English language 2026 personal statement guide

Whether you’re fascinated by the words used by John Milton, Jane Austen, or Jay-Z, get across your interest and enthusiasm for English language, how it’s constructed, and how it’s used. 

General advice about writing your personal statement

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 and articulate what it is that fascinates you about English language, whether it’s how it’s used in the media, in films, or in political speeches. Reference books or articles you’ve read that have ignited your desire to pursue this subject further.
• If there’s an area of language or linguistics that interests you specifically (and you’ll study it on your chosen degree course), try and explain why – whether it’s how language has evolved in the digital age, or the ways Chaucerian English or Shakespeare’s quotes have entered common parlance.
• If you know, describe where you see this degree taking you. Perhaps you’re interested in a political career or the civil service, or you want to work in teaching or publishing. Make sure what you write correlates with the description of the courses you’re applying for.

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:

• Think about how English you’ve studied at school has given you skills you can use on your course, such as analytical skills, enhanced writing skills, and a broader understanding of language and context.
• Think too about other subjects you’ve studied and what they’ve taught you about language. Whether it’s history, RE, or PE, you’ll have learned to use and manipulate language in different ways. In politics, you may have learned about persuasive writing or how language is used to communicate in different ways in media studies.
• 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:

• English language students need a broader understanding of society, politics, and culture, so reference any clubs you’re part of, like debating club or the student newspaper or radio station, alongside any relevant hobbies. If you play football or hockey, for example, you’ll use language to communicate with your teammates on and off the pitch.
• Think of what other interests you have: If you love music, lyrics and language are integral to that. Perhaps you’ve done a project where you analysed Stormzy or Taylor Swift lyrics, or perhaps you’re learning a musical instrument, which has given you skills like self-motivation, commitment, and good time management.
• You’ll need to be comfortable researching and working independently as well as in groups during your degree, so think of times you’ve picked up these skills, whether from a part-time job, hobby, or school work.
• Perhaps you can speak another language and it helped you to understand how the English language is put together, giving you a different perspective on how you communicate, and the influences and historical effects on how languages evolve.

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?

You could also mention what you’re looking forward to about university life. Whether you want to join the Harry Potter Club or you want to learn how to play tennis, tell admissions tutors what you’ll get out of wider university life, and how that will help you balance your studies with time for other interests.

If you can, show you have a basic understanding of media and current affairs, and how language is used in English-speaking countries. It's even better if you can then link it to something you've learned in your politics, English, or psychology studies, or read in The Independent, The Times, Private Eye magazine, or on the BBC website. 

1. Language and spelling: To study English language, you need to demonstrate you’re capable of articulating yourself well. Answer the personal statement questions clearly and concisely, and make sure it’s free of spelling or grammatical errors. 
2. Examples of your relevant skills: Can you describe situations where you’ve demonstrated relevant skills like good communication or teamwork, problem-solving, analytical or critical thinking skills?
3. Research the course: Why do you want to study English language, 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? 
4. Making your work experience count: It’s not just what you've done but how you've reflected on it. If you work-shadowed at a library, magazine, or radio station, that's great, but it will have zero impact unless you spell out what you personally gained from it. 
5. 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 Grade 5 in clarinet; can you explain how that has helped with your self-motivation, commitment, and time management?