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Psychology Personal Statement Guide

Writing a personal statement is not simple, as it demands a lot from you. It requires you to be introspective and analytical about your opinions, interests, and motivations. It wants you to show yourself to your best advantage without coming across as arrogant and boastful . It asks you to convince people you’ve never met to offer a place on their course to someone they have little knowledge of. All of this in 4000 characters or fewer? Not so easy.

This guide is designed to help you navigate this challenging, but hopefully ultimately rewarding, task by taking you through what makes a good and a not-so-good psychology personal statement. It will give you a very good idea of what a personal statement is and isn’t, as well as what admissions tutors are looking for, and how to present yourself in the best light. The guide will lead you through the following points:

Why are Personal Statements Important?
What Should I Include in a Psychology Personal Statement?
What Should I Avoid in a Psychology Personal Statement?

Advice on How to Start a Psychology Personal Statement

Advice on how to finish a psychology personal statement .

reasons to study psychology personal statement

What Should I Avoid in a Psychology Personal Statement ?

While personal statements should be personal to you, yours should not be about your own psychological or mental health history . Even if some or all of your motivation for studying the subject stems from this, it would be inappropriate to state as much since you should retain a scientifically objective interest in the formal academic subject beyond how it might be relevant to you personally.

You should also avoid talking about how the degree might help you to understand your own mentality or psychological health as this isn’t a guaranteed outcome of the course, and could suggest you’ve misunderstood what it involves.

Remember to maintain a formal, professional, and academic detachment and tone throughout.

The start of your personal statement should set out why you’re interested in the subject and why you’d like to study it at university.

You should always avoid using quotations or clichés as these come across as hackneyed; instead, use simple and straightforward language that is appealing and memorable . You want to create a good impression through your own words, not someone else’s.

If you’re struggling with the first line, it might help to draft some reasons for your interest and motivation separately and incorporate these later. Once you have begun, make sure your statement follows a sensible order and that its structure is clear from reading it.

Like with the initial impression from the statement’s introduction, the final impression made on the reader should be a positive one that excites them and leaves them with a genuine sense of who you are and why you’re applying.

Without repeating what you’ve already said, you should try to emphasise the extent of your interest and why you’d like to study psychology. Plans for how you'd like to expand your academic performance at university can come into this section, as can any ambitions the degree could assist you with further down the line.

The important point to remember is that you want to leave the reader thinking it would be the best course of action to invite you to an interview or make you an offer

What are some Tips for Writing a Strong Psychology Personal Statement?
How Long Should my Psychology Personal Statement Be?
What Kind of Extracurricular Activities Should I Include in my Psychology Personal Statement?
How Can I Tailor my Psychology Personal Statement to the Oxford/Cambridge Course?

Refine your interests by looking into the broad areas of psychology that most universities will offer, e.g. developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, etc. Do some research into what appeals most to you through books and articles, and take notes so you can highlight your own personal informed interests where appropriate throughout the statement. This will give a much better impression than repeating what you know from your school syllabus.

Try to mention in the statement the academic skills you already possess and how these might equip you for success during the degree, e.g. your mathematical competency for dealing with statistics, or your experimental experience in the sciences. If you’ve won any academic prizes or awards, then by all means mention them but only if they’re made relevant to your ultimate study of psychology.

Your statement will be restricted to 4000 characters (including spaces) or to 47 lines of the UCAS form, whichever you reach first. Needless to say, such a limit makes every word count even more than usual, so it’s best to try to use all 4000 characters to express everything you need to. Create a list of points you want to include and tick them off to ensure you don’t omit anything.

So many activities you do outside the classroom will be underpinned by psychology, e.g. playing or coaching sports, gaming, and interacting with animals to name a few. Anything you do mention should go towards establishing your profile as a capable and skilled potential student of psychology, but these activities don’t necessarily need to relate directly – they could teach you different skills that would come in useful during the degree, such as research skills or empathy. Any mention of non-academic pursuits should be kept to a minimum and always related back to the subject you intend to study.

Whilst you cannot make your statement too specific to any one university, there are certain things you can do to ensure Oxbridge tutors know you are thinking of them.

Oxford and Cambridge value intellectual curiosity, an appreciation of interdisciplinary interest, and flexible thinking that allows you to test ideas. It’s therefore advisable to consider what evidence you have of these attributes which you can incorporate into your statement. Good examples of this would be challenging current ways of thinking, going beyond the confines of your school syllabus, or conducting an experiment with surprising results. In addition, given the system of small group teaching at the two universities and the onus they place on independent study, showing some evidence of academic autonomy would help to prove your suitability for their courses.

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How to Write a Personal Statement for Psychology: With [Examples]

In this article, we discuss how to write a personal statement for psychology courses with helpful tips and examples.

What do a volunteer in a program for homeless children, a future college lecturer, and a medical student with a passion for supporting high achievers with ADHD have in common? They all want to study psychology.

By the end of this guide, you will have everything you need to write an outstanding personal statement for psychology.

What is a psychology personal statement, what are the different stages of writing a personal statement for psychology, psychology personal statement example #1, psychology personal statement example #2, psychology personal statement example #3, faq (frequently asked questions), more personal statement tutorials.

It’s a professional essay that outlines your interest and knowledge in the field, along with your relevant qualifications and career goals. You will also explain how you fit with the psychology program to which you are applying.

A well-crafted personal statement can help you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your commitment to psychology and your enthusiasm for learning. The statement should provide insight into why you are interested in studying psychology.

Furthermore, the statement should highlight any skills and experiences you have, such as research experience or volunteer work.

For example,

“I also volunteered at a local after-school club for vulnerable teens, where I was able to witness first-hand the impact that psychological support can have on an individual’s well-being. I believe that I learned as much from the experienced, committed counsellors there as I did in my early classes in psychology. I am deeply committed to entering psychology and making a positive difference in the lives of others.”

1. Understand the Course and Application Requirements

Before you start writing, make sure you understand the specific requirements of the psychology course you’re applying for.

Ask your chosen university or college for any specific guidance they may have and read it carefully.

Make sure you familiarise yourself with any guidelines including word count, and list any information you should include in your personal statement.

2. Identify your interests

Writing a personal statement for a psychology course can seem daunting, but breaking it down into individual steps can be much easier.

Start by identifying your experience, interests and skills, including, work experience, conferences you have attended, and voluntary work.

“With this in mind, I have volunteered for the past three summers at Rainbow House, where counsellors and psychologists help support people struggling with a range of addictions access counselling, and practical training and prepare to re-enter the workforce. I believe that without counselling as an intrinsic part of the process, they would not see the levels of success that they have.”

Be sure to explain reasons for your interest in the branches of psychology that the course may cover, and provide examples from your own life when possible.

Let your passion for the subject and your natural curiosity shine through in your personal statement, and make sure it is original and specific to your experiences.

3. Write down your initial ideas

When writing a personal statement for psychology, it is important to plan properly by writing down your initial ideas.

This idea list should include your experiences, interests, and skills related to psychology and why you are applying to study psychology.

Use your initial ideas to create an outline for your personal statement that includes a brief introduction about yourself and why you want to study psychology. Choose the experiences that made an impact on you, particularly if they relate to your future career.

“…my ambition is to continue my studies and complete a PhD, in order to lecture in psychology at college level. I believe that every field of medicine should have experts who are passionate about academic excellence and I want to use my talent for coaching and tutoring my peers at a higher level.”

Think about how to make your opening sentences captivating and relevant, as this will be your first impression on the reader. Use short, punchy sentences to grab the reader’s attention.

4. Write your personal statement

Start with an engaging opening paragraph. Make sure to use a professional and formal writing style, avoid jokes, and make sure your personality comes through in your writing.

‘I am excited to apply to study psychology at postgraduate level as I have always been fascinated by how the mind works. My interest in this psychology was there from a very early age, when I tested in the 90th percentile as being very empathetic and supportive of other pupils at elementary school. During High School I was able to volunteer to work on homework with young children who were homeless and seeing them cope with challenging emotional issues filled me with admiration for their resilience while wanting to let them know that I was there to offer academic support also.’

Allocate one paragraph to each point on your list. Make sure your statement is specific and original, and avoid long-winded sentences.

Once you have your first draft, seek feedback from classmates as well as tutors. Incorporate any comments, feedback, and suggestions that improve your statement.

5. Revise your personal statement

Wait 24 hours, then read over your final draft and check for grammar or spelling mistakes. Read it out loud or have someone else read it for you to ensure it is clear, informative and personal.
Ensure your personal statement is original and specific to your experiences.
Stay away from any negative content unless talking about how a difficult experience has made you stronger and more resilient, which will make you a better student.
Keep redrafting until you feel it is as polished as possible.

I am excited to apply to study psychology at a postgraduate level as I have always been fascinated by how the mind works. My interest in this psychology was there from a very early age when I tested in the 90th percentile as being very empathetic and supportive of other pupils at elementary school. During High School, I was able to volunteer to work on homework with young children who were homeless and seeing them cope with challenging emotional issues filled me with admiration for their resilience while wanting to let them know that I was there to offer academic support also.

During my undergraduate degree in biology, I was the president of the psychology club, where I worked with graduate students to complete several independent research projects on topics relating to young learners. As a result, I am keen to become a child psychologist, focusing on supporting young people who are homeless and in the foster care system.

I also volunteered at a local after-school club for vulnerable teens, where I was able to witness first-hand the impact that psychological support can have on an individual’s well-being. I believe that I learned as much from the experienced, committed counsellors there as I did in my early classes in psychology. I am deeply committed to entering psychology and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

I am confident that my passion, curiosity, and dedication to psychology make me a strong candidate for this program, and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue my studies at a higher level and become part of a new learning community.

With every academic paper and publication, I read since beginning to study medicine and psychology, my interest in the subject has grown. In light of my fascination with behaviour and the mind, as well as my interest in helping patients, psychology is my chosen subject for further study. It is extremely important to me to continue learning and building upon my knowledge, and I am full of admiration for grassroots charities making sure that all patients can access high-quality, affordable care.

