Personal Statement:Politics and History 1

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

During my time in the Sixth Form, I thoroughly enjoyed the study of Politics, Economics and History, but I found my Politics course to be especially rewarding and would relish the opportunity to continue it at university.

Coming from a transatlantic background, I was particularly interested in the element of the course concerning the comparative study of the British and American systems of government. I found it fascinating to analyse the two states from a historical perspective, to examine their different origins and to assess how those origins have influenced the nature of their political structures today. Other topics that interested me included the development of American racial tensions, and the relative effectiveness of American and British elections.

I enjoy reading widely on political topics, and complemented my A-Level studies with extra-curricular texts such as Dye and Zeigler's The Irony of Democracy and Hamilton's The Federalist Papers, both of which benefited me with some very different interpretations of the principles on which the United States was founded. Since completing my A-Levels, I have developed an interest in the role of the United States on the global stage, and particularly its relationship with Europe. I have pursued this by reading such articles as Robert Kagan's Power and Weakness, Samuel Huntington's The Clash of Civilisations, and Francis Fukuyama's The End of History.

I found Fukuyama's perception of liberalism as the pinnacle of human political development to be especially interesting in the context of current debates over globalisation and free trade. In order to gain further insight into the origins of this liberalism, I read and took notes on Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man, and am currently pursuing my interest in political philosophy with Bryan McGee's The Story of Philosophy. I always try to take an analytical approach when considering new points of view, and try to use them to complement rather than replace opinions that I have previously held.

Following this, I plan to spend the Summer at the Ifalpes French school in Annecy. I am certain that studying for a degree in Politics, or Politics and History, would help me to develop the analytical skills required to fulfil my career aspirations, but ultimately my motivation for studying the subject runs much deeper than this. The study of Politics at A-Level has, for me, raised more questions than it has answered; by continuing the subject at university, I would hope to answer some of these questions, but also to raise many more.

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

During my time in Sixth Form, I studied Politics, Economics, and History at A-Level, with Politics being especially rewarding. My A-Level Politics course gave me a strong foundation in understanding political systems, particularly the comparative study of British and American governments.

I developed analytical skills through examining the historical origins of these systems and how they continue to influence their political structures today. Additionally, my studies covered topics such as the development of American racial tensions and analysis of election effectiveness in both America and Britain.

My academic preparation was further enhanced by reading beyond the curriculum. Extra-curricular books like The Irony of Democracy and The Federalist Papers provided me with diverse interpretations of the principles underlying the United States. Moreover, exploring key political philosophies through texts such as Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man and Bryan McGee's The Story of Philosophy have cultivated my critical thinking and helped me approach political questions from multiple perspectives.

These qualifications have provided me with a strong base to tackle university-level study in Politics and History, equipping me with both subject knowledge and independent study habits necessary for success.

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

Outside of formal education, I actively engaged in roles that developed my leadership, communication, and advocacy skills. I was an elected member of the Sixth Form Committee and the School Council, where I gained experience in student representation and decision-making.

My writing and teamwork abilities improved through contributing to the school magazine, and I honed my debating skills as a member of the Debating Society. I believe these experiences demonstrate my ability to articulate ideas clearly and work collaboratively—skills valuable for university study and my future career.

In my spare time, I enjoy swimming, photography, astronomy, and mountain bike racing, activities I look forward to continuing at university.

To prepare for my future career aspirations in the legal profession, journalism, or the Foreign Office, I undertook work experience in October 2001 with Ashurst Morris Crisp, an international law firm in the City. Additionally, I am scheduled for a three-month internship at a national foreign policy and security affairs research organisation in Washington, D.C., in Spring 2003. These experiences have provided practical insight into my intended career paths and reinforced my commitment to studying Politics and History.

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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