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Successful Personal Statement For Modern Languages At Oxford

Last Updated: 10th August 2020

Author: Adi Sen

• Modern Languages

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a Modern Languages applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Modern Languages Course at Oxford aims to teach spoken fluency in colloquial and more formal situations, as well as the ability to write essays in the foreign language, and the ability to translate into and out of the foreign language with accuracy and sensitivity to a range of vocabulary, styles and registers.

Read on to see how the candidate approached this Personal Statement. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxbridge Modern Languages comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts. 

Your tutor will give you actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.  

Modern Languages Personal Statement

France has developed a literature of unequalled richness and variety. Europeans in any age have had few thoughts, desires, or fantasies that a French writer somewhere has not expressed-it has given the Western mind an image of itself. In this sense, French literature serves as a pool in which many cultures meet. Therefore, in particular, it is French literature’s universality which interests me.

Nevertheless, I enjoy how literature provides a window into an author’s contemporary society. For example, ‘Madame Bovary’ draws us into Flaubert’s disgust for the bourgeois existence of the 19thcentury; Zola’s ‘Thérèse Raquin’ invites us into the leprous lower-depths of Paris. I am interested in how both these writers, unparalleled in their psychological clarity and narrative muscle, provide such a brutal and relentless account of their chosen subject matter: for Flaubert, the indulgent decadence of the bourgeoisie, exemplified by Emma Bovary; for Zola, the moral dankness of the murderous lovers. In addition, I have watched Kassovitz’s ‘La Haine’ and Truffaut’s ‘Les quatre cents coups’, both similar to Zola and Flaubert in their rigorous exploration of character. Focusing on social outcasts, these films act as an exposition of societal problems. ‘La Haine’ sheds light on the all-encompassing violence and cultural exclusion of the suburbs of Paris, while ‘Les quatre cent coups’ reveals the shocking injustices in the treatment of juvenile offenders. Thus, such French cinema serves to illuminate the neglected–I relish this narrative potential in the discovery of truth.

Besides these more realistic works, both my English and French A Levels have introduced me toAbsurdism.I have appreciated the works of Beckett (‘Fin de partie’, ‘En attendant Godot’) and Ionesco (‘La Cantatrice Chauve’, ‘Rhinocéros’). These tragicomedies simultaneously entertain and provoke–the reason why I found them so enjoyable and yet so powerful. To pursue this interest in Absurdism, I read Voltaire’s absurd ‘contes philosophiques’, ‘Candide’ and ‘Micromegas’. Fiction, I found, proved to be the perfect medium of expression for Voltaire’s empiricism and scepticism. Therefore, like the tragicomedies of the 20th century, I thought Voltaire’s work succeeded both as entertainment and as an accessible manifesto of his philosophical beliefs. Furthermore, I decided to follow up this interest in such ‘contes philosophiques’ by undertaking an Edexcel Extended Project, entitled ‘Ancient Influence on French Existentialist Literature’, for which I was awarded an A*. Here, I focused on why Camus, in ‘Le Mythe de Sisyphe’, Sartre, in ‘Les Mouches’, and Anouilh, in ‘Antigone’, chose to use classical themes and motifs to communicate their own particular perception of Existentialism. Despite its challenges, the more I worked at this project, the more certain I was that this is what and how I would like to study.

Moreover, I have taken an interest in symbolist French poetry. Having studied some poetry by Baudelaire (‘Les Fleurs du Mal’) and Verlaine (‘Romances sans paroles’), I have become fascinated by the crippling and contrasting emotions communicated in these poems. I now admire how the very sound of the French language can control the register of a poem and, thus, highlight its true meaning even amongst the most abstract, intangible imagery, employed by Baudelaire and Verlaine. I am intrigued by the French language in part due to this precision.

Finally, I contributed regularly to my school’s Modern Languages magazine, ‘Babel’, and have competed in ‘Les Joutes Oratoires’, a national French debating competition in which I reached the final. Through these experiences, I have begun to thoroughly enjoy communicating in French. I believe an extra language extends one’s range. It releases you from the inertia of one cultural gear–achange of perspective that I find truly enlightening and enjoyable. I will be working in Paris from January to March.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

Throughout this statement, the applicant engages consistently with a range of French texts at a very advanced level.

The applicant is able to demonstrate not only an awareness of a huge tranche of French literature but also how specific works intersect. This comparative criticism is carried out by the applicant across several different forms in a manner that is lucid and impressive.

The applicant has mentioned their personal research and is able to indicate why it is interesting and relevant. They are also able to indicate how their personal pursuits are reciprocally and beneficially related to their academic studies.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

At particular moments, this applicant veers from an academic register into an overtly formal one; a stylistic turn which, while remaining clear in meaning, is a little jarring.

More personal information would have been a welcome addition to this statement, especially since its academic calibre is so relentlessly clear throughout; the statement has the potential to be slightly breathless in its rapid consideration of big swathes of literature.

The statement could, therefore, have happily absorbed more personal information without diluting its clear academic potential.

In addition, the candidate could have taken slightly more care over their phrasing, which occasionally takes a tone bordering on reductive or patronising; a risk which is perhaps not worth taking in this context.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

The candidate effectively and efficiently communicates a level of cultural awareness which goes far above and beyond the demands of their curriculum.

They are able to demonstrate how they practically carry forward their interests in extra-curricular and academic activities. Throughout the statement, the applicant engages a muscular, academically-considered tone which is clear and authoritative.

There was room in the statement for greater personal depth and warmth, and for greater justification for some of the strong academic arguments being posed.

And there we have it – an Oxford Modern Languages Personal Statement with feedback from our expert tutors. 

Remember, at Oxford, the Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Check out our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford Modern Languages application.

