Architecture and planning 2026 personal statement guide

Not all universities require you to have had any work experience or shadowed an architect, it’s more about being individual and creative in your statement. So, have something really interesting, engaging, and relevant to say about what enthuses you and what has motivated you to apply for architecture and planning. 

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:

• Try to answer the following questions: What prompted your interest in architecture? Are there any buildings and/or places you particularly like? Explain why – don't just list where you've been. 
• Which architects do you admire and why? If you like Santiago Calatrava, for example, explain what stands out to you about his work?
• What do you see yourself doing with an architecture or planning degree? Would you like to shape the cities of the future, focus on regeneration, or sustainability? 
• Ensure you fit what you say in your statement with the course you’re applying to. Admissions tutors at University of Sheffield also emphasise 'the most important thing is to be yourself' and that you shouldn’t 'put stuff in because you think it sounds good’, but also add ‘a few days’ work experience in a local practice would be beneficial, but not essential’.

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:

• What do you like doing and/or what have you done well in academically that you think is relevant to studying architecture or planning? Are you a good designer, or good at model-making? Do you have a mathematical mind or enjoy logic problems?
• If you studied art or design technology, how do you think some of the drawing, technical, and creative skills you learned may help you on an architecture or planning course?
• Professor Goodfellow from the University of Sheffield wants you to show you've done your research. He's looking for students who are 'willing to go the extra mile in terms of exploring both the ethical and practical challenges of planning in the twenty-first century’. Can you mention a time you’ve successfully overcome a challenge in a piece of work, or researched planning laws in parts of the UK for a project?
• 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:

• How can you demonstrate your innovation and creativity? Maybe you’ve experimented with sustainable materials in your model-making, designed a home in The Sims or in Minecraft, or carried out your own photography project.
• Have you done any shadowing or work experience that shows you know a little about the industry? Outline what you learned and why it has sparked your interest in this subject.
• Tell tutors about hobbies you do outside school that show you’re motivated to learn and complete a task, whether that’s Lego, judo, or sketching – that will definitely come in handy for architecture courses.
• Think of a time when you’ve successfully managed a project, shown leadership skills, and/or done a presentation, whether in a work or school environment.
• What other qualities do you have that would make you suitable for this course? Maybe you’ve lived in a dense urban environment or in social housing which has given you ideas of how best to design and build affordable housing.

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:

• Try to answer the following questions: What prompted your interest in architecture? Are there any buildings and/or places you particularly like? Explain why – don't just list where you've been. 
• What architects do you admire and why? If you like Santiago Calatrava, for example, explain what stands out to you about his work.
• What do you see yourself doing with an architecture or planning degree? Would you like to shape the cities of the future, focus on regeneration or sustainability? 
• Ensure you fit what you say in your statement with the course you’re applying to. Admissions tutors at University of Sheffield also emphasise 'the most important thing is to be yourself' and that you shouldn’t 'put stuff in because you think it sounds good’, but also add ‘a few days’ work experience in a local practice would be beneficial, but not essential’.

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:

• What do you like doing and/or what have you done well in academically that you think is relevant to studying architecture or planning? Are you a good designer or good at model-making? Do you have a mathematical mind or enjoy logic problems?
• If you studied art or design technology, how do you think some of the drawing, technical, and creative skills you learned may help you on an architecture or planning course?
• Professor Goodfellow from the University of Sheffield wants you to show you've done your research. He's looking for students who are 'willing to go the extra mile in terms of exploring both the ethical and practical challenges of planning in the twenty-first century’. Can you mention a time you’ve successfully overcome a challenge in a piece of work or researched planning laws in parts of the UK for a project?
• 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:

• How can you demonstrate your innovation and creativity? Maybe you’ve experimented with sustainable materials in your model-making, designed a home in The Sims or in Minecraft, or carried out your own photography project.
• Have you done any shadowing or work experience that shows you know a little about the industry? Outline what you learned and why it has sparked your interest in this subject.
• Tell tutors about hobbies you do outside school that show you’re motivated to learn and complete a task, whether that’s Lego, judo or sketching – that will definitely come in handy for architecture courses.
• Think of a time when you’ve successfully managed a project, shown leadership skills, and/or done a presentation, whether in a work or school environment.
• What other qualities do you have that would make you suitable for this course? Maybe you’ve lived in a dense urban environment or in social housing which has given you ideas of how best to design and build affordable housing.

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?

Whether you’ve taught yourself to juggle, competed in a sport, or completed a half marathon, think about how that makes you unique. Then relate that into the skills and attributes you think, for example, an architect or planner needs.

Some more tips to consider

1. Examples of your relevant skills: Can you describe situations where you’ve demonstrated relevant skills like planning, drawing, designing, teamwork, and problem-solving? Think part-time jobs or college work. Use those work experiences to demonstrate you have good communication skills, you can work to deadlines, and you’re self-motivated.
2. Research the course: Why do you want to study architecture and planning, 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?  
3. Make your previous subjects count. If you're going to mention your previous subjects, make sure they're relevant or you include a meaningful reflection. For example, in geography you may have learned about land surveying or natural resources, which you can use in your planning degree. Don't forget that admissions staff can see what you're studying elsewhere in your application, so don't waste characters.
4. Transferable skills: Whether through extracurricular or supercurricular activities, work experience or a part-time job, you’ll have lots of skills that will be relevant to your course. Try to think outside the box – ok, so you’re part of a football team; can you explain how that has given you teamworking and communication skills, helped with your self-motivation and time management?