Changes to the UCAS personal statement: What does this mean?
What does this mean for students applying to UK universities for 2026 entry? In this article, we will break down the new format and offer tips for students ready to begin writing theirs.
The New UCAS Personal Statement
The three questions on the new personal statement 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 useful?
While the statement is now divided into three sections, the total length remains the same: 4000 characters including spaces (which equates to roughly 600 words). Even with this change in format, the content–that is, what students are expected to write about–has not changed, which means students can still read examples from previous years to gain inspiration for their own. The purpose of the change, therefore, is to help students convey their application profile with greater clarity. Now let's break down each question, paying particular attention to what admissions officers will be looking for in students' answers.
Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Through this question, admissions officers want to gain an understanding of your interest and motivation in the subject you wish to study at university. They will be looking for evidence of your passion for the subject and a clear reason for why you want to study it, whether that's for career purposes, a desire to address certain issues, or simply a fascination with the topic. To stand out, the key point to remember is to be unique. Sure, lots of students want to study finance to make money, or become a doctor to help people, but what is it about the study of those subjects that you find most interesting? If a student wants to study Law, they should describe the specific area of law they want to pursue. If Economics, which field? To feel confident answering this, students should research the degree programmes they are applying for to understand exactly what topics it covers.
Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
In this answer, students are expected to demonstrate their distinct knowledge of the subject they plan to study.To show that, admissions officers will want to see how a student's academic background has provided them with the necessary skills and knowledge for the degree. Students should describe how they have built their perspective of their chosen subject through classes at school, projects, coursework, and competitions. Here, additional projects will shine. For example, if a student studies A Levels, have they done an EPQ? If they study IB, have they done an EE? Building on Question 1, students should go deeper into the details of their fascination with a subject by drawing on evidence from their academic activities. It's not enough to say, for instance, studying Biology has prepared them for Medicine. Instead, they should elaborate on what specific Biology-based knowledge, skills, and experiences they have gained that will directly translate to their medical studies.
Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
This is a student's chance to really showcase their unique profile. Here, admissions officers will be looking for evidence of how a student's supercurriculars and extracurricular activities not only have prepared them to study their subject, but have given them a distinct perspective of it also. A wide range of activities can be evidenced in this answer, from research projects and summer programmes to internships, volunteering, and leadership roles. Students should explain what they learned, what skills they developed, and what they contributed in each experience. Whichever activities a student chooses to describe, it's essential they link it to the subject they want to study at university. If a student is applying for International Relations, what insights did they gain about a particular topic during a summer programme? Or, if they are applying for Business Management, what concepts did they put into practice during an internship?
How to prepare for the statement
The preparation for a student's personal statement begins with profile building. Even if the format of the statement has changed, its purpose remains the same: admissions officers are seeking students with unique perspectives, experiences, and knowledge of their subject. To demonstrate these qualities, students should engage in a range of subject-relevant activities, such as online study courses, competitions, summer programmes, research projects, and internships. Equipped with such experiences, students will be in a strong position to convincingly reflect on how they have shaped their academic interests and prepared themselves for university study. Creating a proper outline and revising the statement through multiple iterations are also essential to success.
When it comes time to commence writing the statement, students should remember to be clear, succinct, and to choose each example carefully. With only 4000 characters to showcase their profile, space is limited. Therefore, it is essential that students use concrete examples and respond directly to each question; they must make every word count. Tailored to each individual student, Hale Education's dedicated UK counseling team provides expert support on all aspects of profile building and personal statement development through one-to-one mentorship and guidance. Always seek out an external set of eyes to review your personal statement before submission, to check for spelling and grammatical errors. With proper planning and execution, a compelling personal statement can make the difference between receiving a rejection letter or an admission offer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
London Metal Exchange reaps the rewards of tariff turmoil
The London Metal Exchange (LME) has recorded its highest quarterly volumes since 2014 thanks to the market turmoil that followed U.S. President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs. The LME Index basket of base metals plunged 11% after the blanket tariffs were announced on April 2 as metal markets took fright at the prospect of a full-blown trade war. The wholesale unwind of positions and subsequent re-engagement as prices staged a partial recovery resulted in record daily volumes on April 7 and all-time high monthly trading action. Chaos tends to be good business for the 148-year old London market, which has been owned by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing since 2012. Activity last spiked in April 2024, when the United States and UK announced sanctions on Russian metal. A more nuanced tariff impact on the CME exchange in the United States suggests the heightened trading activity has been driven by the physical supply chain rather than funds. Back from the brink Trump's tariffs' blizzard has accelerated the LME's recovery from the 2022 nickel crisis, when it risked what then head of LME Clear Adrian Farnham described as "a death spiral". It took almost a year for volumes to recover after the exchange's decision to suspend its nickel contract and cancel trades, a call that was ultimately vindicated in the London High Court. Nickel