Common questions
Q. How can I write a personal statement about the programme I want to study when I want to apply to two (or more!) different sorts of programme?
It's possible, but harder, to write a statement that covers more than one different area. Your personal statement needs to convince an admissions selector that you are amongst the strongest applicants to their programme and trying to do that for different courses in one personal statement can be difficult. We have a facility for you to submit a substitute personal statement for a course you have applied for at Durham University if you so wish. This substitute personal statement will be used instead of the personal statement which you submitted in your UCAS application. If you wish to submit more than one substitute personal statement, you are advised to contact us to discuss this.
For more information on substitute personal statements and to upload one, please go to www.durham.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/personalstatement/substitute.
Q. Durham states that admissions decisions are partly based on the contribution that a student can make to and benefit from University life, including the College community, whereas another university I am applying to is only interested in my academic work? How can I write a personal statement to suit both universities?
We have a facility for you to submit a substitute personal statement for a course you have applied for at Durham University if you so wish. This substitute personal statement will be used instead of the personal statement which you submitted in your UCAS application. If you wish to submit more than one substitute personal statement, you are advised to contact us to discuss this. Using this facility you can adopt the approach favoured by the other university in your UCAS application and tailor your substitute personal statement to Durham University's interests.
For more information on substitute personal statements and to upload one, please go to www.durham.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/personalstatement/substitute.
Q. I think I have achieved some truly great things in my life, should I not make sure these achievements make up the bulk of my personal statement?
Anything that makes you a unique and interesting individual is important but always remember that an Admissions Selector is primarily interested in why you want to study their course.
Q. I'm not interesting or unique!
Yes you are! Everyone has special skills, experiences or achievements to mention. We don't have any set ideas for what we are looking for, we just want to know what makes you, you.
Q. Do I need to use long words and elaborate language to impress the Admissions Selector?
No! An Admissions Selector will be impressed by the use of good English; a personal statement needs to be well written, in simple English, and laid out carefully. If you try too hard to impress with clever language you will normally make your statement harder to read and your reasons for wanting to study a particular programme less clear.