Course name
University name or location
Topic or category
Find a course
Search, shortlist and compare thousands of courses to find that perfect one.
Where to study
See what makes a university special and discover where you belong.
Find a university
Search by name or city.
Get Advice
Get tips, tricks and wise words from students and experts at each stage.
Browse advice
Personal statement examples
A-level choices
Law degree
Revision help
Oxbridge applications
Ucas application
Student life
Student finance
Browse all advice
Popular right now
Clearing 2026: four things you might not know about Clearing and results day
Clearing and results day 2026: prepare your back-up plan
Finding a university place in Ucas Clearing: 10 top tips to help you get ready
Clearing 2026: how to call universities
A guide to Ucas Clearing 2026: how to find your university place
How Ucas Hub works on results day 2025
A-level results day 2026: what to expect
Btec results day 2026: what to expect
Personal Statement:Politics and Philosophy
This is a real Politics personal statement written by a student for their university application. It has been carefully edited into the new three-question format, with all of the original wording kept. It may have strengths and weaknesses, but it can be used as inspiration for writing your own UCAS personal statement. Ensure your personal statement is entirely your own work, copying from this example or other sources is considered plagiarism and can affect your application. There are lots more examples in our collection of sample personal statements.
Why do you want to study this course or subject?
At the beginning of Year 12, I chose AS Level Government & Politics over English Language, against the wishes of my parents, but a decision that I have never regretted. Politics is a subject unlike any other I have studied as it is thought provoking, challenging, motivating and often entertaining. Studying politics at A Level has taught me a great deal about the real issues that affect a government, where power lies, what my vote will mean and how my generation will have a great amount of responsibility. I have also become far more open-minded and have been taught that I should hold well-informed opinions. It has also persuaded me to join a political party and two pressure groups.
I thoroughly enjoy the more philosophical aspects of my politics lessons. Currently we are looking at how the Founding Fathers of the United States were influenced by philosophers such as Hobbes, Montesquieu and Locke. Hobbes' account of the life of man in a state of nature as "solitary, brutish and short" is a defining phrase that has steered Western political philosophy to create civil societies, with an absolute authority. Locke went further with this theory of a social contract, arguing that the authority needed control, and thus put forward the system of checks and balances (where one branch of government observes and approves the actions of another). I have always really enjoyed debating and putting my views across, and am in the process of co-hosting a debating club, which involves researching issues to debate and the arguments of either side, to lead the debate in an open forum format. I would relish the chance to further my interest in philosophy at university.
How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
I also study Drama, in which I have just performed a devised piece for our practical exam. My group created a political farce, based on the corruption of politicians and the 'spin' of the Media.
I was appointed as deputy head girl in April, an achievement I am very proud of. My position allows me to input the views of my peers to teachers, other senior students and outside organisations, to have the voices of young people heard. This is an issue I feel strongly about, and want to convey the message that the 'youth' of today are not all anti-social yobs. Through the role I also organise events; a recent example is a barbecue for which I led the arrangements, for new Year 12 students from outside of my school. My role has taught me how to work more efficiently as part of a team and has improved my communication skills.
What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Photography is my main interest outside of school life, and started through simply playing with my digital compact, taking photos of my pets. My focal subjects are nature, landscapes and architecture, and in the past month I have completed a collection of the changes of the four seasons in local woodland. I display my photographs in an online gallery, through which I can receive comments and advice. I find a lot of pleasure in the creative arts, such as drama and photography.
During my gap year, I plan to travel around New Zealand and Australia, finding paid work to gain experience and independence before returning to education. This has been an ambition of mine for several years, which I believe will give me more maturity and improve my self-responsibility.
AI generated feedback
This feedback is AI-generated, based on the text of this personal statement:
This personal statement effectively expresses a genuine passion for politics and philosophy, with clear examples of how the applicant engages with their studies and extracurricular activities. The integration of philosophical influences and debating experience strengthens the case for further study in this area. To improve, the statement could link qualifications more explicitly to the skills needed for university study and expand on how leadership and drama experiences have prepared the applicant academically and personally. Adding reflections on how the gap year plans will develop relevant skills could also enhance its impact. Overall, it maintains an authentic and motivated tone, fitting the expectations for the new UCAS personal statement format.
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.
Need help with your personal statement? You can ask a question or get feedback from The Student Room community (and our trained personal statement experts) on the personal statement advice forum.
Related articles
Take a look at some more articles on this topic.
Related discussions
Students are talking about this topic on The Student Room. Catch up with the latest...
Related articles
Take a look at some more articles on this topic.
Related discussions
Students are talking about this topic on The Student Room. Catch up with the latest...
