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Free Guide: UCL Personal Statement Word Limit

Table of Contents

University College London (UCL) is a world-renowned university located in the heart of vibrant and dynamic London. Founded in 1826, UCL has consistently been ranked as one of the top universities in the UK and Europe. 

It offers an extensive range of courses in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, medicine, engineering, law, finance, and business.

With over 40,000 students from around the world studying at its campus, UCL provides a diverse learning environment. Its culture encourages intellectual growth and exploration. 

The university’s research output ranks amongst the highest in the country. It prides itself on being at the cutting edge of innovation and technology. It makes only complete sense as to why many students aspire to study at UCL.

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a brief narrative essay that outlines an applicant’s qualifications . It includes work experience, skills, and academic accomplishments. They are a standard requirement for jobs, special programs, and in this case, university applications.

Their wide use is the primary reason behind the necessity for mastering them. Every student and professional must learn to write compelling personal statements to increase their chances of a successful application.

The Importance of a Personal Statement

The biggest advantage of a personal statement lies in how it allows applicants to inject a bit of themselves into their words. They serve as a way to help admissions officers understand them better.

The chance to leave a good and lasting impression is one that you should never underestimate. Personal statements allow applicants to showcase the person behind the material and to give valuable information that could help recruiters determine their suitability. 

Of course, these benefits will only apply to well-written personal statements. The question then remains. 

How exactly do you write an effective UCL personal statement?

How to Write a Personal Statement

Emphasize the most relevant qualifications.

Emphasizing your most relevant qualifications is one of the best ways to start your personal statement. It’s what gets readers engaged in your work, and it helps retain their attention throughout your content. Make sure to match your qualifications with the program you’re applying to. Relevance is crucial because it has a significant impact on your suitability for a program. 

Use Strong Descriptors

Vivid imagery is key to delivering a strong and memorable message. Use strong descriptors to represent your ideas. They will help you paint a potent image that complements your experiences. A vivid description is important because it’s what gets readers to see things through your viewpoint.

Stick to the UCL Personal Statement Word Limit

There isn’t an official UCL personal statement word limit. Rather they use a 3,000-character limit. This roughly translates to about 428 to 750 words if you include spaces in the character count.

A new update to the UCL application policy penalizes or disregards materials that do not follow the  UCL personal statement word limit . It’s not only a matter of following instructions but also a way to standardize applications.

Write with Emotion

Writing with passion allows you to strike at the heart of what you want to say, creating a much more influential piece of content. Eliciting an emotional response from your readers is crucial because it helps you stand out. People tend to remember an experience through their emotions rather than specific details.

A personal statement is vital to applications because they allow applicants to show admissions officers and recruiters who they are. They are a way to leave good impressions and to stand out from the applicant pool .

Personal statements are fairly easy to write as long as you follow the rules. Good luck!

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Arts Sciences

Penalties for over-length coursework

Assignment briefs will include clear instructions about word counts, the inclusion of footnotes, diagrams, images, tables, figures and bibliographies etc. and you are expected to adhere to the requirements for each assessment. If you exceed these parameters you may receive a reduction in marks.

When writing essays, you must clarify the rules on word count and referencing style with the lecturer who set the assignment, as there are different rules and guidelines for each department / subject. You can usually find this information on the course Moodle page.

For example, it is common practice across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities that footnotes are included in the word count, but the bibliography is not. Some science departments specify the length they require in terms of pages (and may also specify font and margins) rather than words, because equations, graphs etc. are difficult to count.

The length of coursework for a BASC-coded module will be specified in terms of a word count or number of pages. Assessed work should not exceed the prescribed length. For submitted coursework that has a maximum length specified, the following procedures will apply:

• For written assignments that exceed a specified maximum length by less than 10% the mark will be reduced by five percentage points (i.e. 5 marks), but the penalised mark will not be reduced below the pass mark: marks already at or below the pass mark will not be reduced. For example, if you are taking a module between Levels 4 and 6 and your word limit is 2,000 words and you write between 2,001 and 2,199 words, you will lose 5 marks so a mark of 71% would be reduced to 66%, a mark of 43% would be reduced to 40% but a mark of 39% would not be reduced. If you were taking a Level 7 module, and you submit work between 2,001 and 2,199 words for a 2,000 word assessment, you would lose 5 marks so a mark of 71% would be reduced to 66%, a mark of 53% would be reduced to 50% but a mark of 49% would not be reduced.
• For work that exceeds a specified maximum length by 10% or more the mark will be reduced by ten percentage points (i.e. 10 marks), but the penalised mark will not be reduced below the pass mark: marks already at or below the pass mark will not be reduced. For example, if you are taking a module between Levels 4 and 6 and your word limit is 2,000 words and you submit work that exceeds 2,200 words, you will lose 10 marks so a mark of 71% would be reduced to 61%, a mark of 43% would be reduced to 40% but a mark of 39% would not be reduced. If you were taking a Level 7 module, and you submit work that exceeds 2,200 words for a 2,000 word assessment, you would lose 10 marks so a mark of 71% would be reduced to 61%, a mark of 53% would be reduced to 50% but a mark of 49% would not be reduced.
• Where the maximum word count is exceeded by a small amount, likely to fall within the margin of error of conflicting word counts generated by different software, the BASc E xamination B oard will exercise academic judgement in determining whether the word limit has been exceeded. In all such cases an independent count will be made by the Department and in no case will discretion be exercised where the count exceeds the maximum set for the assignment by more than 2%. Work that is deliberately submitted over-length will be subject to the over-length penalties outlined above.
• In the case of coursework that is submitted late and is also over length, the greater of the two penalties will apply.

Please note: there is no longer a UCL-wide policy on over-length submissions and so the penalties above relate to BASC-coded modules and modules taught by departments (including the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) within the Faculties of Arts and Humanities and Social and Historical Sciences only. It is your responsibility to check with each of your teaching departments to determine the over-length penalties for each of the other modules you are taking.

