hr postgraduate personal statement

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Human Resources

Examining examples of personal statements can be exceptionally valuable when applying to a university or college course. Looking through a range of personal statement examples can teach you how to write and structure your application, and you can often learn how to write a personal statement by examining others.

But with so many university personal statement examples available, how do you know which ones are worthwhile and which aren’t?

Postgraduate personal statements should highlight relevant academic and practical experience, research skills and ambitions and their suitability for the course. This postgraduate personal statement example for Human Resources illustrates several of these three critical elements.

Studying master’s degree personal statement examples can be especially valuable. They’re sometimes referred to as personal mission statements or statements of purpose , so if you’re tasked with writing a personal mission statement, the following example will work for you.

I’ve broken down this personal statement example section by section, with a commentary on each element.

That way, you’ll see its strengths and weaknesses and get some inspiration for your own personal statement .

Once you’ve read the personal statement example and analysis, you’ll be able to download a pdf of the whole document, to use as inspiration for your own!

Personal Statement Example: Introduction

“I believe companies need to be employee-centred, as keeping them satisfied, motivated and personally engaged can create immense value for any organisation. Effective human resource management strategies are therefore crucial to business success. However, my intern experience at the Slater-Marshall accounting firm illustrated that HRM often fails to achieve these challenging goals. The reasons are two-fold. Foremost, many small and medium-sized companies have a misperception of recruitment, regarding it simply as a KPI tool instead of finding talents that match their development needs. As a result, time and resources are wasted on candidates who are not a good match for the company. Worse still, many HRBPs are not shrewd or experienced enough to identify the breadth of talent needed by their companies. HRM also loses its effectiveness when it fails to use proven physical and psychological means to provide a fair and encouraging working environment and subsequently incentivise employees.

First-hand experience of these kinds of issues triggered my curiosity regarding contemporary strategies used when empowering companies to employ a sound human resource management system. How can HRM lead to organisation change? How can I develop professional HRM techniques, release their full potential and create harmonious industrial relationships? The desire to equip myself with the relevant understanding and skills is the driving factor behind my application to this MSc Human Resources and Organisations (HRM Stream) programme at the University of Buckley.

This particular course resonates strongly with my career goal of helping traditional enterprises establish enhanced human resource management systems. Your programme offers a variety of opportunities that will aid me in developing a complete grasp of human resource management theory from the perspectives of corporate strategy, business analysis and organisational management. For instance, the Management of People in Global Companies course will afford me a transformative perspective on leadership. This knowledge will assist me significantly when transforming outdated models of human resource management in enterprises lacking advanced human resource awareness.

Furthermore, the Business Strategy, Management and Analytics course will be of exceptional professional value thanks to its cross-disciplinary approach, which will offer me a solid grounding in the comprehensive understanding of management theory, theory of the firm, business strategy, accounting and finance. Professor Sara Blake’s research on organisational behaviour and leadership is incredibly inspiring and aligns perfectly with my goal of strengthening leadership in traditional businesses. I look forward to learning from her and contributing to future projects.”

Commentary and Analysis

This is a long introduction!

This opening section has a strong sense of purpose, connection and opinion, which immediately gives the reader a firm idea of the writer’s experiences and opinions. The writer also uses an excellent range of specialist vocabulary in this example and connects their significant experiences with the course. In addition, the applicant is already making explicit links between the course and their ambitions.

The writer then identifies specific modules and outlines how they will aid their academic and professional advancement. Not only does this connect the writer’s goals with the course content, but it also shows that the applicant understands the course and has researched the details well. The reference to a specific professor from within the faculty and the connection between the writer’s research ambitions and the opportunities presented by the university are compelling. The writer creates a clear link between their suitability for the course and the content on offer.

If you’re struggling with your personal statement introduction, check out my article on how to write perfect opening paragraphs here .

Personal Statement Example: Academic Background

“Majoring in Accounting and Finance as an undergraduate, my dedication to my studies earned me several awards and ranked me top among my peers. Excelling in courses such as Theory of Firm , Introduction to Managerial Accounting and Business Law , I acquired a spectrum of theoretical understandings which underpin HRM. I have independently investigated the organisational role of HRM by exploring Dave Ulrich’s HR model and the six segments of HR management, examining their adoption by companies of different scales. I have learnt that the role of HRM is to identify the kinds of human resources needed by the companies and allocate those resources wisely to maximise productivity and profitability. Consequently, I regard HRM as a people-oriented sector. This makes understanding human behaviours and psychology in the workplace particularly important for industry practitioners.

Studying on the Introduction to Managerial Accounting course, I was informed that how money is distributed within an organisation is crucial since it determines whether employees’ incentives can be fully realised. Thus, establishing a sound salary and welfare system is of great importance. Different people and contrasting organisations have various demands, but a successful compensation and welfare system balances these two demands and activates the organisation’s motivation. My most significant gain from this course is that many aspects of HRM, including setting different KPIs, performance monitoring and well-being management, are based on developing an accurate understanding of employee behaviour patterns. This can lead to a win-win situation in which companies can fully tap into employee value, and workers receive appropriate remuneration and opportunities for progression. Additionally, knowledge of labour laws and regulations has familiarised me with the rights and duties of employers and employees, which will be of great value to me as a graduate student.”

Commentary and Analysis

The first paragraph of this section is written confidently. It outlines some academic achievements without writing them as a list. The writer achieves this by explaining what they gained from their experiences. They then link these elements to the course and show how they will be of value.

The most impressive aspect of the second paragraph is that it illustrates connections between the subject of undergraduate study and the intended postgraduate course. The writer is showing transferable skills that will be of value in the future and making explicit connections between the two different subjects, helping to show how a diverse educational background adds to their suitability.

Again, a sense of value is central to this section. The writer ensures that each example is given a value regarding the application’s demands.

If you’d like to learn more about how to structure your personal statement or statement of purpose , check out my awesome Personal Statement Template eBook here . It’s full of detailed examples of what to include!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 1

“Beyond the classroom, I have operationalised my theoretical knowledge in real-life practice. Interning at the Scorpio Real Estate Development Co, I assisted with the entry procedures for new staff and witnessed the career development of numerous employees from varying departments. Observing the recruitment patterns and preferences of different types of organisations, I observed that state-owned companies tend to recruit talent and offer higher salaries and better entitlements to maintain a low turnover rate and stable employee structure. By contrast, foreign and internet companies attach less importance to stability and focus more on talent creativity. My knowledge of HRM models and labour economy inspired me to think that these differences in recruitment strategy may arise from the varying nature, management structure and strategic positioning of each enterprise. I aim to develop my understanding of these differences during my master’s research.”

By using the example of an internship experience in a seemingly unrelated field, the writer has been able to offer an opinion on their workplace HRM experience. This shows a degree of industry experience but, more importantly, allows the writer to use their expertise to connect with the course’s content.

By offering an opinion of what they observed and showing an understanding of gaps in their knowledge, they are turning a lack of knowledge into a compelling motivation for their application.

Check out lots more examples of personal statements here , and see how they can inspire your application!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 2

“Moreover, this internship taught me that approaches to HRM are constantly being adjusted and adapted based on practical experience. For instance, the Scorpio Real Estate Development Co is an established business. An established company’s policies and incentives allow its employees to be more aware of the steps needed for advancement and long-term growth. After many decades, the organisational structures of big firms stabilise, and roles become formalised and repetitive. This implies that employees should simply repeat previous tasks and rely on the company’s existing operational system, but this approach can cause workers’ inventive talents to diminish with time.”

Commentary and Analysis:

This section deepens the value of the writer’s internship and adds evidence to their understanding of the sector they wish to enter. This is ideal for an admissions reader, as they will note the use of language and complexity of informed knowledge in this passage. This, in turn, adds to the candidate’s academic and professional suitability.

The passage also reflects the writer’s ethos, alluded to earlier, and effectively leads to the conclusion by setting up their professional ambitions.

The one thing that all successful personal statements have in common is that they are concise, engaging and accurate in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Consequently, I always recommend Grammarly to my students and clients.

It’s an outstanding tool for ensuring your personal statement is rich with detail whilst hitting those all-important word limits. Check out the free version of Grammarly here , or hit the banner for more information.

Personal Statement Example: Conclusion

“More positively, many well-known multinational corporations are now devoting more resources to employee training in order to address these issues. It is my intention to place myself at the forefront of this burgeoning field after graduating and apply the skills and knowledge gained from this course to play a critical role in revolutionising the value and application of human resources management in a global setting. I have complete confidence in both your esteemed academic programme and in my capacity to perform outstandingly as a purposeful and positive member of your faculty community.”

The conclusion benefits from brevity and doesn’t recap previous content, both of which are positives. It clearly states the writer’s professional ambitions, which relate directly to the previous content. The passage then links those ambitions with the course, emphasising its importance in helping the writer achieve their goals.

A powerful personal statement, it includes several critical elements: relevant academic and practical experience, ambitions and suitability for the course. It also offers good connections to the course but needs detailed examples of research experience and ambition. However, it doesn’t provide evidence of the academic skills necessary for postgraduate study, although the evidence of prior learning is convincing.

With a little more focus on academic reading, research and skills, this would be a perfect postgraduate personal statement!

For more great advice, check out my article on writing an excellent final personal statement paragraph here .

Click here or on the banner below to get your free download of this complete personal statement example .

Whether you’re looking for personal mission statement examples or an example of personal purpose statement, I hope this personal statement example has been helpful. Above all, I wish you every success in your academic career.

If you’d like to work with me to develop your personal statement 1:1 and write a powerful mission statement, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

Find out about my personal statement support services by clicking here or on the image below.

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

SOP - MSc Human Resource Management

Sample personal statement

09 July, 2022

Sop - msc human resource management share.

12 May, 2013

I am writing this statement to express my enthusiasm regarding the application of MSc Management (HR) at university of Brighton in the SEP 2022 intake. I have found this course as best suited according to my future career ambitions. This statement will cover my background, interest towards the study in the UK and how the course and university can assist me in my future professional roles.

My last academic attainment is Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English which I completed from Sylhet International University, Bangladesh in June 2022. During my bachelor qualification I have studied some significant courses including Cultural Studies, Communicative English Language, Concept of ELT, Techniques in ELT, some other courses in literature, linguistics and ELT which can contribute to my chosen course at your University.

To gain some professional experience, I have worked at Mother's Construction, Sylhet, Bangladesh as an HR & Admin Assistant . I worked there from Jan 2021 to March 2022. Doing research about my career plan, I have realized that I need an internationally recognized qualification which will allow me to manage a better and secure professional career position. In Bangladesh the job market is very competitive as our country is highly over populated. So, to secure a better career position or develop a career, an individual needs some unique qualifications, skills and experience. So, in this regard, I believe that I need further qualification with internationally recognised qualification which can provide me with the required skills and distinct features for my career promotion. Although I have achieved basic office and administrative skills from my current profession along with organizational skills, management skills, communication skills, time management skills and so on during my current professional position. These will help to understand some topics of this masters course. Therefore, pursuing this MSc qualification from your institution would be appropriate to become an industry professional in HR

In this contemporary world, business organisations demand multi-skilled individuals with all- round qualifications in business, finance, banking, management, marketing to keep pace with the competition and they require the graduates with premier knowledge in all these key areas. I have designed and planned my future career to establish in export oriented companies such as the garments and textile industry. It is notable that during the pandemic time I have attended some virtual career fairs and consultation sessions regarding the future career and employability prospects whereas one of them was organized by Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. After doing an honest assessment and research regarding my-self, I have found theoretical gaps in strategic strategic marketing and management, global business environment, logistics and operations management, leadership and I want to develop my shortage skills and knowledge including creativity and innovation skills, data analytics, Research methods, advance management skills, project consultancy, communication skills and so on. In my research I have found the course offered by the Brighton Business School will be as best match to secure a better professional position with distinct skills and knowledge in terms of my future short term and long- term career ambitions.

I want to study this course because of its practical learning approach, professional recognition, industry links, international exposure and unique and appropriate modules as per my career.

