How to Help Your Child Write a Great Personal Statement
Your child’s personal statement is one of the most important parts of their UCAS application, a crucial 4,000-character snapshot that can influence whether they secure an interview or offer. According to UCAS, admissions tutors read thousands of applications each year, so your child’s statement needs to stand out not just for its content, but for its clarity, structure, and authenticity.
For the 2026 entry, the personal statement format has changed. Instead of one long, free-flowing statement, applicants will now be asked to answer three key questions:
1.Why do you want to study this course?
2.How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare for this course or subject?
3.What else have you done to prepare outside of education and why are these experiences useful?
This change means your child will need to be more focused, structuring their answers directly around these prompts while still conveying personality and enthusiasm.
Why Does Your Child Want to Study This Course?
This is their opportunity to go beyond predicted grades and exam results, offering a window into their motivation and academic interests. Encourage them to clearly explain why the subject matters to them, what sparked their interest, how it has developed over time, and where they hope it will take them.
Universities value genuine and informed commitment. Rather than vague statements like “I’ve always loved biology”, your child should talk about a specific moment, problem, or topic that captured their imagination and how it shaped their academic journey.
The Importance of Supercurriculars
When answering “What have you done to prepare?”, your child should focus on super-curriculars,academic activities beyond the classroom that deepen their subject knowledge. These could include attending public lectures, completing an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), reading academic books or journals, or taking part in subject-specific competitions.
Help them reflect on these experiences by asking: What did you learn? How did it change your perspective? How is it relevant to your chosen course? This reflection shows intellectual curiosity, initiative, and readiness for university-level study.
Showing They’re the Right Fit
This is where your child should aim to connect the dots between their A-level studies, super-curriculars, and any relevant work experience. For example, if they’re applying for Engineering, they might explain how Physics A-level developed their understanding of mechanics, an online coding course taught them logical problem-solving, and a summer internship gave them real-world insight into project management.
Encourage them to show they understand the demands of the course. If it requires extensive reading, they can highlight their engagement with challenging texts. If it involves independent research, they can reference an EPQ or self-initiated study.
Universities value transferable skills such as independent research, critical thinking, time management, resilience, and clear communication. Your child should use specific examples to show they’ve developed these skills and explain how they will help them succeed at university.
Structure Matters More Than Ever
While the three questions give the statement its basic structure, planning is still crucial. Each section should start with a clear opening statement, use relevant examples to develop the points, and finish with a short conclusion that reinforces their suitability.
Remind your child that great writing is rarely done in one draft. They should create multiple versions, refining language and examples, and seek feedback from tutors or trusted readers. At Ashbourne, students receive one-to-one guidance to identify their strongest evidence, polish their phrasing, and maintain an authentic voice, so their final statement answers UCAS’s three questions with confidence and clarity.
Being Authentic and Professional
Universities want to hear from your child, hence they are not looking for something generic. Encourage your child to avoid overused openings like “I have always been fascinated by…” and exaggerated claims that sound insincere. Instead, they should use genuine examples that reflect their real interests and engagement.
A confident but not arrogant tone works best, professional yet still warm. Clear, concise language will let their enthusiasm shine through naturally in the experiences they share. The aim is to produce a statement that feels honest, individual, and memorable. Remember, the admissions tutors receive thousands of personal statements, and so you want something which stands out and grabs their attention.
Final Tips for Parents Supporting Their Child
– Remind them to stick to the character count for each section.
– Encourage them to prioritise super-curriculars over general extracurriculars.
– Help proofread for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
– Encourage them to start early, great personal statements take time to develop.
Ultimately, writing a personal statement under the new UCAS format may feel different for your child, but it’s also an exciting opportunity for them to be more direct and purposeful in their answers. With careful planning, thoughtful reflection, and targeted evidence, they can create a statement that captures who they are and why they’re ready for the next step. At Ashbourne, their UCAS tutor will be there every step of the way, helping them uncover their strongest examples, refine their answers, and submit a statement they can be proud of.
1. What is changing with the UCAS personal statement in 2026?
From 2026 onwards, the UCAS personal statement will no longer be a single essay. Instead, students must answer three structured questions about course choice, academic preparation, and relevant experiences.
2. What should parents focus on when helping with a personal statement?
Parents can help by encouraging their child to reflect on motivation, connect A-level studies and experiences to the chosen course, and keep the tone authentic. Proofreading for clarity and grammar also makes a big difference.
3. What are super-curriculars, and why do they matter?
Super-curriculars are academic activities beyond the classroom, such as wider reading, an EPQ, public lectures, or subject competitions. They show genuine interest in a subject and help applications stand out.
4. Should extracurricular activities be included in the personal statement?
Yes, but only when they build relevant academic or transferable skills. Super-curriculars carry more weight, but extracurriculars like leadership or volunteering can be valuable if linked to the chosen course.