personal statement biochemistry oxford

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Biochemistry Personal Statement (Emily Ng)

Emily Ng is currently studying MBioch Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular) at the University of Oxford. Emily completed her A-Levels at Help Academy and will be graduating in 2023.  This personal statement was part of her successful application to  University of Oxford, Imperial College London, UCL, King’s College London,   and  University of St Andrews  for Biochemistry.

My first riveting encounter with Biochemistry was during a conversation about the coiling of DNA around histones. It enables us to accomplish the otherwise impossible task of compacting 3 meters worth of DNA into a tiny nucleus that is only 10 microns in diameter! The discussion then progressed into a debate on how the development of this phenomena was critical in producing the organisms that we know today. I was fascinated by how Biochemistry looks at the mechanisms of life through a microscope, and that it represents the unseen architecture that builds up our complex life.

I was fortunate to have arranged work experience with a plastic surgeon at Sunway Medical Centre, and was amazed at the skin grafting technology that improved the quality of life of a patient suffering from Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Intrigued, I sought out to learn more. After extensive research, I was excited to find an article in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology on the use of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) in Skin Regeneration. This brought me back to a Biology lesson, when I was first introduced to iPSC, and wondered, how do cells differentiate to take on such diverse roles in our bodies? And how do slight differences in a cell give rise to different organisms? It is questions like these that fuel my curiosity but it wasn’t very long before I realised an answer would surely, but rather ironically, lead to more questions. However, I believe that is the beauty of studying the complexity of life.

 The article on iPSC also lead me to the ongoing research by Stanford University on using iPSC as a vaccine for cancer. Though many questions still surround their ability to replicate their success with mice in human cells, such topics spark my interest and I intend to follow its development closely and hopefully contribute to it one day.

When I picked up the book ‘Mitochondria and The Meaning of Life’ by Nick Lane, I learned that a single structural difference of the mitochondria – its double membrane, saved us, eukaryotes from the same slimy fate of bacteria. Reflecting on this, I realised how smart tiny cells are, and how by understanding their chemical compositions, we can harvest their ingenuity, just like this year’s Nobel Laureates. Their success in the manipulation of the T-cell proteins (CTLA-4 and PD-1) can change the future of cancer treatment! It dawned on me that not only must we constantly add to our wealth of knowledge but it is imperative that we’re able to transform it into something that can benefit the public. Hence, it affirmed my decision in pursuing a career in research and innovation.

My interest in innovation stemmed from my participation in the Seimens-STEM competition. We were challenged to design a sustainable ‘green’ city of the future, and my idea to harvest energy by using genetically engineered enzymes to digest waste in landfills secured me the winning prize. Moreover, participating in such competitions and various debates expanded my scientific and general knowledge as well as honed my presentation skills.

What I am today is built upon the foundation acquired in school as the Deputy Head Prefect, President of the Mathematics club, Vice President of the Red Cross Society and as a certified medic in First Aid and CPR. These experiences instilled a strong sense of responsibility and taught me how to work under pressure. In addition, pursuing piano up to Grade 8 (ABRSM) taught me to value persistence and discipline in achieving my goals.

Biochemistry is where all my interests align, and pursuing it in your esteemed university will give me the best chance to delve deeper into the realm of science and to pursue scientific mysteries. For all we know, scientific achievements such as identifying the cure to cancer are just at the ends of our fingertips, waiting to be found.

DISCLAIMER:  The personal statements on this site are strictly meant as a starting point to give an idea of how successful personal statements look like. There is no surefire formula to writing good personal statements.  COLLEGELAH IS STRICTLY AGAINST PLAGIARISM OF ANY KIND .  UCAS employs a plagiarism check system  that checks applicants’ work against other published writing so please  DO NOT PLAGIARISE.

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Biochemistry Personal Statement Examples

Related resources

A level results day.

Find out more

Clearing Guide

Undergraduate admissions

Biochemistry isn’t taught at A-level, so you won’t be expected to have detailed knowledge of the subject. However an A-level in Chemistry (or an international equivalent) is essential and well as strong grades in related areas like maths, or biology.

What we’re looking for.

It is essential to have A-level in Chemistry, or the equivalent (see the University international qualifications page – if you are doing a qualification not listed and want to see whether your qualification covers the same material as A-level chemistry, the following are links to the AQA , edexcel and OCR A-level chemistry syllabuses).

The course has significant maths and biology content, and some physics. The first-year course provides the necessary background in biology, physics and mathematics for those who have not studied these subjects beyond GCSE. However Maths to A-level or the equivalent is very helpful to students in completing the course and, although not required for admission, will make an application more competitive. Biology beyond GCSE or the equivalent can be helpful to students in completing the course, although not required for admission.

The course also involves a very significant essay writing component, and so applicants should be able to demonstrate on their UCAS form, and during the interview process, an acceptable standard of English.

Typical conditional offers

Although any offers we make are decided by college tutors on an individual basis, the recommended typical offers are:

A*AA, including chemistry and another science or maths, and with the A* in maths, physics, chemistry, or biology (or a very closely related subject).