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How to write a personal statement

How to approach writing your personal statement for graduate applications.

If you’re applying for a grad course that requires a personal statement (sometimes also called a ‘statement of purpose’), it can be difficult to know where to start and what to include. Read on for tips from some of our masters’ students about their process and what they found helpful.

1. Before you start

The academic work is the most important reason why we’re here, but that also translates into work experiences, internships, volunteering. I think a big part of the personal statement is crafting that narrative of academic self that fits alongside your professional experiences, to give that greater picture of who you are as an academic. Lauren (MSc Modern Middle Eastern Studies)

Start by thinking about the skills, knowledge and interests you’ve acquired over time and how the course at Oxford will take them forward.

Your statement is the story you want to tell about yourself and your academic work to the department you are applying to.

Most of your application and its supporting documents communicate plain facts about your academic career so far. Your personal statement is your best opportunity to put these facts into context and show assessors how you’ve progressed and excelled.

Make sure you highlight evidence of your achievements (a high grade in a relevant area, an award or scholarship, a research internship).

Presenting yourself

When I was writing my personal statement, I went onto my course website. I looked at what they emphasised and what kind of students they were looking for, and I wrote about my experiences based on that. Kayla (MSc in Clinical Embryology)

Make it easy for an assessor to see how you meet the entry requirements for the course (you can find these on each course page ).

Don’t make any assumptions about what Oxford is looking for!

Get to know your department

You want to study this particular subject and you want to study at Oxford (you’re applying here, so we know that!) but why is Oxford the right place for you to study this subject? What interests or qualities of the academic department and its staff make it attractive to you?

Use your academic department’s website for an overview of their research, academic staff and course information (you'll find a link to the department's own website on each course page ).

I said, ‘why do I actually want to be here? What is it about being at Oxford that’s going to get me to what I want to do? Sarah (Bachelor of Civil Law)

Talk it out

Talking to others about your statement can be a great way to gather your ideas and decide how you’d like to approach it. Sarah even managed to get benefit out of this approach by herself:

“I spent a lot of time talking out loud. My written process was actually very vocal, so I did a lot of talking about myself in my room.”

2. The writing process

Know your format.

Make sure you’ve read all the guidance on the How to Apply section of your course page , so you know what’s needed in terms of the word count of the final statement, what it should cover and what it will be assessed for. This should help you to visualise roughly what you want to end up with at the end of the process.

Make a start

When it comes to writing your personal statement, just getting started can be the hardest part.

One good way to get around writer’s block is to just put it all down on the page, like Mayur.

First - write down anything and everything. In the first round, I was just dumping everything - whatever I’ve done, anything close to computer science, that was on my personal statement. Mayur (MSc Computer Science)

You’ll be editing later anyway so don’t let the blank page intimidate you - try writing a little under each of the following headings to get started:

areas of the course at Oxford that are the most interesting to you
which areas you’ve already studied or had some experience in
what you hope to use your Oxford course experience for afterwards.

3. Finishing up

Get some feedback.

Once you’ve got a draft of about the right length, ask for feedback on what you’ve written. It might take several drafts to get it right.

This could involve getting in touch with some of your undergraduate professors to ask them to read your draft and find any areas which needed strengthening.

You could also show it to people who know you well, like family or friends.

Because they’re the first people to say, ‘Who is that person?’ You want the people around you to recognise that it really sounds like you. It can be scary telling family and friends you’re applying for Oxford, because it makes it real, but be brave enough to share it and get feedback on it. Sarah (Bachelor of Law)

Be yourself

Finally - be genuine and be yourself. Make sure your personal statement represents you, not your idea about what Oxford might be looking for.

We have thousands of students arriving every year from a huge range of subjects, backgrounds, institutions and countries (you can hear from a few more of them in our My Oxford interviews).

Get moving on your application today

To find out more about supporting documents and everything else you need to apply, read your course page and visit our Application Guide .

Applicant advice hub

This content was previously available through our Applicant advice hub . The hub contained links to articles hosted on our Graduate Study at Oxford Medium channel . We've moved the articles that support the application process into this new section of our website.

Application Guide: Statement of purpose

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How to write a postgraduate personal statement

29 th September 2021

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Applying for postgraduate study? This guide supports you in writing a great postgraduate personal statement that’s tailored to your course.

What do admissions tutors look for

How to write a personal statement

What to write

Check and check again

What do admissions tutors look for in a postgraduate personal statement.

A personal statement is part of your university application. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for a course. Admissions tutors want to know why you want to study the course and how your experiences make you the ideal candidate.

The difference between a postgraduate application from an undergraduate one is that it is fully tailored to a particular university’s course. As an undergraduate, your statement is more generic as it can be sent to five universities. Whereas your postgraduate personal statement is for one course only – it should be a lot more specific to what and where you’re applying for.

Postgraduate study is also a significant level up from undergraduate, so avoid using the statement you wrote for your bachelor’s course as a template. The admissions team is interested in how you’ve grown since your previous studies.

Writing a personal statement for university is different to writing one for a job application. It should show your academic interests and explain why the university will help develop your learning and research. You’re not trying to charm the reader. Instead, you're providing insight into who you are, your achievements and your enthusiasm for the course.

Before putting pen to paper, read through all information about the course and what you need to do to apply.

If you can, arrange to speak with one of the course tutors or a current student to discuss what admissions tutors are looking for. Are you able to see examples of successful personal statements from previous applicants?

Your relevant academic and practical experiences
The bits about the course that particularly interest you
Anything else the university has asked you to include

You can then use this to structure your plan.

Carefully plan what you’re going to write in each paragraph to ensure you include all the important information and present it coherently. Your course will demand effective communication from you, and admissions tutors will look for evidence of this in your writing.

An interesting introduction that outlines your academic background and relevant experiences
Engaging middle paragraphs that detail, with examples, how your interests, achievements and experiences make you right for the course
A strong conclusion that pulls together the main points and summarises why you want to study it

Each paragraph and sentence should flow logically into the next. If you want, you can split up sections with headings (like ‘Academic achievements’ or ‘Career goals’) to make the statement easy to navigate.

For the word count, check with the university you’re applying to, as each may ask for different things.

What to write in a personal statement

You want to show how your interests and experiences make you the right person.

How will the course help with your future goals?
What experiences do you have that provide evidence of your interest in the course?
What modules or projects in your undergraduate degree really challenged your thinking?
How has any employment shaped your ambitions?
Have any personal or public events inspired you?
Which books have you read, or activities have you been involved in, that have influenced you?

Rather than just listing experiences, explain how they shaped you and how they will help you succeed. There’s no need to write down your qualifications as the admissions tutor will have these details with the rest of your application.

What are your hobbies?
Are you part of any sports teams or societies?
Do you volunteer?

This builds a picture of who you are and what you’ll be like as a student. If you want to and if relevant, refer to challenges you encountered during the pandemic – but in a positive way.

You don’t need to include everything in your statement. It should highlight the key information and leave the reader wanting to interview you to find out more.

The admissions team will be looking through many personal statements – they want to see a variety of experiences and stories. You can reflect this in your writing style; avoid repetition and use a variety of words to paint a unique picture.

Try not to use obvious phrases such as ‘I have always been interested in...’ or a gimmicky opening line like a famous quote. Instead, get to the point quickly and say in your voice why you’re excited about the course.

Be concise and make every word count. What you write should be relevant and honest, demonstrating your potential. Everything should be balanced; you can be confident in your abilities but try not to come across as arrogant. Show why you should be given the place, but don’t beg.

First-person narrative
Correct use of spelling, grammar and punctuation
Varied and interesting vocabulary
A positive and friendly, yet professional tone
Paragraphs that flow logically into the next
Clear and concise points backed up with evidence
Clichéd language
Waffle or too much irrelevant information
Vague or confusing sentences
Excuses for gaps in your experience

Proofread your statement to check that your points are clear and there are no spelling or grammatical errors. You can use spellchecking tools and free writing assistants like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to perfect your work. Reading your statement aloud can be helpful to see if it makes sense and flows well.

Ask at least one other person to read through and check it. This could be a friend, family member, careers adviser or a tutor if you’re still at university. A second pair of eyes may spot anything that doesn’t make sense or errors that you’ve missed.

Personal statement tips

Give yourself plenty of time to write, edit and check
Take lots of breaks and return to your work with fresh eyes
Make sure your statement is unique and written by you
If you’re an international student, say why you want to study in the UK
Be prepared to talk about what you’ve written in an interview
And if you’re applying for more than one course, make sure to write a different, tailored statement for each application!

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Personal statements for postgraduate applications

A well-crafted Masters personal statement is the key to convincing admissions tutors that you deserve a place on a postgraduate course. Discover the dos and don'ts of writing a personal statement and take a look at some examples for inspiration

What is a personal statement?

'We certainly find the personal statement an essential part of the application process,' says Helen Hayes, assistant registrar (postgraduate and non-standard admissions) at Aberystwyth University.

A Masters personal statement is a piece of writing that you submit as part of your postgraduate application . It's your first real chance to sell yourself to the university and to demonstrate to admissions tutors that you're right for the course.

It's likely that you've already written a personal statement for your Bachelors degree , so this should give you some idea of what to expect. However, don't be tempted to use your undergraduate personal statement as a template. You will have progressed academically since then and admissions tutors will want to see evidence of this.

Your postgraduate personal statement should be unique and tailored to the course that you're applying to. Use the opportunity to show off your academic interests and abilities, and to demonstrate that the programme will benefit from your attendance as much as you'll benefit from studying it.

'From an admissions officer perspective, given that we have to read a large number of personal statements, we are always keen to see enthusiasm, interest and passion for the subject emanating off the page,' adds Helen.

How long should a postgraduate personal statement be?

A Masters personal statement should be around 500 words. This equates to one side of A4. However, some universities require more, often two sides. Some institutions also set a character limit instead of a specific word count, so it's important that you check the application guidelines before starting to write your statement.

As they're relatively short in nature, don't waste words on autobiographical information. This isn't necessary in postgraduate personal statements. Instead, focus on why you want to study a particular programme and your potential to successfully complete the course.

What should I include in a Masters personal statement?

You should tailor your personal statement to fit the course you're applying for, so what to include will largely depend on the course requirements. However, in general you should write about:

Your reasons for applying for a particular programme and why you deserve a place above other candidates - discuss your academic interests, career goals and the university and department's reputation, and write about which aspects of the course you find most appealing, such as modules or work experience opportunities. Show that you're ready for the demands of postgraduate life by demonstrating your passion, knowledge and experience.
Your preparation - address how undergraduate study has prepared you for a postgraduate course, mentioning your independent work (e.g. dissertation) and topics that most interested you.
Evidence of your skillset - highlight relevant skills and knowledge that will enable you to make an impact on the department, summarising your abilities in core areas including IT, numeracy, organisation, communication, time management and critical thinking. You can also cover any grades, awards, work placements, extra readings or conferences that you've attended and how these have contributed to your readiness for Masters study.
Your goals - explain your career aspirations and how the course will help you achieve them. 'Describe how studying your chosen course fits in with your long-term ambitions and career path,' advises Helen.

Address any clear weaknesses, such as lower-than-expected module performance in your undergraduate degree or gaps in your education history. The university will want to know about these, so explain them with a positive spin. 'We look for positive reflection in situations like this,' explains Helen. 'Cover how things have been addressed and what will be different in your proposed postgraduate studies.'

How should I structure my personal statement?

Your personal statement should follow a logical, methodical structure, where each paragraph follows on from the one before. Make sure paragraphs are short, succinct, clear and to the point. Remember, you only have 500 words to use.

Capture the reader's attention with an enthusiastic introduction covering why you want to study a particular Masters. Then, engage the reader in your middle paragraphs by summing up your academic and employment background, evidencing your knowledge and skills and demonstrating why the course is right for you.

Your conclusion should be concise, summarising why you're the ideal candidate. Overall, aim for five or six paragraphs. You can use headings to break up the text if you prefer.

