Don't apply for a UK Master's without these three tips...

1. The 'Three Thirds' Rule

Your Master’s Personal Statement should be split into three sections.

The first section should deal exclusively with academic material related to the subject you are applying for which is above and beyond your degree material. You can derive this material from the reading of books, articles, research papers, current events and journals.

The second section should be devoted to your practical experiences – that is, internships and research projects. You need to show that you have committed to your Master’s subject through more than classroom experience at undergraduate level. Where possible, compare your practical experiences to the theory you have read for your first academic section.

The third section should answer the questions ‘Why have you applied to this university?’ and ‘Why have you applied to this specific course?’ You need to be able to answer these questions with reference to specific programmes or initiatives the university has, as well as specific modules within the degree you are applying for.

2. Keep Your CV Short

Admissions tutors do not have the time to read over excessively long CVs, and a lack of restraint in this will cause your application to be viewed unfavourably. Your CV should be a maximum of one page long; any longer than this is unnecessary and counterproductive.

Your CV should be arranged with your name and contact information at the top, your education coming next (with most recent experiences coming first), your internships next, your research experience, if applicable, next, and finally your additional interests coming last (language skills, computer skills, and general interests).

3. Focus Your Personal Statement on Academics

Master’s degrees in the UK are highly academic – this means that admissions tutors are really only interested in your academic credentials. Positions of leadership, societies you’re involved in, and other extracurriculars, while good for your development, are not going to be considered for admissions criteria.

That being the case, ensure that your Personal Statement is as academic as possible. Instead of introducing yourself and your motivation in the first paragraph, instead launch straight into academic content; this is much more likely to create a favourable first impression of your application. Don’t talk about how well-suited, passionate and motivated you are for the course, show these things through discussion of higher-level academic content.