uk vs us personal statement

The differences between a UK personal statement and a US admissions essay

What is the Ucas personal statement to apply for a UK university? How does it differ from the US application essay? What should students emphasise? Augusto Neto provides the answers

Augusto Neto

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For high-school counsellors guiding students through the UK university application process, supporting applicants in crafting effective personal statements is paramount. The UK takes a unique approach, emphasising academic achievement and a clear connection to the chosen courses.

This guide outlines essential steps to help your students write compelling and successful personal statements.

The intricacies of applying to UK universities

Applications to UK universities are submitted through Ucas, the University and Colleges Admissions Service . While it is possible to apply to universities directly, the advice is that anyone applying to more than one course in the UK must do so through Ucas.

Students can apply for up to five courses in one year. The limit is four for medicine, which is why most students looking to study medicine apply to four medicine courses and one biomedical sciences course.

Notice that the limit is five courses , meaning that it is entirely possible to apply to more than one course at the same university. For  those interested in Oxbridge – the universities of Oxford and Cambridge – it is always a case of either one or the other. It is not possible to apply to a course at both universities. Careful thought and consideration when making choices is essential. 

What to consider when choosing a course

Course relevance: Ensure that the selected courses align closely with the student’s academic and career aspirations.

Diversity of choice: While focusing on a specific field of study, students should consider diversifying course choices to increase the likelihood of receiving offers.

Research each choice: Students should thoroughly research each university and course before making any selection to ensure that they match academic preferences and expectations.

Entry requirements:  Take note of the entry requirements for each course and university to gauge each student’s eligibility.

Personal statement:  Students should craft a personalised and tailored personal statement to highlight their specific interests and suitability for their chosen courses.

Remember that the Ucas application process is highly competitive and making well-informed choices is essential for a successful application experience. If there are any changes or updates to the application process, it’s recommended to refer to the most recent Ucas guidelines for the latest information.

US university-application essays versus Ucas personal statements

There are notable differences between essays written for university applications in the US and those written for the UK. Here are key distinctions:

1. Academic emphasis

UK: The personal statement for UK applications places a strong emphasis on academics. Admissions tutors are primarily interested in an applicant’s academic achievements, subject-specific knowledge and a clear demonstration of interest in the chosen course.

US: While academic achievements are important in US college-application essays, there is often more flexibility to explore extracurricular activities, personal experiences and how these contribute to the student’s overall character.

2. Specialisation

UK: The personal statement should demonstrate a clear and genuine interest in the chosen field of study. Extracurricular activities are relevant only if they directly contribute to the applicant’s academic profile.

US: US college essays often allow for a more holistic portrayal of the student. While the student’s intended major is considered, there’s room to explore a range of interests and experiences.

3. Extracurricular relevance

UK: Extracurricular activities should be directly relevant to the chosen course. For example, volunteering at a dog shelter is valuable for a veterinary science application, but the essay should focus on learning and skills gained from the experience.

US: US college essays often encourage a broader exploration of personal growth, leadership and community engagement. Extracurriculars are viewed as part of a holistic assessment of the student’s character.

4. Structure and length

UK: The UK personal statement is typically limited to a specific word count (often around 4,000 characters or 47 lines), requiring concise and focused writing. Each word should contribute to showcasing the applicant’s academic suitability.

US: US college essays vary in length and format. Common application essays, for example, have a word limit, but supplemental essays might have different requirements. There’s often more room for creativity and storytelling.

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• UK and US University Applications: The Key Differences

An increasing number of UK students are looking to the US for undergraduate study, and it’s not hard to see why.

You should also read…

• How to End Up on the Right Course at the Right University
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The experience of living and studying abroad can be life-changing, and with so many of the world’s top universities located in the US – and no language barrier – it’s naturally an attractive place for the prospective undergraduate. If you’re thinking of applying to some US universities this year, there are some fundamental differences between the UK and US university admissions processes that you need to know about; unfortunately, the same application form will not suffice for both. Even if you’re not applying to a US university, you might still find this article useful because it will explain the key differences between a UK and US university application; lured by misconceptions perpetuated by popular culture, some students write American-style university applications to UK universities and wonder why they don’t get many offers. With this guide, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to tailor your application appropriately. Let’s start by looking at what the differences are; at the end, you’ll find a summary of things to remember when you’re writing your applications for either side of the Atlantic.

Different people assessing your application

One of the first things to remember when applying to a US university versus a UK one is that the groups of people assessing your application in each are very different. In the UK, it’s the university’s academics who have the say on which applicants gets given a place: your application will be assessed by a member of academic teaching staff in the department to which you’re applying. These are the people who would be teaching you if you were to be given a place. In the US, it’s the admissions office for the whole university that makes the decisions – mere admin staff. In the UK, those admin staff would only be there to support the academics in making their decision. The result of this difference is that you have two very different audiences to appeal to. In the UK, you’re writing your personal statement to appeal to people who are experts in their field; you must impress with your knowledge of the subject and the opinions you’ve formed about it (they know their stuff, so they will notice anything that’s factually incorrect or misunderstood), and perhaps try to show them your awareness of more obscure scholarship or topics within your subject. Being experts, they will spot your appreciation of less well-known areas of the subject. In the US, on the other hand, you’re writing for people who won’t necessarily have much subject-specific knowledge, but who will instead be focusing more on what would make you a valuable member of the university community.

Different level of focus on the non-academic side

Perhaps because of this difference in who assesses your application, there’s a big difference in the level of emphasis placed on the non-academic parts of your application. In the UK, much emphasis is placed on the academic side of a student’s application. Extra-curricular activities are merely the icing on the cake to an application that primarily focuses on academia. Such activities are good to have on your application because they demonstrate that there’s more to you than your subject, and show that you’ve achieved your impressive academic results despite doing other things with your life; but they’re certainly not the most important aspect of the application or a factor that will swing the decision in the student’s favour. In the US, on the other hand, extra-curricular activities and other non-academic virtues are considered much more important, and crucial for providing context to your academic achievements. Remember, it’s not the academics who are deciding the fate of your application, it’s the admin staff – and they’re trying to create a community of students who will actively contribute to the life and soul of the university. Talent in sports, music and other extra-curricular activities will therefore be admired, as will part-time jobs, leadership roles and volunteer work. What’s more, they’ll look at your background. If you have a diverse family background and/or a relative who’s been to that university before you, you stand a better chance of getting in. It may not seem fair, but if you have a relative who’s donated money to the university, you’ll have an even better chance (though this probably isn’t going to be the case for an international student).

