psychology personal statement work experience

ESLDIRECT.COM

ESL Resources for Job Hunters, English Learners, Adult Learners and Tutors

How to Write a Personal Statement for Psychology: With [Examples]

In this article, we discuss how to write a personal statement for psychology courses with helpful tips and examples.

What do a volunteer in a program for homeless children, a future college lecturer, and a medical student with a passion for supporting high achievers with ADHD have in common? They all want to study psychology.

By the end of this guide, you will have everything you need to write an outstanding personal statement for psychology.

Table of Contents

What is a psychology personal statement, what are the different stages of writing a personal statement for psychology, psychology personal statement example #1, psychology personal statement example #2, psychology personal statement example #3, faq (frequently asked questions), more personal statement tutorials.

It’s a professional essay that outlines your interest and knowledge in the field, along with your relevant qualifications and career goals. You will also explain how you fit with the psychology program to which you are applying.

A well-crafted personal statement can help you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your commitment to psychology and your enthusiasm for learning. The statement should provide insight into why you are interested in studying psychology.

Furthermore, the statement should highlight any skills and experiences you have, such as research experience or volunteer work.

For example,

“I also volunteered at a local after-school club for vulnerable teens, where I was able to witness first-hand the impact that psychological support can have on an individual’s well-being. I believe that I learned as much from the experienced, committed counsellors there as I did in my early classes in psychology. I am deeply committed to entering psychology and making a positive difference in the lives of others.”

1. Understand the Course and Application Requirements

Before you start writing, make sure you understand the specific requirements of the psychology course you’re applying for.

Ask your chosen university or college for any specific guidance they may have and read it carefully.

Make sure you familiarise yourself with any guidelines including word count, and list any information you should include in your personal statement.

2. Identify your interests

Writing a personal statement for a psychology course can seem daunting, but breaking it down into individual steps can be much easier.

Start by identifying your experience, interests and skills, including, work experience, conferences you have attended, and voluntary work.

“With this in mind, I have volunteered for the past three summers at Rainbow House, where counsellors and psychologists help support people struggling with a range of addictions access counselling, and practical training and prepare to re-enter the workforce. I believe that without counselling as an intrinsic part of the process, they would not see the levels of success that they have.”

Be sure to explain reasons for your interest in the branches of psychology that the course may cover, and provide examples from your own life when possible.

Let your passion for the subject and your natural curiosity shine through in your personal statement, and make sure it is original and specific to your experiences.

3. Write down your initial ideas

When writing a personal statement for psychology, it is important to plan properly by writing down your initial ideas.

This idea list should include your experiences, interests, and skills related to psychology and why you are applying to study psychology.

Use your initial ideas to create an outline for your personal statement that includes a brief introduction about yourself and why you want to study psychology. Choose the experiences that made an impact on you, particularly if they relate to your future career.

“…my ambition is to continue my studies and complete a PhD, in order to lecture in psychology at college level. I believe that every field of medicine should have experts who are passionate about academic excellence and I want to use my talent for coaching and tutoring my peers at a higher level.”

Think about how to make your opening sentences captivating and relevant, as this will be your first impression on the reader. Use short, punchy sentences to grab the reader’s attention.

4. Write your personal statement

Start with an engaging opening paragraph. Make sure to use a professional and formal writing style, avoid jokes, and make sure your personality comes through in your writing.

‘I am excited to apply to study psychology at postgraduate level as I have always been fascinated by how the mind works. My interest in this psychology was there from a very early age, when I tested in the 90th percentile as being very empathetic and supportive of other pupils at elementary school. During High School I was able to volunteer to work on homework with young children who were homeless and seeing them cope with challenging emotional issues filled me with admiration for their resilience while wanting to let them know that I was there to offer academic support also.’

Allocate one paragraph to each point on your list. Make sure your statement is specific and original, and avoid long-winded sentences.

Once you have your first draft, seek feedback from classmates as well as tutors. Incorporate any comments, feedback, and suggestions that improve your statement.