Minimum Length

Please note there is no automatic penalty for under-length essays providing there is sufficient suitable content.

Further information:

• Academic Manual Chapter 4, Section 3: Module Assessment

Essential Links

• Arts and Sciences Student Handbook (UCL username and password are required)
• Online reading lists
• UCL 24/7 Student Support Line

Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities (CEPEO)

We create research to improve the education system and equalise opportunities for all.

Should we abolish personal statements from the university application process?

By Blog Editor, on 19 April 2023

By Dominic Kelly and Gill Wyness

The personal statement – a key element of the university admissions process – has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. The main criticism levied at the personal statement concerns fairness:  students from disadvantaged backgrounds may have fewer extra-curricular experiences to highlight in their personal statements and are less likely to have access to high quality advice and guidance when writing their statement.

So, it is welcome news that UCAS recently announced the personal statement is to be reformed, by replacing the free text personal statement into a structured format consisting of six short questions. While these reforms may address some of the fairness issues that many are concerned about, these reforms do not go far enough, and a better solution would be to abolish the personal statement altogether.

What’s the problem with personal statements?

Under the current rules, students applying to university through the UCAS system must submit a personal statement alongside their educational attainment (based on predicted A-level or equivalent grades). The personal statement is a free-text essay, with no specific question, just some loose advice , and a word limit of 4,000 characters. The essay is automatically sent to all the courses an applicant applies to.

There are three key reasons personal statements have been criticised – that they may favour students from more advantaged backgrounds, that they may not be great predictors of ability, and that they may put candidates under unnecessary stress.

Looking first at whether personal statements favour more advantaged students, research examining large samples of personal statements (Jones, 2012 , 2013 , 2015 ) revealed clear differences between the statements of independent/selective school applicants and those from non-selective state schools. Independent/selective school pupils had access to many more work experience opportunities to discuss, which were also broader and more diverse. The extreme differences in the extra-curricular activities that those from higher SES backgrounds have has been recently documented by Park et al (2023) whose study of US college applicants found that White, Asian American, higher SES, and private school students listed more extra-curricular activities, reported more top-level leadership roles, and reported more activities reflecting accomplishments and distinctions. Importantly, among those who listed undertaking an activity, Black and low SES students were just as likely to list having played a leadership role in the activity, suggesting that disadvantaged students are just as likely to have leadership qualities, but simply have less resources available to try different activities.

As well as having a wider range of experiences to draw from, the statements of independent school pupils were also longer, and contained fewer spelling errors and punctuation errors. One reason this may be the case is that independent school pupils may receive more guidance and assistance in writing their statements. There is some evidence for this. A study on 16- to 19-year-olds’ efficacy at ‘selling themselves’ in personal statements suggested that this was directly related to differences in resources and training provided by their educational institutions. It is also likely that those from richer backgrounds would be more able to take advantage of private consultancies to help them craft their statements, as they do with personal tutoring , for example.   A 2009 Guardian article reported evidence of independent school pupils receiving more help with personal statements, with a teacher admitting “of course we help our students with their personal statements, their parents are paying £7,000 a term!”

Turning to the usefulness of personal statements as a way to assess candidates, there are a small number of papers examining this issue. For example a small meta-analysis showed that ratings of personal statements were poor predictors of academic achievement, over and above standardised test scores and prior attainment. Arguments have also been made that rather than functioning as a holistic assessment of university suitability or preparedness, they function solely as assessments of writing skills, again casting doubt on their usefulness in identifying good candidates. There is also evidence that a more structured approach to rating personal statements yielded negligible predictive validity for first year grades and dropout rates.

Any doubts about the validity of personal statements are likely to translate into inconsistencies in their use. There is little research examining how personal statements are used by university admissions teams – so we have no real understanding of the extent to which they are trusted by admissions departments and used seriously for decision-making. A greater concern for UCAS than what applicants are writing should be how university admissions staff are assessing their writing, as well as the biases that these staff implicitly or explicitly have regarding low socioeconomic and ethnic minority groups.

Finally, examining the issue of stress, a recent report analysed a large number of personal statements from students from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as conducting surveys and interviews of these students. Applicants from under-represented backgrounds were found to experience a number of challenges when writing their essays, with some spending 30-to-40 hours on their essays, with obvious knock-on effects to their studies and free time. Particular challenges arose from the free-form nature of the essay – such as writing the opening paragraph, developing an effective flow / structure arise, and uncertainty from the lack of an explicit question.

What is UCAS’ Proposed Solution?

UCAS current proposals are to replace this free text personal statement with a structured format consisting of 6 open questions:

• Motivation for Course – Why do you want to study these courses?
• Preparedness for Course – How has your learning so far helped you to be ready to succeed on these courses?
• Preparation through other experiences – What else have you done to help you prepare, and why are these experiences useful?
• Extenuating circumstances – Is there anything that the universities and colleges need to know about, to help them put your achievements and experiences so far into context?
• Preparedness for study – What have you done to prepare yourself for student life?
• Preferred Learning Styles – Which learning and assessment styles best suit you – how do your courses choices match that?

This structured format does have some improvements over the existing personal statement. For example, Jones, Fryer and Westlake (2023) argue that shorter, more guided questions are likely to reduce the stress burden on applicants, and are more transparent, making the essay easier to write. However, there is still likely to be a significant effort involved in writing the statement, given the number of questions.

Simply breaking the personal statement down in this way is unlikely to overcome the many other issues discussed above.

First, the issue of unfairness will remain. Pupils from better-off backgrounds will still have more experiences and activities to draw on in answering the questions. In fact, reducing the remit of short-answer questions to more specific topics could further highlight the lack of extra-curricular opportunities some students have to draw upon, especially since students will then be forced to provide an answer for each topic regardless of whether they have anything they feel important to say. Given a lack of ways of verifying applicants’ information, survey research suggests that there is already an established culture of lying or embellishing on personal statements, which could be exacerbated if applicants feel forced to list opportunities. Issues with spelling and grammar and greater sophistication of language will remain, even in this environment. And independent school pupils can still avail themselves of extra help in answering the questions – in fact a structured format could even make it easier for independent schools to assist their pupils in completing the form. A further issue concerns the rise of ChatGPT software, which seems particularly suited to this new style of short question, now potentially posing an existential threat to the personal statement.

