philosophy personal statement oxbridge

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Philosophy Personal Statement

Discover how to write an unique and exemplary Cambridge Philosophy personal statement using our proven tactics.

Cambridge Philosophy Personal Statement

Receive feedback on your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement within 48 hours.

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Personal statements for every course

Our Oxbridge tutors have extensive experience with writing personal statements for a wide range of programmes, including Cambridge Philosophy. They can assist you in developing a strong and successful Cambridge Philosophy personal statement, ensuring that you incorporate key elements and write in the appropriate tone.

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How it Works...

Many applicants are denied a place on the Cambridge Philosophy course. Why? Simply because their personal statement is insufficient. Knowing what to include in your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement and how to phrase what you want to say to impress the admissions tutors can be difficult. Watch this video to find out how we can assist you.

How Oxbridge Mind’s Personal Statement Check works

Many applicants are denied admission to the Cambridge Philosophy course because their personal statement is poor.

Personal Statement Editing in 60 Seconds

Would you watch rather than read? ? Watch the video ☝️

How we can help

Response in 48 hours.

Send us your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement at any stage of preparation. If you wish us to focus on a specific aspect of your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement, such as word count or relevant job experience, please let us know.

Our Cambridge Philosophy tutors will carefully analyse your personal statement for Philosophy at Cambridge and provide their assessment of what you did well and where you could strengthen.

After reading our feedback, you will feel energised and driven to improve your personal statement for Cambridge Philosophy. We invite you to contribute another draft at this phase if you choose.

You can now upload your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement to UCAS after making the necessary revisions. That's a huge relief!

Our Oxbridge Philosophy tutors will carefully analyse your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement to ensure that it meets our high requirements.

Complete with an analysis summary

We will send you a line-by-line analysis of your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement, as well as feedback on how you fared in each of the critical areas on which the Cambridge Philosophy admissions staff will be focusing.

Write, revise and repeat

Consider the revisions we suggested for your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement after reading our feedback. You are welcome to contact us at any time for additional assistance or to request another Cambridge Philosophy personal statement assessment!

1-1 sessions with Zoom Tutoring

Discuss & Rewrite LIVE

To make the most of the time you have together, your Oxbridge Philosophy tutor will examine your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement and provide some preliminary input before to your one-on-one encounter.

You can discuss your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement in real time with your tutor and receive continuous feedback.

After the session, you can revise your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement at your convenience and contact your tutor if you have any further queries.

Let’s work through an example

Reducing word count.

Your tutor can assist you in minimising the number of words you use and refining the content to the most important elements.

Work Experience

Your Oxbridge tutor will be able to assist you in connecting your relevant work experience to your interest and enthusiasm for Philosophy.

Spelling and Grammar

We will thoroughly evaluate your Philosophy PS's spelling, grammar, tone, and paragraph structure.

Extra Reading

We will assist you in connecting books and presentations you've heard to specific modules in the Cambridge Philosophy Course.

Motivation for Philosophy

You'll learn how to best articulate your reasons for studying Architecture in the Oxbridge learning environment.

Language Style

Your Philosophy tutor will improve your sentence structure, tone of voice, and balance of subtopics.

How can we improve your Personal Statement?

Personal analysis.

Rather than just simply providing basic advice, we will go over your writing and provide personalised analysis.

Reducing Word Count

Although sticking to the 4,000 characters limit can be challenging, we will assist you in writing more clearly.

Improving Language

Our tutors have all produced successful personal statements for the Cambridge Philosophy course and employ our tried-and-true methods.

Grammar Checking

We'll make certain that you don't submit a Philosophy personal statement with poor grammar, as Cambridge will reject it.

Reviewed by Philosophy Tutors

Your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement will be proofread by a team of tutors who are familiar with what Cambridge is looking for.

1-to-1 Feedback Lessons

You will receive continuing guidance to ensure the high quality of your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement.

Our students love us

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Thanks to Oxbridge Mind's Personal Statement check I managed to get invited to 4 interviews! They were very quick in their turnaround, and were able to address the areas I needed to edit.

I was surprised by how detailed Oxbridge Mind were in their feedback - they noticed things my head of sixth form didn’t. I liked the fact that I could Skype the tutor and discuss the edits through with her.

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Our packages

An expert Oxbridge tutor will assess your personal statement, and all of our packages cover content, structure, and grammar analysis. Whatever option you choose, you can be certain that you will have your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement within 48 hours, or your money will be refunded.

1 Personal Statement Check
Expert Feedback in 48h
Real-Time Feedback
Analysis on Character Limit
Writing Suggestions
2 Personal Statement Checks
3 Personal Statement Checks

Our proven 4-Step Method

Step 1

Send us your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement

Send us your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement in any stage of development. You can also tell us if you want us to focus on a certain aspect of your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement, such as word count or relevant job experience.

Step 2

We’ll analyse your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement

Our advisors will thoroughly analyse your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement and provide their own assessment of what you did well and where you could improve.

Step 3

Write, Revise & Repeat

After reading our feedback, you will feel energised and determined to improve your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement. We invite you to contribute another draught at this step if you choose.

Step 4

Submit and Relax

You can now upload your Cambridge Philosophy personal statement to UCAS after adding in the appropriate changes. What a relief, right?

Still got questions? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Frequently asked questions, i need my philosophy personal statement check back by 24 hours can you help.

Of course! We offer an express service upon request, so when you e-mail us your Philosophy personal statement, let us know you'd want it faster and why, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Can I request you to write my Philosophy personal statement?

No, unfortunately. As current and prospective professionals, doing this goes against our ethical standards, thus if we are asked to do it for your Philosoph personal statement, we will kindly reject it.

Will my Philosophy personal statement be secure?

Yes. Only the tutors will view your Philosophy personal statement - all of your data will be encrypted and safeguarded by our privacy policy.

I'm worried about the word count for my Philosophy personal statement - can you help?

Yes, we can. Simply let us know if you'd want to reduce the word count for your Philosophy personal statement, and we'll gladly comply.

I'm an international student - I'm worried my English isn't good enough for the Philosophy personal statement.

Not to worry, we'll give you with a special service to ensure that your medicine personal statement matches Cambridge's English criteria.

Didn’t find the answer you’re looking for? Feel free to contact us directly

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Preparing for Philosophy at University: Reading, Personal Statement and Oxbridge Interview Questions

Philosophy university applications.

Philosophy is an absolutely fascinating subject to explore at university. It allows for the study of the evolution of human thought, the basis of knowledge and the theory that underpins our political structures. Its relevance is applicable to topical societal debates from the definition of gender, to what constitutes personhood, encouraging passionate discussion. Philosophy requires rigorous analytical thought that develops your ability to root out underlying assumptions and deconstruct arguments developing skills useful for many professions.

Reading Around Philosophy - How and Why

If you are aiming to apply for the best UK Universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, it is crucial that reading makes up a large portion of your preparation for the application process. Analysis of your reading should be incorporated throughout your philosophy personal statement, and be used as evidence in your potential Oxbridge philosophy interviews.

Your philosophy personal statement should incorporate an engaging overview of your reading, and your thoughts and opinion on the texts. Make sure you don’t include an exhaustive list of texts without analysis (name-dropping), and on the other side, refrain from turning your personal statement into an essay on texts you have read. Keep some texts up your sleeve to bring up at interview (if applicable) rather than mentioning everything you have read in your personal statement

Make notes as you read of anything you find interesting as well as a summary of each book; this will help you to remember its contents and save you loads of time when you come writing your personal statement, preparing for interview etc.

Discuss your reading with a parent or friend; this can help you clarify what you thought of it and ensure that you can speak confidently about it

Philosophy Reading Suggestions - What to Read

The Cambridge Philosophy reading list is a great place to start. You could also try Peter Singer’s Practical Ethics and Volker Halbach’s The Logic Manual . Try working through the first few chapters of Halbach if you have the time as this will expose you to formal logic and would certainly impress an interviewer.

