marketing personal statement for uni

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Guide

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

• Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

• Postgraduate Personal Statements
• International Student Personal Statements
• Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

Personal Statement Changes 2025

• Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

• Mature Student Personal Statements
• Personal Statements By University
• Accountancy and Finance Personal Statements
• Actuarial Science Personal Statements
• American Studies Personal Statements
• Anthropology Personal Statements
• Archaeology Personal Statements
• Architecture Personal Statements
• Art and Design Personal Statements
• Biochemistry Personal Statements
• Bioengineering Personal Statements
• Biology Personal Statements
• Biomedical Science Personal Statements
• Biotechnology Personal Statements
• Business Management Personal Statement Examples
• Business Personal Statements
• Catering and Food Personal Statements
• Chemistry Personal Statements
• Classics Personal Statements
• Computer Science Personal Statements
• Computing and IT Personal Statements
• Criminology Personal Statements
• Dance Personal Statements
• Dentistry Personal Statements
• Design Personal Statements
• Dietetics Personal Statements
• Drama Personal Statements
• Economics Personal Statement Examples
• Education Personal Statements
• Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• English Personal Statements
• Environment Personal Statements
• Environmental Science Personal Statements
• Event Management Personal Statements
• Fashion Personal Statements
• Film Personal Statements
• Finance Personal Statements
• Forensic Science Personal Statements
• Geography Personal Statements
• Geology Personal Statements
• Health Sciences Personal Statements
• History Personal Statements
• History of Art Personal Statements
• Hotel Management Personal Statements
• International Relations Personal Statements
• International Studies Personal Statements
• Islamic Studies Personal Statements
• Japanese Studies Personal Statements
• Journalism Personal Statements
• Land Economy Personal Statements
• Languages Personal Statements
• Law Personal Statement Examples
• Linguistics Personal Statements
• Management Personal Statements
• Marketing Personal Statements
• Mathematics Personal Statements
• Media Personal Statements
• Medicine Personal Statement Examples
• Midwifery Personal Statements
• Music Personal Statements
• Music Technology Personal Statements
• Natural Sciences Personal Statements
• Neuroscience Personal Statements
• Nursing Personal Statements
• Occupational Therapy Personal Statements
• Osteopathy Personal Statements
• Oxbridge Personal Statements
• Pharmacy Personal Statements
• Philosophy Personal Statements
• Photography Personal Statements
• Physics Personal Statements
• Physiology Personal Statements
• Physiotherapy Personal Statements
• Politics Personal Statements
• Psychology Personal Statement Examples
• Radiography Personal Statements
• Religious Studies Personal Statements
• Social Work Personal Statements
• Sociology Personal Statements
• Sports & Leisure Personal Statements
• Sports Science Personal Statements
• Surveying Personal Statements
• Teacher Training Personal Statements
• Theology Personal Statements
• Travel and Tourism Personal Statements
• Urban Planning Personal Statements
• Veterinary Science Personal Statements
• Zoology Personal Statements
• Personal Statement Editing Service
• Personal Statement Writing Guide
• Submit Your Personal Statement
• Personal Statement Questions 2025
• Personal Statement Changes 2024

Marketing Personal Statement Examples

What is a marketing personal statement?

Your marketing UCAS personal statement  is a chance to sell yourself to the university admissions tutors and show them why you would make a great marketing candidate. It’s a place to describe your skills and strengths, as well as your career plans and any relevant work experience you have completed.

You are allowed up to 4,000 characters to explain why you are applying for a marketing degree, so you need to make sure your statement is as polished as possible to stand out from the crowd.

How do I write a good marketing personal statement?

Successful marketing personal statements always use evidence to back up what they say - remember to always show, not tell!

You need to convince admissions tutors that you’re a good match for the programme, so if you claim to be committed, organised or inquisitive, then use examples from your life experience to demonstrate this.

To write a great marketing personal statement you need to start early, brainstorm some ideas, and then begin your first draft.

This will then need to be carefully revised and edited before asking family and friends for feedback. Incorporate their comments and suggestions, and see how it is improved before asking them to look at it again.