Biochemistry tutors do not necessarily require three A-levels (or the equivalent) to be sat together at the end of year 13. If a candidate has completed one or more A-levels in year 12 which are relevant to the biochemistry course (maths, physics, chemistry, biology or a closely related subject) then this may contribute to meeting an offer (e.g. achieving a grade A in year 12 may result in an offer that would have been A*AA becoming an offer of A*A). As with all offers, the specific offer received by a candidate who has completed one or more A-levels in year 12, and how far these A-levels count towards satisfying the typical requirements, is decided on an individual basis.

39 points overall, including Core Points, with 7 in HL chemistry and 6 in two other relevant subjects.

Scottish highers

AAB at AH, including an A in chemistry and an A or B in another science or maths, or for those doing two AHs and one H, AAA, including A in AH chemistry and A in another science or maths at AH or H level.

APs/ACTs/SATs

Four APs at grade 5 including chemistry and two other relevant subjects

Three APs at grade 5 including chemistry and two other relevant subjects plus a score of either 32 or above in the ACT or 1470 or above (out of 1600) in the SAT.

You also need to have an acceptable level of English, so if this isn’t your first language any offer will include meeting the University’s English language requirements .

Shortlisting for interview

We usually shortlist for interview roughly three applicants for every available place.

Shortlisting decisions are based on:

• your GCSE grades (or equivalent) along with any AS grades/marks that are available;
• your predicted or achieved A-level grades/International Bacc. Scores (or equivalent);
• your referees report;
• evidence of interest in and academic potential for Biochemistry from your personal statement.

All these are considered in the light of any contextual data (where available) that could have affected your past or current academic performance.

You are unlikely to be shortlisted if your application gives good cause to doubt that you will meet the typical offer, or if your personal statement indicates that biochemistry is not your preferred course of study. Further reasons for not being shortlisted include more than one of: uncompetitive results in official examinations, especially GCSE or its equivalent; uncompetitive predicted/obtained results in A-level or equivalent examinations; or an uncompetitive UCAS referee’s statement.

All shortlised applicants will be interviewed online by two different Colleges. This interview will take place using Microsoft Teams and potentially make use of the whiteboard software Miro. Interviews are used to discover your potential, taking into account your background and the stage you have reached, rather than to grill you on what you have covered so far at school. The interviewers will be looking at your interest in and enthusiasm for biochemistry, your ability to discuss and analyse relevant topics (often involving ideas or information that may be new to you), and your general reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Items specifically assessed at interview are:

• your Interest in/enthusiasm for biochemistry;
• your ability to describe/discuss a topic of mutual interest;
• your ability to describe/analyse, and extrapolate from, novel information;
• your reasoning and problem solving ability.

The current University interview timetable  along with details of the technical requirements for interview (and support available) can be found on the University’s admissions site.

Final decisions

Final selection decisions are based on all the information that is available about an applicant and not just the interview performance (which is frequently not decisive).

How to apply

The University’s undergraduate admissions podcast series provides further information on the admissions process as well as what it’s like to live and study in Oxford.

Standard entry

Your school will have most of the information you need, as you’ll just apply in the normal way through UCAS. If you want more details of some of the parts of the application process that are specific to the University of Oxford, you can take a look at the undergraduate admissions pages .

The details you’ll need for your application are:

Course name : Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)

UCAS course code : C700

UCAS institution code : O33

Deferred entry

We’re more than happy for you to apply for a deferred entry. You will be treated no differently from immediate entry applicants, and the offer you receive will be no more demanding. It is possible that, with discussion with the applicant, a deferred entry applicant may be offered an immediate place instead, or vice versa.

Applications outside the normal December admissions process

All applications must be made through UCAS in the normal way. Biochemistry tutors do not accept applications that are outside the normal, single gathered field.

Transfers from other universities

The Biochemistry Department does not accept students who wish to transfer to Oxford from any other university and start part way through the undergraduate course. If you’re currently studying at another university and want to study here instead, you’re welcome to apply through UCAS in the usual way. So even if you’ve partially completed a biochemistry programme elsewhere, you would have to start your study with us at the beginning of the first year.

However it is possible to apply directly to colleges as a visiting undergraduate student. Doing so will allow visitors can follow part of the undergraduate course, usually for one to three terms. This doesn’t result in an Oxford qualification.

Other admissions policies and processes

Reallocation scheme.

A College may request that some of their first preference candidates be reallocated (changing their first preference College) if their total number of first preference interviews is significantly greater than the number of first + second preference interviews conducted by the other Colleges.

Reallocation of candidates will take place after decisions on shortlisting for interviews. Reallocated candidates will be called for interview.

The reallocation process will be as follows: 

• Any Colleges wishing to reallocate some of its applicants should contact the Admissions Coordinator (AC) informing them of how many applicants they wish to reallocate.
• Any Colleges wishing to receive reallocated applicants should contact the AC informing them of how many applicants they wish to receive.
• By informing the AC that they wish to take part in the reallocation scheme, each College is agreeing to abide by all the rules of the scheme, detailed as follows.
• If the number of places available at Colleges wishing to receive applicants is larger than the number of applicants to be reallocated, then preference will be given to those Colleges with the weakest applicant list (determined by the Departmental grading of the UCAS applications).
• Each reallocating College may “reserve” (prevent from being reallocated) up to two applicants per place available at that College for the next academic year (excluding open offer places).
• The applicants to be reallocated will be selected at random from all the remaining applicants to each reallocating College by the AC.
• The applicants to be reallocated will be allocated at random to the receiving Colleges by the AC.
• The reallocating Colleges will contact the applicants to inform them that they are being transferred to a different College.