Other Interesting Books

Peter Singer’s Practical Ethics offers an accessible introduction to practical ethics which explores complex social problems from euthanasia to discrimination

Simone De Beauvoir The Second Sex considers human history through a feminist lens

Jean-Paul Sartre’s Existentialism and Humanism offers a short explanation of existentialist thought that offers a starting point for critical debate of modern philosophy

Bell Hooks: Ain’t I A Woman: Black Women and Feminism fascinatingly examines how prejudice operates at the intersection of race and sex for Black Women

Beyond the Library: Non-Text Preparation Suggestions for University Philosophy

Remember to look beyond the literary in your preparation! Your exploration into philosophy can take many forms – seek out videos, educational podcasts, lectures, essay competitions – anything that caters to your interests and specialities.

Events/ Talks

We recommend looking up talks in your area (or online) as they can be a hugely beneficial way of delving into subject areas beyond your syllabus and igniting your interests. In London, The New College of Humanities often hosts engaging talks by AC Grayling. Also check out Gresham College’s lectures: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch/?subcat=philosophy .

Podcasts/YouTube Videos

AC Grayling - What We Now Know about Science, History and the Mind (Youtube)

Noam Chomsky – Cambridge Union Address (Youtube)

In Our Time: Philosophy

The Partially Examined Life

Watching debates on YouTube can be very helpful - try Sam Harris who also has a fantastic podcast ( https://samharris.org/podcast/ ). Aim to adopt his rational, logical style of arguing

Topical Issues in Philosophy

These are a few example key topics and debates philosophers are thinking about at the moment. Undertake your own research and try to add to the list!:

Feminist Philosophy – questions such as what is gender? Should surrogacy be treated as economic labour?

Artificial Intelligence – considers how AI effects our conceptions of knowledge, consciousness and free will

Euthanasia – practical ethics incorporates moral discussion around euthanasia

Some Philosophers You Might Want to Be Aware Of

Descartes – heralded as the first modern philosopher, his theory of metaphysics is essential to the study of philosophy

John Stuart Mill – developed the ethical theory of Utilitarianism and contributed significantly to political theory

Immanuel Kant – his works span epistemology, ethics and metaphysics. Modern philosophy is sometimes referred to as Post-Kantian revealing how expansive his influence has been

What to Include in Your Philosophy Personal Statement

The personal statement is just one of the many things that universities look at, alongside all the other elements of your application profile. A great personal statement won’t get you in, but a bad one can certainly count you out. It is important to give the tutors a springboard into conversation at interview if applying for Oxbridge.

Write in simple, straightforward, everyday English. Express yourself as succinctly as possible using short sentences. Do not get weighed down in jargon or complicated terminology – us it properly if you do

We recommend ~500 words, 3/4 paragraphs and 1 very short paragraph on extracurriculars at the end, mostly relating to the course. The function of this paragraph is to show that you are a real person with interests outside academia. It is not a factor in their assessment of you as a prospective applicant. Use it as an opportunity to add colour to you as an individual, rather than to brag about getting sports colours or being a prefect; make it quirky, interesting and unique

In the subject paragraphs, do not try to tell any form of grand narrative about either you or the subject e.g. “the first moment I realised I wanted to study Philosophy was” or even “Philosophy is the most important subject because”; these come across as pompous and insincere

It is a common misconception that you need to include lots of books in your personal statement: only include them if you have read them and the specific thing mentioned is highly relevant to your point, or it had a large bearing on your interest in the subject. It is much better to simply write about the ideas, concepts and theories that have captured your attention through your work at school and how you’ve explored them in your own reading

Ensure that you offer your own opinion on the things you’ve read. If you disagree with a philosopher then say so, but remember: the tutor might have spent his/her entire career studying that particular philosopher and might think she is the best thing since sliced bread so support your disagreement rationally and be prepared to justify in more detail at interview

What is an Oxbridge Philosophy interview like?

This is often regarded as the most daunting element of the whole Oxbridge admissions process, but if approached in the right way this can be a (relatively) stress free and even possibly enjoyable experience(!) Interviews may include discussion of:

Your application (personal statement, any submitted work). You might be asked to expand on things mentioned in your personal statement, so make sure you feel comfortable talking about everything you’ve said in more depth

A recent book you have enjoyed

Topical issues in philosophy

Hypothetical scenarios: One Oxford Philosophy applicant (Applying for PPE), was asked to discuss the possibility of a machine thinking - the tutors tried to think of scenarios where the student’s views were inconsistent and probe into their reasoning process

Logical problems: You may be given a logical problem to consider to examine the process of your thinking. How did you get to your answer? What assumptions have you made? Where might there be ambiguities?

Ethical questions e.g. If we had an obligation not to kill animals, would we also have an obligation to intervene to prevent a predator attacking its prey?

Abstract/ theoretical questions e.g. “Why do we care about you having a stable identity that continues over time?”

Thought experiments

Questions on a passage from a text

This list is not exhaustive – every interview is different, and may include a myriad of different formats of question.

A Few Example Oxbridge Philosophy Interview Questions to Practice

If you lost a leg, would you be the same person?

To what extent are you determined by your DNA, your upbringing, your cultural norms?

‘It may be bad taste to commit genocide in a computer game, but it is no more wrong than it would be right to alleviate world poverty in a computer game.’ Do you agree?

How you prepare is entirely up to you – all you can do is explore, read, and practise verbalising responses to example questions as much as possible in the lead-up! Find things you enjoy, demonstrate your enthusiasm and genuine interest in the subject at interview, and you’ll be on the right track for success.

By Elspeth (U2 Philosophy and Theology Tutor - Trinity College, Oxford Graduate)

Are You Applying For Philosophy as a Single Honours or Joint Honours Course at Oxbridge?

Oxbridge philosophy tutoring.

U2 offers ad hoc sessions as well as wider Oxbridge Mentoring programmes ( book a free consultation to discuss options). We have a great team of Oxbridge-educated Philosophy tutors including 1st Class, Master’s and PhD level graduates.

The Process:

1) We suggest a Philosophy graduate as a tutor and send their full CV for review. Our tutors are deeply familiar with the admissions process to study Philosophy at the University of Oxford and Cambridge, and are well-placed to guide you through personal statement curation, the entrance exam (if applicable) and interview process. We have tutors from the straight Cambridge Philosophy course, as well as Joint Honours tutors in French and Philosophy, PPE, PPL etc.

2) We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour informal assessment/ taster session , where the tutor will informally assess the student’s current performance level at for application, including test and interview. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.

3) U2’s approach for regular Philosophy application sessions: The main focus of tutorial sessions will be to explore material that can be discussed in the personal statement and at interview. Tutors ensure each student refines their interests within Philosophy, and is exposed to a range of approaches and new concepts, guiding students in their reading and wider subject exploration. Together, we build a case for the student, exploring their special interests in the subject and honing skills for the admissions test if applicable.

Frequency of sessions can be decided between student and tutor. Students can take either ad hoc sessions, or we structure a full programme for preparation, which may include further co-curricular opportunities such as our research projects , our Philosophy Summer School and Oxbridge mock interview days. Oxbridge tutoring presents a wonderful opportunity to learn from and be inspired by some extraordinary academic minds. We would be delighted to support you through what can be a challenging, but hugely rewarding process.

Sessions from £75/h.

Preparing for Theology at University: Reading, Personal Statement and Oxbridge Interview Questions

Applying for music at oxbridge: the course, and how to craft a standout music personal statement.

How to Write an Oxbridge Personal Statement (With Examples)

If you want to study at Oxbridge , you will need to apply for your chosen course . As part of the process, you will need to include an Oxbridge personal statement . Whatever the course might be, obtaining a place at Oxbridge can prove extremely competitive, highlighting the importance of your personal statement.

So, your personal statement is going to need to capture the attention of the reader and keep them engaged. In order to achieve this, you will need to make sure that you include the right information and follow the instructions correctly.

Read on to discover all you need to know about Oxbridge Personal Statements and what is required to develop one that makes an impact.

What is an Oxbridge Personal Statement?