5. Revise your personal statement

• Wait 24 hours, then read over your final draft and check for grammar or spelling mistakes. Read it out loud or have someone else read it for you to ensure it is clear, informative and personal.
• Ensure your personal statement is original and specific to your experiences.
• Stay away from any negative content unless talking about how a difficult experience has made you stronger and more resilient, which will make you a better student.
• Keep redrafting until you feel it is as polished as possible.

I am excited to apply to study psychology at a postgraduate level as I have always been fascinated by how the mind works. My interest in this psychology was there from a very early age when I tested in the 90th percentile as being very empathetic and supportive of other pupils at elementary school. During High School, I was able to volunteer to work on homework with young children who were homeless and seeing them cope with challenging emotional issues filled me with admiration for their resilience while wanting to let them know that I was there to offer academic support also.

During my undergraduate degree in biology, I was the president of the psychology club, where I worked with graduate students to complete several independent research projects on topics relating to young learners. As a result, I am keen to become a child psychologist, focusing on supporting young people who are homeless and in the foster care system.

I also volunteered at a local after-school club for vulnerable teens, where I was able to witness first-hand the impact that psychological support can have on an individual’s well-being. I believe that I learned as much from the experienced, committed counsellors there as I did in my early classes in psychology. I am deeply committed to entering psychology and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

I am confident that my passion, curiosity, and dedication to psychology make me a strong candidate for this program, and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue my studies at a higher level and become part of a new learning community.

With every academic paper and publication, I read since beginning to study medicine and psychology, my interest in the subject has grown. In light of my fascination with behaviour and the mind, as well as my interest in helping patients, psychology is my chosen subject for further study. It is extremely important to me to continue learning and building upon my knowledge, and I am full of admiration for grassroots charities making sure that all patients can access high-quality, affordable care.

With this in mind, I have volunteered for the past three summers at Rainbow House, where counsellors and psychologists help support people struggling with a range of addictions access counselling, and practical training and prepare to re-enter the workforce. I believe that without counselling as an intrinsic part of the process, they would not see the levels of success that they have.

While I enjoy being involved in this type of community project and foresee my involvement continuing for many years, my ambition is to continue my studies and complete a PhD, in order to lecture in psychology at college level. I believe that every field of medicine should have experts who are passionate about academic excellence and I want to use my talent for coaching and tutoring my peers at a higher level. I maintain a 4.0 GPA and have taken three extra credit courses while acting as a research assistant for Professor Dimbleby one day a week.

I feel prepared for the challenges that lie ahead and am eager to join a world-class team at Cornell to become the best that I can be and support others to be their best.

I have long had an interest in better understanding psychopathologies and wish to pursue a psychiatry residency at Ramsey Hospital after graduating from Cold Springs University Medical School. It has been fascinating to see the societal change in terms of acknowledging and talking about mental and social issues such as depression and anxiety as well as the contribution and importance of the inclusion of neurodivergent people in our communities. As a future psychiatrist, I am committed to treating every patient with respect and dignity, ensuring I am treating the person rather than focusing only on the diagnosis.

My psychiatry rotation during medical school was an enriching experience and I became confident in taking patients’ psychiatric history and conducting mental status exams. My ability to build rapport with patients and question them directly but respectfully, improved over the six weeks and I look forward to focusing more on these skills as I gain a deeper understanding of effective psychiatric care.

Last year I volunteered with a charity supporting mental health and neurodivergence awareness in Hanoi, Viet Nam, as I feel a deep connection with that country, thanks to having Vietnamese-American relatives. I learned that there are very few psychologists and even fewer clinical psychiatrists who can prescribe medication and treatment. As increasing numbers of teenagers and adults as well as younger children are being diagnosed with ADHD, as in the US, there are often long waiting times, and challenges in accessing medication. There is much work to be done on the use of non-stimulants to treat ADHD where stimulants such as amphetamines are ineffective and I completed my final research paper on this topic.

In Vietnam it was interesting to me to encounter some of the same prejudices as my older sister encountered from relatives and her primary care doctor, who insisted that my sister could not have ADHD because she is a well-paid, successful accountant. The struggle to balance and often hide symptoms of her condition has left my sister battling anxiety and depression and I am particularly interested in developments in treating ADHD in combination with depression, severe anxiety and other psychiatric conditions.

