Personal Statement · Stage one
Oxbridge personal statement coaching
UCAS now asks three set questions in 4,000 characters. A tutor who studied your subject at Oxford or Cambridge reads every draft line by line and redrafts with you until it's ready to send. Five hours one-to-one online for £400, spread over the weeks before the October deadline.
The facts
- Format
- Three set questions, 4,000 characters between them, at least 350 on each.
- Question 1
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- Question 2
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
- Question 3
- What else have you done to prepare outside of formal education, and why are these experiences useful?
It's three questions now, not an essay
UCAS asks three questions and gives you 4,000 characters to share between them. For an Oxbridge science applicant we'd put about half into the first one, why this subject, because that's where your thinking shows.
Admissions tutors aren't looking for enthusiasm, they're looking for evidence that you think. A book with an idea you couldn't let go of. A problem you got wrong. A topic you took further than the syllabus went. They'll ask about anything on the page at interview, so don't write anything you can't talk about in December.
How we work on it
You read your draft aloud and we ask why after every claim, the way an interviewer will. Most drafts lose a third of their length that first afternoon, and they're better for it. You rewrite between sessions. We never write it for you: universities check for similarity, and the interview is the real check anyway.
Five hours is usually three to five full drafts over four to six weeks, which is why we like to start in the summer. The week before 15 October is test week for most courses, so we aim to have the statement finished by early October.
It's three questions now, not an essay
UCAS asks three questions and gives you 4,000 characters to share between them. For an Oxbridge science applicant we'd put about half into the first one, why this subject, because that's where your thinking shows.
Admissions tutors aren't looking for enthusiasm, they're looking for evidence that you think. A book with an idea you couldn't let go of. A problem you got wrong. A topic you took further than the syllabus went. They'll ask about anything on the page at interview, so don't write anything you can't talk about in December.
How we work on it
You read your draft aloud and we ask why after every claim, the way an interviewer will. Most drafts lose a third of their length that first afternoon, and they're better for it. You rewrite between sessions. We never write it for you: universities check for similarity, and the interview is the real check anyway.
Five hours is usually three to five full drafts over four to six weeks, which is why we like to start in the summer. The week before 15 October is test week for most courses, so we aim to have the statement finished by early October.
Our Tutors
Rigorously vetted.
Precisely matched.
Click any profile to learn more, or enquire directly.
Let us match youFilter by subject
All tutors hold first-class degrees, are rigorously interviewed, reference‑checked, and DBS verified.
Questions
- How much does it actually count?
- Less than the test and the interview, but it's not nothing. Tutors read it before they interview you, it can tip a borderline decision, and it's where interviewers find their questions. Cambridge also sends a short form with course-specific questions after the deadline, and we'll prepare that with you too.
- What goes in the third question?
- Things you've done outside lessons, each with a reason. For physics, an olympiad paper, a book and the question it left you with, something you built or coded. For medicine, work experience and what it changed about how you see the job. One specific paragraph beats a list of five activities.
- Can I use AI to write it?
- To check your grammar, sure. To write it, no. Universities check for similarity, and if the voice on the page isn't one you can reproduce in the room, the interview will show it. We'd honestly rather start from a rough draft in your own words.
- My school wants it done in September. Is that normal?
- Yes. Schools set their own deadline, usually mid to late September, so they can write your reference before 15 October. Treat it as the real deadline. If you start drafting in July it's comfortable.
- Does this cover the Cambridge questions and Oxford written work?
- Yes, where they apply. Cambridge's follow-up questions are short and we cover them in the last session. Some Oxford arts courses want marked school essays in early November, and we'll help you choose which ones to send.
How much does it actually count?
Less than the test and the interview, but it's not nothing. Tutors read it before they interview you, it can tip a borderline decision, and it's where interviewers find their questions. Cambridge also sends a short form with course-specific questions after the deadline, and we'll prepare that with you too.
What goes in the third question?
Things you've done outside lessons, each with a reason. For physics, an olympiad paper, a book and the question it left you with, something you built or coded. For medicine, work experience and what it changed about how you see the job. One specific paragraph beats a list of five activities.
Can I use AI to write it?
To check your grammar, sure. To write it, no. Universities check for similarity, and if the voice on the page isn't one you can reproduce in the room, the interview will show it. We'd honestly rather start from a rough draft in your own words.
My school wants it done in September. Is that normal?
Yes. Schools set their own deadline, usually mid to late September, so they can write your reference before 15 October. Treat it as the real deadline. If you start drafting in July it's comfortable.
Does this cover the Cambridge questions and Oxford written work?
Yes, where they apply. Cambridge's follow-up questions are short and we cover them in the last session. Some Oxford arts courses want marked school essays in early November, and we'll help you choose which ones to send.
Get in Touch
Tell us what
you’re looking for.
Every enquiry includes a free 20-minute consultation call with an Oxford tutor, where we learn exactly what your child needs and personally match you with the right tutor.
Prefer to talk first? Book your free 20-minute call with an Oxford tutor →Know a student who needs a great tutor?
Refer a family and earn £50 credit after their first 5 lessons.