When you apply for a university course at Oxford University or Cambridge University, you will be expected to provide a personal statement. This is required as a way of supporting your application, giving the reader the opportunity to discover more about you as a person. It will contain certain information such as the grades you have achieved, your qualifications, experience and personal information.

Within the Oxbridge personal statements, you can explore the reasons why you have a passion for your chosen course and share important and relevant information with the reader. This will help to increase your chances of being accepted for your chosen course.

What to Include in an Oxbridge Personal Statement?

Oxbridge personal statements have to contain the right information. It has to be relevant and engaging, giving the reader a reason to read further into it in order to learn more about you. What this means is that your personal statement has to include the correct details that indicate your reasons for studying and what makes you a suitable candidate for the course.

So, your personal statement should include the following information:

Reasons For Choosing the Course - To begin with, you will need to clearly state why you want to study your chosen course. You will need to be specific with the reasons such as having a passion for it or wanting to explore a certain career after completing your studies. Discuss why the subject appeals to you and what drives you to choose it. You can also explore how your interest developed but the main thing to show the reader is that you have genuine reasons for choosing the course as this will translate into you being considered a student that the tutor would want to teach.

What Makes You Suitable - Having a desire to study the course is one thing but you also need to fit the criteria. At this point, it is crucial that you cover the skills and experience that you have and how they fit in with the course and your goals. Research is also key because you need to show that you fully understand what the course entails and how that ties in with your potential career choice.

The Relevance of Your Currency Study - You might be studying subjects that naturally lead into the university course that you want to study. In contrast, you might have studied subjects that are not aligned with your chosen course but there is still a lot you can take from this. This is a crucial part of your Oxbridge personal statement but if there is no link between previous studies and the course, you should look to explore the skills you have and how they relate to the course.

Hobbies and Interests - The reader is not only interested in how you have performed academically because they consider who you are as a person. By discussing your hobbies and interests, it will show that you are someone who is well-rounded. Whether you’re a member of societies and clubs or enjoy playing sport, it all helps to build a bigger picture. It can help to show that you are versatile, adaptable and committed, proving that you could be adequate for the course.

Skills and Achievements - Your skills and achievements can have a significant influence on the success of your personal statement. They will show how you can transfer them into your chosen course but it can help to explain how you achieved them. This involves exploring examples that help the reader to understand how you got them. From working in groups where you improved your communication skills to creating solutions to problems, they will show you admissions tutors exactly what you are capable of.

Work Experience - Work experience enables you to learn a wide range of skills and these can be extremely useful when it comes to being accepted. It might be full-time or part-time work experience as well as placements, internships and volunteering, all of which will give you many practical skills. Consider the roles and discuss those that are relevant to the course you have chosen.

How to Write an Oxbridge Personal Statement?

Create it in line with the requirements - It’s vital that you follow the requirements included in the application as this will show that you can follow instructions. It’s likely that it will contain some guidance when it comes to what you should include while it might also explain the areas that they want you to include in it.

Enhance your knowledge of the course - Your personal statement will need to align with the course you are applying for. Through researching the course, you will improve your knowledge and have the ability to link elements of your personal statement to it. This will enable you to create a tailored personal statement that will show the reader that you have carried out the research.

Consider the reasons - Think about the reasons why you want to study this particular course and what motivates you to succeed. Put a list together of the reasons and then look at how they can be worked into your personal statement.

It’s about you - Your personal statement is about you, so it is your opportunity to give it a personal touch. Include any personal links or reasons that have made you want to study the course. Perhaps you are a member of a club or society that has enabled you to enjoy the area you wish to study or perhaps a parent works in a role that you want to pursue which is the reason for choosing this course. This personal element will make your personal statement more memorable to the reader.

Finish by proofreading - Once you are satisfied with the content, you should aim to proofread your personal statement several times. It has to be perfect in terms of grammar and how it reads. You want to make sure it makes an impact for all the right reasons. You should also consider asking friends or family to read it as their feedback could help to finalise your personal statement.

How Long Should My Oxbridge Personal Statement Be?

You will only be given a certain amount of words in which to write your Oxbridge personal statement. You should aim to capture all of the information in around 1,000 words, although your application form will state how many words it should be.

Your statement should be simple to read and to the point while you should avoid going over the word count as this might not work in your favour. So, make any necessary changes to make sure that it fits the guidelines provided.

The Best Opening Sentences For Oxbridge Personal Statement?

Your statement has to connect with the reader which means they have the desire to continue reading. Therefore, you should avoid certain opening sentences such as:

I am applying for this course because… Ever since a young age… I have had a lifelong passion…

You should make your personal statement stand out from the beginning and the above examples are likely to be used frequently by other applicants. Starting your personal statement can prove challenging but it can help to complete your personal statement before going back to write the opening sentence. This can help you to link the opening sentence up with the rest of the content.

Best Practice Template

Your personal statement should have a certain structure to it. This will make it easier to read, so you should avoid creating one single block of text. So, the template below will enable you to create the perfect personal template:

Paragraph 1 - Discuss why you want to study the course by including a story or reasons why.

Paragraph 2 - Talk about your work experience and qualifications as well as any certifications you might have that relate to the course.

Paragraph 3 - Discuss particular skills that you have that you can transfer into your studies and the course and provide evidence where possible.

Paragraph 4 - Cover why you are suitable for the course and what makes you the ideal student.

Conclusion - End your statement so that it links back to your first paragraph and discuss why you believe the course is right for you.

Personal Statement for Oxbridge Example

You can use the example as a guide for your Oxbridge personal statement. This will provide you with guidance, enabling you to structure and write your statement correctly.

Personal Statements for University

Personal statement writing in 2022 & how to write a brilliant statement for ucas.

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How to write a brilliant personal statement

Your personal statement satisfies a number of checkboxes for Admissions Tutors. It’s the first opportunity to give them the chance to meet the real you. You can demonstrate a passion to study your intended subject, show what you are capable of bringing to the university and faculty and prove why you are the applicant that should be offered a place.

As you only have a limited space to express yourself – just 4,000 characters or 47 lines in the UCAS box (whichever limit you reach first) which is equivalent to just over a full typed page of A4 – you need to make every included sentence count. It’s important to remember you only get to write one personal statement that will be sent to all your over university choices. Your statement needs to be tailored as much as you can to each of the courses you are applying to as you don’t want tutors to doubt your commitment to their university and course.

There is one guarantee when writing a personal statement – you won’t get a quality, polished personal statement on your first attempt. In fact, it often takes many drafts, lots of editing and plenty of late-night spurs of inspiration to get a strong personal statement that encourages offers from your preferred universities. To assist you in getting started, we’ve gathered together the following useful tips that will lead you in the right direction and help you to get to grips with how to write a great personal statement for university.

What should you include?

It’s called a personal statement but that doesn’t mean Admissions Tutors want a complete timeline of your life from childhood. They want to see the best side of your academic self, your passion for the course and subject you are applying to and an overview of your academic achievements that are relevant to your subject. In your personal statement, it’s beneficial to include;

Any subject-related work experience you have completed or intend to carry out
Any courses or lectures you have attended that advanced your knowledge
Demonstrations of your interest extending beyond the classroom environment
A relevant list of book, articles and essays you have read

Try to avoid simply listing the things you have done and instead, try to show how your reading and experiences have expanded your knowledge and developed your interests and understanding of your chosen subject. Relevant extra-curricular activities and achievements should also get a mention however, how much space you dedicate to this section is dependent on the university you are applying to. For students applying to Oxford, Cambridge or Imperial universities, extra-curricular activities should be kept to a footnote mention with a greater focus on your academic achievements. Students that are applying to universities such as Loughborough will need to include their extra-curricular achievements in more detail. These universities look at what you can bring to the faculty as a whole and supporting extra-curricular activities can show you will be a good fit.

How do you start?

Starting your personal statement can be done in a million ways and is often the part that many students get stuck on. There is no correct way to start your statement off, some applicants choose to begin with a quote that is relevant to their interests while others open with an anecdote that provides insight into where their curiosity for the subject has come from.