Following my residency my goal is to qualify as a psychologist and practice locally in Arizona while offering continuing long-distance support via Zoom to the team in Hanoi. I am determined to become an outstanding psychiatrist, enhancing my patients’ emotional well-being while supporting them as individuals with the best and most professional care.

Some of these questions were already covered in this blog post but I will still list them here (because not everyone carefully reads every paragraph) so here’s the TL;DR version.

What format should I use for my personal statement for psychology?

Your personal statement should include a brief introduction about yourself, your experiences, any past knowledge and why you want to study this specific course. Also include details of your relevant hands-on experiences (research, internship, volunteer, work, etc.) and what you learned from them.

Additionally, if you are applying to a PhD program, make sure to mention the name of the faculty member(s) you are applying to.

How should I structure my personal statement for psychology?

A personal statement for psychology should begin with an introduction about yourself, such as your experiences and any past knowledge that relates to the field, as well as why you want to study psychology.

The body of your statement should go into depth on your relevant hands-on experiences, such as research, internships, volunteering, or work. Be sure to provide details about what you did, the names of any organizations or people you worked with, and what you learned from the experience.

The conclusion should show how you are a good fit for the school/program/faculty member you are applying to, such as how the experience you mentioned has solidified your interest in the field.

Finally, it is important to ensure your statement flows. Take time to edit and proofread your statement to make sure everything connects and is cohesive.

What topics should I focus on in my personal statement for psychology?

Consider the aspects of the psychology course that you enjoy the most and do some additional reading beyond what you’ve been taught.

Additionally, provide specific examples of how you’ve pursued your interest in the subject, such as writing about a topic you’ve studied that you find fascinating or discussing a book or blog post that made you want to learn more.

Finally, consider which field of psychology you would like to specialize in and why.

What level of detail should I go into for my personal statement for psychology?

It’s important to go into specific detail about your interests and skills.

Avoid sweeping generalisations (I always get high grades) and give focused details (I maintain a 3.9 GPA).

Research the course you are applying for so you have a realistic idea of what you will be doing on it, and make sure to articulate why you want to study psychology.

What should I avoid when writing my personal statement for psychology?

When writing your personal statement for psychology, there are a few things you should avoid in order to give yourself the best chance of getting onto your desired course.

• Firstly, avoid using an informal writing style or telling jokes. Use a professional and formal tone when injecting personality into your statement.
• Be mindful of not giving too much personal information in terms of speaking about your own life events, mental health challenges, or learning difficulties unless they have made you stronger.
• Finally, pay attention to your tone and avoid phrases such as “less fortunate people”. Stay away from using sophisticated language or phrases if you don’t understand them. Be honest and original.

How can I get feedback on my personal statement for psychology?

Ask trusted individuals, such as professors, mentors, and friends, to read over your statement and give feedback. This will help you to identify any errors or missing information that you may have overlooked.

• Personal Statement versus Statement of Purpose
• How to Write a Winning Scholarship Personal Statement: With Examples
• Residency Personal Statement Examples: Top Tips for Best Length, Content, and Structure
• Statement of Purpose Examples: How to Write the Best One for You?
• Nursing Personal Statement Examples in 2023
• How to write a Resume Personal Statement That Gets You the Job – with Examples and Tips
• Pharmacy Personal Statement Examples: How to Write a Strong Statement for Pharmacy School
• How to Write a Personal Statement for Engineering: Examples and Advice
• Best Internal Medicine Personal Statement Examples For Residency
• MBA Personal Statement Examples for Graduate Applicants
• Law Personal Statement Examples to Help With Your Law School Application
• How to Write a Personal Statement for Criminology: With Helpful Examples

Clearing Universities & Courses

Clearing Advice

Recommended Clearing Universities

Popular Course Categories

Take our quick degree quiz

Find the ideal uni course for you with our Course Degree Quiz. Get answers in minutes!

Take our full degree quiz

Get more tailored course suggestions with our full Course Degree Quiz and apply with confidence.

