Personal Statement:Mod langs with european studies french with ab initio italian

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

My passion for modern foreign languages has been evident since a young age. Having an extremely multicultural family has inspired a rich curiosity in foreign cultures which I believe a degree in modern languages would fulfil.

My French A level has of course helped me to explore the French culture and language, which is something that I am very keen to continue at university. In particular, I have an avid interest in French literature, having read and done coursework on Madame Bovary, Cousin Bette and Les Liaisons Dangereuses respectively. I also followed the French Presidential elections of this year very closely, completing a second piece of coursework on the credibility of Mme Royal's educational policies.

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

My French A level has of course helped me to explore the French culture and language, which is something that I am very keen to continue at university. In particular, I have an avid interest in French literature, having read and done coursework on Madame Bovary, Cousin Bette and Les Liaisons Dangereuses respectively. I also followed the French Presidential elections of this year very closely, completing a second piece of coursework on the credibility of Mme Royal's educational policies.

Moreover, I have briefly studied French history, having analysed the Napoleonic domestic policies for my individual assignment in my History A level. I supplemented my Biology studies whilst enhancing my French vocabulary by reading L'aventure du Vivant, a book on genetics which I bought on a trip to Nimes with 4 friends.

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

In terms of extra curricula activities I have taken part in numerous clubs and events to enhance my French studies. Such an activity included running the European Film Club at my college. This entailed watching films from a host of European countries, including: France; Germany; Italy; Spain; Sweden; and Portugal, comparing stylistic techniques between them.

Also, I took part in a French exchange to Alsace during the Easter of my first year of A levels. This involved carrying out a work placement at a primary school, where I and another student from my year group worked as classroom assistants.

In addition to this, in the role of Student Publicity Manager at my college, I took the opportunity to teach a rudimentary French class to a group of 10-11 year olds over the course of 4 weeks. Other responsibilities allied to this role included giving talks and presentations to local schools about life at a sixth form college, and heading teams of students at open evenings and other college events. I was awarded the Philip Sadler Award for Excellence for this position at the end of my one year term, for being the best Student Manager in their role from a team of 15.

I have also taken part in a number of non-foreign languages related enrichment activities, such as: taking a key role in the Rolls Royce Science Project at my college, where 20 science students ran workshops for year 7s from city schools to encourage an interest in science; being an active member of the National Academy for the Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY); sitting on a number of college councils and committees; and writing for the college magazine.

Furthermore, I am very interested and active in politics and current affairs - in the past year, I have appeared in the audience of Question Time and I reached the final stages of the Guardian Young Voices national competition as a young panelist. I also have a subscription to a broadsheet newspaper, and I am a member of one of the three main political parties.

I have been described as someone who is friendly, mature, outgoing and as someone who is an excellent communicator. In my spare time I enjoy cycling, socialising, swimming, cinema, and travelling - in the past year, I have visited Paris, Nimes and Strasbourg with friends, and I am currently taking a gap year, in which I am travelling to: Thailand; Vietnam; Cambodia; Australia; Fiji; and the USA.

Additionally, I am in the process of arranging a backpacking tour in Southern France during Spring 2008. I am extremely eager to learn a new foreign language alongside French, given my fascination with foreign languages and cultures, and I would be extremely grateful for a place at your institution.

Universities applied to:

• Bath
• Cardiff
• Newcastle
• Birmingham

Grades achieved:

• French (A)
• Biology (B)
• History (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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