Open offer scheme

Open offers are offers made to candidates where a place at Oxford University and a College is guaranteed should they fulfil the conditions of the offer. However, the specific College is decided in August once the examination results for all candidates are available and it is known which Colleges have vacancies.

The number of open offer places needed each year is decided by the Department and Colleges, assuming enough individual Colleges are prepared to underwrite places. Colleges which offer to underwrite a place but are not asked to do so by the Department are treated entirely equivalently to the other underwriting Colleges.

Each pool candidate is underwritten by one College. In the event that the candidate cannot be placed elsewhere, that College guarantees to take the candidate even if they have no vacancies.

The minimum offer for an open offer candidate is the departmentally recommended offer.

No College can accept a candidate who has failed their conditional offer until all the open offer candidates who have met their offers have been placed.

The order of priority for Colleges wishing to take a pool candidate is:

• The underwriting College, if it has an unfilled place;
• Any other underwriting College, if it has an unfilled place;
• Any other College, if it has an unfilled place;
• The underwriting College, as an additional place;
• Any other College, as an additional place.

If no College wants to take a pool candidate who has met their conditional offer, then the order of priority is:

• They must be offered a place by any underwriting College, if it has an unfilled place;
• They must be offered a place by the College that underwrote their offer.

We will accept all four IB maths courses, however we would recommend that applicants should do Analysis and approaches HL or SL or Applications and interpretation HL as these will be better preparation for our course and may give the applicant a competitive advantage at admissions.

BTEC and access to science courses

Most BTEC and access to science courses do not meet the criterion of "A-level in Chemistry, or the equivalent" because these courses do not have a  similar breadth and depth (in particular, the same depth on the theoretical side) of chemistry as an A-level course. It is therefore highly unlikely that an applicant who does not have some other means of meeting this criterion will be able to make a competitive application unless there are very significant mitigating circumstances.

ELVIS OXFORD ADMISSIONS and TUTORING

• Aug 28, 2023

Video: How to write an excellent Oxford Biochemistry personal statement

Updated: Feb 19

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Biochemistry @ Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford in 2020

Interview format.

2x interviews

Interview content

Personal statement, graph analysis

Best preparation

Personal statement, revision, talking aloud, spoke to a current student

Final thoughts

Try to say something even if you're unsure because that's better than saying that you don't know

Remember this advice isn't official. There is no guarantee it will reflect your experience because university applications can change between years. Check the official Cambridge and Oxford websites for more accurate information on this year's application format and the required tests.

Also, someone else's experience may not reflect your own. Most interviews are more like conversations than tests and like, any conversation, they are quite interactive.

Test taken: n/a Number of interviews: 2 Online interview: yes

Both started with a question about why I wanted to apply to Biochemistry, and about my personal statement. Both were followed by more questions each with a graph to analyse. I was nervous but I relaxed into it and found it to be more of just a really interesting conversation. In my first interview, the tutor was encouraging and told me when I was right and praised me etc. In my 2nd interview, the tutor came off cold and didn't give anything away.

I practised talking about my personal statement and read it over, I spoke to a current 3rd-year Biochemistry student for advice on what interviews are like and practised talking aloud about academic topics relating to biochemistry. I made sure I knew the basics of each of my A-Levels by revising the content too.

Practice talking to people about academic topics and speaking out loud to yourself! Try to say something even if you're unsure because that's better than saying that you don't know, eg. I'm not sure but could it be... If you genuinely haven't covered a particular topic that has arisen be sure to tell the interviewer that, but still have a go at answering based on what you do know. Interviewers are just looking for someone who can engage in the Oxford tutorial setting and this method to suit their learning. I expected them to try and trick me but they really didn't!

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• Biomedical Sciences
• Biomedical Sciences: How to Apply

Biomedical Sciences: Advice on the Personal Statement

You can also download this page as a pdf document .

Your personal statement is an important part of your application to Oxford. It allows you to tell us about your interests, achievements and ambitions in your own words. Although we do not formally score your statement we read it carefully and use the information it contains as part of our short-listing exercise. If you are invited for interview, the statement is likely to provide a focus for the questions that you are asked. It is therefore essential that your statement is an accurate, unembellished account of your activities. We may check the claims that you make on your statement: discovery of fabricated or exaggerated material – during the admissions exercise, or even later on during your time as a student – may bring into question your suitability to study on the course.

Present yourself in the best light: the same basic facts about yourself (in terms of education, interests, experience), when presented differently, can quite dramatically convey positive or negative messages about you to tutors.

For Biomedical Sciences, whilst your academic record and BMAT performance data will come into play when candidates are being short-listed for interview, time spent in drafting an effective personal statement should also help your overall chances of success. Every detail becomes even more important once you have reached the interviews and are being considered for a place.

DO NOT BE SHY IN DECLARING ANY MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES

These may help us to put your achievements or personality within a finer context. We actively look for reasons why you may have under-performed in examinations, or performed well against the odds. These may be factors associated with your schooling, health or domestic circumstances. If you are returning to study after a break, or switching vocation, it is even more important to highlight your reasons for choosing a course at Oxford, and for you to demonstrate your determination, resilience, ability and commitment.

