Personal Statement:Urban and Regional Planning 1

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Urban Geography is something I have always been interested in. I have watched the world around me, fascinated by how the physical and social environment is constantly changing. Having lived in many cities over the years, I have always tried to experience fully what each city has to offer, not only physically, but socially, culturally, and economically. Changes in our environment affect us all, and in a rapidly evolving world, this is an issue which has never been more prevalent. Environmental issues, such as sustainable development, are at the forefront of public debate, and one has never been more exposed to the way in which the physical space around us is modifying and diversifying. I feel that both my natural curiosity, and my direct exposure to many growing urban environments, has fostered my desire to study urban environments and urbanisation at degree level.

Since graduate study in obtaining a Master’s degree is an important step in my professional life, I do not want to compromise on the quality of my education. In account of that I have researched urban planning courses in various universities, and have no doubt that the excellent academic reputation of The University of Westminster, as well as its commitment to ethnic and cultural diversity, would be the most beneficial environment in which to further my studies. What better place to study Urban and Regional Planning than in the most diverse urban Universities, in one of the most Metropolitan cities, in the world! I feel that this course, with its focus on society, diversity and planning, as well as attention to pressing current issues in the modern environment such as land-use and sustainable development, offers the best route to gaining practical knowledge and invaluable skills which will allow me to pursue a professional career in urban planning.

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

I have graduated with a 2:1 Honours degree in Geography, and it was within this area that my interest in urban geography was heightened and developed. Over the four year duration of the course, a number of facets of physical and human geography were studied, but urban studies was instantly the area of study which captured my attention, and the area in which I could see myself pursuing further education, and a career in.

In my second year of study, I was involved in a group project which we chose to focus on gender and the urban environment, studying women’s fears within our city, which was undertaken as part of a Geography of Development module.

As was compulsory, my third year of study was an off campus year, which I used to further explore my interest in urban studies. Whilst on work placement for the City Council, I experienced first hand the workings of a civil service office, and the local government sector in which many qualified urban geographers work, a sector in which I could see myself furthering my professional career in.

I also completed a University placement in the United States, in which I chose to study an Urban and Regional Planning module. This allowed me to build upon the knowledge I had already gained, and gain new knowledge on the urban environment and the planning system in the United States. I also undertook a fieldtrip to a US state as part of this course, allowing me to study and analyse a completely different and diverse urban environment than would have been possible at home. On completion of this module, I obtained an A grade, and was also placed on the Dean's List at the University for academic excellence.

It was in my final year of university that I focused on my desire to work in the area of urban studies, completing an Urban Geography and Planning Module, and choosing to undertake my academic thesis research in the area of Urban Social Change. This allowed me to spend the majority of my academic year studying and comparing urban social change in two Irish cities over a fifteen year period. This study allowed me see these cities in a new light, putting my study into practice.

I completely immersed myself in my work, thoroughly enjoying learning about the city I lived in, and how it had, and was continually, changing. A large focus within this thesis was on Urban Regeneration, which I hope to build upon through the specialised modules offered in the Urban and Regional Planning programme at the University of Westminster. This experience cemented my passion for this area of study and left me with a volume of work I am extremely proud of.

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

Whilst on work placement for the City Council, I experienced first hand the workings of a civil service office, and the local government sector in which many qualified urban geographers work, a sector in which I could see myself furthering my professional career in.

I also completed a University placement in the United States, in which I chose to study an Urban and Regional Planning module. I undertook a field trip to a US state as part of this course, allowing me to study and analyse a completely different and diverse urban environment than would have been possible at home. This international experience enriched my perspective on urban planning systems and exposed me to diverse planning challenges.

These practical experiences outside formal education have given me valuable insights into urban planning careers, and strengthened my motivation and readiness to pursue a professional career in this field.

Universities applied to:

• Unknown

Grades achieved:

• Unknown

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.