you'll receive expert support in applying the skills you've developed in your chosen career.

Watch: Careers support at Leeds

Find out more about the careers and employability support that you'll receive as a student in the School of English.

Related courses

English literature ma, postcolonial studies ma.

Skip to content

Book an Open Day

Chat to a Student

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Institution code

Validated by:

University of the Arts, London

Indy Appleton-Gregg / 3D pathway

Evie Ballaam / Fashion and Textiles pathway

Amy Bowen / Fashion and Textiles pathway

Edie Brunt / Fine Art pathway

Lewis Collin / Graphic Communication pathway

Oliver Davies / Fine Art pathway

Molly Dunn / Graphic Communication pathway

Alice Hardman / 3D Design pathway

Grace Le / Fine Art pathway

James Marsden / Fashion and Textiles pathway

Ifigeneia Osagiede / Graphic Communication pathway

Edith Pettler / Fashion and Textiles pathway

Seb Rea / 3D Design pathway

Milo Timlin / Fine Art pathway

Emily Walton / 3D Design pathway

Originally developed at the University in the 1950s, the Foundation Diploma is a well-respected and nationally recognised qualification. This intensive one-year course challenges your preconceptions and stretches your art and design practices through problem-solving, idea generation, and critical thinking.

This course will push you outside your usual comfort zone and ask you to take creative risks. You will learn through playful experimentation and develop lateral-thinking strategies to approach problems from new perspectives. The course gradually moves from wide-ranging staff-led projects to a position of independence, culminating in a significant individual project in the final stage.

The ability to draw is one of our most valuable creative tools— that is why drawing, in its many forms, underpins all course elements. Within this highly creative environment, you’ll be helped to become more inventive and experimental. You will develop your understanding of the work of contemporary practitioners, and the work developed by your peers.

You will be based at the University’s Vernon Street site and taught by experienced staff, including practising creatives, who have experience across a breadth of disciplines. They will support you through the UCAS application process and help you find the most appropriate degree course. Our students’ diverse experience and innovative portfolios lead to a range of prestigious, highly competitive degree courses, including those at Leeds Arts University.

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Instagram

How to apply for our Further Education courses

The Structure

• Stage three

Based at the University’s Vernon Street site, the course begins with a range of short projects. These develop your understanding of visual ‘languages’ through a wide range of media. You will also develop your technical knowledge across a range of processes.

The Pathways

• Fashion and Textiles
• Graphic Communication

For us design is not just a way to make things; it is a way to understand and engage with the world. It’s about making sense of the world and ultimately creating a change. It is about playful experimentation, challenging the current. Within this pathway we explore our physical experience and emotional connection – with our objects and spaces.

Design could be about changing an experience, a form, a structure, a way of doing things. It could be about changing something personal to you, or a small number of people, or it might be for anyone.

With 3D Design being such a broad area, the pathway is kept quite open, focusing on design attitudes and thinking. The course aims to equip you with the skills and confidence to construct a career in a wide range of professions. Stage Two is dynamic, with various different briefs and projects to help keep you on your toes. Some will be quick, whilst some you will extend independently, to allow you to both generate ideas quickly, and take the opportunity to develop and refine them. You will be working in your notebooks, and beyond, developing a portfolio to address the subject 'what is my work and what is the point of it?' You will have access to workshops and facilities to enable you to work with a variety of materials, researching and testing ideas, and creating objects; gaining confidence in your own ability to change things. You might work with all the senses, encompassing practical skills in a critical and creative environment.

Course Facilities

Further education students have access to resources based at our Vernon Street campus all run by experienced instructors. Students are introduced to a wide range of materials and processes that assist their studies depending on their course specialties. These include:

Computer suites housing networks of Apple Mac computers, with regularly updated, creative software.

A specialist art library with print and online resources to support studies in the creative arts, and a not-for-profit shop selling a wide range of materials.

Print workshop which includes extensive facilities for screen-printing, traditional printmaking and bookbinding.

Photography resource with a range of equipment for loan including digital and film cameras for still and moving image and a range of support equipment for use in the dedicated lighting studio or off-site.

Photography darkrooms with black-and-white film processing and printing facilities.

Wood, metal & casting workshop equipped with industrial-standard machinery, supplemented by hand- and power-tools.

Virtual Tour

Open the virtual tour

Video Showcase

Now playing

Next Gen Further Education show 2023

Big Big Big Further Education show 2022

See more videos on YouTube

Order a prospectus

Order a prospectus here

Where next?

Our students go on to study creative courses at degree level and then on to careers across a wide range of disciplines. The nature of the course means that many make lifelong friends who become important members of their creative network. The course has a ‘family’ ethos and former students come back and visit to share their knowledge and experience with current students.

Course News

19 Dec 2023

Foundation alumni illustrates Royal Mail's Christmas 2023 stamps

Read this article

15 Nov 2023

Alumni design six of ten artworks in new Neville Street exhibition

10 Nov 2022

Foundation Diploma alumna and founder of Bloody Good Period, launches values-led collaboration

26 Jun 2023

Ruth Selina Prize 2023 Awarded

See all University News Articles

Academic Staff

Andy Grayston

Read Andy 's Story

Josh Johnson

Read Josh 's Story

Susanna Moore

Read Susanna 's Story

Read Adam's Story

Suzi Tibbetts

Read Suzi 's Story

Hannah Ackroyd

Read Hannah's Story

Read Jamie's Story

Jane Denton

Read Jane 's Story

Ben McGuigan

Read Ben 's Story

Maddy Rothery

Read Maddy 's Story

Further Education entry requirements

Further Education fees and finance

Information for International Students

Key Information for Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

If you like Foundation Diploma in Art and Design why not try...

Join our mailing list

• International
• We are Beckett
• Accessibility
• Accommodation
• Merchandise
• Schools and Colleges
• Skills for Learning
• Sport and Active Lifestyles
• Student information
• Students' Union
• Teaching and Learning Resources
• (+44) 113 812 0000
• Other contact numbers

Leeds Beckett University - City Campus, Woodhouse Lane, LS1 3HE

• Undergraduate study
• Postgraduate study
• Distance learning
• Student experience
• Chat with current students
• Degree apprenticeships
• CPD and short courses
• Information for students and applicants
• Careers support
• Stay in touch
• How to apply
• Funding your studies
• Prepare for uni

Student Blog Squad

• Chat to a student
• Mature students
• Parents' guide
• Schools and colleges

Undergraduate Applicant Days

Undergraduate open days.

