Personal Statement:Politics philosophy and european politics

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Having been brought up in a bilingual (French-English) household I can appreciate that there is more than one way to express a given idea, this flexibility lends itself well to the study of political philosophy as I wish to use my interest in languages to engage in the international politics.

I am fortunate to travel to Russia in January, which I feel will enhance my knowledge of the subject and satisfy my interests in a way unparalleled by source texts and statistics - I am truly excited at the prospect of visiting such an enigmatic country.

I have a strong interest in how political ideas shape societies, which drives my desire to study Politics and Philosophy at university. The exploration of political theory alongside practical politics fascinates me. For example, Russia provided a good example of the differences between political philosophy and the application of Marx’s doctrine in practice from 1917 onwards, prompting questions as to how abstract theory can be applied to real states.

Furthermore, I am interested in how political ideas evolve. Reading Francis Wheen’s political commentary 'How Mumbo Jumbo Conquered the World' has made me consider that we may be entering a new period of politics where traditional Enlightenment values may no longer dominate. This exposure has broadened my understanding and eagerness to learn more about political ideologies and their place in current global affairs.

I am genuinely eager to develop my knowledge of political institutions and ideas surrounding French politics among others, which will be valuable for my intended degree programme.

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

I am fortunate to have had teachers who have inspired me to read further into subjects at AS Level - Encouraging me to explore the Marxist ideas underpinning the Russian History that I studied in Year 12, and only with a grounding in Politics I became aware of the inter-connectedness of the two courses.

The courses which I have chosen at A level have inspired me to read a wide range of material, and I have found myself going off in directions increasingly far removed from the strict confines of the syllabuses. For example, I am currently reading Niccolo Machiavelli’s 'The Prince' which although being a challenging text has led me to question the role morality plays in Politics, as well as providing an insight into the origins of Italian Unification.

I also found my A Level English Syllabus rewarding as it allowed me to explore a range of works such as Khaled Hosseini’s 'The Kite Runner' in their specific contexts, which has given me an insight into the cultural issues often overlooked when studying great historical events. This has helped me understand the human poignancy of political turmoil, such as ongoing events in Afghanistan.

Having achieved one of the highest marks at GCSE French, I have taught myself A Level French. Balancing these self-taught modules alongside the demands of four AS levels I have learnt independent study skills, which I feel would be good preparation for University.

Listening to various political figures in dispute with John Humphreys on Radio 4, I can appreciate the careful crafting of language, or rather rhetoric, as a tool of persuasion. Overall, my qualifications have given me valuable analytical and essay-writing skills necessary for higher education.

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

With regards to extra-curricular activity, my commitment to the Music Department has been particularly satisfying for me: I have taken leading roles in a range of musical productions such as Les Misérables, and play Bass for the Jazz Band as well as having participated in the Senior Choir for several years. As a Music Prefect I even became the de facto interpreter on a summer tour to Paris!

As an active member of the Debating society, I have been asked to chair a political debate this year at Prince Henry’s with academics from Leeds University and a number of political figures. This event hopes to attract a wide range of secondary students from the Yorkshire area, dealing thematically with political issues.

I made use of the long break following GCSEs to do voluntary work in an international youth centre in Paris, working with colleagues from as far afield as Costa Rica and South Korea. I found this to be a very formative experience, as having to express myself entirely in French. It was here that I expressed a desire to study further into the political institutions and the ideas surrounding French politics which I wish to explore at Degree level.

These experiences have developed my communication, leadership and intercultural skills, all of which I believe will be invaluable in my academic and future professional pursuits in politics and international relations.

Universities applied to:

• Bristol
• UCL
• Kings
• Edinburgh
• Manchester

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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