Personal Statement - History and Archaeology

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Knowledge of History and Archaeology is fundamental for understanding our society and the relationship with others in an ever-changing world. Historical and Archaeological knowledge, whether it’s pre-dating the Ice Age or the Henry V, highlights how human ingenuity or failure can change the face of the world forever. George Santayana once said that, ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’, in essence the lack of historical understanding would significantly hinder humanities advancement.

By applying for a degree in History and Archaeology, I feel that I can work on theoretical aspects of history through engaging in facts and accounts that occurred in different periods, along with a more practical basis in fieldwork. This will not only broaden but also cement and advance my knowledge of both History and Archaeology. One of the main reasons I want to study this is its vast breadth. It allows the individual to surround themselves in the thoughts, ideologies and concepts that have established our civilisation. I feel like this course allows me to visit many different epochs, hundreds of years apart. Thus one can compare and contrast the different eras, and gain a greater knowledge of the present day. At the age of nine, I began surveying my local area for anything remotely historical. As I live in London, I would spend hours studying artefacts I found on the banks of the Thames. The excitement of discovering historical evidence fills me with anticipation for a degree that would allow me to explore this further.

Studying many varied aspects of History at degree level strongly appeals to me. I am intrigued by Irish Celtic History, as I am of Irish decent. I spent three weeks engrossed in my own genealogy along with visiting museums and exhibitions including the ‘Celtic and Pre-historic Museum’ in County Kerry where I was able to submerge myself in archaeological finds. This is one of the most important collections in private hands. This visit allowed me to ask questions of the curator at the museum about archaeological techniques and theories and also allowed me to realise that I have genuine and growing interest in both History,and Archaeology. In order to gain a more varied knowledge, I read ‘Roman Britain: A Very Short Introduction’ by Peter Salway, which sets out the changes in our society from the invasion of Britain to the collapse of the Empire in 500AD.

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

The dedication and passion that I show in my studies is my most important quality. I have been awarded the ‘Prize for Progress’ from 2010 to 2011 and the ‘Lower Sixth Business Studies Prize’. I study Geography and Business Studies at A-level and took English Literature as AS-level. Geography has helped me to understand the problems that currently face the world; this gives me the chance to be able to see the similarities and differences of the problems faced in prior centuries.

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

Giving back to society is extremely important to me; I am hoping to travel to Tanzania during my summer to volunteer in K****** Secondary School. Furthermore, I am a member of the school’s Charity Committee that holds fundraising activities to raise money for important causes; I also have worked as a Pupil Ambassador in the ****** Art Gallery. These volunteering schemes helped me to develop not only responsibility but also the ability to improve my leadership skills. I have my Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, and am currently working towards my Gold Award, which has shown that I can push myself further out of my comfort zone than I had ever realised. I believe that I hold an integral role in the school community as I am a member of my school Netball team along with being a member of Philosophical Society.

I have always believed that education is the key to success and this is why I have decided to apply for this course, as it allows me to my develop my deep interest in the subject and also grow as a person through the knowledge I gain.

Universities applied to:

• Southampton
• Nottingham
• York
• Sheffield
• Edinburgh

Grades achieved:

• Business Studies- A2- A*
• History-A2- A
• Geography- A2- A
• English- 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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