volumes returned to pre-crisis levels last year and average daily volumes surged another 25% in the first half of this year despite the price spending most of the time treading heavy water around four-year lows. It helps that there is a lot of nickel to be financed. LME stocks have risen from 34,000 metric tons in the middle of 2023 to over 200,000 with another 71,000 tons sitting off warrant in LME warehouses. Low prices and an oversupplied market have also combined to revive the LME's dormant cobalt contract. First-half volumes of 6,089 lots were the highest since 2019 and there are currently over 1,000 tons of the battery metal in LME warehouses, most of it off warrant. The LME, however, is still playing catch-up with its U.S. counterpart in the battery metals space. CME's first-half cobalt volumes jumped by 86% year-on-year and those of lithium hydroxide by 76%. Who's afraid of Doctor Copper? The copper market has been particularly tumultuous ever since the Trump administration announced an investigation into U.S. imports back in February. The focus has been on the arbitrage between the CME's U.S. contract and the international price traded on the LME. However, that's not been reflected in trading volumes on the CME futures contract which fell by 40% year-on-year in the first half of 2025. It's been a highly volatile trade and one dominated by physical traders moving metal to the United States to beat the possible imposition of import tariffs. The investment community which normally populates the CME copper contract has evidently been scared off. Money manager positioning is historically light with outright long positions flat-lining since early April and outright short positions falling to three-year lows. Chinese investors have become equally risk-off with copper activity on the Shanghai Futures Exchange falling sharply in May and June. Copper trading activity shrank by 14% year-on-year over the first half of the year. Physical aluminium boom CME's physical aluminium premium contracts, by contrast, saw activity mushroom after Trump lifted U.S. import duties to 25% in March and then doubled them to 50% in June. Since the CME's futures contract mirrors the LME's international product, the arbitrage has been traded in the U.S. Midwest premium, which has unsurprisingly rocketed to record highs. So too have volumes, which surged by 69% year-on-year to over 1.7 million tons in January-June. The other leg of the physical arbitrage is evidently the CME's European duty-paid contract. Volumes more than doubled to 48,142 contracts in the first half of 2025, almost matching last year's full 12-month tally. These contracts are by their nature aimed at meeting the needs of the physical supply chain and it's clear that industrial hedgers have been actively using them to mitigate risk as global flows of metal readjust to U.S. tariffs. Tiny tin has new friends Tin has historically been the smallest and least liquid of the LME's core base metals contracts, but has been steadily attracting more interest over the last couple of years. LME volumes increased by 16% in both 2023 and 2024 and they were up another 17% in the first half of this year. A total 902,965 lots traded in January-June, equivalent to four and a half million tons. It's the highest level of activity in the first half of any year since 2014. The LME market was carrying high stocks of over 12,000 tons back then. Current inventory is around a third of that, split between on and off-warrant stocks. Fund participation, though, has been rising with investors holding record-sized long positions on the LME contract in March. They got rewarded with an April price meltdown. But tin's combination of bullish electronics demand story and a structurally challenged supply chain has put it firmly on the investment radar. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.
Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Sunmarke School celebrates exceptional IBDP results
Sunmarke School is proud to announce the stellar performance of its International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) Class of 2025, reinforcing its reputation as a leading institution for academic excellence and holistic education in the UAE. This year's graduating cohort has achieved an impressive average score of 36.4, surpassing the global average by over six points and setting a new benchmark for the school. In a reflection of the school's unique positive education ethos and commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals, the Class of 2025 demonstrated exceptional academic results: Commenting on this year's results, Nicholas Rickford, principal of Sunmarke School, said: "Fortes Education is extremely proud of Sunmarke students' achievements this year. We are seeing so many students, who have been with Fortes Education throughout their Secondary years, achieve remarkable results. This is a powerful testament to our educational philosophy, which is rooted in long-term student development. Our learners truly embody our ethos, and we could not be prouder." Thomas Housham, head of Sixth Form, added: "The IBDP is academically demanding, and I greatly admire the balance our students have shown in excelling across subjects while making significant contributions to the school community. From leading student councils and eco-initiatives to excelling in sports and performing arts, these students have left an indelible legacy. They are far more than scores on a page — they are changemakers in the making." Graduates from the Class of 2025 have secured admissions to some of the world's top universities, including University College London, New York University, Trinity College Dublin, and the University of Toronto, with students heading to institutions across the UK, Netherlands, USA, and Canada, reflecting the global recognition of Sunmarke's academic and pastoral excellence. A student from the cohort reflected: "What I appreciated most about the IBDP was how it went beyond academics. It wasn't just about memorising facts — it taught us how to think critically, to explore real-world issues, and to arrive at our own solutions." Parents echoed this sentiment, with one parent stating: "We are so grateful our son completed his final two years at Sunmarke. The academic support and personalised guidance he received has been invaluable and will stay with him for life." As part of Fortes Education, a trailblazer in the UAE's education landscape, Sunmarke School continues to thrive through a dynamic model that blends rigorous academics with character-building, leadership development, and real-world skills. Fortes' vision of developing "happy children, confident individuals, and successful learners" is clearly reflected in the accomplishments of the Class of 2025. With a steadfast focus on critical thinking, personalised learning, and global citizenship, Sunmarke School remains committed to nurturing the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders. As it celebrates this important milestone, the school looks forward to continuing its tradition of academic excellence and positive impact.
