The University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) has announced a major change: it will replace the traditional personal statement with a new format involving responses to three specific questions. This change aims to “level the playing field” for all higher education applicants.
Following extensive consultations with students, universities, and education experts, UCAS has chosen these three questions to ensure that applicants from all backgrounds clearly understand what universities and colleges are seeking:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this course or subject?
- What additional experiences outside of education have prepared you for this course, and why are they valuable?
The revised format will take effect in September 2025 for students applying for college or university in 2026. The character limit will remain at 4,000 characters.
UCAS reported that 79% of students previously surveyed found writing their personal statement challenging without support.
The organization decided to make this change in response to data showing a decline in university applications from students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In the past year, the application rate for these students fell by 0.4 percentage points in England.
Lee Elliot Major, Professor of Social Mobility at Exeter University, praised the changes, stating: “The personal statement has increasingly become a marker of middle-class privilege, as many are now co-written and refined by advisers, teachers, and parents.” He added that the new system represents a significant move towards a fairer university admissions process.
Sally Rutterford, Head of Admissions at Cardiff University, noted that the new questions will help applicants by clearly guiding them on the information needed.
Dr. Jo Saxton, Chief Executive of UCAS, commented: “From my experience in schools, I’ve seen how personal statements can help students articulate their ambitions, but also how difficult they can be for those with less support. This new approach with guided questions aims to boost confidence for both students and teachers in securing their desired courses.”