The majority of postgraduate applications are submitted online directly to the university. If this is the case, present your personal statement in a standard font such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman, text size 11 or 12. If your course application is submitted through UKPASS (UCAS's postgraduate application service) font style won't matter, as personal statements are automatically formatted.

How can I write a good postgraduate personal statement?

Give yourself plenty of time and don't rush . Your personal statement can make or break your application so it needs to be perfect. Tutors can tell if you're bluffing, and showing yourself up as uninformed could be costly. Before you start, read the rules and guidelines provided, check the selection criteria and research the course and institution.
The best personal statements adopt a positive, enthusiastic and professional tone and are presented in clear, short sentences . Avoid elaborate or overly complicated phrases. Unless otherwise stated, all postgraduate personal statements should be written in English and your spelling, grammar and punctuation must be spot on, as the personal statement acts as a test of your written communication ability.
Don't use the same supporting statement for every course . Admissions tutors can spot copy-and-paste jobs. Generic applications demonstrate that you have little understanding of the course. In order to stand out from the crowd, Masters personal statements must be unique and specific to the course and institution.
Draft and redraft your statement until you're happy . Then ask a friend, family member or careers adviser to read it. Proofreading is incredibly important to avoid mistakes. Memorise what you've written before any interviews.

What do I need to avoid?

follow online examples too closely
use your undergraduate UCAS application as a template
be negative
lie or exaggerate
use clichés, gimmicks, humour, over-used words such as 'passion' or Americanisms
include inspirational quotes
make pleading/begging statements
needlessly flatter the organisation
include irrelevant course modules, personal facts or extra-curricular activities
namedrop key authors without explanation
use overly long sentences
repeat information found elsewhere in your application
leave writing your personal statement to the last minute.

How should I start my Masters personal statement?

Try not to waste too much time coming up with a catchy opening. The more you try, the more contrived you'll sound and the more likely you are to fall into the trap of using clichés.

Avoid using overused phrases, such as:

For as long as I can remember…
From a young age…
I am applying for this course because…
Throughout my life I have always enjoyed…
I have always been interested in…
I have always been passionate about…
I have always wanted to pursue a career in…
Reflecting on my educational experiences…

Admissions tutors read hundreds of applications per course so the opening paragraph of your personal statement needs to get straight to the point and make a real impact. Avoid overkill statements, gimmicks and popular quotes.

If you're really struggling, come back and tackle the opening once you have written the rest.

How should I end my personal statement?

Conclusions should be short, sharp and memorable, and leave no doubt in an admissions tutor's mind that you deserve a place on a course.

The perfect ending should pull all of your key points together without waffling or repeating yourself.

Like the rest of your Masters personal statement, keep the ending simple. Be succinct and make it clear why you'll be an asset to the university and end on a positive note, with a statement about why the institution would be lucky to have you as a student.

What are admissions tutors are looking for?

an explanation of how the course links your past and future
an insight into your academic and non-academic abilities, and how they'll fit with the course
evidence of your skills, commitment and enthusiasm
knowledge of the institution's area of expertise
reasons why you want to study at the institution
demonstrable interest in the subject, perhaps including some academic references or readings.

Personal statement examples

The style and content of your postgraduate personal statement depends on several variables, such as the type of qualification that you're applying for - such as a Masters degree , a conversion course or teacher training . Here are some postgraduate personal statement templates to help you get started:

Business management personal statement

Postgraduate courses in business management are popular among graduates. To make your application stand out your personal statement needs to cover your motivations for choosing a specific course at a particular university, your career goals and how the Masters will help you achieve them. Be sure to mention relevant transferrable skills and work experience, even extra-curricular activities count. Read up on management courses .

Computer science personal statement

If you'd like to complete a Masters but studied an unrelated subject at undergraduate level you'll need to explain why you'd like to change disciplines. In the case of computer science your personal statement will need to show that you possess the technical, mathematical and analytical skills necessary, as well as demonstrate your knowledge of the subject area. Gain an insight into the information technology sector .

Law personal statement

You'll apply for an LLM the same way you would for any other Masters, directly to the university. Whether you're undertaking a general LLM or a more specific programme, such as an LLM in human rights or international business law, you'll need to convey why you want to study the law in more depth and how this could potentially aid your career. Discover more about LLM degrees .

Nursing personal statement

If you didn't study the subject at undergraduate level but you'd like to apply for a postgraduate course in nursing your personal statement needs to convey your reasons for choosing this career path, as well as demonstrate a specific set of skills, knowledge of the working environment and relevant experience. Find out more about working as an adult or children's nurse .

Psychology personal statement

Applications for conversion courses such as these are fairly straightforward and made directly to individual institutions. You need to explain why you want to change subjects and how your current subject will help you. Explain what experience you have that will help with your conversion subject, and what you hope to do in the future. Learn more about psychology conversion courses .

Social work personal statement

If your Bachelors degree was in an unrelated subject but you now have ambitions to work as a social worker you'll need a Masters in social work (MSW) to qualify. Social work Masters have a substantial work placement element so you'll need to cover what you hope to achieve during this time as well as demonstrate other relevant experience. Find out more about social work courses .

PGCE primary personal statement

As well as detailing why you want to work with this particular age group, a PGCE primary personal statement should highlight the ways in which your educational background has inspired you to teach. You'll need to cover relevant skills you have gained and any related work experience, as well as demonstrate your knowledge of the primary national curriculum. Read up on PGCEs .

PGCE secondary personal statement

You'll need to cover why you want to teach at secondary level while also acknowledging the pressures and challenges of working with older pupils. As you'll be teaching a specific subject, you'll need to evidence your knowledge in this area and demonstrate how your first degree was relevant. It's also essential to highlight any related work or voluntary experience. Learn more about teaching personal statements .

Find out more

Search postgraduate courses .
Find out what else you must consider when applying for a Masters degree .
Completed your application? Discover what postgraduate interview questions you may be asked.

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How to Write a Stand-Out Personal Statement for Your Graduate School Application

How to write a personal statement for grad school

While deciding to embark on the path to graduate school is an exciting first step toward advancing your career, the application process can sometimes feel daunting and confusing.

One major part of the application that most schools require is a personal statement. Writing a personal statement can be an arduous task: After all, most people don’t necessarily enjoy writing about themselves, let alone at length.

A compelling personal statement, however, can help bring your application to the top of the admissions pile. Below, we’ve outlined what you need to know about crafting a personal statement to make your application shine.

What Is a Personal Statement?

The point of a personal statement is for the admissions board to gain a deeper understanding of who you are apart from your education and work experience. It explains why you’re the right fit for the program and a worthwhile applicant. It’s also an opportunity to highlight important factors that may not be readily available in the rest of your application.

A personal statement is different from a statement of purpose (if you’re asked for that as well). A statement of purpose will touch on your academic and career goals, as well as your past credentials. While those should also be discussed in your personal statement, it’s more about your life experiences and how they’ve shaped you and your journey to graduate school.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Personal Statement

Before you start crafting your essay, there are a few prompts you can ask yourself to help clarify what you want to accomplish.

What are the key points you want to communicate about yourself?
What personal characteristics or skills do you have that make you a strong candidate for this field?
What exactly are your career goals, and how does graduate school play into them?
What have you learned about this field already? When did you first choose to follow this path, and what do you enjoy about it?
What do you think is important for the admissions board to know specifically about you?
Are there any discrepancies or causes for concern in your application you need to address? For example, is there a career and schooling gap, or a low GPA at one point? This is the time to discuss whether a personal hardship may have affected your academics or career.
Have you dealt with any unusual obstacles or difficulties in your life? How have they affected and shaped you?
What sets you apart and makes you unique from other graduate school applicants?
What factors in your life have brought you to where you are today?

Top Tips for Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement

Pick a few points to emphasize about yourself . Introduce yourself to the admissions board. Select key factors about your background that you want the university to know — elements that reveal what kind of person you are and demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate for the school and field of study.

Be very specific . Again, a personal statement is all about communicating what distinguishes you from other applicants. To accomplish that, you need to share specific anecdotes that underscore your statements. If you say you’re a strong leader, present an example of a time you’ve proven that skill through work, school or your personal life. These specific, personal stories provide a deeper understanding of who you are and prove your intentions.

Do your research . Demonstrate what attracted you to the program. If there is a specific faculty member or class that caught your attention, or another aspect of the program that greatly interests you, convey it. This shows you’ve truly researched the school and have a passion for the program.

“Whatever the topic may be, I would recommend writing in a manner that reflects or parallels the institution’s and/or department’s missions, goals and values,” said Moises Cortés, a graduate/international credentials analyst for the Office of Graduate Admission at USC .

Address any gaps or discrepancies . Explain any factors that may have impacted your academic career. If you had an illness or any other personal hardships that affected your grades or work, discuss them. If there is a discrepancy between your grades and your test scores, you can also take the time to go over any extenuating circumstances.

Strike the right tone . While it’s important to give readers a glimpse of your personality, avoid oversharing or revealing intimate details of your life experiences. You should also avoid making jokes or using humorous cliches. Maintain a professional tone throughout your writing.

Start strong and finish strong . As with any piece of writing, you want to draw in your readers immediately. Make sure to start off with an interesting and captivating introduction. Similarly, your conclusion should be a well-written, engaging finish to the essay that highlights any important points.

“ For a personal statement, I think the first and last paragraphs are most important and should always relate the program they are applying to their own experiences and ideas,” Hoon H. Kang, a graduate/international credential analyst with the Office of Graduate Admission, told USC Online.

Proofread, proofread and proofread again . We can’t emphasize enough the importance of rereading your work. Your personal statement is also an analysis of your writing skills, so ensure you have proper grammar and spelling throughout. In addition, we recommend having multiple people look over your statement before submission. They can help with the proofreading (a second person always catches a mistake the writer may miss), give advice about the statement’s structure and content, and confirm it’s the proper recommended length.

Once you’ve considered all of the above and reviewed and edited your personal statement to perfection, it’s time to submit and check off any remaining application requirements, including your resume and letters of recommendation .

Personal statements are arguably one of the most challenging aspects of applying to graduate school, so make sure to revel in this accomplishment and acknowledge your successes.

For more information, visit the Office of Graduate Admission at USC and explore USC Online ’s master’s degrees, doctoral programs and graduate certificates.

Human Resources Personal Statement Examples

1 Personal Statement Example Links
2 Career Opportunities
3 UK Admission Requirements
4 UK Earnings Potential For Human Resources
5 Similar Courses in UK
6 UK Curriculum
7 Alumni Network

Personal Statement Example Links

Personal Statement Example 1
Personal Statement Example 2
Personal Statement Example 3
Personal Statement Example 4
Personal Statement Example 5
Personal Statement Example 6

Ever been intrigued by the pivotal role of people in an organisation’s success? Interested in strategising to attract, develop, and retain talent in a business environment?

If so, a degree in Human Resources could be your perfect pathway. This dynamic field equips you with the skills to manage and develop an organisation’s most valuable asset: its people.

A degree in Human Resources can provide the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the industry. This article will provide an overview of the Human Resources degree, as well as some personal statement examples to help you craft your own.

The Human Resources degree is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful HR professionals. Students will learn about the fundamentals of HR, including employee recruitment and selection, employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training and development. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the legal and ethical considerations of HR, as well as the role of technology in the field.

In addition to the core curriculum, students may choose to specialize in a particular area of Human Resources. Specializations may include talent management, labor relations, organizational development, or global HR. Students may also choose to pursue a minor in a related field, such as business, psychology, or sociology.

