oxford summer school personal statement

SUMMER BOARDING COURSES

How to Write a Personal Statement for Oxford University

Writing an application for oxford and cambridge involves writing an oxbridge personal statement so the admissions tutors can get a feel for your character

Crafting a personal statement for Oxford University is a pivotal step in your application process. It’s more than just a formality; it’s a strategic opportunity to distinguish yourself from thousands of other talented applicants. Here, we’ll guide you through the essentials of what makes a compelling personal statement, explain why it’s crucial for Oxford and how to showcase your academic curiosity and personal growth effectively.

What is an Oxford University Personal Statement?

A personal statement for Oxford should reflect not only your academic abilities and achievements but also your personality and passion for your chosen field of study. It’s a chance to articulate why you are drawn to a particular course, how your previous studies and experiences make you a suitable candidate, and how attending Oxford will fit into your long-term academic and career goals. Given Oxford’s rigorous selection process, your personal statement plays a crucial role in making your application stand out.

Why are Personal Statements Important for Oxford?

The admissions process starts with a great personal statement detailing critical thinking skills and a interdisciplinary nature

Oxford University is not only one of the most prestigious educational institutions globally but also one of the most competitive. The importance of the oxbridge personal statement in this context cannot be overstated; it acts as your personal advocate to the admissions committee. It’s your opportunity to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, commitment to your subject area and the potential to contribute meaningfully to the university community. Effective personal statements can vividly showcase your unique insights and experiences, thereby making a strong case for your candidacy beyond grades and test scores.

What Should an Oxford Personal Statement Include?

When composing your personal statement for Oxford, it’s essential to focus on a few key components:

Academic Achievements and Passion : Highlight your academic credentials, specific interests within your chosen field, and any relevant projects or reading you have undertaken. This shows your preparation and enthusiasm for the subject.
Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills : Discuss instances where you’ve applied these skills, perhaps in writing a paper or completing a project. Oxford values students who can think critically and analyse complex issues.
Personal Motivation and Goals : Explain why you are drawn to your course of study at Oxford specifically. What are your career aspirations and how does Oxford fit into these plans?
Extracurricular Activities : While academic prowess is paramount, Oxford also looks for well-rounded individuals. Any leadership roles, community involvement, or other interests that align with your academic goals can be relevant.
Suitability for the Course : Demonstrate that you understand what the course will involve and why you are suited to it. This can be through showing your background knowledge and any relevant skills or experiences.

What to Do When Writing Your Oxford Personal Statement

Your personal statement should outline your academic interests, academic ability and relevant extra curricular activities

Start Strong – Begin with a compelling opening sentence or anecdote that captures your passion for the subject. This can be an insight you gained from a book, a project, or an experience that solidified your desire to study at Oxford.
Be Authentic – Authenticity resonates more than trying to fit a particular mold. Reflect your genuine interests and how they have shaped your educational journey and career aspirations.
Highlight Your Experiences – Use specific examples of your academic and extracurricular achievements to illustrate your skills and dedication. Discuss any significant research, internships, or projects that relate to your chosen field.
End on a Memorable Note – Conclude with a strong closing statement that ties back to your opening and reinforces your enthusiasm and suitability for Oxford.
Proofread and Check for Any Errors – Ensure your personal statement is immaculate. Typos or grammatical errors can detract from the professionalism of your application.

What Not to Do When Writing Your Oxford Personal Statement

When crafting your personal statement for Oxford, certain missteps can detract from the strength of your application. Here are some crucial errors to avoid:

Rush It : Avoid leaving your personal statement to the last minute. The thoughtful reflection and refinement process cannot be rushed if you aim for quality and coherence.
Repeat Yourself : Do not waste valuable space repeating information that can be found elsewhere in your application. Instead, use the personal statement to discuss new aspects of your achievements and personality.
Exaggerate Your Achievements : Honesty is paramount. Overstating your qualifications or experiences can lead to uncomfortable situations, especially if you are questioned about them during an interview.
Rely on Templates : A cookie-cutter approach is easily recognisable and unlikely to stand out. Tailor your statement specifically to your experiences and how they align with the course at Oxford.
Be Too Informal : Maintain a professional tone throughout your statement. Casual language can come across as unprofessional and underprepared.

Experience Oxford Life with Summer Boarding Courses

successful oxbridge personal statements often involve extra curricular activities like those that international students experience with SBC at top uk universities

At Summer Boarding Courses, we understand the nuances and challenges of applying to a prestigious institution like Oxford. Our University Preparation courses and Oxford summer schools are designed to give you a headstart in understanding what top universities are looking for in potential students. From enhancing your academic skills to providing tailored guidance on personal statement writing, our programs aim to equip you with the confidence and knowledge to excel in your application.

For more information on how we can support your journey to Oxford, visit our University Preparation Summer School page and our Oxford Summer Schools page .

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Our admissions experts are happy to answer any questions you have and support you in finding the perfect summer experience.

Aug 12, 2018

How to write an Oxford personal statement

Make sure your personal statement conveys your interest in the subject – write down talks you’ve been to (and what they made you think), open days you’ve attended (and what you took away from them), and maybe even books you’ve read (and whether or not you agree with the author and why). Are you seeing a common thread? It’s less about what you’ve done and more about what you make of it! It’s best to only mention one book or one talk, but really go in to some critical analysis, rather than to just write a list of seven without any additional commentary.

Any extra-curricular activities should be ‘super-curricular’, i.e. related to your degree: for Maths, maybe the Maths Olympiad, for Science, maybe a Science EPQ or that time you entered a Lego competition (totally relevant to Engineering!). For Law, I talked about teaching and debating, and the self-discipline involved in teaching myself a language as an A Level. You can honestly make anything work – try to make yourself stand out a little by having something people don’t normally have! But don’t worry about not having twenty different hobbies – you don’t have space to mention more than one or two, and you won’t really be asked about your personal life at interview.

What I would reiterate, above all, is to not stress over the personal statement. If you’ve spelt everything correctly and you’ve got all your proof that you’re genuinely and voluntarily interested in your subject outside of school then you’re doing it right! And, to the year 12s going in to year 13 – for the love of all that’s holy, take a few weeks off this summer. Breathe. Let yourself detach from the intimidating university admissions process and the pressure of A Levels for a bit, because that will let you be so much more engaged when you jump back in.

#Oxford #OxfordUniversity #PersonalStatement #UCAS #College #Oxbridgeapplication #OxfordPersonalstatement

The Application Process
Personal Statements

Personal Statements for Further Study

A personal statement is your chance to explain your motivation for applying and why you are a great candidate for the course..

Guidelines given vary from the simple “Provide evidence in support of your application” to the more common “Tell us why you are interested in the course to which you have applied. Describe your academic interests and reasons for applying to XXX”. For some courses there may be a much more prescriptive and structured approach, requiring you to write a series of shorter responses to specific questions relating to your motivation, experience and suitability for the course. You may also come across some institutions that ask you to reflect on how you might add to the diversity of a cohort should your application be successful.

If you are applying to more than one university, each statement will need a different emphasis – do not use the same statement for all applications.

In your statement, you should demonstrate:

Motivation, enthusiasm, and a clear understanding of why you are making the application to this particular course, and to this particular institution.
How your academic background and other experiences have shaped your decision to apply and how the course contributes to your plans for the future.
Evidence that you have the ability, experience, skills and motivation to successfully contribute to the course, and to complete it.

Structure and Content

The opening paragraph sets the framework for the rest of the statement, think of it as your ‘trailer’. This is where you can grab the reader’s attention or lose it… You might start with a powerful anecdote, a brief narrative of your initial inspiration, or a thought-provoking statement linked to your academic interests.

Within the main body of the essay you should aim to cover:

Why you want to study this topic or field

Is it a natural extension of your current interests? How did you become interested in this area? Why does it continue to fascinate you? What have you done within your degree or outside of your study to fuel this interest? Would the course provide a step towards a longer-term goal?

Why you have chosen this specific course and institution

Are there particular options or modules that interest you? Is there particular expertise in that department? Has access to specific resources such as museum collections, libraries or laboratory equipment been a factor? Has the reputation (through recommendations or other means) of the course inspired you? Are you attracted by opportunities for collaboration or work placements? Have you attended any Open Days or other visits?

How your experience equips you for the course

Consider the subjects you studied at undergraduate level; your relevant skills (technical, language, computing, research methods); independent study or research; prior (relevant) experience; academic awards and other achievements. The focus here is likely to be on your academic suitability for the course, but if you have relevant work experience or extra-curricular activities that provide further evidence of your interest or ability then include them too. Your non-academic achievements might also provide evidence of project management, resilience, effective communication and so on.

Where the course might lead you

You don’t need to have a detailed career plan, but you do need to show how this course fits in with your general aspirations. Are you intending to continue on to a PhD? Do you have a broad interest in contributing to a particular issue or field, e.g. social enterprise, public policy, human rights, sustainability? Or do you have a more specific goal in mind? How will your chosen course help you to achieve your goals?

Closing paragraph

Use your closing paragraph to summarise your application, return to any themes you introduced at the beginning, and to restate your enthusiasm for the course.

Practical Advice

Writing effective personal statements takes time. Expect to go through several drafts and ask tutors, peers, careers advisers and others to review your statement before you submit it.
Good English, grammar and spelling are essential. Avoid jargon and make sure it can be understood by non-experts.
Keep the tone positive, fresh and lively in order to convey enthusiasm and make yourself stand out, but remember that this is a document introducing you in a professional capacity.
It’s a good idea to mention relevant individuals whose work has truly inspired you, but avoid name-dropping for the sake of it, and excessive and evidence-free flattery of the institution or the course.
If you refer to any papers or books then reference these correctly in a bibliography at the end of the statement.
Pay attention to any word limits. If none are stated then aim for no more than two sides of A4 or 1000-1500 words.
It is usually possible to apply for multiple courses at a single institution. Many (including Oxford) will require you to complete a separate application form for each course that you wish to apply for.

Research Proposals

For many PhD and some research Masters applications the personal statement is often accompanied by a research proposal – a document that sets out your research interests and proposed area of study. The detail required in this section varies hugely for different disciplines. For some science subjects it may simply be a list, in order of preference, of the named PhD projects you wish to be considered for. However, for most areas – and especially in the arts, humanities and social sciences – you will need to devote a considerable amount of time to developing your ideas, discussing them with potential supervisors and writing a proposal. Your academic tutors should be able to give you some guidance on writing research proposals, and there is some useful advice from Vitae and from Find a PhD .

Admission Essays for US Graduate Schools

The information in this handout applies also to applications to American universities. However, there are subtle differences in the style and approach to essays aimed at the US context. A statement written for the US is likely to feel more personal; think of it as your academic biography – setting out your inspiration for the academic path you have followed in the past, the present and into the future. The Careers Service runs a workshop on US applications early each Michaelmas Term. The Fulbright Educational Advisory Service also publishes guidelines on completing US applications. US university career services often provide useful advice on writing graduate school admissions essays. See for example: MIT graduate school essay advice , UC Berkeley advice on writing graduate admissions statements , UNC application essay advice and Yale advice on writing personal statements for graduate school.

Teacher Training Applications

The personal statement for postgraduate teacher training is the key part of your application. The question is quite prescriptive, and your focus should be on your motivation for becoming a teacher: particularly how your teaching and other experiences have contributed. Ideally you should also set out how these have helped you to understand the role, and the sort of teacher you aspire to be. The Careers Service runs a workshop on careers in teaching each Michaelmas Term, which includes advice about the application process. For more information, see the Careers Service information on Teaching in Schools .

Graduate Entry Medicine

Applications to graduate entry medicine courses are submitted via UCAS and include a personal statement. Much of the advice in this document also applies to medicine applications, but you are likely to need to place considerable emphasis on the relevant work experience you have gained prior to your application.

See Careers Service's information on Medicine as a Second Degree for further information.

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Inspiring Oxford Summer School

Be inspired by the dreaming spires

Make your summer unforgettable with inspiring oxford.

Immerse yourself in a setting steeped in centuries of history as you unlock new knowledge and embark on a journey of personal enrichment.

With around 40 exciting week-long courses to choose from, you will stay and study in historic Brasenose College, in the heart of Oxford.

All courses are pitched at an introductory level for non-specialists aged 18 and above, and no prior knowledge is required. You will study in small groups, of up to 16 participants, taught by highly experienced tutors.

