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Edinburgh University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to The University of Edinburgh. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

Psychology Personal Statement Example 2 Psychology surrounds us. I often observe my class mates and ask myself why they are so different, struggling with attention or eating disorders. While looking for reasons, I also want to find ways to help them and I am confident that psychology will give me the means to do so...

Politics and International Relations Personal Statement Example 4 The era in which we live goes through constant turmoil and shifting powers. Not a day goes by without a change somewhere on our planet, which in turn has an effect on yet another change to come elsewhere...

French and Arabic Personal Statement Example In studying French and Arabic, I am eager to compare two mutually influential languages and cultures, particularly their overlapping history and its cultural representations. I decided to defer my entry to retake my Maths A2 and plan to turn this to my advantage by working and living in France, putting what I've already learnt of the French language and culture into practice...

Maths Personal Statement Example 3 I am extremely enthusiastic about my decision to read Mathematics at university as for as long as I can remember Maths has always been my main academic interest. From learning to count at primary school, to studying calculus towards my Mathematics A level, I have found this subject intriguing due to its obvious application to the real world...

Environmental Science Personal Statement Example 1 I must describe as undetermined the moment from which my compassion began to aim predominantly towards the natural environment and all the elements that compose it. With the passing of the years since my existence here on Earth, I have been able to witness behind the transparent glass of “development”, how our relationship with nature is becoming more noxious; on having assumed us with the right to take a big part of our Earth as if it was completely within our jurisdiction...

Economics and PPE Personal Statement Example My aspiration to study economics at both advanced and degree level has stemmed from my lasting interest in current affairs and world development. These issues require an application of economics in real-life situations and can be related to many diverse subjects such as politics, philosophy and psychology...

Physics Personal Statement Example 4 The elegance of the scientific subjects, in particular physics is what has established my eagerness for a deeper insight into the subject. What sets physics apart from the other sciences, in my opinion, is that it can be practically applied to all instances of life...

Architecture Personal Statement Example 1 I believe that having a visual stimulus in your environment is important. For example, if I'm walking down the street I want to see an eclectic mix of buildings that I find exciting to look at, rather than rows of uniform houses...

Law and International Relations Personal Statement Example 1 Through my insight into the UN's work I have learned that having declarations about Human Rights does not mean they are obeyed and automatically enforced. Law is not static, but develops all the time. It is part of everyday life, as in Berlin everyone is confronted with the issue of asylum seekers...

Geography Personal Statement Example 1 At first glance, my A Level choices appear scientifically biased, but they underpin key topics studied in Geography. I enjoy investigating the theories of global economies, population and poverty. The mathematics I have studied enables me to manipulate raw data meaningfully...

Economics Personal Statement Example 5 Choosing an undergraduate degree in economics is a result of my deep seated curiosity to know why economies are they way they are; why oil prices in my country, Pakistan, rapidly fluctuate whereas economies like USA and China continue to strengthen despite recessions...

Geography Personal Statement Example 2 In a dynamic world, the study of geography is increasingly important. The diversity of the subject and the interaction between the physical environment and human population is becoming even more evident with climate change and globalisation influencing our everyday lives...

German and English Literature Personal Statement Example Email correspondence with a friend in Berlin during the celebrations of the twentieth anniversary of the German reunification gave me an insight into the importance and relevance of Germany’s past both within the country itself, and throughout Europe...

Scottish History Personal Statement Example “Swap Access to Degree Studies” Whenever I walk through the village where I live in Polmont, and look just beyond the Westquarter valley where the tree line of the Callendar woods are visible, I close my eyes, and I am transported back to one of the most fateful days in Scotland’s history...

Biology Personal Statement Example 8 My interest in Biology started at a very young age due to spending a lot of time outdoors. I am intrigued by the functioning of living organisms and how they are all linked; one small change in one species will affect a whole range of others...

Plant Biotechnology Personal Statement Example I have became fascinated with Science in my early childhood. It came from the first glance through the microscope at Paramecium. Since that time I have shown a pertinacity to learn about the world imperceptible by human eyes...

Economics and Politics/Geography Personal Statement Example My desire to study Economics in combination with the Social Sciences stems primarily from my interest in these fields but also from the fact that these two disciplines compliment each other exceptionally well...