• Virtual Open Day
• Research degrees
• Professional development

Postgraduate Open Days

• Information for employers
• Sport and active lifestyles
• Leeds Beckett Students' Union

Life in Leeds

• Virtual campus tour
• Apply to study
• Fees and scholarships
• Support for students
• International partners
• International Summer School
• English language courses
• Study abroad
• Find your country for entry requirements
• English language requirements
• Find an agent in your country
• Applying for your visa
• Course fees and living costs
• International scholarships
• Global Village
• Arrival guide
• International Partners
• Study Abroad Partners
• Research centres
• Research Areas
• Research Excellence Framework
• Teaching and research facilities
• Research for business
• Carnegie Applied Rugby Research centre
• Centre for Active Lifestyles
• Centre for Applied Social Research
• Centre for Biomedical Science Research
• Centre for Child and Adolescent Physical Literacy
• Centre for Culture and Humanities
• Centre for Dementia Research
• Centre for Entrepreneurship and Knowledge Exchange
• Centre for Health Promotion
• Centre for Human Performance
• Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Citizenship, Education and Society (CIRCES)
• Centre for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Education
• CollectivED: The Centre for Coaching, Mentoring & Professional Learning (in education)
• Centre for Psychological Research
• Centre for Race, Education and Decoloniality
• Centre for Research in Computer Science and Applications
• Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society
• Centre for Sport Coaching
• Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools
• Cybercrime and Security Innovation Centre
• Interdisciplinary Centre for Implant Research
• Leeds Arts Research Centre
• Leeds Sustainability Institute
• Obesity Institute

The Retail Institute

• Story Makers Company
• Sustainable Business Research Institute
• Architecture
• Computer science
• Culture and the arts
• Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management
• Social Sciences
• The Graduate School
• Types of research degrees
• Funded studentships
• Doctoral funding
• Our university
• Our schools
• Our community
• Work with us
• Sustainability
• Contact and find us
• Campuses and facilities
• Equality and inclusion
• Governance, leadership and structure
• Public information
• Leeds School of Arts
• School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing
• Leeds Business School
• Carnegie School of Education
• School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management
• School of Health
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Leeds Law School
• Carnegie School of Sport
• LBU Together blog
• Support. Report. Respect. A safe and inclusive community
• University Mental Health Charter
• WE CHALLENGE - the big issues affecting people and planet
• Schools and colleges outreach
• Business services
• Business consultancy
• Recruit our students

Work at Leeds Beckett

• Develop your business
• Develop your people
• Work with our students and graduates
• Leeds Beckett Business Centre
• The Knowledge Exchange
• Business news
• Get funded and innovate
• Office space, networking and mentoring
• Support for small and medium-sized businesses
• Tap into new research and insights

Help to Grow: Management

Knowledge transfer partnerships (ktps).

• Short courses and CPD

Carnegie Great Outdoors

The leadership centre, manage your preferences.

The Leeds Beckett website is designed to enable you to manage your own privacy preferences. By clicking on 'Cookies' below you can manage what data the site collects about your browsing. This will only maintain if you are on your own device or using a synched version of your chosen browser. If you are using a shared or public machine without synching your browser then there is no need to change the preferences.

Our site is built with accessibility in mind and we seek to adhere to the WACG AA levels of compliance for digital accessibility. To support that we have provided instructions on managing animations below.

Necessary cookies enable you to use all the different parts of leedsbeckett.ac.uk. Without them services that you have asked for cannot be provided. Necessary cookies can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.

Analytical cookies help us understand how people are using our websites, so we can improve them and provide a better user experience. We also sometimes get our approved partner companies to analyse how people are using Leeds Beckett Websites and they may set their own analytical cookies in order to do this.

Marketing cookies allow us to provide you with online adverts that are the most relevant and useful for you.

For more information please view our Privacy Policy

Animations & Interaction

The Leeds Beckett University website occasionally uses animations to page elements and animated gifs to add impact to pages. If you wish to stop them from playing for accessibility purposes or for personal preference then please see the guidance below. Please note that browsers sometimes change how they operate, so please refer to your browser help files to find their latest information.

How do I turn off animations?

Chrome users will need to use browser extensions. Animation Policy from Google will help you set your own preferences.

Microsoft Edge

There is currently no way to disable animations within Microsoft Edge. Users of Edge (Chromium) browser can install the Chrome extensions above and use them.

Internet Explorer

To stop animations on a single page you can just press the 'Esc' key. This will stop the animation on that page. If you wish to restart the animations you need to refresh the page. To permanently disable the playing of animated GIF images, open Internet Options > Advanced tab. Under the Multimedia section, uncheck the Play animations in webpage check-box, click Apply and Exit and then restart your computer.

Type about:config in Firefox address bar and hit Enter to open Settings. Search for the image.animation_mode flag and change its value from Normal to None. Once you restart Firefox this will disable animations.

Book an Open Day

To find out more about our courses, facilities and life in Leeds, attend one of our Open Days.

• UNDERGRADUATE
• UCAS application
• Writing a personal statement
• After you've applied
• Applicant Days
• Already applied?

how to write a personal statement

Getting started.

The personal statement is your chance to show universities why you would make a great student on your course. It helps us get to know you and is an important factor in the application process. To help you get started, we’ve put together a guide below.

There are certain steps to follow in order to make sure you are ticking all the boxes when you write your personal statement. In this guide, we've broken it down into manageable sections so you can feel more confident before hitting ‘send’ on your UCAS application.

Our guide to writing your personal statement

The first thing to figure out is what the purpose of a personal statement is…

Your personal statement is your chance to show universities what you’re all about! You may be under the impression that getting into university is just about getting good grades, but that is only one element of why a university might make you an offer. Universities want people who have something about them, so they are also looking at your personality, what your interests are, what motivates you and your personal statement is your opportunity to tell them all about this.

