UCAS: A Vital Process for UK University Admissions
What is UCAS?
UCAS, or the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is the organisation that oversees the admissions process for UK universities. Rather than applying directly to a university, candidates for UK universities are expected to complete the UCAS application form.
This includes personal and academic details, such as education background, predicted grades, and other qualifications. Unlike the American college admissions process, the UK university admissions system requires candidates to select a university course. This then forms a vital part of writing the personal statement, the component of the UCAS application that causes the most stress for candidates. The UCAS personal statement forms the bedrock of admissions officers’ decision making. While strong predicted grades are important, especially for competitive universities and courses, the UCAS personal statement is an opportunity for candidates to stand out and distinguish themselves from their peers.
The UCAS Personal Statement: A Unique Writing Style
UCAS applicants often find the personal statement to be a particularly stressful experience. This is because they are not used to the style of writing expected by admissions officers. The UCAS personal statement is expected to demonstrate the candidate’s genuine interest in their chosen course, as well as reflecting on their educational journey to this point.
These are tricky to balance effectively, and often lead students to be unsure of where to start in the drafting process of their UCAS personal statement. While each UCAS application is unique to the student and their interests, there are general principles that candidates can follow when preparing to write their personal statement.
How to Write an Effective UCAS Personal Statement
Firstly, it is important to understand how to structure your UCAS personal statement. Think of it as similar to an essay: you need an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
Your introduction should give the reader an overview of you, and the source of your interest in the university course. This will, effectively, serve as the ‘hook’ that will guide the reader throughout your personal statement. This hook is essential for a successful UCAS application, as it will anchor the rest of your personal statement.
The body of your personal statement should be spent outlining how your experiences (both in formal education, and in outside hobbies and experiences) have prepared you for university study. Again, you will want to make sure that this section is tightly focussed on the course you are applying for via UCAS. Each anecdote or experience (we would recommend using 3 or 4) should reveal something about your interest in the university course.
Finally, conclude your UCAS personal statement through summing up your experiences, and explaining in clear and concise terms why you are excited about university study. The conclusion of your personal statement is a great opportunity for you to bring up any career ambitions you may have, or just assert your passion for your chosen university course.
Common UCAS Personal Statement Mistakes
Given the unusual style of writing expected from a UCAS personal statement, students can be prone to making mistakes when drafting their personal statement.
One common mistake that we see from candidates is assuming that the UCAS personal statement is the same as writing a cover letter for a job. While understandable, this is not the case. It’s important to remember that the UCAS application is to support your chance to study further, so candidates are expected to detail what they are excited to learn. Simply acting as a detailed statement of what has already been achieved will be insufficient for most UCAS applicants. The personal statement is the section of the UCAS application where you are expected to look to the future.
Example of a UCAS Personal Statement
Perhaps the best way to understand the demands of the UCAS personal statement is to see examples. Below is a sample UCAS personal statement paragraph with notable weaknesses. Then, we have provided a revised draft of that same paragraph after the UCAS applicant has worked with our expert admissions tutors.
Weaker version:
My passion for Business Studies is reflected through my IB subject selection. I took Business Studies HL, which taught me a lot about the theoretical models that underpin best practices in business and entrepreneurship. This was furthered through my examination of the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft through my Extended Essay. In that project, I learned to conduct appropriate research and to plan a sustainable workflow.
Stronger version:
My interest in studying Business at university was affirmed through my IB Diploma. In Business Studies HL, I learned how to employ basic business analyses, such as SWAT and STEEPLE. These techniques proved essential in my Extended Essay research, where I questioned the legal underpinnings of the recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. I am fascinated by how academic analysis can reveal practical paths forward for entrepreneurs, and I am excited to expand my understanding of how to approach business problems through this lens at university level.
The UCAS Personal Statement from 2026 Onwards
It’s worth noting that, despite all the above advice, the UCAS personal statement will undergo significant changes from 2026. In fact, the format of the personal statement will change radically. Rather than requiring candidates to write a 4000 character personal statement, it will be structured according to three separate questions, designed to help candidates understand what universities are looking for.
Candidates will be asked to write responses to the following:
Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
While much remains uncertain about how these changes will be applied from next year, UCAS advises future candidates to avoid repeating themselves, as this will be sent out to universities as one longer response.
BartyED's UCAS and UK University Consultants
Ultimately, UCAS applications can be stressful for any student, no matter the course. Even outside of the demands of the UCAS application itself, students are making significant life decisions in this process, and much of the final decision making (including the issue of offers) is out of their hands.
This is why BartyED’s team of UCAS and UK university consultants are ready and willing to support students through this difficult application process. We have extensive experience in helping students make these important decisions through our bespoke consultancy services, and we also support our students in drafting their UCAS personal statements. If you feel like you would benefit from unparalleled support with the UCAS application, get in touch with us via the contact page on our website today.
Frequently Asked Questions
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UCAS, or the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is the organisation that mediates between applicants and their desired universities in the UK. Students (including international students) should expect to apply for UK universities through the UCAS application. This application includes personal and academic details, as well as a personal statement written by the candidate.
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The UCAS personal statement is a piece of expository writing that details why a student wishes to study a course at university. The UCAS personal statement should include anecdotes about the candidate’s academic achievements, important extracurriculars and experiences, as well as demonstrate a clear and genuine interest in their chosen university course. The maximum length of the UCAS personal statement is 4000 characters.
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Successful UCAS personal statements are clear and concise, and always bear in mind that the candidate is applying for a university course. All anecdotes included in the personal statement should include how this experience has helped prepare the candidate for university study. A UCAS personal statement should also include details of what the candidate is excited to learn at university.
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The UCAS personal statement will undergo significant changes from 2026. Candidates will be asked to structure their personal statement according to three distinct questions: one which goes into the applicant’s reasons for choosing that university course, one which asks candidates to detail their academic experiences that have prepared them for university study, and a final question about extracurricular experiences that have prepared them for university.