Step 1: Watch the writing a personal statement for postgraduate study video
Before making a start on your personal statement or accessing the online tutorial, we recommend you watch our 'How to write a personal statement for postgraduate study’ video. This covers the three important questions that you should consider when writing your personal statement:
- What should I do before I start writing?
- How should I structure my personal statement?
- What should I include in my personal statement?
This video from Blessing, a PhD student in the Management School and a Career Coach gives her 3 top tips for writing and submitting a postgraduate personal statement.
More video and written resources that will support your progression to postgraduate study are available on Handshake here, and you can drop-in to the Career Studio to speak to our Career Coaches for more information and support.
Step 2: Preparing and planning a draft personal statement - online tutorial
The ‘Preparing and planning a draft personal statement’ online tutorial will help you get started with your personal statement by showing how to:
- conduct research by identifying and applying relevant information from university websites
- organise your personal statement by analysing some examples
- edit and proof-read to avoid unnecessary mistakes.
There are two online tutorials available depending on what programme of study you are applying for:
Online tutorial: Preparing and planning a draft personal statement for a Master’s degree
Online tutorial: Preparing and planning a draft personal statement for a PhD
By completing the online tutorial and an associated workbook you will have created a draft personal statement for postgraduate study.
Step 3: One-to-one support
If you would like, you can then access a one-to-one appointment with the English Language Centre to get feedback and advice on your personal statement. This service is open to all current University of Liverpool undergraduate students.
This will help you to refine your statement and have the best chance you can of being offered a place.
In order to book a one-to-one appointment you will first need to complete one of the tutorials and workbook from step 2. You will then get a link to book your personalised one-to-one and submit your draft personal statement.
If you have any questions please drop-in to the Career Studio in the Foundation Building to speak to one of our Coaches, or email us at careers@liverpool.ac.uk
What students say
"I just wanted to share some good news with you. Recently, I’ve received an offer from LSE MSc in Development Management (Applied Development Economics). Thank you so much for all your help with my application. Your feedback on my personal statement was incredibly helpful, and I really believe it made a difference. I truly appreciate your support throughout the process."
Economics student.
"I am excited to share that I have been invited for an interview for the Master’s program at the University of Oxford next week. I sincerely thank you for your revisions and suggestions for my personal statement, as well as for your kind words of encouragement throughout this process. Your support has been invaluable to me."
Neurosciences student.
"I am glad to share my good news with you. I have received two offers separately from the University of Southampton and UCL. Both of the personal statements are following your advice. Thank you again for your help."
Financial Mathematics student.
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