7 Economics Personal Statement Examples | With Analysis

What makes a great personal statement?

How do you improve your chances of achieving a university offer in economics?

In this post I will give some personal statement examples and discuss what the best economics personal statements do well.

Key features that great personal statements share

Disclaimers, evolution of economics personal statements, what makes a great economics personal statement, key features that great personal statements share: a reminder, lots of supercurricular activities, personal insights about such activities, demonstrate key skills, a well written essay, more economics personal statement advice, latest posts.

This diagram shows my summary of what makes a great economics personal statement. Based on my experience as an economics tutor and economics personal statement examples, here are four qualities that make personal statements stand out.

4 tips | what makes a great economics personal statement?

I explore these categories further below and in my ultimate economics personal statement guide.

For my ultimate economics personal statement guide, check out the link below:

Firstly, here is a list of ten economics personal statement examples available online.

Also below, there is analysis of what makes a great economics personal statement.

To learn how to improve your economics personal statement, check out the link below by clicking the blue button:

I cannot guarantee that the personal statements linked above achieved the university offers claimed on those pages. Nor can I claim that each statement is 100% perfect.

By linking to these sites, I do not endorse any of the sites linked above.

You should not copy any part of the personal statements above. Doing so is plagiarism and can lead to the disqualification of your university application. Instead learn from the techniques and kinds of things mentioned in their statements. See specifically the rest of this article for what we can learn from these personal statements.

A proportion of the samples above are relatively old (five to ten years ago or more).

For some universities the personal statement is more important for applications. Consider for example LSE and UCL, top universities where there are no admissions tests or interviews.

We can look at more recently written and publicly available personal statements.

Based on these, here are some observable trends in recent years among the best performing economics personal statements:

  • More supercurriculars relative to the above personal statements.
  • More reference to undergraduate-level economic theory. This can show further reading and an ability to potentially do well in the undergraduate course.

In this section I am drawing on my experience as a tutor about what makes a great personal statement. I am also using the available online examples of economics personal statements and the criteria listed by the top UK universities.

Such statements are by no means always perfect, yet they show the qualities and skills that allow students to attend the best universities.

These examples allow us to analyse what makes a great personal statement and also where students often go wrong with personal statements.

As a reminder, here are the four features of great economics personal statements mentioned above:

  • Lots of supercurriculars
  • Highlighting key skills
  • Personal takeaways

Here is a breakdown of these categories:

What activities have you completed, outside of class, that relate to economics? Have you read a book, entered an economics-related competition, or watched an economics lecture? These are examples of supercurricular activities. I consider these a key focus for the best personal statements and I discuss these further in my economics personal statement ebook. These show your motivation to study economics which will be critical if you want to study the subject for three years at university.

For more on supercurricular activities, click the link here:

These are what I refer to as “personal takeaways” later in this guide. What did you learn from the supercurricular activity? Detail is very important, both for showing a high level of understanding and also to convince the person reading your statement that you actually completed the activity. This should go beyond just recalling the activity – maybe there is something you learnt from this activity or something you read that you disagreed with. We discuss how to write about personal takeaways in the ebook.

For more information about how to use supercurricular activities in your statement, including how to generate personal insights, click this button below:

Obviously you should try to show academic ability in economics and motivation to study economics. But what other skills are useful to show in a personal statement? 

While there are many skills that could potentially be useful, I draw your attention for now to two key skills: Ability in mathematics and independent study (including research). Evidence from supercurricular activities that you have these skills will help convince admissions staff. Moreover these skills will help you in the economics course.

What constitutes a “well written essay”? 

Your personal statement should be well structured, with effective links between ideas and paragraphs. The grammar should be completely correct, that is  there should be no mistakes. 

Finally consider your vocabulary – can you embed economics-related terminology into your personal statement? You can use a thesaurus but do so with caution – sometimes it is obvious where a thesaurus has been used (and often the new word used does not make sense in that context!).

For more economics personal statement tips or for economics university application advice, check out the link below:

For A-level Economics resources, click the link here:

  • 12 Practice Papers for A Level Economics 2024
  • The economics of why people give gifts
  • 11 Practice Questions in style of Edexcel Economics Paper 2
  • What economic theory says about immigration
  • 25 Practice Questions in style of Edexcel Economics Paper 1

About the author

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Helping economics students online since 2015. Previously an economist and economics tutor, I now focus on providing economics resources on tfurber.com . Read more about me here .

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Sample Economics Personal Statement (admitted to Oxford, Cambridge, LSE)

how to make a good personal statement for economics

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

The following personal statement is written by an applicant who got accepted to top graduate programs in economics. Variations of this personal statement got accepted at Oxford, Cambridge, and LSE. Read this essay to get inspiration and understand what a top economics school PS should look like.

You might also be interested in reading this Statement of Purpose in Economics  that got admitted to Harvard, Yale and Princeton.

Sample Personal Statement Economics

“Flick…chuggachuggachuggaa…puttt-putttt-puutttttt…rizzzz…”

The sounds coming from near the doorway may have startled an outsider but were barely noticed by the people lounging on charpoys and mooras (wicker stools). With the atmosphere abuzz with their chatter, the sputtering sound of the diesel generator lent more time to catch up as the bulbs lit up and fans whirred on throughout the haveli (palace) on an otherwise hot evening. But on days when it refused to crackle, my grandmother would enkindle gas lanterns filling the veranda with hissing sounds and soothing moonlight rays.

I still cherish these memories from my childhood trips to XYZ, my native village, some 450kms from the closest city. At the time, the short sojourns from Kuwait felt rather adventurous. However, the perspective turned wrong when I permanently moved to XYZ. Due to unannounced electricity breakdowns, we would find ourselves groping in the dark to the closest candle stand while sweating in the scorching summer.

And just when we thought it couldn’t get worse, the occasional power breakdowns segued into a full-blown crisis of the decade. Over the next seven years, we witnessed unprecedented power outages averaging 15-18 hours daily. People weren’t just lamenting the loss of mental peace; they were mourning the monetary losses worth billions of rupees translating into 1.5% of GDP.

Fast forward 15 years, and I found myself in a position to alleviate the situation. As Deputy Administrative Head of the Government’s Economic Affairs division, I administer a departmental budget worth $500 million. I am currently undertaking solarization projects. A recent shift towards renewables has occurred after public unrest during the early decade led to hasty investments in thermal-based power plants. Unfortunately, seven years later, we are still reeling from the aftermath of a bitter public backlash as we have the lowest regional electricity consumption per capita.

In addition to high tariffs, the energy sector has been marred by the accumulation of circular debt of $30 billion. This has been caused by multiple factors, such as electricity theft, transmission losses, and non-payment of dues. Having worked in Economic Affairs Division, I have also been part of a team that took massive power sector reforms, including:

  • elimination of subsidies
  • policy formulation on electricity theft and conservation 
  • overhaul of sectoral regulatory bodies
  • privatization of distribution companies et al.

However, as the Program ended, so did the reforms.

Regrettably, negative externalities from these energy woes have had spillover effects on all socio-economic sectors. The environment has especially poorly been affected by the process for the lack of an integrated generation and transmission policy framework in the renewable industry. Being a lower riparian state has also exacerbated climate change. We face extreme weather conditions – floods, droughts, smog, and diminishing water tables. Unable to agree on water issues not covered under the Indus Water Treaty has led to regular skirmishes and legal battles in the International Court of Justice.

Given the background, my country’s economic and Energy woes require a holistic understanding of the subject. This makes Economic policy specializing in Energy the right choice for my graduate studies. Furthermore, I can become an effective leader and economist in the sector through the interdisciplinary pedagogical approach covering policy, economics, management, law; practical skills; quantitative and qualitative analysis within an international context.

My aim is socio-economic development in tandem with confidence-building measures and strategic partnerships with the neighboring countries. Studying at Oxford will provide this learning opportunity in and out of the class as I will interact with some of the most brilliant minds worldwide and work in teams with them. I also look forward to student-led events, conferences, guest lectures, field trips, and panel discussions to augment my understanding of supranational political demands. This will help me lead economic policy reforms for the next 25 years.

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How to Write an Economics Personal Statement

30/05/2022 Emily Watson

If you’re applying to study an Economics course in the UK, then you’ll know the subject is notoriously competitive. One area that is particularly important in your Economics application and can help you stand out is your UCAS personal statement.

Your personal statement is a crucial part of your application because it is the first and often the only chance you get to tell your chosen universities why you want to study an Economics degree, what your motivations are, and give context to any qualifications, skills and experience you have.

Your Economics personal statement should be solely written by you and can follow any format you desire. However, based on the experience of our professional admissions tutors , who help more than 95% of students get into their first and second-choice universities, there are some guidelines you should follow. This article goes through the key stages of writing an Economics personal statement, including some top tips from The Profs’ Head of Admissions, Joseph Robbins, and information on how to access further support.

What is the goal of your personal statement?