👍 When writing a personal statement : Highlight your passion for the course, demonstrating your understanding of it. Use relevant personal experiences, coursework, or work history to showcase how these have fostered your interest and readiness for the course.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Human Resources can open up a wide range of career opportunities. Professionals with a degree in Human Resources can pursue careers in a variety of industries and sectors. These include:

Human Resources Management: Human Resources Managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Human Resources department, including recruitment, training, compensation, and employee relations.
Recruiting and Staffing: Recruiters and staffing specialists are responsible for finding, interviewing, and hiring the best talent for an organization.
Training and Development: Training and development professionals are responsible for designing and delivering training programs to help employees develop their skills and knowledge.
Compensation and Benefits: Compensation and benefits professionals are responsible for designing and managing compensation and benefits programs for employees.
Employee Relations: Employee relations specialists are responsible for resolving conflicts between employees and management and ensuring a positive work environment.
Labour Relations: Labor relations specialists are responsible for negotiating and enforcing labor contracts and resolving disputes between labour unions and management
Human Resources Information Systems: Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) professionals are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining Human Resources software systems.
Human Resources Consulting: Human Resources consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of Human Resources topics, such as recruitment, training, compensation, and employee relations.
Employment Law: Employment law specialists are responsible for advising organisations on employment legislation, representing clients in employment-related disputes, handling cases related to issues such as discrimination, unfair dismissal, and workplace harassment, and helping to create and implement policies that comply with current laws and regulations.

UK Admission Requirements

In order to be accepted into the Human Resources course at the University of Kent, applicants must have achieved a minimum of a 2:1 in their undergraduate degree. This is the same entry requirement for most other Human Resources courses in the UK.

In addition to the minimum 2:1 grade requirement, applicants must also have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and Maths. This is a standard requirement for most university courses in the UK.

Applicants must also demonstrate a good understanding of the subject matter by providing evidence of previous study in the field, such as a related degree or a professional qualification. This is similar to other Human Resources courses in the UK, which often require applicants to have some prior knowledge of the subject.

Finally, applicants must also provide a personal statement outlining their motivation for studying Human Resources and their career aspirations. This is a standard requirement for most university courses in the UK.

UK Earnings Potential For Human Resources

The average earnings for someone with a degree in Human Resources will vary depending on the individual’s level of experience, the region they are working in, and the type of job they are doing. Generally, the median salary for Human Resources professionals in the UK is £37,000 per year. This figure is expected to increase in the coming years due to a growing demand for HR professionals in the UK.

Trends in the job market indicate that the demand for HR professionals is increasing, particularly in the public sector. This is due to the need for organisations to ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations. Additionally, the shift towards remote working has created a need for HR professionals to manage the transition and ensure that employees are supported in their new working environment. As a result, HR professionals with the necessary skills and experience are likely to be in high demand in the near future.

Similar Courses in UK

Other university courses related to Human Resources are Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, and Human Resource Management.

Business Administration is a broader field that covers many topics, including Human Resources. It covers topics such as accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and operations management. It also covers the core topics of Human Resources such as recruitment, selection, compensation, and performance management.

Organisational Leadership is a course that focuses on the development of leadership skills and the ability to manage and motivate teams. It covers topics such as communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution. It also covers topics such as team dynamics, organizational culture, and change management.

Human Resource Management is a course that focuses specifically on the management of people within an organization. It covers topics such as recruitment, selection, training and development, compensation, and performance management. It also covers topics such as labor relations, employee benefits, and legal compliance.

The key differences between these courses are the topics covered and the focus of each course. Business Administration covers a wide range of topics related to business, while Organizational Leadership focuses on the development of leadership skills and the ability to manage and motivate teams. Human Resource Management focuses specifically on the management of people within an organization.

UK Curriculum

The key topics and modules covered in a Human Resources (HR) course may include:

1. Introduction to HR: This module covers the basics of HR, such as recruitment, selection, training, development, and performance management. It also introduces the legal and ethical considerations of HR.

2. Employee Relations: This module focuses on the relationship between employers and employees, including topics such as labor laws, employee rights, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution.

3. Compensation and Benefits: This module covers topics such as job evaluation, wage and salary administration, employee benefits, and payroll management.

4. Organisational Development: This module focuses on the development of organizational culture, including topics such as strategic planning, organizational change, and team building.

5. Talent Management: This module covers topics such as talent acquisition, talent retention, and talent development.

6. Human Resources Information Systems: This module focuses on the use of technology in HR, including topics such as HRIS, HR analytics, and HR technology trends.

Hands-on experience or practical work in a Human Resources course may include:

1. Developing and implementing recruitment and selection processes.

2. Designing and implementing employee training and development programs.

3. Developing and implementing performance management systems.

4. Developing and implementing compensation and benefits plans.

Alumni Network

One notable alumni from the Human Resources course is Tammy L. Brown. Tammy is a Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience in the field. She is currently the Vice President of Human Resources at a major healthcare organization. Tammy has been recognized for her contributions to the field, including being named one of the Top 25 Most Influential HR Professionals in 2019. Tammy is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, and is a mentor to many aspiring HR professionals.

The Human Resources course offers alumni events and networking opportunities throughout the year. These events include alumni gatherings, professional development workshops, and career fairs. These events provide alumni with the opportunity to connect with each other and to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the field. Additionally, the course offers an alumni network, which allows alumni to stay connected and to share resources and job opportunities.

Reach out to us for career and sponsorship opportunities

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Career Zone

How to Write a Great Postgraduate Personal Statement

Clare Johnson is the Career Zone Officer, based on the Streatham Campus.

Getting started:

You’ve done some research about choosing postgraduate study on our website: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/pgstudy/
You may have discussed your options with a Careers Consultant, by contacting us to book an appointment via our live chat at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/ in person at your Career Zone, or by phone on 01392 724493.
You’ve decided postgraduate study is for you.

Now all that stands between you and that fantastic postgraduate course is a great application, particularly the crafting of a persuasive personal statement. The statement is your chance to show what you have to offer and how good a match you are for the course.

How can you maximise your chances of success? Here are some tips to help you:

Preparation:

Plan ahead as you’ll often need to submit your application early, particularly if the course is very competitive. Think about who you might ask for references and who could give you feedback. Start doing some research on the institution and the course.
Read the Rules and Guidelines provided by the Institution. Many universities will have a particular procedure they want you to adopt and will give you advice about this. Also check the selection criteria.

Getting Started: 3 top tips

Keep the focus on why you want to study a particular programme and your potential to successfully complete the course.
Use a positive, enthusiastic and professional tone and aim for clarity of expression. If you enjoy writing the statement, that will shine through.
Tailor your statement to the course you’re applying for and make it unique.

Structure your Personal Statement

Although there’s no single way to write a personal statement, the following guidelines are useful to consider:

Your statement should have an introduction, main body and conclusion and follow a clear methodical structure.
The introduction should get straight to the point, to grab the reader’s attention from the beginning, and show your enthusiasm for studying the course.
The main body should cover your academic and employment background, giving evidence of your knowledge and skills and showing why you’re a good match for the course.
The conclusion should summarise why you’re the ideal candidate and how you would be an asset to the University.
Length: C heck the guidelines given by the university you’re applying for. A statement can be as short as 500 words, or as long as around 1500 words. If it’s not specified, go for about one and half sides of A4, around 1000-1500 words. Some institutions set a character limit instead.

Show you’re ready to undertake postgraduate study

Give the admissions tutors evidence of your enthusiasm, commitment and motivation for further study and research.
Demonstrate your skills, and how they’ll fit with the course, e.g. time management, critical thinking, resilience, communication.
Cover any grades, awards, work placements, extra readings or conferences that you’ve attended and how these have contributed to your readiness for Masters study. Show how you’re motivated to do high levels of independent research, and mention completed projects and dissertations.
Address any obvious weaknesses, such as lower-than-expected module grades in your undergraduate degree or gaps in your education history. The university will want to know about these, so explain them with a positive spin.

Do your homework on the institution and the course.

Show admissions tutors you know something about the institution you’re applying to. Say why you want to study there and what makes the institution stand out from others. Be specific, and if you’ve visited the institution or would like to work with a particular academic, for example, remember to mention it in your application. 
Explain why the course at this particular university appeals to you. The course may have a distinct structure, modules which are exclusive to this course or links to industry, for example.

Show how the course links to your past studies and your future career

If the course is a development of what you’ve studied before, you can demonstrate how your academic study to date, is relevant. Evidence your interest in the subject, perhaps including some academic references or readings. Outline any particular skills you have to offer.
If the course a completely new direction you can show how you will deal with the academic challenges which might arise. 
Giving some indication of which career you might want to get into will show selectors you have a good motivation for doing well on this course. Show evidence that this is an informed career decision.

Thoroughly check your grammar, spelling and punctuation

Your written communication skills are also being assessed so taking the time to get these right will be time well spent.

Ask for feedback

You may have read your statement a hundred times over, but it always helps to have others look over it too. The Career Zone offers one to one appointments for feedback on postgraduate personal statements, bookable via the methods outlined at the start of this blog.
It’s also a good idea to show your statement to an academic in the field.

References

In many cases you’ll need to give the names of two academic referees.  These would usually be a tutor and a lecturer from your course since they’ll need to comment on your academic capabilities and suitability for the programme of study you’re applying for.

A great personal statement will show the value you’ll add to the programme, as much as what you’ll gain from it, and why you’re worthy of a place on the course.

There’s plenty more useful information and advice here:

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/helpwith/helpwithapplyingforpostgraduatestudy/

I hope you’ve found these tips on writing a great postgraduate application helpful. Allowing yourself time to complete your application will give you the best chance of success. Good luck with your applications.

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program. You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important. However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
Specific examples to support that narrative.
Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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Effective HR Manager Personal Statements to Consider

Table of Contents

A successful human resources manager manages both the work and its workers. This involves having a deep understanding of how to use the tools and resources available to create an environment conducive to creativity and productivity.

This article has tips and examples to help human resources managers craft good statements. In the end, you should be able to find an effective HR manager personal statement that fits your needs.

Tips for Writing an Effective HR Manager Personal Statement

A successful human resources manager must be able to successfully manage both the work and its workers.

Crafting a statement that effectively articulates this is essential for standing out from other applicants. It helps demonstrate why you are best suited for the position. Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing an effective human resources management personal statement .

Understand Your Audience

The first thing you have to do is to understand your audience. Are you writing the personal statement to apply to a school or for a human resources manager role in a company? An understanding of the audience will help you tailor your statement accordingly.

Showcase Relevant Experience

Your experience is one of the most important factors in your application. Irrespective of who your audience is, they want to know how you handled previous human resources management positions.

So, you shouldn’t forget to highlight it! Demonstrate how you have applied your skills in real-world situations by detailing past positions or projects you’ve worked on and their results.

Keep It Concise

Yes, it’s like an essay, but you shouldn’t make it too lengthy. An effective statement does not need to be lengthy. A few short paragraphs should suffice. Utilize succinct yet descriptive language to make sure your message is clear. Avoid repeating yourself; instead, focus on painting a vivid picture of your capabilities.

four people watching on white MacBook on top of glass-top table

Offer Specific Examples

It can be difficult to quantify the impact of certain achievements, especially if they happen while working with a team. To really emphasize your accomplishments, provide concrete evidence using facts and figures wherever possible.

Well-Written HR Manager Personal Statement Templates

We have some well-written samples of human resources manager personal statements for you. These samples paint a clearer picture of what your statement should look like.

I am an experienced human resources manager who is highly motivated to pursue a postgraduate degree to further my development. With five years of experience as a human resources manager, I have extensive knowledge of recruitment strategies, conflict resolution, and employee benefits.

My practical knowledge, combined with a university education’s theoretical framework, will allow me to expand my expertise. My ultimate goal is to use what I learn to build a more positive workplace environment for employees. I hope to build an environment where everyone can access the resources they need to succeed.

In addition to providing guidance and advice on human resources matters, I also strive to build trust and relationships among coworkers and leaders. I do this through effective communication and support. With strong organizational abilities, excellent problem-solving skills, and proficiency in multiple languages, I’m confident in my ability to rise to any academic challenge. I’m excited about continuing my journey of professional growth by pursuing a postgraduate degree.

I have had a distinguished career in the business world. And now, I am ready to take my professional development to the next level with postgraduate studies. As an experienced HR manager, I possess an extensive understanding of employee relations, organizational design and leadership training. These are all key components for any successful business. To ensure that I remain at the cutting edge of this ever-evolving field, I’m eager to pursue a university degree. This will allow me to refine my skills and expand upon my existing expertise.