With this in mind, I have volunteered for the past three summers at Rainbow House, where counsellors and psychologists help support people struggling with a range of addictions access counselling, and practical training and prepare to re-enter the workforce. I believe that without counselling as an intrinsic part of the process, they would not see the levels of success that they have.

While I enjoy being involved in this type of community project and foresee my involvement continuing for many years, my ambition is to continue my studies and complete a PhD, in order to lecture in psychology at college level. I believe that every field of medicine should have experts who are passionate about academic excellence and I want to use my talent for coaching and tutoring my peers at a higher level. I maintain a 4.0 GPA and have taken three extra credit courses while acting as a research assistant for Professor Dimbleby one day a week.

I feel prepared for the challenges that lie ahead and am eager to join a world-class team at Cornell to become the best that I can be and support others to be their best.

I have long had an interest in better understanding psychopathologies and wish to pursue a psychiatry residency at Ramsey Hospital after graduating from Cold Springs University Medical School. It has been fascinating to see the societal change in terms of acknowledging and talking about mental and social issues such as depression and anxiety as well as the contribution and importance of the inclusion of neurodivergent people in our communities. As a future psychiatrist, I am committed to treating every patient with respect and dignity, ensuring I am treating the person rather than focusing only on the diagnosis.

My psychiatry rotation during medical school was an enriching experience and I became confident in taking patients’ psychiatric history and conducting mental status exams. My ability to build rapport with patients and question them directly but respectfully, improved over the six weeks and I look forward to focusing more on these skills as I gain a deeper understanding of effective psychiatric care.

Last year I volunteered with a charity supporting mental health and neurodivergence awareness in Hanoi, Viet Nam, as I feel a deep connection with that country, thanks to having Vietnamese-American relatives. I learned that there are very few psychologists and even fewer clinical psychiatrists who can prescribe medication and treatment. As increasing numbers of teenagers and adults as well as younger children are being diagnosed with ADHD, as in the US, there are often long waiting times, and challenges in accessing medication. There is much work to be done on the use of non-stimulants to treat ADHD where stimulants such as amphetamines are ineffective and I completed my final research paper on this topic.

In Vietnam it was interesting to me to encounter some of the same prejudices as my older sister encountered from relatives and her primary care doctor, who insisted that my sister could not have ADHD because she is a well-paid, successful accountant. The struggle to balance and often hide symptoms of her condition has left my sister battling anxiety and depression and I am particularly interested in developments in treating ADHD in combination with depression, severe anxiety and other psychiatric conditions.

Following my residency my goal is to qualify as a psychologist and practice locally in Arizona while offering continuing long-distance support via Zoom to the team in Hanoi. I am determined to become an outstanding psychiatrist, enhancing my patients’ emotional well-being while supporting them as individuals with the best and most professional care.

Some of these questions were already covered in this blog post but I will still list them here (because not everyone carefully reads every paragraph) so here’s the TL;DR version.

What format should I use for my personal statement for psychology?

Your personal statement should include a brief introduction about yourself, your experiences, any past knowledge and why you want to study this specific course. Also include details of your relevant hands-on experiences (research, internship, volunteer, work, etc.) and what you learned from them.

Additionally, if you are applying to a PhD program, make sure to mention the name of the faculty member(s) you are applying to.

How should I structure my personal statement for psychology?

A personal statement for psychology should begin with an introduction about yourself, such as your experiences and any past knowledge that relates to the field, as well as why you want to study psychology.

The body of your statement should go into depth on your relevant hands-on experiences, such as research, internships, volunteering, or work. Be sure to provide details about what you did, the names of any organizations or people you worked with, and what you learned from the experience.

The conclusion should show how you are a good fit for the school/program/faculty member you are applying to, such as how the experience you mentioned has solidified your interest in the field.

Finally, it is important to ensure your statement flows. Take time to edit and proofread your statement to make sure everything connects and is cohesive.

What topics should I focus on in my personal statement for psychology?

Consider the aspects of the psychology course that you enjoy the most and do some additional reading beyond what you’ve been taught.

Additionally, provide specific examples of how you’ve pursued your interest in the subject, such as writing about a topic you’ve studied that you find fascinating or discussing a book or blog post that made you want to learn more.

Finally, consider which field of psychology you would like to specialize in and why.

What level of detail should I go into for my personal statement for psychology?

It’s important to go into specific detail about your interests and skills.

Avoid sweeping generalisations (I always get high grades) and give focused details (I maintain a 3.9 GPA).

Research the course you are applying for so you have a realistic idea of what you will be doing on it, and make sure to articulate why you want to study psychology.

What should I avoid when writing my personal statement for psychology?

When writing your personal statement for psychology, there are a few things you should avoid in order to give yourself the best chance of getting onto your desired course.

Firstly, avoid using an informal writing style or telling jokes. Use a professional and formal tone when injecting personality into your statement.
Be mindful of not giving too much personal information in terms of speaking about your own life events, mental health challenges, or learning difficulties unless they have made you stronger.
Finally, pay attention to your tone and avoid phrases such as “less fortunate people”. Stay away from using sophisticated language or phrases if you don’t understand them. Be honest and original.

How can I get feedback on my personal statement for psychology?

Ask trusted individuals, such as professors, mentors, and friends, to read over your statement and give feedback. This will help you to identify any errors or missing information that you may have overlooked.

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Example Personal Statement: Psychology

We analyse a student's personal statement.

This student applied to study Psychology and Criminology at Southampton, Royal Holloway and Swansea, as well as Psychology at Liverpool and Oxford Brookes. They received offers from all five of their universities.

Here we break their personal statement down into parts, analysing each section so you can learn from their experience.

I became interested in the relationship between human behaviour and the brain after a member of my family was diagnosed with dementia. Having noticed the relationships between the deteriorating condition and abnormal behaviour, I began to question how the brain affects memory and behaviour. My growing interest in the link between the biology of a person and their behaviour was what originally drove me to study Psychology A-Level. Studying Psychology at university will allow me to develop my research and problem solving skills as well as my interest in the mind and behaviour.

You should outline your interest in the subject without relying on one specific ‘lightbulb’ moment - in this example, the student has identified an initial interest and mentioned how they expanded on it to make their decision to study Psychology at university.

Careful not to make your response too emotive - mentioning poor health in your family as a stimulus for your interest is fine providing you keep your writing academic rather than emotional. If it’s too difficult to write about, choose a different driver.

One of the topics I found most interesting during my A-Level course was Psychopathology. This topic led me to research the inner workings of the atypical mind, particularly the mind of a criminal in Psychopath Whisperer by Kent Kiehl. The most engaging aspect of the book was a case study into a repeat offending paedophile. Despite all rehabilitation efforts failing, further investigation found a large tumour in his frontal lobe which, when removed, stopped all deviant behaviours. I find the relationship between psychology and criminology fascinating and looked into this further starting with Jim Fallon’s TED Talk ‘Exploring the mind of a killer’ where I learnt about the thought processes behind the crime, why criminals commit a crime, and whether they have free will. I used this research to help develop my understanding of my module on abnormal behaviour and would like to study this further.

Point out something specific you have studied that interests you, but avoid writing ‘I am passionate about…’. Evidence your interests by writing about ways you’ve explored your subject independently. Exploring things you find interesting without being told to by a teacher demonstrates your natural curiosity in the subject, and will give you the scope to write about your interest in topics that will be on your future courses.

Studying both Biology and Chemistry has helped me to develop my skills in conducting experiments, particularly my hypothesis writing and my ability to analyse experimental data. For example, in my Biology A-Level coursework, I studied the effect of caffeine on the breakdown of protein, hypothesising that protein breakdown would be faster after caffeine intake. I plotted my data on a variety of graphs and used them to identify the rate of the reaction. I explored my hypothesis further in psychology, looking into the effect of caffeine on mental conditions, including addiction. Using my in class research, I linked this to genetics and gene mutations as part of the nature vs nurture debate to bring in my interest in criminals as this is a key element of the study of criminal minds.

You don’t need to explain or even list the A-Levels you’re taking, but you should point out any transferable skills you’ve built, especially if they’re listed on your course page. For example, psychology courses tend to ask for scientific and analytical skills so this student has pointed out their skills in experiments, and they’ve linked this back to an interest in psychology to show how they can use their analyses across their subjects.

Remember that you need to answer the question ‘what makes me a good candidate for this course’, so pick out key examples that demonstrate that you are!

Recently, I attended a lecture by Dr Guy Sutton, a Professor in Neuroscience at Nottingham University. He discussed dissection, brain function and - most interestingly - the neuropathology of Schizophrenia. This led me to research the relationship between this mental illness and criminal behaviour. I was fascinated to find that, where previously it was thought that Schizophrenia drove people to violence, evidence has been uncovered to suggest that criminality is not a symptom of this condition, and the correlation between Schizophrenia and crime is due to the homelessness, poverty, or drug abuse that so often accompanies this illness. My research impressed upon me the importance of studying the mind; this new evidence changed both the way Schizophrenics are treated in society, and how mentally ill criminals are sentenced.

Research into and passion for your subject doesn’t have to be about reading - if you’ve visited a lecture, museum, or something similar, mention it to demonstrate your passion and commitment.

Make sure you don’t just mention the experience and move on; you should link together your experience and your reading, and reflect on what you learnt or how it improved your understanding of the subject. Linking your subject to real world events demonstrates to admissions tutors that you understand and appreciate its relevance in the world around you, and demonstrates that you are capable of processing and evaluating information independently.

I enjoy art where I love to explore the inner workings of the mind from a creative perspective. I entered a sculpture which represented motor neurone disease into a competition; I explored the conflict between the minds of both humans and animals, and my entry was exhibited in the Saatchi Gallery where I was asked to film a short video explaining my thought process behind the piece. I am also a bowler for both my District and County cricket teams where I was awarded ‘best bowler’ for three seasons for my hard work, dedication, and drive to improve. As a result of my improving teamwork and leadership skills, I am a Level 1 coach and have begun working towards my level two coaching certificate. I have recently been given the responsibility of running my own team where I hope to inspire the next generation of cricketers.

Don’t be afraid to highlight your achievements - you should be proud of them! Make sure you point out any accolades, awards, or competitions you have won or taken part in, alongside any extra curricular activities that have helped you develop your skills. You don’t have to link these back to your subject - the point of this section is to demonstrate your skills, not show that you are suitable for psychology. You don’t need a conclusion - use those characters to fill out your examples! If you do choose to end on a conclusion, write about what you are looking forward to studying, rather than any career goals; you are applying to be a student, not a future psychologist!

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If you're writing a psychology personal statement, describing your personal insights into the subject or how you've pursued your interest outside the classroom will impress over quoting Freud or Milgram (which might sound a little pretentious). That's what psychology admissions tutors told us when we asked them what they're looking for in your personal statement.

Five things to include in your psychology personal statement

The University of Bristol highlights five elements of a strong, academically focused psychology statement:

Ensure it is well structured and well written .
Give details of any specific interests or ambitions you have that relate to the content of the course.
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for psychological research as a focus for academic study.
Provide evidence of when you have pursued your interest in psychology outside the classroom (see above!)
Give examples of non-curricular activities you are involved in which indicate the contribution you are likely to make to university life. Any relevant work experience you have under your belt is also worth talking about. But if you haven't gained experience in the field directly, think creatively - there might be ways to link observations from your part-time job, voluntary work or extra-curricular activities to psychology. One successful applicant finished her statement with a short paragraph about her Saturday job on a supermarket fish counter, describing the satisfaction she got from knowing how to gut and fillet a mackerel. Linking her experience to psychology in an innovative but relevant way was a lot more interesting than just saying it had improved her teamwork or communication skills, which are a bit broad.

Psychology tutors tell it like it is

Here are some more points to avoid:

A lack of understanding: ‘Some applicants display a misconception of what psychology is. We want to know that you understand the importance of scientific elements of the course and the importance of statistics and experimentation’.
Not enough engagement with the subject: ‘Some applicants are rejected because of a lack of commitment to the subject, especially in cases where it appears that they’ve applied for a mixture of courses rather than five psychology ones’.
Making it too personal: ‘Some applicants expand too much on personal circumstances, such as mental health issues or life events. Studying psychology may not necessarily help, so don't overplay personal stories’.
Getting the tone wrong: don’t just say you ‘want to help people’ and don’t use inappropriate language like ‘less fortunate people’. Also, avoid inserting sophisticated language or phrases if you don’t fully understand them – ‘straightforward language is never a bad thing’.

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How to Create your Personal Statement for Psychology

What is a Personal Statement?

Commonly referred to as a “statement of purpose”, and by some as an “application essay”, a personal statement is your opportunity to introduce and sell yourself to a desired graduate program or college . In most cases, the personal statement can serve as the defining factor that allows students to stand out in a pool of applicants with equally high GPAs and test scores. Plus, a stellar statement of purpose could also help the applications of students who have unfavorable scores and grades.

Before You Begin…

Consider the type of personal statement required of you:.

Personal statements can range from a few paragraphs to several one-page essays that address different topics. They will vary widely between programs and schools, which means that you might craft quite a few of these application essays if you seek admission into various programs.

The objective of these statements all share a common thread: for the graduate committee to get a clear understanding of your career and academic aspirations as well as a sample of your writing abilities (a skill of utmost importance for comprehensive graduate study).

If Topics Are Chosen By You

The specific expectations of a statement of purpose might vary. Some schools might leave the direction and objective of the essay up to the applicant. In cases, you have the freedom to choose what you write about although, as a rule of thumb, essays should take on a professional/ academic focus rather than be personal or autobiographical. Don’t confuse personal statement with a long essay about your life growing up.

Instead, demonstrate your best attributes by outlining your fit, interests, previous experiences, servant leadership, research and courses you have taken that affirmed your dedication to the field of study. If you were not given specific questions, then be sure to touch bases with all of these that are relevant to your background in a logical and consistent manner.

If Topics Are Chosen By the Program

Other schools may provide you with a list of specific questions to answer pertaining to your career objectives and how obtaining an education with the particular program may advance you towards your goals.

Examples of specific topics outlined by graduate schools in psychology include:

Explain any previous work experience or teaching experiences you have in the field of psychology and why those experiences make you a strong candidate for our program.

Explain your long-term career goals.

Why do you think this program is a good fit for you?

How do you think this program can help you further your career objectives?

How has your previous education prepared you to take on study at the graduate or professional level?

What experience do you have conducting research? Rate your interest in conducting research.

What practitioners, researchers, or authors in the field of psychology have influenced your interest in this area of study?

Reflect on these questions or topic areas for a while before starting the writing process. Review your resume for direction about skills, experiences, or even lack of experience that you’ll want to identify and elaborate on in your paper. Write a list of attributes that you think describe you and consider how they are relevant to your interest in pursuing higher education.

During and After Writing…

Express your motivation.

When developing a statement of purpose for graduate schools in psychology, you will want to write at length about your particular interests, motivation, and passion for the field of study. Consider what experiences or traits you have that make you a better candidate than the hundreds of other applicants vying to gain admission.

Back up your expression of motivation with hard facts. The admissions committee wants a well-rounded candidate with a number of professional experiences that have helped clarify their ability to handle graduate study. Simply going on and on about how bad you want to be in the program with no relevant experiences that support that claim may not win you any favor.

Be Honest and Clear

When preparing a document that is virtually serving as a personal advertisement, you will write at length about the skills you possess that strengthen your application: academic curiosity, flexibility, maturity, persistence, and professionalism among others. When elaborating on your strengths, be sure to do so with respect to their relevance and importance. Do not go on about a characteristic that could be considered minor or irrelevant.

Also, be mindful of stating your goals and interests clearly and honestly. If you are not interested in a particular area, then leave out that information. Do not express an interest or ability that you do not have. It’s significant to discuss your weaknesses as well. If you have low test scores or a less-than-spectacular GPA, point that out in advance. Explain, if appropriate, why these aspects of your application are weak and follow up with a plan to rectify those aspects if you are accepted into graduate school.

Summary Points to Remember

At this point, you can’t change your college or graduate school entrance test scores or your grade point average. You can, however, make a significant impact during the applications process by developing a well-written statement of purpose.
Avoid writing at length about your personal history. Stick to the qualities and experiences that are relevant to your growth and abilities in the field of psychology.
Answer all questions from the application and be sure to meet the page or word count requirements.
Be sure to clearly and honestly relate your experiences and interests, also taking time to point out both strengths and weaknesses. Share how you plan to overcome those weaknesses or use them to your advantage.
Ask someone else to look over your statement of purpose–an advisor or professor in your department–who can give you straightforward feedback on its content.
Customize each personal statement to the program or school you are applying. Elaborate on how that particular program can assist you in reaching your goals.
During revisions, pay attention to the strength and dynamism of your opening paragraph. Your goal is to hook the readers and give them the desire to keep reading.

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Psychology personal statements

Scroll down this page to find a collection of real personal statements written by students applying to study economics and related courses at university.

Plus, over on The Uni Guide, we've also got advice from universities on what they want to see in a psychology personal statement .

Among the tips shared by admissions experts: really research the course; be sure to understand what psychology actually covers; show the range of your interest; cover relevant work experience.

Examples of real psychology personal statements

These psychology personal statements are written by real students. Among them you will find personal statements that have formed part of successful applications to universities such as Royal Holloway, Aberystwyth and Aberdeen.

Bear in mind, these personal statements are presented in exactly the way they were originally submitted to Ucas. Don't expect them all to be perfect! But by reading through a few of these samples, you'll be able to get some ideas and inspiration for your own personal statement.

More help with your personal statement

You can find personal statement examples for other courses by using this subject list, or by returning to our personal statements by subject page.

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Successful Personal Statement For Psychology At Oxford

Last Updated: 6th April 2022

Author: Rob Needleman

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 Psychology applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Psychology Course at Oxford is a scientific discipline, involving the rigorous formulation and testing of ideas. It works through experiments and systematic observation rather than introspection.

Read on to see how this candidate demonstrates their academic interests and initiative.

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement (the applicant uses most of the 4,000 characters available):

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

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

With our Oxbridge Psychology Premium Programme, your tutor will give you regular actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.

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Psychology Personal Statement

How does the mind work? The mind is a mystery housed within the most complex mechanism known to man: the human brain. My innate curiosity compels me to find out more about such a mystery through the study of Psychology.

I have long been interested in how our minds differ: for example, why have I always been a strong mathematician while my brother finds it challenging? Being a musician, I found Kathryn Vaughn’s research supporting a correlation between musical and mathematical abilities particularly thought provoking, while I have also wondered whether my childhood obsession with jigsaws helped me develop problem-solving skills, which are particularly relevant in Geometry: the area with the biggest rift in our abilities. Ann Dowker’s argument, in ‘Individual Differences’, that educational methods influence such differences was also particularly compelling. Therefore, in my gap year, whilst helping struggling learners in KS3 Mathematics at a local school, and, when I help educate children in Tanzania as an International Citizen Service volunteer with the VSO charity, I will evaluate the success of different educational methods. This will give me experience of carrying out my own research, and, will develop skills such as empathy, which is important in the more sensitive areas of Psychology. Furthermore, I recently assisted a University of Oxford researcher conducting follow-up assessments with children in local primary schools. These measured reading-age, language comprehension and numeracy level, and are used to gauge and refine the Catch-Up charity’s numeracy intervention programme. As some of the children being assessed were from a control group, my involvement also enlightened me to ethical aspects of research.

