Tailor your personal statement for different subjects

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Your personal statement is an important tool to introduce yourself and show your enthusiasm for the course you’re applying for as well as your experiences.

Talking about your interests outside of school gives admission officers a better idea of what you’re like as a person. But that doesn’t mean listing mundane, day-to-day activities like watching TV or hanging out with friends!

When including your interests in your personal statement, think about how the activities you’re mentioning actually relate to the course you’re applying to study.

To give you a bit of help, we looked at some popular subject areas and noted things to ask yourself when thinking about your experiences and interests outside of your education. Be sure to use real-life examples too, and think about how they’ll benefit your studies and life at uni.

Accounting

Have you done any work experience in accounting or anything related?
Have you read any books related to finance?
Do you have any soft skills that’ll be helpful in this course (e.g. proficiency with spreadsheets)?

Biological sciences

Is your decision to study biological sciences based on any personal experience?
Do you have any work experience in biological sciences or anything related?
Is there a particular module that interests you? Why?

Business management

Have you worked or volunteered in a business? What did you learn and what were your responsibilities?
Did you study business-related subjects? How did this encourage your decision?
Have you demonstrated leadership qualities?

Engineering

Have you taken part in any STEM-related schemes?
What area of engineering interests you? What led to your interest?
Have you attended any engineering events or watched any talks that stand out? What did you learn?

Computer science

Are you proficient in any kind of software or programming language?
How have you demonstrated problem-solving?
Have you done any reading around the subject of computer science?

Media & communications

How have you demonstrated good communication skills?
Have you been involved in any creative projects?
What interests you about the current media landscape?

Law

Have you been part of a debate team?
Were there any real-life events that sparked your interest in law?
Is there a particular assignment or subject that piqued your interest in law?

Education

Do you have experience working or caring for young people (e.g. your siblings or other family members)?
Do you do any volunteer work where you apply the skills you’ve developed?
Do you have any hobbies or interests that would translate well to teaching?

Nursing

Do you have work experience in nursing or anything related? What responsibilities did you have?
How do you use your people skills?
Do any of your hobbies need a high level of commitment?