Before you start writing…

The most important thing to do before you write your personal statement is to plan. Make sure that you carefully think about the different sections you want to include, the type of message you are trying to get across and the most important points you want to include. Once you have the framework, it's just a case of following your plan and ensuring that you use your own personal tone and writing style to show your personality.

Some helpful personal statement examples

Take a look at the examples below showing you how to complete the different sections of a personal statement. It’s important to note that these are just examples, here to inspire your own personal statement and should not be copied. Universities take plagiarism extremely seriously and there are advanced systems that can detect any form of copy and paste (even if you just change a few words). You don’t need to copy anyway, you’ve got this!

Writing your introduction

Your introduction should be a collection of short sentences and the aim is to catch the reader’s attention. Don’t waste time with lots of detailed long sentences where there is a chance your point could get lost.

• Tell the reader why you are excited about the course
• Tell the reader what your motivations are

The introduction is all about showcasing your enthusiasm so make sure that you explain why you are saying something. Don’t just say “I find politics really fascinating”. Tell them why you find it fascinating, what specifically interests you about it.

Below is an example of how to start a personal statement.

I have always been interested in helping people and sharing my knowledge to try and solve other people’s problems. Growing up as the eldest within a large family with lots of responsibilities, I have learnt to be kind, caring and to be a great listener. I understand that there are many issues affecting young people and I want to develop this knowledge by studying Childhood Studies at university. I have always wanted to work for a children’s charity to help give children from lower economic backgrounds the motivation to develop their skills to want to continue doing well at school. I believe that this degree will provide me with the experience and knowledge to do this and make a difference within the community. Childhood studies {"creator":{"jobTitle":"","name":"Childhood studies","@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Person"},"text":"I have always been interested in helping people and sharing my knowledge to try and solve other people’s problems. Growing up as the eldest within a large family with lots of responsibilities, I have learnt to be kind, caring and to be a great listener. I understand that there are many issues affecting young people and I want to develop this knowledge by studying Childhood Studies at university.\n\nI have always wanted to work for a children’s charity to help give children from lower economic backgrounds the motivation to develop their skills to want to continue doing well at school. I believe that this degree will provide me with the experience and knowledge to do this and make a difference within the community.","@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Quotation"}

Writing about your subject

This section is a key part of your personal statement. It is your opportunity to show the university why you have a passion for the subject you are applying for. Think about the following:

• Why do you like your chosen subject?
• Why are you suitable for this course?
• How do your previous or current studies relate to your chosen course?
• What activities do you do that are related to your chosen subject? For example, if you are applying for a sports course and you are part of a sports team, how does what you have learnt from the team give you additional skills for this course?
• Research the modules and course information and pick out sections that you can specifically talk about
• Show evidence that you understand the key factors of the course you are applying for

Below is an example of writing about your subject in a personal statement.

Storytelling is such an important part of everyday life. One element within English literature which I find the most fascinating is symbolism. I read a lot in my spare time and find it is a great way to relax and unwind. I love analysing the texts and working out how the green light in The Great Gatsby represents his dream and hope or how the blood in Shakespeare’s Macbeth represents Duncan’s murder and the guilt Macbeth feels about this. I am looking forward to developing this analytical skill further and learning about a variety of texts from different genres, outside of my initial circle of literature. I also write and perform my own poetry at open mic nights and have been particularly inspired by Sylvia Plath. Not only is literature a key part of my personal life but I also have experience studying and writing texts from my time studying English Literature for my A levels. This combination of passion, personal and academic experience is a great foundation to the study of English Literature at university. English Literature {"creator":{"jobTitle":"","name":"English Literature","@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Person"},"text":"Storytelling is such an important part of everyday life. One element within English literature which I find the most fascinating is symbolism. I read a lot in my spare time and find it is a great way to relax and unwind.\nI love analysing the texts and working out how the green light in The Great Gatsby represents his dream and hope or how the blood in Shakespeare’s Macbeth represents Duncan’s murder and the guilt Macbeth feels about this. I am looking forward to developing this analytical skill further and learning about a variety of texts from different genres, outside of my initial circle of literature. I also write and perform my own poetry at open mic nights and have been particularly inspired by Sylvia Plath.\nNot only is literature a key part of my personal life but I also have experience studying and writing texts from my time studying English Literature for my A levels. This combination of passion, personal and academic experience is a great foundation to the study of English Literature at university.","@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Quotation"}

Writing about your hobbies and work experience

When you mention any social activity or interest, try and think about how they showcase an element of your personality or how they reflect a skill relevant to the course. This section will tell a university about your character and the type of person you are.

You can also discuss any work experience relevant to the course or any volunteering projects you have participated in.  Where possible refer each point back to what you have learnt and how it could be relevant to the course.

Below is an example of writing about your hobbies and work experience in a personal statement.

Outside of my studies, I am a very confident rugby player. Rugby has always been a love of mine and is a sport that I have really worked hard to perfect. I not only compete on a regular basis, but I also now teach children on a Saturday at the local club. Playing rugby has taught me many skills including teamwork, mental and physical strength, commitment as well as the ability to motivate people. Working with children has also taught me a new skill set including patience, the ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences as well as problem solving. I know that these skills will be useful and can be developed on further whilst studying Sports Coaching at university and in my future career. {"creator":{"jobTitle":"","name":"","@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Person"},"text":"Outside of my studies, I am a very confident rugby player. Rugby has always been a love of mine and is a sport that I have really worked hard to perfect. I not only compete on a regular basis, but I also now teach children on a Saturday at the local club.\nPlaying rugby has taught me many skills including teamwork, mental and physical strength, commitment as well as the ability to motivate people. Working with children has also taught me a new skill set including patience, the ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences as well as problem solving. I know that these skills will be useful and can be developed on further whilst studying Sports Coaching at university and in my future career.","@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Quotation"}

Writing your conclusion

This is your chance to leave a lasting impression. Write something that will stand out, that the university will remember you by. This would usually be in the form of wrapping together all points made so far and adding a final unique spin. You may use this opportunity to reflect on your past and how that has led you to the decision to study at this university or specific course.

