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Writing a successful Statement of Purpose for postgraduate study in the USA

What is a statement of purpose.

The objective of a well researched and written Statement of Purpose (SoP) or Personal Statement is to tell the admissions committee who you are, how you think and what you can do. 

Specifically, they expect to see the following:

  • What areas of study/research you are interested in and why
  • How well defined your interests are
  • If these interests based on experience (academic or work) that the school may find useful
  • How you want your career to develop after your studies, e.g. go on and do a PhD, develop a career in academia, research, development, the public sector, consultancy etc
  • How your interests and goals match with the programme you are applying for.
  • How you think graduate school will help you achieve your career goals
  • Experiences you had that will help you make the most of the programme and achieve your goals
  • If you are also applying for a Graduate Assistantship (administrative, teaching or research) you should provide evidence of your ability to perform this role

Preparing to write a Statement of Purpose

  • Get to know the university and graduate school, department and programme you are applying for.
  • Do not limit your research to the institutions' web pages; research the academics involved in your target programme.
  • Don't be afraid to get in touch with administrators and academics if you have questions you want to ask. It is expected that applicants make contact in this way in the USA.

Review what you want to communicate about yourself and the connections you want to make with the programme you are applying for.

  • Prepare your CV and make notes of the relevant knowledge and skills your academic, work and extracurricular experiences have enabled you to develop, e.g. has working part-time whilst studying helped you learn how to manage a heavy workload and multiple priorities?
  • Evidence your interest in your subject, e.g. are there any relevant books, electives or conferences you have accessed beyond your required work which show your interest
  • Evidence of your ability to learn at graduate level, e.g. work you have undertaken independently, research work you have done
  • Explain any inconsistencies
  • Applying for an Assistantship?  You will need to evidence your ability to do this role

Writing your Statement of Purpose

The SoP should be written in essay form. It should have:

  • A clear structure with sentences and paragraphs that flow
  • An introduction, middle and conclusion
  • A consistent and positive tone, which communicates your individuality without being too personal

Advice for writing:

  • Don't worry about the length, you can edit it later
  • Don't repeat information which is available elsewhere in your application unless it is very relevant or needs further explanation
  • Avoid using jargon and abbreviations
  • You should not include activities prior to the start of your undergraduate degree unless these are particularly relevant
  • Check spelling and grammar and for errors, do not rely on spellcheck
  • Get feedback from friends or class tutors
  • Sit down and go over it again bearing in mind the feedback you have received
  • Show it to the people writing your letters of recommendation to get their comments and to inform them of what you have said

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LSE Masters Personal Statement for Scholarship Example/Sample (Masters in Accounting and Finance Course)

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This is an example/sample/guideline Personal Statement for anyone seeking to apply to LSE for a scholarship. The sample is for their Masters in Accounting and Finance course, but can still be helpful for anyone who needs some help in preparing a Personal Statement for whatever course. The biggest take-away from this Personal Statement is that you must do two things: firstly, make it personal to YOU- avoid being general at all costs; and secondly, tie in your experiences (academically, professionally, and leadership-wise) and strengths with the course you are applying to.

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Select an organisation of your choice. It can be from any country and any sector. This may be the same organisation that your group is working on for the group assignment, or it may be another organisation, as you prefer. Using two frameworks/tools from the module, write a report analysing an aspect of the organisation's customer experience and making recommendations for improvement. You can choose a particular customer journey (e.g. purchasing, or obtaining service, or using a product), and/or a particular channel (e.g. the firm's website, or telephone, or stores/branches), and/or a particular customer group, if that is helpful in making the report specific. Examples of frameworks you could apply include service quality, customer experience quality, value-in-use analysis, service blueprinting, journey mapping, channel chains, the experience profit chain (for example, to consider insight techniques), the cultural web, and the McDonald/Wilson CRM maturity model. You can equally use other frameworks/tools that are covered during the module (in class or in module readings) "I declare that this work is entirely my own in accordance with the University's Regulation 11 and the WBS guidelines on plagiarism and collusion. All external references and sources are clearly acknowledged and identified within the contents. No substantial part(s) of the work submitted here has also been submitted by me in other assessments for accredited courses of study, and I acknowledge that if this has been done it may result in me being reported for self-plagiarism and an appropriate reduction in marks may be made when marking this piece of work."

