Personal Statement:Politics and Social Policy joint honours

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Karl Marx would be proud as his theory concerning the fragility of capitalism is demonstrated at this time of economic crisis. Our society relies on the skills and political knowledge of those chosen to look after the country and manage international relations. When it comes to making decisions for such a diverse community, it is obvious that the people who have this responsibility must be competent. I am confident that alongside a broader education, including this joint honours degree, I have the potential to develop into a leader who can both perceive what society is facing and is able to resolve complex issues.

I find it fascinating studying subjects that affect our lives directly and are ever-changing as the world evolves and modernises. I enjoy studying the reasons why people do what they do, why problems occur in society, and what can be done to change this.

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

I have applied a political and sociological angle to my English Literature coursework. I believe that if a person enjoys their work, standards will be high. I am comparing the social politics of Afghanistan presented in 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini with the politics existing within Edwardian society in L.P.Hartley's 'The Go-Between'. This makes a particularly interesting comparison due to the surprising similarities that arise when looking into worlds where social status is everything, even though they are many decades and miles apart. I was inspired to write about this when I read 'The Go-Between' for a second time, and the first line "The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there" sparked parallels in my mind.

For my Sociology coursework, I have chosen to study young people's involvement in the political arena, whether activity has declined or whether engagement in politics is changing. Although the electoral turnout is low, there is an increase in other aspects, such as through membership of single issue pressure groups. Last year in History I studied Civil Rights in America, women's struggles to gain the vote, and the abolition of slavery for my coursework. I particularly enjoyed seeing how campaign groups succeeded in changing legislation.

I have become motivated to try and become a person who does not simply complain about what is wrong with the world, but fights to change it, one of the many reasons I wish to study politics. The skills I learnt whilst producing my coursework are useful as I have constructed a consistent piece of work over a period of time similar to course assignments and dissertations at university.

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

To aid my politics course, I attended a seminar on the conflict in Palestine, visited the Houses of Parliament and went on a trip to Belfast, where I met ex-convicts from both Republican and Nationalist backgrounds and visited Stormont. I am also visiting Brussels to observe main EU political institutions, and attending a conference at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to take part in mock negotiations and press conferences.

Besides my academic life, I am currently writing an article for a new online music and culture magazine, called Read Platform. I seized the opportunity to do this because of my strong opinions and extensive knowledge of various topics. I spend many of my evenings and weekends scouting out new bands, and voluntarily working for a music promotions company called Traffic. I also have a lot of practical experience with organizing gigs for charity from volunteering for a Christian organization called 'Oxygen' which helps young people.

I attended Air Cadets for three years, passing both physical and knowledge challenges. I worked as a leader and part of a team, progressing through the ranks until I was a Senior Cadet and a Corporal. I participated in regional sports events, and competitive outdoors challenges, often lasting days. I also braved a week of living in military barracks, being trained as a marksman. I've flown two types of aircraft and achieved my junior gliding certificate.

Universities applied to:

• Bristol
• Manchester
• Leeds
• Newcastle
• Cardiff

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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