How long should your personal statement be, step 1. what are your motivations for studying economics, step 2. what appeals to you specifically about the course you’re applying to, step 3. what work experience do you have and what did you learn, step 4. what relevant skills do you have, step 5. what wider reading and studying have you done, step 6. do you take part in any relevant extracurricular activities, step 7. think ahead to any potential interviews, step 8. summarise why you are well-suited to the course, benefit from 1-to-1 support.

Your personal statement is essentially your sales pitch to your chosen universities. The goal is to tell them why you would be a great Economics student and how you’d benefit from taking your chosen course. It’s also your opportunity to not only tell them, but prove to them with examples and evidence that you would make a capable, passionate and committed Economics student.

Keep the overarching goal of your personal statement in mind as you write it and make sure that everything you say is supported by an action or example . Use the Point Evidence Explain (PEE) format throughout your personal statement. 

Joe’s tip: While it’s important to showcase your personality and interests, make sure that every sentence has a purpose and relates back to that overarching goal. The bulk of your personal statement should be demonstrating how and why your experiences and skills would make you well-suited to a degree in Economics, not just a list of what you have done. Don’t waste valuable characters talking about hobbies or passions that are unrelated to your chosen career path – always keep it relevant.

Here at The Profs, we have experienced personal statement tutors who can guide you through crafting the perfect personal statement. Don’t waste time worrying or risk your future, just reach out .

Your personal statement must be between 1,000 and 4,000 characters long. It is best to use as many of the 4,000 characters (approximately 47 lines) as possible in order to showcase all of your best qualities and experience.

Joe’s tip: Your personal statement is part of your UCAS application as a whole, so the deadline for completing it is essentially the same as whichever UCAS deadline your application is due by (either mid-October for Oxbridge applications or end of January for other universities). However, schools often impose their own personal statement deadlines that are a lot earlier . They do this so that your teachers (and sometimes your head of sixth-form) have the time to read it over and ensure it’s up to scratch! If you feel like you are going to submit a poor-quality personal statement to meet this early deadline, speak to your school. It is almost always worth adding an additional week or redrafting if you feel that your statement is not reflective of your potential.

Note that all students applying to university for 2023, 2024 or 2025 will still be required to submit a UCAS personal statement as normal. However, from January 2025 onwards (October 2024, for Oxbridge applicants), there will be changes to the UCAS application process and students will no longer be required to write a personal statement. Instead, all applicants will answer a series of shorter, more tailored questions provided by UCAS.

A step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement

Once you’ve got the goal of your personal statement at the forefront of your mind, start thinking about why you want to study an Economics degree. Writing down exactly why you want to study Economics isn’t always easy. You might have simply always been most interested in data-based and mathematical subjects, or there might have been a greater motivation behind choosing it, such as a long-term career plan or a desire to understand the way the world works. Either way it’s important not to skip this step and really spend time pinpointing the ‘why’. 

Your motivations for studying Economics should be included in the opening sentence or first paragraph of your personal statement. They should also form the basis of much of the rest of your statement, as you should always be tying in your motivations to your existing skills, experience and interests (remember to use PEE!).

If you establish your motivations early on in the writing process, this can also help you to develop your personal statement (i.e. what work experience (step 3) and additional reading (step 5) you should be doing). If you’ve already started using your initiative and planning your academic and personal life around the subject you’re passionate about, this demonstrates to universities that you are mature, driven and likely to succeed at university-level study. 

Try to steer away from cliche introductions and catchphrases that may exaggerate or misrepresent your true motivations. Even if you did have a dramatic, life-defining moment in which you realised you wanted to study Economics at university, it can come across as insincere if you write it in your personal statement. 

For instance, if you find yourself writing, “I’ve wanted to study Economics ever since I was a young child…” or “For as long as I can remember…” then take a moment to reconsider this. You don’t want to sound just like your peers. Really think about how you can make your personal statement represent you and stand out from other applicants. 

Identifying a course for undergraduate study is not a trivial task. Decisions of this magnitude need a top-down approach. What is the end goal of your studies? Admissions teams look for  this information in your personal statement and so it’s imperative that you do your research and identify a career path that appeals to you and matches your qualities. 

Joe’s tip: Don’t forget to mention a career plan. Be specific about what motivates you professionally and use LinkedIn for career research. Talking about why you need this degree to pursue your career and how it will help you to land a specific job is always beneficial to any university application. However, this is especially the case for Economics which is more career-driven than traditional academic courses. Do your research and get as specific as you can. What institution or company do you want to work for, and what do you want to specialise in? 

Showing a university that you already have a good idea of what job title you will apply for after graduation can really help you stand out from the crowd. For example: “After much career research, I have identified my dream role: an economics consultant (specialising in energy markets) at a boutique firm such as Frontier Economics.”

Demonstrating this career research – as well as an idea of your specialism – and name-dropping a specific firm all show that you are a serious and diligent candidate. Of course, you don’t have to stick to this career path, but showing that you have thought about your career is a huge plus. 

Need any help? Ensure that you put your best foot forwards by reaching out to our experienced university admissions team . We can review your application and help you to improve it and maximise your chances of success. 

Your Economics personal statement should be clearly targeted to the subject. It’s not enough to write a generic statement about why you are a great student; you need to explain why you would make a great Economics student in particular. 

It’s important that you do plenty of research into the specifics of your chosen courses, including the modules you might cover. Then, think about how certain topics covered in these modules align with your motivations and long-term goals, and tie all of them together to create a strong, convincing narrative throughout.

Researching your course will not only make your statement more relevant but it will also aid you in making your decision whether or not to apply. Before you write your application you need to know why you chose this course from the many Economics courses out there! 

It will help you to stand out if you study the first few modules of your chosen Economics course at your top-choice university. If you can refer to these concepts, and better yet, analyse them to demonstrate your comprehension, you will highlight that you are genuinely keen to expand your knowledge and already able to study at university level. At the end of the day, universities want students who are sincerely passionate about their discipline and will be “easy” students throughout their three or four years of study. So, any way to show that you’re keen and driven is encouraged.

Did you know that Economics courses can fall under either BA or BSc depending on where you apply? BA courses include the Economics courses taught at Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham, and BSc courses including the Economics courses taught at St Andrews, LSE and Brighton, with many other universities offering both BA and BSc Economics courses, including universities like the University of Warwick and King’s College London. All of the universities mentioned above score in the top 10 universities for Economics according to the Guardian (2024) . Generally speaking, BA courses are less mathematical and approach economics as more of a social science whilst BSc courses are more quantitative. That being said, BA courses typically require some mathematical competency. For instance, Durham university offers an Economics BA but its typical entry requirements are A*AA A levels, including Mathematics. 

Joe’s tip: In the UK, you are only allowed to submit one personal statement that then gets sent to all of your university choices (up to five). The problem with this is that each of the courses at these universities will more than likely be slightly different, both by name (e.g. Economics and Management at Oxford versus Economics, Finance and Data Science at Imperial) and by their contents. 

Consequently, unless specifically advised to do so, it’s best not to cite specific course names or modules. Instead, target common themes of these subjects to show you are well-researched while appealing to all of your university choices.

If you are targeting a course which is only available at one or a handful of universities (such as Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) at Oxford) then see what the universities themselves advise. They may understand that your personal statement will be directed towards a broader course focus and take this into consideration when considering your application. For help on applying to particularly competitive Economics courses such as PPE, get in touch with our admissions team who can guide you through the process and triple your chances of success.

You should also research your course in the context of your university. What entices you to study Economics at this institution? What stands out about their Economics department? Perhaps you are curious about the research being pursued, the facilities available, or the opportunities that the university’s city and/or student societies offer. As already mentioned, you cannot address specific universities individually when it comes to your UCAS personal statement. However, you can certainly allude to your first and second choice’s specific characteristics and demonstrate alignment. 

Unsure about anything? Chat to our expert Economics tutors who can help you improve your grades and/or craft the perfect university application. 

Work experience and volunteering are an important part of your personal statement. It’s difficult to get real-life knowledge and experience of how the wider professional world works and the skills you may require in any other way. In addition, Economics is a competitive subject area and work experience can be a great way to help you stand out from other applicants.

Unlike subjects such as Medicine, which look for specific types of work experience, Economics is a social science that can lead to a broader range of careers, so admissions departments won’t necessarily be looking for any particular form of work experience. However, there are some experiences that may be more helpful than others.

Start by thinking about the types of skills that would be useful in an Economics degree, such as mathematical ability, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of global and local systems. Then, think about where you could develop these skills through work experience or volunteering. For example, work experience at an accounting firm might allow you to apply your mathematical skills to real-world situations, while working with your local charity might give you an insight into how the charity sector operates and an understanding of the wider systems at play.

Getting work experience is quite the feat, especially as a young student. The big 4 finance firms (KPMG, EY , PWC , and Deloitte ) typically offer well-established work experience programmes aimed at year 12 and 13 students but, as expected, these are highly competitive. You might be interested in large FMCG organisations, large pharmaceutical companies, and governmental agencies (e.g. the FCA). Ultimately, the best place to get further advice on obtaining work experience is your school but reputable websites such as RateMyPlacement are a good place to do some initial research!

