Accounting and finance 2026 personal statement guide

Try and demonstrate your enthusiasm about the course and what exactly interests you in it. Or, as Dr Fatimah Zainudin from the University of Southampton’s business school puts it, 'What we love to see is a passion for the subject itself. If you fall in love with the subject, that’s what will lead to success on the course’.

Sheffield Hallam University is looking for you to demonstrate 'an interest in and awareness of accounting and finance, or some level of practical experience'. 

General advice about writing your personal statement

What do admissions staff at universities and colleges want to see?

Guidance and examples you can use

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

This is your opportunity to showcase your passion and knowledge of your chosen subject area and to demonstrate to universities and colleges why it’s a good fit for you and your future ambitions.

Examples:

• Demonstrate what's sparked your interest in finance and accounting, and show it. If you were given a copy of The Accounting Game or The Joy of Accounting and something clicked, try and get that across. Or even if you’ve always had a head for numbers and want to apply these skills to a business setting.
• Back up your interest in studying with evidence of your relevant skills, knowledge or experiences and show you understand something about what’s involved, whether that’s the financial markets, taxation, or business ethics.
• The University of Bristol is looking for 'intellectual curiosity – reading or research beyond the A level (or equivalent) syllabus’. Mention any books, channels or podcasts you follow such as Bloomberg Surveillance or Money Box, and why.

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

This is your chance to shout about the relevant or transferable skills you’ve gained from your formal education and highlight your understanding of how they will help you succeed in this subject area.

Examples:

• Bristol is also looking for 'interest and commitment to the subject. Can you mention relevant topics you’ve touched on during your A level, BTEC or Higher course, such as business policies or corporate finance?’.
• University of Bath admissions tutors are expecting students to have an interest and aptitude for 'quantitative analysis of business issues'. Demonstrate this with evidence showing your abilities for applying mathematical skills to the analysis of business problems.
• Have you had to give a presentation or lead a group project, which can illustrate your presentation and communication skills? 
• Have you done any online courses to boost your knowledge in the subject? For example, why not try Subject Spotlights or Virtual Work Experiences from Springpod to grow your skills and interest? 

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

This is your chance to talk about any other activities you have undertaken outside of your formal education, or personal experiences which further demonstrate your suitability for the course. This section is likely to be highly personal to you and anything you do include should reflect on why you’re including it.

Examples:

• Do you have a part-time job, or have you done work experience? It doesn’t matter whether it’s a couple of weeks spent shadowing an accountant, a few hours talking to one, a part-time job in a financial, retail or business environment, or a scheme like Young Enterprise. What does matter is that you write about something relevant and what you've learned from it. But, as Sheffield Hallam and LSE say on their websites, experience is not essential, so don’t panic if you don’t have any.
• What hobbies do you have that admissions tutors might want to hear about? Maybe you enjoy crochet or crafts, which demonstrate an attention to detail, or you play FM25 or AirwaySim, which can add to your accounting skills. 
• Talk about other relevant skills you’ve gained from jobs or volunteering, such as looking after money whilst fundraising for a charity, time management through balancing your studies and extracurricular activities, or teamwork from a sport or other activity. 

How to set yourself apart

The key to setting yourself apart in your application is to remember how important the ‘personal’ bit is to your personal statement. What makes you, you?

Your commitment to studying accounting or finance as an academic subject is usually the key requirement. However, if you can also show that extra ingredient of passion and a glimpse of the ‘chemistry’ that exists between you and the subject, then your application really will stand out.

Maybe you’re a fan of CSI: Cyber, or you’re a subscriber to MoneyWeek. Whatever it is, illustrate how this interest feeds your desire to study accounting and finance further. 

If you started a maths club at school or took part in competitions, mention those achievements. Or if you’ve been asked to help a friend or relative with their accounts, or you’ve taught yourself how to use some basic accounting software, these things all show a willingness to learn and go the extra mile. Similarly, if you love playing The Sims, Fortnite or Minecraft in your spare time, reflect on what they’ve taught you about the economy or budgeting. 

Some more tips to consider

1. Research the course: Why do you want to study accounting and finance, what specific aspects of the course interest you, how does it relate to your academic studies, and what additional reading or other activities have led you to apply? 
2. Structure and organisation: To study accounting and finance, you need to demonstrate you’re capable of managing yourself, whether that’s through your rigorous academic studies to date, or balancing school and activities outside of it. 
3. Commitment: If you want to study accounting, for example, can you demonstrate that you’ve got the commitment and focus you’ll need to complete the course? When have you seen something else through to completion? 
4. Examples of your relevant skills: Can you describe situations where you’ve demonstrated relevant skills like attention to detail, analytical thinking, initiative, integrity and achieving goals, whether through learning something like coding or a musical instrument, or volunteering for a charity?