Help with your application

For undergraduate applications made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), you can choose between 1 and 5 courses to apply for. These courses can be at different universities, or you may choose to apply for two or more different courses at the same university. You only write one personal statement, which will be sent by UCAS to the relevant tutors for all your choices.

Since your statement will be sent via UCAS to up to 5 different tutors, you need to ensure that it is appropriate for all your options, by focusing on the subject area and the skills that you have, as well as your plans for the future.

For applications directly to the university you will need to be much more focused on your reasons for choosing that particular course at Oxford Brookes University. If you are switching to a different area of study, you need to show your reasons for doing so.

Whatever the level, the key questions an admissions tutor will look to answer from your application are:

• Do you have the skills and academic ability to cope and succeed on the course?
• Will you benefit from studying on the course?
• Do you understand the aims and purpose of the course?
• Do you have something to contribute to the course?
• What makes you stand out?

Your personal statement should ideally answer these main questions. Remember that many courses are competitive and having the published academic grades will not guarantee you admission. The personal statement is your chance to show that you will be more suitable than other candidates.

Your personal statement is your chance to sell yourself, and we recommend that you:

• write 50% about your course, 50% about you and your interests
• talk about relevant work experience, both paid and voluntary
• mention your career aims
• research your course and justify your choice.