Pure Mathematics Personal Statement Example Mathematics is beautiful to me because of the deep and meaningful ideas touched upon by it, the vastness of these ideas, the clearness and elegance of their representation. Mathematics gives me the ability to apply knowledge by approaching things logically, and thinking clearly...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 8 From the start of my second year at high school a subject which was introduced to me was graphic communication. This immediately caught my attention as the technical drawing aspect of the course was thoroughly enjoyable To further investigate more about this subject I chose to do graphic communication at a higher level which broadened my experience in technical drawing and introduced me to computer aided drawing which inspired me to research different courses related to this subject and doing so clearly confirmed my desire to study this course...

Psychology Personal statement Example 46 Marathon, madness or pleasure? What motivates a person to run 42 195 meters under a burning sun, on a hot summer’s day with a temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius? Well, it is a justified question if you’re not a fan of long distance running or if you are a student in the field of psychology...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 43 The ever-evolving nature of medical science and the certainty that we will know more about the many different healthcare practices has inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My dedication to studying medicine has been confirmed by the experience I have gained in different hospitals and practices and I look forward to the academic discipline and challenges that will arise...

Geography Personal Statement Example 12 Considering my interests and hobbies, I could have chosen one of any number of subjects as my main area of interest, but there is no other subject which captures my imagination so completely as Geography, and I see links to it in almost every aspect of my life, both within and outside of my studies...

Economics Personal Statement Example (International Student) 1 The subject of economics, which I seek to study in the coming years, was first introduced to me through the United States Academic Decathlon, a ten-subject team competition for high schools. Over the past two years I have devoted hundreds of hours to independent preparation for this competition...

Law and Business Personal Statement Example (International Student) From an early age, law has always been number one priority in my vision of the future. Probably because of my father's profession (he is Head of the Regional Criminal Police), I have always been intrigued by Criminology and the idea of analysing and solving tangled cases...

Mathematics and Engineering Personal Statement Example Questions regarding the reason for my liking of mathematics have only one answer: mathematical logic and concepts contribute to a practical approach in every aspect of life. It is the diversity and universal applicability of this subject that encourages me to delve further and study it in depth...

Languages/Linguistics Personal Statement Example My decision to study languages at University stems from a fascination of the complexity of language and the changes which languages go through. As I am Scottish, I often speak in a regional dialect and I find myself engrossed as to why people speak in dialects and why speakers of the same language can have difficulties understanding each other...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 48 Given that over ninety nine percent of the body consists of just six elements, it is hard to imagine the human body as an intricately synchronised and immensely complex machine. Yet, it has done well to puzzle even the brightest minds in history-but I am drawn to a challenge; I cannot think of anything else more fascinating to work with...

Geography Personal Statement Example (Human/Environmental) The possibility of the human race’s days being numbered by our destructive lifestyles, as planted in my mind by Al Gore’s sensationalised and controversial ‘The Inconvenient Truth’, has fuelled my interest in the global warming phenomenon, forcing me to question society’s reluctance to tackle it and realise the worldwide impact of each of our daily lives...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 53 I have asked myself many times what it takes to be a great doctor, but like many questions there is never a straight answer. Keeping an open mind with regards to my career has meant that I have been able to pinpoint the one field which has fascinated me unlike any other, medicine...

International Relations/Politics Personal Statement Example 1 Earth is an ecosystem consisting of uncountable amount of substances, organisms and climatic changes, and of fragile relations between all of them. As a slight increase of global temperature causes great changes around the world, like melting of humongous ice glaciers which lead to flooding areas many miles away, as cutting of few trees may cause significant change in the population of one type of animal which destroys balance between other kinds living in the same forest, thus the human world today consists of the same political ecosystem with both fragile and strong relationships between different nations, countries and people themselves...

Archaeology and Anthropology Personal Statement Example 2 As an immigrant living in Spain, I am constantly reminded of the importance social and cultural factors have on my daily life, the language I speak, and the difference between the relationships I maintain with people from my own country and those I encounter here on a daily basis...

