The importance of completing your own personal statement
VIDEO
The best UCAS personal statements show...✍️ Tips from a university of Cambridge admissions tutor🎓
COMMENTS
Reforming admissions
The Future of Undergraduate Admissions report highlights UCAS' continued engagement and ongoing progress with admission reform, including: references. personal statements. grades on entry. personalisation. widening access and participation. Read the report here (3.38 MB)
Five steps UCAS is taking to reform the undergraduate admissions
However, 83% of students surveyed reported that the process of writing a personal statement is stressful, with 79% agreeing that the statement is difficult to complete without support. ... Reform and constant improvement are in UCAS's DNA and through collaboration, we can work together to ensure students feel fully informed and supported ...
Personal statements will not be changing for 2024 entry
The Future of Undergraduate Admissions report highlights UCAS' continued engagement and ongoing progress with admission reform, including: references. personal statements. grades on entry. personalisation. widening access and participation. Read the report here (3.38 MB). If you have any questions, comments or thoughts regarding potential ...
UCAS Personal Statements Are Changing in 2025
Since 1993, UCAS has required university applicants in the UK to submit a 4,000-character Personal Statement during the application process, which would then be accessed by university admissions teams to assist in the shortlisting process. However, it has been confirmed by UCAS that this process will be changing as soon as 2025.
UCAS 2024 Update: Navigating the Shift from Personal Statements to
For generations, UCAS Personal Statements have been a defining component of the UK university application process, offering students a platform to spotlight their competencies and dreams. However, 2024 brings a sea change as the UCAS transitions from personal statements to a structured question format. In this edition, we delve deep into what this alteration embodies and how "Getting In," one ...
Ucas replaces personal statement with questions
Source: iStock. The Ucas personal statement is to be replaced by a series of questions following concerns that it was too stressful for UK students. The admissions service said it believes the change to the 4,000 character essay - which had previously been criticised for contributing to inequalities in higher education access - will create ...
Ucas personal statement should be reformed to make it fairer, says
Ucas chief executive Clare Marchant said: "We have been working on options regarding reforming the personal statement since publication of our student-centered programme of reform in May 2021.
UCAS reforms to the personal statement: One step forward, more to go
This blog has been kindly written for HEPI by Tom Fryer, Steve Westlake and Professor Steven Jones. On 12 January, UCAS released Future of Undergraduate Admissions, a report that contained details of five upcoming reforms. In the report, UCAS proposes to reform the free-text personal statement into a series of questions. This is welcome. As we noted […]
Ucas personal statement reforms 'fail to level playing field'
January 25, 2023. Tom Williams. Twitter: @TWilliamsTHE. "Overdue" changes to Ucas' personal statement should be welcomed but much more needs to be done to truly "level the playing field" in UK university admissions, according to experts. The 4,000 character-long statement that allows applicants to demonstrate their skills and ...
UCAS personal statements create inequality and should be ...
The UCAS personal statement is a 4,000 character / 47-line essay that applicants submit when applying for UK undergraduate programmes. There is growing recognition that the UCAS personal statement needs reform, including from UCAS itself and from the former Minister for Higher Education, Michelle Donelan. However, we have a limited understanding of the challenges applicants face and […]
PDF Reforming the UCAS personal statement: Making the case for a series of
The UCAS personal statement is a 4,000 character and 47-line essay that applicants submit when applying for UK undergraduate programmes. There is no explicit question or prompt that applicants respond to - instead the UCAS personal statement is a long-form free-text response. It is one part of the application, alongside a reference, commonly
Scrapping Personal Statements? Proposed UCAS Reforms
Proposed UCAS Reforms. Jan 15. Written By Zahra Merali. On 12 January 2023, UCAS released a report outlining suggestions to reform the current structure of its application system. In this report, UCAS proposes to replace the free-text personal statement with a series of six questions. Kim Eccleston, Head of Strategy and Reform at UCAS ...
University applications and personal statements: what the Ucas changes
Last week Ucas published its Future of Undergraduate Admissions report, the result of a consultation on reforming the university admissions process that kicked off in 2021. The plans in the report cover five areas: grade transparency, the personal statement, references, personalised recommendations and a register of university outreach activities.
