Applying to university is an exciting yet challenging process, and one of the most crucial elements of your application is the personal statement. With changes to the UCAS personal statement coming in 2025 for 2026 entry, it’s more important than ever to understand how to present yourself effectively. This is your opportunity to showcase who you are beyond grades and test scores — demonstrating your passion, experiences, and ambitions in a way that aligns with the new structured format.

At Crimson Global Academy (CGA), we understand the importance of a strong personal statement. Our University and Admissions Counselling Support provide expert guidance, helping students refine their narratives to align with their chosen universities' expectations. Through personalised feedback and targeted workshops, our admissions counsellors ensure that students can present themselves in the best possible light.

With the right strategy and CGA’s dedicated support, you can craft a personal statement that truly stands out. Here are our top tips to help you master your 2025 personal statement:

Understanding the UCAS Personal Statement Update for 2026 Entry

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) personal statement is a crucial part of university applications in the UK, allowing students to showcase their academic interests, achievements, and aspirations. However, for the 2026 entry onwards, UCAS has introduced a new structured format, replacing the traditional single essay with three specific questions:

1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?
2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Each answer will have a minimum character count of 350 characters, which is clearly labelled on the question boxes, along with an overall character counter, so you can keep track. The 4000 overall character limit (including spaces) remains the same, as does what you're expected to include. This new approach aims to provide a clearer, more focused way for students to present their motivations and readiness for university study.

Key Changes and What They Mean for Students

The shift from an open-ended essay to a structured response format is designed to help applicants organise their thoughts more effectively. The new format:

• Encourages clarity by breaking down the statement into distinct sections.
• Reduces stress by guiding students on what to include.
• Helps universities compare applications more consistently.

While the format has changed, the core purpose remains the same: to demonstrate passion for the chosen course, academic preparation, and relevant extracurricular experiences.

Tips for a Strong Personal Statement

The UCAS Personal Statement Is Changing in 2025, which means students will need to be more strategic than ever when showcasing their strengths. With the right approach and CGA’s expert support, you can craft a personal statement that stands out in this new, structured format. Here are our top tips to help you along the way:

1. Structure and Organisation

Universities look for students who can communicate clearly and logically. With the upcoming UCAS changes, it’s crucial to organise your responses coherently for each question. Proofread carefully to eliminate spelling or grammatical errors, as attention to detail reflects academic discipline.

2. Demonstrate Relevant Skills

Think about experiences where you’ve showcased essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, or adaptability. Whether through academic projects, group activities, or personal initiatives, providing real examples will strengthen your application—especially in the new UCAS format that prompts reflection on qualifications and preparation.

3. Research the Course Thoroughly

Clearly explain why you want to study the subject. With the UCAS personal statement shifting to a more guided format in 2025, it’s important to reference specific aspects of the course that interest you. Link these to your academic background, extracurricular activities, or independent research to demonstrate informed decision-making.

4. Reflect on Your Experiences

Work experience, volunteering, or extracurricular activities can set you apart—but it’s not just about listing them. The new UCAS questions will ask you what else you’ve done to prepare outside of school, so reflect on what you’ve learned and how these experiences have shaped your interest in the subject.

5. Highlight Transferable Skills

Many experiences, from part-time jobs to sports and creative pursuits, provide valuable skills that apply to university study. Whether it’s time management from balancing multiple commitments or communication skills from customer service, connect these experiences to your academic goals in a way that aligns with the UCAS personal statement changes in 2025.

How CGA’s Curriculum Supports Personal Statement Development

At CGA, subject teachers play a pivotal role in helping students articulate their academic interests and long-term goals. Rather than relying on general writing instruction, we focus on subject-specific guidance.

Through their classes, CGA students deepen their knowledge and build the confidence to express why they’re passionate about a particular subject. Teachers often provide insights into how their subject connects to real-world applications, tertiary pathways, and future careers, giving students a clearer picture of what they want to pursue and how to articulate it.

Whether it’s discussing ethical dilemmas in science, analysing case studies in economics, or exploring literary themes in English, our students are consistently challenged to think critically, reflect, and make connections—skills that naturally feed into a compelling personal statement.

Craft Your Future with CGA

With CGA’s expert guidance, you don’t have to navigate the personal statement process alone. Our faculty team and admissions counsellors are here to support you every step of the way, helping you create a statement that truly represents your potential.

Start early, seek guidance, and let your unique story shine—your dream university awaits! Start your journey with CGA today.