Law degree personal statement example (2s)

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

My vocation in life is to help people and I know that law is the best route in which to realise my ambitions. From a young age, I have known that I would like to pursue a career where I can help others by advising them. Studying law means that I can train to become a solicitor and use my skills to help others. I excel in advisory positions where I am able to help others. I also possess compassion and a desire to help people. I particularly enjoy Contract law which covers issues that ordinary people encounter everyday such as the Sale of Goods Act and breach of contract.

In 2006, while visiting relatives in Ghana I shadowed my uncle in his solicitors firm looking up case reports for client’s cases and organising files, as well as interacting with clients and answering general queries. I learnt valuable skills during my experience such as how to look up cases quickly and dealing with vulnerable clients in an empathetic way. I was able to learn from observing the solicitors how they handled issues regarding employment and housing, especially unfair eviction. Law is a fundamental part of society and of smaller communities. Being able to study law to enormous depth would mean being able to fully comprehend how society and the government works and use this knowledge to advise others.

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

Studying English literature at A-level has honed my analytical skills and taught me how to research effectively. It has also taught me time-management skills regarding fitting in a large amount of reading. Biology is useful in developing logic, and learning to simplify and understand complicated theories - a useful skill when practising law. Learning about The Human Genome Project was a fascinating part of the Biology course as I encountered ethics and international law. Sociology has opened my mind to the structure of society and how government policies affect the everyday life of citizens.

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

In years 10 and 11, I was class president. In this role I was able to develop my communication skills, mediate between my classmates and teachers and understand and address the needs of fellow pupils. I have learnt to play a few instruments for example, the saxophone, guitar and recorder as I appreciate the discipline that learning an instrument provides; a skill that can be transferred to the intense studying that will be required for a law degree.

In my spare time, I am a feature writer for a youth magazine ‘Live’ and am currently working towards a qualification in News unit. I enjoy the way the project stretches my creativity and teaches me time-management in co-ordinating studying with writing and researching articles and my part-time job. Writing for ‘Live’ has sharpened my skills towards meeting deadlines, teamwork and developed my communication skills, literally and orally. I worked in the retail store, River Island where I learnt how to communicate effectively with the general public and their complaints and needs.

I am an avid reader and enjoy reading novels as well as reading The Guardian online daily. I enjoy researching topics covered by the news in order to gain a broader understanding. I have great organisational skills and work well balancing a heavy workload with extra-curricular activities. I would be the ideal student at your university as an active member of various unions and societies and a hard working student with the mantra of being the best that I can be.

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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