UCAS is Ditching Personal Statements for Uni Admissions

New Format Announced by UCAS is Set to Replace Personal Statements and Enhance Fairness and Inclusivity

In a significant change to the university application process, UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) has announced that it will be replacing the traditional personal statement with a new format. Starting in September 2025 for students applying for 2026 entry, applicants will no longer have a free text box to write about themselves. Instead, they will be required to respond to three structured questions aimed at providing a more comprehensive understanding of the students’ qualifications, experiences, and motivations.

The decision to move away from the conventional personal statement comes after extensive research and feedback from students, teachers, and admissions professionals. It has been found that while most students understand the purpose of the personal statement, many of them struggle with the process of writing it without adequate support. To address this issue, the new approach aims to make the application process more transparent and accessible for all applicants.

The three new questions are designed to elicit specific information that universities and colleges want to know about prospective students.

Here are the new UCAS Personal Statement 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 helpful?

Each question provides an opportunity for applicants to showcase their passion for their chosen subject, highlight their relevant skills and qualifications, and demonstrate how their outside-of-education experiences have prepared them for their chosen course. The new format aims to minimize barriers and level the playing field for students from diverse backgrounds, ultimately helping admissions teams make more informed decisions.

The decision to implement this new format also comes in light of new data released by UCAS, which highlights the persistent gap in application rates between the most and least disadvantaged students. Despite efforts to promote broader access to higher education, the application rate from the most disadvantaged backgrounds has shown only minimal change, while the application rate for the most advantaged students has seen slight increases in some regions.

In England, the application rate from the most disadvantaged backgrounds has slightly declined, while the application rate for the most advantaged has marginally increased. A similar trend is observed in Wales and Northern Ireland, where the application rates for the most disadvantaged students have decreased, while the rates for the most advantaged students have also shown slight declines or marginal increases. Interestingly, in Scotland, the application rate for the most disadvantaged has increased, along with an increase in the application rate for the most advantaged students.

Overall, the new approach to personal statements is part of UCAS's ongoing efforts to make the university application process fairer and more inclusive. By shifting the focus from lengthy personal statements to specific questions that capture essential information, UCAS aims to empower students to present themselves more effectively while also helping admissions teams gain a clearer understanding of each applicant's strengths and potential.

With the new format set to be implemented in the coming years, it is hoped that these changes will play a crucial role in addressing the disparities in application rates and ultimately contribute to a more equitable and accessible higher education landscape.