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Successful Personal Statement For Modern Languages At Oxford

Last Updated: 10th August 2020

Author: Adi Sen

• Modern Languages

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a Modern Languages applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Modern Languages Course at Oxford aims to teach spoken fluency in colloquial and more formal situations, as well as the ability to write essays in the foreign language, and the ability to translate into and out of the foreign language with accuracy and sensitivity to a range of vocabulary, styles and registers.

Read on to see how the candidate approached this Personal Statement. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxbridge Modern Languages comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts. 

Your tutor will give you actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.  

Modern Languages Personal Statement

France has developed a literature of unequalled richness and variety. Europeans in any age have had few thoughts, desires, or fantasies that a French writer somewhere has not expressed-it has given the Western mind an image of itself. In this sense, French literature serves as a pool in which many cultures meet. Therefore, in particular, it is French literature’s universality which interests me.

Nevertheless, I enjoy how literature provides a window into an author’s contemporary society. For example, ‘Madame Bovary’ draws us into Flaubert’s disgust for the bourgeois existence of the 19thcentury; Zola’s ‘Thérèse Raquin’ invites us into the leprous lower-depths of Paris. I am interested in how both these writers, unparalleled in their psychological clarity and narrative muscle, provide such a brutal and relentless account of their chosen subject matter: for Flaubert, the indulgent decadence of the bourgeoisie, exemplified by Emma Bovary; for Zola, the moral dankness of the murderous lovers. In addition, I have watched Kassovitz’s ‘La Haine’ and Truffaut’s ‘Les quatre cents coups’, both similar to Zola and Flaubert in their rigorous exploration of character. Focusing on social outcasts, these films act as an exposition of societal problems. ‘La Haine’ sheds light on the all-encompassing violence and cultural exclusion of the suburbs of Paris, while ‘Les quatre cent coups’ reveals the shocking injustices in the treatment of juvenile offenders. Thus, such French cinema serves to illuminate the neglected–I relish this narrative potential in the discovery of truth.

Besides these more realistic works, both my English and French A Levels have introduced me toAbsurdism.I have appreciated the works of Beckett (‘Fin de partie’, ‘En attendant Godot’) and Ionesco (‘La Cantatrice Chauve’, ‘Rhinocéros’). These tragicomedies simultaneously entertain and provoke–the reason why I found them so enjoyable and yet so powerful. To pursue this interest in Absurdism, I read Voltaire’s absurd ‘contes philosophiques’, ‘Candide’ and ‘Micromegas’. Fiction, I found, proved to be the perfect medium of expression for Voltaire’s empiricism and scepticism. Therefore, like the tragicomedies of the 20th century, I thought Voltaire’s work succeeded both as entertainment and as an accessible manifesto of his philosophical beliefs. Furthermore, I decided to follow up this interest in such ‘contes philosophiques’ by undertaking an Edexcel Extended Project, entitled ‘Ancient Influence on French Existentialist Literature’, for which I was awarded an A*. Here, I focused on why Camus, in ‘Le Mythe de Sisyphe’, Sartre, in ‘Les Mouches’, and Anouilh, in ‘Antigone’, chose to use classical themes and motifs to communicate their own particular perception of Existentialism. Despite its challenges, the more I worked at this project, the more certain I was that this is what and how I would like to study.

Moreover, I have taken an interest in symbolist French poetry. Having studied some poetry by Baudelaire (‘Les Fleurs du Mal’) and Verlaine (‘Romances sans paroles’), I have become fascinated by the crippling and contrasting emotions communicated in these poems. I now admire how the very sound of the French language can control the register of a poem and, thus, highlight its true meaning even amongst the most abstract, intangible imagery, employed by Baudelaire and Verlaine. I am intrigued by the French language in part due to this precision.

Finally, I contributed regularly to my school’s Modern Languages magazine, ‘Babel’, and have competed in ‘Les Joutes Oratoires’, a national French debating competition in which I reached the final. Through these experiences, I have begun to thoroughly enjoy communicating in French. I believe an extra language extends one’s range. It releases you from the inertia of one cultural gear–achange of perspective that I find truly enlightening and enjoyable. I will be working in Paris from January to March.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

Throughout this statement, the applicant engages consistently with a range of French texts at a very advanced level.

