UCAS Personal Statements

This part of the UCAS process is crucial to your application, as it tells university departments why you want to study geology. The personal statement is limited to 4,000 characters, equating to about 600 words. This is little more than a page in length, but is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd. 

Writing your Personal Statement

You need to demonstrate your enthusiasm for geoscience but also for university in general. Further education can be tough, so why do you want to do it? Here are some ideas for expressing your enthusiasm:

The particular parts of geology that really interest you and why.

Are there things you would like to learn more about (e.g. volcanoes, earthquakes, minerals, fossils etc.)? Do you see your future career path involving them?

Things you are doing or have previously done that show you have an interest in geology. 

These can include:

• Studying AS or A-level geology or physical geography
• Trips you have been on with school, family or friends that have involved an aspect of geoscience, such as climbing holidays or visits to museums like the Natural History Museum in London or the Scarborough Rotunda, North Yorkshire. What did you find fascinating about them?
• Membership or participation with local geological conservation groups, clubs such as Rockwatch, or outdoor pursuit clubs like climbing, caving, diving or hiking.
• Previous or future participation in geoscience events (either in or outside school), such as the National Schools Geology Challenge or any events in Earth Science Week
• Relevant books you have read and TV programmes/films you have seen that have fascinated you. Think a little further than volcanoes and earthquakes here - what about climate change, or the oil and mining industries?
• Perhaps there are eminent geologists you follow on social media, or whose work you are particularly familiar with. This is a really good way to demonstrate to universities that you have some familiarity with the work research staff undertake.

Things you can contribute to student life

What about your other extra-curricular activities, such as sports, music, languages etc? Having an interest in pursuing these while you are at university suggests you will be contributing to student life beyond your studies, as well as demonstrating that you are a dedicated individual.

Why you think an undergraduate university degree will be beneficial to your aspirations

• Will it really help you in pursuing a chosen career path? 
• Is it the start of longer-term academic studies? Perhaps you hope to go on to post-graduate study afterwards.
• Will learning from highly-regarded geologists be useful to you? 
• What parts/courses in the degree are you really looking forward to?

Effective writing skills

The personal statement is also an opportunity to demonstrate that you can write clearly, concisely and effectively. Spelling and grammar must be correct; this shows that you have proof-read the document and that you care about getting these aspects right. 

There is no need to use overly complicated terminology, but ensure it’s not overly simplified. As a guide, if your teachers do not recognise some of the words you are using then you have probably used terms which are too technical.