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Updates to the UCAS Personal Statement for 2026 Entry

UCAS are making changes to the format of the personal statement for applicants applying in 2025 to enter university in 2026 and beyond. Learn more about the changes here.

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UCAS are introducing changes to the format of their personal statement. These changes will come into place from October 2025 for applicants looking to begin university in Autumn 2026 and onwards. This is the first change to the UCAS personal statement since 1993!

The new personal statement will feature what UCAS are calling ‘scaffolding questions’. This means that, rather than writing one long personal statement, applicants will instead respond in three sections, according to the following questions:

  • Why do you want to study this course or subject?
  • How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
  • What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

There will be a minimum character limit of 350 characters per section, with an overall maximum length of 4,000 characters (for all three sections in total).

 

For applicants who have begun preparing, you should be reassured that this does not significantly change the content of the personal statement. Personal statements have always required applicants to explain their motivations for studying their subject, give examples of qualifications that have given them relevant skills, and demonstrate the extra- and super-curricular activities they have undertaken.

The logic behind this change is to give applicants better direction on meeting admissions tutors’ requirements through the personal statement. Rather than restrict you, the questions should help you make your intentions, skills, and motivation clear to your chosen universities.

Oxbridge Support

If you need help with your personal statement, consider a personal statement preparation package with one of our expert Oxbridge-graduate tutors.

Get in touch with our expert consultants at +44 (0) 20 7499 2394 or [email protected] to discuss your situation further.

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