Well, starting with the 2026 entry cycle (so for students who will be submitting applications from September 2025), UCAS is making the process simpler and more structured by changing the personal statement into a structured format.

So, what does this mean for you? Instead of facing a blank box with a 4,000 character limit and no guidance, you'll now answer three specific, scaffolded questions each with a minimum of 350 characters, but still with a total maximum of 4,000 characters. I’m here to walk you through how that works and help you feel calm and confident about each step.

From your perspective, this means you don’t need to guess what to include the questions guide you.

The Three Questions: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Here’s how UCAS now structures the personal statement:

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

Use this space to explain what excites you about your subject. Have you had a key moment like a book, a project, or a meaningful conversation that sparked your interest? Show you’ve done your research and mention specific aspects of the course or goals related to your future ambitions 

2. How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this?

Talk about skills and learning that are directly relevant. Rather than simply listing grades, reflect on what your studies have taught you analytical thinking, research ability, collaboration. Explain how those skills will contribute to your success in higher education.

3. What life experiences outside school or college have prepared you, and how?

Here’s your space to mention extracurriculars, part time work, volunteering, personal responsibilities, hobbies, caring roles. Reflect on what you gained from them leadership, resilience, teamwork and how they make you ready for university life.

How to Use This Structure to Your Advantage

Each question tells you where to start. You’ll never stare at a blank canvas again. This means you can stay focused as each answer has its own purpose. Question one is about passion and motivation, question two is about academic preparation and question three captures all the ways you grow outside the classroom.

Be sure to reflect rather than narrate. Admissions teams aren’t looking for grand stories they care about what you learned from your experiences and why it matters for your chosen course.

Avoid clichés, phrases like “lifelong passion” or “world class institution” won’t stand out. Be concrete. Be you.

Keep within the limits! Every section needs at least 350 characters, so don’t write five characters or 100 characters. But all together must be no more than 4,000 characters. UCAS provides a character counter in each box and overall to help you stay on track.

Where possible, make sure you tailor to the course. While you submit one statement across multiple universities, ensure it clearly aligns with the specific course content or skills required to be successful on that course. Consider if there are similar modules across the 5 courses you're applying to that you could say how passionate you are about it. 

Tips From Inside Queen’s University Belfast

Where possible we try to give you as much information as we can to help you write your personal statements. You can find lots of useful information on our course finder, under entry requirements for each course (see example here). So be sure to look at the information there before you start to write. 

At Queen’s, we’re interested in your academic potential plus your unique perspective and community engagement. The new structure helps you show exactly that.

A Step by Step Strategy

1. Brainstorm ideas for each question separately. Keep it simple. You don’t even need to use full sentences, bullet points or single words work fine here. 
2. Write a first draft of for each section. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling or character count. Just write! 
3. Then add layers, details, examples and reflections. 
4. Then you can start the great edit! If you’re over the 4,000 character limit start to organise each paragraph into order of importance, or how impressive it is. Be concise in your writing. What is the skill you are showcasing and what is the evidence you have it.  
5. Proofread carefully. One typo may not ruin your application, but precision shows an attention to detail and a passion for the university.
6. Ask a teacher, adviser, or friend to read it. Ask, “Does that answer the question?” and “Does it feel like me?”

You’ve Got This

UCAS’s new personal statement format takes away the guesswork, the anxiety of how to begin, and the pressure of producing one perfect freeform essay. Instead, you’re guided step by step to show who you really are, your passion, your preparation, and your personal journey.

Here at Queen’s University Belfast, we’re excited to read your answers, learn what drives you, and discover how you’ll contribute to our vibrant academic community.

Good luck and we hope to see you at Queen’s soon! 

Find out more

Navigating the Path to University

Undergraduate Application Information

Matt Wetherill GB Student Recruitment Officer | Queen's Global Hi, I'm Matt, and I'm part of the Queen's Global team. I’ve worked in Student Recruitment for over ten years now so I’ve seen lots of changes and spoken to thousands of students about their university choices! At Queen’s, I advise students from GB on why they should come to Belfast to study and the fantastic opportunities that it presents.