quantity surveyor university personal statement

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• Quantity Surveying Personal Statement Examples

We have curated a collection of quantity surveying personal statements written by successful applicants to inspire and guide you in writing your own. 

Quantity surveying is a highly sought-after field, and an exceptional personal statement can set you apart from other applicants. Our quantity surveying personal statement examples will provide you with valuable insight into what makes a winning University application.

Quantity Surveying Personal Statements

As I approach my university studies, I am excited to continue building on my foundation of knowledge and experience in quantity surveying. For me, this field is more than just a career path – it is a passion that runs in my blood.

While I have not yet had the opportunity to shadow a quantity surveyor outside my family, I am eager to gain new experiences and expand my skill set through the one-year work placement offered in this course. I believe that hands-on experience is crucial to developing a deep understanding of the industry, and I am committed to making the most of every opportunity available to me.

My current position as a trainee quantity surveyor has already given me valuable exposure to the day-to-day responsibilities of this profession. From pricing work to negotiating with clients, I have had the chance to hone my practical skills and develop my ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at every level.

But quantity surveying is more than just a set of technical skills – it is also a discipline that demands strong leadership and a dedication to service. In my final years of school, I was proud to serve as a perfect, taking on significant responsibilities to ensure the safety and well-being of my fellow students. This experience taught me the importance of leading by example, communicating clearly and confidently, and working collaboratively to achieve a shared goal.

Looking back on my fourteen years of formal education, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to explore a range of subjects and develop a well-rounded set of skills. In particular, my BTEC in business gave me a strong foundation in the principles of accounting, finance, and management – all of which I believe will serve me well as a quantity surveyor.

As I move forward in my academic and professional journey, I am eager to continue building on these experiences and developing new skills that will enable me to excel in this field. I am excited to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and to work alongside fellow students and industry professionals who share my passion for quantity surveying.

Ultimately, my goal as a quantity surveyor is not just to succeed in my career, but to make a positive impact on the industry and the wider community. I believe that this profession offers a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise with a commitment to service, and I am eager to see where this path will take me.

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Quantity Surveying Personal Statement Example

As someone who has always been interested in problem-solving, I believe that Quantity Surveying would be an excellent career choice for me. The construction industry is constantly evolving, and I am excited to be a part of this dynamic field. Studying Quantity Surveying would provide me with the opportunity to learn about the latest technology, building materials, and techniques. It would also help me develop the skills and knowledge necessary to manage projects effectively.

The Extended Diploma in Business Level 3 Course has provided me with a solid foundation in business principles, which I believe will be valuable in Quantity Surveying. I have learned about financial management, marketing, and accounting, all of which are essential skills for a Quantity Surveyor. In addition, the course has given me an understanding of the importance of effective communication, time management, and problem-solving, all of which are critical skills for this profession.

My experience working in an architecture firm has also given me an appreciation for the importance of accurate measurements and cost management in the construction industry. I was involved in creating a three-dimensional model of a tree house, which helped me understand the importance of detailed planning and accurate measurements. This experience has reinforced my desire to pursue a career in Quantity Surveying.

Working part-time as a Customer Service Assistant has taught me the importance of communication skills and being able to work effectively as part of a team. I have learned how to handle difficult customers, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and work under pressure. These skills will be valuable when working as a Quantity Surveyor, where effective communication and teamwork are essential.

Playing for the Martin Raws football team has also taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. Football requires dedication, hard work, and the ability to think on your feet, all of which are skills that I believe will be useful in my future career as a Quantity Surveyor. As part of the team, I have learned how to work together to achieve a common goal, while also developing my leadership skills and ability to motivate others.

Overall, I am excited about the prospect of studying Quantity Surveying at university. I believe that my experience in the construction industry, combined with my business knowledge and teamwork skills, will make me an ideal candidate for this course. I am eager to learn more about the industry and to develop the skills necessary to become a successful Quantity Surveyor in the future.

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Quantity surveyor CV example

Looking to jump up the ladder or secure your first role as a quantity surveyor?