With our  Oxbridge Oxford Modern Languages Premium Programme we help you craft the perfect  Personal   Statement , achieve a highly competitive MLAT score and teach you how to  Interview effectively.

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Personal Statement Starter Guide

We have developed an 80-page E-Book filled with expert Personal Statement Advice. Inside, you’ll find guides on planning and writing your personal statement, as well as our full collection of 25+ Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements.

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Example Personal Statement: Languages (French and Latin)

A student analyses their personal statement.

I applied to study Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge University in October 2016, as well as French and Latin courses at Durham, Exeter, Edinburgh and St. Andrews. The MML degree course allows students to select two different languages and, as one of my languages was ancient, I had to appeal to both the Classics and MML departments in my Personal Statement. I received offers from all five of my universities.

A student breaks their personal statement down into parts, analysing each section as they go so you can learn from their experience.

Teaching children in my weekly Latin club has given me the opportunity to see the foundations of a language being set. I have relished demonstrating how to assemble the fundamental blocks of a language into complex sentences and illustrating the linguistic patterns which emerge.   

In order to make the opening lines eye-catching, start with something unique about you. It could be an interesting personal reason why you chose your subject, or something which not many other candidates will have done (i.e. running a Latin club.) 

For me, the joy of language lies in this puzzle of translation. Each line of poetry or prose requires a mind that can commit to memory and apply grammatical rules with mathematical precision, yet still appreciate the nuances and stylistic manipulation that make a language unique. I have the linguistic flexibility necessary to comprehend and compose French, whilst the analytical skills taught in Maths have instilled in me the rigour and grammatical accuracy required of an inflected language such as Latin. It was this meticulousness which enabled me to achieve full UMS in my Latin Language, French oral and two Maths modules. I have also extended my range of languages by attending the JACT Ancient Greek Summer School and completing an online course in Italian; two languages which I was curious to find as equally contrasting in structure as Latin and French. 

Your reasons for applying for your subject should be made clear early on in your PS. This will probably be the section where you are able to convey the most passion for your subject.  

Here I also explain why I have chosen my two languages in particular; for courses where you’ve chosen a combination of subjects it’s important to justify why this mix appeals to you.  

I mention my other A Level subject and demonstrate how it is relevant to this course. Everything needs to be tailored to prove that you are an excellent candidate for the specific subject(s) for which you are applying. 

I also go into detail about my AS results in this section to demonstrate my aptitude for these subjects. Note that universities will receive your grades but not your UMS scores.  

This section is about my skill for languages in general. In the next couple of paragraphs I discuss each language separately. It’s important to keep your PS clearly structured in this way, especially when applying for two different subjects. 

When exploring a language, a study of the culture will naturally follow. I became captivated by French culture when I read Philippe Delerm's 'La Premiere Gorgee de Biere.' I found the French language, with its languid vowel sounds and euphonic rhythm, was the perfect medium for Delerm's sensory descriptions. In the same way, the lavish descriptive passages in Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary' convey the wild romanticism of Emma's aspirations, as well as the monotony and claustrophobia of provincial life, far more effectively than any translation. In contrast, the harsh vernacular used in Faiza Guene's 'Kiffe Kiffe Demain' and films such as 'La Vie d'Adele' and 'La Haine' enhances the realism of these powerful stories. 

Here I mention the ways I’ve explored the French culture. Note that I don’t just list the books I’ve read, but instead reflect on each one, mentioning what I found interesting. 

In this paragraph, I comment on the importance of the French language in each of the books and films mentioned. Try to link examples in this way, looking for a theme that runs throughout or perhaps a contrast between two narratives. This makes the PS seem more natural and fluent, as well as demonstrating your ability to process and apply your knowledge independently. 

As an Auschwitz ambassador, I have learnt the critical importance of cultural connection, a technique the Holocaust Educational Trust uses to reverse the dehumanisation of the Jews. I feel the same connection when examining any society's literature, ancient or modern. Reading of the longing of Propertius for his Cynthia or Catullus' bitter affection for the unfaithful Lesbia, the humanity of their experiences is strikingly contemporary. From the colourful history disclosed by Tacitus to the hilarity of the 'Lysistrata' or the wickedness of the 'Amores,' the sentiments expressed by the ancients remain just as appealing and relevant in the modern day. Indeed, one only needs to turn to the rhetoric of hate surrounding the US Presidential Election to find the merciless invective characteristic of a Juvenalian satire. 

Whilst reading Satire VI, I was struck by how the innuendo exclusively used to describe women in the past remains largely unchanged in the modern media. I also came to this conclusion whilst conducting research for my voluntary EPQ. For example, the Latin word 'docta,' the feminine form of clever, previously used to denote something far less respectable than intelligence, to me seemed all too similar to modern day articles which euphemistically described Hilary Clinton as 'a woman of experience.'

This paragraph covers my reading for my second language: Latin. 

Here I link in my experience as an Auschwitz ambassador (which is seemingly irrelevant to a languages degree) to demonstrate how it has furthered my enthusiasm for the subject. 

Again, I don’t just list my reading here but illustrate what I’ve learnt from it. 

My course was one where it was possible for me to be called to an interview so I left ‘hooks’ in my PS that I thought would make good discussion material later. I was later asked to expand on the point about Hillary Clinton and my EPQ topic at my interview. 

Mentioning current affairs (and how your subject links to them) demonstrates that you can see the importance of your subject in the wider world. You should also offer your own opinion, because this will make your PS stand out as unique. 

My French film club has exposed fellow pupils to a broad range of films, from the deeply moving 'Le Scaphandre et Le Papillon' to the bittersweet 'Persepolis.' I founded the Latin Society and led several Classics days for local primary schools as well as inviting the classicist and author Natalie Haynes to lecture. I play grade 8 flute and 6 piano, exploring French culture through music, with a repertoire including Faure, Chaminade and Gaubert. I lead the Debating Society and was awarded Best Speaker in the countywide round of the ESU Public Speaking Competition, for a speech entitled 'Can Language Change the World?' 

