Personal Statement:Politics Personal Statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

How should the global community deal with threat of IS? Is there a case for the decriminalisation of drugs in the UK due to supposed success in Portugal? Can globalisation be controlled in a way so that small, local businesses do not continue to suffer as a result? Here we see three contemporary issues that between them could affect global, national and local communities; illustrating just how the issues surrounding politics can be. Because of this, I've developed an enthusiasm to learn not only about the politics and issues surrounding the UK, but also have a keen interest in the politics of China, Russia and North Korea where the totalitarian or authoritarian practices differ so drastically to what we in the West are accustomed to. The opportunity to study and engage with a variety of different systems, debates and contemporary issues that are constantly evolving is a key reason as to why I wish to pursue a degree in politics.

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

Studying Government and Politics at A-Level has increased my enthusiasm by introducing me to aspects of politics that I had yet to consider, such as why the membership and establishment of pressure groups in the UK is rising whilst political party membership is in rapid decline. One reason I found this particularly interesting is that I myself volunteered with Stonewall last year, helping and featuring on a radio documentary in what was a very successful year with the same sex marriage bill being legislated. Whilst at university, I hope to study a range of political ideas and ideologies, as well as the security challenges that are affecting the global community. Recently, I read 'Escape from Camp 14', a biography telling the account of North Korean defector Shin Dong-hyuk who managed to escape to freedom after being contained in a brutal gulag for the first 24 years of his life. Despite reports of constant human rights infringements such as Shin's story, very few countries have responded to counteract these infringements. In South Korea, for instance, many are wary of improved relations due to the possibility of reunification in their lifetime and the financial implications that it would have. The chance to study these relationships and contrasts between political identities has further enticed me to study politics at university.

My other choices at A-Level have also contributed to my desire to study politics, as well as improving my essay skills through the detailed analysis that I have become used to developing. Studying Buddhism within Religious Studies has given the chance to develop an awareness and respect for different cultures and beliefs that is fundamental in our society. Moreover, I have learnt that the culture, attitudes and beliefs that construct a society can have a huge impact upon the way a country portrays itself politically and its interaction with other countries. This is a primary reason why I have a desire to learn more about the politics of the Middle East and Pacific Asia and to contrast it with the UK.

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

Throughout school I have had a number of roles that have contributed to developing my skills. Currently, I am the team leader of fifteen ambassadors who assist with the running of the school. This role has taught me how essential organisation skills are and the value of verbal communication; skills that will be vital whilst at university with time management and debating. Moreover, I recently have been offered the opportunity to build on my work experience by shadowing my local MP. This will offer the experience of working in a pressured political environment where the emphasis is on current affairs both at a local and national level. Collectively, I hope these skills can be contextualised whilst at university, where I am eager to continue to develop my interpersonal skills whilst extending my knowledge of politics by studying a breadth of different modules.

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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