Ancient/Medieval History Personal Statement Example My decision to study Medieval History at a higher level was never a difficult one. Having always been interested about the relationship between the past and the present, studying History at AS-Level only strengthened my decision...

Law and German Personal Statement Example I have always been fascinated by the structures of societies and how their laws are built. Due to the constant changes of the world, the ongoing conflicts, debates, and controversies, these laws are constantly evolving...

International Business Personal Statement Example 2 The motivation behind my decision to gain a Business Degree lies in my determination to better understand how the real world works. I particularly enjoy the way that business blends in with everyday issues...

English Literature and Personal Statement Example At the war cemeteries of El Alamein in Egypt, I spent an hour or two combing through the British Commonwealth cemetery for Royal Dragoons from my Grandpa’s division and found myself struggling, from the sheer number of headstones, to choose between condemning our capacity for violence and admiring the extent of our sacrifice...

Creative Writing Personal Statement Example 2 To me, fiction is like the magic carpet of Aladdin. It takes me to travel through time and space and explore the slices of human experience. In the wonderful trips, I am guided by the author and accompanied by the characters...

Architecture Personal Statement Example 16 I vividly remember the moment when I knew I wanted to be an architect. I had been taken to Barcelona to see ‘the wavy buildings’, at the time I didn’t know anything about Gaudí or his work so I was relatively unenthusiastic...

History Personal Statement Example 37 My interest in history lies in the simple fact that I have always been fascinated by the past. At eleven I won a full academic bursary to attend my current school. This was a way into a community in which my intellectual curiosity would be valued and where I could further my enthusiasm for history...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 62 When two, I suffered a large third degree burn on my chest. Living in a small town in Romania, I was not able to get appropriate treatment, so I grew up with complexes about the aesthetical appearance of the scar...

Law and History Personal Statement Example 4 Louis de Bernières writes in ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin' that history is fascinating 'because everything [is] connected to everything else in the most elaborate, devious and elegant ways'. Perhaps this explains the importance of history in understanding the modern world; it governs the way in which we view society, dictates our actions and, perhaps most importantly, provides guidance to those who establish law...

Medieval History/History Personal Statement Example My grandmother’s maiden name is Marx. Her uncle, the world-renowned landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, was Karl Marx’s great-nephew. This fact, while seemingly trivial, has worked to strengthen the spark history has ignited within me since I was old enough to read...

Engineering Personal Statement Example 21 The world of engineering is so complex, yet so inspiring. Incredibly, engineers are discovering more ingenious and inventive solutions to complicated problems, whilst continually maximising efficiency...

English Literature & History Personal Statement Example 1 Throughout my education, I have constantly been captivated and inspired by my History and English studies. I have recognised how the two disciplines entwine and coexist to create an invaluable tool with which to explore the past and future...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 54 Since my first years of school, my life has gravitated around the questions starting with “Why” and “How”. In the 7th grade I was introduced to physics, which answered some of my questions but also generated more...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 67 I first became interested in psychology whilst discussing the underlying causes of criminal behaviour and non-conformity with my father. The nature-nurture debate gave me a huge desire to increase my knowledge and understanding of the human condition...

Illustration or Art Combined Course Personal Statement Example When the opportunity arose to combine art with some of my other subjects I leapt at the chance. English and Art being my favourite combinations. I’d illustrate stories, sketch far-too detailed storyboards than was strictly necessary for my Media project, and translate an extract of Shakespearean script into an attempt at a Frank-Miller-esque comic creation...

Electrical Engineering Personal Statement Example 2 The defining wonder of today’s age is electricity. In just two centuries, we have come from Faraday’s crude but prophetic experiments to devices just a square inch that can calculate in seconds what the most gifted of human minds might take days...

Linguistics Personal Statement Example 3 Have you ever heard the Tuvan throat singing technique? Beautiful and intriguing at the same time. The question that's bound to accompany a throat singing performance is how the human voice could possibly produce such a sound...

Mathematics & Physics Personal Statement Example 2 My enthusiasm for Mathematics and Physics comes from the fact that they are both used to further our understanding of the universe and have applications in all other areas of science. My main area of interest in Physics is particle physics as this tells us how fundamental parts of our universe interact with each other...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 7 Coming from a mixed religious background, the comparison between cultural practices has touched me deeply, personally and profoundly. I have been able to observe the influence of culture on people's perspectives and world views...

