UCAS AND THE PERSONAL

STATEMENT

Claire Johnson

11th

October 2017

3

•Replies due back from applicants with decision about which

offers are to be accepted, one firm and one insurance

•UCAS Extra (25th

Feb – 6th

July)

April

•Exams!May /June

•BTEC/AVCE results usually arrive in July. GCSE’s

•A and AS level results – Clearing Process Mid August

•Opening date for UCAS applicationsMid September

•Main closing date for the receipt of UCAS

applications.

•15 Oct - Oxbridge

•Visit days & interviews

15th

January

•Universities to respond to applicants by 31st

March

•Replying to offers, (unconditional, conditional,

reject)

End of March

4

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY: IT’S

COMPLICATED …

575,898 applicants, chasing…

450,000 places, on over…

37,000 different degree courses at…

370 higher education providers.

5

RESEARCHING HIGHER EDUCATION

right course + right

place =

great time + great

career

Avoid being part of

7.1% that drop out in

first year

RESEARCH

6

CHOOSING WHERE TO STUDY

COURSE

HOME OR

AWAY

STUDENT

LIFE

FACITLITIES

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

TYPE OF

UNIVERSITY

WHERE SHOULD

I STUDY???

7

HOW DO YOU WANT TO LEARN AT UNIVERSITY?

Independent learning

How will you be assessed?

8

BA History

TYPES OF COURSES AVAILABLE

• Single honours

• Joint honours

• Major/minor combinations

• Sandwich courses

• Bachelor’s degree

• Masters degree

BA History and Politics

BA History with Politics

Study – Years 1 & 2

Study – Year 4

Placement Year

Course flexibility – modules, languages and preparing

you for your future careers

9

WHAT SHOULD I STUDY TO GET A GOOD JOB?

Accounting

& Finance

Chemistry

Geography

Music

which has the highest % of students entering

employment on graduation?

10

Accounting

= 80%

Chemistry

=85%

Geography

=79%

Music

=90%

which has the highest % of students entering

employment on graduation?

WHAT SHOULD I STUDY TO GET A GOOD JOB?

11

12

CHOOSING WHERE TO STUDY

COURSE

HOME OR

AWAY

STUDENT

LIFE

FACITLITIES

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

TYPE OF

UNIVERSITY

WHERE SHOULD

I STUDY???

13

TYPE OF UNIVERSITY

Type 1: Research Intensive Universities

Academic, ‘traditional’ subjects, 21st

century research,

solving world problems, Russell Group and others

Type 2: Regional Universities

Vocationally focused, greater emphasis on teaching skills

and sector focused, Millennium Plus Group and others

14

RESEARCH INTENSIVE UNIVERSITIES

national

reputation

international

reputation

highly

competitive

high grades

city

based

campus

basedResearch

Universities

15

16

REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES

often

vocationalaccessible

serve local

community

teaching based

local

employer

links

large

range of

coursesRegional

Universities

17

REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES

18

CHOOSING WHERE TO STUDY

COURSE

HOME OR

AWAY

STUDENT

LIFE

FACITLITIES

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

TYPE OF

UNIVERSITY

WHERE SHOULD

I STUDY???

19

UNIVERSTIY: HOME OR AWAY?

“Students who leave home get the best jobs”

“Students who stay at home choose from a

limited selection then should select the course

that best suits their interests, not the best locally

available”

“Students who study away from home have better

job prospects…graduates who attend a local

university are less likely to move and find work”

“Graduates who migrate earn more than those

employed in their home region”

20

City/Campus? Cost of living?

Distance from

Home?

Will you make the

most of it?

UNIVERSTIY: HOME OR AWAY?

21

2222

23

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CHOOSING WHERE TO STUDY

COURSE

HOME OR

AWAY

STUDENT

LIFE

FACITLITIES

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

TYPE OF

UNIVERSITY

WHERE SHOULD

I STUDY???

