Economics degree personal statement example (2e)

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

My interest in economics stems from the fact that its study gives us a better perspective of the world around us. It helps understand issues such as why there is an increasing income disparity between the rich and the poor; how the Eurozone debt crisis developed; whether Greece will have to exit the Eurozone and the impact of that on other countries. It is to understand how the global economy functions in light of current affairs that I decided to pursue economics at university.

To better understand the concepts, I read books and newspapers. For instance, in ‘End This Depression Now’, Krugman argues that there is a need for a government stimulus in the US economy to get the country out of its slump. According to him, Obama’s previous stimulus package was not sufficient and quickly faded away. He provides evidence for his argument by drawing parallels between the Great Recession and the Great Depression. However, I find myself questioning his approach when looking at Japan’s case, where fiscal stimulus had a limited effect on the recovery from the crash of the asset bubble.

Economics is a highly diverse subject incorporating elements of many other disciplines. The weakness in Pakistan’s social policy has enhanced my interest in this area. Evidence shows that the minimum wage has had an inconclusive impact on poverty. Alternatives such as the Basic Income Guarantee also suffer from their own shortcomings. I am keen to understand how economic theories can be used to provide a stronger framework that leads to improvement in a society’s welfare. The impact of economics on society is also highlighted by its blend with psychology. I am intrigued to learn how people making social decisions are not always rational and sometimes motivated to achieve personal gains. Reading books such as Dan Ariel’s ‘Predictably Irrational’ has furthered my interest in the field of behavioural economics.

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

During my AS-Level, I had the opportunity to work as an economics teacher’s assistant. I was chosen on the basis of demonstrating keen understanding of the subject and the ability to solve problems effectively. This role has strengthened my communications and interpersonal skills. I had chances to lead sessions and help fellow students understand concepts better.

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

Besides academics, I have greatly enjoyed being involved in various extra-curricular activities. I had been part of the Girl Guides Association at school which increased my confidence and enhanced my ability to deal with new situations and challenges. To earn proficiency badges, I had to undertake tasks that required mental and physical fitness and instilled in me the ability to work independently.

I have successfully completed the Silver Level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The expedition for it involved mountain climbing, a challenging yet mentally stimulating activity. Through it, I learned the skills of perseverance and determination. At college, I volunteered for an NGO which strives to transform lives of orphans. I was given the responsibility of managing the regular donors of the entity which stressed the need for organizational skills. Furthermore, my ability to work in a team improved while assisting in organizing carnivals and other charity events in my school.

It is because of my interest in world economics and the way it shapes a society that I wish to pursue it further at university. I am confident that with the knowledge gained at university and my determined and hardworking attitude, I will be able to contribute towards policies that shape the society in the future.

Universities applied to:

• Warwick
• Nottingham
• LSE
• Edinburgh
• Manchester

Grades achieved:

• Subject (AS/A2) - Grade
• Subject (AS/A2) - Grade
• Subject (AS/A2) - Grade
• Subject (AS/A2) - Grade

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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