Read through our marketing personal statement examples above, which will give you an idea of what a good marketing statement looks like.

Make sure you proofread your statement for grammar and spelling before sending it off, and if you feel you need a little extra help, take a look at our personal statement editing services .

What should I include in my marketing personal statement?

Many students choose to start their marketing personal statement by picking a specific topic and explaining why they enjoy it, e.g. consumer behaviour or retail marketing.

Remember that admissions tutors only want candidates that are as passionate about the subject as they are.

As well as your motivations for studying marketing, think about your hobbies and extracurricular activities too. What skills have you learned from these and how will these help you in your marketing degree?

Talk about any work experience placements you have completed, e.g. working as a marketing assistant or digital marketing intern. What did you take away from this experience? Do you feel you have all the necessary personal traits and qualities that make a good university marketing student?

Your wider reading is also important, so it's worth mentioning anything you've read recently that you found interesting and why. This might be in a newspaper, magazine, journal or online. Generally, admissions tutors like students who express their views and opinions, and can back them up with evidence.

For more help and advice on what to write in your marketing personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
• Personal Statement Timeline
• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

What can I do with a marketing degree?

There are many career options open to those wishing to study marketing at university. These include:

• Digital marketer
• Marketing executive
• Media buyer
• PPC specialist
• Public relations officer
• Product manager
• Social media manager

For more information on careers with a marketing degree, please see Prospects and Top Universities .

What are the best UK universities for marketing?

Currently, the best UK universities for marketing are:

For more information about UK university rankings for marketing, please see The Complete University Guide and The Guardian .

Related resources

Replying to ucas offers.

Find out more

Choosing A University

How To Flunk Your University Interview

Student Good Guide

The best UK online resource for students

• Marketing Personal Statement Examples

As you start your marketing journey, writing a good personal statement for marketing can make all the difference in standing out in the admission tutor’s eyes. 

To help you get inspired, we have gathered a collection of successful marketing personal statement examples from top marketing students. These examples showcase a variety of skills and achievements in the field, giving you a clear picture of what a winning marketing personal statement looks like. 

Whether you’re applying for a marketing course or related courses, these undergraduate and postgraduate examples will provide valuable insights and tips to help you create an impactful personal statement for marketing.

Marketing Personal Statement Example

My passion for marketing started at a young age, inspired by the popular TV show Mad Men and its portrayal of the advertising industry. The show sparked my interest in the art of persuasion and the power of effective communication, and I have since been motivated to learn more about the field.

During my high school years at Chew Valley School in Bath, I was the captain of the rugby team, where I developed valuable leadership skills and the ability to work well under pressure. These skills have translated well into my work experience, where I spent two summers at McDonald’s, where I learned how to be task-focused and improve my time management skills.

In terms of academics, I have taken A-Levels in English, Biology, and Chemistry. Although these subjects are not directly related to marketing, they have helped me to develop critical thinking and analytical skills, which I believe will be beneficial in my future marketing career.

My long-term goal is to become a marketing manager and to make a meaningful impact on the industry. I am fascinated by the various aspects of marketing, including market research, branding, advertising, and promotions. I am eager to learn more about these topics and to gain practical experience through internships and real-world projects. I am also interested in writing a marketing book and sharing my knowledge and insights with others who are interested in the field.

In my free time, I enjoy playing rugby and reading books. I am also an avid traveller and have visited several countries, which has broadened my perspective and exposed me to different cultures and marketing strategies. These experiences have further fuelled my interest in marketing and have given me a deeper appreciation for the global impact of the industry.

I believe that a marketing course at a UK university will provide me with the education, skills, and network to pursue my dream career. I am confident that I have the determination and motivation to succeed in the programme, and I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Recommended guides for reading:

• How to Write a Personal Statement for a Master’s
• How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD
• UCAS Personal Statement: A Writing Guide And Tips For Success
• Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for the University
• How to Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out
• UCAS Application: Process and Deadlines Explained in Details
• Personal Statement Examples UK

Undergraduate Marketing Personal Statement Example

Fueled by my fervour for marketing and backed by my hands-on experience and educational foundation, I am the ideal candidate to soar in this programme.

