Personal Statement:Physics 35

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines physics as the science concerning non-living matter and energy. However, I prefer to think of it, more simplistically, as "the science of science." The ability the subject has to cover everything from sub-atomic particles to the entirety of spacetime is what makes it so interesting to study - there is always a new discovery to be made, and we will never stop learning.

I am excited by the prospect of studying Physics to a higher level and look forward to contributing positively to both the academic and social areas of university life.

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

Throughout my school career, I have particularly excelled in the field of science. I was awarded a prize for achievement in the subject at the end of Key Stage 3, and at the end of Year 11 was named my school's Young Physicist of the Year - an award sponsored by the Ogden Trust.

I relish academic challenge, and study outside the school curriculum - I have read books by authors such as Brian Cox, Richard Dawkins and John Gribbin on a variety of subjects from astrophysics to quantum theory (the latter of which I struggle but endeavour to comprehend!) I was most interested "Why does E=mc^2?" as it built on my existing knowledge of waves and particles, deriving the equation and providing the answer to a question I have often wondered about. I am completing an astrophysics-based extended project this year as this area has particularly intrigued me since I was given a telescope at the age of 7. I will use this as an opportunity to further stretch myself and to learn, in-depth, about a new topic, as well as improving my investigational and independent learning skills.

Mathematics is another area of science which I enjoy, especially the Core and Pure modules due to the diversity and challenge of their content. These also provide a good grounding in algebra and calculus, which are skills often used in Physics. I demonstrated my ability by completing my Maths GCSE a year early, and, last year, achieved a 'best in school' gold award in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge, showing I can adapt my thinking to a wide range of problems. I have also competed in the UKMT Team Maths Challenge, which improved my ability to share knowledge with others and solve mathematical puzzles in a small group

I find the chemistry syllabus interesting and engaging, and competed in the Chemistry Olympiad, which required the use of pre-existing knowledge in unfamiliar circumstances. The overlap between chemistry and physics facilitates my understanding of both subjects - for example, in Chemistry, when learning about the detailed arrangement of electrons in atoms, we were also discovering the strong and weak nuclear forces in Physics, thus giving me a deeper understanding of atomic structure.

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

Our school recently took part in an exchange to Germany, with an aim to compare transport in our countries. We then gave a short talk about transport methods, which was a great way to expand on my research and presentation skills as well as learning about more economical vehicles, where I feel physics can continue to make improvements.

Outside of school, I play the violin and the piano to grade 6 and 7 standards, respectively. I am principal violinist of Sefton Schools' String Orchestra, and mentor younger string groups, enhancing my leadership ability. I also teach several piano students weekly, helping improve my organisational skills through lesson-planning.

In Year 12, I took part in the National Citizenship Service programme. This consisted of a five-day residential during which we built our teamwork skills through trust exercises, and was followed by planning a charity fundraiser. My group raised a significant sum of money for a local charity which helps disabled children access sports by doing a sponsored blind abseil. This required an extensive amount of research and planning, and increased my confidence once we had succeeded in organising such a large event.

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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