This section covers my extracurricular activities. Note that each one is still linked to my academic studies. This shows an admissions tutor that you are constantly thinking about your subject and how it relates to the world around you. 

I truly value the power of the spoken and written word so it is therefore a natural progression for me to study a subject by which I'm so captivated. 

Finally, the concluding line should sum up the PS and your reason for applying (so that you avoid finishing on the extracurriculars section.) 

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How to Write an English Personal Statement Worthy of Oxbridge!

Are you dreaming of pursuing English at Oxford, Cambridge or a top Russell Group University? This comprehensive guide equips you with top tips for crafting an English personal statement that truly stands out. Learn how to showcase your diverse literary interests, structure your personal statement or tailor your statement for Oxbridge. To bring these concepts to life, we provide an example Oxbridge English personal statement for your reference.

When applying to university, your personal statement is your best opportunity to showcase what motivates you to study the subject you are applying for and why you are suited to study it.  You can do this by providing evidence of your interest: how have you gone beyond the curriculum to satisfy questions which reach past the subject at A Level?  

Interviewers for English at university will be looking for students who have an insatiable curiosity for learning and developed interests in various areas of the subject. They will also be looking for candidates who have the analytical skills and academic rigour required for success at university. And, of course, you’ll be expected to demonstrate evidence of substantial reading; a successful English personal statement will provide a starting point for an interview discussion, so gesture towards a range of different texts which you are prepared to discuss at length. Don’t shy away from making a provocative statement, as long as you are prepared to support any claim you make: independent, fresh responses to texts will generate a positive response.

Tips for your English Literature Personal Statement

The key tips to bear in mind when writing a personal statement are: be truthful, be ambitious and don’t undersell yourself.  This is an opportunity to show off what you’re good at! Don’t hold back from writing about times when you have excelled (for example, winning an English essay competition) but don’t distort what you’ve done either. 

Don’t mention books which you haven’t read all the way through . If you feel like your breadth of reading might be lacking, it’s a good idea to do some extension reading in the months leading up to applying for university, so that when it comes to writing your personal statement, you’ll have a wide variety of texts to choose from.

Showcase your literary diversity : Make your personal statement stand out by referencing a range of text forms, from classic novels to contemporary poetry, thought-provoking essays, iconic plays, and compelling prose. This demonstrates your passion for English literature across different mediums and eras.

Embrace the breadth of English literature: Convey your enthusiasm for the subject by including references to works from various eras. Showcase your appreciation for not only contemporary literature but also texts from older periods, like the Medieval age, the Renaissance, and beyond (whilst staying true to your interests). This illustrates your readiness to explore and engage with the rich tapestry of English literature throughout history. This is particularly important when applying for a course like Oxford English Language Literature as the course modules are chronological, spanning Old English (e.g. Beowulf) through to contemporary texts. An admissions tutor is likely to be impressed if you therefore have some appreciation for a range of literary eras.

Craft a narrative with a few (e.g. 3) focused areas of interest: Instead of providing a superficial overview of various topics that interest you, choose say three specific areas of English literature that genuinely intrigue you. These could be thematic, like postcolonial literature, feminist literature, or gothic literature. For each area, go in-depth by referencing a key book or text you've read, a relevant piece of literary criticism (this isn’t required, but can be good to include!), and your thoughtful analysis of the text or critic's perspective. Then, connect these three areas to create a compelling narrative thread that showcases your passion, analytical skills, and the trajectory of your literary exploration. This approach not only demonstrates your commitment but also provides a captivating structure for your personal statement (See the English personal statement posted below as an example of this!)

How to Structure Your English Personal Statement

The word count for personal statements is quite limited, so it’s important to use every sentence effectively. Don’t repeat yourself and don’t include information which isn’t relevant to your application. When applying for English, there are certain areas which should be addressed in your personal statement, so here is a guideline of how one might structure the personal statement to ensure that all of these areas are mentioned.

Introductory paragraph:

What is your motivation to study English?  Be specific: what do you want to explore at university? What is distinctive about studying literature that makes it worthwhile? Ensure you talk about what motivates your study of the subject now, not a catalyst from your childhood as, even if it may be true, the interviewer will find it clichéd and less relevant.

Main body of the personal statement:

Devote at least a paragraph to talking about specific areas of interest within the subject.  What excites you most? For example, do you have a particular fascination with performance studies or postcolonial theory? Indicate that you have opinions and preoccupations within the discipline.

Mention a range of texts which have interested you: ensure that you’ve mentioned at least one play, prose text and piece of poetry (ideally).  It’s also a good idea to show that you’ve engaged with secondary texts, for example a work of literary criticism or a book covering the historical background of a period of literature you’ve studied.

Show that you have an active interest in the subject: Have you sought out performances of plays, special lectures or essay competitions? These will all reveal that you’ve gone out of your way to immerse yourself in your subject already, and this is a very appealing trait in a prospective university candidate.

Showcase your skills: Don’t just name-drop texts but say something incisive and persuasive about them. This could involve discussing what links together works by authors of the same period or what defines the work of a single author.  Demonstrate your ability to analyse texts effectively, because this is the most important skill which you will use studying English at university level.

Concluding your personal statement:

The personal statement isn’t long enough to talk at length about extracurricular hobbies and activities, so don’t let these take up too much space (a few lines maximum). However, it is a good idea to mention what you do outside your subject to present yourself as a well-rounded candidate. Therefore:

You could mention one or two of your other A Level subjects, perhaps describing how they have enhanced your study of English. This will be particularly convincing if you have studied History or a foreign language at A Level.

