A personal statement is a short, in-depth piece of writing that learners need to submit a part of their application process for undergraduate studies. Learn step by step how to write a UCAS SOP with these successful tips.

A SOP is a key aspect of the university application process. But then it is not simple to get started.

It sounds easy and simple in theory; you need to answer the 3 questions, right? However, you will have 4000 characters that comprise 400 to 500 words.

So, that be tricky to write a personal essay, and you also need to stand out from the large pool of applicants.

On the other hand, while writing a personal essay, learners usually face writer’s block.

That can be quite challenging to overcome it especially if you deal with a lot of problems at once a time.

But do not worry, I have a complete solution for all of your issues. In this guide, I will teach you how you write an engaging personal statement for UCAS.

New Personal Statement Entry for 2026-27

In September 2026, the universities will discard the policy of writing a personal statement of 4000 words.

Rather than they need to answer the following questions to obtain admission to the university.

• Why do you want to pursue this particular subject?
• In what way have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this course?
• What else have you done beyond your education? Also, why are these experiences helpful?

What to Include in your Personal Statement?

Indeed, you will need to create the best impression on the admission committee. So, you will need to use it as a strength.

Also, you need to clarify to the admission committee why you are the ideal applicant. And why they must choose you over others.

Here are the key things you need to add to your personal essay.

1. What do I like about the particular subject?
2. Why am I a suitable applicant for that certain university?
3. What are my strengths?
4. What is my passion to pursue this course?
5. Key ambitions to pursue a certain program- If you have an interest in a certain field or want to learn, you need to tell the reasons.
6. What pertinent experiences do I have? Add relevant skills, success, extra activities, grow at school, societies, and volunteer work. You need to make sure that you need to connect these experiences to the course description and entry requirements.

How to Write a Winning and Solid Personal Statement for UCAS in 2026?

In this section, I will guide you on how you can stand out from the other applicants. And write a good personal statement or personal essay.

You will need to break down your SOP into different sections. After that, you need to make sure you cover the whole thing.

However, you need to make sure the whole structure is prioritized and relevant to the course skills and credentials.

On the other hand, you have the choice of choosing only one subject. But if you pick a diverse range of topics that are not similar.

In that case, you will need to use transferable skills, and the majority of colleges focus on common qualities. These are creativity and problem-solving.

To write a compelling personal statement, here are the key tips are as follows. You can also use this UK student guide if you aim to study in the UK.

1. Begin Plan

Before you can write your personal essay for UCAS, you will need to create a list and then make a plan. Then consider which points you need to add.

Here are the key questions that can help you.

• Why do you wish to learn the subject, and what motivates you about it
• Your skills and successes that make you an ideal applicant
• Future goals and in what way the course fits into your long-term goals
• How many additional activities pair with your academic interests?

2. Become Confident

While writing a personal statement for UCAS, you have to make sure you offer the best version.

So, you have to be bold and showcase that you have confidence in your skills. After that, you need to under your academic success and the reading or research you have done.

Here is the perfect example of how you can become confident while crafting a personal statement.

‘’I partake regularly in my sixth form’s Computer Science Club. I take part in coding competitions and go to workshops covering new trends and tech like a club member. Also, I recently worked together with other students to create a prototype for an eco-friendly waste management application. These kinds of experiences have improved my technical abilities and stressed the value of grit and teamwork in achieving challenging objectives.’’

3. Keep a Strong Structure

A personal statement follows the typical structure: an intro, body, and conclusion.

• In the intro section, rather than writing a catchy opening, you will need to tell the admission committee why you want to study that particular course.
• While writing the body section of a personal statement, talk about your key skills, experience, and success. Also, how they bring value to the university.
• Lastly, you will need to recap the whole points and plan to motivate the admission committee.

4. Make a Triple Check to Ensure there are no Grammar Issues

Lastly, you need to make sure that before submitting a personal statement, there will be no grammatical, punctuation, or sentence structure issues.

Grammar issues place a strong emphasis on the university application. So, you need to triple-check your SOP before submitting.