Personal Statement - International Relations 3

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

History has always been a strong interest of mine and whilst I was at school I took it upon myself to expand my interests by taking both a history and ancient history timetable whenever available to me. The subject appealed to me because I was always so involved with understanding why wars and conflicts occurred, and how countries interacted with each other as a result of particular events. Whilst studying history I found the politics side of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia to be incredibly interesting as the subject went into depth on how both Hitler and Stalin took control of their people and governments to obtain absolute power within their countries as well as international recognition for their actions. The Greek wars were taught to me through my ancient history classes and I was deeply involved with the rivalry between Athens and Sparta which followed the Persian invasion of Greece due to the changing nature of military conflict.

I have always been fascinated with the changing world by which we live and current affairs and during my early teenage years I subscribed to TIME magazine as I found it to be extremely interesting as it reported on up-to-date political events, specifically on areas pertaining to war and conflict, and I would spend a lot of my time following up on events included within the magazine to discover more information on the topic.

It is through the emergence of the perceived post-9/11 'terror threat' that has given me the desire to analyze the political stance both domestically and globally. I would like to deepen my understanding of the wars in the Middle East and the evolving war on terrorism particularly after reading Phillip Bobbitt's latest book 'Terror and Consent' of which Bobbitt makes clear the root of terrorism spurs from America's global dominance, and synthesizes history, law and military strategy to present concepts and ideas such as the introduction of the market state, to help prepare the globe for what could be a decades-long conflict with terrorist groups. My secondary interest lies in Americas declining relationship with other nations and more specifically with Russia since its invasion of Georgia. My final school year allowed me to research into possible candidates to become the next super powers after the United States, because as history has discovered - all great empires fall sometime.

I believe that my passion for international relations and politics stems from my life story. Originally born in Britain I moved to Western Australia when I was 10 years old, so, unlike many, I have had the opportunity to live and learn in countries located in opposite regions of the world. As a result of living in the most isolated city on the planet, I have seen the world from a different perspective and have witnessed peoples views on Britain, and Europe in general, from a country not located in that region, which will give me an advantage whilst studying in the U.K as I will have the knowledge of outsider opinions and perspectives.

Living in such an isolated part of the world has also given me a hunger to discover and understand what is happening across the globe. Traveling has also been a large part of my life and I have visited many countries, discovering the ways in which different populations live and interact and to therefore be more open minded when discussing culture and traditions. I find it genuinely interesting how international politics affects mass populations of people through different ways and how outside countries view each other.

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

History and ancient history classes played a pivotal role in preparing me for this course. Studying key historical conflicts such as the Greek wars, the rise of Nazi Germany, and Soviet Russia provided me with insights into political ideologies, governance, and international relations dynamics. These classes encouraged me to analyze how leadership and power shape societies and nations.

Moreover, my final school year enabled me to conduct research into potential emerging superpowers following the United States, further enhancing my analytical skills and understanding of global political shifts. Engaging deeply with current political literature, such as Phillip Bobbitt's 'Terror and Consent,' allowed me to connect historical events with contemporary geopolitical challenges, enriching my academic preparation for international relations.

My subscriptions to political magazines like TIME fostered independent learning and current affairs awareness, highlighting my dedication to staying informed about global conflicts and politics beyond the classroom.

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

My personal experiences outside education have uniquely prepared me for studying international relations. Born in Britain and relocating to Western Australia at age ten, I have lived in different cultural and geopolitical regions, gaining unique perspectives on international opinions about Britain and Europe. This background equips me with an understanding of outsider viewpoints, which I consider valuable when analyzing global politics.

Traveling extensively has exposed me to diverse cultures and ways of life, fostering open-mindedness and empathy—key traits for understanding international relations and diplomacy.

After graduation, I intend to pursue a career in international security, protecting my country from terrorism and foreign threats. I am adaptable and embrace change, qualities that I believe are essential for a career in such a dynamic and evolving field.

Outside academics and career ambitions, I enjoy socializing and staying physically active through gym workouts, boxing, and kickboxing. These interests help me maintain a balanced lifestyle, which supports sustained academic and professional dedication.

Universities applied to:

• Leicester University - International Relations
• Bristol UWE - Criminology and IR
• Leeds Metropolitan - Peace Studies and International Relations
• Keele University - International Relations and Criminology (or just IR)
• Hull University - War and Security Studies
• Kingston - International Relations and Criminology (or just IR)
• Kent - Conflict, Peace and Security or Politics and International Relations

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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