You could also talk about your future aspirations, how you think this course will help you achieve these or maybe you want to reflect on your chosen industry at the moment and think about how your ideas would help develop or change this for the better. Whatever you choose to end with, ensure that you keep it concise and powerful.

Below is an example of writing your conclusion in a personal statement.

"The fashion world is always adapting but one thing that isn’t changing is the way that fashion impacts on our planet. Global warming is real and it is happening. The fashion industry plays a major role in this with big companies promoting quick fashion trends and excessive use of plastic packaging. Although more and more people are becoming aware of these issues, there are still not enough options for people to buy into sustainable fashion. By studying Fashion at university and gaining a full understanding of the industry, I want to be able to make a change. One of the main issues with sustainable clothing is the limitations it provides and so my future goals is to create a popular clothing company which provides up to date designs and current trends, that is easily accessible but is sustainable and good for our planet." Fashion {"creator":{"jobTitle":"","name":"Fashion","@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Person"},"text":"\"The fashion world is always adapting but one thing that isnt changing is the way that fashion impacts on our planet. Global warming is real and it is happening. The fashion industry plays a major role in this with big companies promoting quick fashion trends and excessive use of plastic packaging. Although more and more people are becoming aware of these issues, there are still not enough options for people to buy into sustainable fashion.\nBy studying Fashion at university and gaining a full understanding of the industry, I want to be able to make a change. One of the main issues with sustainable clothing is the limitations it provides and so my future goals is to create a popular clothing company which provides up to date designs and current trends, that is easily accessible but is sustainable and good for our planet.\"","@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Quotation"}

Before you submit your application…

Once you have finished, leave it for a day before proofing and editing so that you are approaching it with a fresh pair of eyes.

• Spell check and grammar check - it may sound simple, but it’s extremely important and showcases a professional approach
• Make sure that you have highlighted your strengths throughout
• Ensure that everything you have said has a reason for mentioning it. Anything that seems “random” or “empty rambling” should be removed
• Ensure that you have referred to the correct course that you are applying for
• Make sure your personality shines through
• Ask other people like a friend, parent or teacher to read it, to give advice and another perspective

Finally, make sure that you are happy with it! This is your application and your chance to showcase yourself to the best of your ability. Give it your best shot!

Your personal statement dos and don'ts checklist

• Be positive. Enthusiasm for your course goes a long way and could help land you a place on it
• Ask friends and family for feedback. Don’t be worried if they point out a few flaws. It’s all part of the process and will help ensure your statement is as good as it can be
• Proof it before you send it (your friends, family or a teacher could also help with this too) – grammatical and spelling mistakes could ruin a great effort. Avoid repetition and be careful of using American spellings and text speak
• Know your strengths and use them to stand out. You want to reflect on what you have learnt so far (both in education and in your personal life) and explain why it will help you on the course. Personal interests, hobbies and life experiences are always a plus and make your statement original
• Tailor it to the course you are applying to. Research the skills required for the course and show you have them and know how to apply these
• Explain what you will gain from the course and what the course will gain from you
• Stick to the character and line limit – you have 4,000 characters and 47 lines. To help with this, be clear and concise – big words and long sentences do not usually work. Instead, ensure that you have a clear, easy-to-read structure
• Talk about the career path you would like to take and why you think the course will help you achieve it
• Avoid generic statements and clichés, such as “I’ve always wanted to…” or “For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a…”
• Keep a copy for future reference. Some courses have interviews and you may be asked to talk more about something you have mentioned
• All personal statements are checked for similarity – don’t copy or share yours as plagiarism could affect the outcome of your application. Be original
• Rely on a spellchecker – it is not as reliable as proofing your statement yourself
• Try to include all your qualities. Instead focus on the ones you are most proud of
• Procrastinate or leave it to the last minute – your statement could end up missing valuable information and you want to leave enough time for proofing
• Talk about hobbies that are too general or irrelevant to your course – they will not make you stand out
• Just list your achievements – focus on the skills you’ve learned from any achievements and why they will help you on the course
• Treat it as a list of skills and interests – without context and reasoning they will lose their value
• Exaggerate or make things up – it is much easier to get caught out than you might think
• Repeat yourself. You’ve only got 4,000 characters, so don’t waste any saying something you’ve already covered
• Be shy. This is your opportunity to showcase why you 

Take your next steps

If you're interested in joining us and want to know more about the application process, your chosen course or what to expect when you get here, there's lots of ways to get in touch. You can call or email our Admissions team, chat to one of our amazing Student Ambassadors or stay in touch by providing us with a few contact details to get all the latest information about courses, events and student life!

• $btn-text > Contact Us"}' > Call us 0113 812 3113
• $btn-text > Contact Us"}' > Email us
• $btn-text > Contact Us"}' > Learn about research degrees
• $btn-text > Contact Us"}' > Stay in touch

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. See our Privacy policy .

Find your country

Middle East

North America

Can't find your country in our list?

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Guide

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

• Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

• Postgraduate Personal Statements
• International Student Personal Statements
• Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