Your first step to success is to create an impactful CV which highlights your varied skillset and showcases the exciting projects you’ve worked on.

This guide, which comes complete with a quantity surveyor CV example , will teach you how to put forward a compelling application and land interviews.

Here’s what I’ll cover:

Guide contents

Quantity surveyor CV example

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education
• Skills required for your quantity surveyor CV

CV templates 

Before you get writing, have a good look over this  example  of a good quantity surveyor CV.

Although it gives a comprehensive overview of the candidate’s industry skills and experience, the organised structure means it’s not overwhelming or difficult to read.

Quantity surveyor CV structure & format

The format  and structure of your CV are important because they will determine how easy it is for recruiters and employers to read your CV.

If they can find the information they need quickly, they’ll be happy; but if they struggle, your application could be overlooked.

A simple and logical structure will always create a better reading experience than a complex structure, and with a few simple formatting tricks, you’ll be good to go.

Check them out below:

Formatting Tips

• Length: Two sides of A4 makes for the perfect CV length , though one page is okay for less experienced applicants. This forces you to make sure that every single sentence adds value to your CV and ensures you avoid waffle.
• Readability:  Recruiters appreciate CVs that they can quickly scan through without trouble. Ensure yours makes the cut by formatting your headings for attention (bold or coloured fonts should do the trick) and breaking up long paragraphs into smaller chunks or short, snappy bullet points.
• Design:  When it comes to CV design, it’s best to keep things simple and sleek. While elaborate designs certainly command attention, it’s not always for the right reasons! Readability is key, so whatever you choose to do, make sure you prioritize readability above everything.
• Avoid:  Ditch logos, images or profile photos. Not only do they take up valuable space, but they may even distract recruiters from your important written content.

Structuring your CV

Work to the simple but effective CV structure below:

• Name and contact details – Pop them at the top of your CV, so it’s easy for recruiters to contact you.
• CV profile – Write a snappy overview of what makes you a good fit for the role; discussing your key experience, skills and accomplishments.
• Core skills section – Add a short but snappy list of your relevant skills and knowledge.
• Work experience – A list of your relevant work experience, starting with your current role.
• Education – A summary of your relevant qualifications and professional/vocational training.
• Hobbies and interests – An optional section which you could use to write  a short description of any relevant hobbies or interests.

Next, I’ll go through what you should aim to include within each of thee CV sections above.

CV Contact Details

Start off your CV with a basic list of your contact details.

Here’s what you should include:

• Mobile number
• Email address – It’s often helpful to make a new email address, specifically for your job applications.
• Location – Share your town or city; there’s no need for a full address.
• LinkedIn profile – Make sure the information on your profile is coherent with your CV, and that it’s up-to-date.

Quick tip: Delete excessive details, such as your date of birth or marital status. Recruiters don’t need to know this much about you at this stage, so it’s best to save the space for your other CV sections.

Quantity surveyor CV Profile

Recruiters read through countless applications every day. If they don’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they’ll simply move onto the next one.

That’s what makes your CV profile (or personal statement , if you’re an entry-level/graduate candidate) so important.

This short and snappy summary sits at the top of your CV, which should give a high-level overview of why you’re a good match for the job.

This way, you can ensure that busy recruiters see your suitability from the outset, and so, feel your CV is worth their time.

Tips to consider when creating your profile:

• Avoid clichés:  Clichés like “blue-sky thinker with a go-getter attitude” might sound impressive to you, but they don’t actually tell the recruiter much about you. Concentrate on highlighting hard facts and skills, as recruiters are more likely to take these on board.
• Keep it punchy:  When it comes to CV profile length, less is more. Recruiters are often time-strapped, meaning you need to make a quick i mpact. Aim for around of 3-5 persuasive text.
• Tailor it:  Not tailoring your profile (and the rest of your CV) to the role you’re applying for, is the worst CV mistake you could make. Before setting pen to paper, look over the job ad and make a note of the skills and experience required. Then, incorporate your findings throughout.
• Avoid objectives:   You only have a short space for your CV profile, so avoid writing down your career goals or objectives. If you think these will help your application, incorporate them into your cover letter instead.

