The three UCAS questions

From 2026, the personal statement is split into three questions:

  1. Why do you want to study this course?
  2. How have your current studies prepared you?
  3. What else have you done that prepares you for university?

The new format is meant to make applications fairer and more focused, but it still rewards thoughtful, reflective answers. Whether you're applying for Chemical Engineering, Physics, Medicine or Chemistry itself, a strong statement comes down to the same three things: genuine interest, clear evidence, and some honest reflection on what you've learned. Here's how to approach each question.

1. Why do you want to study this subject?

Start with curiosity. What first got you interested in the subject? Then show how that interest has grown through what you've actually done — practical work, reading, a project of your own. Maybe a particular reaction in class caught your attention, or you read something about nanomaterials and went looking for more. The key is to point to something specific that connects your learning to a real problem, like renewable energy, healthcare or data science.

It also helps to show that you see where the subject sits. Chemistry doesn't exist in isolation; it overlaps with Physics, Biology, Computing and Materials Science. Noticing those connections suggests you already think like a scientist, which is exactly what a tutor is hoping to find.

2. How have your studies prepared you?

This is where you prove readiness. Highlight the topics, coursework, or independent projects that gave you relevant skills. For example:

  • Mastering stoichiometric calculations and laboratory techniques
  • Using Maths or coding (e.g. Python) to model reactions or analyse data
  • Completing a research placement or science competition project
  • Engaging with online courses, lectures, or STEM clubs

Tutors aren't after a list of grades; they already have those. What they're reading for is evidence of curiosity and persistence. So for each thing you mention, explain what you took from it and how it sharpened your understanding of the subject.

3. What else have you done that prepares you for university?

Use this part for activities that show transferable skills — teamwork, leadership, resilience. They might come from tutoring younger students, volunteering, music, sport or part-time work. Keep the reflection short but real: coaching builds communication, a job alongside study builds time management. What you're showing is that you can manage independent study and contribute to a community, which is what university asks of you.

What tutors are really reading for

Across all three questions, a handful of things make a statement stand out:

  • Genuine interest in the subject — where it started and how it has developed.
  • Evidence of wider reading and an awareness of where the science matters in the world.
  • Links between subjects, such as how Maths underpins physical chemistry.
  • Curiosity about real applications, like sustainability or healthcare.
  • Some individuality and reflection — what interests you, beyond the syllabus.
  • Signs of personal development: confidence, teamwork, managing your own time.

You don't need all of these in every paragraph, but a statement that touches most of them reads as considered rather than generic.

Five things that make a difference

  1. Be specific. Don't tell a tutor you're passionate — show it with an example.
  2. Keep the language clear and plain. Tutors read thousands of these, and clarity always wins over flourish.
  3. Tie each point to something you took from it. "This taught me…" does a lot of work.
  4. Show you can see the bigger picture by connecting your studies to sustainability, medicine or technology.
  5. Proofread, then get someone else to read it. A teacher, tutor or mentor will catch things you've stopped noticing.

A final thought

The new UCAS format rewards reflection, evidence and focus. Write honestly about what you've done, be clear about what it taught you, and the statement will do its job. You don't need to sound impressive — you need to sound like someone who is genuinely ready to study the subject.