With over ten years of experience managing complex groups, I believe I can bring valuable insight to the classroom. My impressive track record has seen me lead major projects while also inspiring others through mentorship and coaching. In addition, I am able to combine advanced technical knowledge with superior interpersonal communication — essential attributes for any leader.

Above all else, I view education as a lifelong pursuit, and it’s my goal to become the best version of myself. For this reason, I’m confident that furthering my studies will enable me to create tangible value for businesses seeking innovative leaders.

As a highly experienced human resources manager with over 15 years of experience, I have developed and implemented many new HR policies. These policies include training, recruitment, employee relations, payroll, and compliance. My passion for this field stems from my innate desire to nurture the growth of employees within an organization. I want to build a harmonious work environment through equitable plans and effective communication.

I possess the ability to recognize potential conflicts among staff and also identify ways to resolve them swiftly. Additionally, I am adept at liaising between executive-level management and teams to ensure all parties are being heard and respected. This has enabled me to build strong relationships with staff as well as foster successful partnerships between departments throughout numerous organizations.

My goal is to utilize my expertise to help the business while ensuring the best interests of the company and its workers. I look forward to working with you and offering a fresh perspective on how to optimize human resources management practices.

As a seasoned HR manager, I am passionate about developing and implementing new policies to improve the organization’s growth and success. My expertise in human resources management includes hiring top talent, monitoring staff performance, and creating employee benefits packages. With my background in human resources operations, I look forward to bringing fresh ideas to the role and helping the business reach higher heights.

I thrive on being part of a team where collaboration is encouraged, creativity abounds, and innovation is rewarded. I have an eagerness to learn and apply new strategies to make sure companies stay competitive in this ever-evolving market. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and analytical tools, I develop effective solutions to meet organizational objectives. Additionally, my interpersonal skills empower me to foster positive relationships with personnel at all levels.

As a dedicated professional with considerable experience in human resources management, I am confident that I could make a tangible contribution to your organization. Thank you for considering my candidacy.

The human resources manager is an important member of any organization. They see to the management of individuals in the organization. The HR manager personal statement templates above were generated with the Hey INK tool . You can also generate something like this or even better with the tool.

Effective HR Manager Personal Statements to Consider

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Business and Human Resource Management Personal Statement

The most important character trait of a business owner is the ability to take a risk. To many, the thought of a career based on risks can be unnerving, but I personally have always been fascinated by ‘what if’; a trait I share with my father.

After being made redundant at the age of 37, with three young children, my father was able to turn uncertainty and a fear of the unknown into a dynamic, thriving business, which after 17 years is continuously growing; all thanks to taking a risk. This is what inspired me to take a risk and branch out of the relative safety of my hometown and apply to study business at university, with the hope that maybe one day I too can turn a ‘what if’ into my reality. Aside from the wish of following in my father’s footsteps, one of my main motivational factors to study business is the opportunity to work in an ever-changing and dynamic industry, which provides opportunities and career paths into an endless variety of fields and sectors. My intrigue in this subject has always been particularly sparked by the heart of a business: it’s people. I believe that the success of a business ultimately lies with the people within it which is why I wish to study Business and Human Resource Management.

Since childhood I have always been a talkative and friendly person and have had a strong desire to help others, something that has helped me throughout my job working as a bar tender at a local restaurant, The Dyffryn Arms. This job has provided me with a lot of opportunities to further my personal skills, including my communication skills and problem solving skills. My job has presented me with a wide variety of responsibilities which I have undertaken to the best of my ability, such as having had the opportunity to help with the training of new members of staff, something that I have thoroughly enjoyed. It has also led me to be able to efficiently work within a team and effectively communicating with my team members to ensure the smooth running of the business. Prior to my current job, I also worked for my father’s business Pressure Washer Services. This experience also allowed me a closer look into a realistic day-to-day view of human resource management and how various techniques can affect the effectiveness and efficiency with which employees undertake their tasks which I have since been able to apply to my studies to further understand this concept.

In my spare time I try to surround myself with my friends and family and strive to make time to socialise with them as I have strong family values and think that their support and encouragement is vital in my future success.

I also have a keen interest in current events and politics and like to keep up with both which I also find broadens my knowledge and allows me to have a more varied insight to the world and the people within it.

Throughout my education, I have always been very determined and driven to push myself to achieving the best results possible and feel that the challenge of a university degree can allow me to further my skills.

I am currently studying A-level Business, BTEC Extended Certificate in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship and Welsh Baccalaureate in Neath Port Talbot College. I am thoroughly enjoying all 3 of these subject areas as each give different views into the world of business as well as an insight into the wider world, something I particularly been intrigued by whilst studying for the Welsh Baccalaureate. As well as having a particular interest in business, I have also studied Sociology and AS Law, areas I chose to study due to my interest in society and how people interact with each other. Whilst neither of these subject were my main career goal, I do feel that the combination of studying Law, Sociology and Business has allowed me to develop a well-rounded knowledge of Human Resource Management which I would love to study further at university. I am excited and optimistic about the future and ready to see what opportunities it may hold.

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Postgraduate/Master’s Personal Statements

What Is a Personal Statement?

What to include in your personal statement, things to avoid in your personal statement, tips for writing a personal statement, final thoughts, postgraduate/master’s personal statements.

Updated January 5, 2024

You have chosen the postgraduate or master’s course that you want to apply for and you are just starting the application process.

As part of the application, you are usually expected to add a personal statement – but how can you make sure your statement stands out and makes a strong case for your admission?

Read on to find out.

The General Educational Development Test (GED)

A personal statement is your best opportunity to sell yourself to the admissions team . Your personal statement is sent with your application and is the first impression the admissions team will have of you.

The postgraduate personal statement should be a brief description of your experience, skills and knowledge. This summary needs to provide evidence of your achievements , relevant awards and extra-curricular activities that set you apart from other applicants.

It is not an autobiography – the admissions team are not interested in personal details not related to your chosen course. Instead, they want to know how prepared you are to study with them and why they should choose you.

If you are looking to study for a postgraduate qualification, the likelihood is you will have already completed an undergraduate course and will be familiar with the application process you went through for that. The postgraduate personal statement needs to show that you have developed academically since then, so don’t be tempted to use your undergraduate personal statement as a template.

Remember, the admissions team will read hundreds of personal statements. You will need to ensure that your personal statement stands out from the rest. Make sure it answers all their questions and clearly shows why you would be perfect for your chosen course.

When you are planning to write your personal statement, make sure you find out whether there are specific guidelines from the university about its content.

As a general guide, here are the main topics you should include:

Why do you want to apply for postgraduate study? – Think about what made you decide to further your education in this subject. Be specific. Mention your career aspirations and goals .
Why do you want to apply for this institution? – Does the university have a stellar reputation? Is there a member of staff that you are excited to work with? Do your research, use specific facts and information, and try not to overly flatter the institution and appear insincere.
What about the course are you most interested in or excited about? – Does it offer work experience placements? Do you have an interest in a particular module?
What previous experience do you have? – This is a great place to mention grades, extra-curricular activities, awards or experiences that make you an ideal candidate.
What skills do you have that mean you are prepared to undertake postgraduate study? – These might include organisation, communication , IT, time management and critical thinking .
What are your weaknesses and how do you overcome them? – The institution will notice any gaps in education and/or employment and will want an explanation. Your personal statement is a great place to address this, as well as any lower than expected grades. Make sure you explain honestly what happened and describe what you did to overcome it and what you have learnt from the experience. For example, you may have got a lower grade due to missed modules through illness, but you made the effort to do extra reading to catch up.
Why do you deserve a place on the course? – What makes you the ideal student for this particular course? Think about things you have done that have gone over and above requirements or particular interests/successes you have had.

How Your Personal Statement Should Be Structured

A personal statement needs:

An introduction
A middle section/main argument
A conclusion

The tone you need to use should be positive and enthusiastic. Make sure that your passion for the course, subject and institution is well demonstrated through your choice of language – but don’t make it too chatty and informal.

Usually, the standard requirement for a personal statement is around 500 words , or one side of A4. Do make sure you check the guidelines for your chosen course, as they could need significantly more – or less – and you must follow the course-specific submission rules.

Make sure you use a standard font , such as Arial or Times New Roman, and a font size of 11 or 12 . This means that it will be easy to read and you won’t have to worry about compatibility between different word processing programs.

Short paragraphs are much easier to read and will make each point stand out. You might want to include subheadings if this helps your structure.

Introduction

Your introduction should be engaging but get straight to the point. It should cover who you are and why you are applying.

Avoid clichéd opening statements – the admissions team have read many statements that start “Since I was a child, I have always wanted to study…”.

I am currently in my final year studying for my undergraduate degree in finance and accounting and I am predicted to achieve a 2.1. During my course, I developed an interest in auditing and would like to develop this interest by studying for a master’s at [your university].

Middle Section

The main body of your personal statement should include the answers to the questions you thought about earlier. In short, you should cover why you want to study your chosen course, what attracted you to that particular university and why you are the best candidate.

Try to ensure that half of the information in the main body refers to you and your skills and half relates to the course and the institution. This strikes a good balance and makes sure that you are showing that you have done your research. Make sure that you back up any claims made with evidence.

During my time at university, I spent my vacation time working with my uncle at his accounting firm. This has helped me to broaden my skills and gain a good knowledge of the industry. My dedication and hard work have received great feedback from two of his major clients and I have learnt a great deal about working in finance. This work experience has given me the confidence and skills I need to carry on my studies at [your university]. What interests me about studying for the MSc in Audit Management at [your university] are your links to industry and focus on vocational study. I was very excited to see how many of your graduates go on to win placements with top firms. I am also keen to study with [tutor name] as I was inspired by their work during my undergraduate degree. During my undergraduate degree, I have taken a particular interest in business accounting and have chosen to complete my dissertation on traditional vs risk-based auditing. My interest in this area has been consistent throughout my degree and I have completed all the auditing modules offered to me, gaining top marks throughout and leading study groups after class. I know that [your university] is highly regarded in the auditing field and has been highly commended for its approach to enhancing students’ learning opportunities. I am very excited to make use of all the opportunities that would be open to me. After completing my master’s, I intend to apply for a place on a graduate programme at one of the big four accounting firms to complete my professional qualifications. I am fully aware of the high level of competition that these places attract and I know that proving my abilities with a master’s from [your university] will give me the best chance of success.

The conclusion needs to bring together the key points in your personal statement. It needs to be memorable and leave no doubt that you deserve a place. You need to summarise your main points, put them together (but don’t repeat them) and be short and to the point.

End by thanking the admissions team for reading.

It is important to have an idea of what you should avoid including in your personal statement. To make sure it is the best it can be, make sure you avoid the following:

Negativity – As mentioned above, maintaining a positive and enthusiastic tone is necessary to create a good impression. This negativity can be hard to deal with if you are addressing ‘weaknesses’ in your application, but try to think of ways that you can turn these into a positive wherever possible.
Complicated phrasing – You won’t have a lot of words to waste when it comes to writing a good personal statement, so using overly long sentences or awkward phrasing is not going to help you. Make sure your sentences are concise and to the point.
Clichés – It is hard to be able to avoid a cliché when you are trying to create something engaging. If it seems ‘cheesy’ or false, don’t add it. You also need to be sure to avoid gimmicks, humour and needless flattery.
Exaggeration – Although it can be tempting to make yourself sound better, lying on a personal statement is never a good idea. The admissions team will be able to tell if you are exaggerating, bluffing or lying and it will reflect poorly on you in the long run. Be prepared to back up your claims with evidence.
Irrelevant information – If the information you are including is not related to the course then don’t include it. If you are a champion water-skier and want to use that as evidence that you always strive to succeed – that is fine. If you are just adding it to show off, then it isn’t necessary and creates avoidable ‘waffle’.
Pleading statements – Never appear to beg for your place on the course. You want to show that you would be the perfect choice due to your aspirations and achievements, and they should speak for themselves.