Differences that occur in the criminal mind are also of great interest to me. As an elected Student Ambassador for the Holocaust Educational Trust, I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau earlier this year, where I learnt about Rudolf Hoess. Hoess exterminated thousands of families, yet lived with his own family just outside the camp. This ignited an interest in complex behaviour; therefore I read Stanley Milgram’s research into whether ‘the Germans are different’, and learnt about his Theory of Obedience. This developed an interest in Forensic Psychology, and I subsequently attended a Forensics course at Nottingham University, where I learnt about a Forensic Psychologist’s role, during Mental Health tribunals, for example.

Deterioration of the mind, and methods to counteract this, also interest me. Reading the Psychologist has given me an insight into how the effectiveness of such methods could be analysed using a high-resolution 3D brain atlas; while a presentation from Claire Rytina enlightened me to useful cognitive treatment designed to rebuild and retrieve memory following her Viral Encephalitis. I have also voluntarily worked at a Nursing Home with some Dementia sufferers, and noticed that many sufferers enjoyed me playing music from their past, and sometimes, this triggered some of their memories. This made me wonder whether the music stimulated neurones which had lain dormant for years, similarly to when neurones are used for the first time, as Hubel and Weisel’s nature/nurture research has shown. Studying this in A level Biology gave me an interest in neuroscience, while Biology also stressed the importance of controls and fair tests, which are invaluable during Psychology experiments too. My mathematical skills in statistics will also be beneficial when analysing empirical evidence; and, the deep level of analysis and evaluation used for varying sources in A level History will be useful when studying case studies, while my essay techniques will help me when writing reports, and when considering issues from different perspectives.

Overall, I feel that my broad interests and skills will enable me to thrive as a Psychology student at a demanding University, where I would also make a positive contribution to University life.

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

Successful Personal Statement For Law At Cambridge

Successful personal statement for economics & management at oxford, successful personal statement for natural science (physical) at cambridge, successful personal statement for economics at cambridge, successful personal statement for land economy at cambridge, successful personal statement for chemistry at oxford, successful personal statement for geography at oxford, successful personal statement for classics at oxford, successful personal statement for law at oxford, successful personal statement for classics at cambridge, successful personal statement for engineering at cambridge, successful personal statement for philosophy at cambridge, successful personal statement for veterinary medicine at cambridge, successful personal statement for psychological and behavioural sciences at cambridge, successful personal statement for history at oxford, successful personal statement for physics at oxford, successful personal statement for cambridge mathematics and physics, successful personal statement example for computer science at oxford, successful personal statement for english at cambridge, successful personal statement for oxford english language and literature, successful personal statement for modern languages at oxford, successful personal statement for engineering at oxford, successful personal statement for natural sciences (biological) at cambridge, successful personal statement for ppe at oxford, successful personal statement for dentistry at king’s college london, successful personal statement for medicine at cambridge.

Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This statement is powered by a broad range of academic interests — all of which the candidate has explored to a deep and commendable level. They are able to articulate how these interests came about, why they are important and how they intersect. In so doing, the candidate clearly demonstrates their ability to think independently, undertake independent projects and foster a wide-ranging curiosity. Furthermore, they clearly illustrate how their academic interests have had a bearing on their actions outside of the classroom; activities that require a substantial amount of initiative and endeavour.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

While the consideration of a range of different areas of psychology is illustrative of a consistently curious individual, this statement would have benefited from greater cohesion as an overall piece. The candidate could have also found a less rhetorical way of opening their statement; their tone at this point is not a mode of speech that they return to elsewhere, and as such, it seems somewhat like a non-sequitur. Their prose thereafter is much more engaging, and it seems unfulfilling and irrelevant to include such mystifying text at the start.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This candidate maturely presents their academic interests and particular areas of personal pursuit. As a result of this, they are able to demonstrate moments at which they have taken impressive amounts of initiative, and have really gone out of their way in order to experience their academic interests outside of the classroom. They are thereby able to fashion themselves as a curious, energetic, academic individual, who is able to think independently and develop their own work. There are potential areas for stylistic improvement within the statement, but they do not hinder the overall impression given of a capable and committed candidate.

This Personal Statement for Psychology is a great example of demonstrating academic interest and initiative. The candidate’s interest and passion are clearly shown which is vital to Admissions Tutors.

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

Go to 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 Psychology application.

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How to write a psychology personal statement

Alberta Hargreaves

A student at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Writing a personal statement is one of the key tasks when applying for psychology at uni. Psychology and different psychological disciplines are quite competitive, so having a great personal statement can make all the difference. But sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s we’ve put together a guide on how to write a psychology personal statement, from how to structure it and what to write.

How to get inspiration for your personal statement?

How to write a psychology personal statement?

1. Get inspiration from course catalogues

More often than not, your university will have a course catalogue which will detail what your course is about and how it’s structured. Quite often they’ll have a list of topics, from this you can begin to list what you’ll want to include in your personal statement. For example, if your course specifically focuses on social psychology or neuroscience, then make sure to mention your experience with these things in your personal statement.

2. Research articles related to psychology modules

Researching articles about psychology modules can make you stand out from the crowd and make you sound like you know exactly what you’re talking about. Furthermore, it shows that you have the right attitude to research and a passion for your subject. The admissions team often look at skills shown within your personal statement and this is one way that you can do this.

3. Think about your future in psychology

What do you want to achieve by doing a psychology degree? What job or career do you aspire to? Whilst you may not know exactly what this might be, it’s always good to think about. Include details in your personal statement such as your career ideas, and what you’d like to achieve. Unsure of your job prospects after your degree, here is our article on what you can do with a psychology degree .

4. Your knowledge of psychology

Do you have a specific field of psychology that you know a lot about? A huge reason universities use personal statements is to gather an understanding of what your course expectations are. So showing your passion for psychology is also showing how you expect to flourish at their university. Ask yourself questions like:

Why do I like neuroscience?
What about behavioural psychology interests you so much?
Which field are you hoping to specialise in and why?

How to structure your personal statement

1. Read any supplied information before you begin planning or writing

UCAS has specific guidelines on how to write your personal statement. They only allow 4,000 characters or roughly 500-750 words. Keep this in mind whilst writing as it’s not a lot of words so use them wisely. If you’re not applying through UCAS, then make sure that you read about how the university wants the personal statement to be formatted, including the font/size details.

2. Outline your general points

Once you have your thoughts inspired, create a brief outline for your personal statement. In your outline include a brief introduction about yourself, why you want to study that course, your experiences, and past knowledge. This will help you with your structure.

3. How to write a hooking introduction

Take your time and show why you’re the best suited for this course. Tell them what is unique about your skill set, knowledge and experiences. Whilst it needs to be concise and informative, also make it authentic or you’ll sound monotone and lacking passion.

4. Discuss your experiences, skills, and interests in psychology

The personal statement isn’t just a reflection of you. It’s there to show why you are suited for a psychology degree. Tell them why you are passionate about psychology but also why your skills are suited to it. Also, back up your points with real-life examples as it gives your personal statement integrity. Examples can include personal experiences, second-hand experiences or what you’ve read that motivated you to do psychology.

5. Conclude with a good summary

In your conclusion, cover all your previously mentioned points in a concise manner. Avoid long fluffy sentences and aim to stick to the point. Make your reader feel motivated for you to go to university, by leaving them on a positive note. A good example would be to talk about why you are so excited to go to university.

6. Check, double check and triple check

No matter how good your points are if you’re personal statement is littered with grammatical and spelling errors it’ll leave the reader with a terrible impression of you. I would recommend installing software such as Grammarly ( check it out here ) so that you know where the errors are. Keep checking your statement as sometimes the semantics may be wrong or there is a better punctuation mark to use.

Tips for writing your psychology personal statement

Make your writing engaging from the beginning

Your first few sentences should be really engaging as a way to keep your reader captivated. Try using short punchy sentences but make sure they’re relevant. This will create a nice flow for your personal statement, which can help make you stand out, amongst the rest.

Keep a professional tone

Whilst you need to give your personal statement a bit of personality, make sure you use an appropriate tone. Avoid making jokes, fluffy content or informal phrasing. Use a professional and formal writing style.

Make sure your experiences represent the truth

This is a common mistake students make. Quite often they’ll glorify the truth or even outright lie, this is not a good way to write your personal statement. Not only can it jeopardise your university application, or ruin interviews if you have one. But most admission teams can tell when you’re lying, so it’s wise just to be honest.

Now that you can write your psychology personal statement, which uni will you apply to? Here is our list of the top universities for psychology in the UK .

Is Anglia Ruskin Uni good? – here’s 7 reasons why you should consider it!

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10 Reasons to Major in Psychology

A good career begins with a good education

Why should you major in psychology? Is psychology a good career? If you've ever contemplated pursuing a psychology degree, these are questions you've probably asked yourself.

Psychology is one of the most popular college majors among undergraduate students around the world Psychology ranks as the fourth most popular major, and over 100,000 U.S. students earn a bachelor's degree in this field each year.

Why is psychology so popular? A psychology degree offers students the opportunity for personal growth and opens up a huge range of career opportunities.

At a Glance

Psychology can be an excellent choice for a college major and career for many reasons. Getting a psychology degree can open the doors to many different careers and lead you to a job that is in high demand. It can also be a great way to learn more about yourself and make a real difference in people's lives. If you are wondering if psychology is the right choice for you , consider some of the following reasons why you should major in psychology.

Prepare for a Wide Variety of Careers

Tom M Johnson / Blend Images / Getty Images

Psychology is certainly not a one-size-fits-all career choice. In fact, one of the greatest strengths of a psychology degree is the enormous variety of career paths that are available to graduates.

Students can tailor their education and degree to focus on specialty areas that appeal to their interests.

Some of these potential professions include:

Clinical psychology
Sports psychology
Forensic psychology
Health psychology
Industrial-organizational psychology
Human factors psychology

Learn More About Yourself and Others

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Have you ever wondered why people behave in certain ways? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to learn more about your own mind, emotions, and actions? Earning a degree in psychology is an excellent way to gain a greater understanding of people.

