Law Personal Statement Writing

From 2026 entry onwards, UCAS has replaced the traditional free-text personal statement with a structured format consisting of three specific questions. This is a significant change that affects how you present yourself to Law admissions tutors. This lesson covers how to answer each question effectively for a Law application.

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The New UCAS Structured Format

The three questions you must answer are:

1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?
2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare?
3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education?

Each question has a character limit (including spaces). The total allowance is similar to the old personal statement — approximately 4,000 characters in total — but split across the three questions.

Key Change: Under the old format, you had freedom to structure your statement however you wished. Under the new format, you must address each question directly. This makes it harder to meander but easier to plan.

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Question 1: Why Do You Want to Study This Course or Subject?

This is the most important question. Admissions tutors want to understand your intellectual motivation for studying Law.