Second, the issue of whether shorter questions are likely to alleviate stress is also questionable. There is not an existing literature on the differences in stress between writing long-form personal statements compared to shorter questions; i.e., there is not a hypothetical study where participants experienced two conditions and levels of stress were compared. Assumptions that shorter questions are less stressful are based on inferences from qualitative data about the current UCAS application. Until such a study is conducted – or the results of the natural experiment that UCAS propose by changing the questions are analysed – this remains an assumption. There is a possibility that issues of opening sentences, structure and word limits will apply to each of the 6 proposed short responses, ultimately multiplying the stress compared to one response.

Finally, as has already been criticised elsewhere , any reference to the concept of ‘learning styles’ (the idea that students have inherent differences that require them to be taught the same concepts in different ways for the instruction to be effective) should be omitted. The concept of learning styles has been debunked but persists as a ‘neuromyth’ which is at best pointless and at worst harmful.

Removing the personal statement altogether

In order to move towards a fairer, more equal applications process, we believe the personal statement should be removed from the university application process altogether. This would not be an unusual situation. Many countries, such as the Republic of Ireland, operate a completely blind process where grades are the only admission criteria.

A potential criticism (as pointed out by Jones, Fryer and Westlake ) is that admissions would then be purely based on academic grades (plus an academic reference), meaning inequality could still arise if students’ grades (and teachers’ perception of them) do not accurately reflect their true ability. This is especially likely among more disadvantaged students, who have typically received far less investment in their education than their more advantaged peers. However, retaining the personal statement is unlikely to help with this problem, and may even compound it, if both grades and personal statements favour more advantaged students. A further potential problem is that the personal statement can be used as a means for students to highlight their extenuating circumstances – but this option could be retained without the personal statement.

The removal of the personal statement should be paired with a continuing push towards more contextual admissions. For example, in cases where there are several applicants with similar grades, places should be filled based on a contextual admission strategy (e.g., applicants on Free School Meals, from schools that traditionally send few applicants to university, etc., should be favoured). And beyond simply dealing with ties, students from low SES backgrounds should be given grade discounts. As we outline in a recent blog post, there is a clear economic rationale for the use of contextual admissions, to “level the playing field” at this crucial life stage. Any remaining ties in grades could be filled based on random assignment, which has also been shown to be a fair system of assignment when allocating individuals with the same levels of achievement.

The UK’s university applications system has remained unchanged for many years, and this reform is a unique opportunity to improve the fairness of the system. However, UCAS proposals do not appear to go far enough to achieve this goal.

Filed under CEPEO , Tertiary education

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Crafting an Outstanding UCL Personal Statement: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples

Dirghayu Kaushik

Gaining admission to University College London (UCL) is a dream for many, but achieving this goal requires more than just academic excellence.

Your UCL personal statement plays a pivotal role in your application, serving as a unique opportunity to showcase your aspirations, achievements, and individuality.

This article provides essential insights and examples to assist you in creating a personal statement that captures the essence of your academic and personal journey, tailored to resonate with UCL’s admissions committee.

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• The Role of a Personal Statement in Your UCL Application

Understanding the Significance

Your personal statement is a critical element of your UCAS application to UCL. It’s your chance to convey your enthusiasm, experiences, and suitability for your chosen course.

This narrative helps the admissions team to understand who you are beyond your grades and test scores. It’s about making a compelling case for why you are an ideal candidate for UCL and how the university fits into your academic and career aspirations.

What UCL Looks For

UCL, being a prestigious and competitive institution, seeks candidates who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a commitment to their field of study, and the potential to contribute meaningfully to the university community.

Your personal statement should reflect these qualities, showcasing your passion for learning, your understanding of the course content, and your readiness for the challenges of university life.

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• Crafting a Winning Personal Statement for UCL

Creating a personal statement for University College London (UCL) is a crucial step in your application process. Your statement should stand out, reflecting your unique qualifications and enthusiasm for your chosen course. Here are key points to help you craft a winning personal statement for UCL:

• Understand UCL’s Values and Course Requirements : Before you begin, research UCL’s ethos, values, and specific requirements for your chosen course. Understanding what UCL looks for in its students can help tailor your statement to resonate with the admissions committee.
• Start with a Compelling Introduction : Your opening lines should grab the reader’s attention. Start with a personal anecdote, a provocative question, or a statement that clearly expresses your passion for the subject.
• Showcase Your Academic Strengths : Highlight your academic achievements that are relevant to the course. Include any awards, high grades in related subjects, or participation in relevant academic competitions or projects.
• Demonstrate Interest and Knowledge in the Subject : Show that you have a deep understanding of and a genuine interest in the field. Discuss any books, articles, or research that have inspired you and shaped your desire to study this subject at UCL.
• Reflect on Relevant Experiences : Include work experience, internships, volunteering, or extracurricular activities that have helped develop skills and qualities relevant to the course. Explain what you learned from these experiences and how they have prepared you for university-level study.
• Discuss Your Career Aspirations : Clearly articulate how the course at UCL fits into your long-term career goals. This shows admissions tutors that you have a clear direction and motivation for your studies.
• Exhibit Your Skills and Qualities : Highlight personal skills and qualities that make you a suitable candidate for the course. These might include problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, or communication skills.
• Explain Why UCL Is the Right Choice for You : Discuss specific aspects of UCL and its course offerings that appeal to you. This could be particular modules, the teaching methodology, research opportunities, or the campus environment.
• Make It Personal and Authentic : Your statement should be personal and reflect your true self. Avoid clichés and generic statements. Admissions tutors want to hear your voice and understand who you are.
• Conclude with a Strong Closing Statement : End your personal statement on a high note, reemphasizing your enthusiasm and readiness for the course and how you look forward to contributing to the UCL community.
• Proofread and Edit : Ensure your statement is free of grammatical errors and typos. A well-written, error-free statement demonstrates your attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
• Seek Feedback : Before finalizing, get feedback from teachers, mentors, or those who know you well. They can provide valuable insights and help you refine your statement.