How you open will set the tone for the rest of your personal statement, including establishing your enthusiasm and interest in your subjects and providing the Admissions Tutor with an introduction to your personality. Never use someone else’s words or pretend to be someone else in your personal statement, the Admissions Tutors will quickly see through this and with only a short space to express your true academic self, you don’t want to waste space on other’s content. We recommend speaking as though you were speaking to your headteacher, in a clear, mature tone that retains a sense of who you are as an individual.

How do you finish?

Finishing your personal statement can be as hard as finding the right words for your introduction. The final paragraph doesn’t have to be long or expansive, but simply enough to round off your statement and summarise your interest and dedication to your chosen subject. This part may need some reworking after 4,000 characters of blowing your own trumpet so get plenty of feedback to avoid getting carried away and coming across too arrogant or self-assured in your outro!

Is there anything to avoid?

Your personal statement is submitted alongside your UCAS form, so there is no need to rehash or revisit certain details such as your A-Levels or GCSE grades. Avoid mentioning anything that is readily available to the Admissions Tutors and instead, use the space to focus on selling your own subject interest and dedication.

Aim to remain positive in your personal statement as you are selling your achievements and showing off why you are going to be a good choice for the university, so you should avoid using this space to explain potential disagreements that influenced your grade or reasons behind extended periods of leave.

If there is further information that you feel is beneficial for the Admissions Tutors to know, you should talk to your teacher about including a note in the reference section of your UCAS form. Admission Tutors prefer to read this from the teacher’s point of view and it ensures you can use your personal statement space for the things that matter – the achievements, interests and eagerness that universities are looking for.

Final advice

After potentially spending days, weeks and even months drafting, editing and reworking your personal statement, proof-reading may not seem like an exciting activity but it is absolutely essential. Typos can and do regularly change our opinion of a piece and its author, even if it is something minor in an otherwise engaging and informative article, so it’s key to ensure your personal statement is without grammatical flaws.

Admission Tutors are likely to be strict on accuracy and grammar and to ensure your personal statement ticks the right boxes. We recommend asking your teachers, friends and parents to read over and proof-read your personal statement a few times. A further tip we can offer is to begin with the last sentence and work your way through your personal statement backwards, sentence by sentence. This ensures you can focus on the individual sentence and its accuracy and grammar, rather than getting distracted by the full statement.

From all of us at Oxbridge Applications, we wish you the best of luck with your personal statement. It can be tricky, but look at it as your first challenge to university life and use this opportunity to talk about your best and most interesting subject – you!

Writing a personal statement for Oxford and Cambridge? We explore some of the frequently asked questions about Oxbridge personal statements in our 12 Personal Statement FAQs and answers article.

What is An Oxbridge Personal Statement

Most of you who are reading this will likely have a lot of experience working with Personal Statements, so we’re sure you don’t need a full guide on what a UCAS Personal Statement is and how the process works. If you need a quick refresher on what they are:

A UCAS Personal Statement is a concise written document where an applicant highlights their achievements, skills, and aspirations to support their application for higher education.

Every university applicant in the UK has to complete a Personal Statement as a part of their UCAS Application , but why are we singling out Oxford and Cambridge in particular?

In a technical sense, an Oxbridge Personal Statement is just a Personal Statement. There are no special requirements or different processes that one must take when submitting a Personal Statement. In fact, an Oxbridge Personal Statement will still be sent to every other university option that an applicant has picked. So what do we mean by an Oxbridge Personal Statement?

The difference comes down to the competitiveness of the Oxbridge application process and the level of quality that is therefore expected of applicants. Oxbridge admissions tutors have very high standards and expect more of their applicants than your average university. They have to be as they receive more applications than most other universities in the world, a problem that comes with being so prestigious and highly-rated.

In 2021, the combined amount of applicants between Oxford and Cambridge was 47,133 , with 29,205 being home applicants. Out of 616,360 UK UCAS applicants in that cycle, Oxbridge received applications for nearly 5% of them. (Find more Oxbridge statistics in our Oxbridge Application Data Explained Guide for Teachers )

With figures like that, a standard Personal Statement is going to make it nearly impossible to even be shortlisted, much less accepted by Oxbridge.

So that leaves applicants with one option; write their Personal Statement to the standards that Oxbridge require. Of course, this is easier said than done, so let’s next look at what an applicant needs to do to make a Personal Statement worthy of Oxford or Cambridge.

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Writing a Personal Statement for Oxbridge

The process of writing an Oxbridge Personal Statement is not wildly different from a typical UCAS Personal Statement, but there are key things that your students should consider to ensure their Personal Statement is up to the standards of Oxbridge. One thing that both you and your applicants should know is what Oxford and Cambridge are actually looking for from their candidates:

What Do Oxford and Cambridge Look For in Their Applicants?

Oxbridge admissions tutors are obviously looking for a very high calibre of students in their grades, experience and attitude. However, there’s more to it than this, so it is important to study what the universities actually say they are looking for rather than just assuming. The University of Cambridge specifically have an in-depth guide explaining exactly what they expect from their applicants, which will likely be mirrored by Oxford too:

Academic ability and potential

Of course, Oxbridge needs applicants who can thrive in an academic environment. While this can take various forms, the easiest way to judge this is through grades. Each course already has a grade requirement, so all Oxbridge applicants should already have ticked this box.

Ability to think critically and independently

Oxbridge is looking for applicants who are exceptionally intelligent not just within their chosen subject but in a general sense as well. Critical thinking is a vital skill for many professionals in a wide variety of industries, so being able to think logically in both academic and everyday scenarios is important for a successful applicant. On top of this, the applicant must be able to take initiative and work independently too, a trait that will be essential during the many projects that Oxbridge students must undertake.

Suitability and enthusiasm for your course

Successful applicants must really care about the subject they are applying for and be able to demonstrate an expanded interest, knowledge and desire to learn more. Places are limited and the admissions tutors know that the students who will perform the best are the ones that are truly engaged in what they are doing, so applicants need to prove that they match that description. They also describe “self-discipline, motivation, commitment and the desire to grow” as essential traits for applicants.

If your student can demonstrate every quality listed there, then they are ready to begin work on their Personal Statement. Firstly, the structure and basic planning stage of their statement will be roughly the same. We have a complete guide to UCAS Personal Statements designed for applicants, so we recommend your students check it out to get them started in their Personal Statement planning.

Once the base of their Personal Statement is formed, including their story, academics, subject-specific experience, extra-curricular activities and more, it’s time for them to take a look at what they have written and reflect on whether their work is really going to be appealing to admissions tutors at Oxford and Cambridge. The chances are that the answer is no, as very few applicants get their statement right in their first draft.

So how can they improve their first draft? There are various writing techniques and requirements for their content that will elevate their work beyond that of a standard Personal Statement:

While all applicants should be doing this, it is incredibly important for Oxbridge applicants to link everything they have discussed back to their application. Every experience and achievement mentioned needs to have relevance to the course they are applying for, otherwise, it is just wasted space. Essentially, applicants need to reflect on what they mentioned and explain how the experience helped them grow and why it has made them better as an Oxbridge applicant.

The landscape of Oxbridge admissions is extremely competitive, so applicants need to ensure that every sentence is utilised as efficiently as possible in presenting their strongest attributes. Some applicants may have a wealth of experience that they want to talk about, but the quantity of examples given does not offer nearly as much value as an in-depth explanation of one highly relevant example, complete with a reflection of how these events helped them grow as an academic and a person.

Oxford and Cambridge are very interested in applicants that lead their own research and education, so discussing research projects and wider reading is one of the best things your student can include in their statement. This could be about anything relevant to their subject, as long as they are able to demonstrate initiative, inquisitiveness and the ability to push the boundaries of their own understanding and capabilities. You can learn more about how to guide your students through this additional work in our Teacher’s Enrichment Guide .

Oxbridge admissions tutors are looking for a mutually beneficial relationship with their new students, so your applicants should be able to present themselves as an asset to the university through their statement. Beyond the enrichment we just discussed, this can include experience in volunteering, both at school and with charities, as well as other extra-curricular activities that would be desirable to Oxford and Cambridge. These are all extra’s rather than core elements of a Personal Statement, but they are still very important to include for Oxbridge applicants.

