university application letter uk

British Council

How to write a personal statement for a uk university, by kathryn abell, 19 october 2015 - 05:11.

Kathryn Abell of  Edukonexion  shares some tips.

When applying to a UK university, the discovery that school grades alone are not enough to gain entry onto the programme of your choice can come as an unwelcome surprise. This is especially true for international students, many of whom see the words 'personal statement' for the first time when starting their university application.

But far from being a barrier, the personal statement is, in fact, one of the stepping stones to achieving your goal of studying at a UK university.

A personal statement can help you stand out

If you have selected your study programme well – that is to say, you have chosen something that you are truly excited about that matches your academic profile – then the personal statement is simply a way to communicate to admissions tutors why you are interested in the programme and what you can bring to it. And given the fact that many universities receive multiple applications for each available place, and that most do not offer an interview, your written statement is often the only way you can express your personality and say 'choose me!'.

The 'personal' in 'personal statement' suggests that you should be allowed to express yourself however you want, right? Well, to a certain extent that is true: admissions tutors want to get a picture of you, not your parents, your teachers or your best friend, so it has to be your work. However, the purpose of the statement is to persuade academic staff that they should offer you one of their highly sought-after university places; although there is no strict template for this, there are specific things you should include and certain things you should most certainly leave out.

The importance of the opening paragraph

The online Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) undergraduate application form allows a total of 4,000 characters (around 700 words), meaning that you need to craft the statement carefully. The most important part is unquestionably the opening paragraph, as it acts as an invitation to continue reading. If you are not able to catch the attention of the admissions tutor, who has hundreds of statements to assess, then it is highly unlikely they will read through to the end.

The best advice here is to avoid much-used opening lines and clichés such as 'I have wanted to be an engineer since I was a child'. This kind of thing is not the invitation readers are looking for. Instead, try using an anecdote, experience or inspirational moment: 'Although tinkering with engines had always been a childhood hobby, it was the vision of the fastest car on earth, the Bloodhound, at an exhibition in London, that roused my desire to learn everything I could about automotive engineering'. Really? Tell me more!

Of course, your opening paragraph could start in a variety of ways, but the fundamental purpose is to grab the reader’s interest.

Provide evidence of your commitment and skills

Following on from that, you have to provide evidence of your passion and commitment to your chosen programme, and highlight the specific and transferable skills you possess to study it successfully. You can do this by following the  ABC  rule.

Action:  Include examples of what you have done, experienced or even read that have helped you in your choice of degree and boosted your knowledge of the subject area.

Benefit : By doing these things, explain what you learned or gained; in the case of a book or article, put forward an opinion.

Course : The most successful applicants ensure that the information they include is relevant to their course in order to highlight their suitability. Flower-arranging may allow you to realise your creative potential, but will it help you study astrophysics?

It is perfectly acceptable to base this ABC rule on school-based activities, as not all students have opportunities outside the classroom. However, if you can link extra-curricular pursuits to your desired programme of study, you are further highlighting your commitment. As a general rule of thumb, the information you include here should be around 80 per cent academic and 20 per cent non-academic. So, for example, as a member of the school science club – a non-curricular, academic activity – you may have developed the ability to analyse data and tackle problems logically. Taking part in a work placement falls into the same category and could have helped you develop your communication, time-management and computer skills. You get the idea.

Non-academic accomplishments may involve music, sport, travel or clubs and can lead to a variety of competencies such as team-working, leadership, language or presentation skills. A word of warning here: it is vital that you sell yourself, but arrogance or lies will result in your personal statement landing in the 'rejected' pile. Keep it honest and down-to-earth.

Provide a memorable conclusion

Once you have emphasised your keen interest and relevant qualities, you should round off the statement with a conclusion that will be remembered. There is little point putting all your effort to generate interest in the opening paragraph only for your statement to gradually fade away at the end. A good conclusion will create lasting impact and may express how studying your chosen course will allow you to pursue a particular career or achieve any other plans. It can also underline your motivation and determination.

Use a formal tone, stay relevant and be positive

As you have to pack all this information into a relatively short statement, it is essential to avoid the superfluous or, as I like to call it, the 'fluff'. If a sentence sounds pretty but doesn’t give the reader information, remove it. In addition, the tone should be formal and you should not use contractions, slang or jokes; remember, the statement will be read by academics – often leaders in their field.

Referring to books is fine but don’t resort to using famous quotes as they are overused and do not reflect your own ideas. Also, while it's good to avoid repetition, don't overdo it with the thesaurus.

Negativity has no place in a personal statement, so if you need to mention a difficult situation you have overcome, ensure you present it as a learning experience rather than giving the reader an opportunity to notice any shortcomings. Also, bear in mind that your personal statement will probably go to several universities as part of a single application, so specifically naming one university is not going to win you any favours with the others.

Get some help but never copy someone else's work

Checking grammar, spelling and flow is essential and it is perfectly OK to ask someone to do this for you. A fresh pair of eyes and a different perspective always help, and, as long as the third party does not write the content for you, their input could be of vital importance. And while you may get away with not sticking to all of the above advice, there is one thing that you absolutely must not do: copy someone else’s work. Most applications are made through UCAS, which uses sophisticated software to detect plagiarism. If you are found to have copied content from the internet, or a previous statement, your application will be cancelled immediately. Remember, it is a  personal  statement.

Get your ideas down in a mind-map first

Finally, I will leave you with my top tip. If you understand all the theory behind the personal statement and have an abundance of ideas floating in your head, but are staring blankly at your computer screen, take a pen and paper and make a simple mind map. Jot down all your experiences, activities, skills, attributes and perhaps even include books you have read or even current items that interest you in the news. Then look for how these link to your course and highlight the most significant elements using arrows, colours and even doodles. Capturing thoughts on paper and making logical deductions from an image can give structure to your ideas.

Get more advice on your application from our Study UK site .

You might also be interested in:

• How to use a learner's dictionary of academic English
• Five ways UK students can improve their career prospects
• Ways of saying 'darling' in the UK

View the discussion thread.

British Council Worldwide

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• Hong Kong, SAR of China
• Korea, Republic of
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Northern Ireland
• Occupied Palestinian Territories
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America

The Uni Guide has a fresh new look

• Teacher training
• Bangor University
• Birmingham City University
• Sheffield Hallam University
• University of Aberdeen
• University of East Anglia
• University of Hull
• University of Kent
• University of Reading
• Clearing and results day
• Preparing for university
• Ucas application
• Student finance
• Student accommodation
• Choosing a course
• A-level results day: what to expect
• A guide to Btec results day
• How Ucas Hub works on results day
• What to say in a Clearing phone call
• 10 tips to help you with Ucas Clearing
• A guide to Clearing 2024
• Which university is right for you?
• What you need to know about getting a university scholarship, grant or bursary
• How to decide on a university course
• Is a higher or degree apprenticeship right for you?
• Universities

By Ryan Lunn (Content executive, The Uni Guide) | 15 August 2024 | 8 min read

How to write your university application

Deadlines, fees, references and personal statements – here’s everything you need to know about submitting your university application for 2025 entry, with expert tips from universities and Ucas.

Share this page

Email & print.

What’s the deadline for submitting your university application?

Can you still apply to university if you miss the 29 january deadline , is there a fee for submitting a university application, what will the university application involve, tips from university admissions experts for filling out your ucas application, when will you hear back from universities with their decisions, can you apply directly to a university without involving ucas , you may want to look at these..., 6 steps you need to take to apply to university.

Find out more about choosing a university and course, writing your application and personal statement

Ucas deadlines and key application dates

Get organised with our calendar of the key dates and deadlines in the Ucas application process for students beginning studies in September 2024.

How to write an excellent personal statement in 10 steps

Help and advice on putting your application together

Related to this article

Search the uni guide, find further advice or search for information on a course or university.

• Search Advice
• Search courses &/or universities

The Uni Guide and The Student Room are both part of The Student Room Group.

Promoted universities

• Durham University
• Lancaster University
• University of Glasgow
• University of the Arts London
• University of Southampton
• Swansea University
• Aston University, Birmingham
• Ulster University
• Cardiff University
• University of Essex

Browse expert advice

• Oxbridge applications
• Personal statements
• University open days
• Ucas deadline 2024 countdown
• A-level choices
• GCSE choices and university
• Making firm and insurance choices
• Student life
• Advice for parents

About this site

• Cookie policy
• List of universities and colleges
• Privacy notice
• Terms and conditions
• Where we get our info

Who we work with

• Your account settings

Ad privacy settings

Popular tools and features

• A-level Explorer
• Course search

Connect with us

• Enquire Now
• About SI-UK
• All Global Offices
• Find Your UK University Course
• Free Service
• Premium Service
• Visa Service
• Oxbridge Service
• Medicine Service
• Art and Design Service
• View all Services
• UCAS and Applying
• UK University Rankings 2024
• University Subject Guide
• Scholarships and Funding
• All UK Study Information
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate and Masters
• All Study Options
• UK University Profiles
• UK University Study Guide
• Language Centre Home
• Pearson Academic English Test
• University News
• Open Days and Events
• Work with Us

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. Please let us know if you agree to these cookies.

Updates for International Students If you are an international student interested in UK study from January or September 2022 and need advice and support on topics such as travel, quarantine and financing your studies, stay up to date with the latest Studying in the UK and Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.

Connect with one of our team who can help with your 2022 UK university application today. Enquire Now Close

Connect with one of our team who can help with your 2022 UK university application today.

Enquire Now Close

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Saudi Arabia
• Philippines

• UK Study Information
• UCAS Personal Statement

Writing a UCAS Personal Statement

How to write a ucas personal statement.

A personal statement is part of your application to study at a UK university . In a personal statement, the student writes about what they hope to achieve on a UK university course , what they hope to do after it, and why they are applying to this particular university. It is your first chance to show a demonstrable passion and understanding of your chosen subject away from exam results.

If you wish to begin studying in the UK in 2025, you must complete a personal statement. If you plan on studying in the UK from 2026, a new format of personal statement is being introduced by UCAS. See below for more details.

SI-UK will edit your personal statement and ensure the English is clear and grammatically correct. Arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London  to learn more.

What do I include in my Personal Statement?

• Your career aspirations
• How did you become interested in studying the subject
• What, if any, relevant work experience you have undertaken that is related to the course or subject
• What aspects of your previous education you have found the most interesting
• What attracted you to the particular university
• Other relevant academic interests and passions which display positive character and personality

Genuine experiences of extracurricular clubs, work experience, or knowledge around a subject are much more likely to make your personal statement stand out. Admissions officers are also looking for positive evidence of your character, which will make you a productive member of the university.

How long should my Personal Statement be?

The length of a personal statement varies depending on the university, but generally, the average length for an undergraduate application is between 400 and 600 words, around one side of A4 paper or a maximum of 47 lines. Certain postgraduate programmes may require a 1000-word personal statement, but this will be specified.

Try not to exceed the given character limit. Admissions officers have many personal statements to review, and a clearly written and concise personal statement is more likely to stand out.

What are common Personal Statement errors?

• The personal statement is too short/long
• The personal statement does not include important information/includes negative information
• The personal statement has a confusing structure

It is also important not to lie about any aspect of your personal life and education history or even exaggerate. Admissions officers will question you about almost all aspects of your application and will be able to see through any lies.

Tips for writing a Personal Statement

• Express a passion for your subject
• Start the statement strongly to grab attention
• Link outside interests and passions to your course
• Be honest, but don’t include negative information
• Don’t attempt to sound too clever
• Don’t leave it until the last minute; prepare ahead of the deadline
• Have friends and family proofread it
• Don’t duplicate material from your  CV/resume

In terms of presentation, attempt to create five clear paragraphs of text in a clear font such as Arial or Times New Roman, with a maximum size of 12.

Personal Statement Changes

Starting from September 2025, the traditional UCAS personal statement will be replaced by three mandatory questions. The new questions will be:

• Why do you want to study this course or subject?
• How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this course or subject?
• What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences helpful?

If you have any questions about how the changes may affect your application to study in the UK, do not hesitate to contact the SI-UK team today.

Personal Statement Editing with SI-UK

Once you have completed your personal statement, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London. We can edit your personal statement and ensure the English is clear and grammatically correct. Once this process is complete, we will return it within 1-3 working days.

Contact SI-UK about your application

Personal Statement FAQ

What should you avoid in a ucas personal statement.

Applicants should avoid misspellings and grammar errors and discuss topics unrelated to their application and character.

Do universities read personal statements?

Yes, universities read UCAS personal statements, and they play a major factor when shortlisting candidates.

What happens if you lie in your personal statement?