By following these points, you can craft a personal statement that not only meets the standards of UCL but also truly represents your academic ambitions and personal journey, significantly boosting your chances of admission.

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• Personal Statement Examples for Different UCL Courses

Example of UCL Medicine Program

Medicine applicants need to demonstrate a passion for the field, empathy, and a strong academic background in sciences. An effective personal statement for a UCL medicine course might begin with a personal anecdote or experience that sparked your interest in medicine.

Follow this with details of your academic journey in sciences, any relevant work experience, and extracurricular activities. Conclude by discussing your career aspirations in medicine and how UCL’s program aligns with these goals.

Example for UCL Economics Program

For an economics course, your statement should reflect your understanding of economic principles and your ability to think critically about economic issues. Start by explaining why you are interested in economics, possibly by citing a current issue or personal experience.

Include your academic achievements in mathematics and related subjects, and any relevant extracurricular activities, like participating in economics clubs or competitions. Finally, express how UCL’s economics program will help you achieve your career objectives.

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Key Dos and Don’ts in Writing Your Personal Statement

• Final Steps Before Submission

Review and Feedback

Before submitting your personal statement, it’s crucial to review it thoroughly. Seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers who can provide constructive criticism. Their insights can help refine your statement, ensuring it’s compelling and error-free.

Aligning Your Statement with UCL’s Values

Research UCL’s values and ethos, and subtly align your statement with these. Show how you embody qualities valued by UCL, such as intellectual curiosity, global perspective, and a commitment to impact society positively. This alignment demonstrates that you are not only a good fit academically but also culturally for UCL.

Your UCL personal statement is a vital part of your application. It’s an opportunity to showcase your unique qualifications, experiences, and aspirations.

By following the guidelines and examples provided in this guide, you can create a statement that captures your individuality and suitability for UCL.

Remember, this is your chance to make a lasting impression on the admissions committee, so take the time to craft a personal statement that truly reflects who you are and why you are the perfect candidate for UCL.

Q1: How important is it to relate my personal statement to my future career goals?

It’s very important. Relating your course of study to your future career goals shows foresight and a clear understanding of how UCL will help you achieve your aspirations.

Q2: Can I include quotes in my personal statement?

While a well-chosen quote can be impactful, it’s generally better to use your own words to ensure your personal statement is truly personal and unique.

Q3: How can I ensure that my personal statement stands out?

To make your personal statement stand out, focus on unique experiences, present your content in a structured and coherent manner, and infuse your personal voice and enthusiasm throughout the text.

Q4: Is it okay to share personal challenges in my statement?

Yes, sharing personal challenges can be powerful, especially if you can demonstrate how they have shaped your character and academic journey. However, ensure that the overall tone remains positive and forward-looking.

• Key Dos and Don'ts in Writing Your Personal Statement

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Table of Contents

• • The Role of a Personal Statement in Your UCL Application
• • Crafting a Winning Personal Statement for UCL
• • Personal Statement Examples for Different UCL Courses
• • Key Dos and Don'ts in Writing Your Personal Statement
• • Final Steps Before Submission
• • Conclusion

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Ucl personal statement word limit.

Posted Nov 03, 2011 15:33

I'm working on my UCL application now, and they state a character limit of 3000 for the main textbox for the personal statement. But they also state that if you exceed that, you can attach the full personal statement as a separate document. I take that to mean that there's no word limit? Also, does UCL do rolling applications throughout the application period?

Posted Nov 03, 2011 19:18

yes that shall imply that there is no word limit but it should be concise. writing a long statement can cause more harm than good.

Posted Nov 18, 2011 16:35

I was informed via telephone that 1,200 words is still within limits. Not sure how much higher you can go, though.

Posted Nov 18, 2011 16:41

I think I submitted mine with about 900 or so. Now's just the waiting!

Posted Nov 18, 2011 17:01

You should try to write short and perfectly. Around one-thousand words would be enough.

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Table of Contents

We believe that you are here because you are looking forward to studying at University College London. 

We have a few questions to ask you. 

Are you confident that you have written a perfect UCL personal statement? Are you sure that you have included in it everything that the selection panel is expecting to see? 

We are not trying to panic you. Given how significant your UCL personal statement masters for securing admission, a thorough crosschecking is needed before finalizing your document. 

Through this blog, we intend to help you with

• UCL personal statement postgraduate writing steps

Masters Personal Statement Example UCL

• Structure and format of personal statement for UCL

What Is A UCL Personal Statement? Why Do You Need an Outstanding One For Admission?

UCL personal statement is a one-page long essay that you will include in the application for your admission to University College London. The document is your self-manifestation. 

It is mandatory to write an outstanding personal statement that describes your skills, strengths, eligibility, experience, future plans etc. in the context of your application because: 

• The selection panel takes the final decision on your admission based on the input in your personal statement
• Your UCL additional personal statement helps the selection panel identify how you differ from other applicants
• Personal statement turns out to be a realistic example of your written communication skills
• Your character and personality are measured based on what you write in your personal statement

7 Questions That Selectors Want You to Answer in Your UCL Masters Personal Statement

When the UCL selection panel investigate your personal statement, they will primarily want to see whether you have answered all their personal statement prompts. If you miss out on answering these questions while writing, there is a high chance of rejection. 

• Why have you chosen this program? 
• Do you have any specific academic/research interests? 
• What attracts you to UCL and not any other institutes? 
• What is your academic background? 
• Have you gained any professional experiences in this specific or related field? 
• Have you taken part in any extracurricular activities? How has it benefited you? 
• What are your plans?