We should stress that all of these things will be beneficial for any student’s Personal Statement, but writing of this quality is more or less required for Oxbridge applicants. In each subject, your student will be facing off against potentially thousands of other viable candidates, so their Personal Statement needs to be as fine-tuned as possible.

This advice is also very general, so you will need to be able to provide tailored support to each student so they can utilise their strengths and experiences when creating a high-quality Personal Statement. We will soon learn about how you can approach marking an Oxbridge Personal Statement, but let’s first take a look at some common mistakes that Oxbridge applicants tend to make.

UniAdmissions' Teacher Tips

It always helps to have a bank of successful examples to use as reference for your student's work. If you have former students who were admitted to Oxbridge, ask if they can provide you with their statement to show your current cohort. And keep the statements of any current students who get their offer (with their permission) to build your bank for next year. You can never have too many high-quality examples!

Common Personal Statement Mistakes Your Students Should Avoid

No Personal Statement will ever be truly perfect, but there are a variety of mistakes that applicants make each year that could be easily avoided. Here are some errors to be aware of when marking Personal Statements:

Lying and Over-Exaggerating

These are two different things but both can cause big problems if your student gets found out.

Lying is obviously the more serious matter here and should never be done in a Personal Statement. We’re not saying that applicants commonly lie about their grades or achievements, but it can be tempting to add “small innocent lies” to improve their writing.

Some applicants will have the idea to include a little extra tidbit that would likely not be questioned, such as referencing a book they haven’t read or mentioning a task that they did not actually perform during a work placement. However, when it comes to a Personal Statement, no detail is safe from scrutiny in the interviews, so it’s not worth them risking an encounter with a question that they cannot accurately and truthfully answer.

As for over-exaggeration, it can actually be good for applicants to do this within limits. They want to sell themselves as the best candidate for their course, so it won’t hurt to make their biggest achievements seem even more impressive. However, they need to be able to back up what they claim or risk looking cocky, unprepared or dishonest in their interview.

As a teacher, you may not be able to initially identify a lie in their statement, so always be sure to question (not necessarily accuse) a student if something seems off. The best place to weed out any potential misrepresentation is during mock interviews, so try to hold one before statements are submitted if possible. Learn more about this in our Oxbridge Interviews Teacher’s Guide .

Writing What Tutors Want to See

Surely applicants should be writing what tutors want to see in order to impress them? That’s true, but applicants will often misunderstand what it is that they actually do want to see.

Some applicants will stuff their Personal Statement with every achievement they have ever accomplished, thinking tutors are expecting them to have done a hundred different things. Others will add extra details that may not be strictly true (see the previous point) simply because it will sound impressive.

Admissions tutors are able to very easily see through these tactics; they have read through hundreds of Personal Statements in their careers after all! So what do they want to see? While competency and experience are important to them, they are also judging an applicant’s character. Those that are humble, inquisitive and able to reflect on why their achievements are important are the most appealing candidates, especially at Oxbridge.

As a teacher, you too must learn to identify these positive characteristics when reading, as well as be able to call out when a student is pandering to the reader in one way or another. It’s an easy mistake for applicants to make, so helping to course correct in a gentle and constructive way is the best approach.

Spelling and Grammatical Errors

This is an easy one that you likely already look out for. However, it’s safe to assume that the majority of your students will submit drafts to you that have spelling or grammatical errors.

This does happen, unfortunately, as spending hours looking at one piece of work will blind even the most observant of us to simple, easy-to-miss mistakes. One small mistake will potentially be forgivable depending on the leniency of the admissions tutor, but it really is better for them to put in the extra work to ensure there are no mistakes at all.

If you are marking their drafts and spot any errors, you should always make a note of them as it would be irresponsible to let them submit their statement with a fixable error. If you don’t want to directly tell them the mistakes they have made, you could present them with a brief summary explaining how many errors you found and give them the task of identifying them. They will likely be more careful to double-check and avoid them in the next draft.

Encourage your students to download an automatic spelling and grammar checker that is more advanced that the default option on Word. While they shouldn't become reliant on them and should still reread their drafts carefully, these apps will give them a head start in catching out errors before they submit.

These are all fairly common mistakes that you should keep an eye out for when marking. But speaking of marking, let’s next see how you should approach providing feedback for an Oxbridge Personal Statement:

How to Mark and Oxbridge Personal Statement

The best way you can support your applicants in their Oxbridge Personal Statements is to provide detailed, actionable feedback to the drafts that they present to you. Therefore, we’re now going to take a look at an example Personal Statement, complete with some example teacher feedback. The statement that has been written is not of the highest quality and certainly not up to the standards required by Oxbridge.

You’ll have marked plenty of Personal Statements before, perhaps even a few Oxbridge ones, so this example focuses on how the applicant can get their statement suitable for Oxford or Cambridge (although this style of feedback would be great for any university applicant).

Example Personal Statement: Oxford Economics & Management

As an aspiring student at the University of Oxford, I am driven by a profound passion for knowledge and a relentless pursuit of academic excellence. It is with great enthusiasm and commitment that I present my application to study Economics & Management at one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.

This opening is very generic and does not reflect any specific qualities about yourself. The introduction should be an intro to you as a person and as an applicant, telling the story of why you want to study E&M and why you deserve your offer. Too much space is wasted stating the purpose of the statement (the entire second sentence), which is already known to the reader.

On the other hand, this paragraph is also too specific, as you have referenced one specific university when this statement will be sent to all of your choices. Focus on the subject rather than the university to ensure that it is applicable to each of your choices.

My fascination with E&M was sparked during my early years of secondary education. As I delved into the subject, I was captivated by its intricate complexities and its profound impact on various aspects of society. This initial curiosity has only grown stronger over time, as I have actively sought opportunities to expand my understanding and engage with the subject on a deeper level.

Once again, this paragraph is too generic. Here, you should reference a specific event that triggered the interest you described, discussing how it made you feel and what it inspired you to do. The second sentence is a good lead into your discussion of research but needs to be shorter as it is currently using up characters unnecessarily.

One of my most significant academic achievements has been the completion of an extended research project on the government’s budget in 2021. Through this endeavor, I was able to develop critical thinking skills, conduct thorough research, and present my findings in a concise and articulate manner. This experience not only solidified my passion for academic inquiry but also demonstrated my ability to engage with complex ideas independently.

This project is a good discussion point, but you do not offer a deeper insight into the work you did. Offer an example of what you had to do during the research and what you learnt from it. You must have undertaken some pretty challenging tasks here so make brief references to them.

You have listed off a series of generic skills that you had developed during this task but offer no additional context into how you developed them or why they are useful to you. Through this whole statement, you need to focus not just on the activities you did, but how they shaped you into the person you are today and how you can action your skillset. The final sentence is a better example of this.

“Endeavor” is spelt in the Americanised way, be sure to proofread your statement and check for spelling and grammatical errors.

Beyond the classroom, I have actively pursued extracurricular activities that complement my academic interests. For instance, I have been a member of the school debate club, where I have honed my communication and analytical skills. This involvement has taught me the importance of constructing persuasive arguments based on rigorous evidence—a skill that I believe will be invaluable throughout my academic journey.

This is a fairly good paragraph for your statement as you have highlighted a specific skill that you have learnt and referenced how it will aid you during your studies. However, this could be more subject-specific by providing an example of where these skills will be invaluable in your journey.

Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to participate in a community service project that involved teaching money management to underprivileged teenagers. This experience allowed me to witness the transformative power of education and reinforced my belief in the importance of knowledge-sharing. It also highlighted the need for accessible and inclusive education—a value that I believe Oxford champions.

Again, this is a good foundation for a paragraph, but you need to explore the topic a bit further. Perhaps you could tell a brief story of a specific student you dealt with, explaining something you learnt that will stay with you through your studies. You could also connect your belief in “knowledge-sharing” with Economics specifically to add greater context.