Programme dates

Week 1: Sunday 30 June - Saturday 6 July 2024
Week 2: Sunday 7 July - Saturday 13 July 2024
Week 3: Sunday 14 July - Saturday 20 July 2024
Week 4: Sunday 4 August - Saturday 10 August 2024

Programme overview

You will have two small group seminars each weekday morning in the course option of your choice, followed by a plenary lecture before lunch. Afternoons are free to explore the many places of interest in and around Oxford or participate in the programme's optional social activities.

Course options

Participants choose one course, which they study in detail with their tutor and seminar group.

Courses will cater to a diverse range of interests including history, creative writing and literature, psychology, environmental studies, drama and theatre studies, law, history of art, international relations/development, sociology, film, and more.

Plenary lectures

This year, Inspiring Oxford will offer a lecture series delivered by University of Oxford academics on a range of topics. There will be time after each lecture for questions.

Lectures will follow morning seminars.

Please click here to view our lecture programme.

All courses are pitched at an introductory level for those aged 18 and above, and no prior knowledge is required. Classes of up to 16 participants study in small groups taught by highly experienced tutors. While you may want to complete a small amount of pre-course reading, you will not be required to produce any written work during the week.

The course fee includes ten 70-minute small group seminars and four 45-minute plenary lectures, each delivered by a University of Oxford academic and followed by a question-and-answer session.

Social programme

Inspiring Oxford warmly invites all participants take part in our social programme, with all events provided at no additional cost.

Optional social activites may include:

Welcome drinks reception
Chauffeured punting, leaving from Magdalen Bridge Boathouse
Walking tour of Oxford: choice of themed tour led by expert local guides
Choice of visiting a famous stately home or taking an afternoon mystery field trip
Private string quartet afternoon concert
Croquet evening
Amateur performance at the Oxford Castle
Invitation to join programme director and tutors on high table one evening
Farewell drinks reception, presentation of certificates and gala dinner

Closing reception, presentation of certificates and gala farewell dinner

We invite you to join us for the presentation of your certificates and a glass of wine before enjoying a gala farewell dinner. For this special occasion formal dress is encouraged.

Accommodation and meals

During your course you will stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Brasenose College, in the heart of the city in buildings overlooked by the iconic Radcliffe Camera. Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning.

You can find out more about Brasenose by visiting their website .

The following types of accommodation are available:

Single en suite
Twin en suite: shared between participants that apply to the programme together
Standard single: bathrooms are shared between, on average, four participants

En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet).

Meals and morning refreshments

The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday, four weekday lunches, and served dinners Sunday-Friday.

A range of hot and cold options is offered.

Refreshments

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served during the morning breaks.

A two-course self-service lunch is provided in the college dining hall on four days.

A two-course served dinner is provided in the college dining hall.

High table dinner

On one evening, you will receive an invitation to join the programme director and tutors on high table. Formal dress is encouraged.

Fees and supplements

Programme fees.

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Programme fees include accommodation and meals

Single en suite accommodation and meals: £2,285 per person
Twin en suite accommodation and meals: £2,135 per person
Standard single accommodation and meals: £1,955 per person

Non-residential , including lunch and dinner: £1600.00 per person

Non-residential participants can take classes and have lunch and dinner at Brasenose, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere. They are encouraged to attend all aspects of the academic and social programme, and they have equal access to Brasenose as residential participants.

There may be an additional cost of between £5-£135 if your course has an excursion. Any additional cost will be added to the above fee and will not require a separate payment.

Extended stay fee

Participants staying multiple, consecutive weeks will be charged an additional bed and breakfast fee for the cost of the Saturday night between courses.

Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc.) available for applicants.

Disabled participants (including those with mobility difficulties)

Disabled students or students with a mobility impairment who have registered, or are planning to, should please contact the Programme Administrator, via email at [email protected] , to discuss any support needs. They can also consult the University Access Guide .

Application

Enrolment is now open.

Please note the programme is open to those over the age of 18.

If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Brasenose College

During your course you will stay and dine at Brasenose College .

Founded in 1509, Brasenose College alumni include the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, former UK Prime Minister Henry Addington, the first captain of the England football team, Cuthbert Ottaway, and William Webb Ellis, Clergyman and the alleged inventor of rugby football.

Upcoming courses

Machine learning of wearables in large scale biomedical studies.

Sun 22 Sep 2024 – 27 Sep 2024

Artificial Intelligence: An Evolution or a Revolution for 21st Diplomacy?

Sun 30 Jun 2024 – 06 Jul 2024

English Literature Summer School

Sun 30 Jun 2024 – 20 Jul 2024

Exploring Psychology: Understanding Human Behaviour

History, politics & society summer school.

Location: Brasenose College

Level: Non-specialists aged 18+

Enrolment: Online or via enrolment form

Enquiries: [email protected]

Summer schools in Oxford

Our advice when writing a personal statement

Your personal statement is your place to write whatever you’d like to say about yourself and your motivation to study your course.

It’s important to remember that you can only write one personal statement and so the same wording will be seen by all the universities you apply to. your personal statement should therefore focus on the course you want to study, not the universities themselves., what are universities looking for in a personal statement.

People with the skills and attributes required by the course

People ready for university-style learning

People who genuinely enjoy the subject that they are applying for

People who have engaged with their subject, above and beyond whatever they have studied at school or college

Where do I start?

Before you start writing, try talking to your friends or family about what you want to study at university: what would you tell them? What have you read or watched or seen that has inspired you? Why was it interesting? What do you want to find out next?

How should I structure my personal statement?

Around 80% of your personal statement should be focused on your academic interests, abilities and achievements (including super-curricular activities) and 20% on unrelated extra-curricular activities.

Opening Paragraph

Personal statement openings tend to follow a similar format:

Why you are excited about your subject?
What you have done academically to show this?
Keep it short and simple.
Leave it until last.
Draft five first sentences and choose your favourite.
Avoid clichés! (e.g. 'From an early age I have been passionate about...')

Your current studies

Why do you want to study this course?
What have you learnt about this topic?
What has inspired you?

When you start to write, remember not just to list your achievements but show how they have affected you, how you have benefited, and what you’d like to learn next.

Super-curriculars

Super-curriculars are hobbies or activities that demonstrate how you have developed your knowledge outside of the classroom.

What have you read, watched, visited or listened to that has inspired you? (e.g. books, documentaries, podcasts, lectures, museums)
Have you attended any summer schools, completed any work experience, or volunteered anywhere?
Why was it interesting?
How do these support and compliment the course you are applying for?

Super-curriculars can also be used as 'stepping stones' within your personal statement. For example, did a super-curricular spark your interest in something new, leading you to do further research into this topic?

Extra-curriculars

Try and focus on transferrable skills - how has balancing your extra-curriculars allowed you to become a better student?


Communicate clearly	Rely on clichés (e.g. 'from a young age...'
Use evidence	Copy from the internet
Be detailed	Exaggerate
Be positive	Be too abstract
Be truthful	Be negative
Be specific to the course	Use bad grammar
Expect to write several drafts	Be too modest!
Ask for feedback

With thanks to Wadham and Merton Colleges

Suggested Subject Resources

Whether you need inspiration for your personal statement, something to think about before your interview or whether you are simply intellectually curious, you might find the suggested reading and resources below useful and entertaining. They are intended to give you an idea of the kind of material you might engage with during a course at Oxford. We've also included links to the University's current research to give you an idea of how academic research can impact upon society.

Remember, these are only suggestions for further reading, so please don't feel restricted to only reading what we recommend! We have also compiled the best of our cross-curricular digital resources to support learning and exploration in our Digital Resource Hub .

You can also enjoy an insight into what it's like to study at Oxford by exploring our free podcasts and videos. These include public lectures covering a wide range of subjects, plus teaching resources, interviews with leading academics, and more. You can watch and listen on your computer, or download files via our podcasts page .

You may also like to have a look at our Medium channel for articles about Oxford research, covering topics from the weirdest plants in the Botanical Garden to how to teach a computer to recognise your cat.

Archaeology and Anthropology

Suggested reading for Archaeology and Anthropology .

You may also like to take a look at the website Discover Anthropology .

Oxford research:

Reconnecting Indigenous Nations with their Material Heritage
Who Needs Migrant Workers
Endangered Archaeology video

Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)

Read the recommended reading list for Biochemistry.

At present we do not produce a reading list for students applying for Biology but we encourage you to read New Scientist , National Geographic or any other Biology materials which you find interesting.

Putting ticks on the map
Poetry in motion
Defeating dengue with GM mosquitoes
The loneliness of the long-distance seabird
Balancing conservation and commerce in the world’s forests
The surprising uses of silk
Bringing back the large blue butterfly - Jeremy Thomas
Preserving Endangered Trees: A Chilean case study
Jatropha Curcas in the Global Race for Biofuels
Peru's Data Collectors
Researching the Reef: fish and coral of the Caribbean

Biomedical Sciences

Introductory Reading for Biomedical Sciences .

Bringing together universities, industry and the NHS to benefit people in the Oxfordshire region and beyond
Restoring Sight With Gene Therapy
Cooling babies to save lives
Innovative genomics
Helping diabetes sufferers
Transforming the diagnosis of Tuberculosis
Mending broken hearts
The million women study
Helping the brain to control Parkinson’s
Combining cultures
Preventing strokes

Research videos:

The TOBY Trial - Cooling Babies
Tackling and tracking TB through DNA analysis
"Bionic eye" trial in Oxford
Fighting Arthritis: the development of anti-TNF therapies
The Paternal Age Effect: Identifying reproductive risks

Introductory reading for Chemistry .

You may also like to read Chemistry World magazine , and view other resources from the Royal Society of Chemistry .

Turning orange into grapefruit
Fuel cells inspired by nature video
Chemistry in the garden video

Classical Archaeology and Ancient History

There is no reading list for students applying for Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, as we encourage students to engage with whatever they find interesting about the ancient world. If you are interested in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, this will include the historical and archaeological evidence through which we learn about that world.

As well as visiting your local museum, or other museums, you may wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to historical and archaeological materials, such as the British Museum or Oxford’s own Ashmolean Museum's collection highlights , or the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome .

There are also many social media sites which you can join such as Classics Confidential, Classics Outreach and Classics International.

Classics for the people
Endangered archaeology video
Conserving by copying: 3D Printing Tutankhamun's Tomb video

There is no reading list for students applying for Classics, as we encourage students to read as widely as possible about any Classics materials they find interesting (in literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, and/or philology), and to think critically about their reading. You may also wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to materials about the ancient world, such as the British Museum or the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome .

Classics and English

For the English Literature element of the course, we recommend that you read as widely as possible, and think critically about all the texts – literary or not – that you read. Read more about this in our examples of interview questions . You can find literary resources on our Great Writers Inspire site . You may also like to look at literary websites and listen to radio programs such as BBC Radio 4's ' In Our Time '.

Dramatic research
Making Britain
Digitising Jane Austen's fiction manuscripts
On the joy of not rehearsing Shakespeare video

Classics and Modern Languages

Please view the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages:

Modern Greek
Shedding new light on Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin
Writing Brecht, living well

Classics and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

You may also wish to explore some websites which have excellent links to materials about the ancient world, such as the British Museum or the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time’, covering material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome .

Suggested reading for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies can be found on the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies website by following the relevant links below:

BA in Arabic
BA in Sanskrit
BA in Persian
BA in Turkish
Recreating an experience of ancient Egypt
Helping the UK understand China

Computer Science

Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Computer Science can be found on the departmental website.

You may also like to look at our GeomLab website which will introduce you to some of the most important ideas in computer programming in an interactive, visual way through a guided activity.

Securing the internet of the future
Putting out ‘Digital Wildfires’ before they take hold
The friendly face of robots
Safety by design
Computers at the heart of the matter
60 Years of Computer Science
Oxford and Cybersecurity 1 – the Internet and Policy
Oxford and Cybersecurity 2 – Trusted Computing
Oxford and Cybersecurity 3 – The Academic Edge

Computer Science and Philosophy

Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Computer Science can be found on the departmental website.

There are many introductions to philosophy: Myles Burnyeat and Ted Honderich’s ‘Philosophy’ as it is a very useful collection. Martin Hollis ‘An Invitation to Philosophy’ and Simon Blackburn’s ‘Think’ are also recommended but feel free to pick up any introductory or beginners’ text.

Earth Sciences

At present we do not produce a reading list for students applying for Earth Sciences but we encourage you to read New Scientist , National Geographic or any other relevant materials which you find interesting.