Joe’s tip: Whatever work experience or volunteering you have, make sure that you don’t simply list it in your personal statement. Your chosen university will be looking for you to explain what you learned from your experience, what skills you developed, and how it shaped your interest in Economics.

You should also use your experiences as evidence to support the overarching narrative of your statement. For instance, if your motivation to study Economics is to enact policy change on a particular issue, then your work experience might be a placement with your local council or a charity that works on that issue, and this together supports your long-term goal of working for the UK government. Don’t forget, we’re here to help if you need any support.

Next, think about what skills you have that would make you a great fit for an Economics degree. It is particularly important for Economics applicants to have a good balance of skills from a range of subject areas. For example, it is not good enough to simply be very good at Mathematics; you’ll also need to show that you keep up to date with current affairs and are capable of writing a compelling essay. 

Some skills admissions officers will be looking for in particular include:

  • Data analysis skills
  • Interpersonal skills and social awareness
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Strong mathematical ability
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Understanding of global and local systems
  • Essay-writing skills

Make sure that you not only highlight what skills you have in your personal statement, but also explain how you have developed them. For instance, has there been a particular work experience placement in which you had to use great communication skills in order to solve a problem? Perhaps you have entered an essay-writing competition and been recognised for your ability that way. All elements of your personal statement should now start becoming woven together to support your overarching goal.

Joe’s tip: Economics students are usually curious about the world around them. They’re inquisitive, have lots of questions that they want to know the answers to, and are capable thinkers. That’s why Oxford uses the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) as the admissions test for its Economics courses. 

If you’re applying to Oxford, it is essential that you prepare for the TSA and aim for the highest possible score to prove the abilities you mention in your personal statement. Read our guide on preparing for the TSA for more tips. Even if your top-choice university does not require you to take the TSA you might want to take it anyway to maximise your chances of getting an offer – if you are choosing a top-tier, competitive university.

Excellent mathematical ability is a requirement for Economics courses and some Universities, such as the University of Bath, recommend you study GCE Advanced Mathematics AND further Mathematics or complete an additional Mathematics test such as STEP, MAT or TMUA. Please check the entry requirements for your chosen course on your university website. Here at the Profs, we can help you gain confidence and flourish in your mathematical ability ahead of your exams. Get in touch with us to arrange tailor-made tuition for you.

Need any guidance? We have top-tier tutors in TSA , STEP , MAT , TMUA , Maths , Further Maths and Economics on hand to help. 

Economics departments value students who have completed wider reading and have an understanding of the world beyond the school curriculum. In addition, most schools do not offer Economics as an A level, so it’s important that you develop your knowledge and give evidence of your interest in the subject outside of school. 

There are several ways you can do this. Firstly, you can read a range of Economics books. There are many popular books that can give you a solid understanding of economic theory and popular thought upon which to build at university-level. Some books you might have heard of include: ‘Freakonomics’, ‘the Undercover Economist’, ‘the Armchair Economist’, and ‘the Bottom Billion’. While these are certainly useful to read and are a good starting point, they will be common among applicants’ personal statements and, unless you go into great detail and show a critical approach, they are less likely to make you stand out. 

Consider reading books that are a little less common but still offer insightful perspectives and incorporate economic theory, such as:

  • Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. 2019. Good Economics for Hard Times -2019 Nobel Prize for Economics winners. 
  • Richard Thaler. 2009. Nudge -2017 Nobel Prize for Economics winner writes about how people make decisions and how economists can incentivise people to make better ones.
  • George A. Akerlof and Robert Shiller. 2014. Mastering Metrics -Co-authored by Nobel prize laureate Robert Schiller, this book takes you through the basics of econometric methods.
  • George A. Akerlof and Robert Shiller. 2010. Animal Spirits – Explores the link between Psychology and Economics.
  • Paul Newbold, William Carlson, and Betty Thorne. 2012. Statistics for Business and Economics  
  • Knut Sydsæter, Peter Hammond, Arne Strøm and Andrés Carvajal. 2021. Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis. 6th Edition  

Your priority should be to go beyond your school syllabus and read at university level, whilst also finding very specific, niche, and obscure texts that your peers will not choose. Ideally, we suggest reading multiple books over the course of the year leading up to writing your personal statement (throughout your A levels or equivalent). Then, once you’ve developed your wider subject knowledge, pick one or two key texts to go into greater detail about in your statement. If you’re short on time, focus on two to three books that particularly interest you and aim to read and reference only those. You can always watch YouTube videos on the books or listen to them as audiobooks if you’re running out of time, too.

Joe’s tip: Ensure that you are identifying how the book or chapter you are referencing fuelled your interest in Economics, or what questions it raised in your mind that a degree in Economics would help to answer. Picking out one or two specific issues and/or concepts that had an impact on you and elaborating on those is the best way to avoid listing and ensure you’re offering a critical perspective. For example, you could include relevant subject terms you have learnt, poignant quotes, or insightful analysis or a particular passage. Doing this will ensure that you don’t have to explicitly point out that you are good at the subject or that you really want to study it because it will be clear from your writing. 

Staying up to date and learning about Economics doesn’t just have to be via books. Consuming a range of documentaries, podcasts and other media can enhance your learning and help you to expand your interests and knowledge. Documentaries such as Inside Job , which takes a look at the 2008 financial crisis, and The True Cost , which delves into the darker side of the global economy, are great starting points. For those who use spotify, The Economist podcast offers great insight.

If you’re at all unsure about what materials to follow and refer to, or how to evaluate them in your personal statement, let us know and we can walk you through the process.

Joe’s tip: Whatever you do , do not lie in your personal statement, this includes your extra reading and studying. You could be asked questions on anything you write in your personal statement in your interview, and nothing will put off a university more than getting caught in a lie.

Instead, if you’re running out of time, keep things simple. Make a list of the key texts you want to know more about or the documentaries you’d like to watch, then work your way through. It’s better to include a small amount of good-quality information than it is to include a lot of irrelevant or untrue information. 

The bottom line is that showing an interest in Economics requires time and effort alongside your studies. Starting to implement extra reading alongside your studies should be done at an early stage. When you start university you are expected to do extra reading, so this is a good skill to start developing now!

Once you’ve demonstrated your motivations for studying your chosen course and the relevant skills and work experience you have, you can include a line or two about any other extracurricular activities you feel are relevant. For example, if you attend any after-school clubs, such as a Maths club or a Public Speaking club, or have any hobbies that you have excelled in, this is the time to include them.

Anything that further proves your aptitude for Maths and/or Economics is great to mention e.g. tutoring younger students in Maths, completing the UK Maths Challenge or running an entrepreneurial project. Similarly, you should highlight any activities that taught you relevant transferable skills.

However, be aware that you only have so many words in your personal statement, so everything you include should be impactful and support your point that you’d be an excellent Economics student. Your constant topic should be Economics. When it comes to extracurricular activities and hobbies, unless you have competed at national level or won an award, really consider if it would be beneficial to include it in your personal statement. Only include it if you have characters to spare!

Our expert university admissions team can offer advice on gaining the right extracurricular experience as well as how to apply it in your personal statement. 

Some competitive universities (such as Oxford and Cambridge ) routinely interview candidates as part of the application process. Your UCAS personal statement will be an important deciding factor in whether you get offered an interview with your chosen university. However, if you’re invited to attend a panel interview, your statement may also be used as the basis for questions to ask you and topics to discuss.

If you know there is a chance that you will be asked to attend an interview, make sure to consider this when writing your personal statement. Look at each sentence you have written in your statement and think about what questions you could be asked about at your interview. If you are able to expand on the sentence or talk more about the topic then keep the sentence in; if you’re unable to go into any more depth, consider removing it or reframing it in a way that will make it easier for you in the interview. 

Throughout your personal statement, you should also show that you are up to date with current affairs to ensure you are able to have topical discussions in your interview. Ensure you follow the news and read relevant news stories from rigorous and reliable sources such as The Economist, The Financial Times, and The Guardian. You could be asked about how Brexit or COVID-19 has affected the economy. Or you might be asked for your opinion on the cost of living crisis, or future society being cashless. So, be prepared and also ensure that you have a few topics on hand that you can volunteer yourself. If you have formed an opinion on any articles you’ve read, you could also make a note and include these in your personal statement as evidence of your own independent thinking.

You can look up previous interview questions from the university online, this will tell you to expect some abstract questions but be aware it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be asked that exact question. Your best bet for interview preparation is to make sure you have done the extra reading, stayed up to date with current affairs, and know your personal statement!

Be sure to check out our previous article on preparing for an online interview, our founder’s article on the Kira Talent Prep Interview, and our video on how to smash a university interview. 

You don’t want to fall at the last hurdle. Your interview performance is crucial! Reach out to our experienced interview coaches for expert guidance.