What to include in your quantity surveyor CV profile?

Experience summary – Start with a high-level overview of your relevant experience, detailing the type of work/projects you’ve carried out and the type of companies you’ve worked for.

Level of experience – Recent graduate? 5 years of experience? 15 years experience? Your experience level needs to be clear.

Qualifications – Highlight your quantity surveying degree or postgrad conversion course, as well as any other professional training you feel is relevant.

Hard skills – Read through the job description and find what specific hard skills and software knowledge the employer is seeking. Then incorporate these into your profile.

Achievements – Whether it’s reducing costs or solving a complex problem, highlight some relevant stand out professional achievements in your profile.

Core skills section

Directly underneath your profile, add more impact by creating a bullet point list of your core skills.

Here, you should focus on including any skills or knowledge specifically listed in the job advertisement.

This will instantly prove your suitability, even if a recruiter only has seconds to scan each CV.

Work experience/Career history

Recruiters will be itching to know more about your relevant experience by now.

Kickstart this section with your most recent (or current) position, and work your way back through your history.

You can include voluntary and freelance work, too – as long as you’re honest about the nature of the work.

Held countless contract roles and can’t fit them all on your CV? Prioritise space in your CV for the role descriptions of your most recent/current roles, shortening the descriptions for less relevant or older positions.

Structuring your roles

Recruiters will be keen to gain a better idea of where you’ve worked and how you apply your skillset in the workplace.

However, if they’re faced with huge, hard-to-read paragraphs, they may just gloss over it and move onto the next application.

To avoid this, use the simple 3-step role structure, as shown below:

Start with a 1-2 sentence summary of your role as a whole, detailing what the purpose of your position was, who you reported to or managed, and the type of organisation you worked for.

“Responsible for the planning and delivery of a range of multi-functional surveys for a building surveyor company.”

Key responsibilities

Use short, punchy bullet points to showcase your duties and responsibilities in the position.

Employers are most interested in your hard skills and sector knowledge, so point this out wherever you can.

• Prepared survey schedules with estimates of the materials, time and labour costs involved in projects.
• Identified, analysed and developed responses to commercial risks.

Key achievements

To finish off each role with extra impact, list 1-3 stand out achievements , results or accomplishments.

This could be anything which had a positive outcome for the company you worked for or a client/customer.

Where applicable, quantify your examples with facts and figures.

• Completed surveys ahead of schedule and 30% under budget on average, with total client satisfaction.

After your work experience, your education section should provide a summary of your academic background.

Begin with those most relevant to the industry, such as a quantity surveying degree , or your degree with  postgraduate conversion , as well as any other relevant professional training.

Remember to note down any professional memberships (or progress towards them), such as the MRICS .

If you’re a junior candidate, you should also mention your academic qualifications, such as A-Levels and GCSEs.

Quantity Surveyor cover letter

Interests and hobbies

The hobbies and interests CV section isn’t mandatory, so don’t worry if you’re out of room by this point.

However, if you have an interesting hobby or interest that could support a recruiter’s decision making, you might want to add them.

Be careful in terms of what you include though. Only consider hobbies that exhibit skills that are required for roles as a quantity surveyor.

But generic hobbies like “watching TV” won’t impress recruiters, so you’re best off saving the space for other CV sections.

Essential skills for your quantity surveyor CV

Although each company will require a slightly different skill set, there are a number of core skills that will be required within any quantity surveyor position:

• Ability to carry out feasibility studies in order to estimate materials, time and labour costs
• Understanding of legal and contractual matters
• Excellent IT skills and knowledge of relevant software packages
• Negotiating and creating bids for tenders and contracts
• Financial management and reporting skills
• Understanding of environmental guidelines

Writing your quantity surveyor CV

When putting together your quantity surveyor CV, there are a few key points to remember.

Always tailor your CV to the target role, even if it means creating several versions for different roles.

Additionally, remember that the structure and format of your CV need just as much attention as the content.

Good luck with your job search!

