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Everything You Need to Know About the New UCAS Personal Statement (2025/26)
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Everything You Need to Know About the New UCAS Personal Statement (2025/26)

Marketing Team · 18th August, 2025

Big changes are coming to the UCAS personal statement, and they’re set to reshape the way students apply to university in the UK. Whether you’re a student, parent, or tutor, understanding these updates is essential and this blog breaks it all down for you.

We’ve gathered insights from our latest webinar, hosted by our university expert Jessica, who explored the changes in detail and offered practical advice on how to navigate the new process. If you’d like to watch the full webinar, simply email us and we’ll send you the recording.

What’s Changing?

From 2025 (for 2026 entry), UCAS is scrapping the traditional personal statement in favour of a structured, question based approach. Instead of writing one long free form essay, students will now respond to three focused questions:

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

The 4,000 character limit remains, with at least 350 characters required for each answer.

Why UCAS Made the Change

  • To reduce inequality in how personal statements are supported between schools.
  • To help students avoid writing generic essays and focus on clear, structured content.
  • To ease the writing process and help admissions teams fairly compare applicants.

How to Approach the New Format

  • Be specific: Answer the questions directly. Avoid vague introductions.
  • Be authentic: Use your own voice. Admissions teams can spot AI and over editing.
  • Be strategic: Tailor each example to show why it matters for the course you’re applying to.

You can also find top tips on the UCAS Personal Statement YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwtIyai-05bVkDmDSevO97jqEGRt-q1bL 

Extracurriculars Are Back

Students can now include meaningful non-academic experiences but relevance is key:

  • YES: Student journalism, youth councils, research trips, drama projects.
  • NO: Primary school accolades, or generic club memberships without context.

Focus on why the experience shaped your interest or prepared you for the subject.

Teacher References: The Quiet Revolution

Teacher references have changed too. Now:

  • Teachers are encouraged to use a similar structured format.
  • It’s easier to raise extenuating circumstances.
  • References are expected to be clearer and more objective.

This change levels the playing field between schools with varying resources.

Tailoring Your Statement to Different Courses

  • Russell Group and Oxbridge want evidence of deep, independent thinking and subject passion.
  • Applied and practical degrees value hands on experience and real world motivation.

Creative or non linear paths (such as switching from arts to sciences, or vice versa) are doable, but applicants should clearly explain how their experiences and interests have led them to this decision and how they are prepared for the

Tailoring Your Statement to Different Courses

  • Russell Group and Oxbridge want evidence of deep, independent thinking and subject passion.
  • Applied and practical degrees value hands on experience and real world motivation.
  • Creative or non linear paths (such as switching from arts to sciences, or vice versa) are doable, but applicants should clearly explain how their experiences and interests have led them to this decision and how they are prepared for the course.

When to Start Writing

Do Not Use ChatGPT to Write It

Yes, we know…. But Jessica, and admissions tutors, can spot AI written content a mile off. The tone, phrasing and structure are giveaways. AI can help brainstorm ideas or structure, but do not let it write for you.

Final Application Advice

  • Don’t obsess over university names. Your final degree classification matters more.
  • Use UCAS points and grade calculators wisely, but understand contextual offers are limited.
  • Call or email universities. It’s often the best way to get straight answers.

How Enjoy Education Can Help

At Enjoy Education, we specialise in supporting students, families and schools through every stage of the UCAS process. Our expert tutors and advisors provide:

We combine deep admissions knowledge with a personalised approach, helping each student feel confident, prepared and empowered.

Sign up to our 2025 webinar series here: http://bit.ly/4kH9c9K 

Want the full webinar recording? Just email me at millie@enjoyeducation.co.uk and we’d be happy to share it.

Start planning now

By Marketing Team