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
National Taiwan Normal University Opens Nominations for 15th President
TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 July 2025 - National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), one of Taiwan's most prestigious public universities, has announced a call for public nominations for its 15th President. The nomination period runs from July 7 to August 11, 2025. President Cheng-Chih Wu will conclude his term on February 21, 2026. In line with institutional regulations, the Presidential Selection Committee has been formally convened and is now publicly soliciting nominations from all sectors. With over a century of academic excellence, NTNU has grown into a comprehensive and internationally recognized university. In the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, six of its disciplines were ranked among the global top 100— the second highest among Taiwanese universities. The total number of ranked subjects increased from 12 last year to 18, covering education, engineering, management, the humanities, and the basic sciences. The university is recognized for its diverse and internationalized campus. NTNU recently signed cooperation agreements with renowned institutions such as Columbia University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Osaka University. In November 2023, the Ministry of Education designated NTNU as a Bilingual Benchmark University. With nearly 1,000 English-taught courses offered annually, NTNU currently enrolls 1,722 international degree-seeking students from 64 countries, representing 12.05% of its student body—the highest proportion among Taiwan's national universities. NTNU maintains strong partnerships with leading industries and cultural institutions, including TSMC, NVIDIA, Realtek Semiconductor, the National Palace Museum, and Longshan Temple. In 2023, it established the Graduate Institute of AI Interdisciplinary Applied Technology and the Graduate Institute of Green Energy and Sustainable Technology within the newly established College of Industry-Academia Innovation, which celebrated its first graduating class this year. Committed to pedagogical innovation, NTNU has launched an Interdisciplinary Bachelor's Program and established an Interdisciplinary Academic Advisory Office to encourage students to pursue interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, intercollegiate, and international coursework. In 2024, the university expanded its summer offerings resulting in over 2,600 enrollments across more than 100 courses, which support flexible and self-directed learning. The new president will lead NTNU in its ongoing pursuit of academic excellence and global engagement, steering the university toward its strategic vision of becoming a leading institution in Asia with global distinction. Key responsibilities include advancing interdisciplinary integration, expanding international partnerships, and enhancing NTNU's societal impact. At its second meeting, the Presidential Selection Committee approved the eligibility criteria and selection procedures. Candidates must meet the appointment requirements outlined in the Act Governing the Appointment of Educators and other applicable laws. Additionally, they must be under 65 years of age as of February 22, 2026, and possess the following qualifications: 1. Recognized academic achievements and distinguished reputation 2. Exemplary moral character and integrity 3. Demonstrated excellence in administrative leadership 4. A clear and visionary philosophy for higher education 5. Proven ability to secure and effectively manage institutional resources Nominations may be submitted through one of the following five channels: 1. A joint nomination by at least three Academicians of Academia Sinica 2. A joint nomination by at least ten professors or scholars of equivalent academic standing at domestic or international institutions 3. A nomination by a professional academic organization officially recognized by the Ministry of the Interior 4. A joint nomination by at least thirty NTNU alumni 5. A nomination by formal resolution of the NTNU Student Association The nomination period will remain open from July 7 to August 11, 2025. Individuals and organizations from all sectors are encouraged to nominate outstanding candidates. Candidates will be invited to present their vision and engage with the university community at a public forum scheduled for early October 2025. A university-wide recommendation vote will follow in mid-October, with the Presidential Selection Committee making the final decision later that month. The new President will assume office on February 22, 2026. For detailed information on the nomination process, eligibility criteria, and downloadable forms, please visit the official NTNU Presidential Selection website: Hashtag: #NTNU The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. National Taiwan Normal University