DO NOT SIMPLY RECOUNT EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE

We’re looking for quality, not quantity! Remember that large numbers of candidates apply for our courses. Tell us in what ways you will stand out from the crowd. In choosing to talk about an activity, describe what you have drawn from the experience: has it changed you as a person? Did it surprise you?

WE WANT TO LEARN ABOUT YOU AS A PERSON, NOT JUST ABOUT YOUR ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

If you have undertaken extra-curricular activities, or hold positions of responsibility at school, tell us why you sought these, and why they are important to you. You will not impress us by simply recounting that you took up a placement in Thailand, but we might be more appreciative if you tell us what you personally learnt from the experience, about your interaction with local people, and about shadowing the medical team working within your village.

Example: I have become involved with a city music and drama group, and work especially with the younger members. I find this exciting and more than occasionally challenging. Coaching for the group has given me experience in organising others, as well as teaching them. Watching group members learn and progress is thrilling, especially in the case of one of them who has ADHD. At first he was incapable of remaining still, silent or attentive for even a few minutes, but eventually became far more focused and calmer, making excellent progress in many areas.

DIRECTLY ADDRESS OUR SELECTION CRITERIA

• Motivation and capacity for sustained and intense work.

Example: My interest has always been in how the body works in the way it does, and why. This was triggered early on by my mother's cancer, and I felt compelled to find out all about this condition, and what could be done to help treat it. I am thirsty for new knowledge, and am fascinated by the interrelatedness of systems in the human body.

• A strong track record of academic achievement, and particular ability and potential in science and/or mathematics. An excellent record at GCSE (or equivalent).
• Intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm and readiness to cope with the academic demands of the course.

Example: I read beyond the syllabus topics covered at A-level extensively, and decided to research and write an extended essay discussing ethics and science, with particular emphasis on 'living wills'. I enjoyed the challenge and discipline of studying independently, and follow recent developments and debate in this area.

• Reasoning and problem solving ability: use of a logical and critical approach, and strong powers of analysis.
• Communication: Good command of the English language. Ability to express ideas clearly and effectively. Ability to listen.

Example 1: I have worked as a hotel waitress during the summer conference season, which allowed me to develop teamwork skills, and work under various time pressures. It also allowed me to interact with many different members of the public.

Example 2: I took part in my school's open day, and demonstrated experiments in the Chemistry lab. During the last year I have also participated in a reading scheme, helping younger pupils with learning difficulties.

• Ability to generate own ideas and proposals. Originality and creativity of thought, lateral thinking and hypothesis-generation.

YOU WILL NOT BE ALONE IN TRYING TO OPEN WITH AN ATTENTION-GRABBING INTRODUCTION...

If you try this, make sure it helps tutors to learn something about what motivates and enthuses you.

Example: My vast collection of books and videos on "How the Body Works" when I was 7 years old first triggered my interest in the functions of the body. Watching the little personified, cartoon blobs that represented red blood cells run around an animated yet functioning body fascinated me and I longed to find out more. As a result, when a friend received a letter explaining their little girl had just been diagnosed with X at just 14 months old, I was intrigued to find out what this was.

THE STATEMENT IS CALLED  PERSONAL  FOR A REASON

It should be written by you, not by your parents, siblings, or teachers. Do not plagiarise material that you find on the web as there is a great chance that such deception will be discovered.

DO NOT FEEL THAT THERE IS A PRECISE TEMPLATE TO FOLLOW THAT WILL SCORE YOU POINTS

We look for bright and independent thinkers, so try to be original!

• Academic Requirements
• Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
• International Applicants
• Selection Criteria
• Application Checklist
• Advice on the Personal Statement
• Online resources
• Admissions Statistics

DPhil in Biochemistry

• Entry requirements
• Funding and costs

College preference

• How to apply

About the course

This programme aims to train students in cutting-edge laboratory research applying techniques in bionanotechnology, biophysics, computational biology, microscopy, molecular biology, structural biology and systems biology to a broad range of fields including cell biology, chromosome biology, drug discovery, epigenetics, host-pathogen interactions, membrane proteins, ion channels and transporters, and RNA biology.

You will be admitted directly to a particular research area led by departmental members who will be appointed DPhil supervisors. If you are admitted to a particular research supervisor you will not normally do laboratory rotations. You will be based in a research lab and undertake research on a subject agreed with your supervisor.

There are no taught courses examined by written papers, however you will have access to a wide range of lecture courses at foundation or preliminary level, as appropriate. If you have changed fields, this will allow you to fill in gaps in your background knowledge. There is also a wide range of courses and workshops which you can attend to acquire skills that will be necessary for the pursuance and presentation of your research, as well as your professional development as a research scientist.

The length of the programme ranges from three to four years with the exact duration depending on the following factors as judged by your supervisor(s) and assessors:

• focus and rate of your research development and progress
• achievement of acceptable focus and scope of thesis
• publication quality research
• length of available funding.

A small proportion of DPhil students (about 5%) submit their theses within three years from starting, however on average most students submit within three to four years. By the end of the fourth year, 70-90% of students have submitted their theses.

Research at the Department of Biochemistry is divided into five main themes:

• cell biology, development and genetics
• chromosomal and RNA biology
• infection and disease processes
• microbiology and systems biology
• structural biology and molecular biophysics .

Supervision

For this course, the allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the Department of Biochemistry and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Biochemistry. Information about  supervisors connected with this course  can also be found at the Department of Biochemistry website.