Preserving an exceptional fossil site for future generations
Understanding oil-rich strata
Influencing global policy on mercury
Reducing toxic mercury emissions video
Tracking Life 40 Degrees South video
Volcano hunting, Italy to Peru video

Economics and Management

An indispensable introduction to economic analysis, both for those who have not studied it at school and for those who have is ‘The Economist’ or the Economics pages of newspapers. Paul Krugman’s writings are highly recommended. Begg, Fischer and Dornbusch’s ‘Economics’ is one of the introductory textbooks widely used at Oxford.

You can find the Economics reading list and Management reading list online.

Oxford research:

The value of mutuality
Geometry to the rescue
Research led to Supreme Court ruling on removal of UK employment tribunal fees video
The surprising uses of auctions video

Engineering Science

At present we do not produce a reading list for students applying for Engineering Science but we encourage you to read any relevant materials which you find interesting. Here are some online resources you may like to use to test your knowledge:

Isaac Physics : this website contains lots of maths and physics problem solving questions.
British Physics Olympiad : this website contains lots of past papers and solutions of problem solving type questions.
Next time, education centre : this website contains some quite fun questions designed to make you think about physical concepts.
I want to study Engineering : this website is just as useful for all applicants not just those applying to engineering.
Brilliant.org : this website has some resources to test your mathematical and physics knowledge.
Providing the technology for ‘space refrigerators’
Improving hospitals’ ‘early warning’ systems
Data scientists to the rescue
Driverless cars video
Delivering drugs better - using sound video

English Language and Literature

English and modern languages.

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages:

European and Middle Eastern Languages

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How can I prepare myself for the entrance procedure?'. This advice can be applied to both the European and the Middle Eastern elements of the course. You can also find reading lists on the individual pages of the following languages:

Suggested reading for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies can be found on the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies website by following the relevant links below:

Experimental Psychology

Please view the suggested reading for Experimental Psychology. This document also includes reading suggestions for those interested in the Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics course.

Research videos:

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies: Using evidence to change policy
Spread the word
How people with depression see faces
From the Minds of Babes: New frontiers in paediatric pain

The following list is suggested as a starting point and is not exhaustive and nor does it mean that you must read these.

Barthes, Roland , Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography (Vintage)
Crow, Thomas, The Rise of the Sixties: American and European Art in the Era of Dissent (Everyman )
Stallabrass, Julian, Contemporary Art: A Very Short Introductions (Oxford University Press)
Smith, Terry, Contemporary Art: World Currents (Laurence King Publishing)

We strongly encourage all students to attend exhibitions and look at art works as much as possible. Public art galleries like Tate Modern, the Whitechapel, and the Serpentine in London, the Ikon in Birmingham, the Liverpool Tate, the Whitworth in Manchester, the Baltic in Gateshead, the Arnolfini in Bristol, and Tramway in Glasgow are all excellent places to see contemporary art and to find out more about it.

Other excellent resources include:

the UK-wide exhibition listings
the online edition of the US journal Artforum
the excellent repository of moving image and sound art, called UBU Web

It is also a good idea to look at journals such as:

An indispensable introduction to contemporary issues in Geography is the Royal Geographical Society 'Geographical Magazine'. Reading 'The Economist' is also highly recommended.

Managing the risk of surface water flooding
Smartphones become Smart Stones
The value of a green and pleasant land
Getting critical
How changes to inland waters impact regional climates
Calculating the risks of coastal flooding and cliff erosion
How global warming is changing tropical forests
Climate Network
Avoiding infrastructure failure
Stopping floods on the cheap: A success story from Yorkshire

The best way to prepare for a History degree is to read the history books which interest you, either related to your school work or ranging beyond it – and be prepared to discuss your views of those books and their arguments. To find such material, you might want to follow up on references made in your school or college text books, or your History teacher may also be able to recommend particular works for you to read on topics that you find most interesting.

You may also like to explore the websites of public institutions which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the British Museum or BBC Radio 4 archives .

Lastly, delving into some historical sources can be a great way to develop your ideas and understanding. You could try exploring literature, art, music or even films produced by different societies, and consider what these can tell us about the people of that time.

Looking back to understand the recent economic crisis

History (Ancient and Modern)

There is no reading list for students applying for Ancient and Modern History, as we encourage students to read as widely as possible about any period of history, ancient and/or modern, that they find interesting. (View 'History' above). For the ancient world, you may also wish to explore websites which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the British Museum or Oxford’s own Ashmolean Museum , the BBC Radio 4 archives , for example for the programme ‘In Our Time', covering material from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome .

History and Economics

An indispensable introduction to economic analysis, both for those who have not studied it at school and for those who have is ‘ The Economist ’ or the Economics pages of newspapers. Paul Krugman’s writings are highly recommended. Begg, Fischer and Dornbusch’s ‘Economics ’ is one of the introductory textbooks widely used at Oxford.

History and English

One good way of broadening your historical horizons is to read one of the popular History magazines: History Today or BBC History , which has weekly podcasts . You may like to look at the books which are being reviewed in the quality press. You may also like to explore the websites of public institutions which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the British Museum or BBC Radio 4 archives . Lastly, delving into some historical sources can be a great way to develop your ideas and understanding. You could try exploring literature, art, music or even films produced by different societies, and consider what these can tell us about the people of that time.

History and Modern Languages

History and Politics

Politics is a very wide-ranging subject. In addition to newspapers and weeklies, Jonathan Wolff’s 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy' is recommended; and also, for interesting and up-to-date insights into recent political developments in a number of countries, the series of texts produced by Macmillan publishers at regular intervals called ‘Developments in British (French, German, East European etc.) Politics’ .

You may also like to explore the websites of public institutions which have excellent links to historical materials, such as the British Museum or BBC Radio 4 archives .

History of Art

A reading list for prospective applicants to History of Art can be found on the History of Art departmental website .

You may also find it interesting to explore the following resources:

BBC Radio 4 'In Our Time' - Culture archive
BBC Arts coverage

Human Sciences

Introductory reading lists can be found on the Institute of Human Sciences website .

Who needs migrant workers

We recommend that you start by reading the court reports in broad sheet newspapers.

As the reading lists for the degree course change each year it isn't always advisable to buy text books in advance, but you may find one or more of the books from this list useful when preparing your application Introductory reading for Law . It can be useful to look at the list of law academics on the departmental website and follow the links to their latest publications. All lecturers have their own lists, which change from year to year and include books and journal articles.

You may also like to read the BBC's website Law in Action , and download their podcasts. Other recommendation are the Guardian's law pages and the Counsel magazine .

Research led to Supreme Court ruling on removal of UK employment tribunal fees
Tackling Adolescent to Parent Violence
Research in Westminster: Human Rights law and the treatment of rape victims

Materials Science

There is no set text and students should read widely around the subject. Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Materials Science can be found on the departmental website.

Students may also wish to read the New Scientist magazine which may be available in your school or local library.

Running an internet search on Nanoscience or Nanotechnology will give useful background information in the sciences. Here are some further resources to test your knowledge:

Isaac Physics : This website contains lots of maths and physics problem solving questions.
British Physics Olympiad : This website contains lots of past papers and solutions of problem solving type questions.
Next time : This website contains some quite fun questions designed to make you think about physical concepts.
I want to study Engineering : This website is just as useful for all applicants not just those applying to engineering.
Brilliant.org : This website has some resources to test your mathematical and physics knowledge.

Oxford research:

A new material for reconstructive surgery

Mathematics

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics applicants can be found on page 12 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the Maths Department website .

Influencing HIV/AIDS policy in India through mathematical modelling
Helping the ‘Greeks’ to run faster
Mathematics in the design and manufacture of novel glass products
Mathematical solutions for industry
Sharing the beauty of networks video
A computer model of the heart video

Mathematics and Computer Science

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics applicants can be found on page 12 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the Maths Department website .

Introductory reading for prospective applicants to Computer Science can be found on the departmental website. You may also like to look at our GeomLab website which will introduce you to some of the most important ideas in computer programming in an interactive, visual way through a guided activity.

Mathematics and Philosophy

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics and Philosophy applicants can be found on page 18 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the Maths Department website .

Mathematics and Statistics

Reading lists for prospective Mathematics and Statistics applicants can be found on page 12 of the departmental prospectus, available to download from the Maths Department website .

Statistical expertise in drug discovery

Prospective students for Medicine may like to start by looking at the introductory reading list below. You may also be interested in the Oxford Medical School Gazette, for more information about the Gazette and subscription offers for Sixth Form students please visit the Medicine website .

Introductory Reading for Medicine

The TOBY Trial - cooling babies
"Bionic eye" trial in Oxford
Fighting Arthritis: the development of anti-TNF therapies
The Paternal Age Effect: Identifying reproductive risks

Modern Languages

Please view the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure'. You can find reading lists on the individual pages for of following languages:

Modern Languages and Linguistics

You can also download the Introductory reading list for Linguistics .

Improving treatment of speech disorders
Saving the world’s threatened languages
Voice analysis for everyone: health monitoring by phone video

Please refer to this recommended reading list for Music .

Medieval plainsong gets a contemporary makeover
Composing Opera for Children
Searching for Schumann video

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Suggested reading for Asian and Middle Eastern Studies can be found on the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies website by following the relevant links below:

BA in Arabic
BA in Chinese
BA in Japanese
BA in Persian
BA in Turkish

Suggested reading lists for BA Egyptology and Near Eastern Studies, BA Hebrew Studies and BA Jewish Studies are currently in development and will hopefully be available in the near future.

Philosophy and Modern Languages

There are many introductions to philosophy: Myles Burnyeat and Ted Honderich’s ‘ Philosophy ’ as it is a very useful collection. Martin Hollis ‘ An Invitation to Philosophy ’ and Simon Blackburn’s ‘ Think ’ are also recommended but feel free to pick up any introductory or beginners’ text.

Please visit the guidance on the FAQs section of the Modern Languages faculty website under the heading 'How best to prepare for the entrance procedure' for the Modern Languages element of this course. You of also find reading lists on the individual pages for the following languages:

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

We always recommend that students read widely around their subject, deepening their knowledge and understanding, to help prepare for their application. Tutors will be looking for evidence of students' academic potential, as well as their commitment and motivation for their course, so will certainly be looking for evidence that a student has really engaged with their subject, and has a passion for studying it. This is particularly important for courses like PPE, as many students will not have studied any of these three subjects at their school or college.

The very best preparation is a reasonable grasp of the workings of the social and political world in which we live. For PPEists, reading newspapers, watching TV and listening to radio news and current affairs programmes are not optional activities – they are crucial to success at the subject. Students should read a good quality daily newspaper, and ‘ The Economist ’ weekly is also highly recommended – this offers unparalleled quantity and quality analysis of current events.

Politics is a very wide-ranging subject. In addition to newspapers and weeklies, Jonathan Wolff’s ' An Introduction to Political Philosophy ' is recommended; and also, for interesting and up-to-date insights into recent political developments in a number of countries, the series of texts produced by Macmillan publishers at regular intervals called ‘ Developments in British (French, German, East European etc.) Politics ’.

An indispensable introduction to economic analysis in use both for those who have not studied it at school and for those who have is ‘ The Economist ’ or the Economics pages of newspapers. Paul Krugman’s writings are highly recommended. Begg, Fischer and Dornbusch’s ‘ Economics ’ is one of the introductory textbooks widely used at Oxford.

Oxford research:

Philosophy and Theology

At present we do not produce a specific Theology reading list for people who are considering making an application, though we always advise prospective candidates to read beyond what they are reading in school and to explore areas that interest them.

Empires of Faith video

There are many suitable sources for reading. Popular science books are normally readily available at your local library, as are copies of the New Scientist or other scientific periodicals. Anything that takes your interest will be valuable; we have no set reading list.

However, for general preparation prospective candidates can view the suggestions on the Physics department website . We also recommend maths preparation .

There is also lots of information on the internet, on sites such as www.physics.org or through some of the excellent science blogs. The University of Oxford publishes a science blog and our department also runs a project called Galaxy Zoo which is part of the Zooniverse community of projects , which allows members of the public to contribute to astrophysics research. Large scientific organisations such as CERN and NASA publish a lot of good material online, for example the Astronomy Picture of the Day website . Here are some further resources to test your Physics knowledge:

Isaac Physics : This website contains lots of maths and physics problem solving questions.
Brilliant.org : This website has some resources to test your mathematical and physics knowledge.

iTunesU can also be a very useful resource, as it has a range of physics content, from public talks to undergraduate lectures, from a variety of reputable sources.

Near-perfect distance measurement
Cheaper, smaller, super-resolution
To the Zooniverse and beyond
Particle accelerator physics for the masses
A revolution in solar power technology
How to be certain of uncertainty in climate and weather forecasts
How do quantum physicists affect industry? video

Physics and Philosophy

However, for general preparation prospective candidates can view the suggestions on the Physics department website . We also recommend maths preparation .