Different academic expectations

The UK and US have very different approaches to higher education, a fact that’s reflected in the different expectations universities have from students’ applications. In the UK, universities expect students to be quite specific in their academic specialities, valuing students who are exceptionally talented in one particular subject and who have put their efforts into growing their knowledge and skills in this specific discipline. In the US, universities are happy for students to fall into either end of the academic spectrum: either very specialised and incredibly good at one specific subject, or an all-rounder – someone who’s knowledgeable about many subjects, but to a lesser degree. This is because the American university system allows for a wider breadth of subjects, rather than the singular focus you see in UK universities. US degrees last four years rather than the three standard in the UK, and though you’ll have a main focus – your “major” – you’re also likely to take classes in a number of additional subjects not related to your main one. In fact, you don’t usually decide what your main focus is going to be until the end of your second year at a US university, and, having studied a variety of subjects, your focus may end up being completely different to what you might have been anticipating when you initially applied. In the UK, the situation is very different, as you focus exclusively on one subject right from the word go. To summarise, UK universities value depth of knowledge, while US universities value breadth.

Entry to the university versus entry to the subject

UK university applications focus on your desire to study a particular subject; you write the personal statement with no mention of which universities you’re applying to, and then it gets sent to all of them via UCAS. In the US, your applications are tailored to each university you apply to. You explain in detail why you are applying to that particular university and why you’re a good fit for that specific institution – so there’s a university focus, not a department focus. This means you have to be extra careful to ensure that you’re sending the right application to the right university! Arguably, this way of doing things encourages you to think even more carefully about which university you’re applying to; rather than simply filling spaces on a UCAS form, you have to outline exactly why you’ve chosen a particular university and why you’d be right for it. You’ll need to do your research very thoroughly to be in with a chance of writing compellingly about your reasons for applying.

A-levels versus the SAT

Another difference between UK and US university applications is the way in which your academic credentials are assessed. In the UK, your academic record consists of your GCSEs and A-levels, with A-levels the primary means of ascertaining the academic level at which you are operating. You might have to sit an entrance exam for some subjects at top UK universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, but these are few and far between. In the US, you are assessed by means of an exam called the SAT, or “Scholastic Assessment Test”. This is a compulsory part of the admissions process for most US universities, no matter what subject you apply for, and it tests your abilities in writing, mathematics and “critical reading”. Again, this reflects the difference we mentioned earlier in the breadth of US university education compared to the depth of the UK equivalent; the admissions test focuses on more general academic skills, rather than testing the aptitude for specific subjects demonstrated by A-levels. As an international student, you have to pay $91 to take the SAT, and the test lasts three hours and 45 minutes. You’ll find more information about the SAT in our article SAT Tips and Advice: How to Do Your Absolute Best .

The personal statement versus the College Application Essay

Having taken into account these differences, then, let’s recap what the major differences will be between your personal statement for UK universities and your “College Application Essay” for US universities. If you were hoping to be able to use the same text for both, think again!

Personal statement

A strong personal statement for a UK university demonstrates the following key traits.

• It’s subject-focused, showcasing your interest in the subject, your academic knowledge and your ability to think in the right way about it.
• It shows what you’ve done to pursue your interest in the subject beyond the classroom.
• It explains your desire to study the subject and how it fits in with your long-term aims.
• It avoids humour and clichés.
• It contains no mention of university name, focusing instead on the subject.
• It’s a maximum of 7,000 characters.

Have a read of some of our previous articles for more tips on writing your personal statement:

• How to Write Brilliant Personal Statements and Covering Letters
• 4 Common UCAS Personal Statement Issues and How to Resolve Them
• The World’s Worst Personal Statement: Why It Fails and How to Fix It

College Application Essay

The “College Application Essay” is the name given to the US equivalent of the personal statement, and it’s designed to demonstrate your writing abilities as well as your personality. Universities will give you two or three essay questions to respond to in your essay, and will set their own word limits. One tends to focus on you as a person, and another on your academic achievements, and often another on “why us?”. There may also be a “creative” question, which will be designed to test students’ ability to think in the right way, and to write engagingly on an intellectual topic. This essay has the following key differences from UK personal statements:

• It showcases far more of the student’s personality, background and non-academic accomplishments, showing the student to be likeable and the sort of person that the university would want among its student body.
• It demonstrates interest and aptitude for a range of subjects.
• It’s entertaining and interesting, displaying more self-confidence than a UK personal statement (and to the UK student, this may feel more arrogant than they’re used to).
• It often offers anecdotes and narratives to reveal the student’s personality and motivations, relating specific episodes in the student’s life and giving insights into their feelings; it might even talk about how the student has overcome some kind of adversity. Specific details are recommended to add colour to these stories – names, places, emotions and so on.
• It focuses on why you want to study at that named institution.
• The word count is set by the individual university.

The weighting given to this essay relative to other aspects of the application (such as academic results and references ) varies from one university to another, but it’s certainly important enough that a good one could swing a decision in your favour, so it’s worth devoting the time to getting it right. You won’t be able to copy and paste your personal statement from a UK university application to a US one, as the expectations are very different. You may, however, be able to reuse some aspects of it but adapted to an American audience, with the differences outlined in this article in mind. A US university education is very different from a UK one, and this difference is naturally reflected in the admissions process. Being aware of these different ways of doing things is essential if you want to make a good an impression across the pond as you do here in the UK.

Image credits: banner ; meeting ; painter ; lecture ; Oxford ; exam ; writing ; Waldo .

• Find Your UK University

• Application , Postgraduate , Undergraduate
• August 10, 2021

UK and US College Essay Differences

Your college application essay, what the UK call the “personal statement”, can be a crucial component to being admitted into university. The US college essay and the UK personal statement are very different from each other. It’s important to understand the differences and and what to look out for before submitting your application.

Most US college essays require you to select a topic that may be structured around you as a person. From what I’ve seen, most US students tend to submit a creative writing piece of their life that’s emotive and how they overcame a particular situation. It can sometimes be triggering and very dramatic to grab the reader’s attention. In addition, students may be required to write supplemental essays about why you want to study at that school or academic field. Universities may use creative questions which allows the reader to understand their ability to think and engage. If you are applying to a large sum of colleges/universities, this can be very stressful and time consuming.

Creating a personal statement for a UK university is a very easy and straightforward process. What they are requiring is not a creative writing piece but more so of an understanding and clear idea of who you are, your academic skills, knowledge of the subject, why you chose the subject you want to study, and why you want to study in the UK.

If you are applying through UCAS, you are required to submit one essay with a limit of 4,000 characters, which roughly estimates to a few paragraphs. That’s right… one! This one essay will be sent to each individual university you are applying to, therefore, it’s very important to avoid listing the universities by name. You want to make the essay generalized so it applies to all the courses and universities.

Another difference is that they do not require different essay topics to choose from nor do they require supplemental essays. This should save you time when planning out to submit your application.

If you’re having a difficult time on how to write the essay, I always give these resources to help them through their journey. UCAS provides so many helpful personal statement resources. These are my favorites below:

UCAS Personal Statement Mind Map

UCAS Personal Statement Worksheet *

*Two important questions that are missing from this sheet is: ‘Why do you want to study in the UK? Why do you want to be an international student rather than study in your home country? Don’t forget to add these in as this is an essential part of who you are.