The final paragraph of your Economics personal statement should summarise everything you’ve described throughout. You should conclude by stating why you think you’d be well-suited to an Economics course and why you would make a great addition to the university’s student body. You do not need to include any new examples or information here. Rather, you should summarise the key points you’ve already made and tie them back to the overarching goal and the motivations you established at the start of your statement.

Your personal statement is an important part of your Economics application, so it’s a good idea to get professional help to make it as compelling as possible. Our personal statement tutors can help you by:

Identifying where you need support in a free discovery call:

Our experts offer a free discovery call to understand your goals and needs. From this, our experienced tutors will formulate a plan of action, including helping you build your personal statement from scratch (or supporting you if you’ve already started!) and working with you on a regular, one-to-one basis.

Putting together a plan:

You should plan every stage of your university application – including your personal statement. Which universities and courses you’re applying to, what experience you have, and other contextual factors will all impact how and what you should write in your personal statement. Your statement also impacts other areas of your application which you’ll need to plan for, including admissions tests and interviews, all of which our admissions tutors can help you prepare and plan for.

Helping you develop your skills and academic profile:

A great personal statement relies on great skills and experience. Our tutors can advise you on what you can do to help build your academic profile for an Economics degree and ensure that your personal statement stands out for all the right reasons.

Giving a statement of review on your personal statement:

Once you’re in touch with one of our personal statement tutors, you can submit a draft for review. Based on many years of experience helping students refine their personal statements and get into top universities for Economics, our experts will provide detailed feedback with action points advising you on how to improve it. Nobody, not even a tutor, is allowed to make direct changes to your personal statement, and it is ultimately up to you what you write and whether you make changes based on any feedback you receive.

Proofreading for grammar:

Though it might seem obvious, proofreading for grammar before you submit your personal statement is critical to your application’s success. Grammatical mistakes – even small ones – could detract from the contents of your statement and prevent assessors from focusing on all of the fantastic skills and work experience you have. Use a document that has a spelling and grammar checker incorporated in it to avoid mistakes, and always ask a tutor, friend or family member to proofread it before submitting.

Wider application support:

Our team can also help you with your wider university application , including improving your grades, preparing for any admissions tests, and providing interview training. Get in touch with us to start your admissions tutoring today.

Also, don’t forget that we have top-tier tutors in university admissions , TSA , STEP , MAT , TMUA , Maths , Further Maths and Economics on hand to help. No matter what you need help with, we’ve got you. Our experience in offering excellent and bespoke services is precisely why we’ve got a 95% success rate in getting students offers from their first and second-choice universities! Come join the winning team.

Your personal statement is your way of introducing yourself to your chosen university. You will have limited characters so it needs to be concise whilst also conveying your positive attributes. This makes personal statement writing a momentous task for many applicants. 

However, with the right amount of skill, effort and time dedicated to your personal statement, you can win over admissions teams and get your offer! 

Our expert help is always available. Our advice is to choose your course carefully, start early, and accept the help that is offered to you. Should you seek further assistance with writing your Economics personal statement, The Profs offers dedicated professional tutors. We are experts in university admissions and personal statement writing. Just get in touch !

What should I include in my personal statement as a mature student?

The term ‘mature student’ usually refers to someone who is going to university after spending a period of time out of full-time education. Most mature students will have previous educational experience and qualifications, so if this is the case, you can talk about what you learnt, which areas you excelled in, and why you have chosen to return to education. 

If you have any large or unexplained gaps in your education or professional history, make sure you also address these in your personal statement. Your university will be keen to know that your chosen degree is not just a back-up, but that you are serious and committed, and that it is part of your academic or career plan.

How long should my personal statement be?

Will i need to do an additional mathematics test to support my application.

You must thoroughly check the entry requirements for your chosen course before you apply. Additional maths tests involve STEP , MAT and TMUA . Anyone can take these tests so long as they have access and permission from a registered test centre, more information can be found in our article about Cambridge Admissions Tests . All Economics undergraduate courses require you to demonstrate a good level of mathematical ability and while the university might not explicitly stipulate it as a requirement, taking Mathematics at an Advanced level (A-level, IB, SQA Highers etc) is most definitely desired. 

In cases where you have not studied mathematics in your higher education, but you are confident in your mathematical ability you may wish to take an additional test (MAT, STEP or TMUA) to showcase this. Other instances where an additional test could be useful are if you are a mature student who has taken a break from the education system, or you have a unique educational background (for instance did not take GCSE maths or an equivalent well-recognised qualification).

Do I need to study Further maths?

In short, no. However, showcasing a high level of mathematical ability is a requirement for most economics courses. Further Maths is not an essential requirement for an Economics undergraduate degree but it can be seen as desirable.

Is work experience essential to my application?

Work experience is a great way to develop skills relevant to your application described in Step 4 above. Many work placements directly relating to economics, finance and accounting will be competitive but it’s definitely worth trying. Soft skills such as problem-solving and interpersonal skills can be linked to many examples of real-world experience. If you cannot attain work experience directly relating to economics, try broadening your search and/or engaging in a relevant extra-curricular activity such as writing articles for your school or joining a maths club. 

Browse more “ University Applications ” related blogs:

Emily Watson

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How to Write an Economics Personal Statement

how to make a good personal statement for economics

Many students are unsure of how to write an Economics personal statement as they haven’t written one before. Starting your personal statement can be daunting, but you are not alone! We are here to give some pointers for students wishing to study Economics at university, particularly those applying to UK universities via UCAS. We have separated the process into three stages – research, writing and editing.

What to Research for your Economics Personal Statement

What to include in your economics personal statement, how to edit your economics personal statement, research your economics courses.

Research is vital for writing your Economics personal statement. First, you should have good knowledge of the Economics courses you are applying to. How does the university describe the Economics course (e.g. how Mathematical is it?). What content does the course include? Will your interested area in Economics be taught in the course?

Research Advice on How to Write an Economics Personal Statement

Second, you may want to read Economics personal statement examples from past applicants. This will give you some information what a good Economics personal statement includes, and what you should aim for. It is also good to look up any advice on writing personal statements. For example, this article you are reading! LSE also provides some general advice to writing any personal statement.

Research Which Aspect of Economics you are Interested in

Finally, you should research into the topic in Economics that you are interested in, which we will discuss more below. Google Scholar is a great way of searching for academic papers/essays regarding a specific Economics topic you want to learn more about. Another option may be to look through any suggested texts/reading for the university course you are applying to – does any topic in particular catch your eye? Finally, our article on Economics books to read for your personal statement may also help.

An Economics personal statement consist of many different components, and we explain the reason behind including each one in the sections below.

Area of Interest in Economics

In your statement, more than half of it should be used to show academic interest for a key topic/theme in Economics. The topic can be an extension to A-Level/IB syllabus that is slightly more advanced, or it can be something that will be explored further at degree level. This shows your understanding of Economics, and is a good opportunity to impress the admissions tutor with your enthusiasm. Remember – if you are interested in studying Economics, you should be self-motivated to learn more than what you are required to! Ideally, the topic/theme should also be tied to your personal reason to study the subject. This will make your interest more genuine, consistent and convincing. Have a specific topic in mind? Ask us about it !

Your Opinion on Economics

It is all well and good to explain what aspect of Economics you are interested in. However, that is not enough – admissions tutors would want to know your opinion on the issue/concept you discussed. They want to understand if have processed and understood what you have learnt, rather than just regurgitating it. It also demonstrates your ability to think and evaluate about a topic in Economics critically, showing independence of thought.

Motivation to Study Economics

Of course, you need to specify why you wish to study your subject in your statement. It is important to figure out a good reason here that is relevant to you personally, in order to stand out. Avoid generic reasons like ‘I wish to study Economics to understand the world better’ or ‘I wish to study Economics as my father works in finance’. Think deeper – what is it that is uniquely different about your environment, or what you experienced, that causes you to be interested about Economics?

Interest in Mathematics

For most, if not all Economics courses, there is a large amount of Mathematics involved. This is because Economics pursues a more scientific approach via Mathematical Modelling and Econometrics at higher levels of study. Hence, it is important for you to demonstrate your interest in Mathematics, and the use of it within Economics. You can reduce emphasis in this component if the course you are applying for involves less Mathematical modules.

Extra-curricular activities

It is important to include some extra-curricular activities relating to Economics, as it demonstrates your interest in the subject outside of your studies. Ideally this can relate to your area of interest in Economics and your motivation to study the subject. The activities can range from anything such as reading books on Economics , attending Economics events, to having a related work experience. If you want to include any experiences not relevant to Economics to show what you are like as a person, that is certainly acceptable, but should be less than 25% of your statement. Ask our Economics admissions advisor a free question below if you would like to know more about the various activities, and how to write about them.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Ask Wilfred a Free Question on GCE, IB or GCSE Economics * Email * We will answer your question by email and send you relevant notes/materials for your Economics course. Email Ask

After a first draft, it is important for you to get someone to review your Economics personal statement. This can help give you an objective perspective on what others think. Show it to your careers advisor at school, your Economics teacher, your Economics classmates, maybe even parents/siblings that have gone through a similar process. Of course, those who have more exposure to the subject may be a bit more helpful, like someone who applied for an Economics degree a few years ago. If you need professional, personalized advice on your Economics personal statement, you can reach out to our qualified admissions advisor for suggestions. After receiving feedback, you can edit your personal statement accordingly, taking into account each reader’s unique perspectives. You will then have to compare the suggestions and decide which parts/sentences to keep, change or remove. After many changes/edits your personal statement will finally be concise, unique and polished enough for submission!

