UCAS to Introduce New Questions in Personal Statements from September

By Jace August 2, 2024
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UCAS, a central agency between universities and applicants, and a registered charity and limited company, is planning to introduce a new format for personal statements/statements of purpose starting from the 2026 academic session.

Personal statements are a key element of university applications in the United Kingdom. Although the structure of the questions and topics has remained unchanged for several years, UCAS has now decided to evolve with societal changes. The agency cites simplifying students’ lives as the primary reason for this update.

According to UCAS, “Respondents are much more positive about personal statements,” with 89% of applicants from the 2022 cycle agreeing that the purpose of the statement is extremely clear or transparent to them. Students report that this clarity helps them in making decisions, while admissions teams suggest that it supports comparability when making offers. However, 83% of respondents find the process stressful, and most require some form of reassurance that they have included all the correct information.

UCAS is confident that the changes to the questions will ensure every learner has an equal opportunity to explain their journey, passion, and abilities. “It will work towards reducing disparities between applicants by decreasing inequalities in the availability of support and advice, particularly for international students,” said the Presidency for Global Affairs at the University of Leeds.

“While working in schools, I have witnessed the transformative impact of personal statements on students when defining their goals, though some struggle with its formulation. The new approach of using guided questions will provide students and their teachers with greater confidence in advising on how to gain entry to their desired course,” stated Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Executive of UCAS.

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

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