The applicant is able to demonstrate not only an awareness of a huge tranche of French literature but also how specific works intersect. This comparative criticism is carried out by the applicant across several different forms in a manner that is lucid and impressive.

The applicant has mentioned their personal research and is able to indicate why it is interesting and relevant. They are also able to indicate how their personal pursuits are reciprocally and beneficially related to their academic studies.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

At particular moments, this applicant veers from an academic register into an overtly formal one; a stylistic turn which, while remaining clear in meaning, is a little jarring.

More personal information would have been a welcome addition to this statement, especially since its academic calibre is so relentlessly clear throughout; the statement has the potential to be slightly breathless in its rapid consideration of big swathes of literature.

The statement could, therefore, have happily absorbed more personal information without diluting its clear academic potential.

In addition, the candidate could have taken slightly more care over their phrasing, which occasionally takes a tone bordering on reductive or patronising; a risk which is perhaps not worth taking in this context.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

The candidate effectively and efficiently communicates a level of cultural awareness which goes far above and beyond the demands of their curriculum.

They are able to demonstrate how they practically carry forward their interests in extra-curricular and academic activities. Throughout the statement, the applicant engages a muscular, academically-considered tone which is clear and authoritative.

There was room in the statement for greater personal depth and warmth, and for greater justification for some of the strong academic arguments being posed.

And there we have it – an Oxford Modern Languages Personal Statement with feedback from our expert tutors. 

Remember, at Oxford, the Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Check out our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford Modern Languages application.

With our  Oxbridge Oxford Modern Languages Premium Programme we help you craft the perfect  Personal   Statement , achieve a highly competitive MLAT score and teach you how to  Interview effectively.

Discover our Oxbridge Oxford Modern Languages Premium Programme  by clicking the button below to  enrol and triple your chances of success.

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Personal Statement Starter Guide

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The dos and don'ts of writing a personal statement for languages

Tips for convincing university admission tutors you deserve a place on their course

P hilosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein may have made a good case for studying languages when he said : “The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” But be warned: if you quote him in your personal statement, you may test the admission tutor’s patience.

Students often start by quoting someone famous, says Mike Nicholson, director of admissions at the University of Bath, who thinks it’s a “waste of space” and “just demonstrates that you can copy and paste”. Hilary Potter, a teaching fellow at the University of Leeds, adds that quotes “don’t tell us anything about the student”.

Whether you’re interested in French, Spanish, Arabic or Japanese, your first step will be to impress admissions tutors and convince them you deserve a place on their course. A strong, cliche-free personal statement is a must, but what else should you include? And what mistakes should you avoid?

Start with you: “Tell a story about yourself,” says Darren Paffey, from the modern languages department at the University of Southampton. “With a clear beginning, normally about why you’re interested in languages.” Also think about the course you’re applying to; some are very practical, while others are more literature-based, so know what skills you want to emphasise.

Be authentic and enthusiastic: It’s more important to be yourself and show your enthusiasm than it is to be polished. “I’d always prefer something that was clearly a personal response but maybe has a few imperfections,” says Matthew Jefferies, from the University of Manchester’s language school. While Ilse Renaudie, head of French at the University of East Anglia, says authenticity is the first thing she looks for: “Clear and genuine statements stand out.”

Let your personality shine through: Admissions tutors want to know who you are. “Put your personality into your statement,” says Antonia Kamara, who works in the admissions department of the University of Bristol. To study languages, you need show you are motivated, communicative, and can cope in difficult situations. “Open-mindedness is very important for languages,” Renaudie adds.

Show you’re well-rounded: “We’re not just looking for brilliantly academic people,” says Paffey, “we want to know what else you’ll contribute.” If you’ve been involved in non-academic activities like competitions, a student newspaper, or teaching younger students, say so. And don’t forget to show how it helped develop your skills. Tutors also advise you show your research skills, so include your extended project qualification (EPQ), if you have one.

Go beyond school texts: Listing the books on your school syllabus isn’t going to impress. “We can spot that a mile off,” says Kamara. Instead, show you can think critically by talking about how you’ve engaged with the language beyond the classroom. You can do this by offering some views on recent news stories or political events in foreign-language countries. Or talk about what interests you. “If you’ve got an interest in Latin American magical realism literature, or you write a blog on issues to do with the Spanish speaking world, tell us,” says Paffey.

What not to do

Don’t make spelling mistakes: You’re applying to study languages, so your statement has to be well-written. “Nothing leaves a worse impression than quoting in the original language, but quoting incorrectly because of spelling mistakes or grammatical errors,” says Jefferies. Have your finished statement proofread to pick up on missed errors.

Don’t write in an overly academic way: Applicants are often guilty of writing in an overly complicated, pseudo-academic style with too many clauses, says Jefferies. “Students think it will impress us,” he says, “but often it doesn’t make sense.” It’s better to write in your own voice.

Don’t miss out a subject: Lots of people study languages as a joint honours degree. But, if you want to do so, you must include both subjects in your personal statement. “It’s a common fault,” says Jefferies, “and it causes problems with the subject that’s been ignored”. Potter advises you divide your statement equally between the two subjects.

Don’t blag: Some universities interview for language courses. They’ll use the information in your personal statement as a prompt, so don’t get caught out. “If you say you recently enjoyed Thomas Mann’s ‘The Magic Mountain’ in German, it won’t look good if it becomes clear in the interview that you haven’t actually read it,” says Jefferies.

Don’t use cliches: General statements about being passionate about language can sound cliched. “We obviously don’t want anyone who isn’t passionate,” says Paffey, “but tell us how that passion finds its outlet and what you want to do with it,” he says. If you have an idea where you want languages to take you, share it with us, Potter adds.

Don’t worry if you haven’t been abroad: If you’ve been to a country where the language you want to study is spoken, and can show how the trip developed your skills and passion, then great. But don’t worry if not. “We don’t hold it against students who haven’t been,” says Jefferies. “Not everyone has had the opportunity – but what you can say is what you would like to see in that country, or do on your year abroad, if you were offered a place.”

Don’t panic: Finally, go easy on yourself. “It’s not all on the personal statement,” says Potter, “so don’t feel that it’s going to make or break your application, because it won’t. We’re all on the same page: we want students, so we’re not looking for mistakes.”

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UCL Psychology and Language Sciences

MSc LangSci - 10 things to include in your personal statement

We know that it isn’t always obvious what to include and what to leave out; so here are 10 things to think about when writing your personal statement.

When we look at your application for MSc Language Sciences, we use every part to help us make a decision. Your personal statement is your best opportunity to make your application unique. It's your chance to tell us who you are and why you want to study MSc Language Sciences.

It can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't need to be, let's look at some things you can keep in mind when writing your personal statement.

The point is to provide a personal statement. So make it personal to you: write about your experience and your interests.  Let us know why you want to follow MSc Language Sciences, what motivates you, and why.

Keep it simple. We don’t need your life story, but think about how previous study and experience has brought you to this point (and to this programme)?

2. Why MSc Language Sciences?

Although your statement is about you, remember it’s also about the programme you are applying to. Show us that you know what the programme is and that you have an idea what will be involved.

Are there specific modules you’re excited about, have you seen staff or research that interests you? Tell us why .

3. What next?

What do you want to do when you graduate from MSc Language Sciences , and how is the programme going to help you get there? Do you have a specific goal in mind: PhD study; a job; professional development; or is it just for the love of the subject?

4. Go beyond your previous study.

Show us you can think critically. Instead of just listing what you’ve done or the books you’ve read; think about why that study, or how those books, relate to the programme and what you want to do.

5. Your research interests

You won’t be asked to provide a research proposal and the majority of students don’t have a specific research topic in mind before they arrive. So don't worry if you don't have this kind of clear research goal, but if you do, let us know . It’s really helpful for us, and hopefully will be for you too.

6. Be concise

We want to see that you can express yourself clearly and concisely. Stick to what’s relevant and try to resist the temptation to include everything you think of.

When you apply, you will be able to include your personal statement as an attachment (without a word limit). Keeping it to around a single page is a good guide, but don’t worry if you’re a little over or under.

7. Be specific

The personal statement in your postgraduate application is different to the one you might have written for your undergraduate degree in that you get to be specific. You only have to write about a single programme and to show how your experience has prepared you for the challenge of postgraduate study. Try to keep your statement to you and the programme, make sure it’s relevant.

Read it back to yourself. Is there anything that doesn’t add to your statement, or doesn’t relate to the programme? It’s fine to apply to several different programmes at the same time, but think about your statement if you do. If the programmes are different, shouldn’t your statement be different?

8. Don’t know where to start?

Just start writing why you are applying to study MSc Language Sciences, that’s the most important thing and should be the easiest to express.

9. Proof-read

Applying for postgraduate degrees can be stressful. It sounds obvious, but it's all too easy to just click “submit” without checking your statement.

Is there anything you meant to add? Anything you meant to take out?

If you’re applying for more than one programme make sure your statement is for the correct programme... at the correct university .

10. Relax, and remember to ask

If you’re applying for postgraduate study it’s because it’s something you want to do, so try not to let the personal statement worry you too much .  The main points to cover are who you are, and why you want to study MSc Language Sciences – those parts are easy, right?

Always remember, if you have any questions about the programme or the application process you can always contact us at [email protected] .

These are just tips to help you think about your application. Don’t worry if there is something here that you did or didn’t do, there aren’t any hard and fast rules for the personal statement.

Remember, it’s only one part of the whole application.

How To Write A Personal Statement For Masters (17 PDF Sample Examples)

Published: 14 Mar 2022 Study Abroad 101,192 views

A personal statement for masters program is one of the most important parts of your college application and writing a good one is what’s the exception between receiving an offer and being rejected.

If you’ve been tasked with presenting a personal statement, you should keep in mind that whatever you submit must put you forward as the right candidate for the course. Additionally, it should convince the admissions officers that you deserve a place on your program of study.

Achieving the above, is a skill most postgraduate students are yet to acquire but thankfully this article on How To Write A Personal Statement For Masters covers everything you need to know on doing this.

In this article you’ll learn:

• What is a personal statement?
• Tips for making your personal statement for masters stand out
• How to write a personal statement for masters
• Personal statement for masters sample
• Examples of personal statement for masters
• Conclusion – things to avoid when writing a personal statement for masters

Read:  Admission Interview Tips .

What Is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement AKA admissions or application essay or statement of purpose is a type of essay or written statement a candidate presents to a college, university, or graduate school they are applying to, explaining why they want to attend that school, study a particular course, and why they would be a perfect fit for these things.

A personal statement for masters is an essay you submit specifically for your postgraduate application. Writing one presents the opportunity for you to promote yourself to a school and show the admissions teachers that you are the perfect candidate for a course.

Tips For Making Your Personal Statement For Masters Stand Out

Before we get into how you should write a statement of purpose for masters, we would first like to share with you certain tips to include in your essay to make it stand out from that of other applicants and be convincing enough to any admissions officer that reads it. The tips we have mentioned here, cover general things like starting and ending your personal statement, timing, length, and what to include and what not to include in the essay, etc.

1. Starting And Ending A Personal Statement

When starting a personal statement, you would want to right off the bat grab the reader’s attention. To do this, start the statement by writing about your degree of choice, next why you want to study it and then how you got interested in it.

The next 2 sentences after that should cover a summary of your background in the chosen field, and you conclude by saying what you plan to do once you acquire your graduate degree.

Also start with that the evaluators reading want to hear first, then every other information should come second. You will notice we’ve used in the sop examples for masters we will share with you later in this article.

2. Plan Ahead

A personal statement is not something you rush while writing, which means if you want to get something good before you application then you must start to decide things like the length and how long it should take to complete.

Let us throw more light on this…

For length, a personal statement should be brief ranging somewhere between 500 -700 words, although schools often detect how long it should be. So, this is dependent on the institution you are applying to.

In terms of what to say in a statement, you could include personal experiences like why you were driven to apply for the program, an experience you had with a scholar in your chosen discipline, a course you took that inspired you to pursue masters, or a key moment during your studies which further motivated you.

No matter what you decide to write, just keep in mind that you need to take your time to craft something good even if it means creating several drafts before the real thing and do not forget to proofread the statement for errors.

3. Research Your Program Of Study

Researching your program of study is one way to establish that you truly understand the discipline you’re getting into and prove to the admissions officer that you thoroughly thought about it before applying.

And because you want to put yourself forward as a serious candidate, one way to make you research easier is for you to visit the website of the department you are applying to. This page will contain information about faculty members, their specialisation, and publications.

From the intel, you gathered there you can now identify which professors match your interests and which ones you will benefit the most from learning under. After you’ve found this out, relate the same in a sentence or two in your statement of purpose for masters.

Example: “I would be honoured to study under the tutelage of Professor Nadia whose work I found resonated strongly with my beliefs and intended projects in this course”.

4. Avoid Clichés, Junks, And Many Details

When writing a statement of purpose for master degree try to avoid clichés, junks, and unnecessary details so that you don’t lose or bore your readers in between. Be as concise as possible, even if it’s your chance to express yourself.

A personal statement is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get information that tells the that you are suitable for the course. So, when you overpower your statement with too many words, stories, and useless details, you come off as someone who is just trying to meet the word count.

5. Include Your Personal History Only If It Adds To The Statement

Do not include your personal history in your statement of intent for masters if it is not relevant to your purpose of study. This means no need for you to tell that story about that time you helped someone treat a cut and immediately realised that you wanted to be a doctor or nurse or how you developed a taste for reading at a very young age.

We can guarantee you that the hundreds of other applications competing for the same spot you are felt the same way, so saying those things really doesn’t make you unique.

On the other hand, if you are going to add personal history to your statement, you can put in things like an internship you did and the experience you got from the job, a major research project you ran by yourself, publications you’ve read or published, conferences you’ve attended or presentations you’ve done. These experiences are more concrete and are directly related to your program of study. They also set you apart from other applicants.

6. Don't Use The Same Personal Statement For All Your Applications

One common mistake applicant make that you shouldn’t is using the same statement of purpose for master degree for all your applications. Using the same information repeatedly even if you are going to change the university names is risky and could land you in a big mistake on a day you forget to be thorough.

All programmes have their own unique set of questions they want to see answered and information they need in your personal statement.

And even if some of them like extracurricular activities, proposal for project, why you are applying to the school, your unique qualities, and research works you’re doing might appear the same, do not use one statement to respond to all of them.

Write a new unique personal statement every time you want to apply.

Check out:  How to Write a Good CV for Students - Resume Examples for Students (PDF).

How To Write A Personal Statement for Masters

When writing a personal statement for masters there are several steps and ground rules you need to follow to ensure that it comes out good enough to impress the admissions team of a school, and ultimately convince them to give you a spot on your program of study.

If writing one is something you are currently struggling with and can’t seem to get down the process of it right no matter what, this section on how to write a personal statement for masters, discusses in detail everything you need to get help with yours.

There are 4 parts to consider when writing your personal statement and we have listed them below:

1. Planning A Personal Statement

A personal statement is a piece of writing showing your academic interests and is only for application purposes which means there is no room for any autobiographical information in it about your personal life. Be as to-the-point as possible when writing it and stick to telling the school why you are the right person for the course, plus any other extra information detailing your achievements.

Before You Start:

Allot plenty of time to write your msc personal statement so that you don’t rush it. Remember, this simple piece of writing is your one shot at convincing a school that you are the best applicant they’ve seen and as such can either make or break your application.