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  • Successful Personal Statement For Economics & Management At Oxford

Last Updated: 22nd April 2020

Author: Adi Sen

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through an Economics and Managment applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Economics and Management Course at Oxford examines issues central to the world we live in: namely how the economy and organisations function, and how resources are allocated and coordinated to achieve the organisation’s objectives.

Read on to see how this candidate managed to navigate the many disciplines of E&M. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxford Economics & Management comprehensive Programme will help you perfect your Personal Statement.

Welcome to UniAdmissions, the world’s first Oxbridge preparatory school with an Oxbridge success rate of 57% and with over 500+ UniAdmissions students placed at Oxford and Cambridge.

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Economics and Management Personal Statement

Economics is the study of now. I view it as the study of the psychology of the people who dictate our lives. The world around us is shaped by the fundamental concept of supply and demand, wants and needs, goods and services. What grips me is that everything I have studied I can apply to real life. Discussions about inflation, for example, are so applicable since its current status is active in the world of pricing; the price of a Big Mac and “Burgernomics” is something to which I can relate from my travels.

The statistical aspect of economic analysis is closely linked to my interest in Mathematics, thus I will take an Econometric route on option modules. This scientific approach to what is otherwise a field-based solely on individual theories and concepts interests me, as I find quantitative analysis much more accurate and reliable than qualitative theories. As an example, I relish analysing more Econometric models on the A-level Course: like Profit Maximisation calculations.

Despite this, Economics intertwines both Maths and Philosophy on a regular basis. I recently read an article from the Guardian by George Monbiot, which discussed the cost-benefit analysis model and whether nature could be quantified as a tangible asset, and how this would benefit neo-liberals in their perpetual quest for profit. This is just an example of how Econometric analysis does not always deliver such verisimilitude where the figures given are ambiguous. This is what is unique about Economics: there is no right answer to the question ‘Is there a right answer?’ The concept of there being methods of analysing the psychology of and nature behind the way that the interface between consumers and producers operates seems to exceed all other subjects in terms of interest.

I find it peculiar that a subject that has such a ubiquitous undercurrent in our society is so undefined and obscure; it is undoubtedly this which draws me to it. Consequently, I strive to keep up with Economics in the modern world by reading the “I” and “Guardian” newspapers, and “The Economist” magazine regularly. For wider background reading I have read Marx’s “Communist Manifesto”, Tim Hartford’s “The Undercover Economist” and “Too Big To Fail” by Andrew Ross Sorkin.

Sorkin’s book provided a gripping, in-depth insight into the world of investment banking and entrepreneurship – I finished the book in a matter of days. His book has inspired me to enter the investment sector. Upon graduation I would like to become an investment banker or negotiator, hence I am in the process of trying to arrange some work experience with the London Metal Exchange.

I completed a programme of work experience with Linden Homes this summer, through the Career Academy Programme on which I am enrolled. It was a six-week internship during which I gained a firm understanding of a construction company’s place within the national economy. I enjoyed spending valuable time in a variety of departments within the firm. I also have work experience planned in Belgium in 2013.

Additionally, I participate in a multitude of extracurricular activities. My team and I finished second in the national UMPH Business Competition; in Year 11 my team set the school record for the Enterprise Day Challenge and for three consecutive years my team won the Grimsby Inter-School Quiz without loss. Furthermore, I am part of both the Franklin College Debating Team and the weekly “Blue Sky Club”, where students meet to discuss current affairs.

Recently, a particular subject of interest has been the US election. We frequently discuss the debates and the candidates, covering subjects like their political viewpoints and how it will affect both our lives and those of the American public – plus the potential Economic ramifications of the possible outcomes. With a genuine zeal for the subject and an ability to relate my studies to the real world, I am convinced that I will thoroughly thrive at degree level Economics.

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Good Points Of The Personal Statement

The student gives a good insight into their academic interests and what’s inspired them to develop over time. They also demonstrate a passion for the subject, not only by stating their interest in it but by further explaining what interests them and why they would make a good candidate to study it at university. The student is already accomplished and explains well what they’ve gained from their various extra-curricular activities.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

The writing is weak and, at points, unnatural. The forced interjections of examples and unusual adjectives make it read like a student attempting to write a formal and formulaic exam essay. They would do better to write in their usual style, even if it is somewhat informal; this will allow them to better express themselves and they will come across as more interesting to those reading it. More importantly than this, however, at times, the student fails to keep up their otherwise good level of detail, and the writing becomes list-like.

This is particularly prominent when they discuss books they’ve read to develop their understanding of economics. Although they expand on one of these, they do so in little detail. Interviewers are unlikely to be impressed by simply mentioning that you’ve read a book – any student applying for degree-level economics is able to read The Communist Manifesto, for instance – but they will be impressed by your response to it and what you gained from the experience of reading it. Unless you expand on these details, a list of books you’ve read does nothing to contribute to the statement.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This statement is strong, except where it discusses academic work. The detail here was likely sacrificed in favour of expanding further on their extra-curricular activities and their particular areas of interest. However, they have limited discussion of their study of various classic economic works so severely that it fails to add anything to the piece. The statement would, therefore, benefit from a more balanced approach to the various areas of the student’s life.

We give this Economics Personal Statement a 4/5 as they have clearly projected their passion for the subject onto paper – the most important part of a strong Personal Statement – albeit this was at the cost of other factors that should have been covered in more depth.

And there we have it – an Oxford E&M Personal Statement with feedback from our expert tutors. 

Remember, at Oxford, the Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Our Free Personal Statement Resources page is filled with even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford E&M application.

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Personal Statement Service

How to Write the Perfect Economics Personal Statement

Economics, in its essence, is the study of how the world works. If you decide you study Economics at university, you’ll explore human behaviour, decision making, and statistics. With postgraduate career options in finance, business, and government , it’s easy to see why Economics is an appealing and exciting degree choice. 

To get into the very best universities for Economics - as well as joint degrees, such as PPE and Economics & Management - you need a first-class personal statement. We’ve researched what the top universities in the UK are looking for in prospective Economics students. Read on to find out how to make your UCAS application stand out from the rest. 

how to make a good personal statement for economics

Write the Perfect Economics Personal Statement

Make Your Economics Personal Statement Stand Out 

At the heart of every UCAS application is the personal statement. Economics personal statements need to show a strong understanding of the mathematical and statistical side of the subject as well as an interest in global economic issues. Reading, watching documentaries, and listening to podcasts are fantastic ways to improve your Economics personal statement - and what’s more, you can do them from the comfort of your own home. 

What to Read 

Several Economics professors have noted that there are some books that students reference every year. Freakonomics by Stephen D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, and 2 3 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang are among the common culprits - books that every Economics students claim to have read. If you love these books, do not fear - you can still mention them in your personal statement. Just be sure to add in your own original thinking, too - you’ve got to make your personal statement stand out. 

What’s better, though, is reading books that are a little more under the radar. Our top five recommendations are: 

Animal Spirts by George A. Akerlof and Robert Shiller. If you’re interested in macroeconomics, this is the book for you. Akerlof and Swiller explore the link between psychology and economics.

Poor Economics by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. This book, fro, the winners of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics, examines decision making while living on the poverty line.

Mastering Metrics by Joshua Angrist and Jörn-Steffen Pischke. Mastering Metrics makes data and statistics interesting. The authors take you through the basics of econometric methods, as well as linking the field to everyday issues.

The Drunkard’s Walk by Leonard Mlodinow. Mlodinow highlights the power of randomness in our everyday lives, drawing on statistics and psychology.

The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassum Nicholas Taleb. While economics is, in part, about trying to predict what will happen, Taleb explores how uncertainty governs our world.

It’s also a good idea to get to grips with the mathematical and statistical side of Economics, too - show that you’re ahead of the game. Statistics for Business and Economics by Newbold, Carlson, and Thorne, and Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis by Sydsæter, Hammond, Strøm and Carvajal are both recommended by university Economics professors. 

Finally, a good Economist stays aware of current affairs. The Economist, The Financial Times, and The Guardian Weekly are all great options for rigorous, in-depth journalism - don’t just rely on social media. Save articles that you really enjoy, and discuss them in your personal statement. Form an opinion on the articles that you read: an average personal statement will say ‘I regularly read The Economist’, while an excellent personal statement will say ‘I read about the technology industry in The Economist and I thought…’ - add in your own independent thinking. 

how to make a good personal statement for economics

What to Watch 

Documentaries are also a great way to broaden your knowledge of economics. Our top three are: 

Inside Job is about the 2008 financial crisis. It features interviews with academics, politicians, and financial insiders.

