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Personal Statement - International Relations 4
This is a real International relations personal statement written by a student for their university application. It has been carefully edited into the new three-question format, with all of the original wording kept. It may have strengths and weaknesses, but it can be used as inspiration for writing your own UCAS personal statement. Ensure your personal statement is entirely your own work, copying from this example or other sources is considered plagiarism and can affect your application. There are lots more examples in our collection of sample personal statements.
Why do you want to study this course or subject?
The internet has made international politics much more accessible to a wider audience. I for one, through a myriad of internet mediums such as blogging, visiting forums as well as reading magazines such as "The Economist" and "Prospect" have expanded the scope of my knowledge especially in the field of international political issues. The irony is that many people are not at all interested in this cacophony of political information.
My interest in international politics has also stemmed from my ethnic background. I was born in Ghana and issues such as corruption and poverty are very apparent. The dishonest nature of many politicians make it difficult for democracy to be attained; common cases include police officers getting bribes from criminals and politicians obtaining money for their personal gain. A current issue that comes to mind is the local military threats coming out of the opposition party (National Democratic Congress) in the upcoming Presidential elections in Ghana, as a result of the recent oil discovery which is expected to generate a lot of revenue. It's unfortunate that the issue of 'sleaze' is a unique feature in global politics.
How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
My interest in politics is apparent in my A level courses. Although the study of Sociology and Politics seem fairly different, a close examination of both subjects provides interesting analysis. Most politicians for instance try to paint a picture of a 'unified' society however in Sociology; Marxists would argue that as long as ethnicity, religion and social class are a factor in the modern world, conflicts are inevitable. Studying sociology has broadened my knowledge on international affairs as it deals with social relations, which in a broad perspective can be viewed as the relations between the western society and the eastern society and also the relationships between international allies. Moreover, I am now aware and can identify the effects these relationships have, not only in Society as a whole but on individuals. Studying sociology made me realise that political issues operates within the nature of society because the political systems can be used in the interest of the powerful, but on the contrary can also be effective in protecting the powerless.
Studying English Literature has been beneficial because it has taught me how to express my ideas, which is particularly important when debating on political issues. English has been a fascinating topic because it enables the reader to question the motives of a character, and in poetry the reader questions the real theme the poet is trying to depict, through their often obscure style of writing.
What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
It's true when they say that change starts from the 'bottom-up' and not the 'top down' as claimed by US presidential nominee Barack Obama. As a volunteer for the British Red Cross, I have seen the impact a small group of committed citizens can have in eradicating issues that affect us domestically as well as internationally, for example, knife crime in the urban neighbourhoods in London and the detrimental effects the war in Sierra Leone has had. In 2006, I took part in an event with a team called TRUCE (To Reach Urban Communities Everywhere). Our aim was to go into the urban communities in London to talk about the impact of carrying weapons. I have enhanced my leadership skills during my role as a student ambassador and a member of the student council. My communication skills were further enhanced during my Duke of Edinburgh silver award excursion, where I was involved in many group activities.
I believe I have the study skills, determination and enthusiasm to be a successful undergraduate at your institution.
AI generated feedback
This feedback is AI-generated, based on the text of this personal statement:
This personal statement highlights strong personal motivation for studying international relations, drawn from both the applicant's ethnic background and independent learning through multiple sources. Linking Politics and Sociology is a positive approach, showing the ability to integrate knowledge across subjects. The practical examples of volunteering and extracurricular involvement demonstrate leadership and communication skills effectively.
To improve, the statement could benefit from a clearer focus on specific course-related goals, such as areas of international relations that particularly interest the applicant. Some phrasing could be more concise to enhance clarity. Including explicit references to skills developed relevant to university study, such as critical thinking or research abilities, would strengthen the statement further.
Overall, it is a well-rounded and authentic personal statement that should perform well in the new UCAS personal statement format for 2026 and beyond.
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.
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