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How to write a postgraduate personal statement

29 th September 2021

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Applying for postgraduate study? This guide supports you in writing a great postgraduate personal statement that’s tailored to your course.

• What do admissions tutors look for

How to write a personal statement

• What to write

Check and check again

What do admissions tutors look for in a postgraduate personal statement.

A personal statement is part of your university application. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for a course. Admissions tutors want to know why you want to study the course and how your experiences make you the ideal candidate.

The difference between a postgraduate application from an undergraduate one is that it is fully tailored to a particular university’s course. As an undergraduate, your statement is more generic as it can be sent to five universities. Whereas your postgraduate personal statement is for one course only – it should be a lot more specific to what and where you’re applying for.

Postgraduate study is also a significant level up from undergraduate, so avoid using the statement you wrote for your bachelor’s course as a template. The admissions team is interested in how you’ve grown since your previous studies.

Writing a personal statement for university is different to writing one for a job application. It should show your academic interests and explain why the university will help develop your learning and research. You’re not trying to charm the reader. Instead, you're providing insight into who you are, your achievements and your enthusiasm for the course.

Before putting pen to paper, read through all information about the course and what you need to do to apply.

If you can, arrange to speak with one of the course tutors or a current student to discuss what admissions tutors are looking for. Are you able to see examples of successful personal statements from previous applicants?

• Your relevant academic and practical experiences
• The bits about the course that particularly interest you
• Anything else the university has asked you to include

You can then use this to structure your plan.

Carefully plan what you’re going to write in each paragraph to ensure you include all the important information and present it coherently. Your course will demand effective communication from you, and admissions tutors will look for evidence of this in your writing.

• An interesting introduction that outlines your academic background and relevant experiences
• Engaging middle paragraphs that detail, with examples, how your interests, achievements and experiences make you right for the course
• A strong conclusion that pulls together the main points and summarises why you want to study it

Each paragraph and sentence should flow logically into the next. If you want, you can split up sections with headings (like ‘Academic achievements’ or ‘Career goals’) to make the statement easy to navigate.

For the word count, check with the university you’re applying to, as each may ask for different things.

What to write in a personal statement 

You want to show how your interests and experiences make you the right person.

• How will the course help with your future goals?
• What experiences do you have that provide evidence of your interest in the course?
• What modules or projects in your undergraduate degree really challenged your thinking?
• How has any employment shaped your ambitions?
• Have any personal or public events inspired you?
• Which books have you read, or activities have you been involved in, that have influenced you?

Rather than just listing experiences, explain how they shaped you and how they will help you succeed. There’s no need to write down your qualifications as the admissions tutor will have these details with the rest of your application.

• What are your hobbies?
• Are you part of any sports teams or societies?
• Do you volunteer?

This builds a picture of who you are and what you’ll be like as a student. If you want to and if relevant, refer to challenges you encountered during the pandemic – but in a positive way.

You don’t need to include everything in your statement. It should highlight the key information and leave the reader wanting to interview you to find out more.

The admissions team will be looking through many personal statements – they want to see a variety of experiences and stories. You can reflect this in your writing style; avoid repetition and use a variety of words to paint a unique picture.

Try not to use obvious phrases such as ‘I have always been interested in...’ or a gimmicky opening line like a famous quote. Instead, get to the point quickly and say in your voice why you’re excited about the course.

Be concise and make every word count. What you write should be relevant and honest, demonstrating your potential. Everything should be balanced; you can be confident in your abilities but try not to come across as arrogant. Show why you should be given the place, but don’t beg.

• First-person narrative
• Correct use of spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Varied and interesting vocabulary
• A positive and friendly, yet professional tone
• Paragraphs that flow logically into the next
• Clear and concise points backed up with evidence
• Clichéd language
• Waffle or too much irrelevant information
• Vague or confusing sentences
• Excuses for gaps in your experience

Proofread your statement to check that your points are clear and there are no spelling or grammatical errors. You can use spellchecking tools and free writing assistants like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to perfect your work. Reading your statement aloud can be helpful to see if it makes sense and flows well.

Ask at least one other person to read through and check it. This could be a friend, family member, careers adviser or a tutor if you’re still at university. A second pair of eyes may spot anything that doesn’t make sense or errors that you’ve missed.

Personal statement tips

• Give yourself plenty of time to write, edit and check
• Take lots of breaks and return to your work with fresh eyes
• Make sure your statement is unique and written by you
• If you’re an international student, say why you want to study in the UK
• Be prepared to talk about what you’ve written in an interview
• And if you’re applying for more than one course, make sure to write a different, tailored statement for each application!