Step 1 . Research

When you begin the application process, make sure you learn everything you can about the course and the institution. You can use this information to add value to your personal statement.

When you are completing the application itself, make sure you fully understand the submission requirements. How many words are they expecting? Does it have to be formatted a certain way? Are they asking for specific examples? Follow the guidelines for each institution to the letter.

Step 2 . Tailor the Statement

The admissions team will recognise a personal statement that has been created from a template or, even worse, copied from the internet. Take the time to write a personal statement that is tailored to the specific institution and course that you are applying for.

In addition, remember that postgraduate study requires a superior level of commitment and experience, so don’t be tempted to revisit your undergraduate personal statement for this.

Step 3 . Provide Evidence

If you want to make a good impression, you need to show off your skills, grades and achievements. This is only valuable when it is backed up with evidence. This is easy enough when it comes to grades but might be more difficult with soft skills like time management – use examples from work or hobbies that demonstrate these.

Step 4 . Don’t Leave It Until the Last Minute

Writing the perfect personal statement takes time. Putting yourself under pressure to complete it close to the deadline will not give you the opportunity to produce something that really showcases your abilities.

Don’t be afraid to take the time to draft and redraft the personal statement until you are happy with it.

Step 5 . Proofread

Your personal statement is an example of your writing ability and standards will be high for postgraduate study. You must use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation throughout.

Once you have completed the statement, get someone else to look at it. Maybe a relative who has a good eye or a careers adviser at the university – someone who can spot any errors and make constructive suggestions where necessary.

A postgraduate or master’s personal statement is the first impression that an admissions tutor will have of you, so make sure it is a good one.

Creating a document that sells your skills, knowledge and desire to study at a postgraduate level is not something that can be created quickly. Take your time, check your work and get someone you trust to make sure it is perfect.

Make sure you do your research and you are prepared to discuss your statement at an interview, if you have one. Ensure that you know what points you have covered in case the interviewer wants to ask any further questions.

Always remember that the admissions team will be reading personal statements from hundreds of potential students so make sure that every piece of information you include demonstrates why you are the perfect person to get a place on the course.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

Or explore the Postgraduate / Further Study sections.

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How To Write Masters Personal Statement

A strong Masters personal statement is an essential part of your postgraduate application . It is your chance to convince admissions tutors that you are the right fit for the course and deserve a place in their programme.

In this comprehensive guide on how to write a Masters personal statement in the UK, we covered everything you need to know to write a successful postgraduate personal statement. Plus, real student examples.

We really understand how challenging and stressful can be to write a personal statement for a master. Let’s start.

What is a Masters Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a written type of essay that you submit as part of your postgraduate application. It is an opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and demonstrate to admissions tutors that you are a good fit for the course. Admission tutors need to choose among lots of applicants, essay can make a big difference in your postgraduate application.

How long should a personal statement be for masters?

You should aim to write a masters personal statement of around 500 words.

However, some universities may require more, often up to 1000 words. Hence, it is important to check the application guidelines before writing your statement for a specific university and course.

How should I structure my masters personal statement?

When it comes to writing your personal statement for masters or postgraduate, it’s important to have a clear and logical structure in mind.

Starting with a strong introduction that captures the reader’s attention and explains why you’re interested in the specific Masters programme you’re applying to.

Use the following paragraphs to discuss your academic and professional background , highlighting the skills, experience and knowledge that make you a strong fit for the programme. Emphasize how the course aligns with your future career goals .

Keep in mind that you have a limited word count, so make every sentence count . Use short, concise paragraphs that are easy to read and understand.

In your personal statement conclusion, summarise why you’re the ideal candidate for the programme and leave the admission tutors with a good impression.

Keep it short and to the point.

Aim for a total of four or five paragraphs in your personal statement for master degree.

When applying for a Masters degree , use standard fonts and text size of 11 or 12. If you’re applying through UCAS postgraduate service , font style won’t be an issue as text is automatically formatted.

Question to ask before writing

Consider asking yourself the following questions before writing your personal statement for master’s degree:

What inspired you to choose this specific Masters’s programme?
What aspect of the subject matter excites you?
How did your undergraduate studies shape your decision to apply for this programme or university?
Do you have any relevant work experience that can strengthen your postgraduate application?
What personal experiences can you share that align with your decision to apply to this programme?
What accomplishments can you highlight that demonstrate your qualifications for this course?
Why did you choose to apply to this university in particular?
What are your future career goals?

What should I include in a personal statement for masters?

When writing your personal statement for masters degree , it is important to tailor it to the postgraduate course you are applying for.

Some general guidance on what you should include in your personal statement for masters:

Your reasons for applying for a particular postgraduate programme and why you deserve a place above other applicants. Write about your academic interests , career goals and the university’s reputation , and write about which aspects of the specific course you find most appealing.

Address how undergraduate study has prepared you for a postgraduate course, mentioning your independent work (e.g. dissertation) and topics that most interested you.

Highlight relevant skills and experience that will enable you to make an impact on the specific course, summarising your abilities in core areas including organisation, communication, time management, and critical thinking.

You can also cover any grades, include awards, work placements, extra readings, or conferences that you’ve attended and how these have contributed to your Master’s study.

Explain your career aspirations and how the course will help you achieve them. Describe how studying your chosen course fits in with your long-term ambitions and career path.

Tie in your undergraduate studies – for example, if you did your dissertation on something and you’d like to expand on it in your master’s. Trying to link the two together is distinct from the undergraduate personal statement. Shona Barrie – Director Of Admissions, University Of Stirling

How to start a personal statement for a master?

At the start of your personal statement for a Masters’s programme , it’s important to make a strong and lasting first impression . Admissions tutors read hundreds of applications per course, so you want to make sure that your opening sentence is concise , clear , and impactful .

Instead of trying to come up with a catchy opening, focus on getting straight to the point and highlighting your qualifications for the course. Avoid over-the-top statements, gimmicks, or popular quotes as they can come across as contrived and make it harder for admissions tutors to take you seriously.

Here are a few examples of strong opening sentences to consider:

“With a background in Environmental Science and a passion for sustainable energy solutions, I am excited to apply for the Masters programme in Renewable Energy at your university.”

“As someone who has always been interested in the field of Artificial Intelligence and has gained experience in coding and machine learning, I am eager to further my studies in the Masters program in AI at your university.”

“Through my undergraduate studies in Psychology and my professional experience as a mental health counsellor, I have developed a strong interest in neuropsychology. That’s why I am excited to apply for the Masters course in Clinical Neuropsychology at your university.”

In each of these examples, you can see that the students are specific about their backgrounds, interests, and experiences, and how they align with the postgraduate programme they are applying to.

How to end a personal statement for masters

When it comes to ending your personal statement for a Masters application, it’s important to impress university admissions tutors.

Your conclusion in the master’s personal statement should be short , and to the point , and leave no doubt in the mind of the admissions tutor that you are the perfect candidate for the course.

One way to do this is by summarising your key points and highlighting how they demonstrate your qualifications for the programme. Keep it concise and avoid repeating yourself or going off-topic.

Instead, focus on making it clear why you would be a good student at the university.

To give you an idea of what a strong conclusion can include , we wrote a few examples :

“With my background in X and passion for Y, I am confident that I would thrive in the Masters programme at your university. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the department’s research and further my professional growth.”

“I am eager to bring my experience in X and my interest in Y to the postgraduate course at your university. The opportunity to learn from and collaborate with esteemed faculty members is truly exciting for me.”

“As someone who has always been passionate about Y and driven to make a difference in the field of Y, I am confident that the X course at your university is the perfect fit for me. I look forward to the opportunity to grow as a professional and make an impact.”

Work Experience in a personal statement for masters

Including your professional experiences in your masters personal statement can provide valuable insights into your interests and understanding of your chosen area of study.

This is especially crucial when applying for postgraduate courses, as it demonstrates your proactivity and dedication to your future academic or career goals, which universities look for in postgrad applicants.

Instead of simply listing your work experiences, it’s important to reflect on them.

Share with admission tutors not only what you did on your job but also what you learned from it and how you plan to apply those lessons in your postgraduate studies.

This highlights your ability to reflect and learn from your experiences, which is an essential skill for postgraduate students to have.

What should you avoid in a personal statement for Masters?

When writing your personal statement for a Masters courses, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid and ensure it stands out and increases your chances of being accepted to the study programme.

Be original: Avoid using quotes in your statement, instead use your own words and voice. This will make your essay unique and more personal.
Avoid clichés : To make your statement stand out, avoid using templates or commonly used phrases. Instead, use your own words to express yourself.
Keep it concise: Keep your statement to around a single page and make sure it is relevant to the programmes you are applying for.
Be selective: Only include hobbies or experiences that are relevant to the courses you are applying for and explain why they are important to you.
Show, don’t tell: Instead of saying you’re passionate about the subject, show it through your words and experiences.
Tailor it: Make sure to tailor your personal statement for each programme you are applying for.
Avoid lists: Instead of listing your qualifications, explain how they make you a strong candidate for the masters programme.
Proofread: Before submitting your application, make sure to proofread your personal statement for any errors or typos, and double-check that it is for the correct programme and university. It is always a good idea to get help from professionals, to check grammar and proofreading.

By following our guidelines on what to avoid, you can ensure that your personal statement is clear, concise, and tailored to the programme you’re applying for. Increasing your chances of being accepted.

Difference between personal statements for postgraduate and undergraduate

A personal statement for postgraduate study and one for undergraduate study are similar in that they both serve as a way for you to introduce yourself and demonstrate your qualifications , but there are some key differences to keep in mind when writing each .

For postgraduate study , personal statements tend to be more specific and targeted . Instead of providing a broad overview of your interests and experiences, you should focus on how your background, skills, and goals align with the specific courses and field of study you’re applying to.

This requires you to do more research on the programme and its entry requirements, and you should highlight how you will be able to contribute to the university and chosen programme.

Postgraduate personal statements require a more detailed explanation of your academic and professional experience. This could include discussing your previous coursework, research experience, and any relevant work or internship experience, and how they have prepared you for masters study.

Also, you will need to mention in a postgraduate personal statement your long-term goals and career aspirations in more detail. This will give the admissions tutors a sense of how you plan to use the learnings from the programme to achieve your career goals.

Lastly, master’s personal statements tend to be shorter than undergraduate ones, usually around 500 words. It is assumed that as postgraduate students have more academic and professional experience, they do not need as much space to prove their worthiness.

While a personal statement for undergraduate study can be more broad and general, a personal statement for postgraduate study should be more focused, specific, and tailored to the course you’re applying for.

Masters personal statement example

I am eager to pursue a Master’s Degree in Finance as I believe it aligns perfectly with my career goals. The programme’s academic rigour and focus on corporate finance, coupled with its practical relevance to the current industry, make it the ideal choice for me. My background in the financial services industry, combined with my undergraduate studies in Electronics and Communications Engineering and my postgraduate diploma in Marketing and Finance, have prepared me well for this next step in my education.

I have a strong passion for problem-solving, mathematics, and analytical thinking, and I am eager to apply these skills within the field of finance. I believe that a Master’s Degree in Finance from your esteemed university will provide me with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical experience to excel in the industry. I am particularly interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of current techniques and developments in finance, financial applications, and financial markets, as well as honing my research skills.

My ultimate goal is to secure a challenging and rewarding role within the finance profession. I understand that there is still much for me to learn, but I am excited to embrace new challenges and become a valuable contributor to the field. I am confident that this program will provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve my career goals.

Read other personal statement examples .

Research Course You’re Applying

It’s essential to research the programme and demonstrate your understanding of the field you are entering. This will show the admissions tutors that you are well prepared for the course and have a clear vision for your future research, study and goals.

One way to present your familiarity with the field is by mentioning specific scholars and researchers who work in the department.

You can find this information on the university’s website, and by reviewing the research interests and publications of the faculty members.

