Will applying for British universities be even more challenging this year?

Students applying for places at British universities have always found challenges when completing their application form with the University and Colleges Admissions. This year, after long lockdowns and social distancing in place, potential students may struggle to complete the personal statement.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙨 Students must complete a maximum of 4000 characters which usually equates to around 500 words for most candidates.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 When a university admissions officer is presented with hundreds of applicants forecast to achieve similar grades, the personal statement becomes an important differentiator. Traditionally, candidates have showcased the relevance of their work experience to their proposed academic areas of study. DofE and volunteering have provided evidence of the candidates ability to become involved and exhibit resilience.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙-19 For much of the last two academic years few students have been able to complete little work experience or charitable endeavours.

𝘼 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙 Consequently, pupils may struggle to find content for that all-important personal statement. This year, students will need to show creativity and determination to impress university admissions officers.

𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 Students should embark on further research on coursework projects to demonstrate a willingness to undertake individual research. Those considering vocational degrees such as architecture, engineering, law and medicine should find an interesting topic that they can present in their personal statement.

𝘼𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 Minerva Tuition’s teachers have experience at helping students with their UCAS applications and suggesting topics for the personal statement.