If you lie on your UCAS personal statement, your application will be rejected, and any offers will be revoked.

What happens if UCAS detects similarities in your personal statement?

If UCAS detects similarities in your personal statement, it will be flagged for review, and your university choices will be notified while it is under review.

Does UCAS tell you if you've been rejected?

UCAS will notify you if your UCAS application has been rejected. You may also receive an email from the university stating why your application has been rejected.

What happens if you make a mistake on your UCAS application?

Once your UCAS application has been submitted, it cannot be changed. So, before submitting, make sure you proofread your application or get it proofread by someone else to make it error-free.

Personal Statement Example

Please see below for an example of a personal statement to a Development Studies course.

UK Study Info

• January 2025 Entry
• 2025 University Deadlines

UK University Rankings

• UK Business School Rankings
• University Subject Rankings
• Apply to a UK University
• UCAS Application Process
• Supporting Documents
• UK University Scholarships
• Russell Group Universities
• UK Student Visa Requirements
• UK University Intakes
• Study in Scotland
• Study in Wales
• TEF Rankings
• UK University Map
• International Finance
• EU Student Finance
• September 2025 Entry
• UCAS Clearing
• UK Study and Coronavirus
• Studying in the UK and Brexit
• UK Summer Schools
• SELT for UKVI

Studying in the UK

Study at ucl.

Studying at the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture

• Five Reasons to Study at University College London
• Four Reasons to Study at the UCL School of Pharmacy
• UCL Graduate Programme Guide for International Students

Business, Management, and MBA

Top 10 Business Schools in London for 2025 Entry

• Choosing the Right Business School and Course in the UK
• Top 10 Universities in the UK to Study Business and Management
• Top 10 MBA Programmes in the UK

Top 10 UK Universities for Computer Science

• The Top 10 Universities in London 2025
• The Best 10 Universities in the UK 2024
• Top 10 Young Universities in the UK 2024

 My consultant was very helpful and motivating. She helped me every step of the way, even when the deadline was so close. I feel I could not have done it without her. I'd highly recommend this service to any and all of my many friends interested.   Brishti Basu Biosciences at Coventry University

Leading Universities and SI-UK Partners

• © 2024 SI-UK
• All rights reserved
• Privacy Policy -->

Book your Free Consultation

A member of the SI-UK team will be in touch within 24 hours to arrange your initial consultation with one of our UK education experts.

• Log in
• Site search

Personal statements for university applications

Forming a key part of your university application, you should use the UCAS personal statement to showcase how your skills, experience and aspirations make you a good fit for the course

New personal statement for 2026/27 entry

UCAS has announced that from September 2025 students will no longer need to provide a 4,000-character personal statement to get into university. Instead, those applying for entry in 2026/27 will need to answer the following three questions:

• Why do you want to study this course or subject?
• How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
• What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences helpful?

This change has been made to encourage applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for university.

Read more at UCAS - New personal statement to help level the playing field for disadvantaged students .

What is a university personal statement?

With two sides of A4 to work with, this is your opportunity to tell course tutors in your own words the reasons why you feel you'd be an asset to their university.

How long should a personal statement be?

There's no maximum word count, but you'll need to remain within the 4,000 character limit (including spaces and punctuation) allowed in your UCAS application, as well as keeping the statement to a total of 47 lines of text.

UCAS recommends that you write your personal statement in Microsoft Word before copying and pasting it into the online application form. This is because the application page times out after being inactive for 35 minutes. You'll still need to account for how individual characters are counted differently between Microsoft Word and the online form.

What do I write about?

When considering what to include in your personal statement, take time to think about the reasons you're applying to university and what makes you a suitable candidate.

To make this work for different courses and universities, you'll need to find some common ground by providing examples of why you'll be a success - demonstrating enthusiasm for the choices you've made and how they fit in with your career ambitions.

You'll need to talk about the relevant skills, experience and achievements you've gained through extra-curricular activities - whether these are sporting, musical or creative.

As well as going through your academic record to date, your personal statement also gives you the opportunity to mention any work experience or volunteering you've undertaken, detailing what you've learned from it. For instance, you may have been involved with the Young Enterprise programme at school and have a better idea of how to manage your money.

It's never too late to show you're actively preparing for higher education. Get involved with an extra-curricular club, secure a part-time job or do some volunteering. You could even complete a free online course in a relevant subject through FutureLearn or The Open University .

If you're an international student, you could discuss why the UK is your preferred study destination ahead of universities in your own country. Don't forget to mention the English language tests, courses and qualifications you've taken.

Finally, if there are any personal or financial circumstances that have had a strong bearing on your performance at school or college, you can outline these in this statement.

How do I write a personal statement?

By breaking your personal statement down into sections, you can ensure you cover the most relevant points.

Course-relevant skills and credentials should be given prominence in the overall structure. You can use the course descriptions to help you.

However, as you only have the one personal statement for all your choices, if you've selected a variety of subjects that aren't that similar, you'll need to focus on the transferable skills and common qualities typically valued by universities - for example, creativity or problem-solving.

Adopt a simple, concise and natural style for writing your statement, while still showing enthusiasm. Allow your personality to shine through.

It can often take a number of redrafts until the statement is ready, so allow plenty of time to write it properly, and set yourself a schedule.

Get used to reading your statement aloud and asking for feedback from family, teachers and advisers before redrafting to make sure your writing flows well. You'll also need to check for the correct punctuation, spelling and grammar and not just rely on a spellchecker.

Keep an up-to-date copy of your statement saved so you can refer back to it during the interview process.

How do I start a personal statement?

At this point, think about why you're applying for the course, and how you became interested in it in the first place. Was it through work experience or studying the subject at A-level?

Once you've noted down your reasons for choosing the course, you can move on to your skills and what makes you stand out positively from other applicants, providing evidence of where each attribute has been utilised.

After you've written this down, condense it so it's less wordy. You can then attempt to write a punchy opening paragraph showcasing your excitement at the prospect of going to university, and an understanding of what you're getting yourself into.

Get off to the best start by using the UCAS personal statement builder .

What should I avoid?

• As you'll only have the one statement, it's important not to mention universities by name - unless you plan on applying to just a single institution.
• Remember that admissions staff may not share your sense of humour, so steer clear of anything that might get misinterpreted.
• Refrain from using clichés or making arrogant or exaggerated statements.
• Resist any temptation to use somebody else's work as your own. The UCAS Similarity Detection Service utilises the Copycatch system, which will compare your statement against those stored within a comprehensive library of statements - those sent to UCAS and elsewhere (including paper publications).
• Be careful not to ramble. Structuring your work so you know how much space you have for each section will make sticking to your main points much easier.

University personal statement examples

While you can find some examples online - from the likes of Reed.co.uk , St Mary's University and King's College London - it's important to use your own words and not copy them directly.

Indeed, the UCAS personal statement worksheet can prove just as useful when it comes to helping you decide what to put in your own personal statement.

You can simply print out this personal statement template and jot down any ideas into the various sections as you think of them.

Find out more

• Read the full lowdown on how to apply for university .
• Get tips on preparing for a university interview .
• For further advice on writing a university personal statement, visit UCAS .

How would you rate this page?

On a scale where 1 is dislike and 5 is like

• Dislike 1 unhappy-very
• Like 5 happy-very

Thank you for rating the page

How to write a personal statement to apply to a UK university

Get your FREE Personal Statement at UKuni

Prepare early! You need to show you are interested in your subject and are a unique person. Get involved with extra-curricular activities related to the course as early as possible and as much as you can.

Before writing your PS (Personal Statement), list your strengths, including academic and non-academic, so you know how to sell yourself in the statement.

Research the UK university thoroughly and the course you are applying to, and don't be afraid to contact them directly if you need to. Most universities  have their contact details online and you can always find them on UKuni.

Think about how this course is going to help you achieve your future career.

What is a personal statement for applying to a UK university?

A personal statement is a necessary part of your university application. It is a roughly 800-word piece of writing explaining your intention to apply to a university, your experience and why they should take you in as a student.

Writing Your Personal Statement

Applying to popular courses at UK universities can be difficult for international students because of the competition. Increase your chances to gain an offer by writing a great personal statement. Use the four steps above and some other details from our personal statement top tips below to write the perfect personal statement to get accepted to a UK university.

Educational Consultancy and Top University Placement Hotline:  +44 (0) 203 856 8181

How long should a personal statement be?

Include a short introduction and conclusion for the personal statement. This is not an essay so this shouldn’t be too long (preferably between 700 and 1000 words).

How do I format my personal statement?

There are various ways of opening a personal statement. You can jump right in and tell the admission what course are you applying or you can be more creative and write some relevant story of you to lead into your intention to apply for this course. But either way, you have to keep your intention clear.

Write clean structured paragraphs. Each personal statement paragraph should address a specific point, e.g. why you chose the course, what you did that made you an eligible applicant and how this course is going to help you in your future career.

Give examples while remembering ABC

A: Action (what you did)

People who work in the admission team wants to hear about your specific examples of some projects and activities that you’ve involved before. It is your experience that makes this statement personal and interesting.

B: Benefit (what benefit did you get from the action)

Do not just give them a list of things that you did. Expand the story a little bit by telling them what the challenges were and what you learned from it.

C: Course Relevance (how is this action/benefit related to your suitability for the course)

Writing a personal statement as an international student

If you are not from the UK, you should also mention why you specifically want to come to study in the UK and your English language skills.

You may also get some bonus points if you can compare your chosen subject in your home country and in the UK.

How do I end my personal statement?

The last paragraph is the last chance in this personal statement to ‘sell’ yourself. You can use this paragraph to link back to your opening paragraph and make a final impact, or you can sum up the personal statement and explain again why the course provider should take you in as a student on the course.

Remember these are merely suggestions. Sometimes you can just follow those sparks in your head and you’ll write the best personal statement ever.

Some dos and don'ts of a personal statement

Do read it through after you finish your draft. Check all the spelling and grammar and make sure that you are happy with your “masterpiece”.

Do get a friend or a teacher to read it before you submit your application. They may give you some good advice from their view.

Don’t try to use complicated words; according to the Admissions Tutors at Durham University, a personal statement should be in “simple English”.

Do not use contractions like “don’t”, “can’t”. Use full words such as cannot, do not, etc.

Don’t copy! Similar personal statements will not get you selected for admission for any of the courses that you are applying. Your experience is unique and that’s what universities care about the most.

Don’t include irrelevant personal facts. Getting your swimming certificate when you were 6 does not make the statement more compelling and it’s certainly not going to help explain why you should get a place on the course.

You need to stand out! Try to include some things that are unique selling points of yourself.

If you have enough time, there's no harm adding a CV to your personal statement.

Educational Consultancy and Top University Placement Hotline:  +44 (0) 203 856 8188

Keep hearing the terms Red Brick and Plate Glass universities? Are you wondering what bricks and glass have to do with universities? Let UKuni explain.

On successful completion of your university preparation course, you are guaranteed a place on a course at DMU. Why not give it a go?

Foundation courses bridge the gap between your current qualifications and UK university undergraduate entry requirements.

Reference letters are crucial for your university application. Here is a guide to getting the perfect reference letter, and choosing the right referee.

Congratulations on receiving either conditional offer or an unconditional offer, you are just a few steps away from your dream university.

Motivation Letter / Statement of Purpose

Learn how to persuade the admissions team at the university to give you a place by using your personal statement.

• Types of content that should be included in your motivation letter
• How to format a personal statement for university
• 5 Tips to make your personal statement more interesting
• Mistakes to avoid when writing your personal statement
• Samples of university personal statements
• Difference between personal statement, cover letter and motivation letter

A Guide For Writing an Effective Personal Statement For University Admissions

When making your applications to your universities and colleges of choice, writing your academic personal statement is the first opportunity that you have to show your personality, to get across what motivates you, and ultimately to clarify why the admissions staff at your chosen university should accept you on the course you want.

Here you will find recommendations and advice on structure, content, as well as what mistakes to avoid when creating your personal statement for university or college.

Keep in mind that if you are applying to UK universities through UCAS you can only write one statement even if you apply to five different courses. 

Types of Content That Should Be Included in Your Motivation Letter

Most probably you know that you would be an excellent addition to any university, but we often freeze when we’re put in a situation where we have to explain the reason why. Writing about ourselves is not something most of us do under normal circumstances, so getting some practice before you sit down to write your first draft of your personal statement can help you organise the topics you want to speak about in your mind.  

Below you will find two planning tables to help you quickly and easily clarify what kind of skills and information about yourself you should include in your motivation letter for university.

Consider sharing some information about how you arrived at this point in your academic life. What exactly makes you passionate about the course you’re applying for compared to any other course?  