You will typically meet with your supervisor on a weekly or fortnightly basis. In addition, your supervisor may appoint a senior member of the laboratory as your day-to-day supervisor. Most laboratories also have weekly meetings where members present and discuss their results with other members of the laboratory.

You will begin your course as a probationary research student (PRS) and near the end of the first year you will apply to transfer to DPhil (PhD) status. To do this you write a research report and statement of future research plans. This will be assessed by two independent experts, who interview you as part of the process. Continuation in the programme is subject to passing the Transfer of Status exam.

After eight terms of study you will need to apply formally to confirm your DPhil status. This involves writing a short progress report and thesis outline and giving a presentation. The application is assessed by two independent experts. Continuation in the programme is subject to successfully completing the Confirmation of Status.

The final stage of the research programme is submission of your DPhil thesis, which needs to be done within four years. Your thesis is assessed by two independent experts (one of which will be external to the University of Oxford), who conduct a viva examination with you.

Graduate destinations

Approximately 80% of the department’s alumni who completed in the years 2015 to 2019 have pursued a career within academic or industrial research. Other graduates hold positions within a variety of different sectors including Patent Law, Management Consultancy, scientific publishing and teaching.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours.

The qualification above should be achieved in one of the following subject areas or disciplines:

• biochemistry
• cell biology
• molecular biology
• mathematics
• computation.

Please note that entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree. 

A previous master's degree is not required in order to be considered for the programme.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0. 

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Applicants are normally expected to have research experience in a biomedical or scientific field. Examples of suitable research experience include, but are not limited to, research projects carried out during previous degree-level study, research internships or work experience as a research assistant.
• A track record demonstrating an interest in research, including the ability to master technical/computational skills, and plan and execute experiments effectively, is likely to advantage your application
• You are expected to have a good understanding of your proposed area of research and be familiar with the recent published work of your proposed supervisor(s)
• Publications are not required but it may strengthen your application if you have already published your work in a scientific journal

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  standard level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's standard level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process.  

The main round of interviews is held in January and early February. Additional interviews may be held at later dates subject to the availability of places.

Applications are reviewed by a panel of academics associated with the course. A short-list of applicants is confirmed, based on assessment of achieved or predicted undergraduate degree grade, academic references, personal statement and CV.

Interviews are in person or by video link, take approximately 30 minutes, and are conducted by a panel of at least two interviewers. Applicants are asked to talk about any research project(s) that they may have pursued and questioned on aspects of their research training to date, understanding of the proposed area of study and motivation for undertaking a DPhil.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Initiatives to improve access to graduate study

This course is taking part in a continuing pilot programme to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, in order to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.

For this course, socio-economic data (where it has been provided in the application form) will be used to contextualise applications at the different stages of the selection process.  Further information about how we use your socio-economic data  can be found in our page about initiatives to improve access to graduate study.

This course is also taking part in the 'Close the Gap' project  which aims to improve access to doctoral study.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Some postgraduate research students in science, engineering and technology subjects will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a  Student visa (under the Student Route) . For some courses, the requirement to apply for an ATAS certificate may depend on your research area.

You will have access to:

• experimental facilities, as appropriate to your research
• IT support from both the Department of Biochemistry and University IT Services
• library services, such as the Radcliffe Science Library and the Cairns Library .

The provision of project-specific resources will be agreed with the relevant supervisor during the planning stages of the research project.

The Department of Biochemistry has in-house research facilities, including advanced fluorescence microscopy , advanced proteomics , NMR spectroscopy , molecular biophysics , and crystallography .

There is the possibility to use facilities in other departments across the division and to access remote facilities at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, DIAMOND Light Source and Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.

Departmental seminars and colloquia bring students together with academic and other research staff in the department to hear about on-going research, and provide an opportunity for networking and socialising.

Biochemistry

The Department of Biochemistry comprises over 45 research groups and around 400 researchers and support staff, including more than 100 graduate students.

Oxford's Department of Biochemistry is a vibrant research and teaching department and benefits from state-of-the-art research facilities in its stunning purpose-built building occupied since 2008.

Research in the department is very broad and encompasses all aspects of modern molecular and cellular biochemistry, from atomic resolution biophysics to cell biology and imaging. The quality of research is outstanding, as demonstrated by an impressive publications output and the international standing of many of the department's researchers.

Research students reading for their DPhil or MSc by Research in the Department of Biochemistry are admitted to one of several programmes, either by the department or one of Oxford’s Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs).

View all courses   View taught courses View research courses

The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students on the DPhil in Biochemistry:

• Balliol College
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

We strongly recommend you consult the Medical Sciences Graduate School's research themes to identify the most suitable course and supervisor .

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application.  You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Application fee waivers for eligible associated courses

If you apply to this course and up to two eligible associated courses from our predefined list during the same cycle, you can request an application fee waiver so that you only need to pay one application fee.

The list of eligible associated courses may be updated as new courses are opened. Please check the list regularly, especially if you are applying to a course that has recently opened to accept applications.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

We welcome and encourage you to contact potential supervisors that you are interested in working with. The purpose of contacting a supervisor is to learn more about the project and/or lab and determine whether there would be a good fit between what you are looking for and what the lab can offer.