Search by Type

Search by Region

Recommended Universities

University of Huddersfield

Yorkshire and the Humber · 97% Recommended

London Metropolitan University

London (Greater) · 93% Recommended

Ravensbourne University London

London (Greater) · 91% Recommended

Search Open Days

What's new at Uni Compare

University of East London

Apply now to the Times' University of the Year for Teaching Quality.

University of Leicester

Winner of the Daily Mail University of the Year 2025, apply to Leicester now!

Ranking Categories

Regional Rankings

More Rankings

Top 100 Universities

Taken from 131,500+ data points from students attending university to help future generations

About our Rankings

Discover university rankings devised from data collected from current students.

Guide Categories

Advice Categories

Recommended Articles

Popular Statement Examples

Statement Advice

What to include in a Personal Statement

Personal Statement Tips

PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES Psychology personal statements

Discover personal statement examples written by students accepted onto psychology and related courses. Read through the examples to help shape your own personal statement.

Learn from registered psychologists with no-exams at UCB.

Explore psychology at University College Birmingham, where you can choose from practical courses in sport, education and health – with absolutely no exams.

Check out Swansea's Psychology degrees.

Study the relationship between the mind and behaviour through 3 or 4 year courses, with the option of a research focused year or a year in industry to build your confidence.

Psychology Personal Statements

Submitted by anonymous

Psychology and Philosophy Personal Statement

For centuries humanity has pondered the definitions of truth and fals...

Psychology Personal Statement

While growing up, an individual experiences countless differing field...

My first experience in the field of psychology was in year 9, I was a...

My desire for wanting to pursue psychology in higher education not on...

Psychology influences our everyday decisions and moulds us into who w...

Criminology and Psychology Personal Statement

Little interests me more than trying to unwind the endless enigma of ...

“What was life without connection?” Oliver Sacks is highlighting that...

A few years ago, I watched as one of my best friend battled with anor...

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think” (Margaret M...

Submitted by Gianna

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages and the correlation between childhood act...

Submitted by Karolina

Paul Valery stated' The purpose of psychology is to give us a complet...

Submitted by Bethany

BSc Psychology Personal Statement

My decision to study psychology was not a difficult one. It is someth...

Submitted by Maisie Glover

Psychology with Criminology Personal Statement

Psychologist Phillip Zimbardo is quoted to have said “I have been pri...

Submitted by Antoinette

Every few minutes since the age of 9 I have put on hand cream. It was...

Submitted by Suri

Psychology with Business Personal Statement

Psychology's wide applications to everyday life, such as how psycholo...

Submitted by Cindy

Psychology with Foundation Year Personal Statement

“It is not primarily our physical selves that limit us but rather our...

Submitted by Caroline

Psychology and Neuroscience Personal Statement

Purpose for learning is a key difference between animal and human bra...

Submitted by Chloe

The dynamics of psychology affect our everyday lives and behaviour wh...

Submitted by Jenny

Psychology has drawn me in since I began studying it at GCSE. For me,...

Submitted by Lauren

The mind has a daily impact on our lives; influencing every decision,...

Submitted by Keren

Psychology with Forensic Psychology Personal Statement

Psychology has been part of my life indirectly for many years, from t...

Submitted by Sasha

During the holidays of 2016, I took part in some scientific based wor...

Psychotherapy and Counselling: Practices and Principles Personal Statement

I have always desired to understand feelings, behaviour and the human...

Find the latest from Uni Compare

University of Hull

Choose Criminology at Hull for placements with Humberside police while you study!

ICBS has been named number one for its Global Online MBA (QS 2024)

Recommended Course

City, Uni of London

City is ranked 5th in London for career prospects (Guardian Uni Guide 2024)

University of Westminster

Ranked top 20 in UK for international students (THE World Uni Rankings 2024)

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt is ranked 1st in Scotland for graduate employability! (HESA 2023)

University of Southampton

The University of Southampton is 20th overall in the Guardian Uni Guide 2024!

undergraduate Universities

Undergraduate uni's.