Read the information expected of you from the university, rules and guidelines given, selection criteria and understand what they mean. Also research the institution.

Do a thorough research on the course you are applying for; this will help you explain better why you want to study it. The tutors interviewing you can tell when you are lying and presenting yourself as uninformed can cost you the admission.

Ensure that you don’t use the same personal statement for all your applications.

When Writing:

When writing the statement there are some questions to ask yourself that can help you plan it better. Those questions are:

• Why you want to study a master’s and how does it benefit you in future?
• How does the course you have chosen fit into your pre-existing skill set?
• How do you stand out from the crowd as an applicant - e.g., work experiences you’ve had in the same field you are applying for?
• What do you aspire to do or be as a future career and how will the course help you achieve that?
• How can your work or skillsets contribute positively to the department/ university you are applying to, or society at large?

On the other hand, if you are applying for the masters to change from the field you studied in your undergraduate to another field, you should tell the school why you decided to take a different path in your studies.

Questions to ask yourself for this include:

• Your reason for deciding to change your discipline.
• How your undergraduate degree will be material for bringing fresh insights into your masters course.
• How changing your study path will help you attain your future career.

2. Structuring A Personal Statement

Having good structure for your personal statement for master degree is important because it ensures that everything from the beginning, middle, and ending of the statement is written and equally falls in place perfectly.

We’ve left some tips for you below to help you:

Start your personal statement with an attention-grabbing introduction that is not dramatic or cliché. That means you should not begin with any of these over-used phrases we’ve listed out below:

For as long as I remember…

Since my childhood…

I want to apply to this course because I’ve always felt a strong connection to it…

All my life, I have always loved…

My interest in (course) always ran deeper than…

I’ve always been zealous about…

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in…

My past educational experiences have always…

You would want to be as snappy as possible with your opening because the admission officer has over a hundred applications to read and can’t waste all their time on yours. This means you should avoid overpowering it with unnecessary facts, quotes, and stories from your life.

The middle part of your ma personal statement is where the main content of the write-up should be. This is where you show your dedication to the course you’ve chosen, what motivated you to choose it, and why you are the right candidate for it.

When writing the middle part of a graduate personal statement, you should:  

• Give concrete reasons why you want to study a course at the University. The reason could be because of how the course is aligned to your future career or the University’s reputation in teaching that program.
• Mention relevant things like projects, dissertations, or essays you’ve done, and any work experience you have.
• Show proof of your core skills like and how they can contribute to the department.
• Prove what makes you a unique candidate.
• Discuss who your main influences for wanting to study the course are and why.
• Add experiences like memberships to clubs that are related to your field, papers you’ve written before, awards, scholarships, or prizes.
• Draw focus to how the course links to your past and future.
• Mention your academic and non-academic skills and how they fit the course.

For Formatting:

• Keep the statement length between 250 -500 words or as directed by the school.
• Sentences should be no more than 25-30 words.
• Use headings to break up the content – Why this university? Why this subject? Etc.
• Make claims and provide evidence to back each of them up. This can be done by discussing your work experience and academic interests.

Language and tone to use:     

• The tone for your masters application personal statement should be positive and enthusiastic, to show you eagerness to learn and so that you convince the evaluators that you have what it takes to succeed.
• Use exciting and refreshing language, and an engaging opening line.
• Ensure you grammar, punctuations, and spellings are accurate.
• Avoid exaggerated claims you cannot backup.
• Don’t use cliché generic terms and keep your focus on the course.

Keep the ending of your essay for master degree application concise and memorable, leaving no doubt in the admission officers mind that you deserve a spot on the program.

To create the best ending summarise all your key points without dragging it our or repeating yourself. The ending should be simple, end on a positive note and make it clear that the school will be lucky to have you on their program.

Personal Statement for Masters Sample

In this section, we have left a masters personal statement example for you, which you can use as material to write yours for any course of study you are applying to a school for.

Personal Statement PDF

You can also download this statement of purpose sample for masters degree pdf here and take your time to read it later – Personal Statement For Masters Sample .