To contact supervisors, begin by looking through the  academic profiles and available projects  on the department website and identify supervisors you may be interested in working with. Send an email to these potential supervisors indicating that you are interested in applying for a DPhil in their lab. You should explain why you are interested in their project/lab and include any questions you may have about it.  Further advice on how to contact potential supervisors  can be found on the FindAPhD website (the University is not responsible for the content of external websites).

If you do not receive a response after two weeks, please  send a follow-up email to [email protected] . We encourage you to contact more than one supervisor.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under 'Proposed field and title of research project' enter the advertised research project codes  of at least one, and up to three chosen supervisors. You should list them in order of preference or indicate equal preference. The project code is shown when you expand the section beneath each supervisor's name on the department's webpage. You should not use this field to provide your own research proposal.

Proposed supervisor

Under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the names of at least one, and up to three, academics who you would like to supervise your research. You should list them in order of preference or indicate equal preference. The supervisors that you choose should correspond with the projects that you indicated in the previous section.

Referees Three overall, academic preferred

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

References should generally be academic though a maximum of one professional reference is acceptable where you have completed an industrial placement or worked in a full-time position. Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, and your ability to work in a group. 

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Statement of purpose/personal statement: A maximum of 500 words

You should provide a statement of your research interests, in English, describing how your background and research interests relate to the programme. If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

The statement should focus on academic or research-related achievements and interests rather than personal achievements and interests.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying;
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study;
• the ability to present a reasoned case in English;
• capacity for sustained and focused work; and
• understanding of problems in the area and ability to construct and defend an argument.

It will be normal for students’ ideas and goals to change in some ways as they undertake their studies, but your personal statement will enable you to demonstrate your current interests and aspirations.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 1 December 2023 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

A later deadline shown under 'Admission status' If places are still available,  applications may be accepted after 1 December . The 'Admissions status' (above) will provide notice of any later deadline.

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Department of Biochemistry

• Course page on the department's website
• Funding information from the department
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Medical Sciences Graduate School
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 613210

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Other courses to consider

You may also wish to consider applying to other courses that are similar or related to this course:

View related courses

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Personal statement example biochemistry.

Submitted by Sophie

Make the most of your interest in Biology with biomedical sciences at Swansea.

Tailor your studies towards a career in research, innovation or healthcare with Swansea University's range of biomedical sciences degrees. Foundation Year, BSc and MSci available - there's a place for you at Swansea!

Biochemistry

I’ve always had one goal in life, to help others and better the world. Although as a child I was never sure how I could do this. As I grew and went to school I quickly found that the sciences were my favourite subjects. I was always so amazed by how we knew so much about the smallest things in the world such as atoms and their sub particles - this always left me curious to discover more. I would constantly ask questions and when given the answer, question that too. However, coming from a younger naive self affected by the loss of loved ones, my questions became more difficult such as ‘why can’t we cure cancer?’.

I was always given answers which were never enough for me and didn't give me the knowledge I craved. From a young age these unsatisfactory answers and my curiosity led me to dive deeper into my studies. With the help of my father I was quickly learning more and more about current affairs in the science community. We would read New Scientist together and discuss topics such as black holes and DNA. Whilst I always enjoyed the school teaching where I learnt the proven facts; it was always the research that interested me most. Not knowing the answer, as frustrating as it is, has always been the thing that fueled my desire to learn more. Studying Biology and Chemistry at A Level keeps me curious, learning about the processes that shape the world we live in and make us who we are is something that continually keeps me wanting more.

After completing the Biochemistry module in my A Level course, I felt a passion growing; for every fact I learnt I only had more questions. It gets to the point where the teacher can no longer answer these questions - in fact nobody can. I found myself looping back to a constant array of unsatisfactory answers. The classroom is where I have found my desire in life, I want to face the complex questions we struggle to answer and provide the solution which right now may seem impossible. How better can I do this than by merging my goals and desires?

To enter a field of research, one in which I can aid in the search for cures and treatments to life-threatening diseases, I am able to quench my thirst for knowledge and help others in need. More specifically, I want to go into Breast Cancer Research. After seeing the damage it does to the world and the personal effect it has had on my family, I am passionate in putting all of my efforts into the eradication of the disease. This is why a Biochemistry course is a perfect fit for me. Not only will allow me to keep learning about a subject I’m so passionate about at a higher level, but it will open the door to a world I am so eager to enter. I’ve already started in my efforts as a member of the school’s charity committee; we continuously raise money towards multiple charities including Cancer Research and Macmillan. I also work alongside Legacy 4 Lucy and WhizzKidz in the preparation and execution of an annual charity ball. Last summer we raised £9000 and I’m hoping to surpass this figure at next year’s ball.

As I continue to be full of questions, I carry on taking my learning outside of the classroom, this is why I take such pleasure in my extracurricular courses completed through Future Learn. After learning about the rapid progression in cancer medications over the past 100 years, I am amazed that chemotherapy once involved toxic mustard gas, especially considering we are now on the brink of using monoclonal antibodies for targeted therapy. This reminds me that whilst the science community faces extreme difficulties in providing treatment without damaging healthy cells, there is a solution to the problem - even if it is yet to be found. I know that a future in research won't be an easy future, but that only motivates me more because my thirst for knowledge compels me to rise to the challenge.

I have learnt vital skills from many years’ participation in my schools debating societies, which have aided me throughout the difficult transition into A Level and which will continue to help me through future struggles. The perseverance I have is what makes me fit for the course. Once set on a goal, I am determined to achieve it which is why I know I am capable of succeeding in this Biochemistry course.