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Personal statements

This statement should convince the reader that you have the skills, knowledge and motivation to succeed in the course of study you are applying for. 

You may also be asked to write a statement when you are applying for a job. This is often a free text box asking you to ‘describe how you fit the person specification or job description’. In this section find out how to write a strong personal statement when applying for either further study or a job.

Writing a personal statement

Getting started.

• Check the instructions for the statement you have been asked to write. Is there a specified word length? Have you been asked to address any specific topics/questions in the statement?
• For further study applications, research the course you are applying to thoroughly. Find out what topics will be taught, what options you will have, how the department/university supports students, how you will be examined, what they look for in applicants and what graduates of the courses typically go on to do.
• For a job, research the employer and the job role you are applying to thoroughly. Review the job description and person specification and think about experiences you can write about to show your match to what they are looking for.
• Reflect on your motivations for applying for this particular course and how it fits in with your long-term career plans.

Order the content of your statement logically with each paragraph addressing a specific topic/theme. 

If you are applying for a job, use the job description and person specification to help you structure your statement into sections that link to what they are looking for. You can use short headings based on the job description and person specification to break up the text. This will enhance the readability of your statement and emphasise that you have based what you have written on what they are looking for.

If you are applying for further study , here are some suggestions of possible topics to address in your personal statement:

• Current studies – how do your current studies relate to the course you are applying to? What topics, projects or technical skills have you done that will form a foundation for the future course. What have you most enjoyed or excelled at?
• Motivation – draw attention to any options you have selected in your current course that show your interest in the subject area you are applying to. Highlight any extra study you have done such as further reading, self-directed learning and attendance at talks/conferences.
• Future career – write about your future career plans and how the course you are applying to fits with them.
• Why this course? – show in your statement that you have thoroughly researched the course you are applying to and know what you will be taking on. Emphasise your fit to the course.
• Work and research experience – talk about previous experiences that you have had during internships, employment or in research projects. Highlight what you did successfully and the successful outcomes of your work.  Write about what you learned from your experience that will help you to be successful in the course you are applying to.
• Extracurricular activities and interests – use these to show your personality and demonstrate transferable skills such as confidence, time-management and teamwork.

Use short sentences and straightforward language. Avoid overly formal language that you would not use in conversation (words like ‘hitherto’ or ‘moreover’) and avoid informal ‘chatty’ language or grammar (like slang words or exclamation marks).

• Include your successful achievements and where you have made a difference to something. For example, where you improved something, had an idea or had a successful outcome.
• Present yourself as you are now rather than going back in time to when you were much younger
• Avoid ingratiating language such as ‘I would like to thank the XXX department for considering my application’
• Avoid generic statements that can be sent to any similar course or job – make sure it is clear you are applying for that particular course or job
• Be positive. Don’t write that you didn’t enjoy things – concentrate on the things you have enjoyed
• Proofread and if you can, ask a friend to read it for you to check for spelling and grammar – they may spot mistakes you don’t notice

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Liverpool University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to The University of Liverpool. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

Politics & International Relations Personal Statement Example 1 I have always taken a keen interest in public affairs, always wanting to know what was happening in the world so studying politics and international relations is a natural attraction for me. I have been encouraged to pursue concentrated study due to my incredible fascination with the impact that political decision making has on humanity...

Biomedical Science Personal Statement Example 3 I find that science subjects suit my inquisitive personality; I enjoy experimenting and understanding how the world works. For my Biology independent study module I chose to explore the process of organ transplantation, specifically the medicines that make it possible...

Astrophysics Personal Statement Example As a child, I would often read books about space and astronomy and wonder what made it possible. This has developed into a much deeper, scientific interest in the subject. Studying Physics at GCSE and A-Level, along with Chemistry and Mathematics, has helped me further develop my interest...

Maths and Actuarial Science Personal Statement Example Maths is a subject like no other; its complexity makes it a challenging and often frustrating area of study, however the logic behind every problem leaves a feeling of certainty about it. My devotion to the subject has grown exponentially, especially in recent years...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 9 There are very few things that are as interesting yet as confusing as the unique enigma that is the human brain. Our diverse behaviours and our intricate personalities that make us who we are must have a cause...

Physics Personal Statement Example (International Student) 1 Some people believe there is no universal key to the mysteries of the world, but I am convinced otherwise. Since early childhood when my parents, both physicists by training, patiently answered all my why-questions and encouraged me in my fascination with astronomy, I have been thinking of Physics as the perfect science that can unveil all the secrets that fascinate humanity...

Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Example 12 The time I first saw an aircraft fly over our house, I was three. Out of curiosity I asked my father about it. To avoid complexity he simply explained that it was like a gigantic flying bus. I was awed...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 47 At first, it was all about the interest to know exactly what really brings the voice in to the radio speakers, then as I came across Science in my junior years at school, I started to understand what really is happening in our days, the world of technology...

Geography Personal Statement Example 12 Considering my interests and hobbies, I could have chosen one of any number of subjects as my main area of interest, but there is no other subject which captures my imagination so completely as Geography, and I see links to it in almost every aspect of my life, both within and outside of my studies...

Marine Biology Personal Statement Example 4 The biology and ecology of the world's oldest and most complex ecosystem truly fascinate me. The delicate nature of coral reefs is a particular interest of mine as they are being disrupted by our intrusive and often harmful activities such as oil spills, over fishing, coastal development and the poor buoyancy of inexperienced divers...

Law and Business Personal Statement Example (International Student) From an early age, law has always been number one priority in my vision of the future. Probably because of my father's profession (he is Head of the Regional Criminal Police), I have always been intrigued by Criminology and the idea of analysing and solving tangled cases...

English Personal Statement Example 26 Growing up reading Roald Dahl, I saw elements of myself in Matilda, as ever since I can remember, I have loved reading. My passion for English could be seen by those around me, as a child, having taught myself to read and write by the time I was 4 years old, and there was never any doubt that I would go on to pursue a career in English...

History Personal Statement Example 35 With such a range of different interpretations for any given era, what fascinates me most about History is the opportunity for debate and analysis. Studying the American Civil Rights Movement, it has been interesting to analyse the motives behind the efforts of Franklin Roosevelt and John F Kennedy to improve the lives of African Americans...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 14 Civil engineers shape and manage the world around us for the benefit of others and being able to use my skills in mathematics, physics and design to do such tasks would be a very exciting and rewarding experience...

Physics Personal Statement Example 11 The mystery of physics has always enthralled me. Whether it is the complex physical phenomena or simple ideas intertwining to form elegant complex theories capable of explaining near all questions of the universe...

Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Example 15 Aircraft is one of the major contributions of all time. The intricate engineering behind aircraft, space shuttle and satellite really captivates me. The work of aerospace engineers is quite challenging as they apply their acquired knowledge of Mathematics and Physics to design such major products to satisfy real world necessities...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 58 My desire to study medicine grew from a young age when my mother was diagnosed with hypertension. The regular visits to the GP gave me a glimpse into the profession but particularly the thirst to learn more about heart disease...

Neuroscience Personal Statement Example 2 The application of scientific knowledge to understanding how humans, and the creatures around us, function and react with each other has always been a source of wonder to me. The opportunity to combine a scientific understanding of processes and structure of the nervous system and brain with knowledge of applications relevant to our own behaviour, including those of a clinical kind, makes neuroscience such an attractive prospect to me...

Physics Personal Statement Example 13 Attending university has been a lifelong dream of mine; ever since my childhood, I have been told that I should, and I have always agreed with the sentiment. If I were asked to pin down an exact reason, however, I would be forced to confess that I do not know - I just enjoy learning new things and exercising my mind...

Criminology and Sociology Personal Statement Example 2 Do you never think about what your purpose in life is? Being of a British African background the statistics don't always paint a rosy picture. They display a high level of educational underachievement and criminality...

Computing Personal Statement Example 8 Computers, computers, computers is the passion that has always been within me ever since I first has the chance to use a computer. I just didn’t want to come of the computer; I have wanted to expand my knowledge of ICT...

Criminology and Sociology Personal Statement Example 3 Do you ever think about what your purpose in life is? Being of a British African background the statistics don't always paint a rosy picture. They display a high level of educational underachievement and criminality...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 16 Civil engineering is a profession that is growing and evolving at a fast pace. Civil engineers play a major role in the world meeting the high demand for new buildings and improved infrastructure. I am keen to become a Civil Engineer and I believe I have the talents to be successful in this profession...

Dentistry Personal Statement Example 10 My interest in Dentistry initially arose from my own experiences with Dentists. When I was younger, I suffered from cyclic neutropenia which led to many dental problems, and was always grateful to my dentist and dental hygienist for all their help...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 71 The mind is incredibly intriguing to me, how it differs throughout age, culture and gender and how each approach gives an equally arguable explanation for its development. My motivation to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health is what first introduced me to the adventurously knowledgeable world of psychology...

