Economics degree personal statement example (1z) LSE offer

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

We live in a world which has undergone remarkable changes - from the fall of communism to the interlinking of countries through globalisation. Yet, we still live in a world with remarkable deprivation - from the widespread prevalence of poverty and inequality to the fears of the sustainability of our resources. Being born and brought up in India and then coming to live in the UK, my experience of these two economies epitomises some of these changes. India is a poignant example of extreme poverty and unimaginable affluence existing side by side. Being a leading economic power, the concerns in the UK are different - such as sustaining its economic and international pre-eminence. All these facets ignited an interest in Economics within me, culminating in my taking up Economics and Maths at A level.

Reading “The Times” has highlighted the fact that economics forms the core of much news. This has further fuelled my search for more in-depth knowledge, which has lead to my reading of “The Financial Times” and “The Economist”. I am a voracious reader. Among the many books I have read, some are related to economics. One such book, "Black Swan" by N. N. Taleb, is a thought provoking book which gives a new insight into how the financial models which are used to assess risks, are flawed as they don't predict the full impact of such risks. Furthermore, I thoroughly enjoyed the book "Fault Lines" by R. Rajan. Rajan, an economist who predicted the global financial crisis, gave a compelling view of how it was not just the financial sector that caused the crisis but also other serious flaws in the economy, which exacerbated this crisis.

Economics intrigues me; it helps me understand concepts which you hear regularly. I thoroughly enjoy the subject as not only is it a broad subject with wide practical applications but is also logical and involves problem solving. I would like to pursue studying Economics further, as I would like to gain a more in-depth understanding of the subject. I thoroughly believe that my passion and enthusiasm for this subject will help me attain my goals.

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

I find that Economics and Maths complement each other. As a Maths student, I thoroughly enjoy solving problems that are challenging. Taking Further Maths has helped me to appreciate the complexities associated with the subject and the satisfaction gained from solving the challenges. I have won maths challenges in and out of school, winning the title of "Maths student of the year" in 2010, due to my perseverance and dedication.

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

I have had an invaluable experience of working at Kotak Mahindra UK Limited, an investment bank, as a part of my work experience. During this time, the FSA undertook their regulatory visit, enabling me to find out more about their role. I helped the compliance department prepare for the visit - ranging from making spreadsheets to helping make cliental documents. I shadowed a few departments and gained a deeper understanding of what each department does and how each department, though independent, complements each other towards the achievement of the common goal. This exposure to the financial industry has further reinforced my interest in economics.

In my spare time, I volunteer at my local school which helps adults with learning disabilities - where I help not only at social events but also training people to develop their IT skills. This experience has helped me improve my patience and communications skills. I also volunteer at a charity shop which has helped me to improve my teamwork and organizational skills. I was also a key contributor in my school council, helping to organise fundraising events, such as organising non-school uniform days and bake sales, in order to raise money for charities.

Universities applied to:

• LSE
• UCL
• Nottingham
• Manchester
• Birmingham

Grades achieved:

• Maths - A*
• Economics - A
• Biology - A
• Further Maths - B
• Global Perspectives - Merit 2

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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