25

26

LIFE ON CAMPUS

Over 300 societies

Over 80 sports clubs

31 Performing Arts groups

27

AERIAL

SPORTS

SOCIETY

CHAMBER

OPERA

CHESS

CLUB

CHEERLEADING

COCKTAIL

SOCIETY

CYBER

SECRUITY

SOCIETY

DODGEBALL

DABKE

SOCIETY

POLITICS

SOCIETY

ENACTUS

FEMINIST

SOCIETY

MASONIC

SOCIETYMEDSOC

PAINTBALL

SOCIETY

POTTERY

SOCIETY

ROLLLBALL

CLUB

SAVING

FACES

FISH ON

TOAST

LABOUR

CLUB

CONTEMPORARY

DANCE SOCIETYWIRELESS

SOCIETY

JAZZMANIX

FIRST AID

SOCIETY

YOGA

SOCIETY

COMEDY

SOCIETY

SHOWSTOPPERS

SAILING

BHANGRA

BRASS

BAND

BELLY

DANCING MENTAL

HEALTH

CIRCUS

SOCIETY

ROWING

MAGIC

SOCIETY

QUIZ

SOCIETY

JAZZMANIXSTEAMPUNK

SOCIETY

BUDDHIST

MEDITATION

SOCIETY

ACROYOGA

KORFBALL

ROBOGALS

CAKE

DECORATING

SOCIETY

AMNESTY

INTERNATIONAL

LACROSSE

STRING

ORCHESTER

POLO

WESSEX

SAILING

CLUB

HYDRO

TEAM

BRASS

BAND

HACKASOTON

LANGUAGE

SOCIETY

MIXED

MARTIAL

ARTS

TRAVELLING

SOCIETY

TCHOUKBALL

CAMEROON

CATALYST

ART

SOCIETY

ROCK AND

METAL MUSIC

SOCIETY

HISTORY

SOCIETY

UNION

FILMS

MARINE

CONSERVATION

SOCIETY

IRISH

DANCING

AIKIDO

LUXURY

LIFESTYLE

SOCIETY

ZUMBA +

REAL ALE

AND CIDER

SOCIETY

BULGARIAN

SOCIETY

BALLET

SOCIETY

JIU-JITSU

QUIDDITCH

CLUB

WAKEBOARDING

28

CHOOSING WHERE TO STUDY

COURSE

HOME OR

AWAY

STUDENT

LIFE

FACITLITIES

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

TYPE OF

UNIVERSITY

WHERE SHOULD

I STUDY???

2929

31

CHOOSING WHERE TO STUDY

COURSE

HOME OR

AWAY

STUDENT

LIFE

FACITLITIES

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

TYPE OF

UNIVERSITY

WHERE SHOULD

I STUDY???

32

THE GRADES GAME…

Selectors

Lots of applicants

high entry grades

Medics /

Vets/Nursing

Law /Psychology

Management /

Business/

Economics

Oxbridge & Russell

Group…

Recruiters

Fewer applicants

lower entry grades

Lots of places to

fill....

Environmental

Chemistry/Biology

Statistics

Brewing and

Distilling Studies

33

WILL YOU BE QUALIFIED?

Section 1

personal

details

chosen

courses

Section 2

your

qualifications

grades

obtained – do

you meet the

pre-requisites

predicted

grades

Section 3

personal

statement

Section 4

reference

34

One Statement

4,000 characters or 47 lines

Your chance to persuade an admissions tutor that you are the

right candidate for the course

Your opportunity to stand out from the competition

Will form the basis of questioning at interview, or it will be the only

opportunity you have to talk about why you should be given a

place

35

GETTING STARTED–HOW TO USE YOUR 47 LINES

Additional Skills, Hobbies and Interests

Summarise why you will be a good choice

Why do you want to study the subject?

What skills do you possess that will make you a

good student of the subject?

Academic 80-90%

Information about your skills, knowledge

and experience that is directly relevant to

the course that you are making an

application for

36

WHAT DO ADMISSIONS TUTORS LOOK FOR

IN THE PERSONAL STATEMENT?

EVIDENCE that you have the skills needed for the course

PROOF of your interest in the

subject

DEMONSTRATION of your commitment

37

HOW CAN I SHOW THIS TO AN

ADMISSIONS TUTOR?