See Also:  Student CV Template .

Examples of Personal Statement for Masters

We have taken the time to source for some of the best postgraduate personal statement examples, which you can use in addition to the personal statement for masters program example as a template to write yours.

While you scroll through our list, you will find the perfect masters essay example for any field you wish to apply for, from business administration, to Psychology, to information technology, and lots more.

1. msw personal statement

We have found one of the best msw personal statement examples out there for you.

social work masters personal statement .  

2. personal statement for masters in public health

mph personal statement examples

3. personal statement for masters in management

Personal statement for master degree sample for masters in management .  , 4. personal statement for masters in education example.

personal statement for masters in education example

5. psychology masters personal statement

psychology masters personal statement example

6. sample personal statement for masters in data science data science masters personal statement

7. speech and language therapy personal statement statement of purpose for masters sample: speech and language therapy

8. business administration personal statement personal statement for masters in business administration

9. personal statement for masters in cyber security pdf masters degree personal statement examples for cyber security

10. personal statement for masters in finance msc finance personal statement examples

11. statement of purpose for masters in information technology pdf msc personal statement examples for information technology

12. international development personal statement statement of purpose for masters example

13. msc international business management personal statement international business management personal statement examples

14. computer science masters personal statement

statement of purpose for masters in computer science pdf

15. personal statement for masters in economics statement of purpose sample for masters degree in economics

16. mha personal statement statement of purpose format for masters in health administration    

Conclusion – Things to Avoid When Writing A Personal Statement For Masters When writing a personal statement for university masters, there are some things you should avoid, so that you don’t ruin your essay. We have listed out those things below: •    Avoid negativity. •    Following an online template blindly. •    Do not include unnecessary course modules, personal facts, or extra-curricular activities in your personal statement. •    Do not lie or exaggerate an achievement or event. •    Do not include inspirational quotes to your statement. •    Avoid using clichés, gimmicks, humour, over-used word such as 'passion' or ‘driven’. •    Do not make pleading statements. •    Avoid mentioning key authors or professors in your field without any explanation. •    Avoid using sentences that are too long. •    Avoid flattering the organisation or using patronising terms. •    Do not repeat information in your statement that you have already listed in your application. •    Avoid waffling i.e., writing at length. •    Don’t start writing your personal statement at the last minute.  

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Postgraduate linguistics personal statement example.

My interest in linguistics was gradually shaped throughout my life by all the different ways in which I have experienced languages: as a learner, translator, and as a teacher. However, it was the times spent living in Russia and later in the UK that made me fully understand that language can be a means of conveying much more than just our thoughts. In fact, it also carries all the information about our background, education, beliefs and prejudices, and generally reflects the way we categorise the world around us. Living in another country and being submerged in the language soon forced me to change my way of thinking to express myself effectively, and brought to me the reflection about how language and culture are so closely tied together.

This particular experience was a very significant factor in my choice of linguistics as a discipline for my further studies as it naturally affected my views about the process of second language acquisition, and linked directly to Russian Studies which I studied at the XXX University as an integrated 5-year programme leading to a Master’s degree. The course syllabus combined two main fields: broadly defined Russian culture, including subjects such as literature, theatre, art, history and current political issues etc., with Russian language and elements of linguistic analysis. It was lectures such as Interpretation of Russian text, Theory of conversation, and Logics of discourse that instilled in me the fondness of pragmatics and semiotics.

During the time spent at university I was involved in many other activities connected to my area of study. These included both work as a translator (to and from Russian and English), and almost 3 years of experience in giving one-to-one tuition in those languages. I found teaching to be a particularly rewarding and inspiring job, hence this year I completed the Cambridge CELTA course, in order to gain formal qualifications which would utilise my knowledge, skills and enthusiasm, and bring me a step further to my planned career in teaching. The course was also a perfect opportunity for me to extend my language awareness and gain an insight into many interesting theories about second language teaching.

