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Personal statement structure | Advice for international students

As part of your ucas application to study at a uk university you'll need to write a personal statement - also known as a statement of purpose. .

Your statement is a chance to showcase your skills, experience, and suitability for the course you're applying for.

This blog will tell you how to structure your personal statement as an international student. It also includes some top tips on what you should include. Read on to find out more...

Why is a personal statement important to UK universities?

What does a personal statement structure look like, what do universities look for in a personal statement from an international student, personal statement tips, submitting your personal statement.

Why you should apply to study at a UK university

A personal statement – or statement of purpose – is an essay included as part of your application to study at a university in the UK. It is your first opportunity to showcase your skills, ambition, and experience in your own words, and let the admissions staff know how suited you are to the course you’re applying to.

Writing your personal statement is an integral part of your application to university through UCAS. A well-written personal statement could be the deciding factor in whether or not you are offered a place at university in the UK.

As with most great stories, your personal statement has to consist of a beginning, a middle, and an end.

However, with a limit of 4,000 characters, you can’t get too descriptive or veer away from the point. Make sure your writing is succinct, informative, and stays on track, and your personal statement will shine.

For a brief rundown, try to include these elements in your personal statement structure:

introduce yourself
highlight your motivation and enthusiasm for your chosen course
explain your suitability and experience, using practical examples to back up your claims
include both academic and interpersonal skills
talk about your hobbies and interests
summarise your previous key points
explain how you think university will help you develop yourself, and your career goals

For a more detailed account, read our blog post on how to write a personal statement for university .

It’s important to know what UK university admissions staff look for in a personal statement before you start writing.

As well as the usual advice that applies to both UK and non-UK applicants, here are some things that are essential for international students to include.

Explain why you want to study in the UK: it’s vital to show that you didn’t apply to study abroad on impulse. Prove that you have thought about your decision to study in the UK, and are ready to take this next step in your education.
Define any work or volunteering experience from home that might be relevant to the field of study you’re applying for.
Show that you have the right level of English language proficiency to study at university in the UK. This should include any qualifications or tests you have taken. For more information, read our section on English language requirements for international students .

Feeling confident enough to write your own personal statement? Here are some tips and advice to help your application shine:

personal statements have to be a maximum of 4,000 characters, or 47 lines, so make every word count
your personal statement will be read by all your UCAS choices, so take care not to mention any universities by name
do not duplicate information that you’ve included elsewhere in your application
don’t share your personal statement with anyone, or copy someone else’s – UCAS can verify whether your writing has been copied using a plagiarism checker, and this could jeopardise your chances of getting into your dream university
don’t use AI to generate all or parts of your personal statement – for more information, read our blog on whether using AI is cheating
be authentic – admissions staff want to read about the real you!
pay extra attention to grammar and spelling in your application
remember to submit your completed personal statement by the appropriate deadline, and leave plenty of time for edits to avoid any last-minute panic

Once you're happy with your personal statement - and have checked and proof read it thoroughly - you'll be able to upload it as part of your application. You'll do this in your UCAS Hub. This is your personal space for preparing and submitting your university application.

If you're applying to study at a UK university in 2025, you need to submit your completed application by the following deadlines:

Tuesday 15 October 2024 (6pm UK time): for courses in Medicine, Veterinary medicine/science or Dentistry

Wednesday 29 January 2025 (6pm UK time): for the majority of other degree programmes

Why you should apply to study at a UK university

Wondering what the benefits are of a degree from the UK?

A highly-prized degree from a UK university can open up many career opportunities after graduation. It can prove to a potential employer that you have the capacity to earn a high-value degree and are willing to experience new things by moving abroad for your higher education. This can give your resumé a boost in a highly competitive job market.

Newcastle University is one of the founding institutions of the Russell Group: a group of 24 prestigious universities known for their exceptional research, teaching expertise, and strong links with the business and public sectors.

Russell Group universities rank highly in both UK and international league tables, and are incredibly popular with international students: in fact, nearly a third of the Russell Group university's students are from a non-UK nationality .

We hope you have found our blog on personal statement structure for international students useful. If you’re looking to find out more, check out our page about international study at Newcastle University .

Get more advice for your journey to university HERE

Published By Jenny Shippen on 14/12/2023 | Last Updated 25/07/2024

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Study Abroad Personal Statement Sample + Success Tips

I. what is a personal statement.

The personal statement is a short essay in which the candidate explains how they will apply to the study abroad program and how they qualify for a study abroad scholarship. Candidates may be requested to submit a personal statement as part of the study abroad scholarship application package.