Mathematics & Physics Personal Statement Example 2 My enthusiasm for Mathematics and Physics comes from the fact that they are both used to further our understanding of the universe and have applications in all other areas of science. My main area of interest in Physics is particle physics as this tells us how fundamental parts of our universe interact with each other...

Law and French Personal Statement Example 5 According to the media, the United Kingdom has an extreme lack of female judges. This is made evident by the fact that Baroness Hale is the only woman justice to sit in the Supreme Court. This reality motivates me to embark upon legal study, as strong, able and powerful female...

Geology Personal Statement Example 4 Geology acts as a spyglass into the past, enabling us to understand the ancient environment and how its evolution is a key component to our survival. Through the study of Mineralogy and Palaeontology I have understood the importance of unravelling the earth's structure and mineral composition for both environmental and human benefit...

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How to write a standout personal statement

Struggling to write a personal statement to support your university application? Our in-house expert, Andrew Cooper, shares his insider knowledge to show you how to approach this essential document.

Watch the video above for a quick guide to writing a personal statement that will get you noticed.

As someone who’s seen plenty of personal statements in his time, Outreach Team member, Andrew Cooper is best placed to offer his tips on how to write a winning personal statement. Watch the video to find out what universities are looking for in a personal statement, how to get the structure right, what not to include, how to get over your writer’s block and much more.

Andrew’s top tips

• Treat your personal statement the same way you would an interview. Highlight three positive things about yourself; these don’t have to be really huge achievements but things you’ve accomplished that you’re proud of and make you stand out
• Spend time planning your structure before you start writing. Having that initial plan of what you’re going to talk about will really make it easier for the flow of your writing and will help you tell the ‘story of you’ in a natural way
• If you’re having trouble getting started, then begin by writing paragraph two of your personal statement rather than the introduction. Get down your thoughts on why you want to apply for the course and this inevitably will lead you to talk about related interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities. These will serve as evidence to back up your enthusiasm for the subject matter

If you are looking for more advice UCAS also provide helpful tips and videos on how to approach writing your personal statement . 

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Doctoral Admissions

• Explore Doctoral Programmes
• Study a Doctoral Degree with XJTLU
• Doctoral Training Programmes
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BEFORE APPLY

Identify your potential supervisor.

Identifying a potential supervisor is required before submitting an application.

For students applying for an existing funded project, the principal supervisor will be the owner of the project and you should contact the principal supervisor to discuss the funding opportunity.

For students applying with your own project, either for scholarship or a self-funded studentship, you should always first identify and contact a potential supervisor whose research interest aligns with yours. The potential supervisor list is available on individual programme page.

DETERMINE YOUR RESEARCH AREA AND CHECK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Detailed information of our doctoral programmes please refer to  programme page .

APPLICATION DEADLINE

We accept PhD application all year round. The start date of the programme is normally the first day of March, June, September, or December.

To ensure that you will be able to register on your intended date, please submit your application with all the required documentation through the online application system by the deadline outlined below for each entry.

DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTING APPLICATION FOR POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS

1. Apply for a scholarship for an existing Funded PhD Project

Funded projects will be open to take application until position is filled.

2. Apply for a Scholarship with Your Own Project

There will be two application rounds for each academic year:

• First round – applications submitted by 17:00 CST(UTC+8), 15 October will be reviewed in the first round and the decision will be announced in December.
• Second round – applications submitted by 17:00 CST(UTC+8), 15 April will be reviewed in the second round and the decision will be announced in June.

Go to  Scholarships  to find more information about how to apply for the scholarships.

APPLY ONLINE

Submit your application.

You can submit your application when your research proposal as well as all the supporting documents are ready.

If you are applying for an existing funded project, please make sure that you’ve discussed the funding opportunity with the principal supervisor and that you provide the correct project code in the PhD application system.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

All your documents should be in English, or be accompanied by a certified English translation(size limit: within 2MB each document).

• Research proposal( template )
• Full academic transcripts of university studies and grading system (both bachelor and master)
• University degree certificate or enrollment statement (both bachelor and master)
• Verification report of degree certificate (Chinese students only, both bachelor and master)

– A Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate obtained from China Higher Education Student Information if a degree was gained from a Chinese university; – Certification is obtained from the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange if obtained a degree abroad or in Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao.