Uni of Huddersfield

597 courses

London Met Uni

331 courses

Ravensbourne

Uni of Staffordshire

292 courses

Uni of Suffolk

122 courses

Uni for Creative Arts

271 courses

Uni of Roehampton

222 courses

Bath Spa Uni

275 courses

Uni of Winchester

136 courses

dBs Institute

Uni of Westminster

328 courses

Uni of Hull

290 courses

Heriot-Watt Uni

235 courses

Swansea Uni

982 courses

Uni of Portsmouth

486 courses

392 courses

Uni of Southampton

592 courses

Uni of Bradford

221 courses

Uni of Chester

282 courses

Uni of Sunderland

189 courses

Cardiff Met Uni

317 courses

Bournemouth Uni

281 courses

Uni of Leicester

378 courses

Kingston Uni

447 courses

Uni of Derby

396 courses

Queen's Uni

415 courses

411 courses

Wrexham Uni

177 courses

Highlands & Islands

257 courses

Uni of Bedfordshire

394 courses

162 courses

Uni of Reading

443 courses

Edge Hill Uni

300 courses

Northeastern Uni

Middlesex Uni

363 courses

Uni of East London

247 courses

Uni of West London

346 courses

Coventry Uni

458 courses

Uni of Brighton

255 courses

Uni of Kent

UWE, Bristol

256 courses

Uni of Chichester

Uni of Hertfordshire

495 courses

Escape Studios

Uni of Surrey

468 courses

Leeds Beckett Uni

374 courses

288 courses

Goldsmiths, UOL

244 courses

Nottingham Trent

582 courses

Uni College Birmingham

108 courses

Leeds Arts University

FIND THE IDEAL COURSE FOR YOU

Degree Course Quiz

Find the ideal university course for you in minutes by taking our degree matchmaker quiz today.

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Clearing Guide

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

Postgraduate Personal Statements

International Student Personal Statements

Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

Psychology personal statement example 62.

My work experience in year 10 is what solidified my decision to work with children, particularly those with mental illness: I was inspired by a child who was suspected of having ADHD at the pre-school I worked at.

The illness fascinated me and my Psychology studies were where I could expand my knowledge on not only ADHD, but other mental illnesses and how children could develop them so young: cognitively, socially or biologically.

Within this, I focused attention to the development of children and adolescents; how different aspects of everyday life can affect young people.

I’ve been inspired to expand my studies outside of the classroom by researching other non-curriculum developmental theories such as Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory, giving me a wider understanding and knowledge of how children progress for my future studies of psychology at university, hopefully progressing onto a Masters in Developmental Psychology.

Work experience for working with child psychologists and psychotherapists was not possible at my age, so I chose to help children progress and expand their own potential through experience at a pre-school, private day nursery and music tuition.

My work experience in 2008 at a pre-school is what decided that working with children was a definite career path for me.

My two weeks there helped me become actively involved with the children’s learning and development into a school routine and becoming capable of performing typical everyday tasks such as tidying, encouraging personal hygiene and social skills.

During my 2 day per week experience at Margery’s Private Day Care in 2011, I was able to achieve a lot more with the children as I was more mature than I was during my previous work experience. Through encouragement and patience, two children with particular difficulties participated in activities, successfully ate lunch without anxiety and were polite and kind to other children.

These simple tasks may seem minimal to an outside observer, however accomplishing one of these tasks was a great achievement for the children, who struggled to sit, concentrate and socialise appropriately.

I became a music teacher 2 years ago to 3 children: 2 learn violin and study music theory and all 3 took on the difficult task of learning the guitar.

My students, aged 3-8, were inspired by my attitude to their learning and ability to engage well with them to help them succeed. It was during this job that I understood how children were able to develop and expand their own minds, the joy and the confidence the child gained each time they achieved something they didn’t think they could.

This inspired my want to help children get the best out of their lives, regardless of their struggles.

In 2010, I was part of a programme through the college meeting adolescents of a similar age from Tower Hamlets. They shared experiences of living in a working-class, gang-filled area of London and the devastation that they are subjected to every day of their lives.

The culture shock and sympathy I felt to these adolescents is what chose me to change my focus solely from children, but to teenagers too; I wanted to help adolescents and understand what inspires them to fall into certain stereotypes and ‘gangs’ – a concept I applied to my study on Bandura’s Social Learning Theory.

