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Leicester University Personal Statements

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

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

History and Economic History Personal Statement Example Studying History at degree level has been my interest since my first ever history lesson in High School, for it is a subject that invites debate and feeds my inquisitive side. I have always been intrigued by what has happened before us and how it has led to where we are now...

Maths Personal Statement Example 3 I am extremely enthusiastic about my decision to read Mathematics at university as for as long as I can remember Maths has always been my main academic interest. From learning to count at primary school, to studying calculus towards my Mathematics A level, I have found this subject intriguing due to its obvious application to the real world...

French and Hispanic Studies Personal Statement Example For me, learning languages means breaking down the barriers between different cultures and people. I spent 5 years living in Germany as a child which proved to be an invaluable experience as, despite going to a British army school, I was able to appreciate a completely different culture to my own and learn basic German...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 7 Keeping up to date with world news online, aroused my interest in psychology . I was particularly captivated by the articles about abnormal behaviour such as self-harm; one of the reasons for this being the alarming rise in the number of victims over the years, which made me curious about its causes ...

Economics & International Relations Personal Statement Example Growing up in a deteriorating global economic climate I have come to appreciate the extent to which economics influences the relationships between nations, and the importance of competent macroeconomic management...

Maths and Actuarial Science Personal Statement Example Maths is a subject like no other; its complexity makes it a challenging and often frustrating area of study, however the logic behind every problem leaves a feeling of certainty about it. My devotion to the subject has grown exponentially, especially in recent years...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 3 When I was seven years old, I first read 'Twist of Gold' by Michael Morpurgo. When reading the book I was captivated by the absorbing plot, beguiling characters and incredibly vivid imagery. Since that time, I have been a passionate reader, particularly admiring the fluidity and profound depth of character and emotion that can be found in work by authors such as Sylvia Plath and Doris Lessing...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example (IB background) Few aspects of life fall outside the scope of chemistry and this is what fascinates me about this dynamic and fundamental science subject. From a young age I have enjoyed and excelled in mathematics which reflects my logical and enquiring mind...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 40 I graduated from the University of Southampton in July 2008 with an upper second class honours degree in podiatry. Since leaving university I have worked as a locum podiatrist. The majority of my role involves working independently in the community providing a high standard of quality clinical care to patients who self present or are referred to the service...

Postgraduate Medicine Personal Statement Example Quite simply it is my curious nature which has always underpinned my desire to study medicine; the sheer complexity of both the human body and its healing processes have always fascinated me and, during my time in 6th form and subsequently while studying for my BSc...

Economics and Economic History Personal Statement Example Over the past few years I have developed a strong interest in the Economic history of the UK. I have become interested in how the UK's economic policy over centuries has built the UK into one of the world's most economically developed countries today...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 53 I have asked myself many times what it takes to be a great doctor, but like many questions there is never a straight answer. Keeping an open mind with regards to my career has meant that I have been able to pinpoint the one field which has fascinated me unlike any other, medicine...

Engineering Personal Statement Example 19 Physics is that branch of science without which science is just like a beautiful lamp with no light. For centuries, mathematicians and physicists have made plenty of scientific contributions thus helping the world make a better place to live...

Physics Personal Statement Example 10 My fascination for how things work is something that has always been a part of me. Why am I pulled back towards the ground when I jump? How can an airplane that weighs so much fly? In later years I learned that these questions, these as I thought to be unexplainable phenomena, could all be answered through Physics...

Management Studies Personal Statement Example As a witness to the global financial crises, I was struck by the importance and relevance of organisational management. I first applied bookkeeping and devised marketing plans for my mother’s business at the age of twelve...

Business/Human Resources Personal Statement Example In a turbulent economic and social climate, business remains of core importance. It is a crucial element of our lives, working as a catalyst for innovation, which is why I wish to study it at undergraduate level...

Sociology Personal Statement Example 10 I have, for a long time, been interested in the inner workings of society: how and why subcultures develop. Also, how political policies shape the direction of society for years and I wonder why people act in the way they do (here, I have sympathy with Robert Owens' view that we are mostly the mere products of our environment), not only how we shape society, but how it shapes and changes us...

English and Film Personal Statement Example From reading my first Roald Dahl book, peppered with magic and mischief, to writing my first short story, I have always known that my drive and passion for English was destined to be more than a hobby...