Geology Personal Statement Example 4 Geology acts as a spyglass into the past, enabling us to understand the ancient environment and how its evolution is a key component to our survival. Through the study of Mineralogy and Palaeontology I have understood the importance of unravelling the earth's structure and mineral composition for both environmental and human benefit...

Accounting Personal Statement Example 4 At the heart of a successful business is a passion to achieve. A clear mindset and the ability to collaborate well with people is what makes profit; this is vital in the field of accounting. After looking further into the structure of firms, one thing in common to each is that at it's centre is a good accountant who makes clear and well thought out decisions...

German Personal Statement Example 8 Studying German at an advanced level strikes me as a very natural choice due to my cultural heritage and my strong interest in the subject. I have been brought up in the French-speaking part of Switzerland in a very multicultural family with an Italian father and a German-Iranian mother...

Earth Science/Geology Personal Statement Example 1 Everyone wakes up in the morning hoping to achieve something in life. That ‘something’ is what keeps them going every day. For me, it is my strong desire to contribute to society. I believe the best way to do that is by helping them understand the earth’s mechanism and how to maximise its potential to not just complement our lives but to make it better...

Law and International Relations Personal Statement Example 3 Our entire system is based on law, making it the essential foundation of stability in societies; the emergence of UN, NATO, and EU made the world more cordial. International cooperation is one of the chief elements of the functionality of the modern world; thus a combination of law and foreign affairs is the base of international prosperity...

Politics & Social Policy Personal Statement Example The ever-changing nature and diversity of politics is fascinating. The rapid social and political development in Russia in the early 2000s, still surrounded by the left-overs, if not quite the toppled statues of the previous socialist regime, kindled my interest in politics...

PPE/Economics Personal Statement Example Humanity today stands at the intersection of the most significant questions facing the world today: if democracy leads to political infighting, should it be sacrificed in the interest of economic well-being? Does religious fundamentalism provide a way for countries in the developing world to assert their identity in the face of Western hegemony? Does the entry of Western consumer goods threaten a country’s economic self-sufficiency? The answers of these questions will determine what the nature of our world is in the twenty-first century...

Law Personal Statement Example 90 Law is the cornerstone of our society, the piece of the puzzle that makes the world we live in work. It sparked my interest a few years ago, when I decided it was time to take a closer look at potential university courses...

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The saga of my postgraduate personal statement & me

by Coby, MSc Carbon Management

I am told that I tend to be a bit overly critical of myself — particularly when it comes to my writing abilities. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, I was just beginning to realize that the engineering career I was building for myself was not going to cut it, and I decided graduate school would be a great way to initiate a career change. And so I began to look for graduate programs that would essentially serve as my ticket to something new (that something new being the vast world of climate policy). And then, suddenly, after weeks of searching, I finally found it: the carbon management program here in Edinburgh. It was beautiful, perfect, everything I had ever dreamed of… but there one glaring problem: did I have it in me to even get admitted to the program? Especially with my writing abilities?! After all, the bulk of the application process was a written statement about my personal qualifications and interest in the program, and I hadn’t exactly spent much time during my tenure as an engineer flexing my non-technical writing muscles (spoiler alert: I got in).

But this was a critical point for me — the moment I would take my destiny into my own hands and I was determined to write the best damn personal statement anyone had ever read. And so I began. I spent weeks drafting and redrafting my personal statement. I had my mom read it, my friends read it, my girlfriend read it (probably upwards of 20 times, sorry Nancy). I toiled over every little phrase I used to make sure I wouldn’t be rejected because I used a word that had too few syllables or was too informal (or worse, too formal). Finally, I got to the point where I was putting in and taking out commas, mostly arbitrarily because I don’t really know where they are supposed to go all the time, and I decided enough was enough and submitted the application.

Anyways, like I spoiled earlier, I did end up getting into the program (thank god), and I absolutely do not regret the way I approached writing my personal statement. However, in hindsight, I do think my little process could have been streamlined pretty significantly to a few key bullet points. So if you have made it through that tedious recounting, I would like to now present the key things I did that I think made my personal statement something I ultimately felt pretty good about.

