Are UCAS Personal Statements Changing Format for 2025?
No Changes to Personal Statements for 2025 Entry
The short answer: no. There will be no changes to personal statements for 2025 entry. This means the UCAS Personal Statement still follows the traditional, unprompted 4,000 character statement where students discuss their motivations and interests in explaining why they want to study their chosen subject at university. If you want guidance and tips to help you know where to begin with your personal statement, what to include and how to craft a compelling narrative to secure a place at your dream university in 2025, check out our new Personal Statement Page.
However, for students applying for 2026 entry and beyond, the personal statement format is set to change. Read on to find out how.
How will the Personal Statement Change for 2026 Entry and Beyond?
UCAS have decided to change the format of personal statements for university applications for 2026 entry and beyond. As part of a commitment to equality and inclusion, UCAS have decided to implement “scaffolding questions” to break up the free 4,000 character statement previously in place. These questions are intended to make it easier for students to know what to include in a personal statement and how to go about writing it, reducing stress and uncertainty.
The new personal statement questions are:
Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Students will delve into their motivation for selecting specific courses, which could be linked to career aspirations or a genuine passion for the subject. This question encourages thorough course research, ensuring alignment with the student's goals, be it professional accreditation, a particular career pathway, or a deep fascination for the subject.
How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This question invites students to reflect on their formal learning experiences, such as school or college curricula, and how these have shaped their understanding of the subject. It emphasises showcasing the skills and competencies gained, demonstrating an understanding of what will contribute to their success in the chosen courses.
What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Students are encouraged to highlight a variety of experiences beyond formal education, ranging from extracurricular learning to employment. The focus is on explaining the significance of each experience, emphasising the skills developed, critical thinking fostered, and how these experiences will aid their academic journey.
The personal statement will still be a total of 4,000 characters, just divided between these three sub-questions.
There will also be a space within the reference where students can talk about any extenuating circumstances in their own words. Although not mandatory, this question offers a space for students to contextualise their achievements and experiences by addressing any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted their educational journey. It allows students to provide a broader understanding of their context without diverting attention from showcasing their skills and suitability for the courses.
Does this change how I should write my Personal Statement?
Don’t panic! The changes to the personal statement for 2026 entry do not fundamentally change what the personal statement is. It is still the same length, and the questions cover the same content you would normally be expected to include. It has just been broken down into three effective subsections to make what universities are expecting clearer. You should remember that UCAS are not changing the personal statement to confuse you or complicate the process but to break it down and simplify it. You should still approach the personal statement and your personal statement exploration in the same way.
How have UCAS Applicant References Changed in 2024
Although the personal statement itself isn’t changing, UCAS is implementing changes to academic references. The objective is to provide a more structured and insightful approach, aligning with universities' and colleges' expectations while streamlining the reference compilation process.
Previously, academic references often varied significantly in content and format from one referee to another, making it challenging to effectively compare applicants. Universities and colleges faced a dilemma in deciphering the true essence of each applicant from these diverse references. Simultaneously, academic advisers reported mounting pressure to invest extensive time in crafting detailed references with the anticipation of boosting applicants' chances of success.
A Structured Approach for Enhanced Clarity and Precision
To address these challenges, UCAS is ushering in a transformation by replacing the open-ended free text approach with a more structured, segmented format for academic references. Starting from the 2024 entry cycle, academic advisers will be guided to include three specific sections, bringing in a more standardised and clear structure to the references:
General Statement: Advisers will start with a concise general statement about the applicant.
Extenuating Circumstances (if applicable): This section allows for the inclusion of any exceptional circumstances that may have affected the applicant's academic journey.
Supportive or Specific Applicant Information: Advisers can add any other information they deem relevant, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the applicant's strengths and achievements.
Key Benefits of the Restructured Approach
Enhanced Clarity and Confidence: The structured approach instils clarity and confidence in advisers, knowing that they are providing pertinent and meaningful information that universities and colleges seek.
Time Allocation and Resource Efficiency: With a structured format in place, advisers can allocate their time and resources more efficiently, focusing on guiding students through the discovery phase of their application journey.
Streamlined Selection Decisions: Universities and colleges can easily navigate and extract vital information from the structured references, aiding in efficient selection decisions and targeted support.
Tailoring to Course-Specific Requirements
As with personal statements and entry requirements, some courses and institutions may have specific expectations for academic references. Applicants and advisers are encouraged to consider general guidance in conjunction with any specific requirements outlined by universities and colleges.
This transition to a structured approach in academic references marks a significant step towards streamlining the application process, aligning the expectations of academic institutions, advisers, and applicants alike. The 2024 entry cycle brings forth an era of increased clarity and efficiency, ensuring a more effective evaluation of applicants' potential within the higher education landscape.
How U2 Can Help With Your UCAS Application
As you embark on the exciting journey of preparing for your university application, know that you don't have to navigate this path alone. We stay up to date on UCAS changes so you don’t have to worry. At U2, we're here to provide valuable guidance and support at every step of the way.
We support students through each step of the process, from university choice to course selection, and crafting a compelling UCAS personal statement. If applying to Oxbridge, this also means honing the skills necessary for admissions tests and interviews, ensuring you're well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
We also have an entire co-curricular division, Minds Underground, which is a treasure trove of co-curricular opportunities to strengthen your future university application. Check out our range of clubs and courses, research projects and Oxbridge Summer Schools here.
Keen for us to guide you through the complexities of the UCAS application process? Let's work together to turn your university aspirations into reality!
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