What challenges have you faced and overcome? This doesn’t have to be a dramatic example, but you can feel free to describe experiences such as conquering your fear of public speaking, being the only person in your family to go to university, and other ordinary situations. This is your chance to show off some of your virtues, such as how determined and hard-working you are when you have a goal.  

Motivation Letter Content Planning Table

Using this table you can start to create a vision for what you want to speak about, and what story you want to tell the reader.

Around two thirds of your personal statement should consist of the information that you use to answer these questions, and to do that you have to be aware of the character limit that has been established for your statement. In the case of UCAS’ personal statement, this is set at 4,000 characters (between 570 and 1000 words). 

The remaining third of the personal statement should be about yourself and why you believe you’re a good fit for the course that you are applying for, with this being focused on what would make you a valuable addition to the university. You should only include information that directly supports your case for studying at your chosen university , rather than talking about the dreams that you’ve had since you were a small child. The golden rule is that the more recent the information, the better , because Admissions Selectors want to know about the person you are today. 

Filling out the table below and having it with you as you write your personal statement can help you remember to include the qualities that you possess.

Brainstorming For Skills to Include in a Personal Statement

As always, all information that you choose to include should build upon the narrative of why the university should select you for the specific course you are applying for . This can be easy to forget while you’re expanding on your talking points.

Even though there are no rules written in stone about how to write a successful university application, you now have the information you need to get started with creating a unique and impactful personal statement that demonstrates to your chosen university why you should be accepted as a student.

Writing a personal statement that truly manages to make the author stand out from the crowd is a process that can take days or even weeks to finalise, while you get feedback from your teachers, friends and family. For this reason, start drafting your personal statement today and you’ll see that all you have to do is be yourself and present yourself in a way that is honest, authentic and enthusiastic. 

Hopefully, your mind is buzzing with ideas of what you’d like to speak about in your motivation letter – just make sure you follow the etiquette of how to present everything before you get started!

How to Format a Personal Statement For University

One of the main decisions you need to make about how to present your statement is how many paragraphs should be used. While there are no absolute rules about what admission staff will like, it is generally accepted that between five and seven paragraphs with a maximum of 500 words is the best approach . The reason for this is that you have to touch on a variety of topics, and separating them in this way allows you to organise them logically and make your point effectively.

You should speak in the past-tense when sharing your story of how you got to where you are today as a student and individual. Towards the end of your personal statement, you can change to the present-tense to give the reader a sense of narrative and purpose.

For example:

• “During my work experience placement, I had the opportunity to…”
• “From time to time, I volunteer as…”

Again, although there are no rules with how you should write, there are some formats that are reliable and have survived the test of time. One example of a format that helps applicants write clear and concise statements is the following template:

• Start by explaining why you have chosen this course , and very briefly let them know a little about your background. Keep it simple!
• Demonstrate to the reader what you know about the subject by mentioning current developments or important research topics, and how they impact areas of society in a broader way. Universities are not just looking for people who can keep up with the news, but people who show vision and enthusiasm. Be sure to check out the downloadable prospectus that your preferred universities offer, to make sure you have really understood what is being offered.
• Now is the time to speak about any extracurricular activities or experiences outside of academia that are relevant to the course you are applying for. If your experiences don’t directly relate to the subject, you can try to explain how the skills that you developed during these experiences will be meaningful in the context of your university course. With that said, be careful not to exaggerate here, as you may later have to answer questions about anything you include.
• Conclude your statement in a professional and formal tone by thanking the reader for their time, and expressing your eagerness to start university in the near future.

What to Keep in Mind When Writing Your Personal Statement

The way you write your personal statement gives the admissions committee an instant impression of how much care and attention you are capable of while producing an important piece of work, and for that reason we want to give the best first impression possible.

It’s important to remember that the university is not trying to trick you when they ask you to tell them about yourself . They don’t know you, and they would like to know more about what you do with your time, and where you would like to go in life. 

Focus on common themes that your courses of interest share, and avoid including the specific course or university names in order to keep it general . Those students who are applying through UCAS can find information on important deadlines here .

With everything in the right place in your motivation letter, the next task is to learn how to make your motivation letter as interesting as possible, as well as avoid some of the common pitfalls and mistakes.

5 Tips to Make Your Personal Statement More Interesting

Maybe you already know what type of content you want to include in your personal statement, and you just need a little help with how to structure everything. The following suggestions are a good place to start:

• An introduction that immediately stands out from other applicants. It’s important to appreciate that the people who read university applications have seen a lot of the same thing, so this is your chance to be different and grab the reader’s attention. This does not mean trying to be as unorthodox as possible, but just show your personality and don’t try to impress the reader.

• What your goals are and how the selected course will help you achieve them . To make sure that you give university tutors the impression that you fully understand what their courses are about, you should do some of your own research by reading the university’s prospectus. These can usually be downloaded from their official website, and often include external links intended to help the applicant understand the approach of a particular course.
• Why you have a passion for your chosen subject. Throughout your application, you should show how passionate you are about the subject in question. Was there an event in your life that made you pursue the path that you’re on? Let them know about it! 
• Show ways that you have immersed yourself in the subject outside of the classroom. Admission tutors are looking for evidence that your interest in your subject continues even when your classes are finished for the day. A simple but effective way to speak about this is highlighting the books you have read on the subject, or workshops and seminars you have attended in your own time. 
• Your participation in clubs or societies . This does not need to be strictly related to the courses you are applying for, as admission committees value your intellectual and creative ability to relate your experiences to your subject of choice.

Consider focusing on topics such as public speaking, staying organised, and the discipline and perseverance required to excel in a sport. Speaking about your experiences in this way will communicate that you are a person that pursues their goals earnestly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Personal Statement

Writing a personal statement is a process that can take time, and it would be a shame to commit the simple and avoidable mistakes that some students make. In this list you’ll find some of the most common errors when it comes to personal statements. 

• Avoid using your application as a chance to show how many sophisticated words you know . This is likely to be distracting from the overall point of what you’re trying to convey.
• UCAS and other organisations all use software designed to detect plagiarism , which easily detects when applicants use parts of their colleagues’ personal statements. Writing your own application is important, because you can be asked unexpected questions later during your interview.
• Related to the previous point: always tell the truth!
• Try to resist the temptation to procrastinate with getting started on your statement , as this is another common mistake that applicants make. This will be a process of writing multiple drafts, and getting your friends and family to proofread for you, and these things can take longer than you expect to get done.
• Humour and quotes are usually inappropriate . This doesn’t mean that you have to take an overly serious tone, but you simply never know whether the member of staff reading your personal statement shares your sense of humour. In the case of quotes, this is considered a cliché writing technique by most admissions officers, and if you do choose to use one then there should be a clear reason to justify it.

In the next section you will find some explanations from tutors at Oxford, Greenwich and Bangor University on their typical reasons why they might reject an application.

There are many potential reasons why admission staff might consider that an applicant isn’t suitable for the requested course, and the following are some of the points of view that tutors expressed when asked to describe their usual reasons for rejecting a personal statement: “I work at Bangor University, and I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been reading personal statements and I see a sentence mentioning the name of a completely different university or course than the one the student is applying for. This makes a bad impression because it shows that the student hasn’t really planned their application properly, and this qualifies as an instant rejection for me.”

“Something I personally find off putting in their personal statement for Media Studies is when the student talks too much about their Dad who owns a radio station, or their Auntie who is a journalist. Not only is this irrelevant for us, but it gives the impression that the applicant is trying to look good based on the achievements of their family . I only want to know about the applicant and what motivates them.”

From these professionals’ perspectives we can see that a light, authentic and concise style is preferred . Even with their helpful points of view, you can benefit from checking out some visual examples of university personal statements.

Samples of University Personal Statements

Examining a diverse variety of university personal statements can help you get a sense of which tone and style you would like to use in your own statement , as well as the opportunity to observe some of the shortcomings or mistakes that have been made by others so that you can avoid making them yourself.

Below you can find two examples of personal statements from students, and a brief summary of their strengths and weaknesses. Also you can check out this enlightening two minute video from a Dartmouth Former Admissions Reader to learn what admissions officers look for in college applications.

Personal statement from a biochemistry student :

“When I was eleven years old, my father was involved in a road accident with a lorry. His injuries were quite serious, and he was only able to recover after receiving a blood transfusion. Ever since then, I’ve had the goal of working in transfusion science myself, to do for other families what those professionals did for mine. As I’ve had the privilege of knowing what I wanted to do with my life from an early age, I’ve been able to do extensive research into the skill set that these kinds of scientists must have. I consider myself an efficient and focused person, which are critical attributes when it comes to being responsible for patients’ lives. I feel that I am academically prepared to take the next step on this career path due to my deliberate A-level choices in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Maths.

Due to studying both biology and chemistry, I’ve been able to develop laboratory skills that will serve as a good foundation for more advanced techniques at the university level. Maths has improved my ability to interpret numerical information logically, while Psychology has given me the chance to improve my writing skills.

During my time at school, I have always taken on positions of additional responsibility. I was elected as the form captain twice, and also Head Girl in my last year. This position was a challenge, because it was my job to represent my school at important events, but it was this challenge which sharpened my public speaking skills. I’ve received prizes for both biology and maths, and I was also awarded the Stubbs Cup, which I consider one of my main achievements.

In my spare time I go for long walks in the countryside with my two dogs, which are energetic huskies. Taking care of all their needs by myself requires discipline, since they are such a demanding breed. I also use this time to socialise with other people who are out with their animals, as I love to meet new faces. One of the reasons I’m excited about university is for the chance to meet so many new people.

Apart from that I also like to lift weights in the gym, because I find that keeping healthy makes me more motivated for other areas of my life. The gym I attend has a service that looks after clients’ children while they work out, and I recently started working there because I love working with children. In order to work here, I had to earn my first aid certificate.

I think that a career as a biomedical scientist would be an enriching and satisfying career for me because it’s a job that both improves and saves lives. Taking the next step to university has been my main aspiration for a long time, and I look forward to the challenges that it will bring.”

Personal statement from a drama student :

“From an early age I have always been fascinated by the stage. For me it’s much more than entertainment, as I believe that a well-produced drama production can make an emotional impact on an audience. My main involvement with the craft has been through acting, however I’m also very interested in learning other aspects of theatre such as lighting and set design in a university setting.

For my GCSE Drama final production, a group of us produced a play based on a short story by A.L. Kennedy. Because there were only six of us in the group, we shared a lot of responsibility. I played one of the main characters and was also in charge of obtaining the props we needed. These tasks were enjoyable but the most challenging part of the production was to adapt the story for the stage, and produce a script as close to the original story as possible. This was a demanding but enjoyable job and really opened my eyes to the complexity of adapting stories to the stage. 

As well as Theatre Studies, my other AS-levels are in English Literature, Sociology, and Biology. In English Literature we have just completed a module on plays in which we studied Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Shakespear’s Henry V. I go to the theatre as often as I can, and have seen many amateur and professional productions. My favourite playwright is Willy Russell. I think all his plays provide an interesting social commentary, and successfully blend comedy and tragedy. I have seen many musicals, but Blood Brothers is by far my favourite; I have now seen it four times! I am looking forward to discovering more playwrights while at university. 

My interest in drama and the theatre takes up a lot of my social life. I have taken part in all my school’s productions and am also involved in a local drama group ‘The Bournemouth and Boscombe Light Operatic Club’ –  BBLOC for short. Every year we hold a major production, the most recent being Oh What a Lovely War. I value the experience of being part of this group as I get to work with people of all different ages. I also have a part-time job in a local Beefeater restaurant. This job has taught me the value of being able to work as part of a team, and I think helps me improve my performance within BBLOC and at school, as good teamwork is crucial to a successful production. I am looking forward to joining a drama society at university, and also possibly a film society, as cinema and film are another of my passions. I feel I have a lot to contribute to university life and hope you will consider me for a place at your university.”

If you have made it this far then you now have a plan of attack for how to make an outstanding motivation letter – well done! Click here for tips on how to structure a strong academic CV and how to request notable letters of recommendation .

Frequently Asked Questions About Motivation Letters

What is the difference between a personal statement and a motivation letter.

The two terms are often used interchangeably, but if we want to get specific about it then in reality a motivation letter invites the writer to speak about the academic or work position they are applying for will be a crucial step in their career or personal development.

A personal statement’s content is more likely to be oriented in the past, describing the activities and achievements that have brought you to where you are today. 

In other words, very similar information appears on both documents, but the story that you’re expected to tell with that information is where the difference lies.

What is the difference between a cover letter and a motivation letter?

