Law degree personal statement example (2q) IB study

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I am extremely interested in the academic study of Law. I am particularly drawn to the sociological and philosophical aspects of a law degree; however I appreciate the importance of other aspects of the law that constitute the academic study of this field. I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring eye-opening texts such as "The Politics of Jurisprudence" by Roger Cotterrell, and found the book "September 11, Anti-Terror Laws and Civil Liberties: Britain, France and Germany Compared", by Dirk Haubrich highly interesting and I have consulted it closely to write my extended essay entitled "To what extent have civil liberties been infringed by Anti-Terrorism legislation". The text also gave me an interesting insight into the complex legal inter-relationships between EU nations.

My interest in this field results from my observations of current affairs. While on holiday in China I saw government censorship which made me realise the impact that the law can have on society and how social mores can affect legal systems. At present, to stimulate my interest in the field of Human Rights I have been closely researching the case of the treatment of G-20 protesters, most notably the case brought by Ian Tomlinson's death. I have a strong interest in current affairs, currently subscribing to The Guardian as well as The Times Online, and I have enjoyed using periodicals and articles to form my own opinions. I particularly enjoyed attending lectures on "Important Legal Concepts" at the University of Kent and am looking forward to the prospect of studying in this way at University.

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

Studying the IB has not only enabled me to study some subjects such as English and Music (a personal interest of mine) further than would have been possible at A-Level, but also has offered an international dimension to my studies. In an increasingly internationally-minded world I consider this experience to be invaluable. The style of the course has also helped me to develop skills in making critical but accurate observations. Studying Theory of Knowledge as part of the course has enabled me to engage in mind-expanding debate, tackling issues such as "Should people be allowed to publicly deny the holocaust?" and "Should abortion be illegal?" Having the opportunity to discuss ideas with people from different countries has provided a valuable perspective to my studies and developed my listening skills. The Theory of Knowledge aspect also has improved my ability to develop sustained and coherent argument.

I have submitted an entry to the Herbert-Smith and Times advocacy competition, and although the result is yet to come, the experience of researching for my argument greatly enhanced my ability to analyse and solve problems using logical and critical approaches as well as learning to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information.

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

In addition to my individual exploration, I have arranged work experience at the Canterbury Law Courts, to which I am greatly looking forward.

I am a keen pianist and I have a great interest in music. The experience was challenging and it enhanced my ability to work within a team. I have endeavoured to achieve high academic standards, and I am dedicated to continuing to invest time in my studies and I was very pleased with my score of 39 points in the mock examinations. I would relish the opportunity and challenge of studying law.

Universities applied to:

• LSE

Grades achieved:

• Maths (IB) - 7
• English (IB) - 6
• DT (IB) - 6
• IT (IB) - 7
• Music (IB) - 7
• German (IB) - 6
• TOK/EE (IB) - 2
• Total(IB) - 41
• 39 points in mock examinations

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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