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Students thinking of applying to UK universities in September 2025 will do well to remember that Universities and Colleges Admissions Service personal statements are set to change.
Students thinking of applying to UK universities in September 2025 will do well to remember that Universities and Colleges Admissions Service personal statements are set to change.
The long-debated changes to the UCAS personal statement will take effect for students applying in September 2025 for the 2026 entry.
The personal statement will change from the current one of 4,000 characters to three questions with a total word limit of 4,000 characters.
The three questions are:
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?
According to the UCAS, the first question allows applicants to showcase their passion for and knowledge of their chosen subject, to demonstrate to universities and colleges why they are a good fit, and to outline any future ambitions.
The second question allows applicants to describe relevant or transferable skills they've gained in education and demonstrate their understanding of how these will help them succeed in their chosen course or subject area.
The last question allows applicants to reflect on their personal experiences and any other activities they have undertaken outside their education to demonstrate their suitability for the course further.
Jo Saxton, the chief executive of UCAS, said that the current approach to personal statements could be "challenging for those with less support. The new approach, with guided questions, aims to give greater confidence to those students and their teachers when advising on how to secure their dream course."
While I agree with UCAS's objective of lowering the personal statement hurdle for those who are less supported, I do not think that the changes could lower the hurdle for those who are less supported.
Currently, students are putting together their personal statements with these three questions in mind anyway.
The changes to the format do not make writing a personal statement any easier.