A cover letter is usually used in the context of applying for a job position, with the intention of demonstrating how the experiences that you’ve had and the skills you’ve developed make you the perfect candidate.

Motivation letters are generally used for describing to the reader where you want to go in the future, and how that would become a real possibility by becoming a part of their organisation.

What should I write in a motivation letter?

The answer to this depends on what type of organisation you want to apply to, because the content and style can change significantly depending on the context. Just a few different scenarios that would change the delivery of your motivation letter might include:

• Student exchange programmes
• Internship positions
• Scholarships
• Job selection processes
• Undergraduate education
• Graduate education

The post above is intended to help anybody drafting their motivation letter in an academic context .

Craig Plunkett

Fabiola López Marín

Related articles.

Letter of Recommendation / Reference

Resume/ Academic CV for Students Studying Abroad

Student Accommodation Guide

UCAS Guide For International Students

Rebecca Hambery Schools Content Writer

Who writes the UCAS reference?

• What do universities look for in a reference?

What are the essential components of a UCAS reference?

• How is the UCAS Reference changing in 2024?

General tips for writing a high-quality UCAS reference

How to write the best ucas reference for your students.

Join 10,000 other counsellors & educators & get exclusive resources delivered straight to your inbox.

A good UCAS Reference can affect whether a student is accepted to a UK university. Read our complete guide to collating & writing the UCAS Reference.

The UCAS reference sits alongside a student’s personal statement as an essential component of a UK university application.

It’s the only part of the UCAS application which the student won’t have any control over. Universities cite the  UCAS reference as a deciding factor  which affects whether a student gains a place on their chosen course or not; it could also have an impact on whether a university offers a student a conditional or unconditional place.

Much like students, teaching and guidance staff will have to prepare and write a reference within a given time frame.

With the reference being such a vital component of a student’s UCAS application and updates happening often, such as the changes made for the 2024 cycle, there’s an understandable pressure on teachers and counsellors to get it right. Especially when you have multiple students and you want to ensure that everyone gets an equal share of your time.

Even trickier can be fitting all your school has to say in just 4,000 characters (or 47 lines… sound familiar? It’s identical to the limit your students have to stick to with  their personal statements ).

Tip:  For the 2025 UCAS update, the final character count for a reference will be spread throughout all three sections like it was this year. Don’t worry, we’ll talk in more detail about the changes further down!

So what are the essential components for every UCAS reference, and how can you ensure you’re portraying your students in the best possible way?

As important deadlines for UK university applications grow closer, we at BridgeU have put together a guide, outlining some of the strategies and techniques to help your students to write a personal statement which is both engaging and truly individual.

Free Resource: References vs Recommendations Cheat Sheet

Do you have students applying to multiple countries? Stay up to date with conventions with this easy comparison between a UK Reference Letter and a US Letter of Recommendation. Includes tips, tricks, and annotated examples!

It’s important to remember that the UK reference is different from the letter of recommendation sent to US universities. A UCAS reference is not written by an individual, it is designed to function as one voice from the school.

Generally, subject teachers will contribute to a UCAS reference, then final edits will be done by the Head of Sixth Form, school counsellor, or Head of Department.

What do universities look for in a reference letter?

There is no one answer to this question, and different universities will have varying criteria for what they are looking for in a school’s reference for a student. However, in its  own literature  regarding the UCAS reference, University of Manchester Director of Admissions Michael Sanders writes:

The UCAS Academic Reference plays a very important role in our decision making process. We use it to assess not only the student’s current achievements but also their future potential.

If you want to give universities an overall picture of both a student’s current performance  and  their post-secondary path, then it’s useful to talk about the following:

• The student’s ability to write well-structured essays and create a reasoned argument.
• The ability to participate in class discussions.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Reliability, punctuality and the ability to hit deadlines.
• Confidence, enthusiasm, great communication skills, leadership potential & teamwork ability.

Tip:  Remember you can comment on their strengths & aptitudes even if they’re not applying to study a subject you teach. 

UCAS has a  number of components  which it recommends secondary schools include when submitting a reference in support of a student’s university application. First and foremost, a UCAS reference needs to include essential information which will support the rest of the student’s application. This includes:

• A summary of your student’s post-16 academic performance, including their current and past academic achievements in their relevant classes.
• Why they’re suited to their chosen subject/degree course, including a description of the key skills and aptitudes they possess.
• In Section Two (and with the student’s consent), include any other relevant contextual information about a student which a university needs to know, or which might warrant special consideration; e.g. disability, chronic illness, adverse personal circumstances.  
• Any other relevant work experience, achievements or extracurricular activities which you feel may support your students’ application can go in Section Three.
• Commenting on their motivation and commitment to their curricular and extracurricular activities.
• Why you think they will be successful in their chosen university/career path.

Will the UCAS Reference changes Still Apply in 2025?

For 2025, the UCAS reference will continue to be separated into three sections. They also now recommend that references be written in a concise style. This means you can write in bullet-point style if needed, as long as you check that the formatting can be read easily before submitting your response. 

In the long run, these changes will provide counsellors, like yourself, with more time to help students with other aspects of their applications.

Section One: Enter a general statement about your school 

This section is mandatory for applications being sent through a registered centre. Ideally, you should include information related to the following…

• The background of your school. This can include details about academic achievements and student demographics.
• Any information about your school that could’ve impacted students’ performance, such as building construction or staff changes.
• The policies or processes your school uses for predicting students’ grades. This is helpful if you would like to talk about any grades or scores that you feel aren’t represented well by predictions.

Section Two: Enter any information about extenuating circumstances 

Section two is an optional space for you to provide any information about circumstances that have impacted a student’s predicted or achieved grades. 

The goal is to, with your student’s permission, provide context for any inconsistencies between their performance and predicted results.

This can be broken down into two categories…

• Personal Situation – If a student has a disability, chronic illness, injury, or any other personal situation that could lead to inconsistencies in their grades.
• Wider context – If there’s a reason for a difference in their grades from earlier school or college levels (such as GCSEs or Scottish National 4/5), you can provide additional information about that too. This helps universities understand why a student’s performance might not have followed the usual pattern.

Section Three: Outline any other circumstances

This is an optional section where you can give more information about your student’s circumstances that the university should be aware of if it wasn’t covered in the previous section. 

So, if there’s anything you feel is important to mention that isn’t related to your student’s grades or coursework, this is the best place to put it. 

This is also a good place to talk about extracurricular activities your student is involved in or if they have particularly high grades in a certain subject. Additionally, if your student will need support from the university during the application process or while studying there, you can talk about the systems your school has put in place to help them.

Show, don’t tell

Like your student’s personal statement, the UCAS reference needs to make a coherent argument about why you feel a student’s aptitudes, skills and experiences mean they are suited to this particular university course. This means that you should illustrate examples to back up your reference.

For example, rather than saying that a student is “proactive”, think of an example from their curricular or extracurricular activities to help illustrate your point. For every positive statement you make about a student, think about a specific example you can point to which demonstrates that particular attitude, characteristic or behaviour.

Example Reference – Chemistry

Jasmine has strong analytical skills and is able to operate with complex multi-step thinking. This has been evident in her work on mole calculations, where she is precise and careful, fully understanding the reason that being detail-oriented is so important.

Don’t cut corners

Given the time pressures we’ve already outlined, it’s important that any references aren’t rushed or written without proper planning. Likewise, if you are dealing with a high volume of student applications, it’s important to tailor each reference to the relevant student and not use similar language for any two students. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t provide concise answers, though. To accommodate busy counsellors, UCAS now recommends that referees stick to a more simple style when writing their references. 

These guidelines were introduced in the 2024 update to help make references easier to sort through and also give counsellors some time back to work with their students on other aspects of their application journey.

Tip:  UCAS now allows references to be submitted in bullet-point style. Remember, if the bullet point symbol disrupts your formatting, you’re not required to use it.

Talk to your students

This sounds like a fairly straightforward piece of advice – however if you’re a teacher or counsellor with a large group of students, setting aside quality time with every student to discuss their UCAS application might be difficult.

It therefore goes without saying that, the more manageable your student numbers, the easier it will be to have a meaningful dialogue with your student about their application.

Talking to your students as much as possible means your reference forms part of an application which is coherent and well-structured. It’s also important to have an honest and open dialogue with students and parents about predicted grades, ensuring that you are offering students realistic and positive advice as you guide them through their application.

Tip:  If you find yourself in the position of having to prioritise students for any reason, then your best course of action is to talk to the students who are applying to study your particular subject discipline at university.

Read the Personal Statement

Obviously, your reference should be tailored to a given student’s application; the best way to ensure you understand each student’s individual aspirations and application is to read the personal statement .

Reviewing and understanding what a student has to say about themselves in their personal statement is an excellent means of ensuring that your own reference complements the student’s application, without your insights and comments seeming repetitive. It can also guide and better structure what you write in your own reference.

Tip:  It’s also worth noting that the UCAS reference should not repeat any information given in the student’s own application, unless you are commenting on it.

As well as including the criteria we’ve mentioned above, there are a number of tips and strategies that can be useful as you structure and plan your reference throughout the three available sections, ensuring you use your available time efficiently and that your reference is an accurate reflection of a student’s merits and achievements.

Provide information about the school

In Section One, you’re asked to provide a general statement about your school. This is where you will want to provide more detail on your school’s rankings, the type of school, and a general overview of your school’s curriculum. 

But don’t worry if you’re writing references for a lot of students this year! 

UCAS added a school profile template for schools registered as UCAS centres, so you won’t have to write a new general statement for each student.

Example Reference – General statement

The BridgeU International School is an international school based in Marrakech, with approximately 1,077 students on roll, of which 150 students are in Post 16 education. Our students take Cambridge IGCSE until the age 16, before taking the IBDP in Sixth Form.

Discussing mitigating circumstances

Sometimes a student’s grades have been affected by external circumstances, which a UCAS reference might have to take into account. You can use Section Two to detail anything the student went through during their time in school that would’ve impacted their studies. 

Disclosing a student’s personal circumstances, however, can be a delicate subject. Where appropriate, it’s always worth checking with the student first to ensure that they’re comfortable with it. Make sure your student understands this information is discussed to help provide universities with context about their performance and grades.

As you’re reading through the different examples, it might be confusing to try and figure out where different circumstances fit into the new three-section format.

So, keep in mind that Section Two provides space to let universities know about any situations that have directly affected a student’s performance. And in Section Three, there’s space to discuss any accommodations your school has provided during these circumstances and ways that the university can support your student going forward.

Here are some examples:

Illness, accident or disability

This can be something which is chronic and long-term, or something which has impacted the student during their studies. 

It’s worth knowing that students in the UK are under no obligation to disclose a disability – and neither is their school or counsellor.

If a student is conflicted about revealing a disability to a university, or isn’t sure they’re comfortable with the school revealing it, it can be worth inviting them to look over their university’s disability provisions: there is usually a wealth of support available which they’ll be able to access if they do decide to disclose a disability.

Example Reference – Disability

Akemi has dyslexia and at first really struggled to communicate, however her confidence progressed well; always finding the way to convey the messages exchanged. (UCAS )

Illness or death of a family member

Family bereavement will, of course, have a huge impact on a student, especially if they are also having to think about forthcoming exams and their higher education prospects.

It’s important to take into account that students facing these situations may have increased stress and responsibilities. By including any information you feel is relevant to their studies, you can ensure your student has access to the necessary support during their applications.

Home life problems

This can include any other ongoing issues which may be impacting an applicant’s studies, e.g. parents going through a divorce, financial issues, family mental health issues; these are all factors which could make a student’s home environment not conducive to study.

Outside of school, Munroe takes on significant responsibilities within his family by supporting his mum in caring for his three young siblings. It’s to his credit that he does this, but early in his IGCSE studies it did create pressure when he had competing deadlines for internally assessed work. He has been very open with us about balancing his home life and studies and we have been delighted to support him with flexibility on deadlines. (example adapted from UCAS )

A student is the first in their family to go to university

This can impact a student’s application, as their parents may not be in a position to advise them or, in some cases, even encourage them in their application.

Whilst it’s important you should offer the most positive account of your students as you possibly can, it’s also important to be honest about your students strengths and weaknesses. If a student is frequently late, cutting class, or being rude, then you’re duty bound as an educator to mention this in your reference.

Describe your students’ potential

Admissions tutors will be looking at a student’s potential in a university setting, so it’s crucial to include this in any given reference. In section three you can talk about why you think your student will thrive in that chosen university environment, and on that particular programme of study.

