What makes a good personal statement?

Your personal statement is a substantial and important part of your application that may distinguish you from other applicants. Your personal statement is read thoroughly by the Admissions Unit and Admissions tutors when your application is being considered. It is your opportunity to sell yourself and could make the difference between you being accepted or rejected. 

Useful tips:

Clear and well written

Your Personal Statement should be clear, well written, well-structured and display good English language skills. It should be organised into paragraphs with an introduction, middle and end. Do not use bullet points or informal language.

Explain your reason for applying for your chosen course

You should focus your personal statement on the course you have applied for and it should support your desire to study your chosen course.

You should explain your reasons for applying for your chosen course – why would this course suit you? What interests you about the course? You should demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to the course.

If you are applying as a mature students then you could include information on why you have decided to return to study at this point and how you developed an interest in the subject.

Highlight what you have done to develop knowledge of your chosen area of study

You should detail any jobs, placements, work experience (paid or unpaid) or activities that you have undertaken to develop your interest/knowledge in the area that you have chosen to study. This should include the nature of the experience/activities, where you were based and the amount of time you spent there. You should also state when this experience took place as some courses only consider recent experience.

When considering the course you are applying to it is important that you identify the personal qualities you possess or have developed that will help you during the course.  This is especially important when you are applying to a course that requires particular values from the applicant (teaching, nursing, social work, paramedic science etc).  You should ensure that you identify your personal qualities and transferable skills within your Personal Statement.

You should show you have a general knowledge and insight about the subject area you will be studying. How will your present knowledge help you? What have you done to prepare you for studying?

Show you have carefully considered your study choice

We would be interested to know how the course relates to your future plans. You do not have to have a definite career path planned out, just an understanding of the future prospects the subject may lead to. If you are not sure then you can explore career options by degree subject at www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree.

Further information can also be found at: www.ucas.com/personalstatement

Changes to personal statements

Once you have submitted your personal statement we will not accept amended versions unless you are applying for an alternative course through UCAS Extra, UCAS Clearing or by contacting the University directly if you have already been offered a place. If this is the case then you need to email a new personal statement to admissions@wlv.ac.uk ensuring you include your student number. 

Similarity detection

Your personal statement should be your own work and individual to you. All personal statements are read thoroughly by the Admissions Unit and if similarities are spotted between your personal statement and those from other applicants, your application may be refused.

UCAS also check personal statements and identify those that have a high content of work from other sources (other personal statements, material from the internet etc.). UCAS will notify you if your personal statement has been identified in this way and they also notify the University of Wolverhampton.

If this is the case, the school or institute that you have applied to will be asked to consider your application in detail. You may wish inform us of the situation that has led to your personal statement being identified in this way. You should do this by logging a Helpdesk call on the Applicant Helpdesk in e:Vision.

Overseas applicants

If you are applying from overseas, your personal statement must include the following -

1. Your Name
2. The course you are applying for
3. Reasons for choosing to study in the UK
4. Reasons for choosing to study at the University of Wolverhampton
5. Reasons for choosing this specific course

Previous study at the same level

If you have previously completed studies at the same / higher level as the course you have applied for, your personal statement must clearly outline why you wish to study your course and how it will relate and add to your previous qualification, or how the two qualifications combined will support your career aspirations.

Addressing these areas in your personal statement will help you to develop your answers to the questions that you may be asked as part of your visa application interview.