These Skills Are Highly Transferable

In addition to satisfying your own interest in human nature, having a solid understanding of what makes people do certain things can be a very marketable skill in a wide variety of job settings, including social services , advertising, marketing, education, health care, and politics.

Find a Job That's in Demand

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The demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, and social services agencies is expected to fuel a positive job outlook for trained professionals. Three job areas expected to be in high demand are clinical psychology, school psychology , and industrial-organizational psychology.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of psychologists is expected to grow at a rate of about 6% between 2022 and 2032. This is in line with the average growth for all jobs.

Obtaining a graduate degree and getting postdoctoral work experience may give you an extra competitive edge if you want to work in a job directly related to psychology.

Enjoy Fun, Rewarding, Challenging Work

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If you love solving practical or theoretical problems, then earning a psychology degree might be a great choice for you. Some psychologists focus on developing solutions for real-world problems or helping people resolve complex emotional issues. Others delve deeper into our understanding of the human mind and behavior by conducting research and adding to the body of scientific knowledge.

Is Psychology a Good Career?

Research shows that most psychologists enjoy their work. Around 93% of psychologists in the field report feeling "somewhat" or "very satisfied" with their careers.

Make a Difference in People’s Lives

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If you’ve ever dreamed of making a real difference in other people's lives, earning a psychology degree can be an effective way to achieve that goal. Psychologists, counselors, therapists, and community services workers devote their time and energy to helping people overcome adversity, increase their well-being, and realize their full potential.

While this type of work can be emotionally demanding and stressful at times, it can also be very fulfilling.

Record, Analyze, and Interpret Data

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Psychology students spend a great deal of time learning about research methods and statistics . Even if you don’t particularly love the research process, learning more about how to gather, organize, analyze, and interpret data can be an important skill in a wide variety of careers.

For example, educators, administrators, scientists, marketers, and advertisers often perform such tasks in order to make decisions, evaluate progress, and complete projects.

Prepare for Graduate Study

An undergraduate degree in psychology can be an excellent starting point for graduate study. Many students choose to earn a graduate degree in psychology, while others opt to further their education in a related field such as counseling, education, or social work .

Even if you plan on pursuing a different field in graduate school, you may still find majoring in psychology helpful. Having a background in human psychology can also lead to further study in law, medicine, or the life sciences.

Pursue a Specialty

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Let’s imagine that in addition to your strong interest in psychology, you also love sports and physical fitness. While the two subjects might seem only distantly related at first, they actually make up a major specialty area known as sports psychology.

One benefit of earning a psychology degree is that you can pursue a career path aligned with your passions and interests.

A student who enjoys working with young children can specialize in developmental psychology with a focus on early childhood development , while another student who is fascinated by the aging process could earn a degree in the same subject with a focus on the elderly.

Interestingly, psychologists who specialize in working with aging people may also have particularly great job prospects. Geropsychology, a field that uses psychology knowledge to help aging adults, is expected to be a growing field in psychology.

Impress Potential Employers

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Employers highly prize the skills that you acquire during your study of psychology, such as analyzing data, communicating complex information, and understanding human behavior.

While around 64% of the 1.3 million people with a bachelor's in psychology say that their degree is directly related to their current career, the remainder put their knowledge of psychology to work in other professions.

These could include:

Advertising
Criminal justice
Health services
Human resources
Public affairs

Study a Topic You Love

The best possible reason to earn a degree in psychology is simply a love for the subject matter. If you look forward to going to your psychology courses , enjoy discussing psychology topics, spend your free time browsing psychology websites, and love learning new facts about psychology, then chances are good that earning a psychology degree is the right choice for you.

Clay RA. Trends report: Psychology is more popular than ever . Monitor on Psychology . 2017;48(10):44.

National Center for Education Statistics. Fast facts. Most popular majors .

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychologists . Occupational Outlook Handbook .

Lin L, Christidis P, Conroy J. Most psychologists are satisfied with their jobs . Monitor on Psychology . 2019;50(3):19

American Psychological Association. Geropsychology: It's your future .

Lin L, Ghaness A, Stamm K, Christidis P, Conroy J. Do psychology degree holders work in psychology jobs ? Monitor on Psychology. 2018;49(9):19

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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By Nik Taylor (Editor, The Uni Guide) | 18 August 2023 | 22 min read

How to write an excellent personal statement in 10 steps

Stand out from the crowd: here's how to write a good personal statement that will get you noticed

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Your personal statement forms a core part of your university application, and the sooner you get going, the better you can make it. You may think that your personal statement won’t matter as much to unis as your grades and experience but a great personal statement could make all the difference between you and a candidate with the same grades. Sure, your application might not reach that deal breaker stage. But is it something you want to leave to chance? Here we’ll take you through the process of planning, writing and checking a good personal statement, so you end up with something you can submit with confidence. And to make sure the advice we're giving you is sound, we’ve spoken to admissions staff at loads of UK universities to get their view. Look out for video interviews and advice on applying for specific subjects throughout this piece or watch our personal statement playlist on YouTube .

Are you looking for personal statement examples? Check our library of hundreds of real personal statements, on The Student Room

The university application personal statement is changing in 2025
University admissions service Ucas has announced that a new style of personal statement will be launched in 2025. This will affect anyone making a university application from autumn 2025 onwards. .

Personal statement deadlines

You'll need to make sure you've got your personal statement written well in advance of your application deadline. Below are the main university application deadline dates for 2024 entry.

2024 entry deadlines

16 October 2023: Deadline for applications to Oxford and Cambridge universities, along with most medicine, dentistry, and veterinary courses. 31 January 2024: Deadline for applications to the majority of undergraduate courses. After this date, universities will start allocating places on these courses – but you can still apply after the 31 January deadline , as this article explains . 30 June 2024: Students who apply after this date will be entered into Clearing .

Read more: Ucas deadlines and key application dates

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a central part of your Ucas application, where you explain why you’ve chosen a particular course and why you’ll be good at it. It's your chance to stand out against other candidates and hopefully get that all-important offer. You only write one personal statement which is then read by each university you apply to, so if you are applying for more than one subject (or it's a combined course) it's crucial that you include common themes or reference the overall skills needed for all subjects. Personal statements are especially important if you’re trying to get on a very competitive course, where you need to do anything you can to stand out to admissions tutors. Courteney Sheppard, senior customer experience manager at Ucas, advises that your personal statement is "the only part of the application that you have direct control over. Do lots of research to demonstrate your passion, curiosity and drive to pursue your chosen subject." There’s a limit on how much you can write: your personal statement can be up to 4,000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines of 95 characters (including spaces); whichever is shorter. This may appear generous (read: long) but once you've got going you may find yourself having to edit heavily.

Read more: teacher secrets for writing a great personal statement

1. Plan what you want to cover

The first thing you need to do is make a plan. Writing a personal statement off the top of your head is difficult. Start by making some notes, answering the following questions:

What do you want to study?
Why do you want to study it?
What is there about you that shows you’re suited to studying this subject at university? Think about your personality, as well as your experiences.
What are your other interests and skills?

These few points are going to form the spine of your personal statement, so write them in a way that makes sense to you. You might want to make a simple bulleted list or you might want to get all arty and use a mindmap. Whatever you choose, your aim is the same. You want to get it clear in your own head why a university should offer you a place on its course. Getting those details down isn't always easy, and some people find it helpful to make notes over time. You might try carrying a notebook with you or set up a memo on your phone. Whenever you think of something useful for your personal statement, jot it down. Inspiration sometimes comes more easily when you’re thinking about something else entirely. It might help to take a look at The Student Room for some sample personal statements by university and sample personal statements by subjects , to give you an idea of the kind of thing you want to include.

Read more: personal statement FAQs

2. Show off your experience

Some things are worth adding to your personal statement, some things are not. Firmly in the second camp are your qualifications. You don’t need to mention these as there’s a whole other section of your personal statement where you get to detail them very precisely. Don’t waste a single character going on about how great your GCSE grades are – it’s not what the admissions tutor wants to read. What they do want to see is: what have you done? OK, so you’ve got some good grades, but so do a lot of other applicants. What have you done that’s different, that shows you off as someone who really loves the subject you’re applying for? Spend some time thinking about all the experience you have in that subject. If you’re lucky, this might be direct work experience. That’s going to be particularly appropriate if you’re applying for one of the more vocational subjects such as medicine or journalism . But uni staff realise getting plum work experience placements is easier for some people than others, so cast your net wider when you’re thinking about what you’ve done. How about after-school clubs? Debating societies? Are you running a blog or vlog? What key skills and experience have you picked up elsewhere (eg from hobbies) that could be tied in with your course choice? Remember, you’re looking for experience that shows why you want to study your chosen subject. You’re not just writing an essay about what you're doing in your A-level syllabus. Use this checklist as a guide for what to include:

Your interest in the course. Why do you want to spend three years studying this subject at university?
What have you done outside school or college that demonstrates this interest? Think about things like fairs/exhibitions, public lectures or voluntary work that is relevant to your subject.
Relevant work experience (essential for the likes of medicine, not required for non-vocational courses such as English )
Skills and qualities required for that career if appropriate (medicine, nursing and law as obvious examples)
Interest in your current studies – what particular topics have made an impression on you?
Any other interests/hobbies/experiences you wish to mention that are relevant either to the subject or 'going to uni'. Don't just list your hobbies, you need to be very selective and state clearly what difference doing these things has made to you.
Plans for a gap year if you’re deferring entry.

Read more: 6 steps you need to take to apply to university

3. Be bold about your achievements

Don't be bashful about your achievements; that’s not going to help you get into uni. It's time to unleash your inner Muhammed Ali and get all “I am the greatest” with your writing. Do keep it focused and accurate. Do keep your language professional. But don’t hide your qualities beneath a layer of false modesty. Your personal statement is a sell – you are selling yourself as a brilliant student and you need to show the reader why that is true. This doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and if you’re finding it difficult to write about how great you are it’s time to enlist some help. Round up a friend or two, a family member, a teacher, whoever and get them to write down your qualities. Getting someone else’s view here can help you get some perspective. Don’t be shy. You are selling your skills, your experience and your enthusiasm – make sure they all leap off the screen with the way you have described them.