Mention any extracurricular activities which make you stand out. Do you play a musical instrument, and if so, to what level? If you’re involved in sport, do you play in a team?  Don’t write at length about this: try to contain this information within one sentence.

Mention any prizes or roles of responsibility which you have had at school, including any clubs that you might organise, such as the school newspaper or student council.

Conclude your personal statement by returning to your aptitude for studying the subject . Which core skills do you possess which will equip you to excel at degree level? It’s important to strike a balance between enthusiasm for the subject and evidence of skills.

Applying to Oxford or Cambridge (Oxbridge)? Here's What You Should Also Do

Difference Between Oxford English Language and Literature BA & Cambridge English BA

The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, collectively referred to as Oxbridge, are globally renowned for their exceptional academic courses. In the domain of English studies, both universities offer distinct programmes: Oxford's English Language and Literature and Cambridge's English course. In this section, we will precisely explore the key differences between these programmes, highlighting their unique approaches and focus, to ensure you cater your Oxbridge English personal statement to your Number 1 choice of university.

Writing an Oxford English Language and Literature Personal Statement

Oxford's English Language and Literature course is renowned for its extensive scope, offering a comprehensive exploration of English writing from its origins in Anglo-Saxon England to contemporary works. It provides the unique opportunity to examine literature in English on a global scale, encompassing texts from various parts of the world and originally penned in different languages. The course allows students to tailor their studies to match their interests through core papers, dissertation topics, and special options. Some past options include delving into Literature and revolution, Postcolonial literature, Writing lives, Old Norse, Tragedy, and Film criticism, fostering a dynamic and diverse learning experience.

At the University of Oxford, the course titled "English Language and Literature" is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of both the language and literary aspects of the English discipline . It is therefore important that you ideally reference both aspects in your Oxford English personal statement. Even if the other courses you are applying for do not have the Language element, anything you include will still be relevant to the study of Literature (you can entwine the two).

1. Integration of Language and Literature:

Oxford's course integrates the study of the English language with a deep exploration of literary works. Students examine the language's structure, history, and linguistic components while also engaging with a wide array of literary genres and periods.

2. Language Analysis and Literary Critique:

The curriculum at Oxford hones students skills in language analysis, gives them exposure to linguistic theories, and literary critique. Students learn to analyse the nuances of language and its application in literature, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills.

3. Historical and Cultural Context:

Oxford places significant importance on studying literature within its historical and cultural contexts. Students gain insights into the societal influences that shaped literary works, providing a holistic understanding of the subject.

Writing a Cambridge English Personal Statement

Cambridge's English degree course offers a well-rounded curriculum that combines a strong foundation in English literary works with an opportunity to explore various art forms, including music and film in relation to literature . Furthermore, it delves into literature's connections with intellectual traditions such as philosophy, art history, and politics . In Year 1 (Part IA), students undertake compulsory papers in Practical Criticism and Critical Practice, along with an assessment of Shakespeare through a portfolio of essays. Year 2 (Part IB) introduces compulsory and optional papers spanning different literary periods from Early Medieval Literature to the 20th century. In Year 3 (Part II), students engage with compulsory papers in Practical Criticism and Critical Practice II, explore Tragedy across ages, and undertake a dissertation. Additionally, they can choose from a wide array of optional papers that evolve yearly, covering diverse topics such as Chaucer, American Literature, Visual Culture, and more.

Here’s how to tailor your personal statement to align with these features:

Interdisciplinary Approach : Cambridge's English course places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary connections. In your personal statement, you could showcase your readiness to explore literature's intersections with other fields such as philosophy, art history, and politics. Mention any relevant experiences or readings that demonstrate your interest in these areas and how they relate to literature.

Exploration of Other Art Forms : Cambridge offers the opportunity to delve into other art forms, including music and film, in relation to literature. Highlight your passion for these art forms and their connections to literature. You could discuss a specific instance where you've analysed how music or film enhances the understanding of a literary work, for example, or how these art forms can provide fresh perspectives on literature.

Critical Thinking and Intellectual Traditions : Cambridge's English course encourages critical thinking and engagement with intellectual traditions. In your personal statement, you could emphasise your analytical abilities by discussing a piece of literature or a critical theory that challenged your thinking. Show how your engagement with intellectual traditions has shaped your approach to literature.

Broad Range of Literature : Mention your fascination with the diverse range of literary works in the Cambridge curriculum, spanning different eras and cultures. Highlight any books or authors that have particularly resonated with you, and explain how they have influenced your literary interests.

How is the Personal Statement Used in Oxbridge English Interviews?

Your personal statement offers admissions tutors a glimpse into your academic journey, showcasing your passion for English Literature or English Language. It acts as a crucial tool for them to assess your commitment to the subject and your ability to articulate your thoughts coherently and persuasively.

Through your personal statement, you have the opportunity to exhibit your enthusiasm for the subject. Your engagement with literary works, language theories, and academic experiences should shine through, portraying a genuine and dedicated interest in the field. Highlighting specific books, theories, or authors you admire and discussing how they have influenced your academic pursuits adds depth to your statement.

Admissions tutors use your personal statement to evaluate how well your academic goals align with the structure and ethos of the course you're applying for. Articulate why you believe the particular course at the university is the right fit for you. Demonstrating an understanding of the curriculum and emphasising how it will help you achieve your academic and career aspirations is key.

During the interview, the personal statement often serves as a starting point for discussion . The interviewers may delve into topics you've mentioned in your statement, seeking deeper insights into your thought processes and motivations. Therefore, it is essential to be well-prepared to expand on the ideas presented in your personal statement, providing a more comprehensive understanding of your perspective.

Looking for ideas for English personal statement content?