Example Reference – Biology

Rose is the strongest of a large cohort and an outstanding Biologist. Her wider reading and passion for the subject underpins her vast subject knowledge and she was involved in the Biology Olympiad, achieving a Silver Award. An exceptional chemist, she is one of the most able in the cohort, consistently placed in the top 5% in assessments. Practical skills within the sciences is of particular note, gaining high marks in her practical exam.

Her practical skills also benefited her in her recent study of aspirin which she completed to a very high standard. She used her highly developed manipulative skills to synthesise aspirin and then successfully analysed her sample using thin layer chromatography and NMR spectroscopy. (example from UCAS )

To learn more about how BridgeU can help you write and co-ordinate your students’ UCAS references, book a free demo below.

Book a free demo

Learn how BridgeU can help deliver better outcomes for your students and improved results for your school

Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.

• Foundation Programmes
• Find a course
• Undergraduate study
• Postgraduate study
• Research degrees
• Short courses
• MOOCs - free short courses
• Why study with us
• Where to study
• Online learning
• Study with a local teaching centre
• Study in Paris
• Study humanities in London

Fees and funding

• Costs of your course
• Funding your study
• How to pay your fees

How to apply

• Undergraduate applications
• Postgraduate applications

Help with your application

• Entry routes
• Am I qualified?
• English requirements
• Computer requirements
• Recognition of prior learning

Supplying evidence

• What happens next?
• Transferring from another institution
• Student terms and conditions
• Inclusive practice and access
• Worldwide education delivered locally
• Register your interest
• Student Stories
• Taster courses for schools
• Current students
• Student portal
• Student blog
• Student services
• Accommodation in London
• Library services
• BLOOM @ Senate House
• Requesting a transcript or certificate
• Support and wellbeing
• Clubs and societies
• Getting involved
• Careers service
• Recent graduates
• Working with alumni
• Working with academics
• Information for employers
• Examinations and assessment
• Assessment timetables
• Entry and deadlines
• Exam centres
• Exam entry and results dates
• Assessment offences
• Mitigating circumstances
• Academic regulations
• Policies and procedures
• Student guide
• Student Protection Plan
• The Student Charter
• Access and Participation Statement
• Refund and Compensation Policy
• Complaints and appeals
• Register to Vote
• Preparing to graduate
• After Graduation
• Past ceremonies
• Students of federation members
• Research & Engagement
• School of Advanced Study
• Institute in Paris
• London Research & Policy Partnership
• Libraries and collections
• Centre for Online and Distance Education
• University of London Press
• Our research
• Public engagement
• Fellowships
• Collaborate with us
• Our federation
• Our Chancellor
• ​​​​​​​Senior Executive Team
• Our history
• Our global reputation
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Our civic role
• Strategy 2020-25
• Research & public engagement
• Study with us
• What makes us unique
• Board of Trustees
• Collegiate Council
• Statutes and Ordinances
• Academic Regulations
• Honorary Awards
• Annual reports and financial statements
• Charitable status
• Doing business with us
• Trust Funds
• Core policies
• Academic quality assurance
• Research governance
• Student policies and procedures
• Our services
• Senate House Library
• Intercollegiate Halls
• The Careers Group
• Our research libraries
• Conference & event hire
• Private housing services
• Short stay accommodation
• University Merchandise
• Work for us
• Becoming a teaching centre
• Contact and find us
• News & Events
• Past events
• Student blogs
• The Student Insider magazine
• Alumni & Supporters
• Alumni ambassadors
• Your alumni community
• New graduates
• Get involved
• Keep in touch
• Request a transcript
• The Convocation Project
• Ways to give
• Areas to support
• Recognising our donors
• Your impact
• Contact the Development Office

What are you looking for?

Popular courses.

• BSc Business Administration
• BSc Computer Science
• BSc Psychology
• International Foundation Programme
• MSc Computer Science
• MSc Cyber Security
• MSc Professional Accountancy

Guidance notes for Undergraduate applications

These guidance notes outline how to submit an application for one of the undergraduate programmes offered by the University of London.

• Share this page on Facebook
• Share this page on X
• Share this page on LinkedIn

Have you applied to the University of London before?

If you have an application in progress or currently registered for a programme and simply wish to change courses, please contact the Admissions Office for advice as you may not be required to submit a new application.

1. Making your application

Please apply as early as possible and do not wait until the application deadline date.

The latest date by which your application must be received is given in the key dates of the relevant course page on our website.

2. How to use the application form:

• Click on the Create Account button.
• If you are a returning applicant, enter your email address and password then login. If you have forgotten your password, click on the ‘Forgotten password?’ link.
• Complete the appropriate fields to create your user account. At this point an email will automatically be sent to the email address you have provided so please ensure the email address is correct and accessible. Complete the application and upload your certificates and supporting documents.
• If the course that you are applying for has an application fee you will be taken to the payments section of the application process where you will be given the option to pay online using a credit/debit card or offline using one of the alternative payment options as detailed in the following page: How to pay your fees

Your application will only be fully submitted for processing once you have successfully paid your application fee on the ‘Payment page’ and you see the confirmation page. We recommend that you pay your application fee online as this will ensure that you receive a faster decision on your application.

3. Need help with completing the application?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please complete the enquiry form via our contact page .

4. Acknowledgement

When you have submitted your application you will receive confirmation, by email, that your application has been received by the Admissions Office and notification of your student reference number. We allocate a student reference number to everyone who applies and it does not mean that you have been accepted onto a programme.

5. How to submit your documents

If you have your documents to hand, we recommend that you upload scanned copies of these as part of your application. For further information on how to supply documentary evidence .

If you do not have all your documents to hand or if you are waiting to sit an examination or if you are waiting to receive the results of an examination, we recommend that you still submit your application. We can often begin to process your application without all the evidence, although we will not be able to give you a final decision until all the necessary documentation has been received.

After you have submitted your application, you can email scanned copies of documents to [email protected] . Please ensure that you quote your name and student reference number within the email. Your referees can also send a scan of their signed reference letter to [email protected] .

If you are unable to upload or email your documents, you can ask your awarding/examining authority to send confirmation of results by email to [email protected] .

If none of the options listed are available to you, please contact the Admissions Office for further guidance via contact us page.

Please upload the following:

A. personal identification.

Evidence of your full name and date of birth as stated on your application. This must be a scan or photocopy of either your birth certificate, or passport, or national identification card (ID). If you have changed your name from that which is on the above document or certificates, you must provide official evidence of the change, e.g. a scan or photocopy of your marriage certificate or statutory declaration.

B. Educational certificates

Scanned copies of all the qualifications that you have listed on your application.

C. English Language Proficiency evidence

A scanned copy of your certificate/evidence of English Language proficiency in support of the information you have provided on the application form.

Or one of the following:

• A signed letter from your employer which comments on your substantial use of English Language (18 months minimum) as part of your daily responsibilities.
• A reference letter from the relevant educational institution, confirming that you have been taught in the medium of English Language. We reserve the right to ask for further or alternative evidence of your qualifications, if required.

D. References and Curriculum vitae

If you would like your application to be considered on the basis of relevant work experience, then we will require at least one reference from your employer in support of your application. This could be from your current or previous employer.

Alternatively, if this is not possible then we can advise on other options such as a reference from a client.

You should also submit an up-to-date curriculum vitae.

Please note: It is your responsibility to arrange for all the necessary documentation to be obtained in support of your application. The University cannot undertake this on your behalf. This also applies to any translation of documents which you submit that may be required.

Offer Validity 

If your application is successful then you will receive an offer to complete registration for that session.  

If you do not take up this offer in the given session then the link to complete the registration will expire. This does not mean that your offer has expired, however, if you would like to register for a subsequent session then we will need to reset your registration link.  

The offer validity is dependent on how many intakes there are for your programme. Please see the table below. 

If you do not register for the session in which your offer was first issued then you should contact us for a renewed offer provided this is still valid, meaning you should not submit a new application.  

If your offer has expired or you would like to be considered for an alternative programme then you should submit a new application.  

Related Content

• Careers & Employability
• Support for students and graduates
• Services and support

Writing a covering letter

A covering letter highlights your relevant strengths and motivation for the job and organisation you are applying to, and markets you effectively by complementing your CV.

While there isn’t one way to write a covering letter there are some key things to consider to ensure you follow a logical structure and engage the employer in reading your letter. 

Top tips for success

Make sure that your letter is clear, informative and professional-looking, so that the recruiter will want to go on and read your CV.

• Keep to  one page
• If possible, address it to a  named person : just call the organisation and ask, if it's not clear elsewhere
• Set it out like a business letter, with  addresses and date at the top
• Check your  spelling and grammar
• Use the  same font  as your CV so that they look consistent
• Consider addressing gaps in your CV or other areas you think might need explaining, for example, a retaken year or a health problem. Try to be brief and positive and if in doubt book an appointment with a careers consultant
• Tailor your letter  to each application and try to highlight skills and experience that are relevant to that specific job and employer (it’s obvious it’s a generic letter if you just change the organisation name!)
• Give evidence for claims you make
• Try not to start every sentence with ‘I’
• Keep it  concise and focused  to encourage further reading of your letter and CV
• Be  professional  rather than overly humorous or informal 
• Sell yourself : don’t underplay your skills or make negative comments about yourself
• If you are sending your application by  email , attach the CV and covering letter rather than typing it into the email body. The format of an email can change drastically depending on the system used by the employer.

Write in clear, concise English with a professional yet conversational tone. While you will need to support your claims with evidence, try not to drown the reader with details and avoid jargon they may not understand.

The exact content will depend on you and the job or course but it should include the content outlined below. Remember, you can vary the order of information to suit your style of writing, but make sure it reads logically.

Introduction

Introduce yourself (subject, year and where are you are studying) and explain why you are writing. If you are making a speculative enquiry about the possibility of a job, be clear about the type of work or opportunity you are asking for. If you are responding to an advert, say where you saw it.

Why this role, why this employer

The covering letter is where you should explain your interest and enthusiasm for an organisation and role. Say what attracts you to the kind of work involved, based on your knowledge of the duties and likely satisfactions. This will demonstrate your understanding of the opportunity and your motivation.

Show you’ve done your research into the organisation. Mention what you have done to find out more, e.g. online research or speaking with their staff at careers events, and explain how your skills and interests match the organisation’s values and culture. If possible, back this up by referring to relevant activities where you have demonstrated these interests.

When describing what attracts you to the organisation, make it specific and original, rather than repeating facts stated on their website.  Note: If you could say the exact same things about a different organisation, then you have not been specific enough, and the employer will spot this.

Sometimes you won’t know who the employer is, e.g. if you are applying via a recruitment agency. In this case concentrate on the attractions of the role.

Why you are perfect for the job

Using the job description or person specification, describe your most relevant experiences as evidence of the employer’s requirements. This will help convince the employer you are the ideal candidate for this job. If there is no detailed job description, use careers information/job profiles which describe typical features of the work.

You can also use this careers information for a speculative application, as you can describe abilities and experience that you would expect them to be looking for given the nature of the opportunity that you are seeking.

While the CV is a brief summary of facts and your selling points, the covering letter is where you show exactly how and why you fit the opportunity and organisation you are applying to. So when describing your key examples don't repeat the information already in your CV. Instead, add more detail to make a stronger and compelling case.

Reiterate your enthusiasm to join the organisation and end with ‘I look forward to hearing from you’ or a similar statement. If appropriate, say when you are/are not available for interview. Ensure you sign off ‘Yours sincerely’ if writing to a named individual, and ‘Yours faithfully’ if you have not been able to find a named contact. Type your name, but also sign the letter if you are printing it out.

Dealing with 'difficult' issues / disclosing a disability

Covering letters also give you the chance to say more about any ‘difficult’ issues, for example weaker grades, lack of relevant experience, time gaps and health issues/disability. Use the letter to explain how you have coped with any setbacks and be sure to emphasise positive qualities that you have developed as a result, such as determination and persistence. Write positively about the experience, for example what you learnt from it, and what you have done to address the issue since then, if applicable.

If you have health-related issues or a disability, it is your decision whether to disclose this when writing your covering letter and there is  further advice on this topic . You may wish to discuss this with an adviser.

Sample covering letters and resources

We have a number of templates to help you write a covering letter and CV, but DO NOT just copy these. You need to use your judgment and create your own application, targeting it to the needs of the the job and employer. Make it personal so that it stands out from the crowd.

• CV with skills section and letter
• CV and letter
• CV with profile and letter
• CV and letter for mature student
• CV and letter for part-time work
• CV and letter for part-time work (two sides)
• CV and letter applying for science PhD

Active words for CVs and covering letters

Experience all t he benefits and services that come from being a Sheffield graduate.

• Schools & departments

How to write your cover letter

Advice on what to include in your cover letter and how to structure it.

