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Home (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/) > Study with us (/study) > Masters (/study/masters) > How to apply for a Masters course (/study/masters/apply) >

Tips for applying to do a Masters at Sussex (/study/masters/apply/tips-for-masters) > How to write a personal statement for Masters courses

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(/study/masters/apply) How to write a personal statement
Tips for applying to do a Masters at
Sussex (/study/masters/apply/tips-for-
masters)
for Masters courses
How to write a personal statement
A good personal statement can mean the difference between getting an
for Masters courses offer and being rejected. Your personal statement should show us that
(/study/masters/apply/tips-for-
masters/personal-statement) you are the right person for the course.

Online application guide

(/study/masters/apply/tips-for-
masters/online-application-guide)
Learn how to:
plan your personal statement (/study/masters/apply/tips-for-masters/personal-
statement#plan)
structure your personal statement (/study/masters/apply/tips-for-masters/personal-
statement#structure)
use engaging and convincing content (/study/masters/apply/tips-for-masters/personal-
statement#content) and language (/study/masters/apply/tips-for-masters/personal-
statement#language).

Planning your personal statement

A personal statement is a piece of writing that you submit as part of your application. It is a
statement of academic interests and should not contain any autobiographical information about
your personal life.

Instead, it should show us that you are the right person for Sussex by telling us why you want
to study your course, and any extra information about your achievements to date.

See our Masters courses for more information (/study/masters)

When you have finished planning your personal statement, you can use our postgraduate
application system (/study/masters/apply/logintoaccount) to start your application.
(https://www.sussex.ac.uk/pgapplication/signup.php)

You need to:

carefully read the information required of you

research the course you are applying for, so that you can explain why you want to study
it. If you are applying for more than one course, do not use the same statement for all
applications.

The following questions may help you plan your personal statement:
 Why do you want to study a Masters and how will it benefit you?
How does the course fit your skill set?
How do you stand out from the crowd - e.g. work experience?
What are you aspiring to be/do in your future career?
How can your work contribute to the department/University/society?

If you're applying for a subject that is in a different field to your undergraduate degree, tell us
why you have decided to change your direction of study.

Think about:

how you will bring fresh insight to your course as a result of your undergraduate degree
the reasons for deciding to change your field of study
how changing your direction of study will help you with your future career.

Structure
Use a tight structure in your personal statement and make sure each paragraph logically
follows on from the one before.

Your personal statement must:

have an eye-catching and interesting introduction, and an engaging middle part and
conclusion
have an introduction that acts as a framework for the rest of your statement, with the main
part of your statement detailing your interests, experience and knowledge
be between 250 and 500 words
have short sentences of no more than 25-30 words
use headings (if you wish) to break up the content - for example, 'Why this university?'
'Why this subject?' 'Ability', 'Personal experience' and 'Career aspirations'
use a sentence structure where you: make a claim and back this claim up with
evidence. This can be achieved by talking about your work experience and academic
interests.

Example:

'My passion for Psychology stems from my interest in how dementia affects the
personality of patients suffering with the condition. That's why I spent my gap year
working with the Alzheimer's Society, supporting patients and families by visiting
them at home and holding surgeries to give sufferers and carers someone to talk
to.'

don't start with cliched and overused sentences: 'I have always wanted to study' or 'I feel I
have always had a passion for this subject.' Instead tell us what has influenced you to
study this course.

Example:

'It was not until my grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and
ischaemic dementia that the link between brain functioning and cognition became
a passion.

Although a most unpleasant experience, the enormity of the precision at which the
brain functions to produce our cognitive abilities, socially acceptable behaviours
and intricate physiological processes astounded me.

I found myself questioning the cognitive functions and human behaviours I had
previously just accepted, desperate to understand how the unseen and seemingly
small entities within the brain could impact our daily behaviour.'
 the conclusion should sum up your main points, reflect on your main accomplishments
and clearly show your desire to study.

Content
Your personal statement is where you show us your commitment, dedication and motivation for
studying the course. It is your chance to show us the course is for you.

Your personal statement should:

give strong reasons as to why you want to study the course at Sussex. This could be for
your future career or because of the University's reputation
mention relevant study - including projects, dissertations, essays - or work experience
provide evidence of your key skills including, research, critical thinking, communication,
organisation, planning and time-management and show how you can contribute to the
department
show what makes you stand out as a candidate
explain who your main influences have been and why
draw on your other experiences: for example are you a member of a society, have you
written any papers or won any awards, scholarships or prizes?
highlight your career aspirations and show how the course will help you achieve them.

See an example personal statement [PDF 31.95KB]

(https://www.sussex.ac.uk/webteam/gateway/file.php?name=example-personal-statement-(8)-
pdf.pdf&site=254)

Language
Your tone should be positive and enthusiastic. It should show your willngness to learn and
persuade us you have what it takes to suceed on one of our courses.

You should:

use fresh and exciting language to make your application stand out, and use engaging
opening paragraphs
use accurate grammar, punctuation and spelling
use clear language in short sentences and avoid extravagant claims
avoid using generic terms and talk specifically about the course.

Example:

Don't: 'I was inspired by the University's world-renowned researchers and world-
leading facilities.'

Do: 'I was inspired to study Animal Biology because of the groundbreaking work
into the behaviour of bees that is being led by Sussex Professor Francis Ratnieks.
I follow the work of the University of Sussex Laboratory of Apiculture and Social
Insects and would be proud to study in such a renowned department and
contribute to its highly ranked research.'

proofread your statement and ask a friend or relative to read it.

Contact us
Pre-application enquiries:
pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk (mailto:pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk)
+44 (0)1273 876787
 Post-application enquiries:
pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk (mailto:pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk)
+44 (0)1273 877773

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how to apply for a Masters course (/study/masters/apply)

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