• Mature Student Personal Statements
• Aberystwyth
• Anglia Polytechnic University
• Bath Spa University College
• Bournemouth University
• British College of Osteopathic Medicine
• British School of Osteopathy
• Canterbury Christ Church University College
• Central School of Speech and Drama
• Chester A College of The University of Liverpool
• City College Manchester
• Coventry University
• De Montfort University
• Edge Hill College of Higher Education
• Falmouth University
• Farnborough College of Technology
• Glamorgan Centre for Art and Design Technology
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• Goldsmiths College
• Heriot-watt
• Heythrop College
• King's College
• Kingston University
• Leeds Metropolitan University
• Liverpool Hope
• Liverpool John Moores University
• London Metropolitan University
• London South Bank University
• Loughborough
• Loughborough College
• Middlesex University
• Napier University, Edinburgh
• Newcastle College
• Northumbria University
• Nottingham Trent
• Oxford Brookes
• Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
• Queen's, Belfast
• Regents Business School London
• Roehampton University of Surrey
• Royal Holloway
• Royal Veterinary College
• Sheffield Hallam University
• Southampton
• Southampton Institute
• St George's Hospital Medical School
• St Mary's University College
• Staffordshire University
• Strathclyde
• Swansea Institute of Higher Education
• Thames Valley University
• The Arts Institute At Bournemouth
• The Glasgow School of Art
• The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
• The London Institute
• The Manchester Metropolitan University
• The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education
• The Robert Gordon University
• The Surrey Institute of Art and Design
• The University of Bradford
• The University of Buckingham
• The University of Gloucestershire
• The University of Huddersfield
• The University of Salford
• University College Northampton
• University College Worcester
• University of Abertay Dundee
• University of Brighton
• University of Central Lancashire
• University of Derby
• University of East London
• University of Glamorgan
• University of Greenwich
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Lincoln
• University of Plymouth
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Sunderland
• University of Teesside
• University of The West of England, Bristol
• University of Ulster
• University of Wales College, Newport
• University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
• University of Wales, Bangor
• University of Westminster
• University of Wolverhampton
• Writtle College
• York St John College
• Personal Statement Editing Service
• Personal Statement Writing Guide
• Submit Your Personal Statement
• Personal Statement Questions 2025
• Personal Statement Changes 2024

Leeds University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to University of Leeds. 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 Science/Neuroscience Personal Statement Example The limitless potential of the life sciences and the opportunity for world-changing breakthroughs are both exciting and compelling to me. Upon hearing about a disease for the first time, I am eager to find out more about the precise ways in which it affects the body, which has led me to spend much time researching the details of various diseases...

Geology Personal Statement Example 1 My interest in the natural world started early in my life. At the age of 4 and at my first school years, my favorite trip was at the Greek Natural History museum where I admired the shinny purple stones, the giraffe, the lions, and most of all, the huge Triceratops skeleton...

International Relations Personal Statement Example Being of Pakistani heritage means I am at the heart of multiculturalism that many would say defines Britain today. Growing up as a British Asian in the last decade has allowed me to experience life embedded in a world of politics, not only from a Western perspective but also that of other cultures...

History Personal Statement Example 5 As the descendant of an Auschwitz survivor, my family history allows me to understand the influences that the Second World War has had on people's families and the victims of the Nazi regime in occupied Poland...

Physics Personal Statement Example 4 The elegance of the scientific subjects, in particular physics is what has established my eagerness for a deeper insight into the subject. What sets physics apart from the other sciences, in my opinion, is that it can be practically applied to all instances of life...

Languages Personal Statement Example 10 At the age of eight, a friend introduced me to Guy Hamilton's 1969 film 'Battle of Britain'. This instilled in me two things: my doomed childhood ambition to be a Spitfire pilot, long since grudgingly abandoned, but also, perhaps ironically, a love for the sound and feel of the German language that has stayed with me all through the intervening decade...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 1 When I saw Gatz, John Collin's eight hour interpretation of The Great Gatsby, I noticed that Fitzgerald changes the colour of Daisy's hair every time he describes it. It is "like a dash of blue paint", "yellowy" like her daughters and then "dark, shining"...

French and Italian Personal Statement Example 1 I see speaking a foreign language as a key to a door opening up a new world of possibilities and opportunities. As a child my mother insisted I learned another language, she told me to grab any possible open window for a life beyond my own imagination...

Physics & Astrophysics Personal Statement Example I have always considered Physics to be a captivating area of study, whether it is a question of how aspects of it work, or indeed why they work. As such, I have found deep fascination in studying Physics, as it is able to provide answers (as well as evidence) to such queries...

Physics Personal Statement Example (International Student) 1 Some people believe there is no universal key to the mysteries of the world, but I am convinced otherwise. Since early childhood when my parents, both physicists by training, patiently answered all my why-questions and encouraged me in my fascination with astronomy, I have been thinking of Physics as the perfect science that can unveil all the secrets that fascinate humanity...

Maths and Economics Personal Statement Example 1 By skimming through a daily broadsheet or examining journals such as ‘The Economist’ it is clear to see that economic issues affect everyone both locally as well as on a global scale. However, I have been interested by Mathematics for many years and have found my enjoyment for it has increased as the depth of my understanding has grown...

English Personal Statement Example 22 What I enjoy above all else in a piece of literature is the feeling that it has brought about change, either in me or in some wider context. Literature which offers the opportunity for an adapted way of living or thinking, however slight, is I think a thing to be kept and treasured in our intellects...

Physiology and Medical Sciences Personal Statement Example The human body is arguably the most complex life form that has ever existed. Studying how the body works helps us to comprehend the many processes that maintain health and find better treatment for diseases...

English Personal Statement Example 23 My love of literature is rooted in the connection it gives us to centuries of ideas, giving us the ability to converse with ghosts, linking us with the greatest and most eloquent minds in history; as Bovee puts it, “books are embalmed minds”...

Biomedical Engineering Personal Statement Example 2 Thanks to my mother's profession, I have had a front row seat in observing the radical changes made in the medical field with the introduction of new devices. I have also seen the beneficial effects these developments have had on the lives of people living in the less affluent countries in the Middle East; these observations coupled with my interest in mechanics have inspired me to pursue a career in biomedical engineering...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 45 Advances in computer and information technology over the past few decades have brought about revolution in science, medicine, education, business, and entertainment. I wish to be part of the future revolution and that is why I want to study computer science...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 43 The ever-evolving nature of medical science and the certainty that we will know more about the many different healthcare practices has inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My dedication to studying medicine has been confirmed by the experience I have gained in different hospitals and practices and I look forward to the academic discipline and challenges that will arise...

English Personal Statement Example 26 Growing up reading Roald Dahl, I saw elements of myself in Matilda, as ever since I can remember, I have loved reading. My passion for English could be seen by those around me, as a child, having taught myself to read and write by the time I was 4 years old, and there was never any doubt that I would go on to pursue a career in English...

