Introduction
When applying through UCAS, your personal statement is your chance to show not only what you’ve achieved but also what skills you’ve developed along the way. Admissions tutors want to see evidence of transferable skills — such as critical thinking, communication, resilience, and leadership — that prove you’re prepared for university-level study.
This guide will show you how to identify, frame, and highlight your skills and experiences so that your application stands out.
Quick Start Checklist
- Identify your top transferable skills.
- Connect skills directly to experiences.
- Use active, specific language.
- Focus on relevance to your chosen course.
- Avoid vague claims without evidence.
- Show reflection and growth.
Step 1: Identify Your Key Skills
Start by listing your strongest skills, both academic and personal. Some of the most valued skills by universities include:
- Critical thinking
- Research and analysis
- Problem-solving
- Communication (written and verbal)
- Teamwork and leadership
- Time management
- Resilience and adaptability
Step 2: Link Skills to Experiences
Simply listing skills isn’t enough. You need to connect each skill to an experience that demonstrates it. For example:
- Leadership: “As captain of my debate team, I coordinated weekly practices and helped junior members improve their confidence.”
- Resilience: “Completing my Extended Essay taught me to persist with challenging research even when sources were difficult to find.”
- Communication: “Volunteering at a community project helped me adapt my explanations to people of different ages and backgrounds.”
Step 3: Use Active and Reflective Language
Avoid passive claims like “I am good at time management.” Instead, show it:
“Balancing my coursework deadlines with part-time work required me to develop strong time management and prioritisation skills.”
This approach mirrors how strong essays are built — showing evidence and reflection, a skill also needed in IB coursework such as structuring AP essays effectively.
Step 4: Keep Skills Relevant to Your Course
Different courses value different skills. For instance:
- Engineering: problem-solving, mathematical application, teamwork.
- Medicine: resilience, empathy, communication.
- Law: analytical reasoning, constructing arguments, attention to detail.
Tailor your examples to the specific course to make your application more convincing.
Step 5: Show Reflection and Growth
Admissions tutors want to see that you not only gained skills but also reflected on how they shaped you. For example:
“Volunteering taught me empathy, but more importantly, it showed me how communication styles can impact people’s comfort and trust.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too vague: Don’t just say “I’m hardworking.” Show how.
- Overloading with experiences: Focus on quality over quantity.
- Forgetting the course link: Always tie skills back to why you’re a strong candidate.
For more on avoiding mistakes, you can also check common UCAS application pitfalls to refine your approach.
FAQs
1. How many skills should I include in my UCAS application?
Aim for three to five core skills that are most relevant to your chosen course. Depth is better than breadth — a few strong, well-evidenced examples will stand out more than a long list.
2. Can extracurricular activities count as experience?
Absolutely. Sports, clubs, volunteering, and part-time jobs all show transferable skills. The key is to link them back to qualities that matter for university study.
3. How do I balance skills with academic content?
Your statement should be mostly academic-focused (about 70%), but weaving in skills ensures you’re seen as a well-rounded applicant. Just make sure each skill connects to your academic readiness.
Conclusion
Highlighting skills and experiences in your UCAS application is about showing evidence, reflection, and relevance. By carefully selecting your best qualities, linking them to concrete examples, and tailoring them to your chosen course, you’ll create a compelling application that demonstrates both capability and personality.
RevisionDojo can guide you through crafting applications that impress admissions tutors, ensuring you highlight your strengths with confidence.