I first became interested in marketing while reading Seth Godin’s book “Purple Cow”. The book spoke to me on a personal level and helped me understand the importance of creativity and innovation in marketing. I was inspired by Godin’s approach to marketing, which emphasizes the need to stand out and be unique in a crowded market. This resonated with me, and I knew then that I wanted to pursue a career in marketing.

My work experience has also been a significant factor in shaping my interest in marketing. During my time at Cantell School, I worked part-time as a digital marketing coordinator for a secondary school web portal. In this role, I was responsible for creating and executing marketing campaigns, analyzing data, and maintaining a strong online presence for the school. This experience provided me with hands-on experience in the field of marketing and further solidified my interest in the subject.

In addition to my work experience, I have also been highly involved in various extracurricular activities, including playing basketball for my school’s team. I believe that my athletic background has taught me valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership, which will be useful in my future marketing career. Furthermore, my A-level studies in English, Media, and Finance have given me a strong foundation in the areas of communication, analysis, and finance, which are essential skills in marketing.

My travels around the world during my gap year have also had a profound impact on my interest in marketing. I had the opportunity to meet and interact with many people, including marketing professionals, who shared their experiences and insights into the industry. This has given me a deeper appreciation for the dynamic and ever-changing nature of marketing and has motivated me to pursue a career in this field.

Philip Kotler, another marketing thought leader, has also had a significant impact on my motivation to pursue a career in marketing. I admire his approach to marketing, which emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and designing strategies that meet those needs. This has inspired me to approach marketing from a customer-centric perspective and to always prioritize the needs of my target audience.

Ultimately, my goal is to become a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and make a significant impact in the marketing industry. I am confident that with a degree in marketing from your esteemed university, I will be well-equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve this goal.

I am highly motivated and passionate about pursuing a degree in marketing. I believe that my work experience, academic background, and extracurricular activities make me a strong candidate for your programme. I look forward to the opportunity to further develop my skills and knowledge in marketing at your esteemed university.

Postgraduate Marketing Personal Statement Example

With over three years of working experience in the marketing sector, I believe I have gained the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue advanced studies in the field.

I have been working at Grey International Marketing Agency in London, where I have been involved in a variety of international marketing campaigns for both UK and international brands. This experience has provided me with a unique opportunity to work with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and to understand the complexities of the global market. I have learned the importance of market research, consumer behaviour analysis, and creative branding strategies in developing effective marketing plans.

As a driven and ambitious individual, I am constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities to grow. My interest in digital marketing has led me to specialize in this field, and I am now proficient in social media marketing, search engine optimization, and email marketing. I am also skilled in data analytics and use it to measure the effectiveness of my marketing campaigns and make data-driven decisions.

Additionally, my experience as a basketball player in the Baker Early College team in Oregon, USA, has taught me the importance of teamwork and leadership. These skills are transferable to the marketing sector and have allowed me to work effectively with my colleagues and clients. I have also learned the importance of adaptability and resilience, especially when faced with unexpected challenges and obstacles.

I am confident that the postgraduate marketing course at your university will provide me with the advanced knowledge and practical skills to further my career and achieve my long-term goal of starting my marketing agency. I am particularly drawn to your university’s reputation for academic excellence and its commitment to providing students with real-world experiences. I am eager to learn from the experienced faculty and to engage with my peers from diverse cultural backgrounds.

I am passionate about marketing and believe that this postgraduate course will provide me with the foundation I need to make a significant impact in the industry. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my background and qualifications with you, and I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Thank you for your consideration.

