Big Changes to the UCAS Personal Statement: What You Need to Know

Are you gearing up for your university applications? Then you need to know about the major changes UCAS has announced for the personal statement. Starting in September 2025, for students applying for 2026 entry, the personal statement will no longer be a single free-form essay. Instead, you’ll need to answer three structured questions, with a total character count of 4,000. Let’s break down what this means for you.

To provide a deeper understanding, we’re including expert advice from Lucy Baehren, an Oxford Former Admissions Officer and head of UK admissions at Crimson Education. Lucy holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Cambridge and a DPhil (PhD) from the University of Oxford. Her insights will offer you a unique perspective on how to navigate the changes effectively and enhance your personal statement.

The new personal statement for 2026 admissions

The new questions are:

1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?
2. How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this course or subject?
3. What other experiences outside of education have prepared you for this course, and why are they useful?

The total length remains the same at 4000 characters, including spaces. While the format has changed, the essential content and what you need to cover in your personal statement will stay mostly the same. The goal is to make your answers more focused and structured, helping you present your strengths clearly to admissions officers.

Now, let’s take a look at the table below to understand the differences and similarities between the current and new UCAS personal statement formats.

What Admissions Officers Are Looking For in Your Personal Statement Answers

In this section, we'll break down what admissions officers are looking for in your responses to the new UCAS personal statement questions. Understanding these expectations will help you tailor your answers to showcase your genuine interest, preparedness, and relevant experiences effectively.

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

• Looking For: This question aims to gauge your genuine interest and motivation for choosing the course. An admissions officer wants to understand why this particular subject excites you and how your passion aligns with the course content. They are looking for evidence of your enthusiasm and a clear rationale for why this course is a perfect fit for you, including any specific aspects of the curriculum or career aspirations that have influenced your choice.
• Tips from Lucy: "The first one is all about motivation—having a strong sense of why this particular course. It could be a career ambition, a way of approaching the world that just makes you tick, or a way of leveraging your strengths as you pursue higher education. You should avoid basic or cliché answers such as studying finance because you want to make lots of money, or becoming a doctor because you want to help people. Thinking of academic motivation, researching carefully the course structure you are applying for, and being as specific as possible will be helpful."

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

• Looking For: Here, an admissions officer is assessing how your academic background has equipped you with the necessary skills and knowledge for the course. They expect you to detail how your previous studies, including specific subjects, projects, or coursework, have prepared you for the challenges of this program. Highlight any relevant experiences that demonstrate your readiness and ability to excel in the subject area.
• Tips from Lucy: "The second question is asking students to connect their current studies to their university studies. It will be important to not simply recount what subjects you are studying at school but instead draw on specific skills and ambitions you have for your new course. If you can link this to more interesting studies, such as a personal research project, or even an interesting combination of school studies, even better. You will want to avoid simply saying things like 'I am studying maths which will help me with a degree in Physics, since Physics involves lots of maths'! Be intentional and careful about the connections you make. You could highlight here if you have particularly excelled in certain subjects, for example, winning a school award."

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

• Looking For: This question seeks to understand the additional efforts you’ve made beyond your formal education to prepare for this course. An admissions officer wants to see how extracurricular activities, work experience, volunteering, or personal projects have contributed to your readiness and passion for the subject. Explain how these experiences have developed skills or provided insights that are directly relevant to your chosen course and how they have enriched your understanding or commitment to the field.
• Tips from Lucy: "The last question is probably the most exciting and is where you can discuss things from outside school. Here, you can think about supercurricular activities you have undertaken, internships, work experience, research projects, as well as reading, podcasts, lectures, clubs, etc. This section probably gives students the most freedom regarding what to include—but again, be sure to connect everything you do to your chosen course. Don’t just list lots of clubs and awards you’ve received."

Why is UCAS Changing the Personal Statement?

The new format aims to make the application process fairer and more accessible, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. UCAS research found that while most students understood the purpose of the personal statement, many found it challenging to write without support. The new structured questions are designed to guide you more clearly, helping you focus on what’s most important.

What This Means for You?

These changes mean you’ll need to be even more focused and clear in your writing. The character count remains the same at 4,000, but you’ll need to distribute this across the three questions. This structure will help you organize your thoughts and ensure you cover all the key points universities want to know.

Our Tips for Tackling the New Format

1. Start Early: Don’t wait until the last minute. Begin brainstorming and outlining your answers as soon as possible.
2. Be Specific: Use concrete examples to demonstrate your passion, skills, and experiences.
3. Seek Feedback: Get input from teachers, mentors, or Crimson Education’s expert advisors to refine your answers.
4. Practice Clear Writing: Make sure your writing is clear and concise. Every word counts, so make them count.
5. Choose Your Examples Carefully: The new format’s specific questions allow for more direct comparisons between candidates. Be intentional with the activities and examples you include to ensure they effectively highlight your strengths and align with the questions.
6. Be Succinct: Although the overall character count remains the same, the new structure requires clear and targeted responses to each prompt. Avoid rambling and ensure your answers are focused and relevant to each question.

How to Prepare for the New UCAS Personal Statement Format

While the format of the UCAS personal statement has changed, the core preparation strategies remain largely the same. Admissions officers continue to seek the same key qualities in top students, so it’s important to focus on the following areas:

Academic Enrichment: Delve deeply into your chosen subject to demonstrate a genuine passion and comprehensive understanding. Engaging in subject-related reading, research, and projects remains crucial for showcasing your intellectual curiosity and commitment.

Crimson Education offers the Academic Enrichment (AE) programme to help students develop subject expertise, critical thinking, and understanding—skills needed for top UK universities. Led by experts, AE includes fun activities, advanced readings, and assignments. Each session goes beyond regular school lessons and is super helpful when writing personal statements, preparing for interviews, or studying for admissions tests.

Subject-Relevant Extracurriculars (or "Supercurriculars"): Building a focused and compelling application is more important than ever. Participate in activities that are directly relevant to your field of interest, such as internships, research projects, or specialised clubs. These experiences will help to create a strong, targeted application that stands out.

When it comes to building your “supercurriculars” for top UK universities, we guide you through several key activities. We help you find and prepare for national and international competitions related to your interests, which not only showcase your skills but also demonstrate your ability to tackle challenging problems. We also recommend online courses that align with your academic goals, showing your initiative in expanding your knowledge beyond the classroom. Additionally, we provide one-on-one support for conducting research and aiming for publication, which can significantly enhance your application by highlighting your dedication and analytical abilities.

Strategic Reflection: With the new format’s specific questions, ensure that your preparation includes thoughtful reflection on how your academic and extracurricular experiences align with each prompt. Tailoring your personal statement to address these areas effectively will help you present a well-rounded and impactful application.

Will the New UCAS Format Make the UK Application Process More Competitive?

The new UCAS personal statement format is designed to level the playing field by providing clear, structured guidance for students. By breaking the personal statement into specific questions, it helps ensure that all applicants can demonstrate the qualities and experiences admissions officers are looking for, even if they are unfamiliar with the UK application process.

As a result, the application process may become more competitive, as more students will have a clearer understanding of what to include and how to present their strengths. However, for strong candidates, this change should still provide a valuable opportunity to stand out. With a focused application and well-articulated, compelling answers to each question, students can differentiate themselves more effectively. By presenting strong, clear examples and aligning their responses with each specific question, they can still make a significant impact and stand out from other applicants.

Ready to excel with the new UCAS personal statement format? Wondering how to best highlight your strengths and stand out in a more competitive field? Start with a free consultation with our Academic Advisor today and discover how you can navigate these changes with confidence!