In 2021, 743,000 students enrolled on postgraduate courses in the UK. With so much competition for spots, your postgrad personal statement is an opportunity to prove you’re the right candidate for the course. A well-crafted personal statement showcases your skills, experience, goals, and passion for the subject. And with so many applications every year, it’s your chance to stand out from the crowd.
We share our top tips on how to nail your postgrad statement and impress the admissions team.
How To Start A Postgraduate Personal Statement
Figuring out how to start is one of the biggest challenges when writing a postgraduate personal statement. There’s a lot to consider, and this can be overwhelming. Your personal statement is your chance to make a strong first impression and grab the reader’s attention, so getting it right is non-negotiable.
Here are a few tips on how to start a postgraduate personal statement:
Share your story
If you want your postgrad personal statement to be one of a kind, make sure you infuse it with a personal anecdote that demonstrates your love for the subject. After all, storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to connect with people and showcase your passion.
Why not start with a story about what sparked your interest in the subject or the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in your academic or professional career?
Begin with a question?
Think about it. The person reading your postgrad personal statement has probably sifted through hundreds. All from talented candidates with big dreams. Therefore, you really need to get creative if you want to give yourself an edge.
Starting your statement with a thought-provoking question is one way to do this. Not only is it a break from the norm, but it shows the reader you’re a deep thinker who has thought deeply about the subject. Just make sure the question is relevant to the subject and not generic.
For example, if you’re applying for a Master’s in machine learning, you could start with a question like “How can AI make us more human?”
Grab attention with a quote
If you can’t find the words to start your personal statement, why not use someone else’s? Starting your postgraduate personal statement with an impactful quote that reflects your passion for the subject is a great way to showcase your personality. Just make sure the quote is relevant to your academic and professional background and that you make it clear why this quote resonates with you.
Start with a summary
Don’t make the reader slog through a full statement before they get an idea of who you are and what you’re all about. Instead, summarise the key points in your opening sentence.
Here’s an example.
“As an experienced lawyer with a passion for property law, I am thrilled to apply for the Master’s in Law programme at [University].”
By doing this, you establish your credentials right off the bat and grab the reader’s attention.
The bottom line: Putting pen to paper is always the hardest step, but with some out-of-the-box thinking, your postgrad personal statement is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd.
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How Long Should A Postgrad Personal Statement Be?
This is a common question. The truth is, there’s simply no one-size-fits-all answer. The length of your postgraduate personal statement will depend on a number of factors; the university, the course, your academic and professional experience, etc.
That said, we recommend keeping these general guidelines in mind.
Check the university’s guidelines
Each university has its own specific guidelines on the length of the personal statement. So, the first step is to check those requirements to see if they give any indication of the desired length. If there’s no detailed information, aim for around 500 to 1000 words.
Remember, it’s a concise overview, not your life story. If your statement is longer than two pages, you’ve written too much.
Quality over quantity
The number of words really has very little bearing on the quality and impact of your personal statement, so don’t get too hung up on this. Instead, focus on the quality of your writing. Have you communicated your experience, skills, and goals concisely?
Trust us. The admissions team will appreciate candidates who value their time and condense the personal statement into a short and compelling read.
However, don’t skimp too much. To make sure you don’t leave out important information, start by making a list of the key points to cover. What does the university really need to know? For example, your academic history, work experience, and why you want to pursue a postgraduate degree.
Recap: There’s really no ideal length for a postgrad personal statement. It will vary depending on the university’s requirements and the course of study. However, these guidelines will help you stay on track and prioritise quality over quantity.
How To Write A Personal Statement For A Master’s
Are you thinking of applying for a Master’s degree? These tips will help you craft a compelling personal statement that’s bound to impress the admissions team.
Start with a bang
The opening sentence of your postgraduate personal statement is the most important. So, make it impactful. Sidestep clichés and generic introductions and, instead, pack a punch with a surprising question, anecdote, reflection, or fact. You could mention research, books, or thought leaders in the field that have inspired you.
Highlight your skills
Don’t make the mistake of simply listing your academic or professional qualifications. While these are important, the admissions team are more interested in your skills and experience. As such, illustrate how the skills you’ve developed have prepared you for postgraduate study or propelled you in your career.
Think long term
Your postgraduate statement should highlight your career goals, ambitions, and passion for the subject. So, use it to demonstrate how postgraduate study will help you achieve your long-term goals. The admissions team will be very impressed that you have a clear, long-term vision.
Take your time to edit
Last but not least, leave plenty of time to edit your personal statement carefully. Typos, grammar mistakes, and formatting issues will make you seem sloppy. Go over your statement at least once as an editor, making sure it flows well. Then, go over it again, looking for mistakes. Finally, ask a friend, family member, or teacher to read over your statement and give you feedback.
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Example Of A Postgraduate Personal Statement
Of course, every postgrad personal statement is different (hence the word personal). However, seeing an example of a well-crafted personal statement can help and inspire you.
Here’s an example of a well-written postgraduate personal statement:
“Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. The first time I read this quote, I knew I would pursue a life in education.
As an experienced teacher with a commitment to learning, I am thrilled to apply for the Master’s programme in Education at XYZ University. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of students, from primary school to secondary level, and have seen firsthand the transformative power of education.
I am particularly passionate about the use of technology in education. I firmly believe that technology is a powerful tool that enhances learning and engagement. For this reason, I have taken steps to integrate technology into my own teaching practice. For example, I have developed digital learning modules that encourage students to explore complex concepts at their own pace and have used social learning to encourage discussion and collaboration.
In addition to my teaching experience, I am extremely dedicated to pursuing professional development opportunities in the field of education. To further my knowledge, I have attended conferences and workshops on student-centred learning, educational leadership, and educational technology.
I am especially drawn to the focus areas of the Master’s programme, such as curriculum design and assessment. I am eager to develop my knowledge and skills in these areas so I can take my teaching practice to the next level. Ultimately, my goal is to inspire and empower students to become lifelong learners, and I believe that the Master’s programme in Education at XYZ University is the perfect next step in achieving this.
In conclusion, my passion for education, combined with my interest in technology and lifelong learning, make me a strong candidate for the Master’s programme in Education at XYZ University. I am excited to advance my knowledge in this dynamic and essential field.”
Why it works: This personal statement effectively illustrates the applicant’s skills, experience, ambitions, and passion for education. It’s tailored to the specific course and showcases the applicant’s love for professional development and technology. Finally, it’s clear, concise, and compelling.
Key Takeaways
Your postgrad statement is a major part of your application, so it’s important to get it right. These tips and tricks will give you a competitive edge when applying for postgraduate studies and beyond, helping you secure a spot on your dream course of study.
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