Writing a personal statement has long been one of the most challenging parts of the UCAS application process. For years, students have struggled to express their academic passion, personal qualities, and aspirations within a single essay.
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What’s Changing in the UCAS Personal Statement from 2025?
From autumn 2025 (for 2026 entry), UCAS will introduce a new format for the personal statement. Instead of a single continuous essay, applicants will be required to respond to three open-ended questions, each addressing a key area universities value in applicants. The overall character limit will remain at 4,000 characters (including spaces), but each response must be at least 350 characters.
The three questions are:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this course or subject?
- What else have you done outside formal education to prepare, and why are these experiences useful?
These changes aim to reduce student anxiety, promote fairness, and allow universities to assess applications more consistently. The new question-based format guides students to present their motivation, academic readiness, and relevant experiences in a structured and focused manner.
How Our UCAS Personal Statement Review Tool Supports You
To help students adapt to both the current and upcoming UCAS personal statement formats, an advanced UCAS Personal Statement Review Tool is now available online. This free tool analyses your draft based on qualities universities look for, including:
- Relevance: Clear, direct responses to key questions
- Structure: Logical and easy to follow
- Impact: Genuine reflection of your motivations and strengths
With instant, constructive feedback, this tool empowers students to improve their personal statements before formal review or submission. It can be accessed freely via multiple educational platforms. Try now!
Source: Grove Education
Beyond UCAS - Personalised Essay Support for Global Applications
In addition, there is a specialised internal analysis system designed to assist with a variety of application documents, including:
- US university personal essays and supplemental prompts
- Hong Kong Student Learning Profiles (SLPs)
- Non-JUPAS personal essays for Hong Kong university applications
This internal system is available exclusively through consultation with professional counsellors, offering personalised advice tailored to specific institutional requirements.
Why Use Our Tools?
With the UCAS personal statement format evolving, clear and structured writing has become even more crucial for competitive applications. Our tools help you:
- Adapt confidently to new formats and expectations
- Receive instant feedback before formal reviews
- Maximise your counselling sessions by coming prepared with a strong draft
Source: Grove Education
Take the First Step Today
Whether you’re applying through UCAS, aiming for US universities, or preparing for Hong Kong local institutions, a strong personal statement or essay remains key to standing out. Use our UCAS Personal Statement Review Tool today, and contact our counsellors for personalised support on other applications. Your future deserves a thoughtful, impactful statement - and we’re here to help you craft it.