How Long Should My UCL Personal Statement Be?

It is important to keep your personal statement compatible with word count recommendations by UCL as you might have noticed in UCL personal statement examples. Going shorter or longer than the recommended length is not encouraged. 

• Keep your essay 2500 characters or 500 words long. 
• In pages, it should be about two pages 
• Keep the font size to 12 points
• Choose Arial or Times New Roman as font style.

How to Write Compelling UCL Personal Statement in 6 Simple Steps?

Read the program description.

You can learn more about your desired program from UCL’s official website. It will give you a rough idea about the various modules covered in the course. Find out how each module is executed.

Figure out what skills are expected

By going through program details carefully, you can figure out what sort of skills, strengths, and exposure it demands from an applicant to be successful in the program. See how you can match your profile to that.

Quote examples

When you talk about your skills or strengths, do not list them blindly without referring to any proof. This will put your application under suspicion. Instead, link your experiences to real-life incidents as articulated in the personal statement UCL example.

Focus on your interest in subject

Dedicate approximately three fourth of your personal statement to show how much you are interested in the subject and pursuing it at UCL be of any help. Leave the remaining portion to focus your goals and involvement in activities.

Write in advance

Once you have clarity regarding the subject, program specifications and what points you want to add from your side, sit and write. Write a draft first and then improve it gradually. Make sure that you have your personal statement ready at least a couple of weeks in advance.

Proofread and edit

They say read two or three times. We recommend you proofread your personal statement at least five times and edit it if any changes are needed. Also, it is highly recommended to have someone else also to read your personal statement and give you constructive feedback.

UCL Masters Personal Statement Example

I was just a kid when the Great Recession hit the US in 2008, and the aftershocks rocked the third world nations. Newspaper headlines looked depressive, although I was too young to weigh the crisis. That was more than a decade ago, yet, I ponder why India took so long to recover from the recession, while the US and the UK continued to stride on despite the economic crisis. This justifies my choice to embrace Economics in my undergraduates. Feeding my curiosity in global finances with blogs, journals and magazines, I have embraced the stream that appeals the most to my intellect. Besides, studying economics from one of the topmost institutes in India has strengthened my foundation in this domain significantly. I know I have gained matured concepts of economics, and can comprehend why oil prices fluctuate, or why India could be recording a negative GDP amidst the pandemic. In an effort to further streamline my profile with relevant knowledge, I look forward to pursue the advanced program in Economics from your revered university.

Having studied both Mathematics and Statistics in my Intermediates, analyzing economic issues turned out to be rather easy for me during my graduation. Besides, my fascination with numbers and patterns proved handy, as I was able to execute things practically. I believe that success comes to an economist only after scrutinizing the roots of persisting problems. Besides, every economy is governed by its own set of laws. A clear understanding of this aspect has enabled me comprehend how firms within the framework of a country operate under certain regulations. This is how contracts are agreed upon and implemented within the business world. Eyeing a higher degree in Economics, I am bracing up to pursue the advanced program from your esteemed university.

Besides scoring proficiently in my academics, I have been proactive in the extracurricular front. In 2018, I represented India’s Finance Minister in a Mock Parliament, organized in our college. As a part of this event, I got the opportunity to explore various core economic problems of our country, and offer viable solutions. Meanwhile, I am a part of Dramatics, which helped me to get my voice heard, polishing my oratory skills. In the second year of my graduation, I acted in two plays during the annual college fest, ‘Death of a Salesman’ and ‘The Homecoming’. Besides, I was a part of ‘Sparks’, the Annual Drama Competition, where our college emerged as the winner. All these years, I have worked on my leadership and management skills. In the process, I have learnt to handle pressure and execute tasks in an organized wat. In the third year of my graduation, I was a part of the Asian Regional Space Settlement Design Competition, working on behalf of my institution under the Business and Costing section.

India has its own problems like poverty, unequal wealth distribution and diseases. What pains me the most is the indifference of private and progressive organizations to these issues. Right from my high school days, I have been a part of various non-governmental organizations, striving to make a difference in their lives. Realizing the dearth of social initiative to resolve the basic social problems, I formed an organization called ‘Hope Foundation’ along with some of my friends and acquaintances. The motto of this organization is to work towards the protection of children from abuse and empower them with education. Later, we also worked to gather funds to support a cancer hospital in our colony. All these experiences cultivated the desire to work on development economics for my country.

To strengthen my knowledge in economics, I have subscribed to The Time Magazine, The Economics and The Financial Express. This helps me stay abreast with the current financial affairs across the globe. Besides, I frequently visit the UK, and cherish the essence of homeliness. A couple of years back, one of my friends graduated from the UCL and spoke highly of the academic environment there. I would like to be a part of this progressive academic environment in the UK and study in your esteemed university. It would be an exciting and gratifying experience for me to work on developmental economics to contribute to my nation as well as the world in the coming years.

Check out the UCL personal statement masters example PDF we have given here. Try to figure out how the writing tone, structure, and use of correct grammar make this essay outstanding.

Tips for Writing Your Unique UCL Personal Statement

The following personal statement for UCL writing tips have long been used by professional writers. Personal statements written adhering to these tips have higher chances of getting accepted by UCL.

Avoid flowery language:

It is highly recommended to keep your personal statement simple by using simple words and expressions. Don’t use flowery language or vague or bland expressions. 

Stay focused:

Never deviate from the actual purpose of the personal statement. The actual goal is to show how much interest you have in the subject and how your skills and strengths are relevant.

Be positive:

If you keep the tone of your personal statement positive throughout, you can expect the selectors to feel positive about it and take a favourable decision. Similarly, a pessimistic tone in the writeup will create a negative outcome too.

Use standard English:

University College of London is a prestigious institution. Students studying there are expected to have good grasp of English. The selection panel welcome candidates who write their personal statement in standard English.  