UCAS also has more helpful resources and inspiration that is worth checking out.

How The UK Study Expert Can Help You

Looking to find your best match UK university? Lucky for you, the UK Study Expert has taken the guesswork out of figuring out what each university requires with our handy dandy search tool . Or you can find your best university by taking our free  UK University Quiz Match.  

Need to speak to an advisor about studying in the UK? Check our  Services webpage  to see what the best available options are for your needs. 

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US vs. UK College Applications: A Breakdown for Students

Thinking of applying to college in the uk here's everything you need to know about the difference between applying to college in the us vs. the uk.

We are seeing more and more students interested in pursuing their undergraduate degree internationally—which is a great thing! There are so many outstanding higher education institutions outside the United States, many of which have even stronger international reputations than top US schools.

In many ways, international applications tend to be simpler—but those students who are interested in international universities should be informed about the different processes and plan ahead. Below, we highlight some of the key differences between the UK application process and the domestic one.

Topics covered:

• Overall differences
• Preparing for the application process
• Application review
• Personal statement

Overall Differences

Level of specialization..

Generally speaking, UK university education is more specialized than American higher ed. Students apply directly to courses (what we call majors), and have far fewer general education requirements. While there are a growing number of more general programs, on the whole, UK university students have to commit to their academic path when they apply, as opposed to US schools, where students can usually wait until the end of sophomore year to declare a major.

Length of study.

In the UK, a bachelor’s degree is 3 years; in the US, it is 4 years.

Collective vs. independent learning.

At many UK institutions, there is a greater emphasis on independent student learning and research than on synchronous / instructor-facilitated learning.

Grading system.

There are different marking criteria in the UK, which can be a huge adjustment for American students. At many institutions, a 65% is a very good grade; an 80-90% is publishing level.

Campus life.

Campus life can be quite different at UK institutions, with more students living off-campus after the first year (Oxford and Cambridge, with their college systems, are notable exceptions).

Preparing for the Application Process

Here are our top tips for students preparing to apply to schools in the UK.

Major first.

In the US, many students identify colleges they like first, then consider their majors. When considering UK schools, you should choose your course first, THEN the university. The UCAS website (UCAS is the rough equivalent of the Common App in that it is a centralized application portal) is a great resource for this — put in your subject of interest first, then look at the differences between the degree programs.

Look at entry requirements!

The system is very transparent, even harsh. When they say minimum entry requirements, they do mean it. If the minimum entry requirement is a 32+ on the ACT and 4 AP scores of 5 or more, they won’t consider you if you have a 31 and won’t have AP scores.

Think carefully about your program list.

On the UCAS platform, students can apply to up to 5 programs. These can be different courses within a university, or different universities. You only have ONE application, which cannot be customized, so students should be applying to similar programs.

Because you may only apply to 5 schools, it is critical to have balance on your list, and ensure there are a couple for which you easily meet or exceed entry criteria.

Here’s everything you need to know about a typical application and admissions timeline for UK schools

You can submit your application beginning in August, and submission deadlines will be either October 15 or January 15.

• The UCAS system opens in the spring, but students can’t start submitting until August. Applicants have until October 15 for Oxford or Cambridge (note the “or” here – students must choose and may not apply to both universities!). For everyone else, the deadline is January 15. Don’t leave it for the end! After that deadline, they’ll be marked as late, so while some may still read it, it’s unlikely to gain entry.

You might hear back soon — like, super soon.

• Students can start hearing back within a few weeks—for example, for any student interested in St. Andrews, we have seen them return decisions as early as October (for those who submitted at the very start of the school year).
• UK schools try to get all decisions made by March 31.
• Sometimes there’s an interview component that occurs before decisions come out — Oxford, for example, interviews just about everyone with academic potential.

Know the difference between conditional and unconditional acceptance.

• If admissible to all five UCAS choices, the UK system doesn’t allow students to keep all 5 options — they have to narrow down to 2, a firm choice and an insurance choice, which is a backup for if exams don’t go as well as expected. These are conditional offers upon receipt of final grades and exams, and then offers become unconditional.
• If granted a conditional offer and a student does not ultimately meet the entry criteria, the student will no longer have their spot at that university. This is very different from the US, where final grades are more of a formality. For US applicants to the UK, conditional offers are most likely to fall through if students don’t get expected scores on their AP or IB exams.

Application Review

Here’s everything you need to know about how UK admissions will evaluate your application. Hint: it’s different from the US approach!

Focus on the future.

UK application review is not holistic like so much of American application review. In the UK, they are very focused on predicted grades — they want to know where students are going to get their final year, and want to see their final set of AP or IB scores. It’s much more about what are they going to finish with, not what they’ve done.

Emphasize subject-specific curiosity.

Because students are applying to specific courses, they are expected to demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for that subject. They should show focused intellectual curiosity.

Tests matter — a lot.

In the UK, they don’t have the ability to look in depth at high school context, so they’re more rigid and more interested in the testing. This means that if a student attends a high school without APs and is interested in UK schools that require AP scores, there will not be any exceptions for them—students must make provisions to test on their own.

Extracurriculars schmextracurriculars.

UK schools are not interested in a list of extracurriculars. As an admissions officer from Oxford shared, “We don’t care if you danced five hours a week.”

Personal Statement

Here’s everything you need to know about writing a stand-out UK personal statement, which, though it goes by the same name, is a very different essay than the US personal statement.

Evidence over emotional narrative.

This is an opportunity to show the admissions committee interest in a particular course. They are not interested in formative experiences. It makes no difference if you have loved law since you were three or since last month: what have you done to pursue it?

The process of brainstorming and writing a UK personal statement allows students to discover if they truly love the subject. If you draw a blank, you’ve probably chosen the wrong course.

One statement for all programs.

This statement can’t be customized to specific schools — so, don’t mention any schools by name!

Specificity above all.

UK personal statements need to be very specific. Saying “I really love biochemistry” is not useful for UK committees. What aspects? What books, documentaries, podcasts does the student explore? They are looking more for super-curricular, rather than extracurricular, connections. 80-90% of the essay should be academic; 10-20% extracurricular is fine.

Professors will read your essay.

Yes, professors read these in the UK! This puts an additional burden on students to really dive deep into their area of study. Academics are used to spotting made-up things! They have to truly believe that your interest in and commitment to the subject is sincere. Simply saying you read a book isn’t enough — what did you gain from it, in specificity? For many students, it is better to engage with fewer texts so they have something deeper to say.

Go for a more formal tone.

Whereas in the US, admissions favors a more personal, informal tone, the UK application is more formal. There is still student voice, but UK admissions officers specifically advise applicant not to try to be quirky or to go for some kind of dramatic opening sentence. Moves like this can backfire and be off-putting.

Many UK institutions do not use interviews. However, Oxford and Cambridge can’t make an offer without an interview. As with the rest of the process, these are highly academic in nature, and the interviews are with academics, not the admissions office. This is not a test of polished social skills—it’s an academic conversation. Can the student talk fluently about their subject? Can they have a back-and-forth conversation and come up with interesting ideas? UK professors want to see how the student thinks.

Your recommending teacher should be subject-specific.

The UCAS system only takes one academic letter of reference, and they expect it to be as subject-specific as possible. For American applicants to UK schools, this may mean asking a different teacher than the one(s) writing your American letters of rec, depending on the course to which you are applying.

Keep your guidance counselor in the loop.

If you are considering UK schools, make sure to speak with your school guidance counselor as early as possible to make sure they have the information they need about the differences in the process. Some US high schools have a great deal of experience with UK applications; others may have none. The burden will be on the student to share key information.

Our #1 tip for students considering UK schools — plan ahead and investigate early! As we noted above, entry criteria are firm. Students may have to plan ahead to ensure they will have the requisite coursework and potential scores to be eligible for admission. If and when they do, the UK process is actually far more transparent and easy to navigate than the holistic mess we have here—but it requires lots of planning well in advance!

Need more personalized guidance on brainstorming or crafting your application? Contact our college admissions team.

Caroline Hertz

10 Differences between UK vs US Personal Statements

Discover the differences between UK and US personal statements for university admissions. Stay informed to craft a compelling university application.

Jan 11, 2024

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a crucial component of your application. For UK universities, it offers you the opportunity to express your motivations for pursuing a specific course or subject while showcasing your skills and experiences, demonstrating your passion for that field of study.  In the United States ,your personal statement helps colleges to understand your identity—what are the formative experiences that have shaped your worldview? Can you convince the admissions committee that you will thrive as a vibrant community member in their university?   If you're applying to both the US and UK, it's crucial not to use the same personal statement for both applications. Make sure your personal statement aligns with the specific requirements and expectations of the respective country's application process.

Differences Between UK and US Personal Statements:

Focus and depth.

UK personal statements are geared toward demonstrating expertise in your chosen field of study and emphasising a pre-existing commitment to it. US personal statements aim to showcase your engagement, curiosity, and your potential to excel in various disciplines, emphasising breadth and well-roundedness over depth.

Content: 

In a UK personal statement, you may highlight books or theories related to your chosen subject.  In a US personal statement, you might share extracurricular activities or personal stories that reflect your core beliefs and how they influence your approach to life and education. While the scope of content might differ between US and UK, your voice should still shine through both. Check out this relevant blog.

Demonstrating Expertise vs. Transferable Skills: 

UK admissions value applicants who are already experts in their chosen field.  US admissions seek students who possess transferable skills, the right personality, and values that suggest they will excel during their four-year education.

Community: 

Crucially, US universities consider not only your academic potential but also your potential as a community member, future employee, and contributor to the institution as an alumnus. The UK places relatively less emphasis on the student's role within the community. However, discussing extracurricular experiences can demonstrate how you’ve been proactive in bolstering your academic interests and how you might contribute to the university community. Time Frame:

 In both UK and US personal statements, it's essential to focus on your present self and future goals rather than dwelling on past achievements or experiences from too long ago.

Length Restrictions: 

UK personal statements should adhere to a 4000-character limit (including spaces) or 47 lines.  In the US, the Common App system limits personal statements to 600 words, which is approximately equivalent in length

Structure and Style: 

UK personal statements should answer specific questions related to your chosen course and your suitability for it. The UCAS personal statement structure is relatively straightforward, if you’re looking for a start to brainstorming your personal statement, check out their free guide. In contrast, US personal statements are more narrative-oriented, focusing on your personal journey and transformation. You’ll have much more leeway in terms of structure and narrative style and you can opt for a more casual tone as well.  Despite the crucial differences in structure and style, there are still key components that are applicable towards both personal statements. Read more here about the 5 critical components your personal statement should capture.  Application Process: 

UK applications are centralised through UCAS, while US applications are typically submitted to individual universities, although the Common App can streamline the process for some schools. Number of Applications: 

UK applicants can apply to up to 5 university courses (or 4 in specific fields).  While there's no strict limit on the number of US universities you can apply to, applying to too many can be overwhelming and costly.  Reviewers: 

In the UK, admissions tutors and subject specialists evaluate applications, while in the US, administrative staff in the admissions office make the decisions.  Understanding these differences is crucial for crafting an effective personal statement aligned with each destination’s expectations. It plays a significant role in your university application, so tailor it to specific requirements and culture. Crafting this statement can be daunting, but foundational work and strategic planning can ease the process. Get started by signing up for our newsletter to receive more tips. Want to learn more about UK vs US admissions? Read our blog post here.

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Demystifying the Personal Statement: UK vs. US Undergraduate Applications

Introduction

Navigating the world of undergraduate applications can be a daunting task, especially when faced with the differing requirements of personal statements in the UK and personal essays in the US. At first glance, they seem to serve distinct purposes: the UK personal statement leaning more towards the academic, while the US personal essay tending to be more personal. However, beneath these surface differences lies a common goal: both seek to evaluate a candidate’s attitude towards learning and their ability to succeed academically.

The UK Personal Statement: An Academic Focus

Academic Orientation: The UK personal statement typically emphasizes academic achievements, interests, and aspirations. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

Example: Discussing how a specific book, lecture, or experiment sparked your passion for the field can effectively showcase both your interest and understanding of the subject. Further discussing how you pursued your interest gets you many extra points.

The US Personal Essay: A Personal Narrative

Personal Storytelling : In contrast, the US personal essay often allows for a broader narrative. It’s not just about your academic interests but your personal experiences, challenges, and what makes you unique i.e. how are you viewing and interpreting your world.

Example: A story about a significant personal challenge and what you learned from it can illustrate qualities like resilience, adaptability, and introspection. Another about your local supermarket could illustrate your understanding of socio-economic concepts or your interest in supply-chain economics.

Common Ground: Attitude and Aptitude

Despite their differences, both the UK and US applications are looking for two key elements: attitude towards learning and aptitudes.

– Attitude Towards Learning: This is about showing a genuine passion and curiosity for your field of study or life in general. It’s the drive that propels you forward. Another important aspect here is how are you taking advantage of all the (mostly free) tools at your disposal.

– Aptitudes: These are your skills and competencies, both academic and personal, that make you suitable for university life. It’s about showing you have the potential to thrive.

Balancing the Elements: The Power of the Story

Integrating Academic and Personal: The challenge for applicants is to weave these elements together, regardless of the essay’s primary focus. In a UK personal statement, it’s about infusing your academic narrative with personal insights. In a US essay, it’s about framing your personal story with an eye on how it reflects your academic capabilities and interests. Just remember, admission officers are reading thousands of essays, by telling them a story you are making sure they keep reading until the end.

Understanding the nuances of the UK and US undergraduate application essays is crucial. While they may differ in their approach, their essence is strikingly similar. Both are narratives of who you are, showcasing your attitude towards learning and your aptitudes. Whether you’re discussing your favorite subject or a life-altering experience, remember, these essays are your opportunity to shine as a well-rounded, thoughtful, and capable individual ready to take on the challenges of undergraduate study.

Founded by Rana Hanna, Universed is an independent educational and admissions consultancy. Universed offers tailored, personalized and bias-free services.

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How to write a personal statement

How to approach writing your personal statement for graduate applications.

If you’re applying for a grad course that requires a personal statement (sometimes also called a ‘statement of purpose’), it can be difficult to know where to start and what to include. Read on for tips from some of our masters’ students about their process and what they found helpful.

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 as an academic. Lauren (MSc Modern Middle Eastern Studies)

Start by thinking about the skills, knowledge and interests you’ve acquired over time and how the course at Oxford will take them forward.

Your statement is the story you want to tell about yourself and your academic work to the department you are applying to.

Most of your application and its supporting documents communicate plain facts about your academic career so far. Your personal statement is your best opportunity to put these facts into context and show assessors how you’ve progressed and excelled.

Make sure you highlight evidence of your achievements (a high grade in a relevant area, an award or scholarship, a research internship).

Presenting yourself

When I was writing my personal statement, I went onto my course website. I looked at what they emphasised and what kind of students they were looking for, and I wrote about my experiences based on that. Kayla (MSc in Clinical Embryology)

Make it easy for an assessor to see how you meet the entry requirements for the course (you can find these on each course page ).

Don’t make any assumptions about what Oxford is looking for!

Get to know your department

You want to study this particular subject and you want to study at Oxford (you’re applying here, so we know that!) but why is Oxford the right place for you to study this subject? What interests or qualities of the academic department and its staff make it attractive to you?

Use your academic department’s website for an overview of their research, academic staff and course information (you'll find a link to the department's own website on each course page ).

I said, ‘why do I actually want to be here? What is it about being at Oxford that’s going to get me to what I want to do? Sarah (Bachelor of Civil Law)

Talk it out

Talking to others about your statement can be a great way to gather your ideas and decide how you’d like to approach it. Sarah even managed to get benefit out of this approach by herself:

“I spent a lot of time talking out loud. My written process was actually very vocal, so I did a lot of talking about myself in my room.”

2. The writing process

Know your format.

Make sure you’ve read all the guidance on the How to Apply section of your course page , so you know what’s needed in terms of the word count of the final statement, what it should cover and what it will be assessed for. This should help you to visualise roughly what you want to end up with at the end of the process.

Make a start

When it comes to writing your personal statement, just getting started can be the hardest part.

One good way to get around writer’s block is to just put it all down on the page, like Mayur.

First - write down anything and everything. In the first round, I was just dumping everything - whatever I’ve done, anything close to computer science, that was on my personal statement. Mayur (MSc Computer Science)

You’ll be editing later anyway so don’t let the blank page intimidate you - try writing a little under each of the following headings to get started:

• areas of the course at Oxford that are the most interesting to you
• which areas you’ve already studied or had some experience in
• what you hope to use your Oxford course experience for afterwards.

3. Finishing up

Get some feedback.

Once you’ve got a draft of about the right length, ask for feedback on what you’ve written. It might take several drafts to get it right.

This could involve getting in touch with some of your undergraduate professors to ask them to read your draft and find any areas which needed strengthening.

You could also show it to people who know you well, like family or friends.

Because they’re the first people to say, ‘Who is that person?’ You want the people around you to recognise that it really sounds like you. It can be scary telling family and friends you’re applying for Oxford, because it makes it real, but be brave enough to share it and get feedback on it. Sarah (Bachelor of Law)

Be yourself

Finally - be genuine and be yourself. Make sure your personal statement represents you, not your idea about what Oxford might be looking for.

We have thousands of students arriving every year from a huge range of subjects, backgrounds, institutions and countries (you can hear from a few more of them in our My Oxford interviews).

Get moving on your application today

To find out more about supporting documents and everything else you need to apply, read your course page and visit our Application Guide .

Applicant advice hub

This content was previously available through our  Applicant advice hub . The hub contained links to articles hosted on our  Graduate Study at Oxford Medium channel . We've moved the articles that support the application process into this new section of our website.

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How to write a personal statement for a uk university, by kathryn abell, 19 october 2015 - 05:11.

Kathryn Abell of  Edukonexion  shares some tips.

When applying to a UK university, the discovery that school grades alone are not enough to gain entry onto the programme of your choice can come as an unwelcome surprise. This is especially true for international students, many of whom see the words 'personal statement' for the first time when starting their university application.

But far from being a barrier, the personal statement is, in fact, one of the stepping stones to achieving your goal of studying at a UK university.

A personal statement can help you stand out

If you have selected your study programme well – that is to say, you have chosen something that you are truly excited about that matches your academic profile – then the personal statement is simply a way to communicate to admissions tutors why you are interested in the programme and what you can bring to it. And given the fact that many universities receive multiple applications for each available place, and that most do not offer an interview, your written statement is often the only way you can express your personality and say 'choose me!'.

The 'personal' in 'personal statement' suggests that you should be allowed to express yourself however you want, right? Well, to a certain extent that is true: admissions tutors want to get a picture of you, not your parents, your teachers or your best friend, so it has to be your work. However, the purpose of the statement is to persuade academic staff that they should offer you one of their highly sought-after university places; although there is no strict template for this, there are specific things you should include and certain things you should most certainly leave out.

The importance of the opening paragraph

The online Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) undergraduate application form allows a total of 4,000 characters (around 700 words), meaning that you need to craft the statement carefully. The most important part is unquestionably the opening paragraph, as it acts as an invitation to continue reading. If you are not able to catch the attention of the admissions tutor, who has hundreds of statements to assess, then it is highly unlikely they will read through to the end.

The best advice here is to avoid much-used opening lines and clichés such as 'I have wanted to be an engineer since I was a child'. This kind of thing is not the invitation readers are looking for. Instead, try using an anecdote, experience or inspirational moment: 'Although tinkering with engines had always been a childhood hobby, it was the vision of the fastest car on earth, the Bloodhound, at an exhibition in London, that roused my desire to learn everything I could about automotive engineering'. Really? Tell me more!

Of course, your opening paragraph could start in a variety of ways, but the fundamental purpose is to grab the reader’s interest.

Provide evidence of your commitment and skills

Following on from that, you have to provide evidence of your passion and commitment to your chosen programme, and highlight the specific and transferable skills you possess to study it successfully. You can do this by following the  ABC  rule.

