One of the challenges of UCAS is that you submit one personal statement for up to five courses. But what if you’re applying to slightly different courses, like Economics and Politics, or Engineering and Physics? The key is tailoring your statement so it works for all choices without alienating any of them.
At RevisionDojo, we help IB and A-Level students craft personal statements that balance multiple interests. Here’s how you can tailor your statement effectively.
Quick Start Checklist
When tailoring your UCAS statement:
- Focus on skills and themes relevant to all courses
- Avoid naming specific universities or professors
- Use examples that demonstrate broad subject interest
- Highlight transferable skills from academics and extracurriculars
- Keep the subject focus clear, even if courses vary
Step 1: Identify Common Ground
If you’re applying to related courses, look for overlapping skills:
- Economics & Politics → critical analysis, essay writing, data interpretation
- Engineering & Physics → problem-solving, mathematics, experimentation
- Psychology & Sociology → research skills, understanding human behavior
By emphasizing these shared skills, your statement stays relevant to all.
Step 2: Highlight Academic Evidence
Use coursework, projects, or extended essays that connect across subjects. For example:
- “My Extended Essay on renewable energy policy combined economic evaluation with scientific analysis, deepening my interest in both Economics and Environmental Science.”
This shows flexibility while keeping focus.
Step 3: Balance Extracurricular Links
Extracurriculars should also align with multiple courses. For example:
