Personal Statement:Politics 15

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

One of my earliest and most vivid memories is of a spring morning in 1997, waking up to see Tony Blair ride in to Downing Street on a wave of excitement and euphoria. I recall my mother being genuinely hopeful for the future, at a time when there was little to be hopeful about. Ever since then, the world of politics and the dynamic landscape it inhabits has been something I have been fascinated with.

The ambition to study at degree level has flourished in recent years due to my experience in demanding public-facing jobs and my ambition to help shape those services in the future, using my experience of having delivered them. I believe I would thrive on a politics related course and would relish with excitement the chance to do so.

Public service has formed a large role in shaping my ideas and beliefs. I am a firm believer in the power of the state and how it can be used as a tool for good, and this is reflected in the types of job I have undertaken and enjoyed. I enjoy immersing myself in current events and spend a great deal of time reading articles, blogs, social studies and television debates aimed at giving me a broad a grasp of world events and how they shape modern society. I love to explore differing opinions as well as challenge prejudiced or discriminatory views.

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

I am currently undertaking an Access to Higher Education course to allow me progress in a career within public service that undertaking a degree would allow me to do. The course has allowed me to develop my organisational skills and enabled me to manage time effectively and efficiently, whilst working part time on a Mental Health Unit. I have enjoyed studying the English modules as I am a keen literature fan. I read for pleasure and enjoy the works of Larkin, Dickens and Pullman, and the Sociology modules have further influenced my views in relation to the different perspectives of society, and specifically the differing views on social mobility.

Through my work within the NHS, I have progressed within the Trade Union movement. I have represented members at workplace disputes and helped to resolve industrial issues, such as workforce change. This normally requires a high level of knowledge and research relating to employment law and relevant case law, for which I was responsible for researching and assimilating as part of the ongoing management of a case. I have also contributed to the strategic direction of Unison at local level by serving as a senior branch officer at Nottingham University Hospitals. I believe my work with Unison has made me more confident professionally and comfortable with asserting my views and qualifying them, and I have been given the opportunity to address conferences, large groups of people at meetings and rallies, as well as being interviewed live on BBC Radio Nottingham. All of this has allowed me to enhance my public speaking abilities, as well as showcasing my ability to provide dynamic responses to difficult questions and debate whilst developing coherent and evolving ideas.

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

In 2004, I completed a work experience placement with my local Labour MP, which gave me my first insight in to the world of modern British politics, and served to nurture what was an already avid interest in politics. I then went on to campaign for my local Labour party at subsequent elections.

I have previously worked in various A&E Departments, and as a Police Community Support Officer. All of these roles are customer focused and have contributed to the development of my interpersonal skills required to work in emotionally charged and difficult circumstances, as well as the ability to work under pressure and to fixed deadlines, and as part of a team.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with friends socially, as well as playing with the Thoresby Colliery Band, a championship section band from Nottinghamshire, which requires skill and dedication. I look forward to being able to develop these activities at university.

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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