Submit before the deadline:

Don’t wait for the deadline to submit your application. Once all your documents are ready, submit them. Once the application is filed, hope for the best. Don’t bother about it until you receive any further update. 

How to Get Into UCL?

Getting enrolled to University College London is a dream of students not only in UK but also all over the world. UCL selects candidates on merit basis. If you meet their criteria, you can also apply and get selected. 

• Go through UCL program list and select one that suits your profile 
• Find out the requirements for admission and verify whether you qualify 
• Get details about the times of the year when the program is offered
• Decide when you want to study and prepare your application 
• Get ready with all application requirements – most importantly your UCL postgraduate personal statement
• File your application

What is UCL Acceptance Rate?

As per the data released by UCAS, UCL acceptance rate stands stood at 15.6% in 2020. Some of the competitive programs have even lower acceptance rate. For instance, if you are applying for programs like Law, medicine, biomedical or management science programs, make sure you have a well refined personal statement for each program. Respectively. 

• UCL Law Personal Statement
• UCL Medicine Personal Statement
• Biomedical Science Personal Statement UCL
• UCL Management Science Additional Personal Statement

Top Higher Study Programs Offered at UCL

• LLM (Master of Laws)
• Architecture and the Built Environment
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Pharmacy and Pharmacology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Archaeology
• Anthropology
• Life Sciences and Medicine

Final Thoughts…

Before we wind up, we would like to know how helpful this blog was for you. 

Did it really help you expand your understanding about UCL personal statement? 

How helpful the samples were? 

Do you wish you had found more program specific UCL personal statement examples? 

Your feedback and suggestions are our input for improving the quality of this blog. 

So, we strongly encourage you to write your opinion in the comments below. 

I'm Anjit.V.S, freelance writer, academic documentation expert, and brand consultant. Having worked with thousands of students and global brands, I bring extensive and diversified experience to every project. Crafting compelling narratives and devising strategic branding solutions are my forte. With an unflinching commitment to excellence, I consistently deliver impeccable results. Whether it's shaping brand identities, drafting academic documents or brainstorming marketing strategies, you can confidently rely on me to bring innovation and expertise to the table. Let's collaborate and elevate your brand together!

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UCL University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to University College London. 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 .

Linguistics Personal Statement Example 1 My most memorable Christmas came with a parcel of Harry Potter audio books and this was where my quest to understanding language began. The moment Stephen Fry started to narrate chapter one, I fell in love with words and all they could achieve...

History Personal Statement Example 3 Recently, I found out that my grandma was gambled into slavery for seven years. She escaped her prison and made her way back to Hong Kong, 300 miles south. I was amazed at how courageous she was. This personal discovery led me to read Jung Chang's 'Wild Swans' which made me both proud and ashamed of my heritage...

Mathematics and Economics Personal Statement Example 1 As Pythagoras may have said, (Ambitious)2 + (Bold)2 = (Critical thinker)2 makes a perfect student and is what I strive to be. From the simple Pythagorean to the complex Fermat's Last Theorem, mathematics is a never ending branch of study which I enthusiastically enjoy studying and why I wish to pursue it even further at university...

Mathematics and Physics Personal Statement Example 1 Mathematics is a fundamental tool for understanding our world: it can be used to define the symmetry of flowers or to manage global companies. What is so appealing about mathematics is the opportunity of applying it in the physical world...

Maths and Spanish Personal Statement Example For as long as I have recognised words and numbers, I have seen a connection between the two. As I progressed in the AS Mathematics course I realised how drawn I was to the subject, motivating me to spend 2 weeks at school over the summer holidays learning 2 entire AS Further Maths modules, in order to take the full A-level course in one year...

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Personal Statement Example 1 I have always had a creative ability and a fascination with how things work. The challenge of solving practical problems inherent in the field of engineering appeals directly to these traits. I am particularly interested in electrical and electronic engineering (EEE) because it is such a rapidly evolving discipline...

Economics and Politics Personal Statement Example 1 "I killed the bank": the last words of Andrew Jackson, former president of the US, after he had vetoed to renew the charter and withdraw all federal deposits from banks causing them to bust. Real money was backed with gold shortly after, causing the greatest economic boom in history for the US where no income tax was implemented...

Spanish and Economics Personal Statement Example My aspiration to study Spanish and Economics has not only been influenced by my curricular education but also from experiences I have had throughout life. I am intrigued in the effects caused by the failing Euro zone, and I consider communication among speakers of different languages essential in progressing forward...

Economics Personal Statement Example 5 Choosing an undergraduate degree in economics is a result of my deep seated curiosity to know why economies are they way they are; why oil prices in my country, Pakistan, rapidly fluctuate whereas economies like USA and China continue to strengthen despite recessions...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 2 My fascination with human behaviour and the motivations behind human actions has existed for most of my adult life, to determine a cause however I would accredit this to the voluntary work I participated in with Crisis Single Persons Homeless charity...

Geography Personal Statement Example 2 In a dynamic world, the study of geography is increasingly important. The diversity of the subject and the interaction between the physical environment and human population is becoming even more evident with climate change and globalisation influencing our everyday lives...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 11 “If she’s smart she will study Medicine.” This is an unwritten rule in my culture - all Nigerian parents want their children to become doctors. What becomes of the aspiring psychologist in the family? I met a junior doctor, at an educational conference, who wanted to specialise in psychiatry...

Architecture Personal Statement Example 3 Growing up in post-soviet Belarus I wasn't surrounded by the architectural wonders - all the buildings were dull and grey, therefore from early childhood I started drawing and making houses of my dreams...

Mathematics and Economics Personal Statement Example 2 Every day we make decisions and interact with others; the laws of economics help us make rational choices and consider the irrationality of others, as well as understand the world better. Maths and statistics are the necessary tools for me to understand the modern economics...

Anthropology and Archaeology Personal Statement Example My interest in culture first started when I began to attend my local Hindu Temple with my friend in primary school. I was highly interested in how her surroundings differed from my own and enjoyed immersing myself in her way of life...

