What the 2025 UCAS Personal Statement Changes Mean for You
From the 2025/2026 admissions cycle onwards, UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) are implementing the first major change to the personal statement format since their formation in 1993. This change, understandably, has caused panic and worry among students, teachers, and parents because seemingly the playbook on how to write an exceptional personal statement might have to be rewritten. Parents may feel like they no longer can help their children through the admissions process that they themselves participated in.
This article will therefore provide the most useful changes to students, teachers, and parents with an outline of the changes as well as our own suggestions in writing strategy as consultants who have helped hundreds of students write personal statements for their dream university.
What are the changes to the UCAS personal statement?
From 2025 onward, the single free-form personal statement will be replaced by three structured questions. In the old format, students were expected to sell themselves as the best candidate for their chosen course by discussing their background, achievements, and motivation for studying and in a way, that aspect has not evolved with the new changes. However, the questions are now much more explicit about what they want the student to discuss.
The essence remains: admissions tutors still want to understand why a student wants to study a subject, how they are prepared, and what makes them stand out.
Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?
In this question, students are expected to demonstrate to the admissions tutor that they have thought at length about what they want to study at university and that they truly have the motivation to excel if admitted to the course.
You might find it useful to use the following questions to reflect on how to answer this section of the personal statement:
What are your motivations for studying your chosen course?
Which aspect of the subject challenges or fascinates you most, and why?
How has your understanding of this subject evolved, and what do you want to explore or understand better through university study?
Students who can articulate a clear academic journey rather than a generic interest tend to stand out.
Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This question addresses the candidate’s formal education (e.g. A levels, IB, APs or equivalent) and how well it has prepared them for university study.
You might find it useful to use the following questions to reflect on how to answer this section of the personal statement:
What have you studied so far, and how are they related to your chosen course? (the
more insightful, the better)
What skills have you developed while studying, and why do they make you a good
candidate?
How have you gone beyond your syllabus to deepen your understanding of subjects
related to your chosen course?
How have group projects, presentations, or collaborative work prepared you for
university study?
Question 3: What else have you done in preparation outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
The final question looks outside of the school curriculum, where candidates can demonstrate their passion for their subject through their extracurricular activities and other experiences. Students should avoid simply listing out their extracurricular activities in this section, but rather they should continue to derive unique insights into their own academic journey and suitability for university study using their experiences.
You might find it useful to use the following questions to reflect on how to answer this section of the personal statement:
Have you partaken in any work experience, work, or volunteering?
Have you had any personal experiences or responsibilities that are relevant to your
course?
What have you learned about yourself through your work, volunteering, or personal
projects that make you suited to university study?
What challenges or obstacles have you faced in your extracurricular pursuits, and what did they teach you?
Word count
In the old format, the personal statement was 4000 characters in total, and this total remains unchanged in the new format. However, given that students have to answer all three questions, there is a minimum count of 350 characters per question. Students can distribute their 4000 characters across the answers as they wish, perhaps including more details for sections where they think they are stronger, as long as they abide by the 350 character minimum per question.
Why did UCAS change the Personal Statement?
In a survey conducted by UCAS in 2022 of university applicants, even though 89% of respondents expressed that the purpose of the personal statement is clear or extremely clear, 83% found the process stressful. Many relied heavily on external support to feel confident they were “doing it correctly”. The new structure aims to level the playing field by making expectations clearer. Higher education institutions therefore only consider the three following things: why you want to study their course, how you are qualified to study your chosen subject, and what you have done outside of school to prepare you for higher education at their institution.
What does this mean for students?
For students hoping to stand out, particularly those applying to competitive courses, the structured format may make differentiation trickier. With thousands of applicants now answering the same three prompts, clarity of thought matters more than ever.
Many families understandably seek expert guidance at this stage, not because students cannot write, but because they want to ensure their ideas fully reflect their potential. Even subtle improvements in articulation, structure, or depth can make a meaningful difference in how an application reads.
Final thoughts
In an admissions process where thousands of bright individuals share the same academic background, perfect grades are no longer enough to warrant you a place at an elite institution. With the new format changes, the personal statement continues to be one of the few opportunities for students to distinguish themselves. A strong response to these new questions requires clarity, reflection, and strategy. Students benefit enormously from discussing their ideas with someone who understands what top universities are looking for and how to present academic potential convincingly.