Action:  Include examples of what you have done, experienced or even read that have helped you in your choice of degree and boosted your knowledge of the subject area.

Benefit : By doing these things, explain what you learned or gained; in the case of a book or article, put forward an opinion.

Course : The most successful applicants ensure that the information they include is relevant to their course in order to highlight their suitability. Flower-arranging may allow you to realise your creative potential, but will it help you study astrophysics?

It is perfectly acceptable to base this ABC rule on school-based activities, as not all students have opportunities outside the classroom. However, if you can link extra-curricular pursuits to your desired programme of study, you are further highlighting your commitment. As a general rule of thumb, the information you include here should be around 80 per cent academic and 20 per cent non-academic. So, for example, as a member of the school science club – a non-curricular, academic activity – you may have developed the ability to analyse data and tackle problems logically. Taking part in a work placement falls into the same category and could have helped you develop your communication, time-management and computer skills. You get the idea.

Non-academic accomplishments may involve music, sport, travel or clubs and can lead to a variety of competencies such as team-working, leadership, language or presentation skills. A word of warning here: it is vital that you sell yourself, but arrogance or lies will result in your personal statement landing in the 'rejected' pile. Keep it honest and down-to-earth.

Provide a memorable conclusion

Once you have emphasised your keen interest and relevant qualities, you should round off the statement with a conclusion that will be remembered. There is little point putting all your effort to generate interest in the opening paragraph only for your statement to gradually fade away at the end. A good conclusion will create lasting impact and may express how studying your chosen course will allow you to pursue a particular career or achieve any other plans. It can also underline your motivation and determination.

Use a formal tone, stay relevant and be positive

As you have to pack all this information into a relatively short statement, it is essential to avoid the superfluous or, as I like to call it, the 'fluff'. If a sentence sounds pretty but doesn’t give the reader information, remove it. In addition, the tone should be formal and you should not use contractions, slang or jokes; remember, the statement will be read by academics – often leaders in their field.

Referring to books is fine but don’t resort to using famous quotes as they are overused and do not reflect your own ideas. Also, while it's good to avoid repetition, don't overdo it with the thesaurus.

Negativity has no place in a personal statement, so if you need to mention a difficult situation you have overcome, ensure you present it as a learning experience rather than giving the reader an opportunity to notice any shortcomings. Also, bear in mind that your personal statement will probably go to several universities as part of a single application, so specifically naming one university is not going to win you any favours with the others.

Get some help but never copy someone else's work

Checking grammar, spelling and flow is essential and it is perfectly OK to ask someone to do this for you. A fresh pair of eyes and a different perspective always help, and, as long as the third party does not write the content for you, their input could be of vital importance. And while you may get away with not sticking to all of the above advice, there is one thing that you absolutely must not do: copy someone else’s work. Most applications are made through UCAS, which uses sophisticated software to detect plagiarism. If you are found to have copied content from the internet, or a previous statement, your application will be cancelled immediately. Remember, it is a  personal  statement.

Get your ideas down in a mind-map first

Finally, I will leave you with my top tip. If you understand all the theory behind the personal statement and have an abundance of ideas floating in your head, but are staring blankly at your computer screen, take a pen and paper and make a simple mind map. Jot down all your experiences, activities, skills, attributes and perhaps even include books you have read or even current items that interest you in the news. Then look for how these link to your course and highlight the most significant elements using arrows, colours and even doodles. Capturing thoughts on paper and making logical deductions from an image can give structure to your ideas.

Get more advice on your application from our Study UK site .

You might also be interested in:

• How to use a learner's dictionary of academic English
• Five ways UK students can improve their career prospects
• Ways of saying 'darling' in the UK

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UK vs US Personal Statement Openers

Our previous blog post addressed how UK and US personal statements differ. This post will explore these variations in the form of sample openers to UK and then US personal statements.

UK Personal Statement Openers

Avoid these openers :.

1. ‘From an early age…’

What’s the issue?

This is a very overused opener for a UCAS personal statement! Avoid clichés!

 2. An inspirational quote e.g.: ‘Pure mathematics is the poetry of logic’ – Albert Einstein

Since you only have 4000 characters, it’s best not to quote in your personal statement and to use your own words. Although some admissions teams might be impressed by a well-used, unique quote, they often sound clichéd.

3. ‘My mother was a …, which inspired me to pursue a career in…’

This is a very overused opener. Although making reference to a family member, friend, or another person in your life who inspired you to choose the course to which you’re applying is acceptable, try not to use it as a starting line.

4. ‘I am currently studying A-Levels in History, English and Geography and I am writing an EPQ.’

Frankly, this is a boring start! Incorporate the subjects you’re currently studying more naturally into the main body of the text.

 5. ‘I want to study Geography at university because I enjoy learning about the world.’

Again, this is quite a dull way to start your piece of writing. Think of an interesting, but clear, reason why you want to study this course at university. Go into more detail than just one sentence. Remember, your whole personal statement should be informing the admissions team of why you’re passionate about your subject, through academic and other means.

GOOD openers :

1. Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE):

‘Upon the opening of any quality newspaper, one would find that economic and political news dominate the headlines, but upon deeper reading it can be seen that the foundations of all human thought and actions have been shaped by philosophical theories. The unification of these three subjects is one of the reasons why I want to pursue PPE at degree level.’

Source: Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) Personal Statement – Studential.com

What’s been done well?

Succinct, engaging and to the point, this opener is very effective. With just two sentences, you can say a lot!

 2. Financial Mathematics:

‘In the financial sector, decisions must be made in split seconds that can result in either vast profits or significant losses. The collapse of Lehman Brothers, demonstrated to me the vulnerability of all businesses as the size and level of profit does not matter as poor decisions can still create loss. Making financial decisions is intriguing to me as I ultimately would like to apply my mathematical ability into a career in finance.’

Source: Financial Mathematics Personal Statement – Studential.com

This is engaging while demonstrating comprehension of, and interest in, the subject. It also makes reference to personal career ambitions. While you don’t have to reference your future career goals in your UCAS statement, it can be a useful point of discussion.

 3. History:

‘My interest in History was first sparked during a remembrance service at the Menin Gate. Hearing the bugles bellow out the ‘Last Post’ to a crowd of thousands, instilled in me a deeper appreciation of the past, and the sacrifices that were made to sculpt the world we live in today. The development of creed across time is something that intrigues me. Outside of school I have developed my knowledge of such manifestations through immersing myself in Hobbes’ ‘Leviathan’, and also reading about Callicles in Plato’s ‘Gorgias’. I found it intriguing that the development of societal structure and legitimate governments differ in various civilizations, whether this is through the Qing dynasties’ centralisation of power or perhaps classic republicanism in the days of Cicero. Moreover, I have taken an interest with the works of Locke and Hobbes on the structure of the perfect state. The disparity between differing ideologies is an imperative part of History for me, as it stretches across society as a whole.’

