Applying for PGCEs through GOV.UK: Personal statement
Making a strong application is an important factor when achieving a place on a PGCE. Your personal statement offers the chance for you to make your application stand out, helping you to clearly and concisely demonstrate your suitability for the course.
What is a personal statement?
A personal statement is your time to shine and is an important part of your university application. By paying close attention to the presentation and content of your personal statement, you can showcase your suitability and achievements, helping yourself to stand out from the crowd.
How to write your personal statement
By applying to teach, you are often applying for competitive programmes of study so don’t be afraid to sell yourself to make a great first impression. It is important to outline why you want to be a teacher and what you know about/why you want to study the subject that you would like to teach. Outline your relevant achievements, skills, knowledge and experiences.
Remember to be concise and do not repeat information that you may have included elsewhere in the application.
Things to include
Why you want to be a teacher
This is your opportunity to reveal what inspires you about teaching. You should outline in up to 600 words your motivations and goals in applying for an initial teacher training programme.
You could include answers to the following prompts in your personal statement.
Why you want to study a particular PGCE or Postgraduate Teacher Training course
Why you want to teach a particular subject or age group
Your perception of the demands and rewards of a career in teaching
The personal qualities that would make you a good teacher
How you could contribute to a school outside of the classroom
Any past experience working with children or young people, and what you learnt
Your thoughts on welfare and education
Your future career aspirations
Your suitability to teach a subject or age group
This is your opportunity to explain what you know about the subject you want to teach. You should provide a detailed summary, of up to 400 words, of the knowledge and interest you would bring to your intended PGCE or Postgraduate Teacher Training course.
Relevant evidence to highlight in your answer, if applicable, could include:
The subject of your undergraduate degree
Modules you studied as part of your degree
The subject of a postgraduate taught degree, MRes or PhD
Your A Level or BTEC subjects (or equivalent)
Any days you have spent working or volunteering in schools. You should include details of the age range(s), what you observed during your school experience, the types of tasks undertaken, and what you learnt from your time in the classroom and other settings
Any experience outside of the classroom with children or young people
Any relevant additional work history, hobbies or interests.
Things not to include
Copying content directly from websites or publications or using AI software to help write parts of your statement. Your application will be passed through plagiarism detection software. Any significant similarities could result in your application being excluded
Outlining negative experiences. Instead, outline how you successfully overcame obstacles
Relisting information submitted elsewhere in the application. This includes qualifications
Using slang, abbreviations, or text speak. Humour should also be considered carefully. It should be used sparingly, or preferably, not at all
Providing irrelevant information that doesn’t enhance your application
Making fabricated or unsubstantiated claims. You need to provide supportive detail to back up what you are saying
How to finalise a personal statement
End your personal statement by leaving a strong lasting impression. What makes your personal statement unique? You. Write about your ideas for the future. What you would bring to the course. And what you want to get from the overall learning experience.
Before submitting your personal statement, make sure to show it your friends and family to get their feedback. This can help you to get a fresh perspective and capture any mistakes or topics you may have missed.
Allow yourself the time to fine tune your work before you decide to submit it.
If you are applying to Edge Hill University or would like any additional advice about writing a personal statement as part of your application for a PGCE, please contact our Course Enquiries Team on (+44) 01695 657000 or complete our online enquiry form.