What you need to know about the 2026 UCAS personal statement changes

Changes are afoot...

If you’re planning to start university in 2026, your application will look a little different. UCAS has redesigned the statement, moving away from one long essay to three shorter, more focused questions. On the surface, the personal statement changes might feel like a big shake-up, but in practice it could make things easier – no more staring at a blank page wondering where to begin.

At Avalon Education, we’ve seen just how much pressure students put on themselves to “get it right.” The new format gives you a clearer structure, but the challenge is still the same: standing out in a sea of strong candidates. That’s where we can help – giving you guidance on how to tell your story in a way that's genuine and engaging. Let's get into it!

What's changed about the personal statement?

Instead of one 4,000-character piece of writing, you’ll now spread your answers across three set questions. The character limit is still the same, but the structure is much tighter.

The new questions	What UCAS is looking for	How to make it yours
Why do you want to study this course?	Your motivation and enthusiasm	Share what sparked your interest and how you’ve explored it outside class
How have your studies prepared you?	Relevant skills and knowledge	Highlight key topics or projects, and show how they’ve shaped your strengths
What else have you done outside education?	Work, volunteering, hobbies, life experiences	Reflect on what you learned, not just what you did

How do I make my personal statement answers unique?

Think of the new format as three little windows into who you are. A few things to keep in mind:

• Be specific. A single book, project, or experience says more than vague statements.

• Reflect, don’t just list. Admissions tutors care less about what you did than what you learned from what you did.

• Use your own voice. Formal, yes – but it should still sound like you, not a generic template.

Also, and this is a new one, be wary of using AI too much. We know it's really tempting, but the last thing you'll want it to end up with a personal statement like everyone else's. Plus, generative AI is an algorithm of averages, mashing up all the generic responses it can find... That's not what you want for the most important piece of writing you'll do this year!

Strong applications take time and practice, so start early (summer if Oxbridge deadline, autumn if general deadline). Many students know what they want to say but struggle to pin it down on the page. Our tutors at Avalon, each accepted into top UK universities like Oxford and Cambridge, work one-on-one to help you dig into your experiences and connect them to your subject naturally.

Are there any examples of the UCAS statement I can read?

Annoyingly, because it's being introduced this year, there's little in the way of previous examples. That's why we thought we'd help you out here.

Have a look at some sample responses we've pulled together for you below, along with our notes on why they work.

Q1: Why do you want to study this course? (History)

What excites me most about History is its dual nature: it demands both careful analysis of evidence and imaginative reconstruction of human experience. My interest in History began with a school trip to Berlin, where I stood in front of the remnants of the Berlin Wall and realised that events I’d only read about were still shaping lives today. Since then, I’ve pursued the subject beyond the classroom, reading Antony Beevor’s Stalingrad to listening to BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time episodes on the French Revolution.

I’m particularly drawn to modern European history, as I want to understand how political ideologies translate into everyday realities. Writing my EPQ on Cold War propaganda gave me a taste of independent research, where I explored how cultural production became a tool of influence. This project showed me how historical study is about power, perspective, and how societies narrate themselves. I see studying History at degree level as a way to sharpen my critical thinking and contribute to timely current debates on identity and politics.

Why it works

• Starts with a vivid anecdote to ground motivation - get personal here.

• Demonstrates super-curriculars (books, podcasts, EPQ).

• Reflects on their passion and its relevance in the climate.

• Shows subject-specific skills (analysis, independent research).

Q2: How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this course? (Medicine)

Studying A level Biology has given me a solid foundation for Medicine. Learning about the immune system sparked my fascination with how small cellular interactions have life-changing consequences. I was especially drawn to the unit on genetic disorders, which taught me how understanding molecular mechanisms can directly influence patient care. Chemistry complemented this by sharpening my problem-solving skills – particularly in organic chemistry, where precision and logical sequencing mirror the discipline required in medical diagnosis.

In Maths, statistics has been invaluable. Working through probability distributions not only improved my numeracy but also helped me appreciate how data underpins medical research. Beyond the curriculum, I entered the Biology Olympiad, which challenged me to apply knowledge in unfamiliar contexts, and wrote an essay on personalised medicine for a school competition. These experiences reinforced that Medicine requires both breadth and depth of knowledge, alongside resilience and adaptability. Together, my studies have equipped me with the skills – analytical, practical, and reflective – that I hope to bring to medical training.

Why it works

• Links directly between A level subjects and Medicine.

• Highlights specific modules/topics (immune system, organic chemistry).

• Adds stretch activities (Olympiad, essay competition).

• Shows transferable skills (analysis, resilience).

Q3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful? (Engineering)

Last summer, I interned with a local civil engineering firm, where I shadowed site managers working on a bridge repair project. Observing how CAD models translated into physical structures showed me the practical importance of precision and teamwork. I also noticed the unexpected challenges – from weather delays to safety regulations – that demanded creative problem-solving.

I took this practical knowledge further by building my own small projects at home, including a solar-powered phone charger. The process wasn’t straightforward: my first prototype overheated, which forced me to rethink materials and test efficiency. I learned that engineering isn’t about theory, but rather about persistence when reality complicates design.

Why it works

• Blends formal experience (internship) with independent projects (solar charger).

• Reflects on mistakes and lessons learned (honesty, iteration).

Don't get too bogged down in reading too many examples though – you'll want yours to be your own voice!

Our final thoughts

It's really important to remember that structure doesn't mean formulaic. You'll want to write your responses as authentically as they come to you. In other words, they don't need to read like the above.

We're always here if you need our expert support. Hopefully this was helpful, but there's more where that came from..!