In this article, I’ll discuss how to write a personal statement for study abroad, and at the end of the article, you will find a good study abroad essay example.

It’s Good To Know: Supporting Statements Examples

II. How Do I Write A Personal Statement For Study Abroad?

Study Abroad Personal Statement Example

There isn’t any right or wrong method to structure your statement, but writing a solid, clear, and convincing statement that includes all of the information requested by the admissions officer is essential.

Below is a personal statement for studying abroad example. You can use this basic structure to help you write your statement:

a. Introduction

Begin your personal statement by stating your interest in studying abroad and also how you plan to profit from it.

In the body, the first section describes what you can contribute to the program or internship.

What will you gain from this experience, and how will it benefit and reflect well on the institution you represent?
What qualities do you possess that will distinguish you as a standout candidate?

Then, Describe how the study abroad program will assist you in achieving both your academic and professional objectives.

Academic objectives relate to your curriculum, degree program, and scholarly research.
Professional objectives are set for yourself when you finish your degree programs, such as employment, job marketability, and volunteer work.

Finally, but only when the program demands it, include a statement of financial necessity.

A financial need statement is not required for all study abroad programs. The financial necessity statement outlines why you require scholarship funding to assist you in paying for your study abroad experience.

If the screening committee believes you don’t need the money, you are unlikely to be chosen.

Describe why you have been relying just on scholarship monies in as much detail as feasible.

While everyone’s experiences may vary, here are some examples of situations you could share in this section:

Tuition fee
Other costs associated with college (e.g., textbooks, transportation)
In the family, there has been a death or a significant sickness.
Unexpected financial expenditure. For example, job loss, a natural tragedy, or a car accident.

International Relations Personal Statement

c. Conclusion

End by thanking the selection committee and assuring them that, if chosen, you would be a constructive ambassador for the school.

III. What To Include In Your Personal Statement?

You have to add the following information to write an excellent personal statement.

1- What Motivates You To Pursue A Degree In A Foreign Country?

You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re ready to incur the risk of studying abroad. See below our study abroad statement of purpose example to get an idea.

2- What motivates You To Enrol In This Programme?

To write an effective personal statement, you need to be passionate about your writing. Your chances of getting awarded a place will improve if you can display genuine enthusiasm and enthusiasm for the subject you’ve selected to study.

3- Explain Why You Wish To Study In This Country

Explain why their nation is the perfect place for you to follow your aspirations as an admissions tutor. If you are unclear about what to write, read a sample personal statement for international students .

4- Your Language Abilities

Discuss your language skills and the results of any language proficiency exams you’ve completed.

5- Interests And Hobbies

Whether you prefer athletics, cooking, or gardening, you will have developed some transferable abilities. Your personal statement will be elevated to another level if you link your extracurricular activities to the course you’re applying to.

6- Your Long-Term Career Goals

Discussing your goals beyond graduation demonstrates your dedication to your profession and also your ambition.

7- Relevant Work Experience

Going to mention any internship or placements you’ve had in the very same field as your education may help you stand out.

8- Voluntary Work

Include any voluntary work you’ve done and any essential skills or life lessons you’ve learned.

9- The Documents Requested By The University

As parts of your personal statement, you may be required to include paperwork and references. They may be rejected if they are not submitted.

IV. How Long Should Your Personal Statement Be?

The length of your personal statement will vary depending on where you want to go to school and whether you’re attending an undergraduate or graduate programme.

If you want to study in the United Kingdom, your personal statement will have a set length: of 4,000 characters and 47 lines maximum. Your statement will be submitted through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, a single site (UCAS) .

Look for Why study in UK personal statement sample and see the word count.

V. How Should You “Start” Your Personal Statement? Studying Abroad Personal Statement Examples

Your personal statement should draw the reader’s attention right away, so get right to the point without waffling on. Begin by describing yourself and your reasons and motivation for choosing the course you are applying for in a concise statement.

Admissions officers have seen it all before, so you don’t have to waste time coming up with gimmicks or clichés to stand apart. First impressions are more memorable if you show your passion and enthusiasm right from the beginning.

It’s a bad idea to begin your statement with a quote from someone else. What you feel is more important to the admissions officer than what someone else thinks or has stated. If you rely too much on others’ words, your statement will lose its genuineness.