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

Law Personal Statement Example 83 Currently I study English language, history and law. Out of the three I find law the most fascinating because it is the foundation of anything that occurs in society. Learning about how decisions are made in law, the constant arguments to reach a fair judgement and the on-going evolution of the law to adapt to society makes me enthusiastic to learn more...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 70 The challenge of spending my working life immersed in the fascinating, ever-evolving world of the medical sciences, and the opportunity to use this knowledge to benefit others, has drawn me to seek a career in medicine...

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

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

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 58 I could tell you why am interested in computer science until the cows come home, but to give you the fundamentals I would so passionately tell you that this course is one of the few disciplines which truly embodies the days of tomorrow...

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What to include in a Personal Statement

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Nail your uni application with our personal statement examples.

Discover personal statements by subject, from A to Z. Find inspiration for your own application with these successful personal statement examples from real students.

A-Z of Personal Statements

Learn from previous student personal statements here. We have collated over 700 personal statement examples to help you on your university journey and to help you with how to write a personal statement.

These personal statement examples will show you the kind of thing that universities are looking for from their applicants. See how to structure your personal statement, what kind of format your personal statement should be in, what to write in a personal statement and the key areas to touch on in your statement.

A personal statement is a chance to tell your university all about you - a good personal statement is one that showcases your passion for the subject, what inspired you to apply for the course you’re applying for and why you think you would be an asset to the university.

Our collection includes personal statement examples in Mathematics, Anthropology, Accounting, Computer Science, Zoology and more.

Writing a personal statement has never been easier with our vast collection of personal statement examples.

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Personal Statement Help

What is a personal statement.

A personal statement is an essay written by a student applying to either a college or university. A personal statement is written and then uploaded to UCAS and is then attached to any university applications that the student may then make.

If you need more information check out our personal statement advice articles .

How to write a personal statement

There isn't a clearly defined personal statement template for you to use as each person's statement is different.

When it comes to writing a personal statement for universities, your personal statement should touch on your passions, your interest in the course, why you're applying for the course and why you would be an asset to the university you're applying to.

Talk about the clubs and societies that you belong to, any work experience you may have and any awards you might have won.

If you're still looking for information check out our article on how to write a personal statement .

How to start a personal statement

When it comes to starting your personal statement, the best thing to do is to be succinct and to have enough tantalising information to keep the reader informed and eager for more.

Your introduction should touch on your personal qualities and why you are applying for the subject you're applying for. Keeping things short and sweet means that it also allows you to break your personal statement up, which makes it easier for the reader.

We have plenty of advice for students that are wondering about what to include in a personal statement .

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Personal Statement Tips

Creating your personal statement.

A personal statement is a short piece written by you to tell universities about yourself, show them why you are a great candidate for their course, and create a good impression. All of your choices receive the same statement which has a limit of 4,000 characters or 47 lines. This page will give you advice and suggestions on what you may want to include, but remember that your statement is personal to you and there is no one right way to write one.

Key Things to Remember

Limit of 4,000 characters or 47 lines

One statement sent to all of your choices

The statement is unique to you

A key opportunity to promote yourself and your skills

Why Do You Want to Study This Subject?

Consider why you want to study this course. It may be that there are certain elements which interest you, you have done work experience which sparked your interest, or you want to continue previous studies. Remember, everybody has different reasons for studying a course so make sure you are being specific to you. It is also always better to give a reason for studying than making generic statements such as: 'I have always wanted to study this subject.'

What Skills and Achievements Do You Have?

This is your opportunity to begin thinking more broadly about what you can bring to university. Consider the skills you have developed that relate to studying. This could be being an independent worker, having great time management skills, or being an excellent researcher. Make sure you have done your research on what learning at university is like, as it may be different to anything you have done before and will require different skills. When talking about your skills always make sure to give examples to back them up.

What Are Your Hobbies and Interests?

Think about what hobbies and interests you have and how they set you apart from other applicants. For example, playing a sport can show determination or collecting memorabilia can show you are passionate about something. It may be that these things have influenced your decision to study this subject, and if so then make sure you mention it.

You don't just have to link your hobbies and interests to what you want to study. You could talk about how you are going to contribute to student life by joining sports teams and societies.

What Are Your Future Plans?

Universities are interested in what you plan to do with your degree and why this route is right for you. It is a good idea to write about your career aspirations and how your degree is going to get you there as this shows you have really thought about your decision to study. Don't worry if your degree doesn't link to a particular career or you have not decided what you want to do in the future. It may be you want to study a particular subject to open up opportunities in that area, you want the skills that degree gives, or you just want to know more about that subject. The important thing is that you show you are thinking about what comes after university.