Ucas personal statements 'read in two minutes'
Planned reforms to the Ucas personal statement should be updated after a survey revealed that UK admissions professionals spend just two minutes reading them, according to a new report. The admissions service announced earlier this year that it is to replace the controversial 4,000 character essay with a series of questions for students ...
UCAS removes personal statement for 2024 admissions
UCAS has stated its plans to eliminate the 4000-character personal statement that all students have - up to now - been required to submit, in order to overhaul the university and college admissions procedures. Instead, university applicants will respond to a set of brief questions from the 2024 admissions cycle, according to The Evening ...
Ucas looking at replacing free form university personal statements with
Ucas is looking at a more 'structured' approach to university personal statements to balance out the unfairness of middle class students receiving extra support from parents, teachers and tutors
Changes to the UCAS Personal Statement in 2024
For years, the UCAS Personal Statement has been a thorn in the side of applicants to UK universities everywhere - requiring students to spend the best part of several months reading, planning, and writing their magnum opus to impress their chosen universities. ... UCAS have felt the need to reform the application process with the aim of ...
Changes to Ucas personal statement 'fairer'
A 2022 Ucas survey found that 72 per cent of applicants felt positive about the personal statement, but 83 per cent reported that "the process of writing a personal statement is stressful", with 79 per cent agreeing that the statement is "difficult to complete without support". Ucas has also announced today that it will bring in changes ...
How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement
Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve. Avoid cliches! Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you. Keep it relevant and simple.
PDF How do Admissions Professionals use the UCAS personal statement?
cations for UCAS's proposed reforms to the personal statement:There is little evidence that 'preparedness for study' and 'preferred learning styles' are used in admissions - t. refore, these themes should be removed from UCAS's proposals.There should be space within the UCAS form for applicants to discuss extenuating circums.
UCAS set to replace personal statements from 2024
The university application landscape seems set for reform according to reports this morning. UCAS wants to replace a unified personal statement with a series of six questions. Admissions service are also making changes to teacher references, and plans to release details of grade profiles that were accepted onto specific courses. The changes may arrive for the cohort applying in the autumn of 2024.
Key changes for 2024 undergraduate applications
Applications for Oxford, Cambridge and most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 (UK time). 31 January 2024. Applications for the majority of undergraduate courses should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 (UK time) on the equal consideration date. Closing date for most conservatoires dance/drama ...
Ucas personal statement 'contributes to access inequalities'
The Ucas personal statement imposes an "unnecessary burden" on disadvantaged students and is "contributing to inequalities in higher education access" in the UK, according to a report that calls for it to be replaced by short-response questions. The Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) report, published on 24 November, based on ...
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
The Future of Undergraduate Admissions report highlights UCAS' continued engagement and ongoing progress with admission reform, including: references. personal statements. grades on entry. personalisation. widening access and participation. Read the report here (3.38 MB)
However, 83% of students surveyed reported that the process of writing a personal statement is stressful, with 79% agreeing that the statement is difficult to complete without support. ... Reform and constant improvement are in UCAS's DNA and through collaboration, we can work together to ensure students feel fully informed and supported ...
The Future of Undergraduate Admissions report highlights UCAS' continued engagement and ongoing progress with admission reform, including: references. personal statements. grades on entry. personalisation. widening access and participation. Read the report here (3.38 MB). If you have any questions, comments or thoughts regarding potential ...
Since 1993, UCAS has required university applicants in the UK to submit a 4,000-character Personal Statement during the application process, which would then be accessed by university admissions teams to assist in the shortlisting process. However, it has been confirmed by UCAS that this process will be changing as soon as 2025.
For generations, UCAS Personal Statements have been a defining component of the UK university application process, offering students a platform to spotlight their competencies and dreams. However, 2024 brings a sea change as the UCAS transitions from personal statements to a structured question format. In this edition, we delve deep into what this alteration embodies and how "Getting In," one ...
Source: iStock. The Ucas personal statement is to be replaced by a series of questions following concerns that it was too stressful for UK students. The admissions service said it believes the change to the 4,000 character essay - which had previously been criticised for contributing to inequalities in higher education access - will create ...