Chemical Engineering Personal Statement Example 8 From the very first day of college I’ve been gradually developing a great interest in all aspects of Chemistry and Maths. Having recently read, “Beyond the Molecular Frontier: Challenges for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering” I have discovered what an imperative role chemists and chemical engineers play in industry and how, by working together, they contribute to an improved future...

Geography Personal Statement Example 14 If I said ‘I’ve loved geography since an early age’, I’d be lying. Although I loved our family holidays, which have always been seen as expeditions, I didn’t think it was ‘geography’ until I started using places I’d been to as examples in geography lessons...

Geography Personal Statement Example (Human/Environmental) The possibility of the human race’s days being numbered by our destructive lifestyles, as planted in my mind by Al Gore’s sensationalised and controversial ‘The Inconvenient Truth’, has fuelled my interest in the global warming phenomenon, forcing me to question society’s reluctance to tackle it and realise the worldwide impact of each of our daily lives...

Aeronautical Engineering Personal Statement Example 1 The rapid progress and achievements in aircraft technologies has motivated me to follow a career in aeronautical engineering as it plays a very significant role in today's modern world. It is fascinating to see how engineers apply scientific and mathematical principles to everyday situations like the design, manufacture and operation of efficient structures, machines, processes and systems...

Natural Science/Geology Personal Statement Example The sheer intricacy of our planet is something that has always left me in utter amazement. From the creation of mountains to the way we as humans evolved. Science is a deep rooted love that has grown since I was a young child...

English Literature and Sociology Personal Statement Example Since I have begun to study A Level English Literature, it is the way in which writers use expression within their writing to influence and manipulate the reader's emotions which has most intrigued me...

Physics Personal Statement Example 13 Attending university has been a lifelong dream of mine; ever since my childhood, I have been told that I should, and I have always agreed with the sentiment. If I were asked to pin down an exact reason, however, I would be forced to confess that I do not know - I just enjoy learning new things and exercising my mind...

Mechanical Engineering Personal Statement Example 16 Being born as a son to two former engineers, I was raised in an environment where curiosity is treasured and nurtured. It wasn't surprising that as I became older, my fascination towards science and technology also grew along with me...

History & Politics Personal Statement Example For years I have listened to my family discussing the latest political and historical issues on the news and I have been fascinated and awed by the fact that there was never a wrong or right answer, decision or explanation to a given problem...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 16 Civil engineering is a profession that is growing and evolving at a fast pace. Civil engineers play a major role in the world meeting the high demand for new buildings and improved infrastructure. I am keen to become a Civil Engineer and I believe I have the talents to be successful in this profession...

Dentistry Personal Statement Example 10 My interest in Dentistry initially arose from my own experiences with Dentists. When I was younger, I suffered from cyclic neutropenia which led to many dental problems, and was always grateful to my dentist and dental hygienist for all their help...

English Literature & History Personal Statement Example 1 Throughout my education, I have constantly been captivated and inspired by my History and English studies. I have recognised how the two disciplines entwine and coexist to create an invaluable tool with which to explore the past and future...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 67 Studying the history of medicine made me realise what a huge impact doctors have on people’s lives. I’ve always wanted a career involving people as I’m fascinated by our unique nature and the human body itself...

Natural Sciences Personal Statement Example 4 Why and How? I believe these are the two most important question words as they express mankind’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and they have lain the foundation of sciences and have helped us find answers and solutions to problems throughout history from the domestication of fire to Darwin’s theory of evolution, to landing on the moon and so on...

Mathematics Personal Statement Example 16 I have always had a passion and a thorough understanding of the subject of Mathematics. This helped me to progress academically because, unlike a lot of people, I have not had to worry about passing my GCSE Maths exams...

Spanish and Chinese Personal Statement Example My passion for Modern Foreign Languages is what drives me to pursue a degree in Chinese and Spanish; my fascination and curiosity to explore the cultures of not only China and East Asia, but also of the Hispanic world, motivate me to learn and discover the languages of these regions...

Law Personal Statement Example 84 The reason I want to study law, is that it has always intrigued me; there’s never been any other option for me it has always been law. I am captivated in the development of the law as it interests me the way the law is changing around the needs of civilisation...

Sociology Personal Statement Example 13 Being able to engage and immerse myself in a thought-provoking subject such as Sociology has allowed me to develop a desire to delve even deeper into it at an advanced level. As unpredictable liberated beings, having a means of examining the connections between humans and social organization through Sociology has enabled me to comprehend human behaviour and social stratification; to question rather than accept; allowing me to appreciate the inquisitiveness nature, which I believe is the essence of this subject...

Geography Personal Statement Example 19 I could say that my love of Geography started in school, but in fact holidays to foreign lands have had a more significant impact on me. From the volcanic badlands of Lanzarote's Timanfaya, to the unique beauty of Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania, Geography and its impact on nature and human development have awed me...

Biological Sciences Personal Statement Example 3 When I was in primary school I would take pens apart to put them back together, so that I could see how every small piece fits together to create a whole working object, and as I furthered my education my focus shifted to the w orld around me...

Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE) Personal Statement Example 3 In this day and age virtually every aspect of our lives may be considered political. My passion to study Politics stems from this tenet and a belief that a comprehension of Politics is integral to understanding the current state of humanity...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 18 Chemistry explores the properties of all matter and energy in our universe, which eventually leads to breakthroughs that benefit mankind, ranging from how to prevent food from decomposing to understanding what chemicals can help or harm you...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 17 My decision to study engineering stems from a desire to contribute to the evolution of society through a process that does not just define our environment but our era. My personal inspiration is the Segovia aqueduct, an 800m long, 30 metre high Roman marvel which still stands today...

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Personal Statement Example 3 Curiosity has always been my nature since I was young and I was never afraid to know more as I really like challenges. This is why I have a keen interest in science ever since I started formal education, it explains the hows and whys in almost anything and everything...

• University specific personal statements
• All personal statements

How to write your creative personal statement  

Get advice on how to write a successful personal statement for a creative master's degree. 

Personal statements provide an opportunity to stand out from other applicants in what can often be a highly competitive process.  ​​​ It's your chance to tell us why you want to study on one of our online master’s courses.  So, if you’re applying to Arts University Bournemouth Online, we recommend you use the pointers below to guide the content of your personal statement.  

