Biomedical sciences degree personal statement example (1s) Imperial offer

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Questioning everything that happens has always formed a big part of my life and occupied my thoughts in my spare time. Growing up in the Hungarian countryside made me appreciate the small changes in nature and the intricacies of the life around me, but it was in the workings of the human body that I found my true interest lay. I want to study Physiological Sciences at university because it encompasses all the biological aspects of human life, from cell biology through neuroscience to systems physiology. To really understand the human body as a whole, we need to see the full picture before we focus on a specific area and this is exactly what the course would enable me to do.

Biology is the subject that introduces me to new ideas each day and stimulates my interest in the human body. There are so many things that await an explanation but I don't find myself overwhelmed by the vast amount of information, rather drawn to it and eager to understand every piece. "A Child is Born" by Lars Hamberger was the book that introduced me to developmental biology. It inspired me to read more about the topic and I started regularly reading articles about the medical, ethical and legal implications of artificial reproductive technologies. Later I expanded this hobby to other areas of human biology. One of my favourite articles was one that explained the different roles of the left and right sides of our brain and the experiments on people who had their corpus callosum cut in an attempt to cure severe epilepsy. I love to come up with questions of my own and I would like to continue trying to find answers to them during the course.

It is not guaranteed that we will discover everything about the human body, but physiologists play a crucial role in getting closer to that destination. One day I would love to be a part of those who endeavour to complete this task. The road that takes me there is one I am ready to travel, a challenge I am eager to undertake.

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

Last summer I spent five weeks at the biological research department of a pharmaceutical company. The most exciting experience was my time at the molecular biology laboratory, where we were aiming to induce over-expression of a particular gene in bacteria. We used PCR, agarose gel electophoresis, fragment isolation from gel, bacterial plasmid isolation and restriction mapping. I was finally able to see how the concepts and techniques I am studying are applied in real life, both in the industry, as the company uses fungi for the fermentation of antibiotics, and in research.

Studying mathematics gives me a chance to use and develop my logic and it introduces me to new ways of looking at a given problem. I also have an interest in computers and, along with statistics, they are very helpful in evaluating the results of experiments. The parts of chemistry that interest me the most are those linked to biology, such as protein synthesis, and it is during learning about these areas that I find chemistry an important complement to biology.

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

French and marine science make me see the world as a whole and, although in very different ways, help me look at current problems from a new angle. At school each year I organise an awareness raising campaign on World AIDS Day, which is important to me as I can personally talk to others about a topic which I find essential to be discussed with teenagers. Last year I also tutored a group of students with difficulties in mathematics. I enjoyed the responsibility of planning the lessons, correcting their work and evaluating their progress.

Outside school I work at a fast food restaurant which has taught me effective time management and how to work as a part of a team. In my free time I play the recorder and I enjoy reading classical literature, such as Pride and Prejudice or All Quiet on the Western Front.

Universities applied to:

• Oxford (Physiological Science)
• Imperial (Biomedical Sciences)
• UCL (Biomedical Sciences)
• Durham (Biomedical Sciences)
• Warwick (Biomedical Sciences)

Grades achieved:

• IGCSE: 6A* 2A
• BMAT: 5.7, 6.2, 9.0
• A-levels: Biology (A2)
• A-levels: Chemistry (A2)
• A-levels: Mathematics (A2)
• A-levels: Marine Science (A2)
• A-levels: French (AS)

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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