Other Personal Statement Examples

• Anthropology personal statement examples
• Statistics Personal Statements
• PPE Oxford Personal Statement Example
• Classics Personal Statement Examples
• Theology Personal Statement Examples
• Physics Personal Statement Examples
• Chemical Engineering personal statement examples
• Oncology Personal Statement Examples
• Psychiatry Personal Statement Examples
• Earth Sciences Personal Statement Example
• History Personal Statement Examples
• Veterinary Personal Statement Examples For University
• Civil Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• User Experience Design Personal Statement Example
• Finance Personal Statement Examples
• Neuroscience Personal Statement Examples
• Graphic Design Personal Statement Examples
• Film Production Personal Statement Examples
• Events Management Personal Statement Examples
• Counselling Personal Statement Examples
• Forensic Science Personal Statement Examples
• Children’s Nursing Personal Statement Examples
• Chemistry Personal Statement Examples
• Sports Science Personal Statement Examples
• Mechanical Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Quantity Surveying Personal Statement Examples
• Social Work Personal Statement Examples
• Physiotherapy Personal Statement Examples
• Journalism Personal Statement Examples
• English Literature Personal Statement Examples
• Computer Science Personal Statement Examples
• Fashion Marketing Personal Statement Examples
• Dietetic Personal Statement Examples
• Product Design Personal Statement Examples
• Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Geography Personal Statement Examples
• Business Management Personal Statement Examples
• Politics Personal Statement Examples
• Psychology Personal Statement Examples
• Oxbridge Personal Statement Examples
• Zoology Personal Statement Example
• Sociology Personal Statement Example
• Fashion Personal Statement Example
• Mathematics Personal Statement Examples
• Software Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Philosophy Personal Statement
• International Relations Personal Statement Example
• Biochemistry Personal Statement Example
• Dentistry Personal Statement Examples
• Midwifery Personal Statement
• Law Personal Statement Example
• Medicine Personal Statement for Cambridge
• ICT Personal Statement
• Primary Teacher PGCE Personal Statement
• PGCE Personal Statement Example
• Games Design Personal Statement
• Paramedic Science Personal Statement Examples
• Occupational Therapy Personal Statement

• Personal Statements
• Marketing Personal Statement

Marketing Personal Statement Example

Sample statement.

Is marketing an art or a science? Is it an informative blessing or an intrusive curse? Everyone has a different opinion on the subject, but for me, marketing is one thing above all; marketing is fun. I believe it has to be, or it simply won’t work. The days of information style announcements are long gone.

These days the advertiser must entertain and amuse their target audience if they want to have any hope of getting their message heard in the melee of modern media. This is the unspoken bargain that we all enter into.

I love the combination of strategy and creativity that makes a really good campaign. I always smile at clever, inventive media buying, where the company has really worked hard to match their product to the TV show or environment that it is being advertised in. I admire teaser campaigns that intrigue you and draw you in, despite our natural cynicism. And I love clever creative ideas that make you laugh and make you buy something, both at the same time.

I have always been a good persuader, and have been able to talk my way into, or out of, pretty much anything from an early age. I have developed this ability into the written word, writing copy that captures the imagination and gets people to act. Whenever there is a school production or a fundraising drive, I am usually called upon to come up with the words, and often the overall theme too.

To back up my interest in marketing, I have chosen my A-levels carefully. I chose psychology to help me understand how people’s minds work and mathematics, so that I could understand the inevitable figures and statistics that are needed to analyse a campaign. I also studied English Literature, partly to hone my writing skills, but also because I love to study other writing styles.

I wish I could say that I had the art skills to back up my marketing aspirations, but sadly I cannot create pictures with pencils and paints as easily as I can with words. Nonetheless, I have taken GCSE Art in my free periods to try and improve what ability I have, so that I can at least communicate my ideas to more skilled artists within a creative team.

I am keen on amateur dramatics, and love the way that a whole team has to pull together to make a production work, from the actors to the kid who works the curtains. I think that this has been good experience for a career in an advertising agency where teamwork is equally important. I also have a part time job at the local Tesco store, where I get to observe first hand how consumers react to the hundreds of different marketing messages they are bombarded with in the store. I am fascinated by human behaviour and relish the chance to see it up close as I anonymously stack the shelves nearby.

My ambition is to work my way up through the industry, building a reputation, until one day I am able to open an advertising agency of my own. 