You don’t necessarily have to begin the writing process from scratch. Get rid of the rule book and leave the first paragraph for the last. To get your creative juices flowing , it’s best to start in the middle. You may find it easier to write the introduction if you’ve already jotted down some ideas.

VI. Tips To Write A Good Personal Statement For Studying Abroad 

You must write accurately and engagingly to have the best chance. Following are some pro tips for enhancing your application:

a. Be Real And Truthful:

Admissions officials want to learn more about the person behind the paper. Don’t inflate your accomplishments or claim to be someone you are not. You run the danger of being taken off guard at an interview if you do so.

b. Understand The Basics:

Grammar, structure, and spelling errors can ruin your personal statement immediately. You’ll go one step ahead if you get the basics perfect.

c. Proofread:

After you’ve checked your writing for errors, ask your friends, colleagues, family, or teachers to review it. They might make observations you haven’t observed before and provide insightful commentary.

d. Take Your Time:

The best ideas typically evolve, so it makes sense to begin working on your personal statement long before the due date. This allows you to review multiple revisions before the due date for submission.

e. Do Not Buy Or Copy:

It’s OK to read personal statement examples online, but strongly avoid copying or buying them. Any issues with similarities will be detected after your statement has been checked for plagiarism online. There are a lot of personal statement writing platforms which may fire you back. For example, they may sell you a plagiarized copy of the content.

F. Search And Understand What University Is Looking For In A Candidate:

Try to find out about the applicants your university is searching for by checking the websites or course descriptions. Write your statement as you have these abilities and traits. You can also tell about the institutes you have learnt for example “Strengthening my expertise through the comprehensive ExamSnap Cisco certification courses has not only deepened my technical proficiency but also enriched my skill set”.

VII. Study Abroad Personal Statement Sample: Study Abroad Personal Statement Examples

Use this sample as a personal statement for study abroad in Australia . But see the word count of the personal statement for the university you are applying to.

There’s something about travel that expands your eyes in ways even the most thorough study of texts or photographs can’t. I believed I’d studied practically every facet of Spanish culture, history, and geography as just a Spanish major expecting to use my degree as an interpretation. I thought nothing could genuinely surprise me as my buddies and I agreed to take a springtime trip to Barcelona. My seven-day journey was filled with lessons, telling me that there is still so much more to know and that some things can only be taught via experience. As a result, I am enrolling in a study abroad program in Madrid for the autumn semester, and I am confident that it will provide me with a better overall grasp of Spain and its diverse culture. Understanding the accents and pronunciation of the people in the locations where I’ll be operating will be critical for me as an interpreter. Before my trip to Barcelona, I had no idea how diverse the accents of different parts of the city might be. After being unable to comprehend a man’s response to my question about the direction of the restrooms, I recognized that specific comprehension could be gained by spending significant time with people. Speaking with them and educating myself to recognize the varied intonations and emphasis on particular sounds. Being from a tiny town in the United States, I did grow up with a pretty small-town outlook on the world, which I intend to enhance when I go not just to Spain but many other countries. This study abroad experience allows me to not only completely immerse myself in such a different cultural background with many various points of view, but it will also educate me to appreciate my own. I feel that this study abroad program in Madrid, when combined with the vocational training I will receive through my degree, will provide me with the tools I want to become a great interpreter and global citizen.

Final Words

A personal statement is a chance for you to demonstrate to the reader who you are. To be eligible to study abroad, you must submit this as an “interview.”

The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate how your personal experiences have moulded you into the individual you are now and how this can make you competent for studying abroad in a new nation. If you want the admission officer to get a clear picture of who you are, you need to share personal details about yourself.

So we’ve done our study abroad personal statement. If you are looking for ” how to write a personal statement for exchange program” or ” personal statement for exchange program example ” you can hire our writers.

What should be in a study abroad personal statement?

In a study abroad personal statement, you have to include all the information about your qualification, experience, skills, and most importantly, the reason why you want to study there.

How do you write a personal statement for an international student?

Briefly introduce yourself. Then in the body paragraph, mention your qualification, experience, qualities, and objectives.

Conclude your statement by assuring the selecting board that you are good at your studies and can be a constructive ambassador to the students.

How do I write a statement of interest for study abroad?

Write what motivates you to be admitted to ABC university and why you have chosen the one for your degree.

How do I start studying abroad essay?

Start your essay with an inspirational quote. Avoid cliche. Mention the reason why you want to study abroad.

State the inspiration behind your decision of studying abroad.