Surveying Personal Statement

Sample Surveying Personal Statement

Construction has fascinated me since I can remember. I was always interested in learning how buildings were made, from the design stage to construction. Following my interest, I studied the industry intensively at college. Learning about the industry, the role of Quantity Surveyor jumped out at me and I became convinced that this position would best fit my unique combination of skills and interests. I wish to study Quantity Surveying at degree level to fulfil my ambition.

To prepare myself for the degree, I am currently studying for an HND in Quantity Surveying at college. I am particularly interested in the legal aspect of the course. I have learned how construction-related disputes are increasingly settled in the courts and I look forward to studying Law as part of the degree so that I may avoid legal pitfalls when I begin my career. Earlier, I studied for a BTEC in Construction and Built Environment, for which I was awarded a triple Merit. The course taught me about all aspects of the construction industry so I feel I have a broad, in-depth knowledge of most areas of construction. I also took a BTEC in business at GCSE for which I was awarded a Merit grade. My head for business should stand me in good stead when I come to calculate building costs in the degree and in my career.

Along with my HND, I am currently working part-time as a trainee Quantity Surveyor at Jackson Rowe Associates. From the very beginning, I have been entrusted with great responsibility, putting together documents to send to clients, piecing together contracts, pricing work, writing up tender reviews and negotiating with clients. The day-to-day experience of my chosen profession has only strengthened my ambition and I have learned many of the requisite practical skills of a good quantity surveyor, such as how to write professional documents and correspondence and how to deal with clients in a calm and professional manner. Juggling my studies with my work has also called for great time-management, which should prepare me well for university study. My hard work and talent have not gone unnoticed: the company would like me to return and pursue my career there when I finish my studies.

For almost three years, I gained significant experience of dealing with customers when I worked as a customer services representative at a major retailer. I was responsible for handling customer complaints and queries and the experience taught me how to deal professionally with people and meet demanding targets, essential skills for a Quantity Surveyor in the highly-pressurised construction industry.

Outside of the workplace and the classroom, I keep abreast of developments in the industry, including major new projects that might interest me, by reading monthly construction magazines on a regular basis. I pay particularly close attention to the economic performance of the industry, which tends to be more dramatically affected by changes in the overall economy than other areas.

It is important for a Quantity Surveyor to have a taste for leadership. I developed such a taste in my final years of school when I was entrusted with great responsibility as a school prefect. I had to look after the younger children during breaks and ensure that no school property was vandalised. The work required a cool head and maturity, personal qualities which should be of use to me when I shall work on high-pressured projects later.

In my spare time, I love to keep fit through swimming and cycling. I should like to try out for the swimming and cycling teams at university. I want to take advantage of every opportunity I shall have at university, as I shall be one of the first members of my family to gain a degree.

I always say, ‘You get out of life what you put in’: I am determined to become a chartered surveyor and make my way up the ladder within the company I work for, so I will do everything necessary to achieve my goal both inside and outside the lecture hall at university.

We hope this sample Surveying Personal Statement has been helpful.

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Surveying Personal Statement Examples

• 1 Personal Statement Example Links
• 2 Career Opportunities
• 3 UK Admission Requirements
• 4 UK Earnings Potential For Surveyors
• 5 Similar Courses in UK
• 6 UK Curriculum
• 7 Alumni Network

Personal Statement Example Links

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• Personal Statement Example 3
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• Personal Statement Example 5

Ever thought about how we map the world around us? Intrigued by the idea of translating the physical world into detailed plans and charts?

If so, a degree in Surveying may be your calling. This fascinating field merges science, technology and the environment, providing you with the expertise to measure, manage and enhance the spaces in which we live, work and play.

A career in surveying can be a rewarding and fulfilling one, and it is a field that is in high demand. Surveying is the science of measuring and mapping land, and it is used in many different industries, including construction, engineering, and land management. It requires a strong knowledge of mathematics, physics, and engineering principles, as well as a keen eye for detail and accuracy.

If you are considering a career in surveying, it is important to have a good understanding of the subject and to be able to demonstrate your knowledge in your personal statement . Your personal statement should explain why you are interested in surveying, and why you think it is the right career for you. It should also provide evidence of your academic achievements, such as your grades and any relevant work experience.