By aligning your interests with those of the faculty members, you can show that your research will fit well within the department and that you have a clear understanding of the master’s degree programme.

It’s also important to avoid generic statements such as applying to the school because it is the highest ranking or because you love the city where it is located.

If you have already contacted a professor or faculty member in the department, make sure to mention it in your personal statement. This will show that you have taken the initiative to learn more about the programme and that you are eager to work with the department’s faculty.

What admissions tutors are looking for a master’s application?

One of the main things that admissions tutors are looking for is an explanation of how the course links your past and future. They want to see that you have a clear understanding of how the programme aligns with your interests , goals , and career aspirations .

This can be demonstrated through your academic and non-academic experiences, as well as your skills, commitments, and enthusiasm for the field – we already discussed this in detail in previous parts of this guide.

Admissions tutors also want to see that you have a solid understanding of the institution’s area of expertise. This means showing that you have done your research on the university’s research focus and facilities, and how they align with your research interests.

Other than that, they want to see evidence of your knowledge and genuine interest in the subject, perhaps including some academic references or readings.

Another key element that admissions tutors are looking for is evidence of your abilities, commitment, and enthusiasm.

Deadline For Postgraduate Applications

The deadline for postgraduate applications in the UK can vary depending on the university and programme to which you are applying.

Some universities may have a fixed deadline while others may have rolling deadlines. It is important to check the specific deadline for the universities and courses you are interested to study. The UCAS postgraduate deadline is usually around the end of March, however, it’s always a good idea to verify with the university you are applying for.

It is also worth noting that some universities may have an earlier deadline for international students or certain programmes, so it is important to check the deadline for your specific situation.

Final Thoughts

A strongly written personal statement is an essential part of your postgraduate application. It is your chance to demonstrate your academic interests, abilities and goals, and demonstrate that you are a good fit for the course.

Remember to tailor your statement to the course you are applying for, be concise, and focus on your strengths and how they align with the programme.

When it comes to applying for a Masters’s programme, the process is often different than that of undergraduate studies in the UK. Probably you will be submitting your application directly to the university. However, it is worth noting that UCAS Postgraduate, a service provided by UCAS , has a search tool for limited master’s programmes.

Most UK universities require a personal statement when applying to a masters degree programme. However, some universities instead have a predefined set of questions for applicants.

You can submit a personal statement to as many universities as you are applying to for your Masters degree.

No, but if you have any questions regarding university programmes for masters, you can contact the admission manager and discuss.

Writing a personal statement for postgraduate study

Put your best foot forward

Explore what to include in your personal statement

The application process for Master's study is competitive.

A strong personal statement will optimise your chances of success. Your personal statement gives your reasons for wanting to do the course and shows your ability to complete the course successfully.

Your Personal Statement is a great opportunity for you to introduce yourself and outline why you're a compelling candidate for a course. You should demonstrate your enthusiasm for the course and highlight the skills you've gained from your academic studies and your work or life experience. If you're not currently studying you should include information about if you've taken a year out, and why, and details of your current or previous employment.

Each university is likely to provide its own guidance on what to include in your personal statement. Check the requirements carefully for each application. They might include a word or page limit, or specific content requirement. Make sure to follow the guidelines and address all the areas they want you to cover. Failure to follow the guidelines could lead to rejection – especially where competition for places is strong.

We suggest you include some or all of the following points.

Your reasons for choosing the course.

Outline your reasons for doing postgraduate study and specifically the course you've chosen. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for further study and/or research.

Your personal statement should convey your views and be written in your style. To be successful, make sure you're clear, concise and factual. Don't get someone else to write it for you.

Write about relevant previous academic study, achievements and projects. Focus on academic skills you've developed and wish to develop further. Does the course link to your dissertation? Mention anything that significantly influenced your choice. Why do you want to study at the particular institution you're applying to? Are you interested in a particular research focus or quality of research?

Your interest in your chosen subject

Demonstrate that you're clear about what the course will involve. Ask yourself the following questions:

What is it about this course that interests you?
Are there any features of this course that particularly attract you and why?
What sparked your interest in this study area?
What have you done so far to develop your interest?
What have you learned about yourself in the process?

Give details of any relevant jobs, work experience, placement or voluntary work you have done. Include the skills and the experience you've gained from these activities.

Reflect on work experience and how this has influenced your choices. What will you bring to the course as a result? Consider the skills you'll need to be successful on your course and give evidence you have these skills.

Your future career plans

Do you have a clear career goal? How does your course choice fit with this? This could demonstrate commitment to the programme to achieve a specific outcome. Where your chosen course is of a vocational nature, this section will be especially important. You'll need to include evidence of work experience and career exploration.

Your social, sports or leisure interests

For some courses it might be useful to provide evidence of additional skills that are useful in your studies. For challenging courses it demonstrates that you have an outlet outside your studies.

International students

If you're an international student you may also like to include the following:

Your reasons for studying in the UK – this could include the course, research, cultural experience, and/or a desire to improve language skills
Your language skills – what evidence do you have to show that you can complete a higher education course that is taught in English?
Evidence of previous studies in an English–speaking environment

Make sure your personal statement is written to a high standard with good spelling and grammar and make sure the meaning is clear. Don't get someone else to write your personal statement for you – you have to demonstrate that you have the right level of English to support your studies.

The Careers and Employability Service can offer support with writing your Personal Statement. Find out how you can get feedback on your application .

You can find further advice on writing a personal statement from the Prospects website .

Get more guidance on further study after graduation

Applying for a phd.

Have a look at our advice on applying for your place in further study.

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Human Resources Postgraduate Personal Statement

Example Human Resources Postgraduate Personal Statement

The human resources department is now an essential part of every major corporation in every industry. The importance of HR management has increased dramatically over the last few decades as the emphasis on the welfare of employees has increased. From taking numerous courses organised by HR departments in my career, I was greatly impressed by the work of HR managers and decided that, given my interests and skills, I would like a senior role within HR management. The MSc in Human Resources Development and Consultancy will give me the necessary academic knowledge to fulfil my ambition.

My work experience has already helped me develop many of the requisite skills for my career and the degree. From the age of eighteen I was supporting myself with a variety of customer-facing roles, from customer service in a restaurant to reception and secretary work at a busy fitness club and one of the most popular radio stations in my native Poland. Thanks to my hard work, I gained more senior roles with more management responsibilities, first as a store supervisor for a major retailer in Ireland and then as a bar supervisor in a busy London pub. In the roles, I was given responsibility for recruiting and training new employees. The experience convinced me that I have the requisite interpersonal and management skills to excel as an HR manager, which made me even more determined to achieve my career goal. Recently, I had a golden opportunity to exercise my management skills when I worked in a supervisory role in one of the largest outsourcing companies in Poland.

I am particularly good at motivating people to perform better in their jobs and I greatly enjoyed taking courses organised by HR to improve my management and interpersonal skills. I would like to develop these skills further by learning more of the theory behind organisational psychology in the HR Strategies module of the degree so that I may draw on the wealth of research to better understand and motivate employees under my supervision.

Apart from the wealth of work experience I have amassed, I also have a strong academic background that ensures I am academically prepared for the course. I successfully completed a BA in International Relations and European Integration, in which I performed particularly well in a number of HR-related subjects, including Employment Policy, European Social Law and the European System of Human Rights. The courses taught me about the rights of employees and the duties of employers, which I always keep in mind to ensure the rights of my employees are respected.

On the degree, I also took courses in Philosophy, Mathematics and English that equipped me with essential critical thinking and writing skills that should stand me in good stead for writing essays and a dissertation as part of the Masters.

Outside of the work place and the classroom, I have been preparing myself for the degree by reading books on HR and organisational psychology. I particularly enjoyed Dave Ulrich’s Human Resources Champions, which emphasises the importance of theory and research for effective HR management, and popular sociology books, including Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers, which describes the requisite conditions for outstandingly successful work. I should like to organise a book club with fellow students so that we may read relevant texts outside of the classroom and create a mutually supportive study environment.

When not reading or working, I love to spend most of my time with my two year-old daughter. Caring for a child is a full-time job in itself, which means I have to be organised and manage my time effectively to juggle caring with my career, a skill that should be of great use in the degree.

The degree appeals to me greatly, not only because it will equip me with the requisite knowledge to become a specialist in training and development, but also because the curriculum will satisfy my wide-ranging intellectual curiosity and intense interest in psychology and human relations.

We hope this example Human Resources postgraduate personal statement will provide you with some inspiration when writing your own unique personal statement.

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NPR defends its journalism after senior editor says it has lost the public's trust

David Folkenflik

NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust.

NPR's top news executive defended its journalism and its commitment to reflecting a diverse array of views on Tuesday after a senior NPR editor wrote a broad critique of how the network has covered some of the most important stories of the age.

"An open-minded spirit no longer exists within NPR, and now, predictably, we don't have an audience that reflects America," writes Uri Berliner.

A strategic emphasis on diversity and inclusion on the basis of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, promoted by NPR's former CEO, John Lansing, has fed "the absence of viewpoint diversity," Berliner writes.

NPR's chief news executive, Edith Chapin, wrote in a memo to staff Tuesday afternoon that she and the news leadership team strongly reject Berliner's assessment.

"We're proud to stand behind the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories," she wrote. "We believe that inclusion — among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage — is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world."

NPR names tech executive Katherine Maher to lead in turbulent era

She added, "None of our work is above scrutiny or critique. We must have vigorous discussions in the newsroom about how we serve the public as a whole."

A spokesperson for NPR said Chapin, who also serves as the network's chief content officer, would have no further comment.

Praised by NPR's critics

Berliner is a senior editor on NPR's Business Desk. (Disclosure: I, too, am part of the Business Desk, and Berliner has edited many of my past stories. He did not see any version of this article or participate in its preparation before it was posted publicly.)

Berliner's essay , titled "I've Been at NPR for 25 years. Here's How We Lost America's Trust," was published by The Free Press, a website that has welcomed journalists who have concluded that mainstream news outlets have become reflexively liberal.

Berliner writes that as a Subaru-driving, Sarah Lawrence College graduate who "was raised by a lesbian peace activist mother ," he fits the mold of a loyal NPR fan.

Yet Berliner says NPR's news coverage has fallen short on some of the most controversial stories of recent years, from the question of whether former President Donald Trump colluded with Russia in the 2016 election, to the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19, to the significance and provenance of emails leaked from a laptop owned by Hunter Biden weeks before the 2020 election. In addition, he blasted NPR's coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

On each of these stories, Berliner asserts, NPR has suffered from groupthink due to too little diversity of viewpoints in the newsroom.

The essay ricocheted Tuesday around conservative media , with some labeling Berliner a whistleblower . Others picked it up on social media, including Elon Musk, who has lambasted NPR for leaving his social media site, X. (Musk emailed another NPR reporter a link to Berliner's article with a gibe that the reporter was a "quisling" — a World War II reference to someone who collaborates with the enemy.)

When asked for further comment late Tuesday, Berliner declined, saying the essay spoke for itself.

The arguments he raises — and counters — have percolated across U.S. newsrooms in recent years. The #MeToo sexual harassment scandals of 2016 and 2017 forced newsrooms to listen to and heed more junior colleagues. The social justice movement prompted by the killing of George Floyd in 2020 inspired a reckoning in many places. Newsroom leaders often appeared to stand on shaky ground.

Leaders at many newsrooms, including top editors at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times , lost their jobs. Legendary Washington Post Executive Editor Martin Baron wrote in his memoir that he feared his bonds with the staff were "frayed beyond repair," especially over the degree of self-expression his journalists expected to exert on social media, before he decided to step down in early 2021.

Since then, Baron and others — including leaders of some of these newsrooms — have suggested that the pendulum has swung too far.

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Legendary editor marty baron describes his 'collision of power' with trump and bezos.

New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger warned last year against journalists embracing a stance of what he calls "one-side-ism": "where journalists are demonstrating that they're on the side of the righteous."

"I really think that that can create blind spots and echo chambers," he said.

