What to write

That blank space and feeling like your future depends on what you write is daunting. Where do you start?

As with job applications, or any piece of writing, the key is to think about the reader and what they want to know.

In the case of your personal statement, your audience wants to be convinced of just two things – that you are right for their course and that the course is right for you. Here are some ideas for how to demonstrate both of those.

How to show you are right for the course

Being a good fit means matching any entry requirements. But also, demonstrating why you are going to do well on that course and are ready for postgraduate study.

What knowledge, skills and experiences do you bring to help you do well? From your degree, but potentially also from self-study, work, or life experience. Any, or all, of these areas of your life can contribute to convincing of your likely suitability and success.

This evidence may be quite specific to the subject. Or it would be more general techniques, skills, or approaches from a different field but transferable to future study. For example, programming experience, essay writing, analytical skills, relevant research methods. Or maybe transferable political, social, or theoretical ideas and understanding.

If you feel you need help with identifying what is relevant for your application and with choosing evidence of your suitability, we can help you with this.

In addition to knowledge and skills, what personal qualities and strengths will you draw on to ensure your full participation and success? The demands made are usually more intense as a postgraduate, so show that you are up to the challenge of learning more in less time and more independently. If it feels relevant, you might want to touch on when you have previously shown; determination, persistence, and initiative in learning or solving problems.

You should focus mainly on your suitability for the course and college (or department and faculty – use the language that institution uses) but there may also be something to say about the institution in terms of fit and how you will contribute. It’s more likely this might come up for the motivation element of your statement though.

How to convince that the course and institution is right for you

This is where you show your goals and motivation. Do you really want to do this? Are you going to enjoy and get something from the experience?

It might seem obvious that if you’re applying, you must be keen, after all you’re making a significant and difficult commitment here! But the only way for someone else to believe that is to tell them why you want this, in a way that demonstrates you have researched well and reflected on your motivations. Just stating how passionate you are isn’t going to do it. It’s not a competition for who can write the gushiest personal statement!

If passion in the subject is your main driver that is fantastic, but maybe share where and how that passion get sparked? What is the story since then, for how you have followed that through and developed your passion, ideas, and knowledge? You don’t have to be an expert already of course, you are going to study in order to learn, but showing you have taken what opportunities you can to explore and learn will impress. Maybe for you, the driver is all about how you want to use and apply this passion in the world.

Get specific, really question yourself on what would be so good about doing this course. There are no best answers, but you might consider: the course content, structure, who teaches the course, departmental expertise. Is there a work experience element? Do the dissertation options particularly appeal? Maybe, the facilities and skills taught are especially impressive and you’ve heard good reports from others. How well is the course aligned with an industry or career you’re interested in? You don’t have to have a set career path in mind; but if you do, then sharing that in your statement as a motivator might be a good idea.

Your aim should be to leave the reader in no doubt that you have done your research, know yourself, know what you’re getting into and are ready to go!

Don’t panic, your statement doesn’t have to contain all of the above!

I’ve just given ideas, they won’t all fit and you will have your own. Your statement needs to reflect your experiences and sound like you. So don’t be too cautious or formulaic and don’t feel you need to cover things that don’t feel relevant.

Individuality needs to be balanced with formality though. So, if you’re unsure about your content or the tone, we’d recommend booking for feedback. We can let you know how well your statement convinces us and spot if you seem to be underselling yourself in any area.

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Many thanks to Laura, one of our careers consultants, for writing this blog! You can book a 1-to-1 appointment with Laura and any of the other consultants to discuss your CV, cover letter, personal statement, prepare for an interview and more on Engage.