There is also lots of information on the internet, on sites such as www.physics.org . or through some of the excellent science blogs. The University of Oxford publishes a science blog and our department also runs a project called Galaxy Zoo which is part of the Zooniverse community of projects , which allows members of the public to contribute to astrophysics research. Large scientific organisations such as CERN and NASA publish a lot of good material online, for example the Astronomy Picture of the Day website . Here are some further resources to test your Physics knowledge:

Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics (PPL)

Please follow this link for the suggested reading list for Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics. This document also includes suggested reading for Experimental Psychology.

Building consensus on Developmental Language Disorder
Voice analysis for everyone: health monitoring by phone

Religion and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

At present we do not produce a specific Religion and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies reading list for people who are considering making an application, though we always advise prospective candidates to read beyond what they are reading in school and to explore areas that interest them.

Theology and Religion

You may also find it interesting to explore the BBC Radio 4 archives of the ' In Our Time ' program, especially the Religion and Philosophy archives .

Empires of Faith

Further information

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Staircase 12

Staircase 12 is an online hub of resources brought to you by University College . It's full of tips and ideas on how to stretch yourself beyond the school syllabus. So why not check out the Reading Bank , and Resource Hub , or to find out why all this is important in the first place, check out the ‘Explore your Subject’ top tips page .

The Bookshelf

The Worcester Bookshelf project is all about sharing books that we love about our subjects with you. We suggest books that we love - you tell us what you think of them. Every term we will release a new list of six books that our tutors and academics would like to share with you. If you are in year 10, 11 or 12 at a UK state school and would like to find out more, simply email [email protected] .

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We have compiled the best of our digital resources to support learning and exploration. These resources can help inspire you to think broadly as well as enable you to explore your passions and interests further, and to discover more about Oxford.

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Oxford University Personal Statements

We hope our collection of oxford university personal statements provides inspiration for writing your own. please do not plagiarise them in any way, or ucas will penalise your application. our personal statement editing & review services are availble if you feel you need a little extra help..

History Personal Statement Example 3 Recently, I found out that my grandma was gambled into slavery for seven years. She escaped her prison and made her way back to Hong Kong, 300 miles south. I was amazed at how courageous she was. This personal discovery led me to read Jung Chang's 'Wild Swans' which made me both proud and ashamed of my heritage...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 4 I find it amazing to watch as the digital revolution sculpts society at a rate that has never before been seen; there is so much to still be discovered. Quantum computing is a topic that particularly interests me, stemming from my studies and keen interest in physics...

Economics and PPE Personal Statement Example My aspiration to study economics at both advanced and degree level has stemmed from my lasting interest in current affairs and world development. These issues require an application of economics in real-life situations and can be related to many diverse subjects such as politics, philosophy and psychology...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 1 When I saw Gatz, John Collin's eight hour interpretation of The Great Gatsby, I noticed that Fitzgerald changes the colour of Daisy's hair every time he describes it. It is "like a dash of blue paint", "yellowy" like her daughters and then "dark, shining"...

Geography Personal Statement Example 2 In a dynamic world, the study of geography is increasingly important. The diversity of the subject and the interaction between the physical environment and human population is becoming even more evident with climate change and globalisation influencing our everyday lives...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 11 “If she’s smart she will study Medicine.” This is an unwritten rule in my culture - all Nigerian parents want their children to become doctors. What becomes of the aspiring psychologist in the family? I met a junior doctor, at an educational conference, who wanted to specialise in psychiatry...

History Personal Statement Example 13 Until I began my A-levels last September, I had never been to school or followed a formal syllabus. My parents homeschooled me. They guided, encouraged, and fed my interests with books, documentaries and discussions...

Natural and Biological Sciences Personal Statement Example Experiencing first-hand life as a human in the natural world, I have the authority to confirm that regardless of previous knowledge, unexplained phenomena still exist. As a scientist, I adore observing the unknown, analysing the known and making decisions accordingly...

English Personal Statement Example 22 What I enjoy above all else in a piece of literature is the feeling that it has brought about change, either in me or in some wider context. Literature which offers the opportunity for an adapted way of living or thinking, however slight, is I think a thing to be kept and treasured in our intellects...

English Literature and Creative Writing Personal Statement Example 1 I once aspired to be a visual artist, a photographer or painter. However, I later discovered the unique ability of poetry and the written word to maintain its power and resonance in a world saturated with images and messages...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 45 Advances in computer and information technology over the past few decades have brought about revolution in science, medicine, education, business, and entertainment. I wish to be part of the future revolution and that is why I want to study computer science...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 16 I believe that to read English is to read the human being itself: after all, we are all writers. Even in the very act of choosing our words - thinking them, speaking them, physically writing them down - we create something meaningful...

Human Sciences Personal Statement Example Perhaps what makes me different from other University applicants is that I have ambition to understand multidimensional human life. It is not the appeal of a top qualification or the zesty student lifestyle that attracts me to this course; but it is the long-term knowledge and answers to interdisciplinary human problems, and the enigmas that I will commit a lifetime investigating with perhaps no solution, that inspires me to apply...

Engineering Personal Statement Example 19 Physics is that branch of science without which science is just like a beautiful lamp with no light. For centuries, mathematicians and physicists have made plenty of scientific contributions thus helping the world make a better place to live...

History (Ancient and Modern) Personal Statement Example 1 It is those things we don’t yet know or understand that make history a fascinating, intellectual puzzle. We know a remarkable amount about history and the development of society but new archaeological discoveries, the dedicated efforts of historians, translators and other academics and advancements in areas such as archaeometry mean that the body of historical information is still expanding...

Archaeology and Anthropology Personal Statement Example 2 As an immigrant living in Spain, I am constantly reminded of the importance social and cultural factors have on my daily life, the language I speak, and the difference between the relationships I maintain with people from my own country and those I encounter here on a daily basis...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 49 My views about computing changed considerably when I heard about Linux. In the late nineties it was a newer operating system and tasks like installing and configuring were considered to be quite challenging in India...

Law Personal Statement Example 70 Law is ever changing, whether parliament is passing new legislation, existing legislation is being rewritten or the courts are interpreting laws in different ways. In the case of Anthony Bland the distinguishing of earlier precedents was vital...

History and English Personal Statement Example Studying history and English concurrently has appealed to me ever since I recognised the inseparability of the two disciplines closest to my heart. Personally, I believe that the literary style of a piece of writing is as important as scholarly research and I try to make my essays as lively as possible whilst still grounded in solid historical or literary method, dulce et utile, following the example of writers such as Richard J Evans...

Economics and Management Personal Statement Example 2 My interest in Economics goes beyond an appreciation of statistics and profit margins. In my mind, economics represents the relationship between people and their money – a relationship that dates back to the history of mankind...

German Personal Statement Example 7 The study of language has always been appealing and is the focus of much of my time and energy, but the study of the German language is what mesmerises me most. Before understanding German I was first intrigued by its sound, and as I began to learn it, I became fascinated by its complexity...

Economics Personal Statement Example 30 The ever-changing nature of the human science intrigues me. Newton’s laws of motion will never change, from wherever ‘the ball is dropped’. However, different strategies and policies have to be framed and implemented for each economic problem...

Mathematics & Computer Science Personal Statement Example I have found mathematics a fascinating subject since my early years. I enjoy it as it is challenging and logical. I am particularly interested in decision mathematics as it is a field that is directly related to real-life applications of mathematics and can be used to solve problems, such as finding the optimal solution for transporting materials from one place to another while minimising the cost...

Physics Personal Statement Example 15 I have always been intrigued by the world of physics. From everyday experiences to the most extreme boundaries of today's knowledge, I have always voraciously searched for answers to my questions. As I grew up, the elegance of mathematical demonstrations and of physical theorems fascinated me, and I have often dreamt of making contributions to the unification theory and of improving and simplifying the Navier-Stokes equations...

Electrical Engineering Personal Statement Example 2 The defining wonder of today’s age is electricity. In just two centuries, we have come from Faraday’s crude but prophetic experiments to devices just a square inch that can calculate in seconds what the most gifted of human minds might take days...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 70 The challenge of spending my working life immersed in the fascinating, ever-evolving world of the medical sciences, and the opportunity to use this knowledge to benefit others, has drawn me to seek a career in medicine...

Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE) Personal Statement Example 3 In this day and age virtually every aspect of our lives may be considered political. My passion to study Politics stems from this tenet and a belief that a comprehension of Politics is integral to understanding the current state of humanity...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 18 Chemistry explores the properties of all matter and energy in our universe, which eventually leads to breakthroughs that benefit mankind, ranging from how to prevent food from decomposing to understanding what chemicals can help or harm you...

Philosophy Personal Statement Example (Mature Student) Since leaving education in 2006 I have always wanted to return; a great love of learning, desire for knowledge and natural curiosity throughout my life resulted in an ambition to teach. It was with this ambition in my heart that I took the plunge and returned to education, beginning my Access course last year with the intention of applying to study for a primary education degree...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 17 My decision to study engineering stems from a desire to contribute to the evolution of society through a process that does not just define our environment but our era. My personal inspiration is the Segovia aqueduct, an 800m long, 30 metre high Roman marvel which still stands today...

Ancient and Modern History Personal Statement Example 1 What makes history engaging and interesting to me is its interdisciplinary nature and its ability to take you on a journey to the discovery of humanity's past. History has been a constant source of captivation for me, from studying the mythology of Ancient Greece in primary school through to the study of the Russian Revolution at A Level...

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Personal Statement: do's and don't's

22nd August 2019

In theory, writing about yourself and your interests should be the easiest thing in the world: there's nothing you know more about! In reality however, many students simply don't know where to begin. This guide will give you some tips on what to do when writing your personal statement - and what to avoid...

KEEPING IT ACADEMIC

You may be very proud of your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, or captaining your school Football team to the County Cup final, but when it comes to applying to Oxbridge, these achievements are not relevant. Oxford and Cambridge are looking for academic prowess, and nothing else. They want to know if you are engaged with and interested in your chosen subject, whether you can think about old ideas in an original way, and whether you can use your lateral thinking to analyse problems and critique ideas. Put simply, they are not interested in your extra-curricular achievements. That said, there is one instance in which you can turn your non-academic activities to your advantage, and that is if you can weave them into a discussion of your academic interests. For example, if you are applying to study Psychology and have volunteered in a care home, you could discuss how working with dementia patients informed your view of cognition. If you are applying to study English and enjoy creative writing, you could discuss how this contributes to your reading of a text and the literary processes involved in constructing it. Linking different areas in this way is a skill in itself, and is likely to help you stand out.

Bookshelf full of English Literature books studied at university

However, don't let non-academic achievements overshadow discussion of your subject. In short, Oxbridge are only interested in your academic interests, they are not looking for all-rounders. Unless you can explicitly relate your other activities back to your chosen subject, you should not devote any more space to them than a brief sentence at the end of the statement.

KEEPING IT BALANCED

Balanced scales - the perfect metaphor for a good university application

Your personal statement is your calling card, but it is not an essay, and as such it should broadly reflect a cross-section of your interests. Oxbridge values the ability to write about topics strategically, and so it's important not to spend the whole personal statement focusing on just one thing. If you love Contract Law and the precedent set in the case of Foakes v Beer is particularly interesting to you, that’s great, but if you spend four paragraphs debating the merits of the case, then your personal statement will lack balance, and will show up your inability to plan your writing coherently. Oxford and Cambridge want to see that you have several academic interests, be these topics from your A-level studies or from extra reading you might have done, so structure your personal statement to reflect this.

PICK YOUR EXAMPLES

On the other hand, it is important to be discerning with the examples you choose to discuss. As problematic as it is to devote the whole personal statement to just one topic, it is far worse to simply list 20 things that interest you without elaborating further. The answer lies somewhere between these two extremes. What is most sensible is to select four or five key areas of interest and discuss each in a moderate amount of depth, given the space available. Simply listing your interests tells the admissions tutors nothing about why you are interested in those areas, what your ideas are and how you think. It makes more sense to discuss these interests further, as this will provide an excellent basis for the start of a discussion at interview. If you can draw comparisons between the areas you choose to discuss, this is even better.

