Personal Statement - English Language and Literature at Hull Uni

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

People talk about good books and bad books, but truthfully, I cannot think of a book that I have not been able to find redeeming, if not brilliant qualities in. For this reason I am applying to study English, as the power of the written word fascinates me - great literature can inspire people endlessly. I have always excelled at English because I find the study of it captivating and impossible to get tired of. A lot of my time is spent reading for my own enjoyment, as well as independent study. The authors I enjoy vary greatly, encompassing many different styles and genres; Oscar Wilde is a particular favourite of mine for his brilliant dark humour and satire, especially his more light hearted works such as 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. Mitch Albom is also a personal favourite, and his novel 'Tuesdays With Morrie' is a great mixture of investigative journalism and enthralling novel writing. I am a huge fan of modern and classical poets, counting Simon Armitage and Richard Lovelace amongst my biggest inspirations; it was studying Simon Armitage's 'Kid' that first sparked my love of poetry. I am highly motivated to continue studying and believe that I would be a suitable candidate for this course.

I hope that studying English will give me a deeper awareness and appreciation of literature, but also a more detailed knowledge and understanding of the complex ways in which we use language in our lives. Studying English Language at A-level has made me increasingly conscious of the fact that although we can be so familiar with a language there is still much more to be learnt about it, and the two subjects complement each other well. In ICT I am developing skills that are becoming progressively important in the modern world and as I am considering a career in media, it is providing me with a valuable insight into the role of the internet. I have attended several English Literature and Language university 'taster' lectures and seminars that I thoroughly enjoyed, on topics such as regional accent variation and creative writing. They confirmed to me that not only was English definitely my subject of choice but that university is an environment that I believe I would thrive in.

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

Studying English Language at A-level has made me increasingly conscious of the fact that although we can be so familiar with a language there is still much more to be learnt about it, and the two subjects complement each other well. In ICT I am developing skills that are becoming progressively important in the modern world and as I am considering a career in media, it is providing me with a valuable insight into the role of the internet.

I have attended several English Literature and Language university 'taster' lectures and seminars that I thoroughly enjoyed, on topics such as regional accent variation and creative writing. They confirmed to me that not only was English definitely my subject of choice but that university is an environment that I believe I would thrive in.

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

I have spent two weeks working in libraries and volunteering for a project aimed at encouraging reading in five-ten year olds, which improved my leadership skills. Charity work is a strong interest of mine, and during my first year of college I raised over GBP 500 for a local cancer hospice by independently organising raffles, sales and fundraising evenings. Working part time has helped me to develop many essential skills such as being able to manage my time effectively, and working has helped me improve my communication and interpersonal skills. I have always received positive comments about my punctuality, mature outlook and teamwork from employers.

In my spare time I am an avid reader of newspapers and magazines as well as books in order to keep up with current events. One of my main passions is going to the theatre; it is interesting to me to observe the differences between writing and live theatre, and I have often found that drama supplements my studies well, especially when studying plays such as An Inspector Calls and A Streetcar Named Desire. I attended an interesting interpretation of the former, which highlighted the hugely varying ways that different directors can interpret a text. Linked with my love of drama is also a love of music, which is often so interlinked with great drama and literature.

I am keen to use the knowledge and skills that I would develop during the three years at university as a platform for further study and would like to specialise in the area of Speech and Language Therapy. I am particularly interested in child development of language, and have pursued this in my own time outside of my current studies.

Universities applied to:

• University of Manchester - English Literature and Linguistics (QQ13)
• University of Hull - English Language and Literature (Q390)
• University of East Anglia - English Literature (Q300)
• University of Sheffield - English Language and Literature (Q304)
• University of Leeds - English Language and Literature (Q300)

Grades achieved:

• English Language (A2) - A
• English Literature (A2) - A
• ICT (A2) - A*
• Media (AS) - B

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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