We have built out an entire co-curricular platform, Minds Underground, for university applicants to use as evidence for their wider subject exploration. A few ideas:

Our English Literature Summer School allows students to broaden their horizons in literature, to consider authors and theorists from across the globe. classes are hosted by our Oxbridge-educated tutors, from a Fellow at all Soul’s College, Oxford, to published authors and Master’s and PhD researchers specialising in English Lang & Lit

Research Projects: E.g. ““Ways of Seeing": Exploring Word, Image and Ideology with a Cambridge Master's English Researcher and Multidisciplinary Artist” (Typically 1 month, 5 project tutorial sessions)

Exemplar Personal Statement for Oxford Language and Literature

Below is a sample English Language and Literature personal statement from U2 Tuition co-founder Camille, that was accepted for Oriel College, Oxford:

The importance of literature in society first became apparent to me when reading Milton’s polemical tract Areopagitica. I was intrigued by the way he used language’s potential not only to liberate, ‘give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely’, but also to manipulate. It is fascinating that this idea of a ‘Janus’ faced’ side to words could have been promoted over 300 years ago. Today, in our progressively plural world and with language’s increasing flexibility, I can see that Milton’s ideas have developed still further. In a culture where we are constantly bombarded with messages, it is all the more important to discern meaning. Here, Saussure’s theories in semiotics have particular resonance. I believe an in-depth study of literature will teach me to deconstruct and question these uses of language. It was for this reason I undertook work as a research assistant on an Oxford University project, Examining the OED. Tracing how language changed over time demonstrated its fluidity and the nuances of the way words are actually used. Considering how literary writers have shaped and influenced the lexicon also showed me how literature constantly interacts with everyday life. This capacity for narrative to be an active force both in the shaping of the lexicon and also upon the reader, became evident to me during my Gap Year travels on the professional tennis tour. During this period of intense training and competition I drew inspiration, both as a tennis player and aspiring novelist, from travel writing such as Robert McFarlane’s Mountains of the Mind and Old Ways and McDougall’s Born to Run. Upon my return I came across Robin Lydenberg’s essay Freud’s Uncanny Narratives. His discussion of the uncanny effect of Freud’s constant shift into autobiographical narrative and complex relation to Italy in The Uncanny, was particularly relevant to a study of a personal and travel narrative. I realised part of the attraction of these texts was their dealings with both the familiar and the foreign. I am also curious about the more typical territory of the uncanny in Gothic fiction, where terror is derived from something, at once strange and intrinsic, in the supernatural. I found the skeleton that reproaches Frederic for his lust in Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto horrific in the truest Gothic sense - an instrument of man’s own secret fears, denials and desires. In a less overt manner (and as a possible reaction to Lewis’s The Monk) Radcliffe interweaves supernatural ‘mysteries’ and human psychology in her rational explanations. I love how she shows the mind itself to almost be a supernatural entity. When reading Radcliffe’s work I was struck by her portrayal of her heroines as paradigms of innocence who cannot function in the active adult world. I recognised this as a recurring theme in Victorian texts like Gaskell’s Ruth, Rossetti’s Goblin Market and Wilde’s A Woman of No Importance. I thought it illuminating that despite Wilde’s feminist tendencies he sends Mrs. Arbuthnot into exile whilst Lord Illingworth is assimilated back into society. The conflict between the way writers depict the private ethics of their female protagonists and the realities of public life is also found in earlier works. In Shakespeare’s The Rape of Lucrece, Lucrece is only given some form of rhetorical political power by committing suicide. Likewise, in Titus Andronicus, Lavinia’s sacrifice and perhaps even her rape are necessary to reestablish purity in Rome, and in Medea, Medea only gains power over Jason by killing her own children. Her revenge is limited. The development of language, the influence of literature in everyday life and the way in which writers treat gender and the supernatural are just some of the literary ideas that intrigue me. I would relish the opportunity to deepen my understanding of these concepts and explore other periods and styles at University level.

Use this personal statement for inspiration and ideas, and to see how to structure an exemplar English personal statement for Oxford or Cambridge. We wish you all the best on your onward journey and encourage you to look at our Personal Statement page for more information, and the ways in which U2 can help.

Looking for an English Personal Statement Writing Tutor or Support For Your Wider Oxbridge English Application?

English Personal Statement Tutoring

U2 Tuition’s Oxbridge-educated tutors have a close insight into what admissions tutors like to see in an English personal statement, and can help students to convey their skills, motivations, and long term goals, in order to stand out from other applicants. The statement should be the candidates own work, but our mentors will provide direction and guide you through the process of content building and writing. We offer offline drafting as well as tuition sessions.

Oxbridge English Tutoring

We have a large team of Oxbridge-educated English mentors including 1st Class, Master’s and PhD level graduates, who support students through each stage of the application process, including personal statement, ELAT and interview preparation.

The Process:

1) We suggest an Oxbridge English graduate as a mentor and send their full CV for review. Our mentors are deeply familiar with the admissions process to study English at the University of Oxford, Cambridge, as well as top UK Universities such as UCL, and are well-placed to guide you through personal statement curation, the entrance exam and interview process. We may suggest a range of application tutors to choose from with slightly differing rates depending on qualifications and level of experience.

2) We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour diagnostic session , where the mentor will informally assess the student’s current performance level for application, including test and interview. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.

3) U2’s approach for regular English application sessions: The main focus of tutorial sessions will be to explore material that can be discussed in the personal statement and at interview - this may sometimes stretch from A-Level standard to First Year Undergraduate. Mentors ensure each student refines their literary interests, and is exposed to a range of literary eras, approaches and new concepts, guiding students in their reading and wider subject exploration. Together, we build a case for the student, solidifying the stance and direction they will take during interview and honing skills for the ELAT if applicable.