University Guides

• Accommodation
• + much more!

Sign up for news & advice about applying to uni

• Universities
• Fees & Finance
• For Parents
• International Students
• Terms and Conditions

How to write a postgraduate marketing personal statement

How to start your postgraduate personal statement, dos and don’ts.

• Use active voice
• Ensure good spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Only use truthful information
• Remain specific throughout
• Keep sentences short and concise
• Use paragraphing for easy readability
• Tailor everything specifically to the university
• Use clichés
• Copy online examples directly, do take inspiration
• Go off on a tangent, keep it concise
• Copy your CV word for word, keep it interesting

• October 26, 2020

Recent Blog Posts

TikTok Shop: What is it, how businesses can make the most of it, pros and cons

B2B marketing strategies to implement in 2024

How is influencer marketing shifting in 2024?

Greenwashing: What is it, where did it come from, and how can you avoid it?

Follow us on socials

Subscribe to our mailing list.

I consent to receive emails and updates from Girls in Marketing.

*You can unsubscribe from emails at any time.

You've now been added to our mailing list!

All rights reserved © Girls in Marketing Limited 2023

Our official free programme announcement is HERE... 🚀

Our new Digital Marketing Growth Programme is a 2-week programme designed for those working in the marketing industry.

And, our Digital Marketing Internship Programme is back! This is a 3-day virtual training programme for aspiring and junior marketers.

Find out more about the programmes and register your interest by clicking the links above!

We value your privacy

We use cookies to allow this site to work for you, improve your user experience, and to serve you advertising tailored to your interests. Let us know if you agree to all cookies. You can manage your preferences at any time

Your Privacy

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

The shortcut to your shortlist

Make your university search faster and less stressful. Get a personalised shortlist by selecting what matters to you.

• CHOOSE ONE OR MORE

Popular universities

• University of Kent
• University of East Anglia UEA
• University of Chester
• Coventry University
• University of Aberdeen
• University of Portmouth
• Nottingham Trent University
• University of Sunderland
• London Metropolitan University
• London South Bank University
• University of East London
• BROWSE ALL UNIVERSITIES

Course search

Popular undergraduate courses.

• Computer Science
• LLB Bachelor of Laws
• Biomedical Sciences
• Physiotherapy
• Sports Science

Open days search

Upcoming open days.

• AECC University College
• Ravensbourne University London
• Cranfield University
• Edge Hill University
• University of Bedfordshire
• Brunel University London

Article search

Popular topics.

• League tables
• Choosing what to study
• Financing your studies
• Choosing where to study
• Career prospects

Popular articles

How to use the league tables.

• Helping you decide where and what to study

Why use our university league tables?

• Types of degrees in the UK
• How to revise for exams: Top tips
• BROWSE ALL ADVICE

Tips for writing your personal statement

How to write a personal statement it's difficult to know where to begin. get hints and tips on structure, content and what not to write from a university expert..

• An insider's view
• What admissions tutors look for

Structuring and preparing your personal statement

What to write in a personal statement, examples to avoid, an insider’s view .

Personal statements may seem formulaic, but they can be critical to the decision-making process, and admissions tutors do read them.

If you’re applying for a high-demand course, your personal statement could be the deciding factor on whether or not you get an interview.

The Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment at the University of Gloucestershire , James Seymour, shares some top tips on how to write a personal statement.

What makes a good personal statement?

This is your chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment and show us what value you can add to a university. In the vast majority of cases, universities are finding ways to make you an offer, not reject you – the personal statement is your chance to make this decision easier for them!

First, you need to explain why you want a place on a course. Take a look at James’ tips on what you should include:

• Explain the reason for your choice and how it fits in with your aspirations for the future
• Give examples of any related academic or work experience
• Show you know what the course will involve and mention any special subjects you’re interested in
• Demonstrate who you are by listing any positions you’ve held, memberships of teams or societies, and interests and hobbies
• Show consistency in your five UCAS choices. It may be difficult for an admissions tutor to take you seriously if your other choices, and references to them, are totally different. If your choices are different, you should explain this in your statement. The UCAS form is blind. Admissions tutors don’t know the other universities you’ve applied to, or your priorities, but you should still be consistent
• Keep it clear and concise – UCAS admissions are increasingly paperless – so most admissions tutors/officers will read your statement onscreen

Explain what you can bring to a course and try not to just list experiences, but describe how they have given you skills that will help you at university.