Internal arguments at The Times over the strength of its reporting on accusations that Hamas engaged in sexual assaults as part of a strategy for its Oct. 7 attack on Israel erupted publicly . The paper conducted an investigation to determine the source of a leak over a planned episode of the paper's podcast The Daily on the subject, which months later has not been released. The newsroom guild accused the paper of "targeted interrogation" of journalists of Middle Eastern descent.

Heated pushback in NPR's newsroom

Given Berliner's account of private conversations, several NPR journalists question whether they can now trust him with unguarded assessments about stories in real time. Others express frustration that he had not sought out comment in advance of publication. Berliner acknowledged to me that for this story, he did not seek NPR's approval to publish the piece, nor did he give the network advance notice.

Some of Berliner's NPR colleagues are responding heatedly. Fernando Alfonso, a senior supervising editor for digital news, wrote that he wholeheartedly rejected Berliner's critique of the coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, for which NPR's journalists, like their peers, periodically put themselves at risk.

Alfonso also took issue with Berliner's concern over the focus on diversity at NPR.

"As a person of color who has often worked in newsrooms with little to no people who look like me, the efforts NPR has made to diversify its workforce and its sources are unique and appropriate given the news industry's long-standing lack of diversity," Alfonso says. "These efforts should be celebrated and not denigrated as Uri has done."

After this story was first published, Berliner contested Alfonso's characterization, saying his criticism of NPR is about the lack of diversity of viewpoints, not its diversity itself.

"I never criticized NPR's priority of achieving a more diverse workforce in terms of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. I have not 'denigrated' NPR's newsroom diversity goals," Berliner said. "That's wrong."

Questions of diversity

Under former CEO John Lansing, NPR made increasing diversity, both of its staff and its audience, its "North Star" mission. Berliner says in the essay that NPR failed to consider broader diversity of viewpoint, noting, "In D.C., where NPR is headquartered and many of us live, I found 87 registered Democrats working in editorial positions and zero Republicans."

Berliner cited audience estimates that suggested a concurrent falloff in listening by Republicans. (The number of people listening to NPR broadcasts and terrestrial radio broadly has declined since the start of the pandemic.)

Former NPR vice president for news and ombudsman Jeffrey Dvorkin tweeted , "I know Uri. He's not wrong."

Others questioned Berliner's logic. "This probably gets causality somewhat backward," tweeted Semafor Washington editor Jordan Weissmann . "I'd guess that a lot of NPR listeners who voted for [Mitt] Romney have changed how they identify politically."

Similarly, Nieman Lab founder Joshua Benton suggested the rise of Trump alienated many NPR-appreciating Republicans from the GOP.

In recent years, NPR has greatly enhanced the percentage of people of color in its workforce and its executive ranks. Four out of 10 staffers are people of color; nearly half of NPR's leadership team identifies as Black, Asian or Latino.

"The philosophy is: Do you want to serve all of America and make sure it sounds like all of America, or not?" Lansing, who stepped down last month, says in response to Berliner's piece. "I'd welcome the argument against that."

"On radio, we were really lagging in our representation of an audience that makes us look like what America looks like today," Lansing says. The U.S. looks and sounds a lot different than it did in 1971, when NPR's first show was broadcast, Lansing says.

A network spokesperson says new NPR CEO Katherine Maher supports Chapin and her response to Berliner's critique.

The spokesperson says that Maher "believes that it's a healthy thing for a public service newsroom to engage in rigorous consideration of the needs of our audiences, including where we serve our mission well and where we can serve it better."

Disclosure: This story was reported and written by NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by Deputy Business Editor Emily Kopp and Managing Editor Gerry Holmes. Under NPR's protocol for reporting on itself, no NPR corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted publicly.

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Throughout my education I contributed in many events such as induction days, sporting event supervision and attending volleyball and badminton clubs over several years. I also attended many school trips in the UK and abroad. In year eleven I was a senior student, running year seven homework and games clubs that contributed to me achieving my Trident Award to Gold Standard.

The work experience I undertook and my current employment challenge me to work with a diverse range of people in an office environment and allowed me to prove I could work effectively in this kind of occupation as the report of my employer confirmed.

My part time work as a sales assistant also gave me the confidence to communicate well with people from all walks of life and has improved my social and inter-personal relationship skills with other staff members and public. I feel my proven record of good time keeping, hard work and regular attendance would enable me to benefit from a place at university.

In my spare time I enjoy socialising because keeping in touch with my friends is important to me and I also enjoy keeping fit and regularly go to my local leisure centre. In addition I enjoy computing and creating websites that allow me to communicate with people from across the world.

My decision to study human resource/personnel management has taken a lot of research and thought over the past three years.

After talking to several people employed in this field of work and researching what the course entails and with the rewards it holds, it was obvious that this kind of work was what I wanted to do and so I have applied to take a degree at university to provide me with the qualifications and experience I need to follow my chosen career path.

Profile info

There is no profile associated with this personal statement, as the writer has requested to remain anonymous.

This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

Brillant conclusion.

Wed, 10/01/2007 - 15:28

loved the ending!

did you get any offers

Tue, 16/01/2007 - 14:03

Tue, 16/01/2007 - 14:05

Sat, 27/01/2007 - 12:06

ending is better than previous paraphase

A very detailed statement -

Mon, 02/07/2007 - 16:33

A very detailed statement - well written. The activities stated were quite good. where do you study now?

brilliant start

Tue, 09/10/2007 - 12:49

wich university offered you a place

It was really excellent.You

Wed, 07/11/2007 - 08:50

It was really excellent.You deserved the offer

Tue, 11/03/2008 - 11:48

well, this is a good

Thu, 25/06/2009 - 18:29

well, this is a good statement, but the person has not replied saying which university they got through to.. are we being too nice saying its really good? im trying to write my own statement and can't get past the 1st paragraph.. so well done on this!! flows really well!

this person has relevant

Tue, 10/11/2009 - 22:52

this person has relevant experience and seem comitted to do this course.

Tue, 29/06/2010 - 10:36

good statement as given by a

Mon, 31/10/2011 - 11:45

good statement as given by a man..

Fri, 02/08/2013 - 17:31

Major thanks for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more.

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Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Human Resources
Personal Statement Example: Introduction. "I believe companies need to be employee-centred, as keeping them satisfied, motivated and personally engaged can create immense value for any organisation. Effective human resource management strategies are therefore crucial to business success.
Postgraduate Human Resource Management Personal Statement Example
I look forward to being a part of a renowned institution as your institution. I firmly believe that the right education in the right school will open doors of advancement in my chosen field of study. This personal statement was written by feeblefoxy for application in 2010. feeblefoxy's Comments. It took me quite a while to put this together ...
Human Resources Management Personal Statement Examples
Management and Human Resources Personal Statement. Submitted by Millie. Growing up, I had a natural inclination to organise; be it planning games in the playground at six years old, to ensuring everything was in place for group success in school and college. I pride myself in achieving a high standard, and enjoy working in an environment with ...
Sample personal statement for MSc Human Resource Management
Please check HERE for detailed guidelines on how to write a personal statement (statement of purpose). I am writing this statement to express my enthusiasm regarding the application of MSc Management (HR) at university of Brighton in the SEP 2022 intake. I have found this course as best suited according to my future career ambitions.
How to write a personal statement
Make a start. When it comes to writing your personal statement, just getting started can be the hardest part. One good way to get around writer's block is to just put it all down on the page, like Mayur. First - write down anything and everything. In the first round, I was just dumping everything - whatever I've done, anything close to ...
How To Write Your Postgraduate Personal Statement
Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve. Avoid cliches . Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you. Keep it relevant and simple.
How to write a postgraduate personal statement
Each paragraph and sentence should flow logically into the next. If you want, you can split up sections with headings (like 'Academic achievements' or 'Career goals') to make the statement easy to navigate. For the word count, check with the university you're applying to, as each may ask for different things.
How to Write Your Personal Statement
A personal statement is a short essay of around 500-1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you're applying. To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application, don't just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to ...
Personal statements for postgraduate applications
If this is the case, present your personal statement in a standard font such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman, text size 11 or 12. If your course application is submitted through UKPASS (UCAS's postgraduate application service) font style won't matter, as personal statements are automatically formatted.
How to Write a Personal Statement for Grad School: Tips & Samples
Strike the right tone. While it's important to give readers a glimpse of your personality, avoid oversharing or revealing intimate details of your life experiences. You should also avoid making jokes or using humorous cliches. Maintain a professional tone throughout your writing. Start strong and finish strong.
Human Resources Personal Statement Examples
Human Resource Management is a course that focuses specifically on the management of people within an organization. It covers topics such as recruitment, selection, training and development, compensation, and performance management. It also covers topics such as labor relations, employee benefits, and legal compliance.
How to Write a Great Postgraduate Personal Statement
Getting Started: 3 top tips. Keep the focus on why you want to study a particular programme and your potential to successfully complete the course. Use a positive, enthusiastic and professional tone and aim for clarity of expression. If you enjoy writing the statement, that will shine through.
3 Successful Graduate School Personal Statement Examples
Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3. PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 - Public Health. This is my successful personal statement for Columbia's Master's program in Public Health. We'll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I'll highlight a couple of things that ...
Effective HR Manager Personal Statements to Consider
Example 2. I have had a distinguished career in the business world. And now, I am ready to take my professional development to the next level with postgraduate studies. As an experienced HR manager, I possess an extensive understanding of employee relations, organizational design and leadership training.
Postgraduate Personal Statements
Postgraduate Business and Management Personal Statement Example 1. I believe that the Postgraduate HR Management programme will provide me with the necessary knowledge to enhance and develop my capabilities. Also, in order to become a successful HR manager, it is imperative that I gain a more thorough education.
Human Resource Management Personal Statement Examples
Business and Human Resource Management Personal Statement. The most important character trait of a business owner is the ability to take a risk. To many, the thought of a career based on risks can be unnerving, but I personally have always been fascinated by 'what if'; a trait I share with my father. After being made redundant at the age of ...
A Guide to Postgraduate/Master's Personal Statements
The postgraduate personal statement needs to show that you have developed academically since then, so don't be tempted to use your undergraduate personal statement as a template. Remember, the admissions team will read hundreds of personal statements. You will need to ensure that your personal statement stands out from the rest.
HR Management Personal Statement Example
For example, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Service Canada and Government of Canada Human Resources Management System. I came to Canada in 2008 and started working in Tim Horton's (café). In 2009, I got promoted as a supervisor with a responsibility to manage the store. I had to make employees work as a team and to make sure ...
How To Write Masters Personal Statement In 2024
Keep it short and to the point. Aim for a total of four or five paragraphs in your personal statement for master degree. When applying for a Masters degree, use standard fonts and text size of 11 or 12. If you're applying through UCAS postgraduate service, font style won't be an issue as text is automatically formatted.
Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement
Your personal statement should convey your views and be written in your style. To be successful, make sure you're clear, concise and factual. Don't get someone else to write it for you. Write about relevant previous academic study, achievements and projects. Focus on academic skills you've developed and wish to develop further.
How to Write a Personal Statement
Watch out for cliches like "making a difference," "broadening my horizons," or "the best thing that ever happened to me." 3. Stay focused. Try to avoid getting off-track or including tangents in your personal statement. Stay focused by writing a first draft and then re-reading what you've written.
Human Resources Postgraduate Personal Statement
Example Human Resources Postgraduate Personal Statement. The human resources department is now an essential part of every major corporation in every industry. The importance of HR management has increased dramatically over the last few decades as the emphasis on the welfare of employees has increased. From taking numerous courses organised by ...
NPR responds after editor says it has 'lost America's trust' : NPR
NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust. NPR's top news executive defended its journalism and its commitment to ...
Human Resources Personal Statement Example
Human Resources Personal Statement Example. I am currently working full time as an administrator in a Hospital in my gap year after sixth form. I chose to take a year out after my A-Levels to gain some true life experience away from the security net of full time education. I was fortunate enough to gain work in the administration field and so ...

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