Why are personal statements important? 

Remember that admissions teams receive hundreds and potentially thousands of applications each year. When it comes to qualifications and experience, it’s likely that you and your fellow postgraduate applicants have a pretty similar story to tell. That’s why, when you’re applying to a creative master’s course , it’s more important than ever to showcase your individual creativity.   

In those few short paragraphs, we can get a much clearer picture of who you are, what you’re interested  in, and how you intend your practice to develop throughout your postgraduate studies. We want to see the passion for your art – whether it’s filmmaking , interior décor or redefining landscapes – and understand who and what has inspired and influenced you.  

What do we look for in a personal statement? 

Your understanding of the course you’re applying to   

It’s our hope that by studying one of our part-time master’s degrees , you’ll be able to build on your achievements, critically approach your work and hone your practice. Since our MAs are designed to deepen your understanding of your chosen subject, it’s therefore essential you demonstrate your existing knowledge of that subject to date.

We advise you allow yourself plenty of time to research our course. Your personal statement should be relevant to the course you’re applying for, illustrating not only your interest in and knowledge of the subject, but specifically has attracted you to our course.  

Why you want to study the course/subject  

Your personal statement should outline your reasons for wanting to undertake postgraduate study and why you feel our course is best placed to advance your studies. What is it about this course that interests you? Are there any features of this course that particularly attracted you and why? Tell us about any relevant previous academic study, achievements and projects, especially if any of these prompted you to continue your studies with us.  

Your passion and interest in the subject  

From a creative standpoint, think of your personal statement as a pitch that’s designed to ‘sell’ you. It should give our admissions team an overview of you as a creative, showcasing your personality and practice, your thought process and your ability to complete the course successfully.

Don’t write what you think we want to hear, but instead tell us about your own personal journey and the key events that have led you to the decision to study at postgraduate level with AUB Online. What first caught your interest about the subject? Which artists/designers/architects/filmmakers interest you most and why? What do you hope to achieve through your practice?  

Your experience  

Your personal statement should act as a taster of your creative potential and show a commitment to developing yourself further. When you’re applying to a creative course, it’s important to describe your ‘art’ and creativity. Focus on your strengths and tell us about your previous creative and relevant academic experience, as well as any notable accomplishments.

What academic skills have you developed and wish to develop further? How have you pursued your creative interests within and outside of education? What is your artistic style and how this has evolved over time?  

And finally…  

Don’t worry too much about your experience or lack of it – nobody expects you to have achieved critical acclaim in the arts world just yet. In fact, we recognise that you’re on a journey and we’re specifically looking for students who we can support and help to succeed in their creative goals, whatever they may be.   

Need more advice? 

AUB Online currently offers three 100% online master’s courses: the MA Film Practice ; MA Interior Design ; and MA Landscape Architecture Studies .

Related posts

How to develop your creative career.

Creative skills are in demand all over the world. Find out how to successfully develop a career in...

Start your creative journey here.

Want to chat or ask a few questions? Fill this in and we’ll give you a call back.  

Writing your personal statement

• Home »
• Study »
• Undergraduate »
• Apply »

Your UCAS personal statement is your opportunity to demonstrate what makes you the perfect fit for a university.

More than 60,000 students apply for university places each year, so you need to stand out from the crowd.

When you choose Leeds Trinity University, you choose a university renowned for its outstanding approach to personal student support .

We'll support you from the moment you start applying. 

Our Admissions team has put together their top tips to help you craft the perfect personal statement.

Be specific

Write about why you are interested in the subject, making sure you mention a specific aspect.

For example, don't just write: "I want to study sport," or, "I am interested in a career in sport" - write about which part of sport you are interested in, such as Physical Education, sports coaching, or sports science.

UCAS only lets you submit one personal statement on an application, so if you are applying for more than one course, you can email  [email protected]  with a second personal statement relevant to the second course.

Be enthusiastic

Don't just write "I'm applying for the… course because I get good grades in this subject".

Mention any wider reading you have done around the subject and reflect on any relevant news stories/current affairs related to it.

If you are subscribed to a relevant professional subscription or journal, mention it.

If you are a member of a professional group or have attended any relevant conferences, make sure you highlight this.

Mention your interests that are relevant to the subject you're wanting to study in.

We're looking for a keen interest in coding, technology trends and gaming for Computer Science, for example.

If you are applying for a Journalism, Media or English-related course, we look for examples of content you have created such as blogs, videos, school newspaper articles, or creative writing.

Add links to any online content you have created.

Don't just talk about your academic achievements,  mention any extracurricular activities you are involved in as well. That includes any sports you play or volunteering you do.

Not only do these demonstrate your enthusiasm and interests, but they also highlight your dedication and work ethic.

Be career-minded

Talk about the career you want and why doing this degree will help you.

This shows you have thought about coming to university and are not just applying for a course because all your friends are, or because a teacher has told you to apply because you are good at that subject.

Talk about any relevant work experience you have done.

We get a lot of Business applicants who mention watching The Apprentice sparked their interest in the subject area. Be unique and talk about your experience and inspirations.

If you’re applying for courses leading to Professional registration such as Primary Education or Nursing, make sure to mention any relevant work experience or volunteering to make your application stand out. For more information on the application process and personal statements for Nursing, visit leedstrinity.ac.uk/nursing

Mention the things that you’ve learned through your own experiences or those close to you, remember you need to show that you have a good understanding of the profession.

If you’re applying for Early Childhood Studies/Education Studies/Working with Children, Young People and Families, and want to become a teacher, show awareness of the need for a PGCE after your degree to gain QTS. This shows you have researched your future career and the path you need to take to get there.

Be accurate

We are looking for a good standard of written English and a statement that flows logically.

Our tutors want to know you will be able to write essays at university.

Make sure your spelling and grammar are correct – triple check everything and don't rely on a spellchecker to pick up every mistake.

Show your teachers or parents your first draft – a few extra pairs of eyes may pick up something you've missed.

Make sure your personal statement is concise – you only have 4,000 characters (around 500 words) to sell yourself, so avoid rambling and empty statements.