Read more: the ten biggest mistakes when writing your personal statement

4. How to start your personal statement

Type your personal statement in a cloud-based word processing program, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word and don’t copy and paste it into Ucas Hub until it’s finished. One of the benefits of doing it this way is that you can run spell check easily. (Please note, though, that Word adds "curly" quotation marks and other characters (like é or ü) that won't show up on your Ucas form, so do proofread it on Ucas Hub before submitting it to ensure it is how you typed it.) Another big benefit is that you'll always have a backup of what you've written. If you're being super careful, you could always save your statement in another place as well. Bear in mind that extra spaces (eg adding spaces to the beginnings of paragraphs as indentation) are removed on Ucas. In your first sentence, cut to the chase. Why do you want to do the course? Don’t waste any time rambling on about the daydreams you had when you were five. Just be clear and concise – describe in one line why this course is so important to you. Then, in the rest of your intro, go into more detail in demonstrating your enthusiasm for the course and explaining how you decided this is what you want to do for the next three or more years. However you choose to start your statement, just avoid the following hoary old chestnuts. These have been some of the most used lines in personal statements over the years – they are beyond cliche, so don’t even think about it.

From a young age I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by]…
For as long as I can remember, I have…
I am applying for this course because…
I have always been interested in…
Throughout my life I have always enjoyed…
Reflecting on my educational experiences…
[Subject] is a very challenging and demanding [career/profession/course]…
Academically, I have always been…
I have always wanted to pursue a career in…
I have always been passionate about…

5. Focus your writing on why you've chosen that subject

So you’ve got your intro done – time to nail the rest of it. Bear in mind that you’ve got to be a little bit careful when following a personal statement template. It’s easy to fall into the trap of copying someone else’s style, and in the process lose all of your own voice and personality from your writing. But there is a rough order that you can follow, which should help keep you in your flow. After your opening paragraph or two, get into any work experience (if you’ve got it). Talk about extracurriculars: anything you've done which is relevant to the subject can go here – hobbies, interests, volunteering. Touch on your career aspirations – where do you want this course to take you? Next, show your enthusiasm for your current studies. Cite some specific examples of current work that you enjoyed. Show off your relevant skills and qualities by explaining how you’ve used these in the past. Make sure you’re giving real-world examples here, not just vague assertions like “I’m really organised and motivated”. Try to use examples that are relevant. Follow this up with something about you as a person. Talk about non-academic stuff that you like to do, but link it in some way with the course, or with how it shows your maturity for dealing with uni life. Round it all off by bringing your main points together, including a final emphasis of your commitment to studying this particular course.

Read more: how to write your personal statement in an evening

6. How long should a personal statement be?

You've got to work to a very specific limit when writing your personal statement. In theory you could use up to 4,000 characters – but you’re probably more likely to be limited by the line count. That's because it's a good idea to put line breaks in between your paragraphs (to make it more readable) and you only get a maximum of 47 lines. With this in mind, 3,500 characters is a more realistic limit. But when you’re getting started you should ignore these limits completely. At first, you just want to get down everything that you feel is important. You'll probably end up with something that is far too long, but that's fine. This is where you get to do some polishing and pruning. Keep the focus of your piece on the course you’re applying for, why you want to do it and why you’re perfectly suited to it. Look through what you’ve written so far – have you got the balance right? Chop out anything that goes on a bit, as you want each point to be snappy and succinct.

Read more: universities reveal all about personal statements

7. Keep it simple

8. Smart ways to end your personal statement

Writing a closing line that you’re happy with can feel as tricky as coming up with your opener. What you’re looking for here is a sign-off that is bold and memorable. The final couple of sentences in your statement give you the opportunity to emphasise all the good stuff you’ve already covered. Use this space to leave the reader in no doubt as to what an excellent addition you would be to their university. Pull together all your key points and – most importantly – address the central question that your personal statement should answer: why should you get a place on the course?

Read more: universities explain how to end your personal statement with a bang

9. Make sure your personal statement has no mistakes

Now you’ve got a personal statement you’re happy with, you need to make sure there are no mistakes. Check it, check it a second time, then check it again. Once you’ve done that, get someone else to check it, too. You will be doing yourself a massive disservice if you send through a personal statement with spelling and/or grammatical errors. You’ve got months to put this together so there really is no excuse for sending through something that looks like a rush job. Ask your teachers to look at it, and be prepared to accept their feedback without getting defensive. They will have seen many personal statements before; use what they tell you to make yours even better. You’ve also got another chance here to look through the content of your personal statement, so you can make sure the balance is right. Make sure your focus is very clearly on the subject you are applying for and why you want to study it. Don’t post your personal statement on the internet or social media where anyone can see it. You will get picked up by the Ucas plagiarism checker. Similarly, don't copy any that you find online. Instead, now is a good time to make your parents feel useful. Read your personal statement out to them and get them to give you feedback. Or try printing it out and mixing it up with a few others (you can find sample personal statements on The Student Room). Get them to read them all and then try to pick yours out. If they can't, perhaps there's not enough of your personality in there.

10. Don't think about your personal statement for a whole week

If you followed the advice at the very start of this guide, you’ve started your personal statement early. Good job! There are months before you need to submit it. Use one of these weeks to forget about your personal statement completely. Get on with other things – anything you like. Just don’t go near your statement. Give it a whole week and then open up the document again and read through it with fresh eyes. You’ll gain a whole new perspective on what you’ve written and will be well placed to make more changes, if needed.

Read more: how to write your personal statement when you have nothing interesting to say

10 steps to your ideal personal statement

In summary, here are the ten steps you should follow to create the perfect personal statement.

Personal statement dos and don'ts

Remember that your personal statement is your personal statement, not an article written about your intended field of study. It should tell the reader about you, not about the subject.
Only put in things that you’re prepared to talk about at the interviews.
Give convincing reasons for why you want to study the course – more than just "enjoying the subject" (this should be a given).
For very competitive courses, find out as much as you can about the nature of the course and try to make your personal statement relevant to this.
Be reflective. If you make a point like 'I like reading', 'I travelled abroad', say what you got from it.
Go through the whole thing checking your grammar and your spelling. Do this at least twice. It doesn’t matter if you’re not applying to an essay-based course – a personal statement riddled with spelling mistakes is just going to irritate the reader, which is the last thing you want to do. If this is something you find difficult then have someone look over it for you.
Leave blank lines between your paragraphs. It’s easier for the reader to get through your personal statement when it’s broken into easily digestible chunks. Remember that they’re going to be reading a lot of these! Make yours easy to get through.
Get someone else's opinion on your statement. Read it out to family or friends. Share it with your teacher. Look for feedback wherever you can find it, then act upon it.
Don’t write it like a letter. Kicking off with a greeting such as "Dear Sir/Madam" not only looks weird, it also wastes precious space.
Don’t make jokes. This is simply not the time – save them for your first night in the union.
Don’t criticise your current school or college or try to blame teachers for any disappointing grades you might have got.
Be afraid of details – if you want your PS to be personal to you that means explaining exactly which bits of work or topics or activities you've taken part in/enjoyed. It's much more compelling to read about one or two detailed examples than a paragraph that brushes over five or six.
Just list what you're doing now. You should pull out the experiences that are relevant to the courses which you're applying to.
Mention skills and activities without giving examples of when they have been demonstrated by you or what you learnt from them. Anyone can write "I have great leadership skills" in a PS, actually using a sentence to explain when you demonstrated good leadership skills is much rarer and more valuable.
Refer to experiences that took place before your GCSEs (or equivalent).
Give explanations about medical or mental health problems. These should be explained in your reference, not your PS.
Apply for too many different courses, making it difficult to write a convincing personal statement which supports the application.
Write a statement specific to just one institution, unless you're only applying to that one choice.
Copy and paste the statement from somewhere else! This means do not plagiarise. All statements are automatically checked for plagiarism by Ucas. Those that are highlighted by the computer system are checked manually by Ucas staff. If you’re found to have plagiarised parts of your statement, the universities you apply to will be informed and it could jeopardise your applications.
Use ChatGPT or another AI program to write your personal statement for you. Or, if you do, make sure you thoroughly edit and personalise the text so it's truly yours. Otherwise you're very much at risk of the plagiarism point above.

You may want to look at these...

How to write your university application.

Tips for writing your university application, including deadlines and personal statements

The Ucas personal statement is changing in 2025

A question-based personal statement will be required as part of university applications from autumn 2025 onwards

How long does it take for universities to reply to your application?

It might feel like it's taking forever for your uni offers to come through. Find out what's going on, and when you should hear back

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Six reasons to study Psychology

Psychology is an interesting and popular degree, but why should you study it and how can it help you read through six of the best reasons to see if it's the course for you..

Looking for Clearing advice?

The Clearing concierge has the answers

1. Understand people better

Psychology could be the subject for you if you’re keen to explore the human mind and discover why we think and act the way we do. It’s a fascinating area where you’ll gain insight into people’s behaviours, perceptions and motivations.

2. Have an impact on society

Psychologists play a vital role in society, in aspects from education to the economy. It has helped children’s intellectual growth, discovered conditions such as PTSD and taught us ways to manage stress. As a psychologist, you could work towards improving people’s wellbeing.

3. Explore many career possibilities

There are plenty of professional options for you to pursue. Many graduates go into roles as clinical psychologists or counsellors in sectors including sports, education, forensics and law enforcement.

Others work as detectives, neuroscientists, careers advisors or consultants, for instance. A significant portion of graduates continue their research and become academics.