Textbooks and highlighters, evidence of a student studying hard to prepare for university study

FEAR THE UNKNOWN

It takes a lot of planning to make a successful application to Oxford or Cambridge

Every year, several candidates reference a text, and when quizzed on it at interview it becomes apparent they have not actually read it. This should go without saying, but given it is such a recurrent mistake, we are going to say it anyway. Do not include something you have not read. This is such a fundamental mistake and is borne out of laziness and an over-eagerness to impress. Yes, Oxbridge want to see evidence of extra reading, and yes, not including anything would damage your chances, but if you’re going to reference a text, make sure you’ve read it. While for other universities, who do not interview, name-dropping might be an effective blag, at Oxbridge this will be the basis for a discussion at interview. If you are unable to answer questions on something you claim to have read, you can be pretty certain you will not be offered a place.

DON’T MAKE ARGUMENTS YOU CANNOT DEFEND

Similarly, when writing your personal statement, you should always be thinking about how it might be used against you. Oxford and Cambridge interviews are rigorous, and it is likely that the content of your personal statement will at some stage be the subject of intense scrutiny. Interviewers are not trying to catch you out, but they will challenge you on what you have written. No personal statement will be perfect, and every argument you make can be criticised, and this is actually a good thing. So for everything you write, think about how someone might challenge you. If you are unable to defend your position, it might be worth writing something else. Try to be exact in your presentation of your ideas, as generalisations can always be attacked. Good luck!

UCAS Personal Statements: Why They Matter

Personal statements are a key part of university applications. They are an applicant’s chance to express their interest in their chosen course of study, and to profile their relevant knowledge and skills. They are required by all applicants applying to UK undergraduate-level degree, and currently applicants must use the same, single statement across all their university choices.

Personal statements are the perfect opportunity to stand out in a pool of applicants who also are applying with top grades. they provide an admission tutor their first insight into who lies behind the numerical data they receive about an applicant. even for courses like mathematics or physics, which do not demand much work written in full prose, the personal statement can still make a real difference to an application., here is a breakdown of the different components of the statement, and some of our expert insights into what an admissions tutor is looking for in each part of these statements., introductions, introductions are difficult. not only it is difficult to get started, but it is also difficult to know what kind of tone and content to bring into the introduction. are the introductions meant to be academic, getting straight into analysis or explanation of a given topic are they meant to be inspirational, beginning with a moving story related to why an applicant is applying for a particular subject, a great introduction will emphasise an applicant’s passion at the same time as grounding it in light discussion or example. for instance, rather than just saying, ‘i am interested in the way in which smaller phenomena contribute to large, historical trends and that is why i want to study history,’ you could write something like this:, whilst the movement out of a feudal system can be understood from the angle of broader cultural and economic developments in the medieval world, we cannot lose sight of the significance of individuals and local movements who inspired and sparked change. i have been reading about the ‘great rumour’, a protest movement that was active across hampshire, surrey and wiltshire in the 14th century, and developing a more textured, particular picture of how peasant revolts like the great rumour operated only strengthens my desire to study history, for the way that it invites to understand how the large is contingent upon the small., the key idea is that history is interesting because it gives us an appreciation of how macro-level patterns depend on the movements of micro-level players. this concept is then grounded in an interesting example that goes beyond the scope of the a level syllabus; this is a good way to show evidence of further reading., main body paragraphs, a great main body paragraph will often speak to a particular research theme, interest, question or skill set, rather than trying to cover too much information without much depth or reflection., the aim is to showcase your understanding and experiences in a coherent way that shows an ability to organise content effectively and create a statement that flows logically overall. as such, you have the opportunity to demonstrate your written communication abilities, in addition to your motivation for and engagement with the subject., for example, this paragraph displays a good sense of ’cause and effect’: the applicant draws relevant connections between topics, and presents themselves as intellectually curious in the way that thinking about one area of maths inspires them to learn more., i also have a strong interest in applied mathematics, in particular probability theory and statistics. this was sparked in part by hannah fry’s mathematics of love, where she applied the optimal stopping theorem in the world of dating. i want to gain a deeper understanding of statistical theory to understand why this works, and in what contexts an application of this theorem would be misplaced. because a good understanding of probability theory serves as a solid foundation for grasping statistics, i have done some reading on the kolmogorov axiomatisation of probability theory, i have found it useful to think in this rigorous manner to work through any misconceptions about probability i have., although it expresses excitement for many aspects of the subject, this paragraph is not so effectively structured, jumping between topics without a clear sense of direction:, i am curious about a deeper understanding of magnetism works. but i am interested in ‘fields’ in general and how to model them. there are electric fields, magnetic fields and gravitational fields. in quantum physics, there are quantum fields too. i am interested in quantum physics as well and quantum mechanics because it uses more complex and unique mathematics than classical mechanics does. i have really enjoyed learning about linear algebra in my further pure modules and want to see their applications in quantum mechanics, so i worked my way through leonard susskind’s quantum mechanics: the theoretical minimum., it is important to learn how to manage one’s excitement and organise the academic content of a statement to produce balanced, impactful paragraphs., conclusions, like a closing speech in a court of law, the conclusion of the personal statement is an applicant’s final chance to state their case – that is, why a university should offer them a place – in a pithy and confident way., i am a peer supporter at my school, which means i dedicate my free periods to running an open clinic where students with study-related concerns can come and voice their concerns and troubleshoot their problems in the presence of an understanding ear. i am a positive influence on my peers, and i would be bringing to study of anthropology and archaeology not only passion and ability but a collegiate spirit. it is to these ends that i am confident a place on your course of study would not only allow me to bring out the best in myself but bring out the best in the young archaeologists and anthropologists i work with., how can i get started, personal statements are quite unlike any other kind of writing applicants will have encountered before, and so it is natural to feel out of your depth when you begin drafting. it may feel a little awkward at first to write about yourself and achievements, here are some tips for getting started:, keep track of your super-curricular learning, the backbone of the personal statement is the super-curricular activity: an academic exercise or experience that indicates that the student has gone beyond their school curriculum to explore their passion and grow their expertise. this is particularly crucial for highly selective universities and courses; our team outline some suggestions here on how to gain these experiences., reading about your subject beyond the syllabus and participating in relevant activities will enable you weave evidence of your genuine interest into the statement in a way that sounds natural. this approach is much more effectively than simply stating that you are ‘passionate’ about something., mind-map what you have done, in the planning stage, it is worth reflecting on what you have done and the achievements you might like to mention. likewise, brainstorming your favourite areas of interest and books or talks you especially enjoyed will help to provide you with inspiration for your main paragraphs., this way, you can ensure you do not forget anything impressive that you might be able to include in the statement, and start to draw connections between these different elements., ask for help with proofreading, to gauge the impact of your statement, it can be helpful to give your drafts to someone else to read, such as a teacher, parent or friend., they will be able to give you feedback on whether your sentences read clearly and make sense. asking for someone else’s perspective can also be helpful for ensuring you have the right tone. do you come across as confident, or are you selling yourself short do you sound authentically yourself, the universities team at oxford and cambridge tutors wish you the very best of luck when it comes to planning and drafting your personal statement, and would be delighted to assist should you need further guidance..

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How to start personal statement for Oxford summer course?

So I applied for the Oxford summer course, in business and administration, and it seems like my application is under consideration. They have emailed me back and stated that they want my personal statement which includes:

1. What would make me a good student at Oxford Summer Courses?

2. Why would I like to study with them?

3. Any experience that I’ve had in the subject previously?

Well, though I know what points to include and tell all the qualities I have and my experience, but I don't really know how to give it a really good and engaging start. I really want to give them a good first impression. Any ideas on how to start off the statement?

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The Ultimate Guide To UCAS And Personal Statements

by The Oxford Scholastica Team | 16 May, 2024 | Blog Articles , Get the Edge

A student preparing their UCAS application

Table of Contents

What does UCAS stand for?

UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. It is the centralised online service in the UK that everyone has to use in order to apply to any undergraduate University course in the UK.

How many courses can you apply to on UCAS?

Through UCAS, you can select up to five different courses to apply to. These can be at the same university, different ones, or a combination of both. It’s completely up to you! If you’re struggling to choose what to study, read our guide on how to find the right university course for you .

How does UCAS work?

You write and submit your application via UCAS, and UCAS sends this to the admissions teams for each of the courses you’ve selected. They will then consider your application along with all the others they have received from different students around the world, and decide who they would like to offer places.

So, UCAS is effectively the link between you and the universities you’re applying to. This means you have to sell yourself as best you can on your UCAS application, since this may be all that the admissions teams are basing their decisions on.

UCAS deadlines

UCAS have two major deadlines for undergraduate application submissions. The earlier deadline is for anyone wanting to apply to Oxford or Cambridge, and for most medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry courses across the country. This early deadline is usually 15th October . But be sure to double check that this is true for your year! The deadline for all other undergraduate courses is usually 15th January . However, many universities and colleges continue to accept applications from international students until later in the year as part of the regular college admissions cycle .

There’s quite a big gap between these two deadlines. This is because all courses with the earlier cut off point require you to go for an interview before they make their offers, so they need time to schedule these. This means you need to decide quite early in the year (by the summer before your deadline) whether you’re going to apply to any of the courses with the 15th October cut off, so that you have enough time to write your application!

UCAS application

You fill out your application using UCAS’s online hub. There are several sections to the form; some require information that you can fill out quickly and others need more time. You don’t have to do it all at once though. You can save your progress and come back to it as many times as you want.

What information are they looking for?

Most obviously, UCAS will want to know your 5 course choices! You don’t have to place them in order of preference at this point and none of the admissions officers will see the other courses you have applied to. They will, however, have access to this information after you reply to any offers you receive, but it can’t impact your application in any way.

Under the current system, a personal statement will also be required, showing your vested interest in your chosen subject. It should also demonstrate your motivation and enthusiasm, as well as any skills you have picked up so far that will help you do well at university. This is your chance to tell admissions teams why they should offer you a place on their course.

Please note: In January 2023, UCAS announced some changes to the admissions process, and the personal statement will be different for admissions cycles from 2024/25. This article will be updated when the changes are confirmed.

There will also be some additional questions for monitoring purposes. These don’t affect how likely you are to be offered a place in any way. The information is not shared with the universities until the end of the application cycle, when you’ll already know their decisions. If you’re applying from the UK, you will be asked questions about your ethnic origin, national identity and what your parents do for a living. There are also some optional questions about religion, sexual orientation and identity.

Within the additional questions section, there will be optional queries relating to your personal circumstances. These will be shared with the university if you wish to provide information about, for example, your parental education or whether you’ve been in care. This is known as ‘contextualised admissions’ and allows the university to form a more complete understanding of you as an individual so that they can provide support if necessary. If you want to know more about how a university will use this information, you can ring their admissions team directly and ask. Don’t be scared to do this at any point as, again, it won’t affect your likelihood of being offered a place!

Other information that UCAS will require is listed below:

Full education history: GCSEs and predicted A-Level/IB qualifications
Full employment history
Reference from teacher, adviser or professional who knows you academically.

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Thanks for signing up, how do i write a good ucas personal statement.

There isn’t a ‘correct’ way to write your personal statement. The key is in the title – the statement is personal. And so it should be as unique to you, your experiences and your interests as possible. That being said, there are some ways you can structure your statement to ensure clarity. Also, there are key things you can include to make sure you are providing the information admissions tutors want to know, so that you come across as an enthusiastic, mature and motivated student.

What do I put on my UCAS application?

Why you find the subject interesting.

Explain what it is that attracts you to your subject, and why you want to study it at university level. Mention particular areas you want to find out more about, for example something you’ve briefly covered on the course at school, or something you’ve read about in your own time.

Detail the relevant things you’ve read that you found the most engaging, and talk about why you found them interesting. Whether or not you’re applying for a literature-based course, make sure you’ve done some reading around the subject. And don’t just regurgitate views you’ve heard in class, read in a textbook or seen online. Remember, the admissions teams want to hear your personal opinion. This is one reason why attending a summer programme like an Oxford summer course is so helpful: it introduces you to wider perspectives about your subject, and good ideas for further reading (please note, our programme in Oxford is not affiliated with the University of Oxford)! For inspiration, check out these recommended lists of best books for English literature students , best psychology books and top law books to read .

Employment or volunteering experiences

There is a different section in which to detail your complete employment history, so only pick the most relevant to discuss in your personal statement. Choose the ones that have either taught you useful skills or made you more passionate about your subject.

Work experience / Summer schools / Taster Courses

Talking about any relevant work experience, summer schools or Higher Education taster courses can be really valuable in your personal statement. Again, choose the ones that are most representative of your engagement with your chosen subject, and detail the skills and knowledge you gained. For example, if you’ve ever attended our Oxford Summer School that’s a great one to talk about here! Going to an academic summer school like Oxford Scholastica shows your dedication to your subject outside school, which all admissions tutors are looking for.

Extracurricular activities

Clubs and societies you are a part of at school, or have leadership roles in, can be useful to discuss here, as long as you explain what you’ve gained from them. More on this in the next section!

Extra qualifications

You can also mention the skills you may have developed through any extra courses or qualifications you’ve completed, such as Duke of Edinburgh (DofE), National Citizen Service (NCS), Young Enterprise, etc.

Note for International students:

If you’re applying from outside the UK, you should also mention: why you want to study here, your English language skills, and any English courses or tests you’ve taken. It can also be good to mention why you want to be an international student, rather than studying in your own country.

UCAS personal statement structure

Universities are quite clear about the skills and qualities they are looking for in their students; make sure you read the course descriptions for each course you’re applying to and structure your statement to demonstrate that you have met everything they are looking for.
You have a maximum of 4,000 characters and 47 lines when you input your personal statement into UCAS. This means you need to think carefully about how many paragraphs to have and what information it is most important to include.
Try to present your achievements and interests in a clear and concise manner. This means having different paragraphs for different experiences where possible, and not repeating yourself. Link anything you have done to what you have learnt from it and how that better prepares you or makes you more interested in the course.
Avoid presenting a list of things you have done. Admissions teams won’t care about how many charity projects you’ve been involved with unless you tell them what you have gained from each one.

8 top tips for the best UCAS application

1. Keep it focused on you. Don’t try to define your subject or explain it to the admissions tutor – they are already experts!

2. Write in a natural style – show your understanding of your subject but without going into too much detail or trying to make it sound too complex. Again, you don’t have that many characters available and you need to prioritise talking about yourself. The most important thing is to come across as enthusiastic and eager to learn MORE – don’t focus on trying to show off what you already know.

3. Equally, don’t pretend to know more than you do, or exaggerate your achievements – this is especially important if you are going to be interviewed because they will ask you to elaborate on things you mentioned in your statement.

4. Be careful with humour or quotes – the admissions tutor may not have the same sense of humour as you and it could be a waste of characters!

5. Proofread it aloud , and get as many people to check it as possible so that you have a lot of different perspectives – ask your teachers, friends, and family.

6. Make sure the spelling, punctuation and grammar are completely correct as errors will suggest that you’re careless.

7. You will probably produce several drafts of your personal statement before you’re completely happy with it. This is why it’s important to start writing as early as possible – this is not something to be left to the last minute!

8. Don’t copy bits of another personal statement or share yours with anyone applying for similar courses or similar universities. All personal statements are checked for similarity and if yours is flagged as being too similar to someone else’s, it might reduce your chance of being offered a place.

How much extracurricular content should I include?

Most universities like to see that you have been engaged in extracurricular activities throughout your time at school. They show that you can juggle several commitments at once, and also that you know how to balance work and play – something that is very important at university! However, your personal statement should be mainly focused on the course you’re applying for and why you want to do it. Extracurriculars should only make up one small paragraph towards the end. That said, it shouldn’t be the focus of the final paragraph – you should wrap up with something about your relationship with your chosen subject.

Extracurriculars relevant to the course you’re applying for are amazing, but you can include ones that aren’t directly relevant too. The key is to mention what you do, and then link it back how it has helped you develop the skills and attributes that the university wants to see. These could include commitment, dedication, confidence, teamwork, resilience and interpersonal skills – all important qualities for a university student to have. For medical school applicants, see our tips on the best extracurriculars for medical students .

What if I’m applying to different courses at different Universities?

Applying to different courses at different Universities is difficult because unfortunately, you are usually only allowed to submit one personal statement.

If just one of your choices is completely different from the others, a University may accept a separate personal statement for that course, but it has to be sent directly to them – not through UCAS. You have to call the university’s admissions team to ask if this is possible or speak to them on an open day. Speaking to them individually is the only way you can find out, but you should try to get some advice from a teacher or advisers before you do this. If one of your courses is fairly unusual and only offered by a small number of universities, the admissions team will have probably received calls like this many times before and so may be more lenient, but it’s definitely best to just ask.

There may be slight differences between the five courses you’re applying for, for example, if they are all joint or combined degrees with slightly different subject combinations. In this case, writing one statement shouldn’t be too much of a problem. You just have to make sure that you make your statement as relevant as possible to all of them – so make sure each subject is covered by what you are saying.

However, if there are big differences between all of your course choices, you will have much more difficulty writing a great personal statement. You can try to make your statement appropriate to all courses by demonstrating your skills and academic interests more generally. Alternatively, you can openly state that you are applying to several different courses and try to explain as best as possible why you have done this based on your academic interests. The focus here should be on a strong interest in all the courses and the different things they offer. Make sure you don’t come across as simply indecisive or not sure what you want from a course!

Both are risky strategies so we would advise you to apply for five courses that have some clear common ground that you can focus on in your statement.

Students writing their UCAS applications on laptops

When can I expect to hear back from UCAS?

Once you’ve sent off your application, the UCAS hub will allow you to check how your application is progressing. Most interview invitations (although not all – some course providers may email you directly), offers and rejections will be shown on there.

Unfortunately, each university’s application monitoring process takes a different amount of time, so it’s difficult to know for sure when you’ll have all of your decisions back. However, UCAS says that if you met their application deadline (15th January), you should have heard back by the 31st March and will definitely hear by the 9th May. Having said that, many universities will get back to you within just two or three weeks of applying.

If you applied at the earlier deadline (15th October), this probably means you’ve applied to one or more courses that require an interview. If you’re applying for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, different universities hold their interviews at vastly different times. Generally, the earliest are in December and the latest are in March.

There is also a big range in how much time different universities give you between letting you know you have an interview, and the interview itself. Once you’ve decided where you want to apply, you might like to contact the admissions teams of each university directly, so that you have a rough idea of your personal timeline of events and deadlines.

What’s the difference between conditional and unconditional offers?

An unconditional offer means the university is very keen to have you on their course. If you accept it, they will automatically confirm your place regardless of the exam results you receive. Many universities (such as the University of Birmingham) will often state that if you accept an unconditional offer from them, you have to put it as your firm choice – you can’t have it as your insurance. The terms ‘firm’ and ‘insurance’ are explained in the next section.

A conditional offer is one that is dependent on the grades you are yet to receive. In the offer, they will outline which grades you need to get in order to take up your place on their course. Most universities provide their usual grade offers for each course on their website, so you know before you apply.

This is something you should bear in mind when discussing your predicted grades with your teachers. Your predicted grades on your application need to match, be close to or exceed what the university usually asks for, or it’s unlikely that you’ll be offered a place. You should think optimistically but realistically about what you can achieve.

Responding to offers – firm and insurance choices

Once you have received all your decisions, you have until a fixed deadline to reply to any offers through UCAS. This deadline is usually 31st March, as long as you’ve heard back from all five choices by then. If you have two or more offers, you have to choose one to make your ‘firm’ choice, and one to make your ‘insurance’. Your firm choice is your preferred option, so if it’s unconditional, or it’s conditional and you meet the grade requirements on results day, you will have a place on that course. Your insurance choice is your back-up, so it makes sense to choose a course with lower offer conditions, in case you don’t meet your first choice offer. You should make sure this is still a university you would be happy to go to, though!

Think carefully before you respond – you can’t change your mind on Results Day (unless you do much better than expected – see our section on ‘Adjustment’). Remember that there’s no rush as long as you meet the deadline: the universities can’t take back their offers because you’re taking too long!

You’ll then have to decline any other offers you receive that you haven’t made your firm or insurance option.

If you have a complete change of heart, you can decline all of your offers and apply to more courses using UCAS’s ‘Extra’ service.

What if I miss my offer? What is Clearing?

If you don’t get the grades you needed for your first-choice offer, your first port of call should be ringing your chosen university’s admissions team directly. They may still give you a place, especially if you only just missed your grades, because other prospective students may have missed their grades too. There’s no harm in trying, and, if there’s a particular reason as to why you achieved lower grades than anticipated, this context could help explain to them why you didn’t make the offer.

If you miss the grades for your insurance choice too, and you don’t have any luck with ringing either university, you can turn to UCAS’s Clearing Service. This allows you to find a similar course, usually at a different university, with entry requirements that match the grades you have. In 2021, Clearing ran from 5th July to 19th October (2021), but again you should check the dates for your own year of application. The application process works differently to the initial submission process.

When you apply to clearing, you are given a ‘clearing number’ – a form of ID. There are two routes you can take; Clearing Plus matches can be found in your UCAS Hub, register your interest with a course that appeals and have your application sent directly to them to make a decision. You can also search for all the available course vacancies, which means contacting the university directly if you find a course you’d like to apply to. You provide them with your clearing number and Personal ID over the phone so that they can look up your application, and then ask them if they’d accept you.

If they give you an informal offer over the phone, you can then add the course as a clearing choice in the UCAS Hub. You can only add one course at a time, and if the university confirms it, you definitely have that place and can’t apply anywhere else. Many universities have spare places on their courses after results day, so this is a very common option for people whose grades don’t align with their original universities’ requirements.

Better results than expected? What is Adjustment?

If you get better results than expected (i.e. you have met and exceeded the conditions of your firm offer and think you could be accepted onto another course which typically gives out higher offers), you may be able to apply to that course through Adjustment. You register for Adjustment via the UCAS Hub.

Adjustment is only available for a small, fixed amount of time, so you have to act fast! In 2021, this was from 10th August – 18th August (as always, check the exact dates for your year of application!). Adjustment is different to Clearing, as there isn’t a list of available courses for you to search through. Instead, you have to find out the grade requirements of courses you’d be interested in on a university’s website, and then contact the admissions office of those universities directly to ask about any possible vacancies. You have to provide your Personal ID so they can check you’ve exceeded the conditions of your original firm choice, and that you meet their own conditions of entry.

Then, if you are absolutely sure you want a place at that university, you can verbally agree an offer with them. The university will then add themselves to your application, your UCAS Hub will be updated, and you’ll have a place on that course!

Ready to get a head start on your future?

Next steps for applying to university through UCAS

Check out these useful resources to help you on your way to completing your university applications through UCAS.

UCAS’ key dates timeline
Taking the International Baccalaureate? Read this article on applying to UK Universities while studying for IB
Not from the UK? Have a look at UCAS’ application tips for international students
Which? University article on ‘How to write a personal statement that works for multiple different courses’

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4 Common UCAS Personal Statement Issues and How to Resolve Them

Image shows an espresso next to a laptop on a desk.

The pressure is on, and it’s not helped by the fact that there are a few common problems making things more difficult for some students. We’ve previously given you some tips on how to write an effective personal statement, but in this article, we tackle some of the common issues head-on and show you how to make sure your personal statement still shines.

1. Writing a personal statement for a joint honours course

It’s notoriously tricky to write a personal statement for a joint honours course – that is, a course on which you study two different subjects. Those two subjects may be fairly similar – such as history and archaeology – in which case it should be fairly straightforward to talk about the two subjects and how they work effectively together. However, if the two subjects are very different – such as Birmingham’s Economics with Italian, or Oxford’s Computer Science and Philosophy – you face the challenge of trying to talk equally about your interests in both. It can be hard to know how to structure a personal statement that needs to cover two very different subjects, and it can also be difficult to explain your equal enthusiasm for both and how it came about. Many students writing joint honours personal statements end up talking too much about one and not enough about the other, or talking more naturally and enthusiastically about one than the other. The key points you need to get across when applying for a joint honours course are:

Your interest in both
Your aptitude for both, and what you’ve done to develop your interest in them
Why you want to study them together, and how the two might complement each other
How you see these two subjects fitting in with your longer-term aims

Rather than trying to talk about both at the same time, you might find it more straightforward to begin by talking about one subject, then the other, and then perhaps adding a line or two about why you think it would be beneficial to study them alongside each other. A slightly different way of doing it would be to talk about the first subject (what motivates you to study it, what aspects particularly interest you, and so on), and then discuss the second in relation to the first, immediately discussing why you think it complements the first and why you think a joint honours course is for you.

Image shows a laptop that someone is coding on.

To write an effective personal statement, you’ll need to make sure that you’re applying for the same combination of subjects at all your university choices. Your personal statement might sound great if you’re applying for Computer Science and Philosophy at University A, but it will make no sense to University B if you’re applying only for Philosophy. Alternatively, some students choose to write about just one of their joint honours subjects. This leaves them the flexibility to apply for different combinations of subjects, with one in common (such as English and French or English and Spanish). Approaching it this way has the advantage of allowing you to talk in more depth about the main subject; if you’re trying to talk about two subjects in a very limited amount of space, you may not be able to say everything you want to say. On the other hand, if you can show how keen you are on both subjects, and even talk about why you think it makes sense to study both, then your personal statement may come across stronger than that of a student who only talks about one subject, with no explanation as to why they have applied for the joint honours course rather than that one subject on its own.