Frequency of sessions can be decided between student and mentor. Students can take either ad hoc sessions, or we structure a full programme for preparation, which may include further co-curricular opportunities such as our research projects , English Literature summer school and Oxbridge mock interview days. Honing the skills necessary to succeed for Oxbridge ideally requires long-term preparation and mentoring presents a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of the very best Oxbridge has produced.

Sessions from £75/h + VAT.

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How to craft a winning personal statement for Oxbridge

Oxford and Cambridge applicants often receive conflicting advice on how to write their personal statement. So how does one navigate those tricky waters? How does one impress an Oxbridge Professor in only 4000 characters?

GUIDES UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS UK UNIVERSITIES UCAS OXBRIDGE CAMBRIDGE OXFORD

Lukas Seifert

7/8/2023 4 min read

Don’t worry: the personal statement isn’t the make or break for Oxbridge applications. However, it is the only way of signaling personality and interests before the interview. In fact, it plays a large part in deciding whether or not an applicant will make it to the interview stage. Unlike predicted grades, written work or admissions tests, the personal statement tells a tutor what makes you unique.

But what makes a cutting-edge personal statement? An applicant might receive conflicting advice, with friends telling them to expand on their Grade 8 piano, while teachers suggest listing the 20 books read in the last month. So how does one navigate these tricky waters? How does one impress an Oxbridge Professor in only 4000 characters?

There is no simple formula. The personal statement is the chance to stand out and following a strict scheme is inherently counteractive.

However, there are some ways of increasing the odds of writing a powerful statement. With that, here are 10 tips for you to craft the ideal Oxbridge personal statement!

Start Early and Research Thoroughly

Beginning the personal statement writing process well in advance allows for ample time to research the chosen course. Even more crucially, it leaves time for aligning your experiences, interests, and goals with the specific course. Developing your reading repertoire is a lengthy process and curating a healthy base to work off of requires careful thought.

Show off Academic Excellence

Oxbridge seeks students who are academically exceptional and passionate about their chosen field. Highlight academic achievements, particularly in subjects relevant to the desired course. Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, independent research, and critical thinking skills. That means showcasing your ability to formulate and support arguments, drawing on relevant evidence or examples. Thinking beyond the curriculum and questioning established ideas is highly impactful. Importantly, you should show a wide range of interest; for example, an effective English personal statement would touch on multiple genres and time periods.

Structure Your Statement Logically

Organize the personal statement in a clear and coherent manner. Whether by following a narrative or by breaking down specific interest points in the course in each paragraph, structure is key. Start with a compelling introduction that grabs the reader and sets the tone for the rest of the statement. Follow with paragraphs that flow logically, with the concluding line of each paragraph setting up the next. Conclude with a strong summary that not only reaffirms your suitability for the course, but leaves the tutor wanting to discuss your ideas further.

Show Your Personality

Some flair can go a long way, given it’s not overdone. Admissions tutors read countless statements, and injecting your unique voice helps you stand out. Using flair in your writing captures attention and leaves a lasting impression. However, strike a balance between creativity and clarity, ensuring your message remains focused. Use a mix of vivid language, compelling anecdotes, and perhaps even a thought-provoking metaphor to bring your experiences to life. Show your intellectual curiosity and critical thinking through well-crafted arguments and insightful observations. The goal is to demonstrate your ability to think independently, communicate effectively, and contribute something substantial. In that vein, infuse the personal statement with your own distinct style. Finally, while it's important to present your best self in your personal statement, remember to stay true to your own voice and experiences. Avoid exaggerations or embellishments that may come across as inauthentic.

Pay Attention to Detail and Language

Ensure your personal statement is free from grammatical errors, typos, and awkward phrasing. Review and edit your statement multiple times, seeking feedback from teachers, mentors, or family members. Use precise language to convey your ideas concisely and effectively. Avoid unnecessary jargon or clichés , opting for clear and concise sentences that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively.

Reflect on Relevant Experiences

Reflect on any work experience, internships, or other activities that have shaped your academic development. Focus on experiences that directly relate to your chosen course and discuss the impact these had on your understanding of the subject and your commitment to pursuing it further at university. For example, if you’re applying to study History of Art at Cambridge, your internship last summer at an art gallery would be worth mentioning.

Highlight Your ‘Unrelated’ Interests and Hobbies

It can be helpful to mention your personal interests and hobbies outside of academia. Oxbridge looks for well-rounded individuals who can contribute to the wider university community. Discuss your participation in sports, arts, music, or community service, emphasizing the skills and qualities you have developed through these activities, such as discipline, creativity, or empathy. Ideally, these should be transferable skills that could be applied in university life. Word of warning: according to Oxford, only about 20% of the personal statement should revolve around activities unrelated to your choice of course. Do not let this section of the statement dilute your focus.

Redraft the Work

Allowing time for redrafting is key. Through multiple revisions, you can hone ideas, refine language, and ensure coherence and clarity. Redrafting allows for critical evaluation and improvement, enhancing the statement's impact, persuasiveness, and alignment with the rigorous standards of Oxbridge admissions. Seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or advisors who can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement. Consider their feedback carefully and make appropriate revisions. Polish your personal statement until it is concise, engaging, and reflective of your true potential. Take the time to ensure it represents you in the best possible light.

Be Passionate

Tutors can smell passion. Bringing energy and life into your writing is hard, but can be managed by grounding yourself in facts, while simultaneously expanding the horizons of your vision. The application should explain why they find the subject fascinating and what motivates them to study it at a higher level. Illustrating enthusiasm through specific examples is central. Genuine enthusiasm shines through your words, making your statement compelling and memorable. Passion not only showcases your dedication, but demonstrates your ability to go the extra mile.

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How to write a brilliant personal statement

Your personal statement satisfies a number of checkboxes for Admissions Tutors. It’s the first opportunity to give them the chance to meet the real you. You can demonstrate a passion to study your intended subject, show what you are capable of bringing to the university and faculty and prove why you are the applicant that should be offered a place.