READ MORE
What graduates do and earn
Psychology subject guide
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Psychology subject table

4. Boost your social skills

As a Psychology student, you’ll get to understand the human condition, learn how to engage with people effectively and be able to discuss topics clearly. Communication is a critical element of our daily lives, and good interpersonal skills are beneficial for job interviews and workplace relationships.

5. Choose from a variety of course options

You don’t have to study straight Psychology if you don’t want to. Specialised courses include ones in animal behaviour or psychological and behavioural science.

You can opt for a dual Honours degree and combine Psychology with another discipline that interests you, such as philosophy, linguistics, modern languages, computer science, economics, film studies, history, criminology, education or biology.

6. Gain transferable skills

As well as the subject-specific skills you’ll develop during a Psychology degree, you’ll gain many transferable skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, project management and research.

These qualities are highly sought-after by many employers across different sectors – useful if you decide to pursue a career that’s not directly related to Psychology.

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I have always enjoyed mathematics, both learning and application. I have relished the course I have taken at college as it has a variety of areas and the opportunity to study different branches. I have particularly enjoyed areas of pure mathematics that I have covered since commencing A-levels and I have developed my enthusiasm for algebra by applying it to different problems.

I also feel that my statistical background will be advantageous to my psychology work. I have enhanced my assessment and evaluation skills through my A-level in Religious Studies, particularly the modules on philosophy and ethics. I feel that my study into ethics is advantageous when applied to the highly problematic field of psychological research.

My logical approach was also demonstrated with my AS-level in economics which gave me the opportunity to interpret data and the effect different factors have on a situation.

I demonstrated my people skills when I undertook work experience at a local special needs school after I had completed my GCSEs.

This week gave me the opportunity to assist teachers and carers with large groups of children of different ages and abilities. This included helping heavily disabled children with Physical Education lessons, autistic children with art classes and aiding pupils with severe epilepsy to do basic numeracy and literacy.

I also helped a group of teenagers, most older than myself with a range of physical and learning disabilities, to do basic cookery. I found this week very rewarding, although it was both mentally and physically taxing as children had to be supervised, and often assisted, at all times.

My part-time job at a doctor's surgery has made me more a responsible individual as I deal with patient confidentiality. I have also become more confident and gained a great deal of common sense as I deal with, and reassure, members of the public.

In my free time I enjoy participating in a variety of different activities. I am a member of a local gym which I attend several times a week, I am a keen horse-rider, I regularly go on skiing holidays and I have recently started Salsa dancing. I have also participated in Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards and hope to start my Gold Award.

I particularly enjoy the planning and undertaking of expeditions as they are physically challenging and encourage teamwork. I also enjoyed the 'service' required for the awards.

For my bronze award I helped at a local Brownie Pack and this included helping to prepare activities and going away on a 'Pack Holiday' residential weekend with the girls.

I was able to do this through my links with Guiding, I was a member of this organisation for ten years and was presented with my Baden Powell Award, the highest achievement that could be gained by a Guide.

I am a keen musician and I enjoy the clarinet, gaining Grade 2 with merit 5 years ago before focussing on pieces that I enjoyed including those in a Jazz-style in 'the Peter Brown Band'. and I have been a member of several choirs, the highlight being performing Honnegar's Joan d'Arc in the BBC Proms in the Albert Hall as a member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir.

As a member I also sang in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the Liverpool Cathedral and on 'Songs of Praise'. I am an active church member and I regularly volunteer at fund-raising efforts.

At college I am a charity representative. This position of responsibility involves fund-raising and selecting charities that the college supports, a role which I take seriously and enjoy doing.

For my silver Duke of Edinburgh award I volunteered at my local Oxfam shop for sixth months. I enjoyed meeting members of the public and working with others volunteers to raise money. I have also taken part in my church fund-raisers and I am currently training for the Liverpool Ladies 10km Run next year in aid of a local hospice.

I am a logical thinker and this, combined with my enthusiasm for the human mind, leads towards a future in a scientific field of psychology. The combination of my interests logically suggests a career such as that in ergonomics and this idea has been encouraged by a recent meeting that I had with team of psychologists concerned with Health and Safety.

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This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

A good statement, however.

Fri, 19/11/2004 - 00:00

A good statement, however opening sentance is very unoriginal

The only suggestion I would

Mon, 29/11/2004 - 00:00

The only suggestion I would make is to rephrase sentences to eliminate the word "I" in most cases.

Good job otherwise

'From an early age I have

Tue, 19/07/2005 - 00:00

'From an early age I have been intrigued by the human mind and how it works.' ....really very cliche of personal statements and not original. I didn't really find anything that grabbed my interest to sustain my reading in your statement and I fear that in top universities, many applicants will echo your achievements and your statement, therefore, will be overlooked.

theres too much information

Thu, 29/09/2005 - 00:00

theres too much information here about your A-levels...everyone applying for psych has a-levels so its not really that impressive. the rest is pretty good though...although it worries me that you have pretty much done everything i have...doesnt make me as original as i thought :s

clarinet grade 2 is very

clarinet grade 2 is very unimpressive...apart from anything else it just shows that you gave it up...not the dediacation they're looking for.

this person just makes

Mon, 10/10/2005 - 00:00

this person just makes themself sound like an over-acheiver, in a bad way and they just list it all which makes it very un-interesting.

Psychology comment

Thu, 19/04/2018 - 14:39

Your spelling and grammar need some attention!!!

I thought it was excellent

Fri, 04/11/2005 - 00:00

Impressive achievement but worrying

Mon, 07/11/2005 - 00:00

This seems a great statement, but mine too is basically identical. Worrying...

Wed, 09/11/2005 - 00:00

Very bland. here is a continuos repeat of "I" which seems too self obsesive and comes across in a bragging way. There is nothing in this statement that really grabs my attention"

I agree.. Too many I's..

I agree.. Too many I's.. I also don't think this reflects much passion for the field or for your related experience. Make it more exciting:-)

Mon, 19/06/2006 - 00:00

i think its very good

it was good

Mon, 10/07/2006 - 00:00

it was good i hope you get into the university of your choice

i thought this statement was

Wed, 27/09/2006 - 18:16

i thought this statement was very good! well laid out and i disagree with whoever said 'overachiever'. this kind of PS shows uni's ,in my opinion, that thios person is dedicated to their work and likes to aim high s they believe they can achieve it, just what Uni's are looking for. it certainly helped me with my statemnet in terms of layout etc!!!

Wed, 04/10/2006 - 21:45

one word...outstanding

It's good, but it is quite

Mon, 09/10/2006 - 00:18

It's good, but it is quite lengthy, well over the 4k character limit.

i think its really good, i

Mon, 23/10/2006 - 17:37

i think its really good, i agree the opening sentence is unoriginal however. this has really helped me with the writing of my personal statement

I agree with everything put

Tue, 21/11/2006 - 18:10

I agree with everything put here, although I did find it easier to know where to start once I seen it.

I haven't achieved a lot to

Sun, 26/11/2006 - 22:31

I haven't achieved a lot to ineterst my reader! i have just started living in htis country!

This person has practically

Sun, 09/09/2007 - 08:02

This person has practically done everything that I have!! Good statement, however it's rather monotonous, a bit more could be done to spice it up a bit.

Its similar to what ive done,

Mon, 01/10/2007 - 19:52

Its similar to what ive done, but just a litle better. What does the clarinet have to do with Psychology? Otherwise a pretty good personal statement. Which university are u applying too?

"I" alot

Wed, 10/10/2007 - 17:38

Not bad, however there are a GREAT many sentences that begin with 'I'. Variety is the spice of life...

this is quite a good

Wed, 17/10/2007 - 13:37

this is quite a good statement, however it is rather unrealistic due to the vocabulary and the style of writing. If i were to read this as a university enrolement employee, i would have the impression that it is not written by you, but has had lots of help.

good job!!!

Fri, 19/10/2007 - 04:09

the word I is repeated way

Tue, 13/11/2007 - 12:13

the word I is repeated way too many times, we know that its about you.

"this is quite a good

Sun, 25/11/2007 - 22:00

"this is quite a good statement, however it is rather unrealistic due to the vocabulary and the style of writing. If i were to read this as a university enrolement employee, i would have the impression that it is not written by you, but has had lots of help."

Really? I wouldn't think so at all. I think this individual has a wonderful vocabulary and a very clear writing style. As others have already said, a little more originality may be useful and it may be better to speak in the first-person less, however if you're doubting whether or not an 18 year old has written this alone then I think that says more about the 18 year olds you know than anything else.

Sun, 18/05/2008 - 02:01

This author uses the word a little too much. Overall is alright; however, there is some room for improvement.

This personal statement was

Thu, 09/10/2008 - 14:25

This personal statement was good. Many people have commented that this personal statement is not enthusiastic enough, i would say if this is not enthusiastic enough then what would be?

I agree with the styatements

Thu, 06/11/2008 - 13:26

I agree with the styatements about there being too many 'i's but the statement about 'overacheiver'. Thats the whole point of the personal statement the unis cannot interview everyone so this is each persons oppurtunity to sell themselves. You have to big yourself up in these otherwise the university won't believe the pitch your trying to give them.