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Successful Personal Statement For Chemistry At Oxford

Last Updated: 7th April 2022

Author: Rob Needleman

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 Chemistry applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Chemistry Course at Oxford is taught in a world-leading chemistry department with state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories and world-class research.

Read on to see how this candidate wrote a Personal Statement that helped secure their place on a reputable degree. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

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Chemistry Personal Statement

Few aspects of our lives remain unaffected by the fundamental subject of chemistry. Chemists have revolutionised the way we live; from the medicines we use to the water we drink, it is hard to imagine what our everyday life would be like without the help of this vast subject. I wish to be a part of the chemical discoveries of the future which is what entices me to study chemistry in greater depth at university.

My interest in chemistry has developed a great deal since starting the AS level course. Each time I learn something new, it inspires me to develop my knowledge even further. I have particularly enjoyed the organic chemistry involved in the AS course due to the practical work it entails. Laboratory work for me is enjoyable because it provides an opportunity to test out the theoretical knowledge you have gained and is also great fun! For example, I particularly enjoyed making azo dyes as it was interesting to recreate a process in the lab which is so frequently used in industry.

I have been able to develop my passion for chemistry through wider reading. I have recently enjoyed reading Molecules at an Exhibition. The range of molecules which can have profound effects on our lives surprised me and showed me again how relevant chemistry is to our lives. I have a subscription to New Scientist. An article I particularly enjoyed reading over the summer was “Rogue elements” which explores some of the unanswered questions associated with the periodic table. For example, when the elements will stop and whether superheavy elements, which exist for fractions of a second only one atom at a time, can be considered elements at all. The article also looked at the issues of where to place the elements hydrogen and helium and where the metal/non-metal divide should be. This showed me that although the periodic table is often considered to be complete, there is still much to uncover. Reading Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You introduced me to the concept of relativity and I was amazed to find out how this theory affects chemistry as well as physics. For example without relativity the properties of some of the heavier elements such as gold would simply not be the same. I have been developing my interest in maths and have taken up AS further maths which will be largely self-taught, I know this will complement the chemistry syllabus.

Recently I took part in a UNIQ summer school at Oxford University which allowed me to have a great insight into undergraduate chemistry. I thoroughly enjoyed my week, particularly the lecture on chirality. This was a new concept for me and I was surprised by the huge differences that can result from this form of isomerism. My subject knowledge was greatly enhanced and the skills I gained have been even more valuable. I was taught to question, develop and evaluate my knowledge at every stage and become a more independent learner.

During Year 12 I acted as a science tutor for GCSE students, helping them with exam technique. I found that explaining the subject matter to others helped to enhance and consolidate my own knowledge. My success both in and out of school was rewarded when I received Clevedon’s 2014 Academic Achievement Award in chemistry.

I enjoy playing the piano and recently achieved Grade 6 during my GCSE year, developing my time management skills. My other hobbies include drama and singing and I am a member of Clevedon Light Opera Club as well as the school choir. I have taken part in several productions as well as performing in school stage shows and concerts. All of which contributed to me gaining my Gold Arts Award. I volunteer with a Rainbow group. When I started I found the prospect of running activities for a group of people quite daunting, but 2 years later I think my confidence and communication skills have improved greatly. I have developed my knowledge, skills and aptitude both in and out of school and I look forward to being able to extend these further by studying at university.

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

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This is a well written and well-structured statement. The student places points in order of relevance, making the statement easy to read. All points are clearly explained, and their impacts on the student are clear. There is a clear introduction, main body and conclusion.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

Although the statement is written in a logical order, there are a lot of paragraphs. Whilst it is very good that the student has a wide range of interests and hobbies, the student dedicates two paragraphs to these. It would have been possible to shorten the statement by removing some of the points mentioned, without taking away from the quality of the statement. The student clearly has many experiences from outside of the A-level syllabus, such as the UNIQ summer school and working as a GCSE science tutor. Whilst is it of course important to describe individual experiences and achievements, focussing on the positives alone limits the impact that mentioning such experiences will have. It would have been nice to see what challenges the student faced through their experiences, and how the student overcame these.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This is an excellent statement. The Personal Statement is clearly written and easy to read. The length of the statement could have been reduced, however, there are no other areas in which the student needs to make significant improvements.

This Personal Statement for Chemistry is a great example of a well-written Statement that demonstrates a wealth of experience and interest, vital to Admissions Tutors.

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

You can find more successful personal statements and our expert guides on our Free Personal Statement Resources page.

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

With our  Oxford Chemistry Premium Programme, we help you craft the perfect Personal   Statement , perform strongly on the Written Test  and teach you how to  Interview effectively .

Discover our Oxford Chemistry Premium Programme  by clicking the button below to  enrol and triple your chances of success.

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10 Top Tips for an Oxford Human Sciences Personal Statement 

Your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement is a crucial component in your Oxford application. It gives you a chance to articulate why you’re particularly interested in Human Sciences and to distinguish yourself from other applicants. While Oxford admissions tutors are most interested in your academic performance and ability, a great personal statement could make all the difference between you and a candidate with the same grade. Additionally, it offers the Oxford interviewer a focal point to base discussions around your personality and interests. Ultimately, they can deduce your commitment to the subject you’re applying for. 