As you only have a limited space to express yourself – just 4,000 characters or 47 lines in the UCAS box (whichever limit you reach first) which is equivalent to just over a full typed page of A4 – you need to make every included sentence count. It’s important to remember you only get to write one personal statement that will be sent to all your over university choices. Your statement needs to be tailored as much as you can to each of the courses you are applying to as you don’t want tutors to doubt your commitment to their university and course. 

There is one guarantee when writing a personal statement – you won’t get a quality, polished personal statement on your first attempt. In fact, it often takes many drafts, lots of editing and plenty of late-night spurs of inspiration to get a strong personal statement that encourages offers from your preferred universities. To assist you in getting started, we’ve gathered together the following useful tips that will lead you in the right direction and help you to get to grips with how to write a great personal statement for university. 

What should you include?

It’s called a personal statement but that doesn’t mean Admissions Tutors want a complete timeline of your life from childhood. They want to see the best side of your academic self, your passion for the course and subject you are applying to and an overview of your academic achievements that are relevant to your subject. In your personal statement, it’s beneficial to include;

• Any subject-related work experience you have completed or intend to carry out
• Any courses or lectures you have attended that advanced your knowledge
• Demonstrations of your interest extending beyond the classroom environment
• A relevant list of book, articles and essays you have read

Try to avoid simply listing the things you have done and instead, try to show how your reading and experiences have expanded your knowledge and developed your interests and understanding of your chosen subject. Relevant extra-curricular activities and achievements should also get a mention however, how much space you dedicate to this section is dependent on the university you are applying to. For students applying to Oxford, Cambridge or Imperial universities, extra-curricular activities should be kept to a footnote mention with a greater focus on your academic achievements. Students that are applying to universities such as Loughborough will need to include their extra-curricular achievements in more detail. These universities look at what you can bring to the faculty as a whole and supporting extra-curricular activities can show you will be a good fit. 

How do you start?

Starting your personal statement can be done in a million ways and is often the part that many students get stuck on. There is no correct way to start your statement off, some applicants choose to begin with a quote that is relevant to their interests while others open with an anecdote that provides insight into where their curiosity for the subject has come from. 

How you open will set the tone for the rest of your personal statement, including establishing your enthusiasm and interest in your subjects and providing the Admissions Tutor with an introduction to your personality. Never use someone else’s words or pretend to be someone else in your personal statement, the Admissions Tutors will quickly see through this and with only a short space to express your true academic self, you don’t want to waste space on other’s content. We recommend speaking as though you were speaking to your headteacher, in a clear, mature tone that retains a sense of who you are as an individual. 

How do you finish?

Finishing your personal statement can be as hard as finding the right words for your introduction. The final paragraph doesn’t have to be long or expansive, but simply enough to round off your statement and summarise your interest and dedication to your chosen subject. This part may need some reworking after 4,000 characters of blowing your own trumpet so get plenty of feedback to avoid getting carried away and coming across too arrogant or self-assured in your outro!

Is there anything to avoid?

Your personal statement is submitted alongside your UCAS form, so there is no need to rehash or revisit certain details such as your A-Levels or GCSE grades. Avoid mentioning anything that is readily available to the Admissions Tutors and instead, use the space to focus on selling your own subject interest and dedication. 

Aim to remain positive in your personal statement as you are selling your achievements and showing off why you are going to be a good choice for the university, so you should avoid using this space to explain potential disagreements that influenced your grade or reasons behind extended periods of leave. 

If there is further information that you feel is beneficial for the Admissions Tutors to know, you should talk to your teacher about including a note in the reference section of your UCAS form. Admission Tutors prefer to read this from the teacher’s point of view and it ensures you can use your personal statement space for the things that matter – the achievements, interests and eagerness that universities are looking for. 

Final advice

After potentially spending days, weeks and even months drafting, editing and reworking your personal statement, proof-reading may not seem like an exciting activity but it is absolutely essential. Typos can and do regularly change our opinion of a piece and its author, even if it is something minor in an otherwise engaging and informative article, so it’s key to ensure your personal statement is without grammatical flaws. 

Admission Tutors are likely to be strict on accuracy and grammar and to ensure your personal statement ticks the right boxes. We recommend asking your teachers, friends and parents to read over and proof-read your personal statement a few times. A further tip we can offer is to begin with the last sentence and work your way through your personal statement backwards, sentence by sentence. This ensures you can focus on the individual sentence and its accuracy and grammar, rather than getting distracted by the full statement. 

From all of us at Oxbridge Applications, we wish you the best of luck with your personal statement. It can be tricky, but look at it as your first challenge to university life and use this opportunity to talk about your best and most interesting subject – you!

Writing a personal statement for Oxford and Cambridge? We explore some of the frequently asked questions about Oxbridge personal statements in our  12 Personal Statement FAQs and answers  article.

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Oxbridge Personal Statement Examples

Top Tips for an Oxford Biology Personal Statement

Oxford biology personal statement – top 10 tips: dos and don’ts .

The Oxford Personal Statement is a crucial component of your university application as it presents a unique opportunity for you to differentiate yourself from other applicants. In your Biology personal statement, Oxford admissions tutors are looking for you to articulate your story and explain your interests beyond that of numbers on an admissions test. Furthermore, it gives the interviewer a chance to understand who you are, providing a platform to bounce off questions during your interview.

They can tailor questions to your personality, interests, and commitment to who you are as a person and your amalgamation of experiences before you. To guide you through the arduous university application process, our Oxbridge application experts have compiled a list of top 10 tips– dos and don’ts– for your Oxford Biology Personal Statement for the 2024/25 application cycle.