Cover letters are not an exact science, but you need to sound like you want the job and you can show why you would be a good fit for it. Employers can tell when you haven't given much thought to why you are applying. This is your opportunity to show your motivation and suitability - so take it! 

Top Tips Cover Letters recording from 2023

What to include 

Your cover letter complements your CV and gives you the chance to demonstrate your motivation and suitability for the job.  Your cover letter should answer three questions: 

why do you want this job? 

why do you want to work for this organisation? 

why are you right for the role? 

Use the cover letter to highlight information you need the employer to know, and to explain anything such as extenuating circumstances which you want them to take into account.  

You should: 

demonstrate that you have researched the organisation  

evidence how you have the skills and experience listed in the vacancy 

aim for one page in length with about three to five concise paragraphs.

Watch the recording above to find out more about how to write your cover letter.

To explore examples of cover letters, access Careers Service Plus (University of Edinburgh login required):

Cover letters examples  

Using generative  AI  to create your cover letter

Technologies such as ChatGPT can provide a reasonable basic structure for you to build upon, but what they give you is unlikely to be tailored convincingly and will be bland and generic, and unlikely to impress employers. Use them as a support and starting point if you like - but edit their product to make the end result your own.  

Remember these points:

• adapt the content generated, to make it more closely related to you -otherwise it will lack impact
• be cautious about submitting any personal data, as whatever you put in could be in the public domain 
• you may be risking plagiarism, as these systems incorporate, in their output, content produced by other people without acknowledging or referencing them 

Guidance on using AI has been produced by the Bayes Centre at the University of Edinburgh. 

AI guidance for staff and students   

This article was published on 2024-05-14

Exclusive University Application Letter Template

When I began writing university application letters, I quickly realized the importance of making each one unique. These letters are not just about presenting your achievements; they’re about standing out in a sea of applicants. 

Through my experience, I’ve learned that a compelling application letter is a blend of personal narrative, academic excellence, and genuine interest in the institution. Let me share with you how to craft an effective university application letter that will capture the attention of admissions officers.

Key Takeaways

Introduction: The Importance of a Unique University Application Letter

Writing a university application letter is a critical step in your academic journey. It’s your opportunity to showcase who you are beyond your grades and test scores. In my experience, the most successful letters are those that tell a story—your story. Admissions committees read thousands of letters, and what sets yours apart is the personal touch you bring to it.

I’ve written numerous application letters for various universities, and I’ve seen firsthand the difference a well-crafted letter can make. Let me guide you through the process of creating a letter that not only highlights your achievements but also reflects your personality and passion for learning.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a University Application Letter

1. research the university and program.

Before you start writing, it’s essential to research the university and the specific program you’re applying to. Understand the university’s values, its culture, and what it looks for in students. I’ve found that referencing specific courses, professors, or facilities within the university can demonstrate your genuine interest and fit for the program.

Trending Now: Find Out Why!

Example: When I applied to XYZ University, I mentioned their renowned ABC program and how it aligned with my career goals. This not only showed my interest but also my knowledge about the program.

2. Start with a Strong Introduction

The introduction is your first impression. Make it count. Begin by stating who you are, the program you’re applying to, and why you’re interested in that university. A brief anecdote or personal experience related to your field of interest can also be a compelling start.

Tip: Personal experiences resonate more with admissions officers. In one of my letters, I shared a story about how a high school project sparked my interest in environmental science, leading me to apply for an environmental studies program.

3. Highlight Your Academic Achievements

In the body of the letter, emphasize your academic qualifications. Discuss your grades, relevant coursework, and any awards or recognitions you’ve received. However, don’t just list them—connect them to your passion for the subject.

Real-Life Example: In a letter I wrote for a business program, I didn’t just mention my top grades in economics and math. I explained how my high school’s economics club, which I founded, fueled my interest in business studies.

4. Express Your Goals and Aspirations

Universities want to know what you plan to do with your education. Discuss your long-term goals and how the university’s program will help you achieve them. Be specific—mention how particular courses, professors, or research opportunities at the university align with your goals.

Opinion: From my perspective, this is where many applicants fall short. They talk about their goals but fail to connect them to the specific resources the university offers. Make sure you draw a clear line between your aspirations and what the university provides.

5. Conclude with a Call to Action

End your letter by reiterating your enthusiasm for the program and expressing your eagerness for an interview or further discussion. Thank the admissions committee for their time and consideration.

Example: In my conclusion, I often write something along the lines of, “I am eager to contribute to and grow within the university’s dynamic academic environment. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application in further detail.”

Template 1: Standard University Application Letter

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]

[Admissions Committee Name] [University Name] [University Address] [City, State, Zip Code]

Dear [Admissions Committee Name],

I am writing to express my interest in applying for the [Program Name] at [University Name]. With a strong background in [Relevant Field], I am eager to contribute to and grow within your esteemed program.

Throughout my academic career, I have consistently excelled in [Relevant Subjects], earning top grades and gaining recognition for my work. My passion for [Field] was sparked by [Personal Anecdote], and I have since pursued this interest through [Related Activities or Courses].

I am particularly drawn to [University Name] because of its [Specific Program or Course], which aligns perfectly with my career goals of [Career Goals]. I am confident that the resources and opportunities available at [University Name] will enable me to achieve my aspirations.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to the [Program Name] at [University Name].

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Template 2: University Application Letter with a Personal Touch

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by [Relevant Field or Subject]. This passion led me to excel in [Relevant Courses], and it is why I am applying to the [Program Name] at [University Name].

My journey towards [Field] began when [Personal Story or Experience]. This experience not only solidified my interest in [Field] but also motivated me to seek out opportunities to learn and grow. At [University Name], I am excited to further explore [Specific Aspect of the Program] and work with [Professor’s Name] on [Research or Project].

I am confident that the rigorous academic environment at [University Name] will provide the perfect foundation for my future career in [Career Field]. I am eager to bring my unique perspective and experiences to your program.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the [University Name] community.

Template 3: University Application Letter Focused on Future Goals

I am writing to apply for the [Program Name] at [University Name] because I believe it is the ideal place to develop my skills and knowledge in [Field]. My long-term goal is to [Career Goals], and I am confident that your program will provide the perfect stepping stone to achieve this.

During my high school years, I have demonstrated my commitment to [Field] through [Relevant Activities or Coursework]. I am particularly interested in [Specific Course or Research Opportunity at University Name] and how it aligns with my aspirations to [Specific Career Goals].

The opportunity to study at [University Name] excites me because of [Unique Aspect of University]. I am eager to contribute to and benefit from the diverse academic environment at your institution.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how I can contribute to the [Program Name] at [University Name].

Final Thoughts

Writing a university application letter is both an art and a science. It requires a balance between showcasing your academic achievements and sharing your personal story.

In my experience, the key to a successful application letter lies in personalization—making sure that each letter reflects not only who you are but also how you fit into the university’s community.

Related Posts

• 3 Proven University Application Letter Templates
• Sample Letter Of Interest For University Admission: Free & Effective
• Email To University Asking For Admission Status: The Easy Way!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Q: what should i include in my university application letter to stand out.

Answer : In my experience, including a personal anecdote that highlights your unique qualities and aligns with the university’s values can really make your application letter stand out. It’s not just about listing achievements; it’s about telling your story in a way that resonates with the admissions committee.

Q: How can I make my university application letter more personal?

Answer : I’ve found that researching the specific program and faculty at the university and mentioning how they align with my academic interests and career goals adds a personal touch to the application letter. It shows the admissions committee that you’re genuinely interested in what they offer and not just sending a generic letter.

Q: Is it necessary to mention my academic achievements in my university application letter?

Answer : Absolutely, mentioning your academic achievements is crucial, but it’s equally important to contextualize them. In my letters, I always connect my achievements to broader personal goals or experiences, giving the admissions committee a sense of who I am beyond the numbers.

Q: How long should my university application letter be?

Answer : From my experience, keeping the application letter to about one page is ideal. It’s long enough to cover essential aspects of your profile and motivation, yet concise enough to maintain the reader’s interest and respect their time.

Q: Can I use the same application letter for multiple universities?

Answer : While it’s tempting to use the same letter for efficiency, I always tailor my letters to each university. Personalizing the letter to reflect how I resonate with each specific institution’s ethos and offerings significantly increases the impact of my application.

Q: How do I address a gap in my academic or professional journey in my application letter?

Answer : I’ve addressed gaps in my journey by framing them as periods of learning and growth, highlighting how the experiences gained during the gap contribute to my academic and professional aspirations. This shows resilience and a proactive attitude to the admissions committee.

Related Articles

Sample letter of withdrawal of enrollment: free & effective, unbelievable school transfer letter template that gets results, college admission letter example: free & effective, letter of withdrawal from college due to personal problems: free & effective, appeal letter for university rejection sample: free & effective, best assignment extension request letter (template included), 2 thoughts on “exclusive university application letter template”.

I am no longer sure where you’re getting your information, however good topic.

I needs to spend a while studying much more or understanding more. Thank you for magnificent info I used to be searching for this information for my mission.

Thanks for the awesome blog post! Where can I find more info like this? I’m working on a project right now and have been searching for this kind of stuff.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cover Letters

A cover letter introduces and markets you effectively by complementing your CV.

A cover letter tells your story by highlighting your relevant strengths and motivation for the person and organisation you are writing to, rather than listing all the things that can already be seen on your CV.

Always take the opportunity to submit a cover letter if you are given the chance.

The cover letter gives you scope to showcase what interests and drives you, and your enthusiasm for an organisation and the role. You can use it to align yourself with the organisation’s strengths, values and culture, and highlight in a targeted way your knowledge and strongest, most relevant skills for the position.

The content and style are up to you, but a logical and engaging structure is key. Below are some guidelines.

How to Write Cover Letters

Aim for a professional tone that conveys your message to the reader succinctly - remember it's not an essay or dissertation! Write in clear, concise English – take care not to drown the reader with your detail and avoid jargon they may not understand.  The Plain English Campaign  has some good guidance on improving your writing style.

Structure it like a business letter, brevity adds power and aim for no longer than 1 side of A4 in length. However, if the organisation gives you very specific instructions about the structure. length and content, follow their guidance. 

Introduction

Introduce yourself and explain why you are writing. If you are responding to an advertisement, state where you saw it. This tells the recruiter why they are reading the letter, and it gives them feedback on which of their advertising sources are working. You need to think about how you would like to introduce yourself; it could be that you mention the course you are studying and when you plan to finish it along with your place of study.

Why this job?

Explain why you are interested in the job and the organisation. Tailor the letter to the organisation and job description to make it clear that you haven't sent out multiple copies of the same letter to different employers. 

Draw on your research, especially what you have learnt from speaking with their staff (e.g. while meeting them at a fair or event, or during work shadowing/experience) as this will demonstrate an awareness and understanding of them that goes beyond the corporate website. Be specific about why the position is particularly attractive for you, and back this up with evidence from your past, or by linking this to your overall career plans, and what you find exciting about this sector, don’t just repeat the text from their publicity material.

Explain why you are well-suited to the position. Refer to the most relevant skills (c.3-5), experience and knowledge you have and match what you say to the requirements outlined in the job description. Tell your story and highlight key evidence so that you are building on your CV, but not using exactly the same phrases. Make sure you read our guidance on  demonstrating you fit the job criteria  for more advice.

As your aim is to convince the recruiter that you are a suitable candidate for the job,  focus on your accomplishments and the transferable skills that are relevant to the role. State explicitly how you match the job criteria – don’t expect the person reading your letter to infer your skills or experiences for themselves. 

Support your claims by referring to examples that are already detailed in your CV. You can make a stronger, more credible case by linking different experiences that highlight similar skills or competences. For example:

• You first demonstrated your organisational skills by creating (an event) at school, and you  have developed them further by raising (£xx) at last year’s fundraiser and, most recently, by leading (another event) for your society attended by (number) of people.
• The role (applied for) would allow you to further explore your interest in mental health well-being  which has driven your success as college welfare officer and the personal sense of achievement gained from working as a peer counsellor.

Reiterate your desire to join the organisation and end on a ‘look forward to hearing from you’ statement, followed by ‘Yours sincerely’ if writing to a named individual and ‘Yours faithfully’ if you have not been able to find a named contact. 

