Personal statements for college applications

What is a college personal statement?

This short essay gives you an opportunity to explain to the admissions staff your main reasons for deciding to study a particular college course and your suitability beyond your predicted or achieved grades.

You can use this part of your application to:

• demonstrate the attributes you have that make you a strong candidate
• explain what excites you about the subject and this specific course
• highlight relevant skills and experiences from school, work and your hobbies
• offer an insight into your individual talents and future career goals.

Admissions teams use the personal statement to gain a deeper understanding of your:

• goals
• interests
• suitability for the course.

Will I need to write a personal statement?

Not necessarily, as this will depend on the sixth form or FE college you plan to apply to and its own application process.

Personal statements for full-time further study

In most college applications for full-time study, online applications provide space on the form to write a personal statement, which may appear as a:

• free-text box where you can add information to support your application
• personal statement section
• series of guided questions about your suitability and interest in the course.

It's important to note that not all college course applications require a personal statement. Check the website of the college you're applying to and read through their 'how to apply' or 'admissions' section to find out specific details on their application process. If you are in doubt, contact the college's admissions team directly.

Read more about how to apply for college in the UK.

Personal statements for full-time undergraduate applications

If you're applying to study a full-time undergraduate qualification, such as a Bachelors degree, and the institution is a UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) course provider, your college will point you to the centralised UCAS system.

As part of an undergraduate UCAS application, you'll need to answer these three questions, which collectively form your personal statement:

• Why do you want to study this course or subject?
• How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
• What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences helpful?

Get tips on writing personal statements for university applications.

Personal statements for part-time study

For part-time undergraduate courses and most FE qualifications (Levels 1 to 3, from GCSEs to A-levels), you'll usually apply directly to the college rather than through UCAS.

Application requirements vary between institutions, but you may be asked to provide a personal statement explaining:

• any relevant skills or experience
• how you'll manage your studies alongside work, family or other commitments
• your reasons for choosing the course.

Check the college's website or admissions guidance to see whether a personal statement is required and what information you need to include.

How do I write a personal statement?

Unlike the UCAS undergraduate personal statement, there is no official guide for writing a statement.

Each college you're applying to may have its own requirements, such as word and character limits or content requirements. For example, Shrewsbury College asks you to write 250 to 300 words as you share your:

• ambitions
• experiences
• skills
• story.

Do you have any tips for writing a personal statement?

Before you begin, it can help to read a college personal statement example to understand the structure and tone admissions teams are looking for. You can also explore how to write a personal statement for your CV.

There is no set formula for writing a personal statement, but most personal statements follow a few key principles:

• Be clear and concise - concentrate on why you chose this subject and course, and tie this in with what the course outline expects of students.
• Draft it first - write your statement in Word (or an equivalent program) before copying it into the online form so you can check it for any spelling or grammatical errors.
• Structure your statement - break the content into short paragraphs and easy-to-read sections.
• Keep it relevant - all the points you make should focus on the course you're applying for. Provide examples of your skills and knowledge in this subject.
• Tell the truth - be prepared to discuss some of the examples you've provided in the statement.
• Get feedback - ask family, friends, or a teacher for constructive advice.

How should I structure my personal statement?

You could order it like this:

1. Introduction - provide brief details on yourself, the course you're applying for, and why you want to study at this college.
2. Academic requirements - mention how your results or predicted grades demonstrate your readiness for the course.
3. Experience and skills - pick out any relevant experiences and what you gained from them.
4. Future goals - tie in how your career aspirations relate to the course and how it will help you achieve them. (This section can also be placed near the beginning.)
5. Conclusion - briefly summarise your motivation and suitability for the course.

What should I include in my statement?

This will depend on your current study level and the course you're applying for.

If you're leaving school and planning to study Level 3 courses, such as A-levels or T Levels, at a sixth form or FE college, the main purpose of your statement is to explain:

• any relevant skills and achievements
• your reasons for choosing three or four specific A-levels or a particular T Level subject
• how your GCSEs and other school-based experiences have prepared you for the course
• your enthusiasm for the subject(s) - supported by evidence of work experience, volunteering or extra-curricular activities
• how the qualification fits in with your career plans, such as doing an apprenticeship or going to university
• why you have chosen to study at this particular college.

A-levels

For A-levels, which are academically focused, you need to:

• include any wider reading or super-curricular activities you've engaged in outside of school
• showcase your academic strengths and how they relate to your chosen A-level subjects
• talk about any positions of responsibility you've held, such as student leader, prefect or mentor, and other achievements that show you as a positive role model.

To give you an idea of what other A-level applicants write about, look at the example personal statements from Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge. A-level personal statement tips are also offered by the Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre.

T Levels

For T Level courses, which focus on practical skills and involve an industry placement, you can emphasise:

• any part-time jobs or work experience you've undertaken, and the skills you developed, such as leadership, teamwork or adaptability
• how your practical experiences relate to your specific T Level subject
• what has drawn you to this particular industry.

Vocational college courses

Most other college courses are vocational, meaning they are career-focused programmes that provide practical skills and knowledge related to a particular job or industry. This differs from traditional academic routes, such as A-levels.

Vocational courses include:

• BTEC diplomas
• Foundation degrees
• Higher National Certificates (HNCs)
• Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)
• Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
• National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

If you're applying for one of these courses and the application isn't through UCAS, your personal statement should focus on:

• the practical, hands-on training the course offers
• how this relates to the skills you already have.

For example, if you're thinking of studying a technical animal care qualification, such as the Level 2 BTEC in Animal Management at Plumpton College, you'll need to show the admissions team that you're passionate about treating and looking after injured or stray animals - or even exotic and large animals.

Any previous work experience or volunteering at an animal shelter is ideal to demonstrate your:

• interest in the subject
• motivation
• responsibility
• time management.

Read about volunteering with animals and popular jobs working with animals.

You can then discuss how this qualification aligns with your future career aspirations, even if you don't yet have a perfectly clear pathway.

Be prepared to discuss the content of your application and personal statement during a potential college admissions interview.

Adult learners returning to education

For adult learners returning to education to study a degree or change careers, college courses include:

• Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma
• Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
• Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE).

For these courses, the personal statement should focus on:

• what you hope to gain from it
• why you want to do this course now at this stage in your career
• your previous education experiences and personal progression.

It is essential to explain your journey and demonstrate how this qualification aligns with your future career goals. You'll also need to show how you'll make time for study alongside your other commitments.

If your goal is to start a new career, demonstrate that you understand the challenges involved and that you've already considered how you'll overcome them.

Explore adult education.

Find out more

• Consider your post-16 options.
• Get an overview of the UK's FE sector.
• Read about getting Year 12 work experience.