Advice for Mature Students

If you are a mature student then it may be a good idea to talk about what you did before you decided to return to education as this helps to give context to your decision. You could also talk about why you have chosen to come back to education, relevant experience either through paid or unpaid work, or what you want to do with your degree.

Advice for International Students

If you are an international student, it may be a good idea to tell universities why you want to study in the UK and why you can successfully complete a course that is taught in English. Make sure you mention if some of your studies have been taught or examined in English and if you have taken part in any activities where you have used English outside of your studies.

Personal Statement Advice Video

Take a look at one of our previous Live Lounges which gives lots of helpful advice for your personal statement.

Get Your Personal Statement Questions Answered

Education Liaison Team University of Lincoln Brayford Pool Campus Lincoln LN6 7TS

[email protected]

+44 (0)1522 886644

Personal statement tips

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

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

What is it?

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

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

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

Maximum length

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

What to include

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

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

International and EU students

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

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

What to avoid

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

Our top tips

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

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Your Guide to Personal Statements

It’s been a long journey across your four years as an undergrad. You tried the different topics and modules and in your final year, you spent time deliberating your next step.

In today’s hyper-competitive jobs market, a postgraduate qualification is a big advantage for climbing the career ladder – and it will give you the chance to gain expertise in a subject you love.

So, you’re finally sitting down to write the application for the perfect postgraduate course – this should be the easy bit, right? But it’s a typical pressure-cooker situation. Your heart is so set on getting on this course, you get writer’s block when you reach the ‘statement of purpose.’

With so much competition for places on postgraduate courses, your application is crucial to getting accepted on the course. Here are some insider tips on how to make your application stand out and make sure you get on the educational track to fulfilling your dreams.

Creating the ‘statement of purpose’ for your postgrad application

Research your course.

It may sound obvious, but before writing your statement of purpose, make sure you do solid research into the course. Gavin Connell, Head of Careers in UL, recommends asking several key questions:

• Can you break down the course title into a summary of the main learning points?
• What course material will be covered in each module?
• What is the output of each module, in terms of skillsets and potential careers?

“Don’t be afraid to contact the head of each course,” he advises, “and ask them for the information you need. They are experts on the course material, and on the future careers and skillsets connected to each module.”

You’ll need to know exactly what is taught and what you’ll need to learn yourself. Familiarise yourself with the facilities on offer, each module, and crucially, why you want to learn these subjects. Make sure you know how you will fund your studies too.

As a final point of note, prioritise research and a clean edit.

“Do not submit your application until it’s as polished and well-researched as it can possibly be,” advises Sarah Moore, Course Coordinator for Creative Writing and Dean of Teaching and Learning in UL.  

“It should have something of you in it but treat it as thoroughly professional application.”

Write an informal statement to yourself

You may be asked to provide a statement of purpose or a personal statement to accompany your application. Some people get stressed at the thought of having to explain their interest in the course, particularly if it’s a course that they are especially committed to. Instead, think of the statement of purpose as your chance to shine. Use it as a platform to set out all that you want to achieve within your chosen field.

Although this statement usually isn’t any longer than 700 words, you should spend several hours on it, to get it right.

“Don’t undersell yourself; it’s a competitive process. Put in all the relevant information you have. But be truthful and authentic,” Sarah advises.

“It’s also really important to evidence that information. The more hard evidence you can show about what you can say about yourself the better. You need a convincing trail of evidence.”

Before you write the formal wording, it’s a good idea to write an informal statement  to yourself.  This will help you harbour your true ambitions and your words will flow more easily. Ask yourself informal and forward-thinking questions, like “What makes me most excited to do this course? Where do I see it taking me in five years?”

Edit and revisit after 24 hours

It’s a good idea to revisit your statement 24 hours after you think it’s finished. You’ll be surprised what fresh eyes can pick up on. Try to rewrite the draft and tidy it up as much as you can. Direct sentences and clean structure is key. Ask someone to cast their eye over it before submitting (it’s even better if you can ask anyone who has experience editing content).

Show evidence of your interest

You should have a genuine interest in the subject you want to study and more importantly, you should be able to demonstrate that interest. Think: writing or blogging on the subject, conducting your own research or belonging to an organisation associated with the topic.

Dot the Is and cross the Ts

The requirements for every course are different, so make sure you tick all the boxes when making your application. The documents you’ll need may include:

• Certified results for all examinations mentioned on your application form.
• Confirmation of the award of your qualifications.
• Evidence of English language proficiency.
• Certified translations of your award and transcripts (if they aren’t in English).
• A copy of your birth certificate or passport.
• You may also be asked to provide references (make sure to ask for these two weeks in advance).
• An up to date CV
• Last but not least: don’t forget the application fee.