Ucas chief executive Clare Marchant said: "We have been working on options regarding reforming the personal statement since publication of our student-centered programme of reform in May 2021.
This blog has been kindly written for HEPI by Tom Fryer, Steve Westlake and Professor Steven Jones. On 12 January, UCAS released Future of Undergraduate Admissions, a report that contained details of five upcoming reforms. In the report, UCAS proposes to reform the free-text personal statement into a series of questions. This is welcome. As we noted […]
January 25, 2023. Tom Williams. Twitter: @TWilliamsTHE. "Overdue" changes to Ucas' personal statement should be welcomed but much more needs to be done to truly "level the playing field" in UK university admissions, according to experts. The 4,000 character-long statement that allows applicants to demonstrate their skills and ...
The UCAS personal statement is a 4,000 character / 47-line essay that applicants submit when applying for UK undergraduate programmes. There is growing recognition that the UCAS personal statement needs reform, including from UCAS itself and from the former Minister for Higher Education, Michelle Donelan. However, we have a limited understanding of the challenges applicants face and […]
The UCAS personal statement is a 4,000 character and 47-line essay that applicants submit when applying for UK undergraduate programmes. There is no explicit question or prompt that applicants respond to - instead the UCAS personal statement is a long-form free-text response. It is one part of the application, alongside a reference, commonly
Proposed UCAS Reforms. Jan 15. Written By Zahra Merali. On 12 January 2023, UCAS released a report outlining suggestions to reform the current structure of its application system. In this report, UCAS proposes to replace the free-text personal statement with a series of six questions. Kim Eccleston, Head of Strategy and Reform at UCAS ...
Last week Ucas published its Future of Undergraduate Admissions report, the result of a consultation on reforming the university admissions process that kicked off in 2021. The plans in the report cover five areas: grade transparency, the personal statement, references, personalised recommendations and a register of university outreach activities.
Planned reforms to the Ucas personal statement should be updated after a survey revealed that UK admissions professionals spend just two minutes reading them, according to a new report. The admissions service announced earlier this year that it is to replace the controversial 4,000 character essay with a series of questions for students ...
UCAS has stated its plans to eliminate the 4000-character personal statement that all students have - up to now - been required to submit, in order to overhaul the university and college admissions procedures. Instead, university applicants will respond to a set of brief questions from the 2024 admissions cycle, according to The Evening ...
Ucas is looking at a more 'structured' approach to university personal statements to balance out the unfairness of middle class students receiving extra support from parents, teachers and tutors
For years, the UCAS Personal Statement has been a thorn in the side of applicants to UK universities everywhere - requiring students to spend the best part of several months reading, planning, and writing their magnum opus to impress their chosen universities. ... UCAS have felt the need to reform the application process with the aim of ...
A 2022 Ucas survey found that 72 per cent of applicants felt positive about the personal statement, but 83 per cent reported that "the process of writing a personal statement is stressful", with 79 per cent agreeing that the statement is "difficult to complete without support". Ucas has also announced today that it will bring in changes ...
Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve. Avoid cliches! Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you. Keep it relevant and simple.
cations for UCAS's proposed reforms to the personal statement:There is little evidence that 'preparedness for study' and 'preferred learning styles' are used in admissions - t. refore, these themes should be removed from UCAS's proposals.There should be space within the UCAS form for applicants to discuss extenuating circums.
The university application landscape seems set for reform according to reports this morning. UCAS wants to replace a unified personal statement with a series of six questions. Admissions service are also making changes to teacher references, and plans to release details of grade profiles that were accepted onto specific courses. The changes may arrive for the cohort applying in the autumn of 2024.
Applications for Oxford, Cambridge and most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 (UK time). 31 January 2024. Applications for the majority of undergraduate courses should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 (UK time) on the equal consideration date. Closing date for most conservatoires dance/drama ...
The Ucas personal statement imposes an "unnecessary burden" on disadvantaged students and is "contributing to inequalities in higher education access" in the UK, according to a report that calls for it to be replaced by short-response questions. The Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) report, published on 24 November, based on ...