Anatomy degree personal statement example (1a) King's College London offer

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

One of my earliest and most vivid memories is of the first exhibition I visited, aged 5. I stared upwards, transfixed, as before my eyes stood a cadaver, plastinated and sliced into a dozen wafer-thin pieces. From head to toe, I studied its morbid, technicolour flesh and was overwhelmed by emotions of awe and dread. Visiting the Body Worlds exhibition seeded my enthusiasm for biology and a desire to ever expand upon my understanding of our existence, the human body and its meticulous design.

There is nothing more complex or, in my opinion, more beautiful than the human body, in its form and function. Having the opportunity to study the foundation of all human life would greatly expand my ambition and capacity to pursue a career in the area of medical science. I look forward to demonstrating my competence, resilience and commitment throughout my time at University, while being a part of such a universally significant, continuously developing subject.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

My dedication to studying science can be seen by my A Level subject choices. Biology and chemistry provided me with an advanced understanding of the human body at every level, from essential intracellular reactions to the integrated function of body systems. Studying statistics has taught me practical, transferrable skills such as the use of complex reasoning and data manipulation, while nurturing my natural aptitude for mathematics.

Alongside my studies, I achieved the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, showing my endurance, forethought and sense of adventure. I also completed the Extended Project Qualification, gaining key time management, critical thinking and IT skills; it was a truly invaluable experience, not least of all, for teaching me the vital importance of organisation and self-discipline.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

I work in the Intensive Care Unit of (my local) Hospital as part of a life saving interprofessional team, protecting the health and dignity of our patients, most of whom have Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome. My experiences to date have opened my eyes to the importance of medical research into the treatment of terminally ill patients and allowed me a unique insight into the capability and efficiency of our bodies in a state of health compared with ill health.

Outside of my education and employment I have undertaken numerous endeavours that have enriched me as a person. I volunteer at Winter Comfort, a charity supporting the homeless people of Cambridge. I am a mentor to current and ex-service users, passing on essential skills for employment and inspiring unto them the confidence to succeed. Other positions of responsibility and trust I have achieved range from representing my school as a prefect and peer tutor, to single-handedly managing a children’s toyshop in my previous job.

My creativity and imagination is a huge part of who I am. I have a great love of the arts and especially enjoy singing; I have performed leading roles in a number of theatrical shows and sold several pieces of artwork from a young age. Furthermore, I am part of the Young, Gifted & Talented Programme for my distinctive talent in art and similarly, for my creative writing, in English.

I like to surround myself with friends and spend a lot of my time participating in educational groups and societies, as well as overseeing children’s sports clubs such as dance classes and horse riding for the disabled. A strong belief of mine is in the equality of all people. As a member of multiple human rights organisations I campaign for the abolition of discrimination against ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and disability, with the aim of education and tolerance on a global scale.

Universities applied to:

• King's College London (Anatomy, Developmental and Human Biology)
• Leicester (Medical Physiology)
• Leeds (Human Physiology)
• Manchester (Anatomical Sciences)
• Liverpool (Anatomy and Human Biology)

Grades achieved:

• Statistics (A2) - A
• Chemistry (A2) - B (Resitting Unit 5 exam)
• Biology (A2) - B (Resitting Unit 1 & 2 exams)
• Psychology (AS) - C

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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