The Ascent of Money is a documentary version of Niall Ferguson’s book. It charts the history of money.

The True Cost examines the darker side of the global economy. It investigates working conditions in garment factories, and in turn, explores globalisation.

What to Listen To

Podcasts are more popular than ever, and you can find episodes on pretty much any subject that interests you. What’s great about podcasts is that you can listen to them whilst doing something else - so, if you need to boost your economics personal statement in a short amount of time, stick on a podcast when you’re stuck on a long car journey or doing chores. 

Econtalk has a huge back catalogue of episodes on various economics topics, featuring specialists and academics. 

The Reith Lectures are an annual lecture series hosted by the BBC and are available as podcast episodes. The 2020 lectures were given by former Bank of England governor, Mark Carney.

More or Less examines the statistics behind current affairs - a great way to combine the global and statistical elements of economics! 

Macro Musings, hosted by David Beckworth, features an interview with a different industry expert every week. 

NPR Planet Money looks at real-world stories from an economist’s perspective. 

50 Things that Made the Modern Economy is a BBC podcast that combines history with economics. 

Once you’ve read, watched, and listened to everything you can, it’s time to put together your personal statement. Whether you need advice on how to start writing your statement, or if you want an expert to proofread your statement before you submit it, our team can help you secure a place on your dream Economics course! Find out more here. 

how to make a good personal statement for economics

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Top Tips for a Cambridge Economics Personal Statement

Cambridge economics personal statement – top 10 tips: dos and don’ts.

economic personal statement cambridge

The Cambridge Personal Statement is a crucial component of your university application. It presents a unique opportunity for you to differentiate yourself from other applicants. You would be able to articulate your story and explain your interests beyond that of numbers on an admissions test. Furthermore, it gives the interviewer a chance to understand who you are. It also provides a platform to bounce off questions during your interview. 

They can tailor questions to your personality, interests, and commitment to who you are as a person and your amalgamation of experiences before you. To guide you through the arduous university application process, our Oxbridge application experts have compiled a list of top 10 Economics Personal Statement Cambridge tips. This includes dos and don’ts– for your Cambridge Economics Personal Statement for the 2024/25 application cycle.

General Advice for Cambridge Personal Statement

The economics course at Cambridge is a comprehensive course that covers all types of economics: core, pure, and applied. Furthermore, the course at Cambridge is also engineered in a manner that allows students to use techniques and schools of thought from other related fields This includes sociology, statistics, mathematics, politics, and history.

Hence, your Cambridge personal statement should clearly demonstrate that you understand that the course is not only theoretical but also includes a significant portion of mathematical reasoning and knowledge. Furthermore, when planning out your Economics personal statement Cambridge admissions tutors will be looking for you to research Cambridge’s achievements in economics and include it in your writing to illustrate your interest in economics. 

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Additionally, when you are crafting your Economics personal statement, you would most likely also be applying to four other university courses. This may result in your statement being vaguer. The University of Cambridge is aware of such and will require you to fill out an ‘Online Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ)’. This is shortly after submitting the UCAS application. So make sure you’ve created another condensed version of your Economics personal statement that you can directly submit to Cambridge.

Top 5 Tips for your Cambridge Economics Personal Statement

1. demonstrate that you are well-read in economics ..

Cambridge does not presume prior knowledge of Economics (after all, you are going to Cambridge to study it!). However, being familiar with Economics terminology as well as its basic principles would give you an edge over other applicants. Furthermore, being well-read in the field also signals to the examiner that you are interested and passionate about the subject. You would take the initiative and seek out knowledge on your own if you are truly passionate about the subject! If you don’t know where to start, you can access Cambridge’s recommended preparatory reading list on their website, or through this link here: Prelim Reading . Furthermore, remember that you are not restricted to books! This could also be in the form of news articles – The Economist, The Guardian, The New Yorker, Vox, The New York Times, etc. are all great places to start. You can also read magazine columns. Or it could even be in other forms of medium such as podcasts, documentaries (available on accessible platforms such as Netflix!), or even Youtube videos. Watching an economics documentary instead of your usual prime-time TV show would be a great way to incorporate learning into your everyday lifestyle.

2. Demonstrating that you are proficient or interested in Mathematics .

Although it is not immediately obvious for an Economics course, the Economics course at Cambridge assumes and requires students to be proficient in Mathematics. Fret not, they only require you to have fully mastered your course syllabus and material at the A-level Mathematics level before commencing your studies. However, showing that you are proficient and interested in Mathematics would help you both in your application and if you end up pursuing the course as there are definitely mathematics components in the course. For example, if you take further mathematics, you would benefit from knowledge in Further Pure Mathematics as well as Statistics. Participating in mathematics competitions or having done work in statistics would be useful in your application as well as course.

3. Focusing your application on your interest in Economics .

Remember that in your Economics personal statement Cambridge admissions tutors are looking out for students who are interested and are a good fit for the course. Hence, it is always important to remember that in your personal statement Cambridge Economics should feature highly! Elaborate on your interest in Economics! You can do so by answering the following trigger questions: Why are you interested in Economics? Are there specific aspects of the course that interests you and why? Do you have any personal qualities or traits that would make you a good Economics student? Focusing your body paragraphs on certain aspects of Economics that interest you and why, or qualities that make you a good Economics student could be used as an overall structure when crafting your Economics Cambridge personal statement. Referencing relevant experiences and reflecting on them would also be useful when writing your personal statement.

4. Having a good structure for your Cambridge personal statement .

Using a good structure when writing your Economics Cambridge personal statement would be good to not only enhance readability but also allow you to not miss out on or forget certain points when crafting your personal statement. You can have a look at a Cambridge economics personal statement examples. But remember when looking at economics personal statement examples Cambridge admissions tutors are adept at spotting plagiarism so looking at it to gain an understanding of structure rather than content is a good option.

A good structure could look something like this: Introduction– A short 3-4 lines briefly mentioning the main reasons why you are interested in Economics, or how you started becoming interested in the course. Next, your body paragraphs can focus on traits that you have that would make you a good economics student, or specific details or aspects of the course that interests you. Each point could be one body paragraph, and you can support and elaborate on each point with examples (such as competitions that you have participated in, books surrounding those concepts that you have read, societies that you have been a part of, etc.) You can then conclude by summarising the important points you want your Cambridge admissions tutor to remember and take away.

5. Giving yourself sufficient time to write your Cambridge Economics personal statement .

It might seem impossible to start crafting your Economics Cambridge personal statement, especially when you are staring at a blank word document and you have no idea where to start. If you are experiencing writer’s block, you can start by listing down all your achievements and experiences. You can then list down details or aspects of the course (you can easily research this!) that interests you, as well as a separate list of qualities that an economics student should have. You can then match your experiences to any points from the two lists, and use each match as a backbone when fleshing out your body paragraphs!

personal statement economics cambridge

Top 5 things to AVOID for your Cambridge Economics Personal Statement

1. having a poor or incorrect understanding of the course.

Many students who apply for a course at university have a misguided or misinformed idea of the course that they would be studying. This is because their impression of the course is from hearsay or what they see in films, or they assume that it would be the same as the subject they studied in high school. For example, especially for economics, students would not expect the amount of mathematics or statistics that are part of the course.

Having a good understanding of what you are in for can also benefit you when writing your personal statement. For example, you can explain how parts of your interest or personality align well with specific or general aspects of the course. This signals to the Oxford admissions tutor that you understand what you are applying for and that you are interested and are a good fit for it.

2. Making your Economics personal statement an economics essay instead of elaborating on your interest or story

Although it is helpful to mention economic theories in your personal statement when you are trying to explain your motivation to study economics, or when elaborating on the books that you have read, ensure that you do not turn your whole Economics personal statement into an economics essay. Keep in mind that what the Cambridge admission tutors are looking out for when they are reading your personal statement is to understand why you want to study economics, and what makes you the perfect fit for the course. Even if you found a really difficult or obscure economics theory, talking at breadth about it rather than focusing on your story would put you at a disadvantage– these tutors would be experts in their field, and if they wanted to learn more about a particular theory, they would pick up a textbook instead of your Economics personal statement!

3. Using too much jargon or using vocabulary that you are not familiar with

You might think that using unconventional vocabulary or fancy terminology would make you sound or appear intelligent. However, especially if you are unfamiliar with the terms, this would actually work against you instead of helping your application. This is because your personal statement could end up sounding unnatural, wordy, and hard to read. Think about it this way– explaining a difficult concept in simple words is more impressive than using a difficult word incorrectly! Furthermore, Cambridge admissions tutors would be reading hundreds of Economics personal statements a day– If your Cambridge personal statement is full of jargon and tough words, it would be difficult for them to understand what you are trying to convey to them. You would not way your ideas to be lost in translation, so make sure you communicate in a simple and effective manner! Always value clarity over vocabulary.