This eye-opening experience helped me decide I wanted to devote my career to child and adolescent psychotherapy and how psychology was the only degree option I was truly passionate about.

My experiences and my part-time job as well as responsibilities at home have evolved me into a mature, focused woman who can handle tough tasks and situations with cultivation and drive. Balancing these has enabled to improve vital skills needed to succeed such as time management, diligence and responsibility.

I’ve also grown to understand that working with young people requires patience and cognizance, particularly those with special requirements and personal difficulties.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by Heaatherrr for application in 2011.

Heaatherrr's university choices Anglia Polytechnic University Canterbury Christ Church University College University of Dundee Sheffield Hallam University

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

Heaatherrr's Comments

Applied to:

Anglia Ruskin - Psychology Canterbury Christchurch - Psychology Dundee - Psychology Sheffield Hallam - Psychology Winchester - Psychology & Child Development

UPDATE!!! Conditionals from all universities (even though I resat year 12) :D

This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

Add new comment.

• Telephone Tel: +44 (0) 20 7499 2394
• Email Email: [email protected]

Strategic Guidance

• Private Oxbridge Consultation
• International Oxbridge Consultation
• Postgraduate Applications Guidance
• Book a Complimentary Call

Comprehensive Support

• The Premier Service
• Oxford and Cambridge Interview Preparation Weekend (2024 is Fully Booked)

Targeted Support

• Oxbridge Personal Statement Support
• Oxbridge Admissions Test Support
• Oxbridge Interview Preparation Support
• Oxbridge Interview Preparation Day 2024

Application Guidance

• ‘Aspiring to Oxbridge’ School Talk
• Teacher Training Workshop
• Individual Guidance Consultations

Personal Statement Support

• Personal Statement Group Workshop
• Personal Statement Consultations

Admissions Test Preparation

• Admissions Test Day
• Admissions Test Course

Interview Preparation

• Interview Preparation Day
• Interview Preparation Course

Free Library

• Oxbridge Interview Resources
• Admissions Tests Resources
• Student Library
• Webinar Library

Our Publications

Course reports, oxbridge applications.

• Become A Tutor
• Our Offices
• Dukes Education

News & Press

• Widening Access
• Publications
• Sign In Register
• Sign In    Register

Psychology Personal Statement Guide

Writing a personal statement is not simple, as it demands a lot from you. It requires you to be introspective and analytical about your opinions, interests, and motivations. It wants you to show yourself to your best advantage without coming across as arrogant and boastful . It asks you to convince people you’ve never met to offer a place on their course to someone they have little knowledge of. All of this in 4000 characters or fewer? Not so easy.

This guide is designed to help you navigate this challenging, but hopefully ultimately rewarding, task by taking you through what makes a good and a not-so-good psychology personal statement. It will give you a very good idea of what a personal statement is and isn’t, as well as what admissions tutors are looking for, and how to present yourself in the best light. The guide will lead you through the following points:

• Why are Personal Statements Important?
• What Should I Include in a Psychology Personal Statement?  
• What Should I Avoid in a Psychology Personal Statement?  

Advice on How to Start a Psychology Personal Statement  

Advice on how to finish a psychology personal statement  .

What Should I Avoid in a Psychology Personal Statement ?  

While personal statements should be personal to you, yours should not be about your own psychological or mental health history . Even if some or all of your motivation for studying the subject stems from this, it would be inappropriate to state as much since you should retain a scientifically objective interest in the formal academic subject beyond how it might be relevant to you personally.

You should also avoid talking about how the degree might help you to understand your own mentality or psychological health as this isn’t a guaranteed outcome of the course, and could suggest you’ve misunderstood what it involves.

Remember to maintain a formal, professional, and academic detachment and tone throughout.

Register to access our complimentary e-book "So You Want To Go To Oxbridge? Tell me about a banana…"

The start of your personal statement should set out why you’re interested in the subject and why you’d like to study it at university.

You should always avoid using quotations or clichés as these come across as hackneyed; instead, use simple and straightforward language that is appealing and memorable . You want to create a good impression through your own words, not someone else’s.