2. Writing a personal statement for several subtly (or very) different courses

Image shows a scene from an Anglo-Saxon manuscript.

Unless you’re applying for a joint honours course, you’re not going to be able to choose two wildly different subjects, because your personal statement simply won’t work if you try to appeal to admissions tutors from different courses or departments. However, you can choose closely related subjects, and of course some courses are called different things at different universities and cover some different topics. The key here is to look for overlaps in the course content and talk about those. You’ll need to scrutinise the course content closely for each university and draw up a list of the topics that are covered by all of them. Don’t fall into the trap of stating your enthusiasm for studying a particular module if it’s not provided at all your university choices, because it will look odd to the universities who don’t cover it (and may be enough to lose you a potential offer). Avoid specifically naming any course in particular, as this is another dead giveaway to admissions tutors that another university may be your first choice. If you’re writing with your first choice university in mind, be careful that you don’t let slip any information that may reveal this; for example, if you know that the English course at your first-choice university places great emphasis on early English, but your other choices have less of a focus on this aspect, they may be able to tell that your heart lies elsewhere!

3. Explaining a bad grade (or many)

Whether it’s a below-par GCSE grade, or many, or a less-than-brilliant predicted A-level grade, or many, the ease with which you’ll be able to explain this shortfall on your personal statement depends very much on the circumstances surrounding it. Nevertheless, easy or not, it’s definitely worth acknowledging it in your personal statement, because the admissions tutor will have noticed – so it’s no use pretending it’s not the case and hoping they won’t notice. Let’s look at some of the possible reasons for low grades and consider each in turn.

Illness or family problems

Image shows a student asleep in a pile of cushions and duvets.

This may be a sensitive issue and it’s probably best not to dwell too much on in your personal statement; you don’t want to look as though you are angling for the ‘sympathy vote’. However, genuinely extenuating circumstances that explain a bad grade should be mentioned in passing, along with an explanation of what you’re doing to make up for it and, ideally, evidence to back up your claim that you’re trying to do better. For example, you might say something like: “Although my GCSE English grade was lower than I’d been aiming for due to my falling ill for several weeks during the term before exams, I’ve worked hard to make up for this at A-level, as you can see from my strong AS and predicted grades in this subject.” If you do have extenuating circumstances, your teachers will almost certainly mention them in your references , so you’ll have those to back up what you say. If you’re concerned about how your grades may look, talk to your teachers about it and remind them of the circumstances – this should jog their memory so that they remember to mention it in their references.

You didn’t work hard enough

This is clearly something you can’t admit to in your personal statement, as it will give a very poor impression to admissions tutors. It’s difficult to explain, though, and you may be at a disadvantage even if you’ve since got your act together and improved your grades; there will be many other candidates whose grades are just as good as yours – and better than yours. You certainly can’t feign illness or personal problems as an excuse, because your personal statement then wouldn’t corroborate what your teachers say in your references, and that would arouse suspicion. Your best bet is to try to show what you’re doing to improve, rather than focusing on the reasons.

Image shows two students studying in the library together.

Acknowledge – briefly – that your grade(s) aren’t as good as you’d like, but tell them what you’re going to improve your forthcoming grades, and prove to them with your intelligent remarks in your personal statement that you are academically gifted. Explain that you’re taking on extra classes to bring your grades up to scratch, or that you’re reading around the subject even more in an effort to improve. Evidence of original thinking in your personal statement – for example, in your comments about what you’ve been reading – may be enough to counter the detrimental effect of a poor grade or grades. If you can provide some evidence that you’ve improved, even better; for instance, if your GCSE grade in Physics wasn’t as good as you were hoping for, but you’re predicted an A in A-level Physics, this is evidence that you are capable of doing better. Without this kind of evidence, you may find that it’s more difficult to win them over; but if the rest of your application is strong, you may just be able to do it.

You’re not academically up to it

This is the hardest reason to account for poor grades, because there isn’t really much you can do about it. If your grades are generally lower than the typical offers of universities you’re applying to, you should be questioning whether or not these universities are actually right for you. There’s nothing wrong with aiming high, within reason; but if you’re going to struggle academically, you’re probably not going to have a particularly enjoyable university experience. This is an issue that you should talk to your teachers about; you need a frank and objective opinion from someone who knows your academic standard. It’s a hard thing to face up to, but you’ll thank yourself in the long run.

4. Not enough extra-curricular activities

Many students worry that they don’t have enough extra-curricular activities to talk about on their personal statements. This needn’t necessarily be a hindrance to you, as personal statements are there primarily to assess your academic interest in and suitability for the subject for which you are applying. In fact, students often make the mistake of devoting too much of their personal statement to talking about extra-curricular activities, which is worse than not having enough to talk about. Hobbies are useful for showing that you’re a well-rounded person, and they’re especially helpful if they have some relevance to your course (for instance, you play in an orchestra and you’re applying to read Music), but for universities in the UK, they’re not the be all and end all that you may have heard they are (American universities may place more importance on them, however). You certainly don’t need a huge long list of them. Here are some of the things you could do about this if you really feel it’s an issue:

Devote more of your personal statement to talking about aspects of your A-level courses you’ve enjoyed.
Discuss books you’ve read on the subject, and perhaps towards the end mention what kind of books you enjoy reading in your spare time (they don’t have to be relevant to the course in the context of general comments about your hobbies).
Spend more time highlighting aspects of the subject that you’re most looking forward to learning more about, and why.
Talk about the extra-curricular things you’re planning for the summer: you don’t necessarily have to be doing them now. For example, “I’m planning to spend the summer developing my French skills whilst touring France”.
Take up a new extra-curricular activity right now! They don’t need to know that you’ve only just started it. If you are going to do this, you could score extra brownie points by making it something that not only demonstrates key attributes such as teamwork, but that also has some relevance to the course you’re applying for. It could even be a blog dedicated to something related to your subject.

These are four of the most common issues students encounter when writing personal statements, but as we’ve seen, there is almost always a way around them. If you’re in need of extra advice, don’t be afraid to seek the help of a teacher who knows you and your work. Personal circumstances have a big part to play in university applications (that’s why they’re called ‘personal’ statements!); although it may not seem like it, universities aren’t looking for a generic ‘cookie cutter’ student, and your personal statement probably isn’t as bad as you fear.

Image credits: banner ; flag ; coding ; Anglo-Saxon ; asleep ; studying ; parachute .

What’s the Purpose of Summer School?

Summer schools have been in existence for hundreds of years, and are readily available around the world.

They’re hugely popular, especially for high school and secondary students looking to expand their academic horizons and get ahead for the term ahead. However, in recent years, university summer schools have risen in popularity, offering older students a chance to specialise their knowledge, enhance critical skills for the workplace, and explore the opportunities that are open to them in the future.

So, if you’re considering signing up and want to know why summer school is good, take a look at some of the main reasons why so many students enrol each year.

What’s Included in an Oxford Summer Course?

Why do students go to summer school.

Summer schools are short, often residential, academic courses which fully immerse students into the subject of their choice. Combining academic study with exciting day trips and extracurricular activities, they usually take place during the summer break, and within a boarding school, high school, or university setting.

When students apply for our summer courses, we hear so many different reasons as to why they want to join us. Many wish to improve their academic performance and subject knowledge for the new term. However, summer schools can expand your horizons so much further, helping you discover what or where you may want to study at university, and experience living independently in a new city with new friends.

Let’s take a deeper look at what the purpose of summer schools is, and why you may want to consider enrolling for one this year.

Improve Academic Foundations

Many summer schools are designed to help students improve their academic foundations and help them develop new skill sets for the future.

Not only can students immerse themselves in a structured academic programme, helping improve their subject knowledge for when they return to school. However, summer schools often schedule additional workshops and lecture series, which can equip students with interpersonal skills that can help them excel in the future workplace.

As an example, research suggests that effective communication skills are still the most sought-after by employers. So, on our summer courses, we try to foster open and communicative discussions in everything our students do, including; hosting Oxbridge-style debate nights, offering one-to-one tutorials (for students aged 16 and over), as well as a number of communication-focused workshops that are scheduled into students’ timetables.

In this respect, university summer courses can be particularly helpful for students in high school and college or undergraduate education. Aside from your primary focus being on expanding your subject knowledge and getting ahead with your academia, you can have the opportunity to develop your professional skills, which will help no end when it comes to applying to university or beginning your career.

You can find out more about why you may consider attending a university summer school here .

Overcome Summer Learning Loss

When it comes to post-summer learning, did you know that 9 out of 10 teachers agree it takes them at least three weeks to re-teach material from the previous academic year? ( NSLA .

Summer setback – or, summer learning loss , as it’s more commonly referred to – occurs when students return to school after their summer holidays at a lower academic level than they were when they left at the end of the previous academic year.

During the summer, many students lose access to academic routines and material, which prevents them from making progress. Instead, these students typically take a complete break from studying during the summer, which usually results in a loss of previously learned information and a decline in academic performance.

One of the most effective ways to prevent summer learning loss is to attend an academic summer school, where you’ll spend a few hours each day engaged in exciting seminars, and 1:1 tutorials (for students aged 16+), as well as an enriching timetable of cultural activities.

All academic summer schools will allow you to immerse yourself in one or more subjects of your choice, where you can build on your current knowledge, cover topics that you may find particularly challenging, as well as quiz the minds of some of the best tutors.

Attending a summer school will help you keep a routine, all whilst exploring a new city, making new friends, and experiencing life more independently. You’ll have plenty of downtime scheduled into your timetable, so you will still have plenty of opportunities to relax and make the most of your summer holiday.

Set Yourself Apart From The Rest

In today’s highly competitive landscape, gaining places at top universities and places of work is getting harder than ever, with over 700,000 UK students having applied for a place at a UK university this year alone.

Unsurprisingly, students are continually looking for new ways to help themselves stand out against the competition and secure their place on their dream university course.

When it comes to applying for a place at a university in the UK, you only have a short personal statement and your predicted grades to help you secure an interview or offer. Therefore, you need to do everything you can to really make that application shine. After all, the admissions advisor is going to have to sift through thousands of applications.

So, what can you do to really help yourself stand out from the crowd?

Often, students attend summer school as a way to demonstrate their passion for learning and for their chosen subject, with prospective universities looking for students who are committed to learning and can prove that they will dedicate themselves to their course with rigour.

For students who join us for one of our summer courses , they will graduate with an Oxford Summer Courses’ certificate and letter of recommendation from their tutor which they can use towards university and job applications.

Focus On One Subject

For students still in secondary school and high school, it can be difficult to find the time to really dive into the subject you’re most passionate about and decide if you should pursue it at university and beyond.

One of the greatest things about summer school is that it gives you the opportunity to focus on one subject at a time, allowing you to delve deeper into the topics you are most interested in, and get inspired about the future.

This can be particularly helpful for students who are looking to demonstrate their interest in their chosen subject for university. If you can show a prospective admissions advisor that you gave up some or all of your summer break to study your subject in more depth, you’ll be showcasing your dedication and commitment to both the subject and to your academic profile in general – both of which will make your application glow.

Our summer courses are led by some of the UK’s top tutors, with many having studied or taught at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. As such, when you join us, you’ll know for sure that you’re learning about your subject from some of the best experts out there, all of whom are highly regarded in their industry and field of work.

Expand Your Horizons

Joining an international summer school doesn’t just mean days filled with academic sessions and self-guided study . They offer far more enriching opportunities, as well as a chance to experience life away from home and possibly, in a different country.

Attending a summer school in another country can hugely expand your horizons, giving you insight into how other students live and study, and deciding if you may want to study abroad in the future. You’ll have the chance to live independently and away from home, surrounded by new friends and our friendly on-course staff.

As mentioned above, you’ll also have the opportunity to focus your study on one subject at a time, so you can experiment with one or more subjects to see which one you may be interested in studying at university and, potentially, pursuing in the long-term as a career. Your tutor will be an industry expert and can offer great advice and insights about beginning your career.

Beyond the classroom, our dedicated on-course staff will also be available to answer any questions you may have about university life in the city in which you’re studying in. Many of them are local students in the area, so will have the best knowledge and insights – including everything from the best hidden cafes and green spaces, to helping answer your questions about the UK’s university admissions process.