A lot of applicants for courses that involve working with children say they were inspired by a specific teacher and mention them by name. As nice as that is, it's a little irrelevant for us reading your personal statement.

• be sincere with your enthusiasm - and don't exaggerate, as you may get caught out
• have a good understanding of the universities you want to apply to - attend an Open Day and talk to lecturers to get an idea of what they're looking for
• take your time and don't panic - you've got this
• keep up-to-date with the latest guidance on writing your personal statement -  UCAS guidance
• copy someone else's personal statement - applications are screened for plagiarism by UCAS, so you could get caught and risk having your application rejected
• name a particular university in your personal statement - remember, you're only sending one statement, which means multiple universities will receive it
• use inspirational quotes to back up any details in your personal statemen t - universities want to read your words and thoughts, not somebody else's
• leave it until the last minute - a post-Christmas rush is not the best way to tackle your personal statement
• try to be funny - yes, it's great to get your personality across, but it's a risky move and you can't know the sense of humour of those who will read your personal statement

Personal Statement feedback service

Send us your personal statement and our School and College Engagement team will provide personalised feedback before you submit your application.

Download a guide to writing your personal statement

Writing your personal statement Writing your personal statement (PDF 94KB)

Take your next step

Order your prospectus

Get a copy of our prospectus for everything you need to know about Leeds Trinity University.

Book on an Open Day

Find out what it's like to study at Leeds Trinity.

Learn more about how to apply to study with us through UCAS.

Follow us on social

Hi, what can we help you find.

• International

Israel-Hamas war

Tornado risk in Central US

Met Gala 2024

May 4, 2024 - Campus protest updates

By Dalia Faheid, Eva Rothenberg, Kaanita Iyer and Tori B. Powell, CNN

University of California, Riverside reaches agreement to end protest encampment

From CNN’s Norma Galeana and Cheri Mossburg

A protest encampment will disband at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) by midnight Friday, as university administration and protesters have reached  an agreement regarding investment transparency and study abroad programs.

Though the agreement does not appear to specifically promise divestment, one key tenant is the creation of a task force aimed at removing the university’s endowment from the University of California’s Investments Office.

"These meetings have been productive, civil, and representative of multiple points of view on how to reach a resolution,” said UCR Chancellor Kim Wilcox in  a letter to the campus community . “It has been my goal to resolve this matter peacefully and I am encouraged by this outcome – which was generated through constructive dialogue.”

The student group protesting at the campus encampment is celebrating the agreement, while also pointing out there's more work to be done.

"While this is a victory, we know there is still a long road to full divestment and look forward to seeing how the students continue to organize and hold their administration accountable," Students for Justice in Palestine UCR said in  an Instagram post .

Wilcox thanked those involved who “navigated the complexities of this week’s events with patience, grace, and civility.”

"This agreement does not change the realities of the war in Gaza, or the need to address antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias and discrimination; however, I am grateful that we can have constructive and peaceful conversations on how to address these complex issues,” Wilcox said.

USC announces new graduation celebration

From CNN’s Cheri Mossburg

The University of Southern California will hold a “family graduate celebration” on May 9, the school announced Friday, just over a week after cancelling the main graduation ceremony.

USC previously announced the  cancellation of the main stage graduation , saying it would take too much time to process the expected 65,000 attendees given their new safety measures implemented. The new safety measures follow dozens of arrests on USC’s campus in connection with the ongoing protests and the decision to rescind valedictorian Asna Tabassum's invitation to speak at the ceremony.

The new event will be held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, at 11:30 p.m. ET and is set to include drone shows, fireworks, surprise performances, and the Trojan Marching Band, according to  the announcement posted on USC’s website.

“Please join us with your family and loved ones next Thursday to celebrate your accomplishments in a big way – and come together as a Trojan Family,” the announcement states.

Presentation of degrees will take place at commencement ceremonies of individual schools within the university.

Here's where university protesters have been arrested across the United States

By Alex Leeds Matthews, Krystina Shveda, Amy O'Kruk and Renée Rigdon, CNN

As pro-Palestinian protests have erupted on college campuses nationwide, protesters — including students and faculty —  continue to be arrested  since the first demonstrators were  detained at Columbia University  two weeks ago. More than 250 protesters were arrested on May 2, after April 30 saw the largest number of arrests in a day since protests began with nearly 400 arrests, according to a CNN review of university and law enforcement statements.

More than 2,100 people have been arrested on college and university campuses since April 18 as schools prepare for spring commencement ceremonies, according to CNN’s review. The  University of Southern California , where nearly 100 protesters were arrested April 24,  canceled  its primary commencement event. Protesters have been arrested on more than 40 campuses across at least 25 states. Many other schools have experienced protests without arrests.

Protest demands  vary  from campus to campus, but a major focus is that universities divest from companies with financial ties to Israel amid its war with Hamas. There have also been counter-protests, resulting in  clashes at UCLA .

CNN is monitoring campus protests and will continue to update this map with any new arrests.

Expect heightened security at university commencement ceremonies amid protests

From CNN's Ray Sanchez, Alisha Ebrahimji and Holly Yan

From New York to Los Angeles, traditional university graduation ceremonies – many beginning this weekend – will take place on the heels of escalating confrontations over the war in Gaza, with  police entering campuses to make mass arrests  and rip apart encampments.

A time of sun-drenched pomp and circumstance, esteemed speakers, academic robes and decorated mortarboards arrives amid anxiety and exasperation for graduates, faculty and university officials.

An important personal milestone for many young adults will be reached against a backdrop of police barricades and heightened law enforcement presence, metal detectors and other security measures. Trained staffers will be on hand to manage disruptions.

US colleges have been using law enforcement – along with academic suspensions and expulsions   – to   quell student demonstrations since  Hamas’ October attack on Israel  left more than 1,200 dead and dozens taken hostage. Israel’s devastating response in Gaza – with more than 34,000 Palestinians killed, according to its health ministry – has further fueled deeply held views of students and faculty on all sides.

Read more about preparations universities are making as commencement ceremonies get underway.

Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.