Source: History Personal Statement – Oxford University – Studential.com

Offering a high level of analysis, knowledge of and engagement with the subject, this personal statement opener is impressive. The anecdote is unique and well-placed.

 4. Biochemistry 

‘In the sciences, every answer raises a new question. The field is one of infinite possibility and this is what most attracts me to it. Studying biochemistry would allow me to understand in detail the complexity of life and how different systems within it interact. To me, it explains the beauty of life, how it can be broken down into various chemical reactions and by studying the chemical composition and structure of separate biological molecules, I hope to gain a more cohesive understanding of life.’

Source: Biochemistry 10 Personal Statement – Studential.com

This is the perfect length. The opening paragraph is clear and introduces the student’s interests. Importantly, it leaves them space to elaborate in the main body of the text.

US College Essay Openers

These openers are taken from Harvard sample personal essays. Note that these are very different in style and tone from the more conventional UK personal statements above.

1. Breaking Tradition

‘“Not everything is black and white.”

My mother tells me this almost every day. But my piano begs to differ. On its 88 keys I can see the ghostly imprints of perfectly aligned fingerprints. I’ve played classical music for years, where wrong notes are wrong, and right notes are right. But everything changed when I discovered jazz. Now jazz…jazz tells a different story. When I play “Have You Met Miss Jones,” I improvise, as I am the one scripting the music, creating a conversation between two lovers. My fingers no longer imitate, they create.’

Source: Breaking Tradition – Harvard – EssayMaster.com

What’s done well?

This opener is engaging, framing the body of the essay while exploring a formative experience of the author.

 2. Life As Art

‘“Paint this vase before you leave today,” my teacher directed as she placed foreign brushes and paints in my hands. I looked at her blankly. Where were the charts of colors and books of techniques? Why was her smile so decidedly encouraging? The sudden expectations made no sense.’

Source: Life As Art – Harvard – EssayMaster.com

The use of dialogue draws the reader in, while the honesty in this opening paragraph means the reader can narrate on a personal level. the writer leaves space to elaborate on their progression as an artist and their ability to overcome frustration and persevere. US universities appreciate some personal humility on the part of candidates.

3. Finding Meaning in Education

‘Eleventh grade. This is a combat zone.

The American Studies classroom is adorned with shiny gold stars, glimmering like military medallions. They are a powerful reminder of the war cause—the preservation of the American meritocracy, threatened by the authoritarian oppressor on the other side of the pentagonal room. The stars are intended to reward students who put forth effort in class, but I know that Coach Jones, as a skilled expert in proxy wars, hands my nemesis Kierra two rows of the stickers just to spite me.’

Source: Finding Meaning in Education – Harvard – EssayMaster.com

From the very first line, the writer grabs the reader’s attention. This offers an interesting perspective of how the writer views their education. Metaphors are used effectively. However, the writer will need to give the reader a sense of her personality in consequent paragraphs.

4. Communication Through Music

‘Clear, hopeful melodies break the silence of the night.

Playing a crudely fashioned bamboo pipe, in the midst of sullen inmates—this is how I envision my grandfather. Never giving up hope, he played every evening to replace images of bloodshed with memories of loved ones at home. While my grandfather described the horrors of his experience in a forced labor camp during the Cultural Revolution, I could only grasp at fragments to comprehend the story of his struggle.’

Source: Communication Through Music – Harvard – EssayMaster.com

This piece is intriguing, providing a hook in the form of a contrast between the ‘clear, hopeful melodies’ and the sombre image of her grandfather in the forced labour camp. Placing the onus of the introduction on a different individual is interesting.

Writing the personal statement is an important part of your UK university/US college application. Don’t struggle alone – contact our team today for assistance with the process!

Happy writing!

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Travel chaos for thousands of people after train derails on major UK route

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‘Do not travel’ – this is what people are being told after a train derailed on a major route.

Chaos has engulfed multiple services between  England  and Scotland today after cargo wagons came off the rails in  Cumbria .

The incident happened yesterday on the West Coast Main Line, between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District.

Nobody was injured during the derailment, but more than 15 hours later, there are still major delays for people.

Some lines are blocked and a very limited train service is running on the line that remains open.

Multiple trains have since been cancelled and delayed, and rail companies have waned of knock-on effects for the rest of the day.

A statement from Avanti West Coast said: ‘Do not travel north of Preston. Services between between Oxenholme Lake District and Penrith have been cancelled due to a freight train derailment blocking the line.

‘Please do not attempt to travel with us between Preston and Scotland today.’

Replying to frantic messaged from stranded passengers, the company added: ‘We are advising customers not to travel today due to the severe disruption.

‘We have no estimated time as to when this will end.’

Meanwhile, TransPennine Express said disruption was expected until at least 2pm.

Ticket holders can delay journeys until tomorrow or travel with other operators.

It remains unclear what caused the freight train to derail.

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GPT-4 is better than humans at financial forecasting, new study shows

• OpenAI's GPT-4 is better than humans at analyzing financial statements and making forecasts, according to a new study.
• "Even without any narrative or industry-specific information, the LLM outperforms financial analysts in its ability to predict earnings changes," the study found.
• Trading strategies based on GPT-4 also delivered more profitable results than the stock market.

OpenAI's GPT-4 proved to be a better financial analyst than humans, according to a new study.

The findings could upend the financial services industry that, like other business sectors, is racing to adopt generative AI technologies.

According to the study conducted by the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, the large language model did a better job of analyzing financial statements and making predictions based on those statements.

"Even without any narrative or industry-specific information, the LLM outperforms financial analysts in its ability to predict earnings changes," the study said. "The LLM exhibits a relative advantage over human analysts in situations when the analysts tend to struggle."

The study utilized "chain-of-thought" prompts that directed GPT-4 to identify trends in financial statements and calculate different financial ratios. From there, the large language model analyzed the information and predicted future earnings results.

"When we use the chain of thought prompt to emulate human reasoning, we find that GPT achieves an accuracy of 60%, which is remarkably higher than that achieved by the analysts," the study said. The human analysts were closer to the low 50% range with regard to prediction accuracy.

The large language models' ability to recognize financial patterns and business concepts with incomplete information suggests that the technology should play a key role in financial decision-making going forward, according to the study's authors.

Finally, the study found that applying GPT-4's financial acumen to trading strategies produced more profitable trading, with higher share ratios and alpha that ultimately beat the stock market.

"We find that the long-short strategy based on GPT forecasts outperforms the market and generates significant alphas and Sharpe ratios," the study said. 

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Dga announces 2024 television mentorship program participants, skydance sweetens offer for paramount global.

By Jill Goldsmith , Anthony D'Alessandro

David Ellison ‘s Skydance has sweetened its offer to acquire Paramount Global, Deadline has learned, in an attempt to make it more palatable to the company’s Class B stockholders after they trashed the outlines of a previous deal and threatened to sue.