A summer school really is an enriching experience, helping you to explore new cultures and discover the world that’s open to you. There are so many more reasons why you should consider applying for summer courses this year, and you can read more about them here .

FAQs about Summer School

1. what is included in an oxford summer course.

Our tailored summer courses for ages 9-24 include all teaching and academic content, accommodation, meals (including Friday night formal dinners), a prize-giving ceremony, all-day trips and activities, airport transfers, access to Oxford Summer Courses Foundations, travel and medical insurance, and a welcome pack. Apply now to secure your spot in one of our comprehensive summer courses.

2. Why do students go to summer school?

Students attend summer school for various reasons, including improving academic performance and subject knowledge, exploring potential university courses and careers, experiencing independent living in a new city, and making new friends. Summer schools combine academic study with exciting day trips and extracurricular activities, offering a well-rounded experience.

3. How can summer school help prevent summer learning loss?

Summer learning loss, or "summer setback," occurs when students lose previously learned information during the summer break. Attending an academic summer school helps prevent this by engaging students in structured academic programs and workshops, allowing them to maintain a routine and continue their learning, thereby returning to school better prepared.

4. How can attending a summer school set me apart from other university applicants?

Attending a summer school demonstrates a student's passion for learning and commitment to their chosen subject. Graduates from our summer courses receive an Oxford Summer Courses certificate and a letter of recommendation from their tutor, which can strengthen university and job applications by showcasing dedication and advanced knowledge.

5. What opportunities does summer school provide for focusing on a single subject?

Summer school offers the chance to dive deeply into a single subject, allowing students to explore topics of interest and gain inspiration for future academic and career paths. Our courses are led by top tutors, many of whom have studied or taught at Oxford and Cambridge, ensuring students receive high-quality, expert instruction.

Ready to Join Oxford Summer Courses?

After submitting your application, we'll be in touch very soon to inform you of the outcome. Apply now to begin your journey with Oxford Summer Courses!

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Summer schools: popular for students to expand horizons and excel academically. Benefits include knowledge enhancement, skill development, preventing learning loss, standing out in competition, subject focus, and cultural exploration.

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How to write the perfect personal statement for summer schools

NU London | April 11, 2022

Our Summer Schools

Delivered by Northeastern University London faculty, our summer school programmes are designed to give you a taste of university-level teaching, allowing you to develop your skills and giving you an edge in your future university applications.

If you’re looking to expand and strengthen your knowledge around a particular subject area or satisfy your intellectual curiosity, our summer schools are a great option.

As part of your summer school application, you must submit a personal statement.

Writing the Perfect Personal Statement

We know that writing a personal statement can be a daunting task. However, writing one for the summer schools is a great way to practice the art of personal statement writing for your future university applications.

If you’re unsure how to begin a personal statement, consider the following:

Your personal statement is your chance to tell us more about why you’d like to take part in a summer school. It gives you the opportunity to promote your interests, skills and strengths, and demonstrate your passion for your chosen subject.

It’s a good idea to refer to particular elements of the subject that you’ve enjoyed studying or researching. If this is a new subject that you’ve not studied before you can consider how your current or previous studies taken together relate to your chosen subject. Make sure you refer to any books or papers that you’ve read that have inspired you; and if you have been to any lectures or talks that deepened your understanding.

Have you taken part in any activities that demonstrate your interest in the subject? Make sure that you include your activities which take your academic interests further.

At Northeastern University London we are looking for evidence of your enthusiasm and motivation. We want to hear why you’re suitable to take part in our summer schools, and, if you already know them, your future aims, goals and career plans.

Your summer school personal statement should be around 100-200 words.

1. Identify your reason for applying

Are you applying to expand your knowledge on a subject you have been studying? Are you applying to learn more about a subject you have never explored before? Do you want to experience wider discussion with new people around a subject? Or do you want to push yourself outside of your comfort zone for personal development?

Identifying the reason for applying is the key to starting your personal statement, so make sure to spend some time thinking about what made you want to apply for the summer school.

2. Use the ABC format to structure your personal statement

Structuring your paragraphs is important, and mastering this skill will boost your confidence to when writing your personal statement for university. In each paragraph, it’s important to always link each point to your programme of choice. This is what we call the ABC format.

A = Activity: What have you done?

B = Benefit: What skills has it given you?

C = Course: How do these relate to the course?

A = Last year I had the opportunity to take part in organising the annual ball which was a great experience.

B = It showed me the importance of teamwork, taught me better time management and improved my communication skills.

C = Team work skills are very relevant to successful study, involving listening to and understanding other people’s viewpoints, as well as introducing my own ideas. Time management is essential to organising a busy study schedule. Communication skills are vital in essay writing, responding to questions, and taking part in debate.

3. Get started

The hardest part of writing a personal statement is staring at the blank page in front of you. The best thing you can do is get something written down as soon as possible. Even if it isn’t perfect, getting started will help you to formulate your ideas and make that blank space a little less intimidating. Remember, t he sooner you start, the longer you’ll have to make your personal statement as good as it can be!

Before you submit, proofread several times to make sure you have been as succinct as possible and check for any errors in spelling and language.

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IMAGES

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Oxford Personal Statement Sample
MY PERSONAL STATEMENT EXPLAINED
How to Write a Good Personal Statement for Oxford
How to Write a Personal Statement for Oxford University!
How to Write a Personal Statement for Oxford, Cambridge, and other

COMMENTS

How to write a personal statement
1. Before you start. The academic work is the most important reason why we're here, but that also translates into work experiences, internships, volunteering. I think a big part of the personal statement is crafting that narrative of academic self that fits alongside your professional experiences, to give that greater picture of who you are ...
How to Write a Personal Statement for Summer School or University
Express yourself with the limited words you have. You have limited space to express yourself, so every sentence in your personal statement counts. Bear in mind that you can only write one personal statement for all your choices if you are applying to University, so make sure that you are tailoring your statement as much as possible to each of ...
Personal Statement for University Guidance
Our tailored summer courses for ages 9-24 include all teaching and academic content, accommodation, meals (including Friday night formal dinners), a prize-giving ceremony, all-day trips and activities, airport transfers, access to Oxford Summer Courses Foundations, travel and medical insurance, and a welcome pack.
How to Write a Personal Statement for Oxford University
From enhancing your academic skills to providing tailored guidance on personal statement writing, our programs aim to equip you with the confidence and knowledge to excel in your application. For more information on how we can support your journey to Oxford, visit our University Preparation Summer School page and our Oxford Summer Schools page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
On application to your summer school, you will be asked to submit a personal statement; you can use this to demonstrate your enthusiasm, ... We hope that no one gets ill during their summer school with Oxford Summer Courses, but sometimes it happens. ... As with all personal possessions, our 13-24-year-old summer school students are responsible ...
PDF A Guide to Personal Statements
Keep it simple. Keep it short. (Tip 1: Leave it until last) (Tip 2: Draft 5 first sentences) "My first exposure to the concept of genetic disease was whilst doing work experience at a deaf school. I found it incredible that the assortment of four bases could have such a tangible effect on health and development.
How to write an Oxford personal statement
How to write an Oxford personal statement. Make sure your personal statement conveys your interest in the subject - write down talks you've been to (and what they made you think), open days you've attended (and what you took away from them), and maybe even books you've read (and whether or not you agree with the author and why).
Personal Statements for Further Study
A personal statement is your chance to explain your motivation for applying and why you are a great candidate for the course. Guidelines given vary from the simple "Provide evidence in support of your application" to the more common "Tell us why you are interested in the course to which you have applied. Describe your academic interests ...
Inspiring Oxford Summer School
Summer schools • Short courses. This course delves into psychological functions such as memory and forgetting, learned behaviour and its consequences, Personality, and social behaviour. Students can expect to learn a little about themselves, and quite a lot about human behaviour. Sun 30 Jun 2024 - 06 Jul 2024. Details.
Our advice when writing a personal statement
Around 80% of your personal statement should be focused on your academic interests, abilities and achievements (including super-curricular activities) and 20% on unrelated extra-curricular activities. Draft five first sentences and choose your favourite. Avoid clichés! (e.g.
Suggested Subject Resources
Suggested Subject Resources. Whether you need inspiration for your personal statement, something to think about before your interview or whether you are simply intellectually curious, you might find the suggested reading and resources below useful and entertaining. They are intended to give you an idea of the kind of material you might engage ...
A Biochemistry Personal Statement written by an Oxford Graduate
EXEMPLAR BIOCHEMISTRY PERSONAL STATEMENT WITH ANNOTATIONS FROM SUCCESSFUL STUDENT ... During the University of Oxford's UNIQ summer school a topic that particularly interested me was Dr Hayley Lees' lecture on ageing and stem cells. This gave me a deeper understanding of the factors which cause ageing, including telomere attrition and ...
Oxford University Personal Statements
Oxford University Personal Statements. We hope our collection of Oxford University personal statements provides inspiration for writing your own. Please do not plagiarise them in any way, or UCAS will penalise your application. Our Personal Statement Editing & Review Services are availble if you feel you need a little extra help.
Extracurriculars to Help You Stand Out
Perhaps you want to spend your summer taking up opportunities to bolster your personal statement? From extracurricular activities to do outside of school to finding the best summer courses for high school students, take a look at some of our ideas below on things to do to help you stand out.
Personal Statement: do's and don't's
Similarly, when writing your personal statement, you should always be thinking about how it might be used against you. Oxford and Cambridge interviews are rigorous, and it is likely that the content of your personal statement will at some stage be the subject of intense scrutiny. Interviewers are not trying to catch you out, but they will ...
UCAS Personal Statements: Why They Matter
Personal statements are a key part of university applications. They are an applicant's chance to express their interest in their chosen course of study, and to profile their relevant knowledge and skills. They are required by all applicants applying to UK undergraduate-level degree, and currently applicants must use the same, single statement ...
How to start personal statement for Oxford summer course?
1 karma for each ⬆️ upvote on your answer, and 20 karma if your answer is marked accepted. So I applied for the Oxford summer course, in business and administration, and it seems like my application is under consideration. They have emailed me ba.
How good does an Oxford summer school look on personal statement, and
Completing a summer school alone does not increase your chances of getting an offer - some people on my programme got rejected whilst others got offers. Many offer holders didn't go to any summer school at all, whilst some did up to 5 (idk how this is possible either)
Guide to UCAS & Personal Statements
Work experience / Summer schools / Taster Courses. Talking about any relevant work experience, summer schools or Higher Education taster courses can be really valuable in your personal statement. Again, choose the ones that are most representative of your engagement with your chosen subject, and detail the skills and knowledge you gained.
4 Common UCAS Personal Statement Issues and How to Resolve Them
3. Explaining a bad grade (or many) Whether it's a below-par GCSE grade, or many, or a less-than-brilliant predicted A-level grade, or many, the ease with which you'll be able to explain this shortfall on your personal statement depends very much on the circumstances surrounding it. Nevertheless, easy or not, it's definitely worth ...
What's the Purpose of Summer School?
Attending a summer school demonstrates a student's passion for learning and commitment to their chosen subject. Graduates from our summer courses receive an Oxford Summer Courses certificate and a letter of recommendation from their tutor, which can strengthen university and job applications by showcasing dedication and advanced knowledge. 5.
Did an Oxford summer school, do I name drop Oxford on the personal
Also, some summer schools are quite well known and hard to get onto (UNIQ, Sutton Trust summer schools etc.) so naming them in your personal statement reflects well on you as a candidate, your abilities and your interest/engagement with the topic. Hope this helps and best of luck with your application!
How to write the perfect personal statement for summer schools
At Northeastern University London we are looking for evidence of your enthusiasm and motivation. We want to hear why you're suitable to take part in our summer schools, and, if you already know them, your future aims, goals and career plans. Your summer school personal statement should be around 100-200 words. 1. Identify your reason for ...

How to Write a Personal Statement for Oxford University

What is an Oxford University Personal Statement?

Why are Personal Statements Important for Oxford?

What Should an Oxford Personal Statement Include?

What to Do When Writing Your Oxford Personal Statement

What Not to Do When Writing Your Oxford Personal Statement

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How to write an Oxford personal statement

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Personal Statements for Further Study

Structure and Content

Why you want to study this topic or field

Why you have chosen this specific course and institution

How your experience equips you for the course

Where the course might lead you

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Our advice when writing a personal statement

Your personal statement is your place to write whatever you’d like to say about yourself and your motivation to study your course.

Where do I start?

How should I structure my personal statement?

Opening Paragraph

Your current studies

Super-curriculars

Extra-curriculars

Suggested Subject Resources

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