• Certificates of English language qualifications (IELTS or equivalent)
• Personal statement
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two formal reference letters: Your application must be supported by at least one academic reference from someone who has taught you at highest degree level, and must bear the official letterhead of your referee’s workplace and his/her handwritten signature. If you are a graduate, you may provide one employer reference in place of an academic reference. The reference letter should be recently issued and serve the purpose of your PhD application.
• A copy of your National ID card (for Chinese students only) /Passport (for international students only)
• Letter of financial support (for self-funded applicants) ( template ).
• A copy of Master dissertation or an equivalent writing sample (Business, Humanities and Social Sciences applicants only)

XJTLU reserves the right to request additional documents to assess your academic qualifications for particular programmes.

AFTER APPLY

Your application will be initially reviewed by XJTLU and then sent to University of Liverpool for further review and decision.

After submission of your online application, you may be contacted by the XJTLU Graduate School ( [email protected] ) for additional documents or information. All communication will be made through your email address registered in the online application system.

Check your email regularly in order not to miss any important message from the university.

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is a supplemental assessment that must be satisfied by all non-UK students (excluding exempt nationalities) intending to pursue postgraduate studies or research in certain sensitive subject areas at a UK university. Failure to obtain ATAS clearance will prevent students from enrolling in the PhD programme at the University of Liverpool.

Upon receiving an offer from the University of Liverpool, students requiring ATAS clearance will be requested to complete an ATAS application. Full registration is subject to obtaining the ATAS clearance certificate. If your ATAS application is refused, please contact the Graduate School to discuss the options with an admission officer.

To apply for ATAS and for further information, please visit www.fco.gov.uk/atas

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IU Indianapolis IU Indianapolis IU Indianapolis

• My area of study is in accounting
• My area of study is not in accounting
• Discover downtown Indianapolis
• MS in Accounting
• Graduate Certificate in Accounting
• Graduate Certificate in Internal Audit
• MS in Taxation
• Graduate Certificate in Taxation

How to Apply

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Kelley School of Business

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Apply to earn a graduate certificate, an MS in Accounting or an MS in Taxation.

To apply for our Graduate Certificate in Accounting, Taxation or Internal Auditing Programs, complete only the "Graduate school application" and "Official transcripts" portion of the application process below. To apply for the MS in Accounting or MS in Taxation Programs, complete all parts of the application process.

Graduate school application

Complete and submit the  online application  for the Indiana University Graduate School.

All students must submit an application to the graduate school. You are  not  required to complete all sections of the application; however, the following sections  must  be completed:

• Personal information
• Education history
• Test scores
• Educational objectives (Please note: Kelley School of Business is listed alphabetically under Kelley rather than business.)
• Work experience

International students will be directed to continue the application process by completing several sections for international students only.

A nonrefundable application fee of $70 must be paid when you submit your application. You may pay the fee with a Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card.

If you are an international student and have questions regarding your status at IUPUI, contact the International Affairs Office at 317-274-7000.

Admission testing

The GMAT and GRE are now optional.  Successful applicants will have a minimum 3.2 GPA. Applicants with a GPA between 3.1 and 2.8 may be admitted with additional requirements (including the GMAT) and with permission of the program chair.

Update and send your résumé

Update and send your résumé to [email protected] .

Proof of English proficiency (international students only)

We accept the  TOEFL  (minimum IBT score: 79), the  IELTS  (minimum score: 6.5) or Level 112 through  ELS.

Official transcripts

Mail your official transcripts to:

Kelley School of Business Indianapolis Graduate Accounting Programs 801 W. Michigan Street, BS3024 Indianapolis, IN 46202-5151

If you are an international student, you will also need to mail your diploma, both in your native language and in translation.

Letters of recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required. You will provide your name, address, phone number and email on the Graduate school application. A link to the electronic recommendation form will be emailed to your references.

Personal statement

Questions about the application process, application deadlines.

Applications should be submitted at least one week before the first day of classes begins in the fall semester, spring semester, first summer session and second summer session. You can find the start dates for each semester on the long-term calendar on the Student Central website. Earlier applications are encouraged to secure your position. International students should submit applications at least one month before the start of classes for each semester.

Kelley's MSA Program is streamlined. I walked in, and they said, 'Here's your plan; here's how we are going to get you where you want to go, and here's how quickly you'll do it.' Hearing this, I knew Kelley was the place for me. Nan Schulze, MSA’10 | Senior Accountant at La Rosa & Co., LLC

Read Nan’s Story

Each class I've taken in the Kelley MST Program has molded me into a more strategic man. It's sharpened both my analytical and listening skills, which has helped me in my professional and personal relationships. Christopher Patterson, MST'16, MSA'17 | Lead Accountant for the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C.

Read Christopher's Story