Aeronautical engineering degree personal statement example (1e)

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Flying. It’s a natural to our lives but most people do not give a thought to how we achieve it. Aviation went from being an absurd idea to a fundamental part of the way that we interact as a race. That is why I find aeronautical engineering fascinating because having seen what we have already achieved in this field of engineering, it captivates my imagination just to think about the endless possibilities that can be achieved in the field of aeronautical engineering and how they can benefit society.

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

My A level subject choices provided me with the skills that I need to succeed in the field of engineering and physical sciences. Physics (salters) successfully provided me with a grasp of key physics principles and helped me see their practical application in the modern world. In addition it improved my manipulating apparatus skills as well as enabling me to develop basic ideas into practical working and efficient experiments.

Mathematics has helped me strengthen my numerical skills both applied and in pure maths. I chose mechanics as my optional module for maths as it provides a good basis for the use of maths in engineering and it enabled me to see the importance of mathematics in physics. This helped me improve my ability to effectively communicate my ideas.

History as a subject gave me perspective on how to develop ideas into designs by studying and analysing the development of ideas and theories in the social evolution of humanity. History helped strengthen my research and development skills as well as allowing me to coordinate this research into informative and organised presentations in front of my colleagues and peers.

The skills developed in my A level subjects has helped in the extended project I am currently undertaking. It is a study into effective aeroplane wing designs featuring a design section where I will attempt to characterise successful components of wing from the planes that I have studied and incorporate this into an idea for a new design of my own. I have yet to decide whether this will be a dissertation or presentation with an artefact. However I found the book The Anatomy of the Aeroplane by Darrol Stinton very informative on my approach to the subject.

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

However outside college I have also coordinated and directed a project in a youth centre for which I received a nomination certificate for a Triangle award. My skills in project organisation, group work and improvement of my own learning performance can be seen in my Foundation for Work award from Asdan.

Outside college I enjoy martial arts, having done karate for 3 years reaching green belt and winning medals for sparring in competitions. I am currently at my own leisure learning Wing Chun dynamics. I also go frequently to the gym and am enthusiastic about films and graphic art. I am also a very enthusiastic reader of adventure and fantasy books by authors such as Robert Jordan, Wilbur Smith and Jacqueline Carey.

I am currently looking for work experience in the field of aeronautical engineering; however, I am finding difficulties to find good placement near Worcester. Although I have done previous work experience at Upton and Warren Outdoor Education Centre developing leadership and interaction skills as an outdoor instructor working with children and adults of different backgrounds and ability. At my work experience there I found that the communication skills I had developed in the school council were very helpful in my interaction with many different people and staff members.

In school I studied graphic design and this enabled me to express my creative nature which, in addition to my love of science, shows that engineering would be an ideal career path. This creative element to my personality will strengthen the skills I have learned in my time at college and the skills I have developed as a person outside of college will allow me to better express myself in an aeronautical engineering course. Complementary to these skills, my social etiquette will help me to work and learn from my peers and professors on this course and enable me to become a model-engineering student.

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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