General Advice for Biology Personal Statement

Biology is a course that has undergone rapid expansion and development in recent years. The subject has a diverse range of subtopics, including cell biology, developmental biology, evolutionary biology and ecology. Oxford’s biology course understands this great expanse and wealth of knowledge in biology and encourages a cross-disciplinary approach. This is because a blurring of the distinctions between each discipline has followed the expansion in recent years. For example, environmental biologists with an interest in plants would rely on or apply tools that molecular geneticists also use. 

When writing your Biology personal statement, Oxford tutors will be interested in your understanding that it is an expanding and growing field. Furthermore, when planning out the personal statement, Biology candidates need to make sure to research the University’s achievements in their relevant fields and use it as a guide to illustrate their interest in Biology. 

Top 5 Tips for Oxford Biology Personal Statement

1. explain why you are a good fit for biology.

Being a biology student requires unique traits that would be vastly different from students in other courses. For example, the Biology course at Oxford teaches a broad spectrum of topics, such as that detailed aspects of animals, plants, cells, or ecology. Being someone who is flexible and adaptable to the different and varied content that Oxford would expose you to would be a valuable skill for an Oxford biology student. You can illuminate how you demonstrate these desirable qualities by talking about how certain experiences you have been through have shaped you with such traits. For example, a seemingly unrelated experience in having to plan an event for your school could also equip you with flexibility if you had to be constantly adapting to the different types of people you meet during the event or last-minute changes that you can cope with. These skills are transferable and you can elaborate on in your Oxford personal statement for Biology.

2. Understanding what the biology course entails

For most students, the understanding of the course that they are interested in comes from impressions from movies or their high school experience. Although your experience in taking Biology in high school would serve as a good foundation for the course, do not expect it to be exactly the same! The university course would include practical work, or even completely different fields such as ecological fieldwork, genome sequencing and genome editing. Make sure you thoroughly research the course beforehand, and that you have a realistic understanding of what the course entails. You can also speak to existing students or post-graduates of the course to gain a better understanding of what you are in for. Displaying this realistic understanding in your Biology Oxford personal statement can also give you an edge over other contestants, as it shows that you have a reasonable and thought-through motivation for the course.

3. Read biology content

Of course, Oxford does not expect you to be an expert in your field of study– you are going to university to study the material after all. However, for any biological sciences personal statement, showing that you are well-read in your course and reading ahead is a great way of demonstrating your interest in it. Look at it this way: if we are interested in a movie star, we would want to find out everything about him. Similarly, if you are genuinely interested in your course, you would also naturally want to learn more and explore the topic on your own. Reading does not only include books. This could also include podcasts, magazine articles, or even Netflix documentaries. Listening to a podcast on your ride home from school can be a nice way to ease such material into your lifestyle. You can find some good articles in Nature or Scientific American that publishes the latest innovations in biochemistry, and you can also visit Oxford’s recommended reading list for some book inspirations: Balliol Biology Reading .

4. Start early

Always try and start your Biology personal statements early so you would have enough time to get feedback on your work and sufficient time to revise drafts. If you are going through writer’s block and have been staring at an empty word document for days, begin by writing a bullet point of all the achievements and experiences you have been a part of in the recent 5 years, a separate list of the desirable qualities of a biology student, and a separate list of what the course is about. You can work from there by matching your experiences to the desirable qualities of aspects of the course and slowly flesh our paragraphs. Once you have a rough draft, you can start organising your information and writing the paragraphs in a more succinct and ideal fashion.

5. Proofread your work

Try and buffer enough time to allow friends, family, and preferably seniors of the course to read through your Oxford Biology personal statement to factor in feedback! Remember, especially because you are telling your own story, you might not be the most objective judge of your Biology Oxford personal statement. After writing your statement, it can also be good to not touch it for a week and come back to it with a fresh mind to re-edit the draft.

Top 5 things to AVOID for your Oxford Biology Personal Statement

1. listing every achievement that you have done.

Remember that Oxford tutors are looking for students who are a good match for the course. This means that it is likely that not every single experience that you had in high school might be relevant for biology. For example, topping your cohort in History might be impressive, but if you don’t demonstrate how it is relevant to studying biology, it would not add value to your Biology personal statement.

2. Compare yourself with your friends or peers

It might seem tempting to pitch yourself against other applicants you know and to see how you measure up against them, or try and include experiences in your Biology personal statement Oxford because you think other applicants have done such experiences. Remember that Oxford tutors are looking out for students who are a good match for that course, and changing yourself to be another type of student may not necessarily make you a more competitive candidate. Be authentic and sincere as to why you and your experiences are a good fit for the course and don’t try to be someone else!

3. Sacrifice readability for fancy language

Understand that the Biology Oxford personal statement is a medium for you to tell your story and your passion. If using a thesaurus is getting in the way of that, opt for simple language. Oxford tutors value Biolofy personal statements that they can read with ease and understand. Just imagine this– the tutor would be reading hundreds of Oxford personal statements in one day. Even though they are highly qualified, if you use scatter your essay with too many unconventional words, it would make it extremely difficult for them to get through your essay or even understand the point that you are trying to convey. If you’re not familiar with certain words, don’t use them as it might work against you instead!

4. Explain why you are a good fit for biology, instead of what the university or biology can do for you

Remember that you are applying to get into university, so your tutors are looking out for students who would match the course well and benefit from it. Flattery to the university would not help your application and would only take up valuable word count– you are already applying, so they already know that you are interested in pursuing a degree with them.

5. Being cliché and Unprofessional

You don’t need an “aha” moment that inspired your whole future or motivation for your university degree. A simple explanation of how unique aspects of biology intrigues you or draws you in, although seemingly simple and ordinary, would be even more valuable if explained well. Try to be authentic and original, and really understand why YOU would love studying biology!

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