We hope this supports you on your journey to Stay Curious.

Stay Curious and register your interest to stay informed about postgraduate and professional courses at UL.

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Personal Statements

Writing the personal statement.

Writing your personal statement can seem like a daunting process. Watch or share our helpful video with tips on what to include and how to get started. 

Personal Statement Mind Map

Download and print copies of our personal statement mind map – great for getting students started on their personal statements. 

UCAS Personal Statement Timeline

Download and print copies of UCAS personal statement timeline. 

Personal Statement Checklist

Download and print copies of our Personal statement checklist – great for students to use as a final checklist on their completed personal statements.

UCAS Personal Statement Advice

The UCAS website contains lots of advice and guidance on writing a personal statements. Find out more on their website. 

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• Careers and Employability Service
• Application forms

Cover letters

Personal statements.

A cover letter will often accompany your CV when you are applying for a work or study opportunity. So even if you spend lots of time perfecting your CV, your application can still be affected by the quality of your cover letter. It is therefore important that you take time to create a well-structured cover letter targeted to each and every opportunity you apply for. View some examples of cover letters on the Target Jobs website .

The purpose

• To encourage an employer to read the accompanying CV or application form
• To draw together relevant facts from your CV or application form and shape them to the needs of the employer; demonstrating your ability to do the job/course
• If speculative: to explain why you are sending your CV

If you are asked to send a ‘letter of application’, you might treat this as an extended cover letter. The tips provided in these pages will also help you to construct this type of letter.

Preparation

• Research the company or organisation using resources such as the company or organisation's website, recent news articles or their social media.
• Thoroughly research the role/course you are applying for including the main duties and responsibilities of the opportunity are or what modules and projects are available throughout the course
• Identify aspects of the role or course that are most important to you
• The length of a cover letter should be about one side of A4, using a font of no smaller than 11. Using a matching font and style to your CV gives your application a coherent and professional look. If the employer is asking for a lot of information and you can’t fit it onto one side, don’t reduce the font size any smaller – it’s better to go over two sides in a readable font than squeeze your information onto one side
• Occasionally you may be asked for a handwritten cover letter. As handwriting generally is larger than typed text, it is usually OK to go onto two pages

A top tip we can offer is to tailor your cover letter for each application. You can adapt information you cut and paste from previous applications, however be very careful that it is appropriate to the job you are applying for.

When planning, consider the following points:

• What are your key strengths in relation to the opportunity?
• What has motivated you to pursue this opportunity?
• You may need to illustrate how your skills satisfy the requirements (e.g. Leadership, Team work, Communication) so think of some examples of where you will have demonstrated these (such as work experience, university experiences, volunteering, Leicester Award, Internships, interests, hobbies)
• What differentiates this job and company to you from their competitors?

Writing your first draft

Make sure that your cover letter/statement has a clear structure, so that the employer can easily recognise what you are addressing. We suggest using a structure similar to this:

I.C.M.E Structure

I – Introduction: A brief opening to introduce yourself and outlining the position or opportunity you are applying for and where you saw it advertised.

C – Capability: One to two paragraphs that explains why you are suitable for the role. You should refer to the job/course description and demonstrate how you meet the requirements for the opportunity.

M – Motivation: One to two paragraphs that detail why you are interested in the company/institution and the position/study. Make sure you are specific and demonstrate that you have done your research.

E – Ending: A couple of lines that thank the reader for his/her time and state that you are looking forward to hearing from them. Refer back to the specific course or job requirements.

Use subheadings and bullet points to highlight key information and help your cover letter stand out by using direct, positive and appropriate language.

TOP TIP: Expressing things more positively can make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful application. Below are a few examples:

• “I am a good communicator” rather than “I feel that I am a good communicator”
• “I have excellent communication skills” rather than “Some people have told me I am good at communicating”
• “During this experience I successfully managed seven people” rather than “During this experience I had to manage seven people”

Proof-reading and amending

After all the time and effort you have spent developing your cover letter, it would be a shame to send it before you have proof-read and thoroughly checked it through. To make absolutely sure, get someone else to read it – the best of writers miss mistakes in their own work due to familiarity with the text.

Using MyCareers

How to access MyCareers as a graduate.

Learn more about Linkedin and how you can write a great profile.