Your discussion of “accessible and inclusive” education is good but could link more to your own experiences and desire to study economics. You have also specifically mentioned Oxford again, which should be changed to a generic statement like “your university”.

Studying at Oxford represents not only an opportunity for academic growth but also a chance to contribute to the vibrant intellectual community that thrives within its walls. The university’s esteemed faculty, extensive resources, and rich academic traditions provide an environment that is conducive to pushing intellectual boundaries and nurturing a passion for lifelong learning. I am eager to immerse myself in this unique atmosphere and embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

This paragraph is a great way to show the value that you could bring to the university, but you could go into more depth about how. Try to link your reasoning back to the experiences and interests you have already mentioned as you are beginning to conclude your statement. You could also dedicate a bit less space to how great the university is and further discuss how you will be great for the university.

Once again, remove mentions of Oxford specifically, this paragraph could apply to any of the universities that you apply to.

In conclusion, my unwavering passion for Economics & Management, coupled with my academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, leadership experiences, and commitment to making a positive impact, make me an ideal candidate for the University of Oxford. I am ready to embark on this transformative educational journey, and I am confident that Oxford’s renowned academic rigor and vibrant intellectual community will provide the perfect foundation for my personal and intellectual growth.

This is a good conclusion but is a bit too long. While both of the points that you are making here are important (why you are suitable for the university and why you want to study at the university), it has all been covered in the statement already so much of this is redundant. This should be condensed into one sentence that briefly summarises each point.

More references to Oxford need to be removed here. You have also used the Americanised spelling for “rigour” so please change this.

Of course, you know your own students better than us, so your feedback will be personalised to their needs. However, consider this example as a rough guide to how you can offer line-by-line feedback that is constructive and encourages your student to write a Personal Statement that is more suitable for Oxbridge.

You may or may not have noticed, but this Personal Statement was actually written through Artificial Intelligence (AI), another challenge that teachers will continue to face in the coming years. Always discourage your students from relying on AI to write their Personal Statements, as an AI is not going to be able to accurately discuss their qualities, motivations and life experiences. Our AI and UCAS Personal Statements Guide has more information about how AI could and shouldn't be used in Personal Statement Writing.

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Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements

The Personal Statement that we just showed you fell well below the standards of Oxford and Cambridge, so it’s now time to look at some high-quality examples that were written by successful Oxbridge applicants.

Below you will find our complete library of Successful Personal Statement examples from Oxbridge applicants. Each one features a summary, a star rating and a self-evaluation from the writer that details the positive and negative aspects of their writing.

Although you will get the most value from the statements relating to your students’ chosen subjects, we recommend reading through as many examples as possible as each has universal and actionable advice that will help both you and your students.

Successful Humanities Personal Statements

Cambridge law ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, oxford law ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford law & french ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford economics & management ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge economics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, cambridge land economy ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge classics ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford classics ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, cambridge pbs ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, oxford psychology ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge philosophy ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford ppe ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge english ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, oxford english language & literature ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford modern languages ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford geography ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford history ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, successful science personal statements, cambridge medicine ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford medicine ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, cambridge veterinary medicine ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, kcl dentistry ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, cambridge natural sciences (bio) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, cambridge natural sciences (phy) ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford physics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford chemistry ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, cambridge engineering ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford engineering ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge maths & physics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford computer science ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, changes to oxbridge personal statements.

Everything we have discussed so far has been in relation to UCAS Personal Statements in their current form. However, if you have been keeping up to date with the current university application landscape, you will know that UCAS is planning a variety of changes throughout its process and services to be implemented over the next two application cycles.

One of the areas that will be affected is the Personal Statement, which will remain the same for 2024 and 2025 Entry but will be updated in the next admissions cycle. We have written a full guide relating to these changes , but let’s take a brief look at how the process will be changing starting next year.

UCAS Personal Statements for 2026 Entry

The first thing to note is that these changes are being implemented across the whole UCAS process, so it will not just be Oxbridge applicants that are affected.

As you know, UCAS Personal Statements are currently required to be submitted as one, free-form piece of written work with a character limit of 4,000. This will need to be written into a textbox included in the UCAS Application Form, although it can be written in a separate programme and pasted in.

In 2024, Personal Statements will change to a questionnaire-based system within the UCAS Application Form. This means that applicants will now be required to write shorter written answers to a series of questions relating to their application and experience.

This is being implemented in a way that allows applicants to provide the information from their Personal Statement in a more structured and focused manner that will help universities get the relevant information for their admissions tutors. Essentially, applicants will still need to discuss the same topics, just in a different format.

As of now, UCAS has stated that these are the topics they intend to ask applicants about:

Motivation for Course – Why do they want to study these courses?

Preparedness for Course – How has their learning so far helped them to be ready to succeed on these courses?

Preparation through other experiences – What else have they done to help them prepare, and why are these experiences useful?

Extenuating circumstances – Is there anything that the universities and colleges need to know about, to help them put their achievements and experiences so far into context?

Preparedness for study – What have they done to prepare themself for student life?

Preferred Learning Styles – Which learning and assessment styles best suit them – how do your course choices match that?

As you can see, these questions cover all of the basic elements that one would expect from a high-quality Personal Statement, including reasons for applying, academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Therefore, nothing about the approach or the quality of the content will be changing significantly, it will primarily be a format change.

Why are Personal Statements Being Changed?

UCAS has stated that a key concern with Personal Statements in their current form is that the difficulty of writing one from scratch “widens the gap” for applicants of certain backgrounds. The fear is that applicants who do not have access to a support system that helps them through the writing process will have less of a chance of gaining an offer despite being viable candidates.

Other issues raised state that there is uncertainty amongst some applicants as to how Personal Statements are actually used and that a high percentage of surveyed students found the writing process stressful (83%) and difficult to complete without support (79%).

This new format has therefore been tested by applicants and universities alike to ensure that both parties are happy with the new format. The result is a way for applicants to express themselves without increased stress worrying about superfluous things like the structure and flow of the piece.

How Does This Affect Oxbridge Applicants?

If you are reading this as a teacher, it is more than likely that your students do have access to high-quality Personal Statement support, meaning they would be considered more “advantaged applicants”. These new changes are designed to even the playing field for all applicants, but this doesn’t mean that you don’t need to worry about supporting your Oxbridge applicants, or any university applicants at your school.

Although the Personal Statement structure is changing, Oxford and Cambridge’s standards will not be. This means that the quality of the content they write will still be of great importance whether it is present as one document or as multiple answers. Although the structuring will be different, the core of their writing will be the same, which means you need to provide the same level of support that you would have before.

We will be updating this guide, as well as our other Personal Statement guides, once more details emerge about how applicants are expected to answer these questions and once our tutors have had a chance to get to grips with the new system. Advice about structuring a Personal Statement will likely change, but guidance relating to the quality of content should be universal across both formats, so don’t be afraid to continue teaching the lessons that you have already been using. Just be sure that all applicants for 2025 Entry know that their Personal Statement experience will be different.

That concludes our teacher’s guide to Oxbridge Personal Statements. We hope that you will now be able to take a slightly different approach when supporting Oxbridge applicants with their Personal Statements in order to help them make them as good as they could possibly be.

Be sure to share these resources, as well as our collection of applicant Personal Statement Guides, with your students and encourage them to research further. We have even more great guides for teachers available at our Teacher’s Hub, and you can find out how UniAdmissions can support your school in creating the ultimate support programme for your students .

Other Helpful Oxbridge Resources

Free CPD-Accredited Oxbridge Counsellor Course

This free online course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to help your students secure a place at the world’s top universities. You’ll complete the course as an Oxbridge expert!

Teacher’s Oxbridge Learning Hub

Access all of our highly detailed written guides for teachers, as well as useful resources and information about our school support.

Continue learning about Oxbridge...

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Oxbridge Personal Statement Examples

Check out our successful Oxbridge personal statement examples below.

You will find a collection of standout personal statements that have helped students gain admission to the prestigious universities of Oxford and Cambridge .

These Oxbridge personal statement examples can serve as inspiration and guidance as you begin to write your own.