I am convinced that completing a course in linguistics would give me a great advantage in realizing my future career plans which involve teaching foreign languages. Moreover, it would also enable me to continue my education at a doctoral level. I would like to focus my research on two main areas: second language acquisition, and sociolinguistics and ethnolinguistics, as I am particularly interested in teaching ESOL students, whose cultural background may often cause misunderstandings and unclear situations in communication with native speakers of English.

In order to combine my talents and abilities with my biggest passion, I have chosen to devote most of my life to studying foreign languages and cultures. Through travelling, reading and talking to people of other nationalities I try to better understand the world that surrounds me. Due to health problems I had to discontinue my studies at the XXX University in my fifth year, just before completing my Master’s thesis. Throughout the five years I have, however, gathered 275 ECTS points and received very good grades in most of the subjects; I was also awarded the XXX University scholarship for academic excellence. Given my record of studies to date and other courses and achievements I believe I would make a very good addition to the programme, and that I would make the best of the opportunities afforded to me at your university.

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This personal statement was written by idess_25 for application in 2009.

idess_25's university choices University of Southampton University of Sussex University College London

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Personal statement example ba korean studies personal statement.

Submitted by Emma

BA Korean Studies Personal Statement

The way we communicate as a population has always fascinated me. Despite language and cultural barriers, we continue to stay connected through current affairs and ever-evolving social media. Throughout my life, I have devoted countless hours to studying languages and cultures that differ from my own, in order to better my knowledge of the world and learn how ones upbringing has such a colossal impact on the diversity of humanity. This is the root from which grew my love for both Korean and International Relations.

Through sharing my passion with friends and personal interest through social media, what began as a simple interest in culture around the world soon developed into a strong desire to learn more, and I quickly realised that I wanted to immerse myself in this subject area. I have independently devoted myself to becoming fluent in Hangul and Kana, the writing systems of Korea and Japan, which has deepened my knowledge of these cultures and demonstrates my commitment to learning. International relations has been an interest of mine both within and outside of school. Having been a member of my school's Pupil Council for six years, I have worked with students from each year group to ensure the school is a positive environment, committed to self-improvement. This, alongside public speaking at school events, has built on my existing confidence and motivation to exceed the expectations set for me. I have been entrusted with additional responsibilities in school, such as being a prefect alongside my existing commitments within the Pupil Council and Voices of Change, a focused group of 14 pupils who work tirelessly to turn ideas from the Pupil Council into reality.

Achieving the Duke of Edinburgh Award (Bronze) has given me extensive leadership experience, working in schools for my volunteering and skills sections, and has given me the invaluable opportunity to participate in team building expeditions. Last year, I independently created, and now lead a Politics Club for students passionate about political and current affairs. Organising and chairing discussions and debates, while listening to varying views and opinions, has developed my leadership, teamwork and management skills, and taught me how to tackle problems logically. The club has expanded to now include members based in California, Michigan, New York, and Seoul, who join debates via Skype and bringing personal experience and insight to our discussions on culture, current affairs and international relations. Such discussions have broadened my knowledge and understanding of the world due to having such varied sources of information.

My interest in languages has stemmed from travelling around the world. I have attended and spoken at business conferences in Amsterdam and Stockholm, and have had the opportunity to meet many influential and interesting people by doing so. While at conferences in Stockholm, I became intrigued by the writing system, becoming fluent in the span of a few days, and deciding that I also wanted to learn the Russian writing system before travelling there.

This was the beginning of my exploration of writing systems around the world. From 2014, I have become fluent in the writing systems of Russia, Sweden, The Netherlands, Greece, most of Japan, and finally Korea. I am currently also studying the Thai writing system, as this is arguably one of the most difficult writing systems in the world. Through studying writing systems and travelling I have discovered my love for culture and variety in the world, and I believe that learning the language and having the opportunity to experience the country and its culture first-hand would make me have a discernible advantage in the world of work as a translator or as a teacher . I hope I have demonstrated that I am enthusiastic and hard-working student who is passionate about Korean and international relations, and would enjoy contributing to all aspects of university life.

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