4. Not reflecting on any experience that you mentioned in your Cambridge Economics personal statement

Your experience is only as valuable as what you have taken away or learnt from it. Especially when you are mentioning experiences that are not directly related to that of Economics, you should always mention how it is relevant to your application to Economics– whether it be your interest in it or certain personal qualities that you have. If you want to mention a particular experience that you have, however, you are unable to link it to Economics, you can think about how it has led you to develop certain transferable skills. For example, if you have done a lot of community service or volunteered at a charity, you can talk about how this has led you to be interested in learning more about Economics policies or theories that could help with inequality or poverty.

5. Only give yourself enough time to write a singular Cambridge Economics personal statement

Never expect to only write one Cambridge personal statement, and that being the final draft that you would be submitting. Your first personal statement that you craft would not be your best one, and you should always give yourself enough time to constantly improve and write multiple drafts to further improve it. After writing a draft that you are proud of, it would also be good for you to leave it aside and not think about it. After a week, you can return to it with a fresh mind, and you would be able to note out errors or aspects of it that you would like to further refine. You can also let seniors, friends, or your school’s career guidance counsellor proofread your Economics personal statement for them to give a more objective view and perspective on your personal statement. Their feedback could be immensely helpful, as sometimes we might not be the most objective person when telling our own stories. However, do remember to not share your Economics personal statement with anyone, as this could lead to unnecessary plagiarism problems!

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  • Economics Personal Statement

A personal statement is up to 4000 characters or 47 lines where you tell a University why you are a suitable candidate for the course. Unfortunately, there is no way of guaranteeing a place on your chosen course but a combination of a good personal statement and the right grades will certainly give you a good chance.

To offer you something useful, we asked senior Economics lecturers around the country what they like to see in an Economics personal statement;

1) Ensure the personal statement is grammatically correct and without spelling errors . Applicants have time to prepare and go over their statement over and over, as well as to get help from their teachers, parents etc. Sloppiness of this kind gives the worst possible impression .

2) Keep paragraphs short and to the point. This is easier to read than a big body of text – admissions officers are unlikely to spend a long time reading over the statement, so make the key points stand out.

3) I see little need to innovate by writing bizarre things so as to stand out – keep things clear, relevant and to the point, also statements such as ‘I have dreamt of studying Economics from when I was a small child’ are completely implausible and all too common! Show enthusiasm for the subject but back it up with evidence of this , such as relevant books you have read (but make sure you have indeed read them before an interview…if caught out lying, looks very weak – you would be surprised how often this happens), issues in the media or current affairs that interest you etc.

Emphasise the reasons why you’re interested in and want to study, Economics . What is it about the subject that makes you want to spend 3 years specialising in it? What especially appeals? If you’ve studied Economics before you might talk about some of the areas you’ve found most interesting; if not, then explain how you came to want to study it. I think this is an exercise that’s of value notwithstanding the personal statement: students who’ve thought carefully about their choice are more likely to make the right one and ultimately to enjoy success with their degrees . Both with this and more generally on the personal statement, be honest (for your own sake as much as the selector’s, remembering that any exaggerations and poorly thought out statements are likely to be exposed in the event of any interviews ) and resist the temptation to write what you think the selector wants to hear (e.g. “I have always loved Economics ever since I was 2”) or to try and flatter (e.g. “I welcome the chance to study at your esteemed institution”); both are likely to sound insincere, won’t convince and will therefore, add little value. Just be yourself, and be both interested and interesting!

Paragraph 1 – give a general introduction of why you wish to study Economics; this might include a particular aspect of the subject that fascinates you (though explain why), when your interest was peaked and how a degree in Economics fits in with your future career aspirations.

Paragraph 2 – give a brief account of why you are suitable for the degree(s) in questions, highlighting relevant A-level courses taken and aspects of them that were of interest. Give academic and non-academic reasons -applicants tend to focus on what they would take from the opportunity to study towards a particular degree- it is nice to explain how they hope to contribute also to the social fabric of the university and interaction within the course/degree.

Paragraph 3 – give evidence of interest for Economics by listing one or two popular Economics books (e.g. Freakonomics, Superfreakonomics, the Armchair Economist, the Bottom Billion…the list goes on) that you have read. Rather than giving an implausibly long list of books read, focus on one or two (or three if the course is a joint honours degree with other subjects) books and (this is crucial…) identify how the book/particular chapter/treatment of a particular issue fuelled your interest in Economics, in particular, what questions it raised in your mind that a degree in Economics would help answer.

Paragraph 4 – describe (briefly) any work experience/voluntary work, highlighting any aspects that are relevant to Economics. A few lines on hobbies or sporting activities could also be included – perhaps to show perseverance of enjoyment in interacting with others. Some interests e.g. debating, are arguably of more relevance than say, golf.

Somewhere in the statement – if applying from overseas, list the qualifications attained in English language and perhaps say a few words on how studying Economics in the U.K. is of particular value to you.

Paragraph 5 – list any awards, prizes etc attained or participation in things like the Model UN or Duke of Edinburgh awards. Some applicants are involved in Target 2.0 and in doing so get a first-hand feel of the role of monetary policy and how interest rates are set and inflation targeting. These are relevant to the statement.

A statement that follows the structure above should give enough information to satisfy most readers and should appear structured, well-written and clearly thought out.

Vague statements of interest with broad sweeping statements of unbridled enthusiasm for the subject lack credibility if not backed up by specific activities/books read/courses taken etc. In my view, a straightforward personal statement that gets all the core points across in a coherent way serves the purpose best.

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Personal statement

The quality of an applicant's personal statement is very important at LSE. The School does not interview for places so this is an applicant’s only opportunity to demonstrate they are a good fit for the course. Applicants should consult the advice here, as well as advice from UCAS when preparing to complete this section of their application. 

Please note that writing a personal statement following the guidelines below does not guarantee an offer of admission. Personal statements are looked at on a comparative basis and there is a great deal of competition for places at LSE. 

LSE does not accept additional or supplementary personal statements. We can only consider the personal statement submitted via UCAS.

Writing your personal statement

We expect that your submitted Personal Statement is structured and coherent and that you fully utilise the space available on your UCAS application form. We expect that you have checked spelling, punctuation, and grammar and that your Personal Statement flows in a logical order. We expect that your Personal Statement is entirely your own original work. We reserve the right to reject your application where it has been found that a statement has significant similarities to a previous submission or has been created with the use of Artificial Intelligence.

Before you start writing, do your research

Before you start writing your personal statement, you should visit our course guides . These guides give information on the course content of each of our undergraduate programmes. 

When assessing your personal statement our Admissions Selectors will look at how well your academic interests align with the LSE course. So, for example, the Anthropology Admissions Selector is likely to prefer a statement which focuses mainly on social anthropology - which is taught at LSE - over one which suggests the applicant is very interested in biological anthropology, or a combined degree with archaeology, as these courses are not offered at the School. 

Similarly, a personal statement which shows an interest mostly in modern international history (the focus of LSE’s International History course) is likely to be more competitive than one which shows a significant interest in ancient history, as LSE does not offer any ancient history units.   

If you are applying for a range of slightly different courses, we recommend that you focus your personal statement on the areas of overlap between them, so that your statement appeals to all of your UCAS choices. It is important to note that LSE does not accept replacement or supplementary personal statements. 

What to include in your personal statement

Your personal statement should discuss for the most part your academic interest in the subject you wish to study. One way to think about the personal statement is to reflect on what we expect from LSE undergraduates: we ask them to learn about topics relevant to their course, through reading or other experiences, and then discuss the ideas they have encountered in academic essays. This is the skill we look for in the personal statement and we recommend at least 80% of your statement should be dedicated to this type of academic discussion. 

How you show your wider engagement with your subject is entirely up to you. Our Selectors look for students who can best reflect on the experiences and academic ideas they have encountered through the opportunities available to them, not those who have had the best opportunities. If you are not sure where to start, you could try listening to podcasts of LSE public events or look in the prospectus for examples of suggested reading. Remember we are interested not just in a list of what you have read/encountered, but evidence you have reflected on the academic ideas. 

To help you begin, there are several questions you could think about:

  • Why have you chosen the course? What attracted you to the subject? Which aspects of the subject have interested you sufficiently to want to study it at degree level? Is there a specific area of the subject you wish to focus on? What are the big issues in the subject, and what do you find most interesting about them? What are your thoughts on these topics?
  • Have you developed your subject interest outside of your school studies? For example, have you undertaken any additional reading to broaden your knowledge of the subject? Have you attended lectures or explored online material relating to the subject? What did you find interesting in your reading/in the lectures you attended and what are your thoughts on the topics covered?
  • Have you gained any skills from your other school subjects that complement your application to study your chosen subject? Have you had the opportunity to undertake work experience relevant to your application? If you did, how did this experience give you a wider understanding of the topics you will study at university?
  • Have you attended any schemes or activities at LSE or other universities, such as Summer Schools, Saturday Schools, LSE Choice, etc? What you have learned from these? Have they furthered your knowledge of or interest in your chosen subject?