Use LinkedIn

The first thing I did was actually reach out to someone on LinkedIn who had previously completed the program and messaged them to ask if they had any time and interest to answer a few questions about their experience applying to the program. I realize this is perhaps a bit of a unique approach, but I was coming out of a job where I spent a lot of time making “cold calls” of sorts and what I found is that in a professional setting, people are usually more than willing to help out when they can. This ended up being a really useful chat as I asked about their experience as an international student and what kinds of backgrounds other students came from, as well as questions about the personal statement. And also, LinkedIn and platforms like it are literally designed to expand your network, so why not use it?

Avoid fluff at all costs

Me, with my personal statement months behind me, living my best life at the COP26 in Glasgow.

Typically, I write with a lot of extra words, if you can’t tell already. There is just simply no room for this in the personal statement. The limit for mine was about 500 words, which is much shorter than this blog post. In order to effectively relay who I am, what my qualifications and experience are and why I am interested in the program in 500 words, I had to use nearly every character allowed — you wouldn’t believe the amount of time I spent trying to rephrase sentences to cut out a word or two (this was overkill and I do not necessarily recommend doing this if you don’t need to). Be as straightforward and to-the-point as you can be, as you probably won’t have room for much more.

Determine your direction

One strong piece of advice that the former student I spoke with gave me is that if I was qualified, the university would likely admit me to the program if I could show that I have a clear direction and clear goals that the program could help me achieve. And so before I began my personal statement, I spent a bit of time thinking and journaling about what my specific goals were and what exactly I hoped to get out of the program. This eventually became the backbone of my statement — for me, it had a lot to do with my career change . For others, maybe a masters degree will get you further in your career, or it will teach you skills to start your own business. Whatever your direction and whatever your goals, I wish you the best of luck as you begin your personal statement saga.

For more information on choosing a postgraduate degree, check out this resource from the University. Follow us on Instagram or Twitter for more updates from our Geosciences students!

Posted by Coby

4th March 2022

Edinburgh • Postgraduate

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The personal statement is a key part of your UCAS application. You have a limited space to tell universities who you are, what you want to do, and why they should accept you. If you give it your best and tackle it step by step it need not be a daunting task.

Before you begin

The personal statement is one of the final sections of your UCAS application. However, you shouldn’t leave it until the last minute. Give yourself plenty of time to write.

• Your personal statement must be at least 1,000 characters long , including spaces.
• The maximum length is 4,000 characters or 47 lines, whichever comes first.
• It’s a good idea to write your statement in a separate document , make all the edits you want, and then copy and paste it into your application.
• Plan out your structure and key points before you start writing, just like an essay. You can use this page to decide what to include. 

Top tips for writing your statement

Watch the video for a summary of the key advice on how to write your personal statement.

Or use the bullet points below as a checklist when you're writing.

Remember the UCAS Deadline is 31 January 2024.

We look forward to receiving your application, good luck!

1. Introduce yourself first

You don't need to start your introduction with “My name is...”, but it’s vital to tell whoever’s reading your application who you are. Start by answering these questions:

• Why are you interested in studying your subject?
• What is it about university that appeals to you?
• Where do you hope a degree will take you?

Include any relevant anecdotes and details about yourself that will make your application stand out. Has someone inspired you to study your chosen subject? Have you always dreamed of a particular career?

2. Tell us about your skills and achievements

You should demonstrate the things you’re good at and provide examples to back it up. Include things like:

• Any awards you’ve received.
• Hobbies or activities that build skills.
• Work experience and what that taught you.
• Volunteering or projects like Duke of Edinburgh, Step Together, or Young Enterprise.

3. Do some final checks

There are a few dos and don’ts to make sure your personal statement is the best it can possibly be.

• Do proofread everything. A spellchecker might not pick up on every mistake so make sure your writing makes sense.
• Don’t mention the names of any specific universities if you’re applying to more than one. They all see the same application.
• Do have someone else read your statement before you submit it. A teacher or family member could have suggestions.
• Don’t be tempted to copy someone else’s writing. Your statement should be unique to you and similarities will be caught out.
• Do bring your best self! If you take the time to really think about your statement, plan it out, and write to the best of your ability, then it’s a job well done.