Ellison’s original offer was to buy out Par’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone for a significant premium, resulting in a windfall for her, and then merge Skydance into Paramount keeping the combined company public. Stockholders wanted to be bought out at a premium as well.

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The parameters of the revised bid couldn’t be learned immediately but Deadline understands that Skydance is putting more money in and restructuring the deal to make it more palatable to the Class B folks.

As the Skydance exclusive talks ended with no deal, Sony jumped in for a $26 billion cash bid with private equity giant Apollo, which was later downsized in some fashion as Sony signed a non-disclosure agreement with Par about two weeks ago that would let SPE access Par’s books and talks to start in earnest. Those conversations were not exclusive, however, and Skydance remained very much in the mix, continuing to talk with Par as well.

The issue for Sony is not shareholders but regulators. Foreign ownership rules likely prevent Sony from owning CBS broadcast assets, which is probably why its offer became more targeted. But it might not be a cakewalk to merge two major studios either. Skydance is safer, more certain on the regulatory front and wouldn’t require a prolonged review amid possible opposition that can drag a deal out and sometimes end without one.

Par hasn’t said whether the three had continued to serve actively on the committee after their pending departures were announced, or what the committee composition is now or will be after the meeting where shareholders vote for directors among other issues on the agenda and can ask questions. There’s speculation the committee maybe needed to wrap up and present options by the annual meeting but that may not be the case. The committee in any case is just there for a recommendation, with Redstone the decider and, some feel, a wildcard.

Says one source with knowledge of the dealings, “At the end of the day, whatever the committee recommends to Shari, it’s up to her to decide. A deal’s not a deal without her.”

Hollywood insiders favor a Skydance deal over a Sony/Apollo takeover of Paramount Global. The reduction of a major studio strikes fear throughout the exhibition sector that fewer event films would exist in the long run, the sector currently weathering the aftermath of Covid, two strikes and a Disney-Fox merger which has reduced the supply of movies at multiplexes.

Skydance’s last offer included a sweetened $3 billion cash injection — up by at least $1 billion contemplated previously. What’s key as a priority is Paramount holding enough cash on its balance sheet for an investment grade status with big ratings agencies. It included some premium sweetener for a percentage of non-voting Class B shares. Redstone would take an unspecified haircut compared with the initial offer terms where Skydance had proposed buying out Redstone’s controlling Class A voting shares and some other assets for about $2 billion. 

Paramount’s all stock acquisition of Skydance, planned as a second step in the transaction, valued the Ellison studio at about $5 billion, which also irked investors who called it too high and said it would dilute their holdings. It’s not clear if that part of the offer has changed.

Par shares are up 2% to about $12.

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U.K. 2024 General Election: What to Know

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By Esther Bintliff

Reporting from London

Why does this election matter?

How does britain vote, what are the main issues, who is running, and who is likely to win, when will we find out the results, where can i find more information.

The general election on July 4 is a pivotal moment for Britain after 14 years of government by the Conservative Party. The last full parliamentary election was in December 2019, when Boris Johnson won a landslide victory for the Conservatives , propelled by his charisma and a promise to “Get Brexit done” after the country’s decision to leave the European Union in a 2016 referendum.

A lot has changed since then. In July, voters will give their verdict on five tumultuous years of government that have spanned the coronavirus pandemic , the troubled implementation of Brexit , the “Partygate” scandal around Mr. Johnson’s rule-breaking during pandemic lockdowns and the disastrous six-week tenure of Prime Minister Liz Truss .

Polls suggest that the center-left Labour Party is set to return to power after more than a decade in opposition, which would bring a fundamental realignment to British politics.

The United Kingdom — which consists of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales — is divided into 650 constituencies.

Voters in each constituency select a candidate to represent them as a member of Parliament, and the political party that wins the most seats usually forms the next government. That party’s leader also becomes prime minister.

To win an overall majority, a party must secure 326 seats. If the top party falls short of that, the outcome is known as a “hung Parliament” and the party can try to form a coalition government with other parties. In 2010, the Conservatives joined with the Liberal Democrats to form Britain’s first coalition government since World War II, and, in 2017 , the Conservatives allied with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party.

The state of Britain’s economy is the top issue for most voters today, according to polls, in the wake of a cost-of-living crisis and record inflation — which reached a peak of 11.1 percent in 2022 and has only recently begun to return to target levels .

The National Health Service , the state-funded health care system that provides free care across the country, is another top priority. A decade of fiscal austerity that began under Prime Minister David Cameron after the 2009 global financial crisis left Britain’s public services deeply underfunded and facing chronic staff shortages. Waiting lists for N.H.S. treatment were already growing before the pandemic, and have since rocketed further upward , a major source of public dissatisfaction.

Immigration comes third in many voters’ lists of top issues, although its importance differs starkly according to party preference. Only 20 percent of Labour voters said it was one of their most pressing national concerns, compared with 65 percent of Conservatives in a recent poll conducted by YouGov .

The two largest parties in Britain are the Conservatives, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak , and the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer , a former public prosecutor and human rights lawyer.

Labour has maintained a double-digit lead in the polls for more than 18 months , during which time the Conservatives have suffered a series of stinging losses in parliamentary special elections and elections for mayors and local councils . Although the polls often narrow in the final weeks of an election campaign, analysts believe the Conservatives would have to achieve something close to miraculous to win a majority.

In Scotland, the Scottish National Party became the most popular party in 2015 , displacing Labour there. But a funding scandal and the departure of Nicola Sturgeon as first minister has weakened the party’s support over the past year. Polls now suggest that Labour has a chance of gaining significant ground in Scotland this time round, which would ease Mr. Starmer’s path to becoming prime minister.

The populist Reform Party, which was co-founded by Nigel Farage, the champion of Brexit , has risen in the polls in recent months. Conservative Party officials fear that the anti-immigration party could siphon away supporters from their candidates, although Mr. Farage’s decision not to run as a candidate will have been welcomed by the Tories.

Two other parties, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party , made sizable gains in local elections in early May. But while both are aiming to add seats in July, Britain’s electoral system makes it harder for smaller parties to win seats in a parliamentary election.

Just after polls close at 10 p.m. on July 4, exit-poll results are announced, based on surveys of thousands of voters after they have cast their ballots.

Exit polls are not always accurate — famously, in Britain’s 1992 and 2015 elections, they predicted a hung Parliament, when in fact the Conservative Party went on to win a majority. But they have become increasingly reliable in the country in recent years and are generally seen as offering a good early indication of how the public has voted.

The first results from a few individual constituencies will be announced from around 11 p.m., and then a steady rhythm of results arrive through the early hours of the next morning. By around 7 a.m., the overall result is usually clear, although some rural seats can be announced later.

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