If you’re struggling with the first line, it might help to draft some reasons for your interest and motivation separately and incorporate these later. Once you have begun, make sure your statement follows a sensible order and that its structure is clear from reading it.

Like with the initial impression from the statement’s introduction, the final impression made on the reader should be a positive one that excites them and leaves them with a genuine sense of who you are and why you’re applying.

Without repeating what you’ve already said, you should try to emphasise the extent of your interest and why you’d like to study psychology. Plans for how you'd like to expand your academic performance at university can come into this section, as can any ambitions the degree could assist you with further down the line.

The important point to remember is that you want to leave the reader thinking it would be the best course of action to invite you to an interview or make you an offer

• What are some Tips for Writing a Strong Psychology Personal Statement?
• How Long Should my Psychology Personal Statement Be?
• What Kind of Extracurricular Activities Should I Include in my Psychology Personal Statement?
• How Can I Tailor my Psychology Personal Statement to the Oxford/Cambridge Course?

Refine your interests by looking into the broad areas of psychology that most universities will offer, e.g. developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, etc. Do some research into what appeals most to you through books and articles, and take notes so you can highlight your own personal informed interests where appropriate throughout the statement. This will give a much better impression than repeating what you know from your school syllabus.

Try to mention in the statement the academic skills you already possess and how these might equip you for success during the degree, e.g. your mathematical competency for dealing with statistics, or your experimental experience in the sciences. If you’ve won any academic prizes or awards, then by all means mention them but only if they’re made relevant to your ultimate study of psychology.

Your statement will be restricted to 4000 characters (including spaces) or to 47 lines of the UCAS form, whichever you reach first. Needless to say, such a limit makes every word count even more than usual, so it’s best to try to use all 4000 characters to express everything you need to. Create a list of points you want to include and tick them off to ensure you don’t omit anything.

So many activities you do outside the classroom will be underpinned by psychology, e.g. playing or coaching sports, gaming, and interacting with animals to name a few. Anything you do mention should go towards establishing your profile as a capable and skilled potential student of psychology, but these activities don’t necessarily need to relate directly – they could teach you different skills that would come in useful during the degree, such as research skills or empathy. Any mention of non-academic pursuits should be kept to a minimum and always related back to the subject you intend to study.

Whilst you cannot make your statement too specific to any one university, there are certain things you can do to ensure Oxbridge tutors know you are thinking of them.

Oxford and Cambridge value intellectual curiosity, an appreciation of interdisciplinary interest, and flexible thinking that allows you to test ideas. It’s therefore advisable to consider what evidence you have of these attributes which you can incorporate into your statement. Good examples of this would be challenging current ways of thinking, going beyond the confines of your school syllabus, or conducting an experiment with surprising results. In addition, given the system of small group teaching at the two universities and the onus they place on independent study, showing some evidence of academic autonomy would help to prove your suitability for their courses.

Book your Psychology Personal Statement Package

You can contact our Oxbridge-graduate Consultants on +44 (0) 20 7499 2394 or email [email protected] to discuss our personal statement packages.  

If you’d like to know more about Psychology, we have admissions test guidance and interview preparation readily available.  

Our Oxbridge-graduate consultants are available between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday, with additional evening availability when requested.

• Tel: +44 (0) 20 7499 2394
• Email: [email protected]

Oxbridge Applications, 58 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ

• Private Oxbridge Application Consultation
• Oxbridge Personal Statement Support Package
• Oxbridge Mock Interview Preparation and Support
• Personal Statement Workshop and Checks
• Schools Mock Interviews – Online and In-School
• Teacher Training Workshops – Online and In-School
• Oxbridge Preparation Days – Online and In-School
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Safeguarding & Child Protection
• Company Registration Number: 3757054

Recently Updated Blogs

Blog new year, new academic goals: setting resolutions for a successful 2025, blog crafting your action plan while awaiting interview decisions, blog christmas break or study break navigating the festive season in your university application year, blog how to create a positive space for study, blog why do oxford and cambridge interview, choosing a college, a slippery question, added to cart.