👍 When writing your personal statement, it is important to be honest and to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the subject. You should also be sure to highlight any relevant skills or qualities that you possess, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.

Career Opportunities

A degree in surveying can open up a wide range of career opportunities. Graduates can pursue a career in land surveying, which involves measuring, mapping and analyzing land boundaries, topography and other features. This field is in high demand, as it is essential for construction, engineering, and other land-related projects.

Graduates can also pursue a career in geomatics, which involves using technology to measure and manage geographic data. This field is also in high demand, and is used in a variety of industries, including urban planning, environmental protection, and natural resource management.

Graduates can also pursue a career in cartography, which involves creating maps and other visual representations of geographic data. This field is often used in the military, as well as in the fields of engineering and urban planning.

Finally, graduates can pursue a career in remote sensing, which involves using aerial and satellite imagery to measure and analyze geographic data. This field is used in a variety of industries, including agriculture, forestry, and environmental protection.

Overall, a degree in surveying can open up a wide range of career opportunities in a variety of industries. Graduates can pursue careers in land surveying, geomatics, cartography, and remote sensing.

UK Admission Requirements

In order to be accepted into the university course surveying, applicants must have achieved a minimum of a 2:1 in a related subject such as mathematics, engineering, geography, or physics. Depending on the university, applicants may also need to have achieved a minimum of a C grade in GCSE Maths and English.

In addition to the academic requirements, the university may also require applicants to have relevant work experience or a portfolio of work to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field.

The entry criteria for this course is similar to other courses in the same field, such as civil engineering and geomatics. However, the entry criteria for university course surveying may be slightly more stringent due to the technical nature of the subject.

UK Earnings Potential For Surveyors

The average earnings for someone with a degree in surveying vary depending on the specific job role and the experience level of the individual. Generally speaking, surveyors can expect to earn an average salary of between £25,000 and £45,000 per year, with the potential to earn more in certain roles.

In terms of trends in the job market, the demand for surveyors is expected to grow in the coming years as the need for accurate data and information increases. This is due to the increasing number of construction projects and the need for detailed maps and plans. Additionally, the use of new technologies such as drones and 3D scanning is expected to create more opportunities for surveyors.

Similar Courses in UK

Other related university courses in the UK include Land Surveying, Geographic Information Systems, and Civil Engineering .

Land Surveying focuses on the measurement and mapping of land and its features, while Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a technology-based course that uses digital mapping to analyze spatial data.

Civil Engineering is a broader engineering course that covers the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, and roads.

The key differences between these courses are the topics they focus on. While Surveying is focused on the measurement and mapping of land, GIS is focused on the analysis of spatial data, and Civil Engineering is focused on the design and construction of infrastructure. Additionally, Surveying is typically a more hands-on course, while GIS and Civil Engineering are more technology-based.

UK Curriculum

The key topics and modules covered in a university course in surveying include:

• Introduction to Surveying: This module covers the fundamentals of surveying, including the principles of surveying, the types of surveys, and the use of surveying instruments.
• Geodesy and Geodetic Surveying: This module covers the concepts of geodesy, geodetic surveying, and the use of global positioning systems (GPS).
• Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing: This module covers the principles of photogrammetry, remote sensing, and the use of aerial photography.
• Mapping and Cartography: This module covers the fundamentals of mapping, cartography, and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Construction Surveying: This module covers the principles of construction surveying, the use of total stations and theodolites, and the construction of topographic maps.
• Legal Aspects of Surveying: This module covers the legal aspects of surveying, including boundary law, land surveying regulations, and the use of survey evidence in court.

Hands-on experience and practical work are an integral part of a university course in surveying. Students will have the opportunity to use surveying instruments in the field, as well as use GIS and other software in the classroom. They will also be required to complete a variety of projects and assignments that involve the use of surveying techniques.

Alumni Network

One notable alumni from the Surveying course is Dr. John E. Anderson, who is the President of Anderson Surveying and Mapping, Inc. He has been a registered professional land surveyor in the state of Florida since 1973 and is a leader in the surveying industry. He has served as the President of the Florida Society of Professional Surveyors and as a member of the National Society of Professional Surveyors. He is also a member of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping and the Florida Institute of Professional Surveyors.

Dr. Anderson has been a leader in the development of surveying technology and has been involved in several research projects related to the field. He has also been involved in numerous surveying projects throughout the state of Florida, including the development of a new surveying system for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Alumni events and networking opportunities for surveying alumni are available through the Florida Society of Professional Surveyors and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping. These organizations provide a platform for alumni to connect and share their experiences and knowledge. Additionally, the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping offers a variety of educational and professional development opportunities for surveying alumni.

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Writing a Personal Statement

Northumbria’s ultimate guide to writing an undergraduate personal statement. .

The Personal Statement in the UCAS application is all about you but it’s also an opportunity to tell universities why you want to study there and why you want to study a particular subject. 

Why is a Personal Statement important?

There are some courses where you may have to have an interview, or provide a portfolio, but for many courses, universities make their decisions solely on your UCAS application - and the personal statement is your chance to sell yourself. 

Read our current student Emma's hints and tips on writing your personal statement. 

What should you include in your Personal Statement?

This will depend on the courses you want to study. Generally, universities want to know how your current studies have shaped your decision and what experiences you've gained. They want to know what interests you about the subject area, and whether you have a long-term career goal.

Ultimately, they want to learn about you - your extra-curricular activities, what you do in your spare time, any relevant work/volunteer experience, and any other achievements.

You should use this opportunity to demonstrate the transferable skills and attributes you have gained from inside and outside of school/college. For instance, if you're a good maths student, you're likely to have good analytical skills and problem-solving abilities. If you are part of a sports team, you’re likely going to have good teamwork skills.

If you're not sure where to start, scribble down a list of what you've done, and pick out the most relevant parts.

If you are applying to a Health Course such as Nursing, we want to know that you understand the career and the skills and values needed to succeed in it, so make sure you do your research.

Things to include:

• Qualifications
• Volunteering
• Books or articles you’ve read
• Subjects you’ve studied
• Personal qualities (communication, leadership, organisation etc.)
• Your future goals

How long should a personal statement be?

A personal statement’s maximum length is 4,000 characters. So, a page or two at most. 

What tense should I write my personal statement in?

Any tense is fine. Present tense may read more naturally and show active enthusiasm for your subject. 

How should I refer to myself (pronouns) in my personal statement?

Some people believe that personal statements, cover letters, and CVs, should avoid the use of first-person pronoun “I”. While it’s reasonable to not over-use “I” (or any repeated word for that matter) it may often be the best way for you to articulate your sentence in the right way – so don’t worry. A few “I”’s here and there isn’t going to be a problem. 

What kind of language should I use in my personal statement?

Keep the language clear and straightforward. Don’t overcomplicate your content. If you do find yourself struggling for varied adjectives, a thesaurus (or more likely thesaurus.com) should be your go-to. However, if you don’t understand the word or wouldn’t use it naturally, then avoid it. However, it can help your memory working when stuck.

Similarly, say it with conviction. Avoid hedging terms like ‘might’ - believe in yourself! You ‘will’ be good for this course, you ‘do’ have passion for the subject, and you ‘will’ strive to achieve your career goals. 

Tips for constructing your personal statement

• Keep it focused - Don't waffle and avoid using unnecessary quotes or statements.
• Keep it relevant - Don’t list everything you have ever done if it’s not relevant.
• Keep it organised – make sure it’s clear, concise, and logical.
• Keep it authentic – Don’t embellish or copy. Make sure you could talk about anything in your statement.
• Keep it neutral – You only get one statement for all universities.
• Avoid cliches - Phrases such as 'for as long as I can remember' may sound good but they can sound cliched and at times simply aren't true.
• Be enthusiastic – show some enthusiasm for what you want to do.
• Back up your statements - For instance, if you find something interesting, don’t just say that, explain why.
• Get it checked – Have someone read it over before you submit.