• Write to a named person if you can
• If you have not been able to find a named contact, you could use ‘Dear Recruitment Manager’ or ‘Dear Recruiter’. 
• Check your spelling and get someone else to read it over.
• Check that it says clearly what you want it to say.  Are there any sections that are hard to read, overly long sentences? If yes, try to simplify the language, avoid jargon, use shorter sentences or take out that section completely.
• Make the letter different each time. If you insert another company name, does the letter still read the same? If so, tailor it more specifically to the firm - you may need to do further research
• Don’t start every sentence with “I”.
• Give evidence for all your claims.
• Be enthusiastic and interested.
• Don’t repeat your whole CV.
• It’s normal to find cover letters tricky to write. Give yourself plenty of time before the application deadline to redraft.
• A careers adviser at the Careers Service can give you feedback on the content and structure of your cover letter and CV, and advise you on how best to target particular sectors – write one first, book an appointment on CareerConnect  and ask a careers adviser for feedback.

Academic Cover Letters and Statements

Academic cover letters.

Academic cover letters vary in length, purpose, content and tone. Each job application requires a new, distinct letter.

For applications that require additional research or teaching statements, there is no point repeating these points in a cover letter – here, one page is enough (brief personal introduction, delighted to apply, please find enclosed X, Y, Z documents).

Other applications ask for a CV and a cover letter only, in which case the letter will need to be longer and require more detail. Others ask explicitly for this detail in the form of a supporting statement that sets out how you fulfil the job criteria. Aim for a maximum length of two pages, though for roles at associate professor level and above it may extend to 3-5 pages. In all cases it is important to use the space effectively and show that you can prioritise according to what they are looking for.

In all cases:

• Your letter is a piece of academic writing – you need a strong argument and empirical evidence
• Write for the non-expert to prove that you can communicate well
• Make sure you sound confident by using a tone that is collegial (rather than like a junior talking to a senior)
• Demonstrate your insight into what the recruiting department is doing in areas of research and teaching, and say what you would bring to these areas from your work so far.
• Give quantifiable evidence of teaching, research and funding success where possible.

Teaching Statements

What is a teaching statement and why do you need one.

When making an academic job application, you may be asked for a teaching statement (sometimes referred to as a ‘philosophy of teaching statement’). These statements may also be requested of candidates for grant applications or teaching awards.

A teaching statement is a narrative that describes:

• How you teach
• Why you teach the way you do
• How you know if you are an effective teacher, and how you know that your students are learning.

The rationale behind a teaching statement is to:

• Demonstrate that you have been reflective and purposeful about your teaching. This means showing an understanding of the teaching process and your experience of this
• Communicate your goals as an instructor, and your corresponding actions in the laboratory, classroom, or other teaching setting.

Format and style of a Teaching Statement

There is no required content or format for a teaching statement because they are personal in nature, but they are generally 1-2 pages, and written in the first person. The statement will include teaching strategies and methods to help readers ‘see’ you in a lab, lecture hall, or other teaching setting. The teaching statement is, in essence, a writing sample, and should be written with the audience in mind (i.e. the search committee for the institution(s) to which you are applying). This means that, like a cover letter, your teaching statement should be tailored for presentation to different audiences.

Articulating your teaching philosophy

Consider your experiences as both teacher and learner, and always keep your subject at the forefront. Consider all opportunities that you have previously had to teach, mentor, or guide, and determine instances that were both successful and perhaps not so successful. Understanding why and how learning happens is an important part of your teaching philosophy.

Here are some general areas to focus on in your teaching statement:

Goals : Convey your teaching goals. What would you like students to get out of your courses? What matters most to you in teaching and why?

Strategies : List effective teaching strategies. How will you realise your goals? What obstacles exist to student learning and how do you help students overcome them?

Evidence : Specific examples of your teaching experience are powerful in a teaching statement. Provide evidence that your students have learned (or not) in the past.

Research Statements

Some applications ask for a short research statement. This is your opportunity to showcase your vision for your research, propose a research plan and show how this builds on your current expertise and achievements. It forms the basis for discussions and your presentation if you are invited for interview.

Remember to:

• Provide a big picture overview of your research vision
• Make sure there are clear links between your proposal and the work of the recruiting institution.  Each statement must be tailored to the particular role you are applying for
• Write about your research experience stating the aims, achievements, relevant techniques and your responsibilities for each project
• Write as much (within the word limit) about your planned research and its contribution to the department, and to society more broadly
• Invest time and ask for feedback from your supervisor/principal investigator or colleagues.

Tips for Junior Research Fellowship or JRF Applications

Read the job description carefully to understand what is prioritised by the recruiting College or institution(s) beyond furthering your research.  If there are additional responsibilities such as outreach, mentoring, expanding or fostering academic networks, you will need to provide evidence of your interest and experience in these areas, as well as statements about how you would fulfil these roles when in post.

Try to meet current junior research fellowship (JRF) holders to gain further insight into what the role entails on a daily basis and what is expected by senior colleagues.

Show how your research contributes to, extends and/or maximises the impact of other work going on in the university. Then state why the JRF would enable you to further these in specific ways.

Think about how to demonstrate your experience in the following areas:

• Your research vision.  Can you outline a big picture view of the research you want to do and its impact, for the department, the field and the wider society
• Publications, think broadly here and include journal articles, book chapters, policy papers, expert reviews, public commentaries and any other type of media coverage
• Funding, give prominence to any funding awards and to your grant-writing experience
• Participation in professional activities such as establishing collaborations with people or organisations outside the university, reviewing journal articles and membership of relevant societies
• Outline how you intend to participate in knowledge exchange and public engagement within your fellowship. These activities are now recognised as significant components of academic life

Look at  Vitae’s Research Developer Framework  to identify any other academic-related competencies that you could demonstrate in your application (particularly project-management, leadership, developing innovative partnerships/strategic thinking).

Have your application reviewed by a careers adviser by booking a short discussion appointment on CareerConnect . 

Our Resources

Example cover letters.

• Sample cover letter
• Sample cover letter for management consultancy
• Sample cover letter for voluntary organisation
• Sample speculative cover letter   (see speculative applications)
• Sample cover letter for first lectureship, Arts and Humanities
• Vitae  for examples and advice relating to academic cover letters

Related pages

• Demonstrate You Fit the Job Criteria
• Application Forms

External Resources

External websites with guidance and examples.

• TARGETjobs: Cover letter essentials
• Prospects: Cover Letters

Artificial Intelligence (AI) generators and other paid-for services

A growing number of websites offer AI-generated cover letters, either for free or for a fee. There are also numerous organisations offering to write your cover letters for a fee. We believe that if you follow the advice above and come for a (free) cover letter review at the Careers Service as part of a 20-minute 1:1 appointment, you will get the best service for you. 

• CareerConnect EVENTS
• RELATED NEWS

Looking for more?

Check the CareerConnect platform for all our upcoming events and opportunities, book appointments, find jobs and internships, and more.

Login to CareerConnect

Recommended links

Oxford Guide to Careers 202 4

Sectors & Occupations

See a Careers Adviser

Connect with us

• Follow us on    LinkedIn
• Follow us on  𝕏  X  (Twitter)
• Follow us on    Instagram
• Follow us on    YouTube
• Follow us on    Facebook

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

• Study in UK /

Documents Required for Applying to UK Universities

• Updated on  
• Jul 9, 2024

Studying abroad comes with its fair share of documentation and paperwork. The number of documents required depends on the course of study, university, and country you are planning to study. Students must submit these documents to support their application and to land an offer letter from their dream university. However, compiling all these documents can be taxing, which is why we have prepared a checklist of all the important documents required for applying to UK universities for international students.

Must Read: A Complete Guide on How to Study in UK for the January Intake 2022 !

This Blog Includes:

How to apply to uk universities, documents required for undergraduate courses in uk universities, documents required for postgraduate courses in uk universities, marksheets and certificates of graduation, letters of recommendation (lor), statement of purpose (sop), scores on the english proficiency test, scorecards for entrance exams, participation certificates & work experience letters, curriculum vitae/resume, evidence of financial capacity, proposal for research, portfolio , top universities for study in the uk.

The application process for UK universities for undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses, and PhD is slightly different. UG admissions take place through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) and in some cases, through direct applications. Most UK universities accept applications verified through UCAS while some universities like the University of Brighton or the University of St Andrews even accept direct applications from students. PG and PhD applicants can directly apply to the university.

Also Read: Universities Issuing CAS Letters in Under £2000

UG courses to study in the UK require the following documents:

• Application form
• Academic Transcripts for 10th and 12th class
• English language test scores – IELTS Academic , TOEFL iBT , C1 Advanced, PTE Academic or Duolingo 
• Medium of Instruction Certificate (This certificate is accepted in rare cases instead of English scores)
• Other entrance exams scores like LNAT Exam (for law), Mathematics Admissions Test or MAT (for bachelors in sciences & engineering), BioMedical Admissions Test  or BMAT (for medical, biomedical, and dentistry program) and SAT etc
• Birth certificate 
• Reference letters, if required 
• Copies of degree/diploma certificates, if applicable
• Statement of Purpose
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume

Following is the list of documents required for PG courses to study in UK:

• Academic Transcripts for 10th, 12th class, and bachelor’s degree
• English language test scores – IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, C1 Advanced, PTE Academic or Duolingo 
• Other entrance exam scores like Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT Exam), GRE, GMAT, 
• Research proposal/ Any Portfolio (for specific courses)

List of Important Documents

If students wish to study abroad, they must have a passport.

Copies of necessary mark sheets and pass certificates must also be provided by students. For example, Indian students seeking master’s degrees must submit their 10th and 12th-grade marks, as well as all semester grades and passing certificates. Each application requires at least one (and occasionally two) sets of copies. All copies must be attested.

Letters of Recommendation are one of the most significant documents required for admission for studying in UK universities (LOR). A letter of recommendation (LOR) must be provided by one of your professors or supervisors and should highlight your academic or professional abilities, accomplishments, and experience. Students are required to submit at least two letters of recommendation.

A statement of purpose is one of the most important documents required for applying to UK universities. The statement allows you to express why you wish to study at the university and what is your aim for the future. Universities focus entirely on SOPs to learn about the applicant, their aspirations and how they can contribute to the university.

International students are required to submit scores of IELTS, TOEFL, and recently Duolingo tests as a part of their application process. All courses offered by UK universities are in English and students have to provide proof of English proficiency to study in the country. These scores are considered one of the most important requirements for admission to UK universities.

To get admitted to a university in the UK, students are required to take specific entrance examinations. Before applying to the colleges of your choosing, make sure you check for the program you’re applying for and have your score ready.

Students can also submit participation certificates for extracurriculars and experience letters for part-time/internships to seek admission. Some students who apply to Performing Arts courses may be required to provide proof of participation. Similarly, there are some master’s programs where students have to provide proof of work experience to stand out. 

This will include information about your goal, education, internships (if applicable), work experience (if applicable), milestone scores (yearly aggregates and final aggregates), projects completed during your undergraduate program (and during your internships/full-time job), and mention of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Evidence of financial proof of living and studying in the UK is one of the most important documents for studying at UK universities. Students are required to provide bank statements that can cover tuition fees for 1st year’s fees or full course fees if the course is less than 1 year, enough liquidity to cover living expenses for at least 9 months

Students can submit a bank letter, under their name/or their parent’s name, or a bank account statement. If they have won a scholarship then they must provide details for the scholarship or their student loan information as financial evidence proof. Evidence of maintenance must show the funds have been held for a minimum period of 28 consecutive days finishing on the date of the closing balance shown on your bank statement.

Click Here to Finance Your Study Abroad Dream

Universities may also require students to a research proposal for research-based programs. Degrees like doctorate and post-doctoral degrees select students based on their research proposal and marks in graduation. This makes the research proposal one of the most important documents necessary for Master’s programs in the UK.

Applicants seeking master’s degrees in the arts, design, and architecture must submit portfolios. This helps the concerned institution or college in assessing your skills and expertise in your field of study.

Following is the list of top universities in UK:

What are the essential documents for studying in the UK? You’ll need passports, academic transcripts, English proficiency scores, and application forms, among others. The requirements vary by course and university.

Why is a Statement of Purpose (SOP) important? An SOP explains your academic background, career goals, and reasons for choosing a specific university. It helps universities assess your suitability.

What financial documents are required for UK study visas? You must provide proof of funds for tuition and living expenses. This includes bank statements or sponsorship letters showing sufficient financial capacity.

Related Blogs

Don’t forget to crosscheck with this list of documents required for applying to UK Universities. Planning to study in the UK? Secure guaranteed admission in the UK for Jan 2023 Intake with a Leverage Edu expert today!

