Law 2026 personal statement guide

Law admissions tutors want to know you understand what you’re applying for, you’re articulate and well read and that you’ve got the skills and dedication you need to study for a degree in law and the exciting career beyond. 

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:

• Focus in on aspects of law that are of particular interest to you, whether that’s criminal, contract or international human rights law, how it relates to your current studies, and what additional reading you've embarked on. 
• If you haven't studied law at A level or equivalent, demonstrate your engagement with law through a book you’ve read that had a legal dimension to it, such as In Your Defence, The Sentence, or In Black and White. 
• The University of Cambridge (and many other universities) like applicants who keep up-to-date with current affairs and who are interested in the legal implications of the latest news stories. Maybe you’ve been following changes to employment law or the rights of consumers when their personal details are stolen. How did that make you want to study law further?
• Don’t forget, if you're applying for law in combination with a different subject, make sure you demonstrate something relevant to the other subject too.
   

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 projects or coursework have you done that’s relevant, such as analytical essays or a critique of something? If you have the opportunity to conduct a personal project or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), consider giving it a legal focus.
• If you’ve studied English, drama, or sciences, explain how they’ve helped you with public speaking, persuasive writing, or attention to detail.
• What have you done outside school to learn more about law? Maybe you got work experience at a law firm or visited your local magistrates’ court. Explain how those experiences informed your decision to study this subject.
• 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:

• Whether you’ve done a mini-pupillage, or shadowed at your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), mention any relevant work experience and what you gained from it.
• Think laterally too – if you do shifts in a supermarket or a Saturday job in a shop, you’ll have picked up communications and sales skills, which can be important as a solicitor.
• What have you drawn from your extracurricular activities? Maybe teaching yourself to code or crochet has taught you attention to detail. Maybe you’re an avid cook or reader of fiction and you can scan texts and take information in quickly.

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?

If you love perusing charity shops for rare books and first editions, or just for the joy of reading, explain how your love of literature will lend itself to studying for a law degree. 

Think about your personal life experiences too. If a parent or family member had to go through an employment tribunal, for example, explain how that made you interested in knowing more about employment law. If you volunteer for a local gardening club, or a food bank, think of the skills you’ve gained such as working well with others, empathy, listening skills and effective time management.

Some more tips to consider

1. Do your research: Make sure you’ve researched the course you’re applying for. All that talk of your passion for company law won't impress a uni that doesn't offer it as an option. Portray why you want to study this subject, what specific aspects of the course interest you, how it relates to your academic studies, and what additional reading or other activities have led you to apply.
2. Make what you mention relevant: If you read the law section of The Times, that’s great, but make sure you elaborate on why it's relevant to your application. Try reflecting on a specific article or feature, for instance.
3. 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 play paddle ball three times a week; can you explain how that has helped with your self-motivation, time management and as a stress relief from your studies?