Don’t just say: I am a member of the college chess club. I also play the clarinet in the orchestra.

When you could say: I have developed my problem-solving skills through playing chess for the college; this requires concentration and analytical thought. I am used to working as part of a team as I play clarinet in the college orchestra and cooperate with others to achieve a finished production.

• Applying to university and UCAS deadlines
• Applying and studying in the UK
• University interviews

What will admissions tutors look for in your personal statement?

To decide if you’re the right fit, universities and colleges are interested in how you express your academic record and potential. This should be backed up by your reference.

Those working in admissions look for evidence of:

• Motivation and commitment
• Leadership, teamwork and communication
• Research into your chosen subject
• Any relevant key skills

Admissions tutors aren't seeking Nobel laureates. They’re looking for enthusiasm for the course being applied for, and self-reflection into why you’d be suitable to study it. What value could you add to the course? Where would you like to go once you graduate?

Ben, the Admissions Manager for Law at the University of Birmingham , shared with us what he expects applicants to tell him in their personal statement:

The personal statement is not only an excellent opportunity to showcase applicants individual skills, knowledge, and achievements, but it also provides us with an insight into the type of student they aspire to be and how they could fit into the academic community. Ben Atkins, Law Admissions Manager at University of Birmingham

Real-life example: the good

Real-life example: the not-so-good

• How to make your personal statement stand out

You could have excellent experiences, but if they’re arranged in a poorly-written statement then the impact will be reduced. So, it’s important to plan your statement well.

A well-written personal statement with a clearly planned and refined structure will not only make the information stand out, but it’ll demonstrate you have an aptitude for structuring written pieces of work – a crucial skill needed for many university courses.

You can use it for other things too, such as gap year applications, jobs, internships, apprenticeships and keep it on file for future applications.

There's no one ‘correct’ way to structure your personal statement. But it’s a good idea to include the following:

• A clear introduction, explaining why you want to study the course
• Around 75% can focus on your academic achievements, to prove how you’re qualified to study it
• Around 25% can be about any extracurricular activity, to show what else makes you suitable
• A clear conclusion
• How to start a personal statement

Your personal statement is your chance to really show why you deserve a place on your chosen course. 

Remember to keep these in mind:

• Be clear and concise – the more concentrated the points and facts, the more powerful
• Use positive words such as achieved, developed, learned, discovered, enthusiasm, commitment, energy, fascination…
• Avoid contrived or grandiose language. Instead use short, simple sentences in plain English
• Insert a personal touch if possible, but be careful with humour and chatty approaches
• Use evidence of your learning and growth (wherever possible) to support claims and statements
• Plan the statement as you would an essay or letter of application for a job/scholarship
• Consider dividing the statement into five or six paragraphs, with headings if appropriate
• Spelling and grammar DO matter – draft and redraft as many times as you must and ask others to proofread and provide feedback
• For 2022 – 23 applications, refer to the challenges you've faced during the pandemic in a positive way

Don’t 

• Over-exaggerate
• Come across as pretentious
• Try to include your life history
• Start with: "I’ve always wanted to be a..."
• Use gimmicks or quotations, unless they're very relevant and you deal with them in a way that shows your qualities
• Be tempted to buy or copy a personal statement – plagiarism software is now very sophisticated and if you're caught out you won’t get a place
• Make excuses about not being able to undertake activities/gain experience – focus on what you were able to do positively, e.g. as a result of coronavirus

For further details, read our detailed guide on  what to include in a personal statement  and the best things to avoid.

Note that if you decide to reapply for university the following year, it's a good idea to consider making some changes to your personal statement. Mention why you took a year off and talk about what skills you've learnt. If you're applying for a completely different subject, you'll need to make more changes.