Team Leverage Edu

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Can a 17 year old study law in British

Hi Yes there are no minimum age limits on institutions in the UK as long as you meet the entry requirements you can also refer to this blog https://leverageedu.com/blog/llm-in-uk/

im just wanna study in films and tv

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2025

September 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

• Assistant Professor / Lecturer
• PhD Candidate
• Senior Researcher / Group Leader
• Researcher / Analyst
• Research Assistant / Technician
• Administration
• Executive / Senior Industry Position
• Mid-Level Industry Position
• Junior Industry Position
• Graduate / Traineeship
• Remote/Hybrid Jobs
• Summer / Winter Schools
• Online Courses
• Professional Training
• Supplementary Courses
• All Courses
• PhD Programs
• Master's Programs
• MBA Programs
• Bachelor's Programs
• Online Programs
• All Programs
• Fellowships
• Postgraduate Scholarships
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Prizes & Contests
• Financial Aid
• Research/Project Funding
• Other Funding
• All Scholarships
• Conferences
• Exhibitions / Fairs
• Online/Hybrid Conferences
• All Conferences
• Career Advice
• Study Advice
• Work Abroad
• Study Abroad
• Campus Reviews
• Recruiter Advice
• Teaching Advice Articles
• INOMICS Educator Resources
• INOMICS Academy
• INOMICS Study Guides
• Economics Terms A-Z
• University / College
• Graduate / Business School
• Research Institute
• Bank / Central Bank
• Private Company / Industry
• Consulting / Legal Firm
• Association / NGO
• All EconDirectory
• 📖 INOMICS Handbook

All Categories

All disciplines.

• Scholarships
• All Economics Terms A-Z
• EconDirectory
• All 📖 INOMICS Handbook

Letters of Reference for UK University Applications

Read a summary or generate practice questions using the INOMICS AI tool

Regardless of where you are applying, nearly every course requires at least one, if not two or three letters of reference. Such documents are sometimes also referred to as letters of recommendation. In general, it is best for reference letters to be written by professors with whom you have worked closely, so they can offer detailed insight into you and your work.

Most students ask for letters of reference from their thesis advisor, academic advisor or professors with whom they have taken multiple courses or who are very familiar with their work. Such a close relationship will allow for a thorough and well-written letter. If you do not have more than one professor who you feel would be qualified or willing to write a positive letter on your behalf, it is also acceptable to ask employers or other mentors to act as a referee. If you chose this route, it is advisable to include an explanatory note detailing the grounds for your selection.

Browse our UK economics programs listings here

Content of the Letter

The letter of reference should be no more than one page in length and should explicitly reference your overall work ethic, career interests, research skills and ability to meet deadlines. Your referee should explain their relationship to you and highlight important milestones or achievements from your academic career. Moreover, a good reference letter offers clear insight into why you are interested in the course to which you are applying and how it would fit into your academic trajectory.

Your referee should be able to comment specifically on your level of engagement with material, thereby emphasizing your particular strengths. Your reference letter might indicate that you sought out extra discussion during office hours, highlighting your added commitment to go above and beyond what is required of you.

Additionally, if your referee is familiar with your extracurricular work, including positions in clubs, teams or even student jobs, it is perfectly acceptable for them to mention such engagements if they are relevant to the course. If you engaged in voluntary work, it is always positive for a referee to mention such an endeavour. By referencing such activities, your referee is showing that he or she is familiar with you as a person, while also highlighting your numerous positive attributes and qualifications.

Suggested Opportunities

• Professional Training Course
• Posted 2 years ago

Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program

• Supplementary Course
• Posted 4 years ago

Principles of Economics: Microeconomics

Structure of the Letter

A letter of reference should be written on the official letterhead of your referee’s home institution. It should contain their name and contact information on the right side and the name and address of the course to which you are applying on the left. Before the letter begins, the referee has the option to include a subject line identifying the aim of the letter. This line is not required, however.

The letter should open with the formal “To Whom it May Concern,” unless you are aware of a specific person who will be heading the admissions committee, in which case that person’s name can be included. Be careful with titles, however, and if you do include a name always double check spelling for any unintentional errors that could bring down the value of the whole letter.

There is no specific requirement in terms of how a reference letter is organized, though it is important that your referee display a certain level of knowledge regarding the course to which you are applying before delving into your skills and qualifications. Such a display indicates both a high level of professionalism as well as a certain level of commitment to you as a student and applicant. Admissions committees inherently acknowledge such commitment, though it may or may not be intentional on the part of your referee.

Your letter of reference should conclude with an offer for further contact from your referee. Moreover, be sure that he or she personally signs the letter, or else uses an electronic signature. A letter of reference without a signature is not official. Letters of reference are often sent or uploaded separately from the rest of your application, in order for them to remain private. Just be sure that you have clearly communicated all deadlines to your referees so that no application remains incomplete due to an error in timing. If you are asked to include an uploaded version of reference letters, simply ask your referees to create a signed PDF, which you can add to the rest of your application.

Currently trending in United States

• Posted 3 weeks ago

37th RSEP International Conference on Economics, Finance and Business

• Posted 1 week ago

New Environmental Challenges for Fiscal, Monetary, and Macroprudential Policy: Bayes Business School 16-17 January 2025

EcoMod School of Modeling and Data Science - Dubai, UAE October 2024

• study advice
• Applications
• Letters of Reference

Related Items

Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School- PhD Program

Applied Economics (Banking and Financial Markets) online MSc

2024 Asia-Pacific Conference on Economics and Finance ‘LIVE’ (APEF 2024)

Featured announcements, tenure-track faculty positions vacancy.

• scholarship

Call for Research Projects 2024 “Women and Science”

Wits global fintech conference, modigliani research grants - worth €15,000 per year, research assistant (f/m/d), upcoming deadlines.

• Sep 19, 2024 36th RSEP International Conference on Economics, Finance and Business
• Sep 23, 2024 Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School- PhD Program
• Sep 27, 2024 Call for Research Projects 2024 “Women and Science”
• Oct 06, 2024 2025 PhD Program at Deakin University
• Oct 06, 2024 Postdoctoral Researcher in Econometrics

INOMICS AI Tools

The INOMICS AI can generate an article summary or practice questions related to the content of this article. Try it now!

An error occured

Please try again later.

3 Practical questions, generated by our AI model

For more questions on economics study topics, with practice quizzes and detailed answer explanations, check out the INOMICS Study Guides.

Login to your account

Email Address

Forgot your password? Click here.

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

Letter: UK national renewal requires step change in public investment

Limited time offer, save 40% on standard digital, explore more offers..

Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism. Cancel anytime during your trial.

Premium Digital

Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.

• Global news & analysis
• Expert opinion
• FT App on Android & iOS
• FT Edit app
• FirstFT: the day's biggest stories
• 20+ curated newsletters
• Follow topics & set alerts with myFT
• FT Videos & Podcasts
• 20 monthly gift articles to share
• Lex: FT's flagship investment column
• 15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts
• FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition

FT newspaper delivered Monday-Saturday, plus FT Digital Edition delivered to your device Monday-Saturday.

Terms & Conditions apply

Explore our full range of subscriptions.

Why the ft.

See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times.

Dates and deadlines for uni applications

Applying to university.

• Getting started
• UCAS Tariff points
• Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
• Amendments to the Tariff consultation
• Offer rate calculator
• How to use the offer rate calculator
• Understanding historical entry grades data
• Admissions tests
• Deferred entry
• Filling in your application
• Staying safe online
• How to write a personal statement that works for multiple courses
• The new personal statement for 2026 entry
• How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement
• Fraud and similarity
• How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber
• How to end your personal statement
• Introducing the personal statement tool
• Personal statement dos and don'ts
• Personal statement week
• What to include in a personal statement
• Using AI and ChatGPT to help you with your personal statement
• Using your personal statement beyond a university application
• Carers, estranged students, refugees, asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain
• Personal statement advice: animal science
• Personal statement advice: biology
• Personal statement advice: business and management
• Personal statement advice: chemistry
• Personal statement advice and example: computer science
• Personal statement advice: dance
• Personal statement advice: dentistry
• Personal statement advice: drama
• Personal statement advice: economics
• Personal statement advice: engineering
• Personal statement advice: english
• Personal statement advice: geography
• Personal statement advice: history
• Personal statement advice: law
• Personal statement advice: maths
• Personal statement advice: media studies and journalism
• Personal statement advice: medicine
• Personal statement advice: midwifery
• Personal statement advice: modern languages
• Personal statement advice: music
• Personal statement advice: nursing
• Personal statement advice: pharmacy
• Personal statement advice: physiotherapy
• Personal statement advice: politics
• Personal statement advice: psychology
• Personal statement advice: social work
• Personal statement advice: sociology
• Personal statement advice: sports science
• Personal statement advice: statistics
• Personal statement advice: teacher training and education
• Personal statement advice: veterinary medicine
• Personal statement: finance and accounting
• Personal statement advice: architecture, building and planning
• Personal statement advice: art and design
• Personal statement advice: environmental science
• Personal statement advice: marketing
• Personal statement advice: philosophy
• Personal statement advice: photography
• Personal statement advice: physics
• References for mature students

For courses starting in 2025  (and for  deferred applications ), your application should be with us at UCAS by one of these dates – depending on what courses you apply for. If your completed application – including  all  your personal details  and  your academic reference – is submitted by the deadline, it is guaranteed to be considered.

If you're applying through your school/college, please check their deadline, and follow this to get your application in on time . This gives them enough time to read your application, check you've entered your qualifications correctly, write and attach your reference, and submit your application to us.

Check course information in our  search tool  to see which deadline applies to you.

2025 entry application deadlines

Undergraduate applications open for 2025 entry, completed undergraduate applications can be submitted to ucas, (18:00 uk time) deadline for applications to the universities of oxford and cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science, (18:00 uk time) equal consideration date for applications for most undergraduate courses.

You can still apply after this date but universities and colleges do not guarantee to consider applications they receive after 29 January 2025, and some popular courses may not have vacancies after this date.

Please check with individual universities and colleges if you are not sure. You are advised to apply as early as possible.

Extra opens

(18:00 uk time) applications received by this deadline will be sent to universities and colleges, last day to add an extra choice in your application, clearing opens, last date to add a clearing choice, missed deadline.

If you don’t meet the main application deadline, you can still apply for many courses.

We recommend you ask the universities whether they have vacancies first – especially for courses with a 15 October deadline , as it’s unusual for them to consider late applications because their courses are really competitive.

ucas_belfast-76.jpg

International and eu students.

Many universities and colleges will continue to accept applications from international students until later in the year, nearer the beginning of the course.

Discover any information you might need to succeed in applying to UK institutions as an international student. Find advice on visas, English language skills, why you should study in the UK and what your qualifications will mean.

International Students

ucas_asos_-16.jpg

Applying for an apprenticeship.

You can apply for as many apprenticeships as you like, on top of your university applications. It’s more like applying to a job – positions can start at any time of year and application deadlines differ between employers.

Use our apprenticeship search to find vacancies – next to each will be the closing date.  

Go to apprenticeship search

Part-time students

Because part-time study options vary by duration, study mode and location, you'll need to contact course providers direct to apply. This way you can discuss your requirements and your experience to see which course provider will be the most suitable for you.

Flexible and part-time study

Other information

Independent applicants (not through a school).

If you're applying as an independent applicant (not through a school), we recommend you ask your referee to complete your reference well in advance of the deadline to avoid any delays.

Remember to look into  student finance  too. If you need a loan or financial support, you can apply to a student finance organisation.

Does your course start early between January and July?

A few courses start between January and July, rather than the more typical start dates of September/October.

• This kind of variation in course start dates can affect deadlines, so if you’re interested in one of these when you  search for courses , check the application details in the course listings or by contacting the university or college.
• Please note, you can still add further choices with more typical start dates to your application later on, (as long as you haven't yet accepted any offers), but if you're interested in any courses with earlier start dates, make sure you don't miss any of the earlier deadlines.

Siaradwyr Cymraeg

Os ydych yn cyflwyno cais i ddarparwyr cwrs drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, gallwch wneud eich cais i gyd yn y Gymraeg.

• I gofrestru yn Gymraeg, pan fyddwch yn mynd i’r gwasanaeth Ymgeisio, (Apply), dewiswch ‘Cymraeg’.
• Pan fyddwch wedi mewngofnodi i’ch cais, gallwch newid yr iaith i Gymraeg neu Saesneg ar y dudalen Opsiynau.
• Mae’r testun help ar gael yn y Gymraeg yn Ymgeisio hefyd.
• Yn y gwasanaeth Ymgeisio, gallwch ddewis derbyn gohebiaeth gan ddarparwyr cyrsiau a gennym ni yn y Gymraeg.

Sut i ymgeisio

Sponsored articles UCAS Media Service

Five reasons to sign up to the ucas newsletter, take a personalised tour of our campus, top ten student money tips.