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• Thoroughly research your chosen degree programme (core courses and elective options) and institution.
• Don't rush: give yourself plenty of time to complete your personal statement. This may take several drafts.
• Follow the instructions: take careful note of word counts and other guidelines.

A good personal statement will demonstrate why you are applying to this specific course at this institution. Demonstrate that you have researched the programme thoroughly. Refer to specific modules, research themes, placement opportunities or facilities that particularly interest you and explain how these connect to your academic interests and future plans.

Your statement should include:

• An opening paragraph which starts with a good strong opening statement and explains why you have decided to apply.
• Information and reflection on your relevant studies and how this new programme will build on your existing knowledge.
• A summary of any relevant work and/or volunteering experience.
• How this programme will help you in realising your career goals.
• A conclusion which sums up what you have to offer and why you want to study at that particular institution.

You can organise your information in different ways but following the order above should give you a good logical structure and flow.

For research degrees, highlight any dissertation, independent project, research methods training, publications or presentations that demonstrate your ability to undertake advanced research.

If you are given guidance on the length and content of your statement, ensure that you follow this carefully. If no guidance is given, we recommend to aim for no more than one and half pages (around 500-750 words).

AI tools can support brainstorming and proofreading, but your personal statement should represent your own experiences, reflections and writing style. Admissions tutors value authenticity and may recognise generic AI-generated content.  You should ensure you comply with the institution's guidance and instructions about the use of GenAI in creating personal statements.

Once you have drafted your personal statement and double-checked the spelling and grammar, we can provide feedback on the content, quality and impact of your document. Please submit your statement via our .

You can also book a but please be aware that this may not always be enough depending on the length of your statement.

Visit our resources section for more information on how to write an effective personal statement.