English and History Personal Statement Example 1 I believe history inspires optimism. With the state being cut and our economy weakening we could easily fall to pessimism. I just have to look within history to see that just over 400 years ago Queen Mary I killed 'rebels' for heresy when they protested, whereas Modern freedoms have allowed me to protest openly in several Unite marches...

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

Pharmacology and Human Sciences Personal Statement Example From the race to find a vaccine for the H1N1 virus to the almost daily reports of breakthroughs in the field of cancer research, science has always fascinated me.On a more personal note, my interest has largely stemmed from school, work experiences, and science in the news...

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

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

Maths & Actuarial Science Personal Statement Example 1 "It has become a very strange and perhaps frightening subject from the ordinary point of view,but anyone who penetrates into it will find a veritable fairyland"( Kasner E and Newman J).This saying is perhaps the most fitted to describe my enthusiasm for Maths...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 48 Since embarking on the A level course 16 months ago I have decided to devote my life to working in psychology. I am struck by the way Psychological research has impacted all areas of life, but also how much there is yet to understand...

Economics Personal Statement Example 23 It would not be foolish to contemplate the possibility of a far greater progress still. John Maynard Keynes From childhood I was bred to learn and the passion to understand has become a trait of my character...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 5 I realised that I wanted to study Anthropology in 2005 after picking up a book called ''Mapping Human History'' by Steve Olson. I read the book cover to cover a number of times, and knew that I had discovered a subject that I was not only interested in learning but wanted to investigate for myself...

Postgraduate Linguistics Personal Statement Example My interest in linguistics was gradually shaped throughout my life by all the different ways in which I have experienced languages: as a learner, translator, and as a teacher. However, it was the times spent living in Russia and later in the UK that made me fully understand that language can be a means of conveying much more than just our thoughts...

European Social & Political Studies Personal Statement Example In my opinion, the problems societies face today deserve an in-depth analysis which draws on different disciplines of thought for its relevance; furthermore the implementations of strategies to combat problems must take into account more than one academic approach if they are going to be positively effective...

Human Sciences Personal Statement Example Perhaps what makes me different from other University applicants is that I have ambition to understand multidimensional human life. It is not the appeal of a top qualification or the zesty student lifestyle that attracts me to this course; but it is the long-term knowledge and answers to interdisciplinary human problems, and the enigmas that I will commit a lifetime investigating with perhaps no solution, that inspires me to apply...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 51 There is a reason behind everything we do, a purpose to our actions. The cognition behind any decision that we make is one of the many aspects of psychology that I am fascinated by. The following five words, as said by the Prophet Muhammad, I believe explain such a suggestion: "Actions are but by intentions"...

Archaeology and Anthropology Personal Statement Example 2 As an immigrant living in Spain, I am constantly reminded of the importance social and cultural factors have on my daily life, the language I speak, and the difference between the relationships I maintain with people from my own country and those I encounter here on a daily basis...

Mathematics Personal Statement Example 12 Mathematics is at the root of many academic subjects, such as mechanics in Physics, organic Chemistry and even Music and this is why I find it so fascinating. The process of starting from a simple set of formulae and deriving nearly all mathematical truth from these is what makes Mathematics a leading academic subject...

Creative Writing Personal Statement Example 2 To me, fiction is like the magic carpet of Aladdin. It takes me to travel through time and space and explore the slices of human experience. In the wonderful trips, I am guided by the author and accompanied by the characters...

Economics and Management Personal Statement Example 2 My interest in Economics goes beyond an appreciation of statistics and profit margins. In my mind, economics represents the relationship between people and their money – a relationship that dates back to the history of mankind...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 61 While the idea to care for others is appealing to me, the applications of medicine for finding remedies to the complexities of the human body fascinates me even more. Studying medicine opens several career options from general practice to clinical research! Having the interest and aptitude for scientific knowledge and the awareness to promote health safety, it encourages me to choose this highly rewarding and satisfying course...

Chemical Engineering Personal Statement Example 10 Chemical engineering is a most fascinating field of all the branches of science and engineering. To me it truly reflects human endeavour and spirit through means such as the exploration of unknown substances, and making something of worth and value out of mere raw materials...

Maths Personal Statement Example 12 Mathematics dictates our understanding of the universe; the sciences that the world depends on today are founded and dependant on maths. Scientists and mathematicians spend their lives making remarkable discoveries contributing to the development of humanity, the findings we have been making in fields like quantum mechanics would be completely impossible without maths...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 66 White coats, stethoscopes hung around necks and the sense of playing hero were popular amongst childhood dreams. However, unlike others around me, this dream was not lost when I realised reality paved a much tougher road- instead, it grew to become a fierce ambition...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 64 Psychology is ubiquitous in society. Because of the mercurial nature of humans, there is always something different to study and analyse. I find this exciting. Part of what draws me to psychology is how the dynamics of it affect daily life and behaviour...

Economics Personal Statement Example 30 The ever-changing nature of the human science intrigues me. Newton’s laws of motion will never change, from wherever ‘the ball is dropped’. However, different strategies and policies have to be framed and implemented for each economic problem...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 67 I first became interested in psychology whilst discussing the underlying causes of criminal behaviour and non-conformity with my father. The nature-nurture debate gave me a huge desire to increase my knowledge and understanding of the human condition...

Physics Personal Statement Example 15 I have always been intrigued by the world of physics. From everyday experiences to the most extreme boundaries of today's knowledge, I have always voraciously searched for answers to my questions. As I grew up, the elegance of mathematical demonstrations and of physical theorems fascinated me, and I have often dreamt of making contributions to the unification theory and of improving and simplifying the Navier-Stokes equations...

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

Electrical Engineering Personal Statement Example 2 The defining wonder of today’s age is electricity. In just two centuries, we have come from Faraday’s crude but prophetic experiments to devices just a square inch that can calculate in seconds what the most gifted of human minds might take days...