Head back to our main 'How to Apply' page and remember to send your application before 31 January 2024.

How to Write a Great Personal Statement

When you apply for a course at college you will need to write a personal statement. This is a couple of paragraphs of text which provide you an opportunity to tell the college why you should be considered for a place on your chosen course. Read our blog for some tips on writing a great personal statement for your application.

Plan it out

Before you even start putting pen to paper, you should research the course you want to apply for and plan out what you want to say in your personal statement. This could be done in written form, visually as a mind map, or even a voice memo on your phone. A good starting point is to look at the course description, pull out any parts that interest you and match it up with your skills and experience.

At this point you can also think about the structure your personal statement will take. A good structure will give your writing a good flow and make it easy for people to read and understand your key points. You should include clear sections on why you’re applying, your skills and achievements, any hobbies and interests you have, work experience and plans for the future.

Check out this  personal statement worksheet  from UCAS to help you structure your statement.

Make it relevant

Researching your course and matching up your skills and experience to the course description will help make sure your personal statement is as relevant as possible. You can also make your personal statement relevant to the course by writing about why you want to study the subject, what interests you about it and what you can bring to the profession after your time at college. This means you can demonstrate why you are a suitable candidate.

Don’t worry if you’re fresh out of school or looking to retrain in a brand-new area, as you will have a whole host of transferable skills which you can outline in your personal statement. For example, playing on a sports team demonstrates teamwork, raising a family demonstrates skills in time-keeping and so much more.

Think about what makes you great

Your personal statement is your opportunity to really sell yourself so you should think about what makes you stand out from the crowd.

We can all struggle a bit when asked what we’re good at, so why not ask friends and family what they think your best qualities are? You’re sure to be nodding your head in agreement and jotting down things in no time.

Be confident and positive in your writing

Thinking about your best qualities and reminding yourself why you want to progress in this area will help boost your confidence and this will come across in your writing.   

It’s important that you come across passionate and confident by writing in an enthusiastic and natural style. Avoiding words like ‘think’ and ‘just’ will make you sound more confident in your personal statement. For example, “I am suitable for this course”, instead of “I think I am suitable” can make a big difference.

Triple check it

You will want to make sure that your personal statement is the best it can be so make sure that you read over it a few times, looking out for anything that doesn’t read well or any spelling mistakes. It’s also a good idea to get a friend or family member to read it over for you as they may pick up on something you’ve missed.

Ready to start your application?  View our courses.

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Edinburgh - History

History – 2013 ( edinburgh, nottingham, exeter, sussex ).

I am an avid observer of international and domestic politics and through travelling, newspapers and multimedia formats my interest in how history and politics influence one another has greatly developed.

Please note UCAS will detect any form of plagiarism. PSE and its contributors do not take any responsibility for the way in which personal statements are used.

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Genetic Architectures of Adolescent Depression Trajectories in 2 Longitudinal Population Cohorts

• 1 Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
• 2 Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
• 3 School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
• 4 School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
• 5 Generation Scotland, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
• 6 MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom

Question   Could multitrait polygenic risk scores be used to strengthen genetic prediction of longitudinal depression across adolescence?

Findings   In this longitudinal cohort replication study of 14 112 adolescents, stronger effect sizes of multitrait polygenic risk association with adverse depression trajectories were found compared with unitrait genetic risk.

Meaning   Longitudinal depression has a robust genetic underpinning, and leveraging shared genetic information across multiple psychiatric traits may strengthen prediction models of depression in adolescence.

Importance   Adolescent depression is characterized by diverse symptom trajectories over time and has a strong genetic influence. Research has determined genetic overlap between depression and other psychiatric conditions; investigating the shared genetic architecture of heterogeneous depression trajectories is crucial for understanding disease etiology, prediction, and early intervention.

Objective   To investigate univariate and multivariate genetic risk for adolescent depression trajectories and assess generalizability across ancestries.