How to start a personal statement

The start of your personal statement should grab the reader’s attention. Lay down the foundation of why you are the right candidate for the course and make the reader to know more. Be careful, though, avoid cliché lines or OTT explanations - University’s read hundreds of personal statements each year, so you need to stand out while keeping their attention.  

How to end a personal statement

End as strong as you started. Make a lasting impression, your conclusion needs to highlight everything you have mentioned. Link everything back to your degree and why you should study it. Explain what makes you special and why you would be a perfect addition to the campus.

What do I do with my personal statement when it's done?

Once you’ve written, proof-read and had your personal statement checked, you might feel ready to submit it.  Your personal statement gets added to your UCAS application when you apply and must be added before the deadline.

Remember, your personal statement can’t be changed once it’s been submitted so make sure you’re 100% satisfied before you add it into the application. If you have extra materials to add, you can contact your university directly, and they will decide whether additional materials are necessary. 

If I'm choosing deferred entry, when should I write my personal statement?

Your personal statement should be written and added to your UCAS application before you submit. This means, if you’re applying this year to start next year, you will need to write your personal statement this year.

If you intend to gain experience, travel, or study more between that time, include details of this in your personal statement and explain how that will make you a suitable candidate. Alternatively, you could start a new application next year which details everything you achieved during your year away from education. 

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Building surveying personal statement example.

My interest in building surveying has piqued within the last 6 months, since working with my mother on property letting, development, and renovation. Prior to that, I was actively looking for a degree apprenticeship in project management and had reached the final recruitment stages at three companies before lockdown caused them to cancel their recruitment. Building surveying would enable me to develop and use similar skills and focus on the surveying aspects that I find so interesting. I would love to own my own surveying company one day with the goal of offering apprenticeships and graduate programs to others that would like to enter this area. I wasn’t ready to go to university when I was 18 but, if I had, I know that I would have spent most of my time partying and not doing enough work. The past few years has allowed me to mature and grow as a person in both skills and my work ethic; in particular, communication skills, problem solving, teamwork, planning and organisation. My roles in Kent and Alton were demanding ones, where a normal working day started at 7.30am and ended at 11pm. We typically worked six days a week and in that time, we would take on a vast range of tasks. We were primarily responsible for working with young people but had to be flexible enough to do whatever was needed, such as serving food and washing up, to setting up IT and audio/video equipment, or routine maintenance on the rather old, large building we lived and worked in. Working within a team of youth workers and with groups of young people meant that I had to communicate with a lot of different people, in a range of situations, including deeply personal one-to-one conversations, participating in group team meetings, leading groups of 6-12 young people, and presenting on the stage at events of 200 people. This meant that I developed many styles of communication, and ensured I used the most effective style for the given situation. I built on skills that I had gained from playing rugby, when communication was essential for teamwork, but the challenge of changing my style for each person was a useful new skill. As a youth worker, teamwork and planning were vital for us; preparing timetables, materials, and sessions enabled everything to run smoothly. There were challenges to meet in this process, including conflicts of space and timings as well as times when I needed to make quick changes, but I was able to remain calm under the pressure. My involvement in property development over the last 6 months has included visiting potential properties and assessing whether they were worth an investment. This would involve a quick look around the house to see if there are any obvious structural problems. I would then create a spreadsheet that allowed allow me to evaluate whether the property is a solid investment by, estimating the cost of repairs, deciding whether work is needed to meet regulations, e.g., for an HMO, or potential development into a block of flats. I would also check whether a house was in a flood or conservation area, and the implications for the planning process. Working and creating with my hands is very important to me, and as such I have a great passion for music, playing various instruments including guitar, bass, drums, and piano. I also really enjoy playing rugby. Over lockdown, I designed and built my own recording studio. While studying for my foundation degree, my essay writing skills improved greatly. In the past, I found that I struggled with essay writing, but doing the foundation degree has enabled me to improve my writing skills and has boosted my confidence. I’ve always had an interest in how buildings are designed and built and look forward to gaining a greater insight. The project management part of the course will be of great interest too. I am very excited about this course and feel that I have the right skills and attitudes to do it successfully.

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