Writing a
Personal
Statement
Before you apply
Getting ready to apply through UCAS
To apply to a UK university, you must go through UCAS. A Level Psychology is the second most popular A Level in the UK, meaning demand for psychology courses is high. Many other students will also have good grades, so strong academics alone are not enough. You need to ensure you have completed plenty of super-curricular activities and, ideally, gained some relevant work experience as well.
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Relevant work experience
It is unlikely that you will be able to shadow a psychologist due to the confidential and sensitive nature of their work. Therefore, the best work experience you can gain is working with individuals who have additional needs. This not only increases your awareness of psychological issues and development but also demonstrates your ability to work effectively with others.
Ideas for work experience include:
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Primary school
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Care homes
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Dementia cafe
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Local befriending schemes
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Local hospitals
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Volunteering for charities such as Kissing it Better
How to use your super curricular activities and work experience
Admissions tutors are not just looking for a list of activities you have completed. They want to understand what you have learned from your experiences and whether they have sparked curiosity about other psychology-related topics. It is good to keep a record of what you have done, with a reflection of each activity as you progress through you A Levels. You can download the Super Curricular Activities booklet for free to help you.
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Writing your personal statement
Your personal statement can be up to 4,000 characters, which is about one side of A4. It might seem like a lot, but a strong personal statement is often too long and may need to be condensed.
When writing your statement, use active rather than passive language. This makes your writing more engaging and direct. For example:
Passive: "I have been involved in tutoring students and have gained valuable skills from these experiences."
Active: "I have tutored students, developing strong communication and problem solving skills through these experiences."
A personal statement is often structured in paragraphs as follows:
01
Why Psychology?
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This should be a unique and personal account of why you want to study psychology. Avoid generic statements like "I have always wanted to be a psychologist" or "I am passionate about psychology." Make it engaging. Was there something you read that inspired you? Do you have personal experiences that led you down this path? Be reflective without oversharing.
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02
Academic (75%)
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This is your opportunity to show admissions tutors what you have learned from your super-curricular activities. Remember, it’s not about listing what you’ve done but providing an academic reflection. You might also want to link the relevance of your other A Levels to the course you’re applying for. Which modules are you particularly interested in studying at university? Demonstrating that you have thoroughly researched the course can help make your application stand out.
03
Extra curricular and work experience (25%)
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This section is about outlining your extra skills. For example, have you taken on any leadership roles? Can you demonstrate commitment or strong interpersonal skills? You must provide specific evidence to support these claims, simply stating you have these skills is not enough. Additionally, consider mentioning if you wish to join any societies or take on leadership roles at university, showing how you plan to contribute to the university community.​
04
Why should they select you?
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Finally, make a brief concluding statement explaining why you are the best candidate for the course. Highlight your enthusiasm for psychology, the skills and experiences that make you a strong fit, and your commitment to excelling in the subject, leaving a lasting impression on the admissions tutors.