If you are applying for deferred entry, as well as thinking about the questions listed above, you may also wish to indicate (briefly) why you are taking a gap year and what you plan to do during the year. 

If you are applying as a post-qualified student (ie, you have already received your final results), you may wish to mention briefly what you have been doing since your exams. 

Please note : You are not expected to simply answer all of the questions above; these questions are merely intended to give you some guidance as to what to think about when writing your statement. 

Extra-curricular activities

At LSE you are admitted to study a particular degree course so the majority of your personal statement − at least 80% − should focus on your academic interest in that subject. Many students like to include some details of their extra-curricular activities such as involvement in sports, the arts, volunteering or student government. As our Selectors are most interested in your academic interests, we recommend that no more than 20% of your statement is spent discussing extra-curricular activities. 

Applying to combined degree programmes

LSE offers a number of combined degree programmes. If you are applying to one of these programmes, you are advised to give equal weighting to each subject in your statement. For instance, if you are applying to our Politics and Economics degree, you must show evidence of interest in both subjects; a statement weighted towards only one aspect of the degree will be significantly less competitive.

Example of a poor personal statement

"I have always dreamed of coming to LSE since I was young. It has been a dream of mine to study at this institution, which is well renowned for its social science courses.  

I am currently studying History, English and Business and Management at Higher level and Italian, Maths and Chemistry at Standard level in the International Baccalaureate, and feel that these subjects are providing me with a solid background for university study.  

I want to study History because I want to be a world class Historian, and feel that this degree will help me. I am especially interested in Ancient History, particularly the history concerning the Roman Empire. I am fascinated by the way in which the empire was run, and the events that led to its downfall.  

"I was the captain of the school football team, and this has taught me the importance of working together as a team, and allowed me to prioritise my time between my studies and football practice. I feel that this has provided me with the experience to successfully balance my academic and social life, and I plan to continue this balance whilst at university.  

It is my dream to become an alumnus of the School, and I am sure that as I am the top student of my class, you will offer me a place."  

This brief example of a personal statement is poor. The applicant has mentioned an interest in history but they have not discussed this in depth or shown any evidence of wider engagement with the subject. Where the applicant does talk about history, the discussion is superficial and focussed on ancient history, which LSE does not offer as part of our history course. 

The applicant has specifically mentioned LSE, which is likely to be unattractive to their other choices, and has wasted space listing their International Baccalaureate subjects, which would be shown in the qualifications section. The applicant has described how a history degree will help them get the job they later want, rather than what they are looking forward to studying during the degree. 

The applicant has reflected on the transferable skills they have developed leading the football team. This is good, but it would be nice to see the same level of reflection applied to academic topics - this student has spent more time talking about football than about history. 

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Economics and accounting personal statement example.

Accounting to me is not just a subject, but a life skill. It invokes not only the core disciplines of business and economics but it provides these in both a local and global context.

I see Accounting as an international common language between businesses, to analyse accounts and influence future decisions companies will make.

The application of business within the accounting degree has been one of the major pulling factors that have influenced my decision to study the subject.

After studying GCSE business and discovering the accounting and finance aspect of it, I have become fascinated to learn more, going on to extend my knowledge of the subject by reading outside of the school environment.

As an avid reader of the Accounting blog on the tutor2u website, I have gained a good grounding in the fundamental application of accounting, especially in the way websites such as ‘facebook’s’ growth is driven by their own growth through advertising, and the fact that their books and accounts continue to stay cash flow positive, despite their impressive rate of expansion.

I am particularly interested in the law aspect of the course and how decisions made can influence an individuals’ desire to defraud their accounts to avoid taxation, and the often extensive amount of time it takes to bring these people to justice.

Although initially studying psychology may not seem to have a direct influence on accounting, I feel the knowledge I have learnt about the interaction of people’s behaviour in social situations will help me greatly. This would especially be within the aspects of the course that involve management methods and organisational behaviour.

By studying Economics at A level I have found that it has had a profound effect on accounting.

The understanding I have acquired of the financial world as a whole has provided me with a strong awareness of international sections of the course. The barrier for trade inside and outside of the EU and how this affects profit margins, with relevance to extra costs on balance sheets is one example.

This awareness will help equip me to have a better understanding of real world accounting situations, where I hope to find my self in the future.

Last summer I was accepted on a two week work experience placement at the Bank of England to do shadowing and accounting of my own, however due to circumstances beyond my own control, it fell through, much to my disappointment. Nevertheless I have tried to keep in touch with current Accounting developments through the newspapers and internet.

I am currently completing my silver Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and I am planning an eight day trip, alongside “World Challenge Organisation”, to Norway next summer for my Gold expedition. The trip will be funded entirely through the money my team raise. I feel these experiences have helped me develop valuable life skills such as the desire to achieve, self-confidence and discipline.

I believe that these skills I have learnt will provide the perfect platform for a degree in accounting and aid me on into the workplace. I also play hockey for the North of England and have captained both Yorkshire and South Yorkshire sides as well as my School and Club teams.

Hockey is a major part of my extracurricular life, giving me teamwork and leadership skills and I feel I could contribute greatly to a wide range of university activities.

I look forward to studying accounting at degree level. This will allow my interest in the subject to flourish. I hope to immerse myself fully in the experience and challenges the university will provide.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by ash4932 for application in 2011.

ash4932's Comments

I believe that this a one of the best personal statements around i hope to use this to help others. I received 5/5 offers last year with this but unfortunatly missed out on my grades by 4 marks i have applied again this year and within a week i had 4 conditional offers. Hope this helps!

Related Personal Statements

Universities.

Sun, 10/07/2011 - 20:20

to which universities have you applied for? Is Oxford, Cambridge and LSE one of them?

P.S.: It is really nice one

It is a very strong and

Fri, 19/07/2013 - 16:51

It is a very strong and smooth personal statement, what I wanted to know was how my offers did you receive once to sent out the personal statement to your chosen universities?

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PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Economics and Finance Personal Statement

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Economics and Finance Personal Statement

Over recent years I have developed a passion for looking at current events and how they affect the economy. This interest originates from the enjoyment I get from using maths to analyse a problem, as many situations can be explained clearly using maths. Economics is a subject that is very much alive and this is what makes it interesting to me. Every day there are new situations that economists can explore and analyse and I find this prospect extremely exciting.

Studying Pre-U Economics has increased my enthusiasm for the subject as I enjoy following macroeconomic debate in the UK and learning how globalisation changes markets. I have gained insights about how firms have had to react to globalisation and how nations use protectionism as a way of preventing industries from collapsing. The analytical skills that I have developed in Physics have proved particularly helpful as I can transfer these skills to Economics, despite them being quite different subjects. I enjoy following financial markets where you can see how the economic impacts of global events play out and have recently setup a paper trading account.  The trading application helps further my understanding of the impacts of economic events.  I can test my hypothesis of a particular event against the change in markets and improve my understanding.

I became interested in the socioeconomic elements of development and international aid after reading ‘Dead Aid’ by Moyo. The idea of ‘trade not aid’ resonated with me and led me to conduct further research which led me to conclude that having a skilled labour force would be more economically beneficial than trade. Reading ‘Awakening Giants’ by Bardhan gave an interesting insight at the speed at which China has become a leading economy.

I have also enjoyed exploring the world of economics through work experience, the first of which was with Tradition, a global financial services firm.  I learnt how to analyse and rank different trading strategies based on historical data modelling.  At Guardian Stockbrokers I witnessed in real-time the impact of macro and microeconomic data on different asset classes. I set up a demo trading account on the company’s platform to experience first-hand how the slightest change in the economic outlook  can influence the market price. Last summer I secured a place in HSBC’s work experience programme for 6th form students. I learnt about different aspects of retail banking and gained insight into how a retail bank works. This helped put some perspective as to how banking has changed over the years after the financial crisis.

Last year, I was selected to represent my school in a Physics symposium and as part of the team my role was to apply my analytical skills and communicate the results to my team. This opportunity helped with my team building skills.  I have also experienced how to set up a company and run a profitable business when I was appointed the company Financial Director for the young enterprise scheme. I gained insight into how to conduct meetings and improve my presentation and negotiation skills. I enjoy playing classical guitar and have had the opportunity to perform in school concerts throughout my school years. As an active member of the school Charity and Community Service committees I help the local community by volunteering at the day shelter for the homeless and the YMCA cafe. This experience provided me with a different perspective on life. Throughout school I have captained and toured with many school teams playing tennis, football and cricket.

Everyday something new happens in the economic world, I would love to be part of an undergraduate course that analyses these events. This is why Economics is my chosen course and I look forward to expanding my knowledge in this field at undergraduate level and, hopefully, further.

This student also took a year abroad too. 

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