UCAS

Here are the 2026 key dates from the UCAS website:

https://www.ucas.com/advisers/help-and-training/key-dates-timeline

Some essentials to note:

13 MAY

  • Undergraduate applications open for 2026 entry

02 SEP

  • Completed undergraduate applications can be submitted to UCAS

15 OCT

  • (18:00 UK time) Deadline for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science

The reference must be completed before the application can be sent.

14 JAN

  • (18:00 UK time) Equal consideration date for applications for most undergraduate courses

  1. The reference must be completed before the application can be sent.

  2. Deadline for most conservatoire undergraduate dance, drama or musical theatre courses. Check on the specific course to be sure.

GUIDE TO THE NEW PERSONAL STATEMENT FOR 2026 ENTRY 

What is a personal statement?

The personal statement is one of the most important components of your UCAS application. It provides the opportunity to give your target universities a sense of your personal academic interests, ambitions and achievements – from your own perspective.

 

As grades continue to inflate and places becoming increasingly competitive, the personal statement becomes an ever more crucial means of standing out as an applicant!  

 

NOTE: Universities are looking to get to know you, not to read generic, AI-generated content. The clue is in the name: it’s a PERSONAL statement. Not only does relying on ChatGPT mean sacrificing your chance to stand out as an applicant, but you also run the risk of having your application being rejected completely – and universities are employing increasingly sophisticated technology to check.

 

However, AI is a useful tool when used correctly. You could use it constructively to:

·      generate initial ideas.

·      suggest reading materials or references for you to explore.

·      proofread original writing.

 

How has the personal statement format changed?

 

For 2026 entry, the personal statement has changed from one longer piece of text to three separate questions. Each answer will have a minimum character count of 350 characters, which is clearly labelled on the question boxes, along with an overall character counter, so you can keep track.

 

However, the questions are NOT equally weighted. The more competitive schools will encourage you to prioritize questions 1 and 2. The first two questions require you to show your interest your chosen programme, evidence your critical engagement with the subject, and explain any subject-related, academic extracurriculars. Combined, they should make up at least 80% of the character count (minimum 3,200 characters).

 

While Question 3 may include other extracurricular achievements, such as any noteworthy sporting or creative successes, you are encouraged to use this space to expand on critical reflections already covered in Questions 1 and 2. For some universities, writing the minimum 350 characters for this section is entirely acceptable.

 

 

 

How to write your personal statement

 

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

 

This section of the personal statement should focus on your academic interest in the subject you wish to study.

 

To help you begin, there are several questions you could think about:

 

·      Why have you chosen the programme? What attracted you to the subject? Which aspects of the subject have interested you sufficiently to want to study it at degree level? Is there a specific area of the subject you wish to focus on? What are the big issues in the subject, and what do you find most interesting about them? What are your thoughts on these topics?

 

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

 

 

This is an opportunity for you to showcase the ways you’ve pursued your academic interests. You will be expected to have explored beyond the school curriculum. This is the place to explain where your academic curiosity has led you. For example:

 

·      How have you developed your subject interest outside of your studies? For example, have you undertaken any additional reading to broaden your knowledge of the subject? Have you attended lectures or explored online material relating to the subject? Have you completed an EPQ or other form of research paper? What did you find interesting in your reading/in the lectures you attended and what are your thoughts on the topics covered?

 

·      Have you gained any skills from your other school subjects that complement your application to study your chosen subject?

 

·      Have you participated in schemes or activities at universities (e.g. programmes or summer schools)? What did you learn, and how did they deepen your subject knowledge?

 

 

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

 

As we mentioned above, this space is ideally used for further critical elaboration/reflection on questions 1 and 2. Universities are only looking or extra-curricular activities that are specifically relevant to your course of study. For example:

 

·      Have you had the opportunity to undertake work experience relevant to your application? If you did, how did this experience give you a wider understanding of the topics you will study at university?

 

·      You can also use this space to include additional super-curricular activities that you couldn’t fit in your responses to Questions 1 and 2. Writing the minimum of 350 characters for Question 3 is entirely acceptable.