James gives us real-life examples of things to avoid:

I enjoy the theatre and used to go a couple of times a year. (Drama)

I am a keen reader and am committed to the study of human behaviour through TV soaps!

I have led a full life over the last 18 years and it is a tradition I intend to continue.

I describe myself in the following two words: 'TO ODIN!' the ancient Viking war cry. (Law)

My favourite hobby is bee-keeping and I want to be an engineer.

My interest in Medicine stems from my enjoyment of Casualty and other related TV series.

I have always had a passion to study Medicine, failing that, Pharmacy. (A student putting Pharmacy as her fifth choice after four medical school choices – Pharmacy can be just as popular and high status as Medicine.)

Some final advice

Above all, remember that a personal statement is your opportunity to convince a university why it should offer you a place. So, make it compelling and there’s a much higher chance they will.

Related articles

What are university rankings?

University rankings, or league tables, rank universities overall and by a number of...

Use our university rankings to narrow down your choice of unis. Compare UK universities...

Our university league tables, or rankings, provide you with information about each UK...

Is this page useful?

Sorry about that..., how can we improve it, thanks for your feedback.

Clearing Universities & Courses

Clearing advice.

Recommended Clearing Universities

Popular Course Categories

Course Search & Discover

Start the search for your uni. Filter from hundreds of universities based on your preferences.

Search by Type

Search by region.

Recommended Universities

Ravensbourne University London

London (Greater) · 88% Recommended

Swansea University

Wales · 100% Recommended

University of Surrey

South East England · 98% Recommended

Search Open Days

What's new at Uni Compare

University of Roehampton

Study a teaching degree at one of the UK's leading teacher training providers

University of Sussex

Prepare for a digitally advanced workplace with cutting edge Finance Degrees

Ranking Categories

Regional rankings.

More Rankings

Top 100 Universities

Taken from 65,000+ data points from students attending university to help future generations

About our Rankings

Discover university rankings devised from data collected from current students.

Guide Categories

Advice categories, recommended articles, popular statement examples, not sure what to search for, take our quick degree quiz.

Find the ideal uni course for you with our Course Degree Quiz. Get answers in minutes!

Take our full degree quiz

Get more tailored course suggestions with our full Course Degree Quiz and apply with confidence.

PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Business and Management (Marketing) Personal Statement

Top 10% for Business graduate earnings (Longitudinal Education Outcomes 2022)

Gain real-world business skills and experience at University of Brighton in an AACSB-accredited business school​​​​. Explore Business degrees at Brighton.

Gain real world experience needed for success in Business

Prepare for your future with a Business Degree at Roehampton which includes practical learning, paid placements and employability events.

Business and Management (Marketing) Personal Statement

Living in London, which is ranked as the number one city for business , innovation and culture, exposes me to the world of economics and business on a daily basis. It was a lecture from the NBCUniversal Vice President of Digital Marketing, Neil Wirasinha, that first opened my eyes to marketing and its potential. His lecture described the various marketing techniques used to promote the film Fast and Furious 7 and I was fascinated to learn about the interplay between traditional forms of marketing and newer digital marketing techniques, and how these overarching strands of the global campaign were realised for individual countries and audiences. I think it would have been exciting to work on this campaign which aided the film to break several box office records and go on to take $1.5 billion worldwide. I hope that one day I will be able to say I worked on such an inspiring campaign and that my marketing ideas could have the sort of influence and impact that would lead to such incredible success.

I currently study A-Levels in Media, Film Studies and English Language. I believe these have taught me many transferable skills as well as providing me with a strong understanding of marketing principles. In Media Studies, I have learnt about marketing strategies used by key media industries and have developed my own marketing campaign to accompany my practical production of a film trailer/music video. In FIlm Studies I have learnt about a variety of marketing strategies used in the film industry from utilising digital technologies for viral campaigns to how marketing can help British film survive in the shadow of Hollywood to how marketing can be used to help create success for foreign films. English Language has taught me about the power of words and has helped hone my ability to use language in a clear and effective manner, which is useful in order to create successful marketing campaigns that appeal to the target audience. All three subjects have helped develop my analytical and critical thinking skills as they allow me to analyse and understand the construction and influence of a variety of different media products and texts.