Design, Setting, and Participants   This cohort study entailed longitudinal growth modeling followed by polygenic risk score (PRS) association testing for individual and multitrait genetic models. Two longitudinal cohorts from the US and UK were used: the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD; N = 11 876) study and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC; N = 8787) study. Included were adolescents with genetic information and depression measures at up to 8 and 4 occasions, respectively. Study data were analyzed January to July 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures   Trajectories were derived from growth mixture modeling of longitudinal depression symptoms. PRSs were computed for depression, anxiety, neuroticism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism in European ancestry. Genomic structural equation modeling was used to build multitrait genetic models of psychopathology followed by multitrait PRS. Depression PRSs were computed in African, East Asian, and Hispanic ancestries in the ABCD cohort only. Association testing was performed between all PRSs and trajectories for both cohorts.

Results   A total sample size of 14 112 adolescents (at baseline: mean [SD] age, 10.5 [0.5] years; 7269 male sex [52%]) from both cohorts were included in this analysis. Distinct depression trajectories (stable low, adolescent persistent, increasing, and decreasing) were replicated in the ALSPAC cohort (6096 participants; 3091 female [51%]) and ABCD cohort (8016 participants; 4274 male [53%]) between ages 10 and 17 years. Most univariate PRSs showed significant uniform associations with persistent trajectories, but fewer were significantly associated with intermediate (increasing and decreasing) trajectories. Multitrait PRSs—derived from a hierarchical factor model—showed the strongest associations for persistent trajectories (ABCD cohort: OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.26-1.68; ALSPAC cohort: OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.20-1.49), surpassing the effect size of univariate PRS in both cohorts. Multitrait PRSs were associated with intermediate trajectories but to a lesser extent (ABCD cohort: hierarchical increasing, OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.13-1.43; decreasing, OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.09-1.40; ALSPAC cohort: hierarchical increasing, OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.04-1.28; decreasing, OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.18-1.47). Transancestral genetic risk for depression showed no evidence for association with trajectories.

Conclusions and Relevance   Results of this cohort study revealed a high multitrait genetic loading of persistent symptom trajectories, consistent across traits and cohorts. Variability in univariate genetic association with intermediate trajectories may stem from environmental factors. Multitrait genetics may strengthen depression prediction models, but more diverse data are needed for generalizability.

Read More About

Grimes PZ , Adams MJ , Thng G, et al. Genetic Architectures of Adolescent Depression Trajectories in 2 Longitudinal Population Cohorts. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online May 15, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.0983

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Sun’s magnetic field may form close to the surface. This finding could improve solar storm forecasts

This image provided by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory shows a solar flare, right, on May 14, 2024, captured in the extreme ultraviolet light portion of the spectrum colorized in red and yellow. An international team of mathematicians and scientists reported Wednesday, May 22, 2024, that the sun’s magnetic field originates much closer to the surface than previously thought. (NASA/SDO via AP)

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — New research indicates the sun’s magnetic field originates much closer to the surface than previously thought, a finding that could help predict periods of extreme solar storms like the ones that slammed Earth earlier this month.

The magnetic field appears to generate 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) beneath the sun’s surface. Previous calculations put the roots of this process more than 130,000 miles (209,000 kilometers) below, an international team reported Wednesday.

The sun’s intense magnetic energy is the source of solar flares and eruptions of plasma known as coronal mass ejections. When directed toward Earth, they can create stunning auroras but also disrupt power and communications.

“We still don’t understand the sun well enough to make accurate predictions” of space weather, lead author Geoffrey Vasil of the University of Edinburgh said in an email.

The latest findings published in the journal Nature “will be an important step toward finally resolving” this mysterious process known as solar dynamo, added co-author Daniel Lecoanet of Northwestern University.

Galileo was among the first astronomers to turn a telescope skyward and study sunspots, back in the early 1600s. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections tend to occur near sunspots, dark patches as big as Earth that are located near the most intense portions of the sun’s shifting magnetic field.

Vasil and his team developed new models of the interaction between the sun’s magnetic field and the flow of plasma, which varies at different latitudes during an 11-year cycle. They fed their calculations into a NASA supercomputer in Northern California — the same one used in the 2015 movie “The Martian” to verify the best flight path to rescue the main character. The results suggested a shallow magnetic field and additional research is needed to confirm this.

