English and French degree personal statement example (1a)

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

My desire to study both English Literature and French stems from a deep interest in the relationship between language and literature. Roland Barthes referred to literature as 'the question minus the answer' and it is this that captivates me because the 'answer' varies so greatly from reader to reader. It is not just the answer that intrigues me but also how the 'question' is constructed and I find that the foreign language introduces a new perspective to literature.

I was first introduced to French fiction by reading 'Le Petit Prince' and by acquiring a firm grasp of the language I was then able to explore French literature. More recently I have read Camus's 'L'Etranger' which built on existentialist ideas that I first discovered in Sartre's 'Les Mains Sales'. I am interested in the development of this philosophy among French writers, especially in the context of World War II in France and the French Resistance. Pursuing French at degree level especially appeals to me because of the opportunity to spend a year abroad. I feel it is essential to live and study in France for an extended period of time in order to develop significant fluency in the language as well as to experience the culture first hand. I have visited France on several occasions but I look forward to taking a French language course in Nice this Easter to improve my ability to use the language effectively.

I am now looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of university. I relish the thought of deepening my understanding of language and literature and I hope to contribute fully to university life.

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

Studying English Literature to a more advanced level has been the basis of broadening my reading. I enjoy exploring the diversity of poetry through reading various eras of poets, being especially drawn to the metaphysical poets because of how they employ wit and intellect. Additionally, I have liked the works of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes and was interested in how Hughes traces their complex relationship in 'Birthday Letters'. I also found the confessional nature of Plath's poems striking and explored this further through reading 'The Bell Jar'. While I enjoy poetry and the novel, drama also appeals to me because of the added dimension it gives to a text. 'Death of a Salesman' is an example of this and I was particularly interested in how Miller uses time and place in demonstrating the downfall of his protagonist.

My study of literature has been complemented by studying History which has allowed me to deepen my understanding of various areas of literature in context. Examining the early Cold War provided me with a clearer understanding of the political climate that influenced George Orwell's vision of the future world in '1984'.

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

In my spare time I particularly enjoy music. I play bass guitar in the school jazz band and as the current leader of the band I have been able to further my leadership and organisational skills, particularly during our tour to Italy in 2007. I have also enjoyed working with younger members of the school through teaching and organising music groups and I hope to continue participating in musical activities at university.

My participation in a World Challenge Expedition to Bolivia in 2006 was an invaluable experience. This presented me with many challenges of organisation, time-management and team work which I was able to overcome through determination. Perhaps the most rewarding experience during the expedition was a week spent in a remote village involved in teaching and repairs to the local school. During the expedition I was also able to develop the basic Spanish I had learnt in Year 9 and I am very keen to take this up again at university, as part of my course or outside my studies.

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.

Need help with your personal statement? You can ask a question or get feedback from The Student Room community (and our trained personal statement experts) on the personal statement advice forum.