UCAS Personal Statement Guide 2026: New Format, Changes, Tips & Examples
Example Paragraph from my own UCAS Personal Statement (UCL Economics)
Here is a paragraph from my UCAS Personal Statement. Of course, the structure has changed but what hasn't changed is what university admission tutors are looking for. They want to see students who are able to demonstrate evidence that they are ready and motivated to excel at their chosen university in their chosen subject.
Attending public lectures at LSE has allowed me to appreciate how relevant economics is in everyday life; I am particularly intrigued by disruptive technology. I was introduced first-hand to the effects of innovations and social platforms such as Uber and Airbnb by Professor José van Dijck’s lecture: ‘From a Culture of Connectivity to a Platform Society’. This led me to undertake an Extended Project where I discuss the equity behind Uber’s competition policy and whether governments should intervene to regulate their growth. Reading ‘The Innovator’s Dilemma’ provided a detailed insight into the model of creative destruction and the volatile nature of markets, while Van Dijck’s book ‘The Culture of Connectivity’ highlighted the inherent links between media, sociality and profitability. This disruptive nature of technology is something I have observed first hand, as my family’s photo processing business was driven out of the market after the development of digital cameras. Taking the EPQ has sharpened my qualitative skills, namely critical thinking and writing ability, as well as providing me with a fascinating insight into current affairs. What makes this paragraph great is that is shows actions. I explained that I went out of my way to watch open lectures at LSE. After explaining what I found interesting e.g. my family's photo processing business closing down, I explained that this led me to read more about disruptive innovations; a topic in Economics, and I eventually took an EPQ as an extra A-Level. These actions can be anything, from group projects, school presentations, or an EPQ like I did, but the key is to emphasise what you did and how it links to your interests.
What is the UCAS Personal Statement?
The university application process in the UK is changing for students applying in 2026 and onwards. For students applying for 2026 entry, the single 4,000-character personal statement is being replaced with a new, structured set of questions. This guide is designed to help students, teachers, and parents feel confident with everything you need to know about this new format. We'll cover the changes, break down the new questions, and provide actionable tips and examples to help you succeed.
How has the UCAS Personal Statement Changed in 2026?
For years, the personal statement was a free-form essay, a single chance to sell yourself to admissions tutors. UCAS is changing this to create a more focused process that reduces confusion and helps students know exactly what they have to consider to showcase their potential. Here’s a direct comparison of the old and new formats: This change means you no longer need to worry about crafting a perfect opening hook or seamlessly weaving together disparate experiences. Instead, you can focus on giving clear, evidence-based answers.
What are the New Questions for the 2026 UCAS Personal Statement
Question 1: Why do you want to study this specific course? What genuinely interests you about it?
- Career goals
- School trips
- Books
- Documentaries
- Interesting conversations My best advice for Question 1 is to give evidence of actions you have taken after your interest first got sparked. For example, if you mention an interesting school trip or conversation you had, explain how this led you to reading further into it via a book/ online lecture.
Question 2: How have your studies and other experiences prepared you for the academic demands of this course?
- The relevant subjects you study at A-Level
- Why are they relevant?
- What have you done outside of your A-Levels?
- EPQ
- Presentations
- Group projects
- School clubs and societies
- Work experience
Question 3: What skills do you have that show you're ready for the independent nature of university life?
- Sports clubs and competitions
- Learning music
- Part-time work
- Tutoring/ mentoring younger children
- Volunteering
- Challenges e.g. Duke of Edinburgh
As mathematics is essential to making sound economic judgements, I have been tutoring at my school’s Maths Club. Whilst this has given me confidence in my subject knowledge, attending The King’s Factor at King’s College London has stretched my mathematical and analytical thinking far beyond the A-Level syllabus. A recent work placement at Farringdon & Co, a London accountancy firm, demonstrated the importance of mathematics and also provided me with the opportunity to strengthen my communication and interpersonal skills. I also participate in national Taekwondo competitions, where I have won numerous medals. My journey to black belt has allowed me to build on perseverance and discipline, whilst performing the tabla in school plays and captaining the Cricket Academy has taught me to work under pressure, as well as providing me with the self-motivation to thrive in all aspects of university life.
Advice for Students Entering Year 13
For Students
- Start Early: Don't leave this to the last minute. Make sure you are aware of the questions and begin brainstorming ideas and examples whenever they come to mind.
- Start Small: Write bullet point lists of all of the relevant experiences that come to mind. Think of what actions you can take before you start writing, if you are short on ideas.
- Seek inspiration: read examples from older friends and family. Ask your school if they have examples from previous students. Check online and on Youtube.
- Proof-read frequently: once you have a first draft, spend 15-30 mins a day refining until you are happy.
For Parents & Carers
- Recall: You can help your child remember all of the amazing and interesting things that they may not remember on the top of their head. For example, which after school clubs and extra curricular activities did they do in primary and secondary school, or outside of school? Which awards have they achieved that are relevant to their university applications? Can you help them get relevant work experience that strengthens their application?
- Proof-Read: Offer to help proofread for spelling and grammar, but leave the content to them.
- Should your child use ChatGPT?: It is crucial that you and your child are able to understand the strengths and weaknesses of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT and Gemini. For example, ChatGPT can allow students to work more independently and save parents and teachers lots of time to help in more meaningful and creative ways. It would be able to provide grammar and spelling corrections in seconds. However, if given open prompts, ChatGPT can create its own work, which students should not use, as it is important that they produce their own answers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the character limit for the new UCAS personal statement? The overall character limit for all three questions combined is 4,000 characters. Additionally, each of the three questions has a minimum character count of 350 characters. There isn't a specific word count, as it can vary, but this character limit is a key constraint to keep in mind.
Should you use AI like ChatGPT to Write your UCAS Personal Statement? Yes, but with extreme caution and for specific purposes only. For example, it can be a great tool for proofreading grammar and spelling, or for helping to brainstorm ideas. However, you should never use it to generate the content for your answers, as this is considered plagiarism and will be flagged by UCAS's detection software. The content must be your own authentic work.
What if I'm applying for different courses? The new format makes this easier. You can focus your "Motivation for Course" answer on your primary choice, while using the "Preparedness for Study" answer to highlight transferable skills relevant to all your choices.
When is the deadline for the UCAS Personal Statement in 2026? The main deadline for most undergraduate courses is January 14, 2026. However, it's crucial to remember that there is an earlier deadline of October 15, 2025, for applications to Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science.
How do I apply to Universities in the UK? If you go to school in the UK, your school will be able to advise you on what needs to be done and submit your application on your behalf. If you are homeschooled and unsure how to go about your application, you can contact me and I would be happy to point you in the right direction.
How much time should I spend writing my UCAS Personal Statement? Yes Good luck! This new format is an opportunity to present a clear, confident, and compelling case for why you belong at university.