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...

Linguistics Personal Statement Example 3 Have you ever heard the Tuvan throat singing technique? Beautiful and intriguing at the same time. The question that's bound to accompany a throat singing performance is how the human voice could possibly produce such a sound...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 7 Coming from a mixed religious background, the comparison between cultural practices has touched me deeply, personally and profoundly. I have been able to observe the influence of culture on people's perspectives and world views...

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

PPE/Economics Personal Statement Example Humanity today stands at the intersection of the most significant questions facing the world today: if democracy leads to political infighting, should it be sacrificed in the interest of economic well-being? Does religious fundamentalism provide a way for countries in the developing world to assert their identity in the face of Western hegemony? Does the entry of Western consumer goods threaten a country’s economic self-sufficiency? The answers of these questions will determine what the nature of our world is in the twenty-first century...

History Personal Statement Example (Oxbridge) 2 Whether considering the real world applications of Bentham's utilitarianism in Religious Studies, analysing the context of a changing Victorian society in English Literature, or debating the evolving ideology of the Labour Party in Politics, there is one common thread connecting what I enjoy most about my studies: history...

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Personal statements

Read the phrasing carefully.

Different institutions will phrase what they want to see in their personal statement differently, some examples (as of September 2013) and how you could break the wording down to ensure you address everything are below:

Example of application guidance from LSE:

You must submit a personal statement with your application form. This should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words. It should describe your academic interests and your purpose and objectives in undertaking graduate study. 

Suggestions of what to include for this phrasing:

• Outline what are your academic interests specifically
• How they are related to the course.
• How do you see the course furthering these interests?
• Do you have previous experience of studying these areas?
• Was your undergraduate dissertation, major project or a group presentation relevant to the course or your academic interests?
•  Have you attended conferences, seminars or networking events outside your studies to increase your knowledge?
• What have you learnt recently,
• and how does this link to the course you are applying for?
• Perhaps you can link your academic interests to work experience you have gained?
• Purpose in undertaking graduate study  – Why are you applying for postgraduate study? This could be linked to discussing your academic interests, or perhaps you have a career orientated goal.
• Objectives in undertaking graduate study  – What do you hope to achieve by the end of your postgraduate study, whether educationally or professionally? If you have professional objectives, how will this course help you move towards your career goal?
• What else?  – you could also include some of the suggestions in the guidelines below, but make sure you address everything in their description.

Example of application guidance from SOAS:

Your personal statement should be no more than 1,000 words. It should include the reasons why you are interested in the programme, highlight your relevant experience and suitability for the programme as well as future plans. 

• Why you are interested in the programme  – Look at the course content carefully to decide what it is that most interests you in the programme content-wise. Discuss any relevant research or coursework you might have done in the past, and include technical language or language that shows you have a grasp of the topic.
• Relevant experience  – think back to your work experience, extracurricular activities and voluntary experiences and reflect upon relevant projects you might have worked on, tasks you were set or research you conducted that demonstrates relevance to the course. You might not feel you have this experience yet, but perhaps you have worked in a relevant sector and you could show your technical and commercial understanding.
• Suitability for the programme  – Think about the skills you might need to succeed in this programme. What is your experience that makes you suitable for the programme? Perhaps you will reflect on study or research skills that you have gained, or maybe you’ll need strong negotiation, communication or presentation skills which you gained through mooting or as a student representative? If you can show you were engaged with your undergraduate university’s community then this might be a good place to mention what you did.
• Future plans  – What are your career aspirations and how do you see the course furthering these?

Writing a personal statement

If they do not specify what to include in your personal statement, areas you might want to include are below. There is no set order of when to mention what but starting your personal statement with your most relevant point is advised.

Motivations

• Why are you applying for the programme?
• What do you hope to gain from the programme?
• What is it that interests you about the subject? Can this be related to your previous education or work experience (see below)?
• What are your career aspirations and how will this course help you achieve them?

Educational experience and commercial knowledge

• Do you have past education that gives you the knowledge base you need for the course?
• Is your undergraduate dissertation relevant? Tell the tutor about it and the research methods you used (especially if applying for a research masters).
• Perhaps you like to keep up with current news in the sector you hope to go into. You could mention a topical issue and discuss how you see the course furthering your understanding.

Work experience

• Have you gained work experience in a field relevant to the course or relevant to your career ambitions? Can you link this experience to your motivation to wanting to continue studying in this field?
• Tell the tutor about this experience and reflect on how this could help with the course or use it as an example of your motivation for continued study in a related area.
• If you are a mature student returning to study, why are you returning? Are you looking to make a career change? Why, and how, do you expect the course will support your new ambition?

Other experience

• Include your extracurricular and voluntary experience too. Tutors want rounded people on their course; show that you engaged in university life during your undergraduate course or that you gained some relevant skills or experiences through volunteering.

Anything else

• You can outline your main achievements, awards or successes in competitions. Think about the course you are applying for and if there is anything they might be particularly impressed by.
• Mention relevant summer schools, overseas study or conferences/ short courses you might have attended that are related to the course.

Other circumstances

• Deferred entry – if you would like to start the course the following year explain to the course tutor what you will be doing with the next year.

Final checks

• Spelling and grammar – this will give the course tutor an idea as to your writing skills, so ensure there are no mistakes.
• Abbreviations and acronyms – explain any you have used.
• Content structure – ensure the paragraphs make sense and that the document flows well. Don’t repeat yourself by revisiting an experience or educational point.
• Don’t write a narrative of your life, from leaving school to current day.
• Be positive; don’t use negative language i.e. Although I have little experience of…
• Adhere to the word count (where applicable) or if there isn’t one, keep your statement to two to three pages of A4.

If you are already a student at LSE and would like LSE Careers to check your personal statement before you submit it please  make an appointment for a careers discussion  on CareerHub. It is also advised that if your application is fairly technically subject specific that you get an academic to check the content for accuracy.

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