The modeling was “highly simplified,” University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Ellen Zweibel, who was not part of the team, said in an accompanying editorial.

The results are intriguing and “sure to inspire future studies,” Zweibel said.

The new knowledge should improve long-term solar forecasts, allowing scientists to better predict the strength of our star’s future cycles. The sun is approaching its peak level of activity in the current 11-year cycle, thus the recent flareups.

Strong solar flares and outbursts of billions of tons of plasma earlier this month unleashed severe solar storms that produced auroras in unexpected places. Last week, the sun spewed out the biggest solar flare in almost 20 years, but it steered clear of Earth.

Better understanding of the sun can ensure “we are prepared for when the next storm — potentially much more dangerous — hits Earth,” Lecoanet said.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Old College protest: a statement from the Principal

Since 5 May 2024, a group of people have been occupying the Old College Quad in protest about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine. This follows a number of similar protests taking place in campuses across the UK, the USA and the world over the last few weeks.

To the students currently encamped in Old College and to other members of our community who are engaged in other forms of protest on current issues, I am writing as Principal of our University to emphasise that we hear your message, we respect your right to peaceful and lawful protest and we fully recognise the strength of feeling that you have demonstrated with your actions.

Our primary concern has always been and will always be the safety, security and wellbeing of all members of our University community. There will be people with views very different from yours: they are also welcome to express them in peaceful and lawful ways. A university should be a place where the most sensitive, topical and complex matters can be openly debated in an atmosphere of respect and safety. This principle is enshrined in our position on freedom of expression which was articulated some years ago and still holds true today:

Our Commitment to Freedom of Expression | The University of Edinburgh

By the same principle, members of our community have the right to go about their lawful business, free from harassment: in this respect we are grateful that the encampment in Old College has so far been peaceful and has not obstructed access to Old College for the staff who work there or for others needing access. Please note that hundreds of your fellow students are scheduled to sit examinations in the coming days and weeks. Some of these examinations are taking place in Old College and our students are using study space and the library at Old College. This is an important time of year for our students and we hope and expect that you will respect their needs and wishes, so that they can navigate a time period which is already stressful for them without any additional tensions. Similarly, staff require access to their workplaces to do their jobs, so please treat them with respect and let them carry on as normal.  

We have very recently been notified of the intention of an unknown number of students to commence a hunger strike as an indication of their strength of feeling and determination around issues related to Palestine and Israel. Whilst we recognise their bodily autonomy, we appeal to them and others not to take risks with their own health, safety and wellbeing. Please make yourself known to us at any point at which we may be able to direct you to support. We are in daily contact with the protesters to ensure they are aware of the health and wellbeing support available to them.

There are some inaccuracies in some of the assertions made: for example we do not invest in controversial weapons; Blackrock is one of a number of investment managers that we use and our investment in their ESG fund complies with our responsible investment policy; Albemarle has not manufactured white phosphorus for at least a decade; there is no portrait of Lord Balfour in Old College (we have for several years been engaged in a project to modernise some of the artwork in Old College: this started in the reception area and has extended to the area under the Playfair staircase where the portrait of Lord Balfour was formerly located). On these and other contested issues, we maintain a regular dialogue with student and staff representatives and we will continue to work in this way. A university should also be a place where there is respect for the truth.

We all deeply regret the loss of innocent lives anywhere in the world. We fervently hope for a peaceful solution to the current conflict in Palestine and other conflicts around the world. We will support the right to peaceful and lawful protest, and we have no current plans to disrupt your encampment provided that it does not unduly interfere with the activities of the University and its community.

We are proud of our status as a University of Sanctuary over many decades, and a founder member of CARA, the Council for At-Risk Academics, which provides opportunities for displaced academics from all over the world at our and other like-minded universities. We will continue to offer support to those members of our community that are directly or indirectly affected by Palestine or other conflicts. Right across the University, we are thinking of ways to help rebuild and regenerate the region as conflict subsides, including how we can help to bring back the University sector which has been so devastated.

Professor Peter Mathieson

Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh

9 May 2024:  Response to Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society

15 May 2024: Update on the University's investments

17 May 2024: Response to student protesters and staff group

Related links

A University of Sanctuary | Israel and Palestine