To help guide you through the process, our Oxford application experts have compiled a list of top 10 tips. It includes everything you should and should not do for your Human Science Personal Statement for the 2024/25 application cycle. 

Human Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree course which enables students to study humans from multiple interconnecting perspectives across the biological and social sciences. Underlying the degree concept is the recognition that it is important to understand connections among biological, social, and cultural phenomena in order to address the major issues and problems humans face in a rapidly changing world. When planning out your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement, make sure you research Oxford’s achievements and use it as a guide to illustrate your interest in Human Sciences. 

Top 5 Tips for an Oxford Human Sciences Personal Statement

Tell your story.

Your story of how you considered a degree in Human Sciences’ and why you applied to Oxford should be what distinguishes you from other applicants. Outline why you want to pursue a degree in Human Sciences. Consider your future career plans, extra-curricular work. Also address why you chose to study at Oxford over all other universities.

What makes you suitable

Your application should demonstrate what makes you an ideal candidate to study Human Sciences at Oxford. What skills or experience do you have? Since it’s such a varied degree, are there any experiences you can draw on that not only make you suitable for studying Human Sciences but also to be an Oxford University student. 

Read around the subject you’re applying for

The competition at Oxford will be great. Extracurricular reading is a good way to stand out from other students and this can range from reading books or journals. A typical book is ‘The Selfish Gene’ by Richard Dawkins, or a podcast such as ‘ Hidden Brain .’ Be sure to have some things to talk about as you may be questioned at an interview.

Proofread & read your work out loud

Once you’re happy with the content of your draft, check it and then check it again! Useful people to ask to proofread your work include a teacher in the field, a current Oxford student, and a student who is studying Human Sciences. Oxbridge Mind also offer a personal statement check . By allowing people to take a look at your Human Sciences Oxford personal statement, they would be able to pick up mistakes or name improvements that you may have missed.

Why Human Sciences

What was it that first got you interested in Human Sciences? Consider why you would be an ideal Oxford candidate too. What skills or experience do you have? Examples include analytical and critical thinking skills. What careers will this degree open for you and how does this align with your own plans for the future.

Top 5 things to AVOID for your Oxford Human Sciences Personal Statement

Writing a list of achievements.

Reflect and expand on some key points to demonstrate your understanding and what you have learnt from them rather than listing achievements which will appear tedious. Talk about the skills you have gained from the work you have undertaken. How have these skills furthered your desire to study Human Sciences, and to study at Oxford University.

Don’t write anything that isn’t true

Don’t exaggerate. You may be asked to provide evidence of your stated achievements, or if you are interviewed you may be asked detailed questions about things you’ve mentioned. It will reflect poorly on you if you are unable to answer questions about your Human Sciences Oxford personal statement. 

Copying someone else’s personal statements

Don’t plagiarise. Do not copy someone else’s UCAS personal statement or use something you have found on the internet. UCAS uses software to check every personal statement for plagiarism.

Not reflecting on or justifying your point

Write succinctly and explain points without repeating yourself. Examples include analytical skills, and other transferable skills. Remember, quality is always better than quantity- it’s better to expand on a few points than to list every point you can without going into detail.

Don’t sound unprofessional

Steer clear of slang, clichés and quotes. It will sound repetitive to Oxford admissions tutors to hear about how students are “passionate” about their subject or that they have a “thirst for knowledge”. Write about your personal experience with your Human Sciences’ journey, and allow the Oxford admissions tutors to do the rest.

If you’re unsure whether you’ve covered everything in your Human Sciences Oxford personal statement, why not book a personal statement check where our experts will give you feedback within 24 hours and you can even have a 1-1 online session on how to improve your statement.

→What is Oxford Human Sciences?

Oxford Human Sciences is an interdisciplinary field of study that combines aspects of biology, psychology, anthropology, and sociology to better understand human behavior and health. Students studying Human Sciences at Oxford University will explore the social, cultural, biological, and evolutionary aspects of human beings, as well as how they interact with their environment.

→What should I include in my Oxford Human Sciences personal statement?

Your personal statement should highlight your academic background and relevant experiences, as well as your motivation for studying Human Sciences at Oxford. You should also demonstrate your critical thinking skills, ability to analyze complex issues, and passion for understanding human behavior.

→How long should my Oxford Human Sciences personal statement be?

Oxford University recommends that your personal statement should be no longer than 4,000 characters, or about 500 words. It is important to be concise and focus on the most relevant and compelling aspects of your experience and qualifications.

→What qualities are Oxford Human Sciences admissions looking for in applicants?

Oxford Human Sciences admissions are looking for applicants who demonstrate a strong academic record, critical thinking skills, creativity, and a genuine interest in understanding human behavior. They also value experiences that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

→How important is the personal statement in the Oxford Human Sciences admissions process?

The personal statement is an important part of the Oxford Human Sciences admissions process, as it provides admissions officers with insights into your academic background, experiences, and motivation for studying Human Sciences. It is an opportunity to showcase your unique perspective and strengths as an applicant.

→Can I get help with my Oxford Human Sciences personal statement?

Yes, there are a range of resources available to help you with your personal statement, including online guides, writing workshops, and tutoring services. However, it is important to ensure that the content of your personal statement is entirely your own and reflects your own thoughts and experiences.

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