Whether you are applying to study law , natural science , economics , or any other course , these examples can help you showcase your unique strengths and experiences compellingly.

Successful Oxbridge Personal Statement Examples

Oxbridge personal statement example for economics course.

I volunteer at a local soup kitchen in Singapore, where I help distribute food and check on the well-being of lower-income families living in public housing.

One day, we encountered a family of five who were all seriously or terminally ill but were not receiving any government social support and had been relying mostly on NGOs for assistance.

This experience highlighted a social issue that concerns me – the lack of adequate social security support in Singapore despite its economic strength.

I believe more attention should be paid to addressing poverty and inequality.

I volunteered at the soup kitchen not only to help those in need but also to understand their struggles, as their interests are often overlooked.

As an economics student, I have learned how well-informed economic policy can improve lives by guiding social analysis.

This subject excites me and has motivated me to learn more through books, volunteering, and participating in economics-related competitions.

For example, I received a distinction award in the National Economics and Financial Management Quiz, which tests quick thinking, logical, and mathematical skills.

I also submitted an essay for the GlaxoSmithKline-Economic Development Board Book Prize on how Singapore can capitalize on Asian talent as a source of growth.

In addition, I participated in the local Math Olympiad received a bronze award, and completed a month-long internship at Centennial Asia Advisors, where my work contributed to the analysis of the Great Recession and the process of purchasing bonds to address the crisis.

This experience gave me a greater understanding of the importance of economic policy and its application.

I am also actively working to make a difference. Along with a group of friends and an NGO, I am committed to helping the village of Tom in Cambodia escape poverty by building schools and providing water filtration devices for villagers.

We also plan to support children with scholarships through fund-raisers. Personally helping Tom overcome poverty is one of my goals, and I believe that a strong understanding of economics will be essential in achieving this.

In addition to my academic and volunteer pursuits, I have also participated in various activities that have helped me grow as a person.

For example, I participated in The Odyssey of The Mind, a competition that challenges teams to think creatively through dramatic performances.

Our team won the World Championship after competing against teams from 60 other countries.

I am also an avid sailor, having represented my school as captain and Singapore in international competitions.

What I value most from these experiences are the relationships I formed with my teammates and the importance of dedication and perseverance in achieving success.

At school, I helped start the Young Diplomats’ Society, an interest group focused on Model United Nations Conferences (MUNC).

At Princeton University MUNC, I received an honourable mention, and at the Nanyang Technological University MUNC, I received the Dorothy Cheung Award for Best Delegate.

I also organized the annual iMUN@AC, serving as Chief of Staff in one year and Secretary General in another.

These MUNCs sparked my interest in global politics and led me to research the causes of the Rwandan Genocide for my IB Extended Essay, a 4000-word research paper that I thoroughly enjoyed and received an “A” grade for.

As John Maynard Keynes said, an economist is part philosopher, part statesman, and part mathematician.

I hope to study economics so that I can learn how to make changes on local, regional, and global levels.

Oxbridge Personal Statement Example For Law Course

I have always been drawn to the fields of law and justice. Even as a child, I was fascinated by the concepts of right and wrong and how they were applied in society.

My interest in history has also allowed me to learn about the evolution of the legal system over time.

During my school years, I took on leadership roles, including being a Senior Prefect and a member of the Student Council.

These experiences gave me a unique perspective on how a school operates and the importance of rules for both students and staff.

In my GCSE years, I had the opportunity to study Critical Thinking, which allowed me to hone my analytical and debate skills.

As part of this course, we visited Winchester Crown Court, giving us the chance to observe a court case in person and see the legal system in action.

This experience had a profound impact on me and further solidified my desire to pursue a career in law.

I also gained valuable insights into the legal profession through a two-week work placement at a local solicitor’s firm during the summer between school and college.

During this time, I was able to observe court proceedings and learn about the daily operations of a solicitor’s office.

In my free time, I enjoy reading classic fiction such as “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens and “North and South” by Elizabeth Gaskell.

I also enjoy cooking, travelling, and leading a healthy and active lifestyle.

I am confident that my personal skills, knowledge, attributes, and work ethic make me an excellent candidate for a law degree at your university.

I hope to use my time at university to develop the skills and qualifications necessary to have a successful career in law and to gain further experience in the courtroom.

Oxbridge Personal Statement Example For Natural Sciences Course

I was always fascinated by the natural world and spent hours exploring the forests and streams near my home.

This curiosity eventually led me to pursue a degree in biology at Oxford University, where I excelled academically and gained valuable experiences that have prepared me to take the next step in my education.

Throughout my undergraduate studies, I have taken a range of ecology courses and consistently earned high marks. In addition to my coursework, I have also been actively involved in several extracurricular activities that have allowed me to further explore my interests in biology and ecology.

For example, I have participated in research projects on the Forest Eco Programme and have worked as an intern at EcoBio Ltd where I gained valuable hands-on experience.

One of the things that set me apart from other applicants is my passion for biology and my dedication to making a positive impact in the world.

This drive was sparked by my achievements in school, which taught me the importance of the environment and motivated me to pursue a career in which I can make a difference.

I am excited to apply to the biology course at Oxford University because of its reputation for excellence and its commitment to providing students with a world-class education.

I believe that the University of Oxford will provide me with the knowledge and skills I need to achieve my goals and make a meaningful contribution to my field.

I am confident that my strong academic and extracurricular background, along with my passion and dedication, make me a strong fit for the course.

I am eager to join the vibrant intellectual community at Oxford and to continue pursuing my goals in biology.

Oxbridge Personal Statement Tips

Focus on the following suggestions to write a successful personal statement for Oxbridge :

Start by thinking about your goals and why you want to pursue them at Oxbridge. What sparked your interest in your field of study, and how have your experiences prepared you to pursue it at a top university?
Reflect on your achievements and experiences. What have you accomplished that demonstrates your potential to succeed at Oxbridge? This could include academic achievements, extracurricular activities, internships, or other experiences.
Consider what makes you unique. What sets you apart from other applicants and makes you a strong fit for the program you’re applying to?
Write in a clear and concise manner, using concrete examples to illustrate your points. Avoid using overly complex language or jargon, and be sure to proofread for spelling and grammar errors.
Edit and proofread your personal statement carefully. It’s important to take the time to polish your statement and make sure it’s the best it can be.

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Oxford PPE (Philosophy, Politics & Economics) Personal Statement - a successful Oxford applicant example!

How to write the perfect oxford & cambridge politics, philosophy and economics (ppe) personal statement, an example personal statement with annotations from a successful applicant.

It is profoundly disturbing that the reality of inequality and suffering so radically contradicts our conception of how the world ought to be. Through my studies, I wish to understand how the world should be changed, and how I can change it.

[1] The personal statement begins with a thought-provoking reflection on the contradiction between the reality of inequality and our ideal vision of the world, showcasing the applicant's deep concern for societal issues.

This feeling motivated me to undertake voluntary work in Kenya, where unfortunately I acquired a rare spine infection. Although this left me hospitalised for months during my A levels last year, the experience of working with communities in absolute poverty provided added significance to my reading of economic development theory. On this matter, I was deeply impressed by Thomas Pogge's 'World Poverty and Human rights', both regarding its moral and economic rigour. Upon consideration, however, I found his policy of the global resource dividend unconvincing, regarding both its difficulty in measurement and unpredictability in its effects compared to similar strategies such as Piketty's global tax on wealth. Nevertheless, his arguments led me to think about development in terms of the world economy rather than individual nations, looking at how we can tackle extreme poverty and achieve growth in LEDCs with intervention similar to how we address poverty and inequality at a national level.

[2] The mention of voluntary work in Kenya demonstrates the applicant's commitment to making a difference and their firsthand experience with communities facing extreme poverty. The subsequent spine infection highlights their resilience and determination to overcome challenges in pursuit of their goals.

[3] The applicant's engagement with economic development theory, particularly through reading Thomas Pogge's 'World Poverty and Human Rights,' shows their intellectual curiosity and critical thinking abilities. Their evaluation of Pogge's global resource dividend policy versus Piketty's global tax on wealth demonstrates their ability to analyze and compare different strategies for addressing poverty and inequality.