A rounded picture to show that you are a suitable

candidate for the university both academically and

socially

Reasons for

choosing the course

Enthusiasm for your

subject

Subject specific

skills

Any work

experience,

placement or

voluntary work

Career plans

Gap year plans

Motivation and

commitment

Extra-curricular

hobbies and

interests

Why you? What

can you offer?

Transferable skills

38

POSTITIVE PHRASING

“At present, I am studying A2s in English Literature, French and

Media Studies. I cope with the work quite well and meet the

deadlines. I have learnt a variety of skills – French language

skills, and English has honed my analytical skills in analysing

poetry and prose.”

Furthermore Enabled me In addition

Use my initiative Thrive Strengthen

Enhance Explored Gained

Participated Learnt from Reinforced

Furthered Commitment Taking part

Efficiently Hard work Interested

Acquired Broadening Improved

Passion Developed Rewarding

39

WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE?

Paragraph 1: Introduction

• What was your personal trigger?

• How does your subject relate to society or current affairs?

• Which aspects of the course are you really looking forward to

studying in more detail and why?

41

Paragraph 2: Your interest in the subject

• What have you done in school/college to develop your interest in

the subject? (trips/books/wider reading documentaries...)

• What have you done outside school or college you can link to

your subject? (work experience, volunteering, part-time job...)

• Do you have a particular career aspiration?

WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE?

42

Enhancing Your Application

43

MOOCs

• Web Science: How the Web is changing the World

• Exploring our Oceans

• The Mind is Flat: The shocking shallowness of human

psychology

• Preparing for University

44

Avoid a boring list of hobbies, e.g. ‘reading’,

‘socialising with friends’, ‘going to the cinema’.

HOBBIES AND INTERSTS

45

Fine to mention films, books that you like but make sure to

mention genres, authors, artists etc. and mention why they

interest you. Try to make it relevant.

45

46

WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE?

Summary

Finish with a one or two line summary recapping:

• Why you want to go to university and study the course?

• Why you deserve to be offered a place?

Conclude your personal statement by briefly and concisely

bringing it back to why you are a good choice for the course and

the university.

Highlight how you are prepared both academically and socially

for the challenge of Higher Education.

48

‘From a young age I have (always) been

(interested/fascinated by)…..’

1,770 other applicants used this

opening in their Personal Statement

in 2015

UCAS SIMILARITY DETECTION

49

UCAS SIMILARITY DETECTION

‘For as long as I can remember I

have…..’

1,451 other applicants used this

opening in their Personal Statement

in 2015

50

UCAS SIMILARITY DETECTION

‘Education is the most powerful weapon

which you can use to change the

world…..’

148 other applicants used this

opening in their Personal Statement

in 2015

51

Reasons given to unsuccessful applicants

Your personal statement

does not strongly support

your desire to study your

chosen degree

“Your personal statement did

not show sufficient

understanding, relevance or

knowledge about the course

you are applying for

You failed to

demonstrate sufficient

knowledge and interest

in the subject in your

personal statement

Unsuccessful as you

have not expressed a

strong enough interest

in the subject area in

your personal statement

”www.ucas.ac.uk/students/applying/howtoapply/personalstatement/whattoinclude

52

FINAL TIPS

• Plan out the structure with bullet points and headings, then turn

these into full sentences and paragraphs – redraft, redraft,

redraft!

• Use Microsoft Word, spell checking AND proof reading it before

you paste it into UCAS

• Keep a copy in case you are called to interview

• DO NOT plagiarise – all personal statements checked by

‘Copycatch’ Similarity Detection Service.

54

TOP TIPS

• Focus most of your statement on evidencing why

you are the best candidate for the course

• Be specific

• Be positive

• Be original

• Analyse your experiences

• Keep a copy

• Get someone else to read it

55

CHOOSING WHERE TO STUDY

COURSE

HOME OR

AWAY

STUDENT

LIFE

FACITLITIES

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

TYPE OF

UNIVERSITY

WHERE SHOULD

I STUDY???

5656

YOUR QUESTIONS