Quite a good statement though

I stronbgly disagree with

Fri, 07/11/2008 - 12:55

I stronbgly disagree with whoever doubted the vocabulary to be genuine. I myself feel if anything it was somehat lacking in variety. I would also like to point out the the use of the word advantagous twice in the same paragraph. There are plenty of synonyms to to use and the fact that you have used it in the samer context in the same paragraph merely points out the limit of your vocabulary. Morover, i felt it was dull dispite it covering a wide range of topics.

i wrote a first couple of

Mon, 10/11/2008 - 16:10

i wrote a first couple of paragraphs while i was standing about at work, it sounded exactly like that and mine was WAY boring to read...

very well put

Thu, 13/11/2008 - 15:47

Some of the comments related

Tue, 02/12/2008 - 19:47

Some of the comments related to this statement are amusing to someone like myself who finds enjoyment in analysing peoples opinions. A lot of these comments smack of the breath of people with little or no self esteem :)

Great statment cheers

Fri, 12/06/2009 - 16:47

I used this as a basis to write my own statement and was offered places on all five of my choices

Good Statement. I do the same

Wed, 14/10/2009 - 14:26

Good Statement. I do the same A levels and have lots in common e.g. gym..duke of edinburgh..Jack Petchy...

writing my personal statement wont be as hard as i thought

Thu, 08/07/2010 - 09:43

Sun, 26/09/2010 - 23:45

you use the word enjoyed way too much :D

I think its good

Fri, 01/10/2010 - 19:51

I think its good BUT i agree wiv others who say that you add "i" too much. Is this for real btw? Looks a bit too much but if it is, sorry i said that and way to go! Yh and also i looks over the limit

reads like a shopping list

Mon, 18/10/2010 - 16:33

reads like a shopping list and you've done a lot of the same things as i have :s

One thing "wrong" with it is

Wed, 27/10/2010 - 20:32

One thing "wrong" with it is you havent talked enough about Psychology... and have talked too much about yourself... It should be mostly psychology and why you want to do it at university, and then a little bit about yourself and what makes you unique. Otherwise, the use of language is brilliant and really shows your intelligence, there is nothing else i would really critisize :)Hope you get onto the course, and the university of your choice. :D

Good attempt however.......

Fri, 26/11/2010 - 09:43

a good attempt however,I Adds a very monotone nature to the statement. there is not a lot that jumps at the reader. this statement seems like one that would be echoed by many other students as was mentioned in an earlier comment.

This PS has far too much

Sun, 10/07/2011 - 15:24

This PS has far too much focus on the extra curricular activities - there should be a lot more mention of their specific interests in areas of psychology and why they are interested in them. Also, the intro is very cliched and as others have said, too many 'I's that mean it doesn't flow very well

Fri, 24/02/2012 - 04:48

well i personally liked it and your idea of using ethics in solving psychological problem is really logical because i always do so and get success as well.what if we combine the psychological term with human energy transmission?hows one's thoughts hits powerfully on other's mind and no psychological expression works at that point of time?

Disconnected, Boring, Bragging

Sat, 22/03/2014 - 22:48

I am in the process of writing my own personal statement for a graduate school prep class. As I read this personal statement something my professor said kept coming to mind. He said "Show them how great you are, don't tell them." This particular personal statement made many broad remarks such as "I am a logical thinker" etc. but had nothing to back up these statements which made it sound like the statement was basically b.s.ed in my opinion. I also don't believe that it flowed well at all. There was a constant mantra of "I'm really great at this...and this....and also this" yet, these things were unrelated to each other not to mention psychology.

Mon, 11/08/2014 - 06:31

I would put your achievements in your CV or let them read about them in your academic record. The statement of purpose is an opportunity to tell them about the you that isn't so cut and dry. Let them find out who you are as a person and why you're worth working with.

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COMMENTS

How to Write a Great Psychology Personal Statement: Expert Tips
For these reasons, putting good preparation into the personal statement is incredibly important. For a psychology personal statement to be effective, it should be about you and why you wish to study psychology at university, as well as how you came to be interested in the subject. It should inform whoever reads it of your suitability for your ...
Psychology Personal Statement Examples
Psychology Personal Statement Example 5. Psychology has been a part of my life indirectly for many years, from something as insignificant as people watching in a cafe to an impromptu counselling session for a friend with emotional trauma. I have had a real desire to work with people for a long time and have always been fascinated with human ...
Personal Statement for Psychology: With Tips and Examples
Let your passion for the subject and your natural curiosity shine through in your personal statement, and make sure it is original and specific to your experiences. 3. Write down your initial ideas. When writing a personal statement for psychology, it is important to plan properly by writing down your initial ideas.
Writing a psychology personal statement: expert advice from
Remember that a personal statement should be written to persuade the admissions tutor that you're a good fit for the course and have the skills to succeed. Put yourself in their shoes and think about what would convince you. Be honest but avoid false modesty. Sell yourself as a future psychologist in the making.
Example Personal Statement: Psychology : Unifrog Blog
Here we break their personal statement down into parts, analysing each section so you can learn from their experience. I became interested in the relationship between human behaviour and the brain after a member of my family was diagnosed with dementia. Having noticed the relationships between the deteriorating condition and abnormal behaviour ...
Writing a Personal Statement
Begin by developing a general outline highlighting the key points that you would like the selection committee to know about you. Be sure to list what aspect (s) of psychology is/are most interesting to you, and provide reasons behind your motivation.Then, use this information to create an opening paragraph that frames the rest of your essay.
Psychology Personal Statement Writing Guide and Example
How to write a psychology personal statement. Here are some steps to help you write your personal statement: 1. Read the instructions thoroughly. The first step to writing an effective personal statement is to know what your audience expects from your essay. Take time to read the essay instructions for all the institutions for which you plan to ...
Psychology Personal Statement Advice
The University of Bristol highlights five elements of a strong, academically focused psychology statement: Ensure it is well structured and well written. Give details of any specific interests or ambitions you have that relate to the content of the course. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for psychological research as a focus for academic study.
Psychology Masters Personal Statement Sample
This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Psychology. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement. The effects of psychological trauma can be diffuse and difficult to treat, with wide-ranging causes and an unfortunate range of symptoms. Having witnessed first-hand the consequences ...
How to Create your Personal Statement for Psychology
Customize each personal statement to the program or school you are applying. Elaborate on how that particular program can assist you in reaching your goals. During revisions, pay attention to the strength and dynamism of your opening paragraph. Your goal is to hook the readers and give them the desire to keep reading.
Exemplar Psychology Personal Statement with annotations from ...
[1] The personal statement begins by highlighting the applicant's fascination with the study of Psychology, emphasizing its unique blend of scientific rigor and humanistic understanding. Their mention of Oliver Sacks' works, "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" and "Awakenings," demonstrates their early exposure to the complexities of ...
How To Write A Psychology Personal Statement
Your personal statement should integrate your personal interests, subject knowledge and extracurricular experience. For psychology, we suggest focusing on four main areas: your personal interest in psychology and link this more explicitly to the range of ways you have explored the subject; your academic abilities and how these will ensure you ...
Psychology personal statements
Plus, over on The Uni Guide, we've also got advice from universities on what they want to see in a psychology personal statement. Among the tips shared by admissions experts: really research the course; be sure to understand what psychology actually covers; show the range of your interest; cover relevant work experience.
Psychology Personal Statement Example 10
Psychology Personal Statement Example 10. Sigmund Freud - "Dreams are often most profound when they seem the most crazy.". There are few other things that arouse greater fascination than the human mind itself, its complexity and the mystery which enshrouds it has always appealed to me, which is why it is my dream to study psychology at ...
Successful Personal Statement For Psychology At Oxford
This Personal Statement for Psychology is a great example of demonstrating academic interest and initiative. The candidate's interest and passion are clearly shown which is vital to Admissions Tutors. Remember, at Oxford, these Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal ...
How To Write a Compelling Psychology Personal Statement
6. Conclude with a clear summary. Just like the introduction, a good conclusion to your psychology personal statement can leave a lasting impression on the reader. Try to cover all the important points that you have mentioned in a clear, concise way. Avoid too many fluffy, long sentences and stick to the point.
How to write a psychology personal statement
Outline your general points. Once you have your thoughts inspired, create a brief outline for your personal statement. In your outline include a brief introduction about yourself, why you want to study that course, your experiences, and past knowledge. This will help you with your structure. 3.
10 Reasons Why You Should Major in Psychology
Prepare for Graduate Study . An undergraduate degree in psychology can be an excellent starting point for graduate study. Many students choose to earn a graduate degree in psychology, while others opt to further their education in a related field such as counseling, education, or social work.. Even if you plan on pursuing a different field in graduate school, you may still find majoring in ...
Psychology Personal Statement Examples
PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES. Discover personal statement examples written by students accepted onto and related courses. Read through the examples to help shape your own personal statement. All Statements. Calling all curious minds! BPS Accredited degrees at Swansea. Delve into the brain and behaviour with Swansea's Psychology degrees.
PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE
Study Psychology at Bradford, a BPS accredited degree, for the perfect start to a future bettering other peoples' lives and mental health. ... Psychology Personal Statement . My first experience in the field of psychology was in year 9, I was asked to complete a project of my choo...
How to write an excellent personal statement in 10 steps
Use your closing couple of lines to summarise the most important points in your statement. 9. Check your writing thoroughly and get someone else to check it, too. 10. Give your brain a rest by forgetting about your personal statement for a while before going back to review it one last time with fresh eyes.
Six reasons to study Psychology
1. Understand people better. Psychology could be the subject for you if you're keen to explore the human mind and discover why we think and act the way we do. It's a fascinating area where you'll gain insight into people's behaviours, perceptions and motivations. 2. Have an impact on society.
Psychology Personal Statement Example 1
Psychology Personal Statement Example 1. From an early age I have been intrigued by the human mind and how it works. This interest has been enhanced through my study of psychology. Although I have only studied this subject for a relatively short period of time, I have enjoyed the variety the A-level course provides and I feel I have had a ...

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Table of Contents

1. Understand the Course and Application Requirements

2. Identify your interests

3. Write down your initial ideas

4. Write your personal statement

5. Revise your personal statement

What format should I use for my personal statement for psychology?

How should I structure my personal statement for psychology?

What topics should I focus on in my personal statement for psychology?

What level of detail should I go into for my personal statement for psychology?

What should I avoid when writing my personal statement for psychology?

How can I get feedback on my personal statement for psychology?

Example Personal Statement: Psychology

This student applied to study Psychology and Criminology at Southampton, Royal Holloway and Swansea, as well as Psychology at Liverpool and Oxford Brookes. They received offers from all five of their universities.

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How to Create your Personal Statement for Psychology

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