I received the 'student of the year' award for Mathematics during college, and I have long enjoyed applying my mathematical knowledge outside the classroom. For example, at twelve I taught myself to program, finding coding stimulating because of the multiple levels of logical developments, and by thirteen I had published my first application to the Apple app store. More recently, after attending Cambridge's HE+ economics programme, this has manifested as an interest in game theory. Ken Binmore on the relationship between game theory and the social contract is an interesting application of economics to political philosophy. While Pogge's moral arguments for aid are built around Rawlsian ideas of political justice, he does not address the many criticisms of Rawls, importantly that multiple conclusions might follow from the veil of ignorance. Binmore, on the other hand, uses game theory as a naturalistic justification of Rawls, arguing that the 'deep structure' of fairness norms is a universal evolutionary solution to the equilibrium selection problem. Most of Binmore's evidence for this comes from anthropological examples of primitive communities, which is unpersuasive given that in what one might consider the state of nature we can largely ignore the social or power structures of organised society. Interestingly though, recent experiments such as the dictator game give credibility to this intuitionist line of thought in moral and social theory.

[4] The recognition as the "student of the year" for Mathematics showcases the applicant's exceptional academic achievements in the field, while their passion for applying mathematical knowledge in practical contexts, such as programming and app development, demonstrates their versatility and problem-solving skills.

[5] The applicant's interest in game theory, inspired by attending Cambridge's HE+ economics program, highlights their multidisciplinary approach to understanding the intersection of economics and political philosophy. The exploration of Ken Binmore's application of game theory to the social contract and the critique of Pogge's moral arguments showcases their engagement with complex intellectual debates.

[6] The applicant's active involvement in public lectures, philosophy societies, and debating societies reflects their thirst for knowledge and their commitment to engaging in intellectual discussions. Their organizational roles and participation in debates, including one with Sir Vince Cable on the EU referendum, demonstrate their leadership skills and ability to facilitate meaningful dialogue.

Outside of college I attend many public lecture series and debates in my community. I find the low attendance allows a great capacity for discussion compared with programmes such as Cambridge's philosophy master class that I have attended, allowing me to engage with professors on topics from Schopenhauer's aesthetics to free will. Experiences like this have inspired me to create two philosophy societies, found a debating society at my secondary school, and become president of the debating society at college, where I notably organised a debate including Sir Vince Cable on the recent EU referendum. Beyond academia, music has been a large part of my life. Throughout most of my education I have sustained graded examinations in four instruments, playing in countless groups and orchestras and touring Europe twice in the process. This demonstrates, especially in attaining my grade 8 oboe alongside my A levels, how I will have no trouble in managing the increased workload of university life.

[7] The mention of music as a significant part of the applicant's life showcases their commitment, discipline, and ability to balance multiple pursuits. Achieving a Grade 8 qualification in oboe alongside A-levels exemplifies their capacity to manage increased workloads and thrive in challenging environments.

Ultimately, I am fascinated by the human condition, our existential struggle for meaning against our economic circumstances. I hope to gain from my degree a deeper understanding of how to approach these most critical of issues, and the ability to change people's lives for the better.

[8] The concluding paragraph emphasizes the applicant's fascination with the human condition and their desire to gain a deeper understanding of critical societal issues. Their aspiration to change people's lives for the better demonstrates their genuine concern for making a positive impact on the world.

What makes this a good Oxford PPE personal statement?

This personal statement provides a comprehensive and captivating glimpse into the applicant's intellectual journey and aspirations. Their profound concern for the glaring disparity between the reality of inequality and their vision of a more equitable world sets the stage for their academic pursuits.

The applicant's deep admiration for Thomas Pogge's 'World Poverty and Human Rights' showcases their engagement with both the moral and economic dimensions of addressing global poverty.

However, their critical evaluation of Pogge's proposed global resource dividend policy and their exploration of alternative strategies, such as Piketty's global tax on wealth, reveal their ability to approach complex issues from multiple perspectives.

This thoughtful analysis demonstrates their capacity for rigorous intellectual inquiry and their commitment to finding effective solutions.

Their prowess in mathematics, passion for interdisciplinary thinking, active participation in public lectures and societies, and dedication to music further underscore their exceptional qualities and make them a strong candidate for further academic exploration and meaningful contributions to society.

Author: Isa ac - Oxford

BA Philosophy, Politics & Economics

Focusing on the philosophy and politics elements of the degree, I obtained high First Class honours, winning the R. Knox Prize for finals performance in philosophy. I will begin graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of Oxford in October, and in the coming years I intend to pursue a career in academic philosophy.

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Politics was not an option at GCSE in my school but having grown up in a family of strong minded individuals working in public service I knew it would be my first choice at A –Level. I have not been disappointed. I was brought up with views formed during the political turmoil of the miners’ strike, continuing on through student riots and onto the formation and expansion of far-right extremists groups such as EDL.

The interactive nature of politics has allowed me to form my own opinions on the effect of political events and their relationship with society. Foreign policy with Syria, fiscal control with the credit crunch, moral objections of same sex marriage are just a few examples of the broad range of subjects that humanities influence and has kept me enthralled throughout my course.

Politics is an ever changing subject which means over time it can develop and improve. I want to be part of this. I want my university life to be flexible, rewarding and engaging so I have chosen to expand upon my learning experience by studying more than one discipline which are tailored to my interests.

The subjects mesh well and deal with the related issues of the use of power, social policy, fiscal awareness, morals and the interconnection of the individual and state.

During my time at school I have not been afraid to expand my social skills, team building and communication skills. Participation in extra-curricular activities has helped me to maintain a balance between my studies and leisure.

I have been an avid swimmer, achieving the Honours Swimming Challenge which is the highest Challenge award available and has taught me the value of perseverance and hard work. I was also a member of the Ribble Valley School of Dance for 10 years and have been awarded Grade 3 in ballet, tap and modern jazz.

Both of these sports are more individually driven which has given me the push to achieve as my own person without relying on others to help me succeed.

This does not mean I cannot work well in a team though, as I was a member of the school netball team at secondary school where I learnt the importance of every person’s strengths and how to best utilise these abilities to succeed well in a team.

I have expanded my personal growth by completing The Challenge. This was a summer programme which consisted of a series of team and individual challenges where we worked within the community with different charities such as Nightsafe homeless shelter and Darwen’s neighbourhood community Trust.

I continued in this area of social awareness by becoming an Associate Mentor with the Challenge in which I have a leadership role with current Challengers. I was involved throughout the summer with a new series of charitable causes such as raising awareness for suicide watch and highlighting misconceptions about learning difficulties.

My work experience has included work in a commercial law office where I learnt about credit histories, contract formulation and customer relations with face to face contact with clients. I also work in my families company where I have dealt with problems as diverse as steel orders for agricultural buildings to VAT returns and product sourcing.

Last year I was awarded the National Citizen Service 2012 for my voluntary work within the community. This shows I am willing to dedicate my free time for the benefit of others and possess a strong work ethic.

I am currently taking part in the Bar mock trial with the Citizenship foundation where students work as a team to prosecute and defend set cases which will give me an insight into the legal system and improve my ability to think on my feet.

I have always aspired to study at University with a subject choice that reflects my interests. The experience will develop and mould my knowledge in these subject areas.

I hope I have shown myself to be a well rounded candidate who has a willingness to learn, the dedication and the drive necessary to excel at your University.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by sarahb123 for application in 2014.

sarahb123's university choices Keele University Loughborough University Oxford Brookes University University of Surrey University of Wales Swansea

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

sarahb123's Comments

I have applied to a different courses but all are 'politics and...' so my personal statement is mostly politics but can be used for politics and another subject

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The experience will develop and mould my knowledge in these subject areas. I hope I have shown myself to be a well rounded candidate who has a willingness to learn, the dedication and the drive necessary to excel at your University. This personal statement was written by sarahb123 for application in 2014. sarahb123's university choices.