I was very pleased to win a place on my school’s Media Academy programme. This has benefitted me greatly and led to some fantastic opportunities, including a six-week paid internship at Global Blue Inc which is a tourism shopping magazine company. Through this internship I gained knowledge and experience of the world of work and gained a great insight into marketing and the importance of brands. During the internship I was tasked with researching different fashion brands from all over Europe and Asia, making phone calls to potential clients abroad and setting up schedules for my group. This helped develop my networking and organisational skills which I feel will be beneficial at university. I also volunteered at the Hunter Fashion Show during London Fashion Week which helped polish my leadership and communication skills. As this was a live event these skills were critical in order to ensure the smooth running of the event. Fortunately I remained calm under pressure and was thrilled to be able to contribute to the success of the show.

I am a conscientious, hardworking young person who is reliable and eager to learn new skills. I enjoy working in a fast paced environment and always bring a positive energy to the team. I can work well independently or as part of a larger team. In my spare time I love to play sports and watch films and documentaries. I have a real interest in marketing, as evidenced by the fact I have already gained two marketing work placements. I look forward to furthering my knowledge and passion of marketing by undertaking a degree in the subject. I am also looking forward to experiencing all the opportunities university life has to offer. As Cesare Pavese said, “We do not remember days, we remember moments.” I just hope to have many of these ‘moments’ myself during my time at university.

Recommended Course

Recommended Statements

Submitted by anonymous

Business and Management Personal Statement

I am applying to study a

International Business Personal Statement

Interaction with business professionals has led ...

Business Management Personal Statement

There are many events in a person’s life, but only a few of them are important and define a new start in t...

Fashion Business and Promotion Personal Statement

Identity and individuality is often interpreted through the expression of

undergraduate Universities

Undergraduate uni's.

Ravensbourne

103 courses

Swansea Uni

1319 courses

Uni of Surrey

750 courses

Uni of East London

575 courses

Uni of Portsmouth

761 courses

114 courses

Northeastern Uni

Uni of Sunderland

340 courses

Leeds Beckett Uni

454 courses

Uni of Chester

645 courses

Uni of Brighton

407 courses

Cardiff Met Uni

501 courses

Goldsmiths, UOL

344 courses

Uni of Winchester

259 courses

Middlesex Uni

634 courses

Uni of Roehampton

468 courses

West London IoT

Escape Studios

467 courses

Uni of Kent

580 courses

Wrexham Uni

289 courses

Uni of Suffolk

186 courses

Uni for Creative Arts

672 courses

Uni of Leicester

432 courses

886 courses

Uni of Westminster

503 courses

Uni of Bradford

390 courses

Uni of Hertfordshire

584 courses

Staffordshire Uni

472 courses

548 courses

Heriot-Watt Uni

334 courses

Queen's Uni

635 courses

Coventry Uni

480 courses

ARU Writtle

104 courses

Kingston Uni

617 courses

Uni of Bedfordshire

656 courses

Uni of Essex

1400 courses

709 courses

Leeds Arts University

Bath Spa Uni

520 courses

UWE, Bristol

497 courses

Uni of C.Lancashire

798 courses

Uni of Huddersfield

668 courses

Uni of Reading

685 courses

Anglia Ruskin Uni

808 courses

Edge Hill Uni

383 courses

Nottingham Trent

912 courses

Uni of Hull

498 courses

FIND THE IDEAL COURSE FOR YOU

Degree Course Quiz

Find the ideal university course for you in minutes by taking our degree matchmaker quiz today.

Find the latest from Uni Compare

Heriot-Watt University

Discover career-focused degrees at a top ranked uni for graduate employability

University of Law

Ranked Top 20 amongst English universities in the 2023 National Student Survey, click here to learn more!