kgothatso malete

How to write a motivational letter for honours application. How do i write a motivation letter for university application. How to write a motivation letter for honours. How do i write a motivation letter for financial assistance. How do i start a motivation letter. A psychology motivation letter is a crucial element of your graduate school application, and it can be the deciding factor in whether or not you are accepted into the program of your choice. The purpose of a motivation letter is to demonstrate your commitment to the field of psychology, your academic achievements, and your research experience. It is also an opportunity for you to showcase your personality, your goals, and your unique perspective on the field. Writing a strong motivation letter requires careful thought and planning. It should be concise, well-organized, and written in a professional and engaging tone. The letter should clearly outline your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in psychology and explain how your academic and research background have prepared you for success in the field. By crafting a compelling and persuasive motivation letter, you can increase your chances of being accepted into the graduate program of your dreams. Introduction: Begin with a clear and concise introduction that highlights your interest in psychology and the specific program or institution you are applying to. Background: Briefly mention your academic and professional background, highlighting any relevant coursework, research, or practical experience in the field of psychology. Research Interests: Discuss your research interests, including any specific topics or areas of psychology that you are passionate about and hope to explore further in your studies. Goals: Clearly state your short-term and long-term goals related to your academic and professional pursuits in the field of psychology. Skills and Qualifications: Highlight your skills and qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the program or institution, including your academic achievements, research experience, and relevant skills such as communication and critical thinking. Fit: Explain why you believe you are a good fit for the program or institution, including any specific professors, courses, or research opportunities that align with your interests and goals. Conclusion: End with a strong conclusion that summarizes your motivation and qualifications, reiterating your interest in the program or institution and your potential to contribute to the field of psychology. Dear Admissions Committee, I am writing to express my strong interest in pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology at your esteemed institution. My passion for understanding the human mind and behavior has led me to choose this field. I am eager to develop my knowledge and skills in psychology, and I believe that your program offers the ideal platform for me to achieve my goals. I am confident that my academic background and personal attributes make me a suitable candidate for this program. I am committed to making a meaningful contribution to the field of psychology and look forward to the opportunities that your program will provide. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, [Your Name] Dear Admissions Committee, I am writing to express my strong interest in the Psychology Bachelor's program at your esteemed university. Psychology has always fascinated me and I am excited about the opportunity to learn and grow in this field. I am a highly motivated individual with a strong passion for understanding human behavior and cognition. With my strong academic background and relevant experience, I am confident that I will thrive in this program and contribute positively to the university community. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, [Your Name] Dear [Admissions Committee], I am writing to express my interest in the Psychology program at [University Name]. As someone who has always been fascinated by the human mind and behavior, I believe that pursuing a degree in psychology is the next logical step in my academic and professional journey. Throughout my academic career, I have excelled in coursework related to psychology and have been actively involved in research projects that explore various topics within the field. I am particularly interested in [specific area of interest] and hope to contribute to the ongoing conversation in this area through my studies and future research endeavors. I am confident that the Psychology program at [University Name] will provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve my academic and professional goals.

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The sustainability of higher education institutions is affected various things, particularly by student satisfaction and the financial stability of the institution. An analysis of student attrition and retention plays a vital role in assessing the sustainability of a higher education institution. Using suitable analysis techniques to do success profiling of prospective and current students is crucial for students and institutions alike. Success/risk estimation is essential for any higher education institution (HEI), because determining such factors can assist higher education institutions in fulfilling their obligation to provide support, guidance and interventions for their prospective and existing students. Strategic decisions in this regard, by both students and institutions, should be based on valid and reliable profiles. The validation of established profiles increases the accuracy of existing profiles and increases the efficiency of institutional strategic planning. This article reports on the validation of a success profile for first year Accounting students established by the authors of this article in an earlier study in an open and distance learning (ODL) environment at the University of South Africa.

Roelof Baard

The study investigated factors influencing success of first-year students in Financial Accounting at a South African university, thereby establishing a profile of successful and at-risk students. A two step process was followed to achieve the goals of the study. Firstly, the significance of a number of factors influencing students’ ability to succeed was statistically tested to determine the possible correlation between specific factors and students’ success. The most important factors in determining success of students in the module include average Grade 12 mark, whether students had Accounting as a subject at secondary school, class attendance, home language (Afrikaans or English), and the programme within which students were enrolled. Secondly, the simultaneous effect of all these factors was determined by means of a multivariate technique to derive a profile of successful and at-risk students. The results show general trends that could inform admission decisions and guide the im...

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Sociology personal statement example (lse).

The reason that I am applying for the MSc Political Sociology programme at The London School of Economics and Political Science is that I am aiming at acquiring knowledge of politics and sociology, so as to enhance “alter globalisation” ideas in Taiwan, even around the world. This grand movement relies on worldwide grassroots forces to foster universal justice and equality cooperatively, and I believe it is counteracting the negative results of globalisation through “alter-globalization” instead of “anti-globalization”. Furthermore, the valuable experiences I have gained through joining social movements have encouraged me to enrich my academic background in sociology.

I graduated from the Public Relations and Advertising Department at Shih Hsin University (SHU) in 2011. I maintained an excellent academic record; especially, I gained the She-Wo Academic Record Award in my senior year due to my outstanding academic performance (ranked 4th out 59 in the class). Moreover, my studies were not only limited to communication science, but also entailed other social science courses, which included sociology, economics, and politics. Because I believe nowadays the disciplines which belong to social sciences are too fragmented to explain the social phenomena adequately, I advocate interdisciplinary studies.

In my graduate dissertation, my partners and I regarded “The Female Marriage Migrants in Literacy School: the relations between social supports and social adaptations of migrants to Taiwanese society” as the thesis. It was a harsh challenge for the researchers who were not the sociological students; originally, communicating with female immigrants who came from Vietnam was the most difficult challenge due to the colloquial communication problem. Nevertheless, I overcame a series of obstacles, and learnt qualitative research techniques from sampling, interviewing, to context analysing, but the most significant gains were negotiation and deployment skills while I was being the convener of the team. I was pleased to mediate between tutor and partners. Finally, we completed over 20,000 words on paper, and won the merit prize from 7 teams of competitors from the Republic Relations Association of SHU, owing to our distinguished research!

During this research, I realized that the influx of migrants into Taiwan has coincided with the outflow of capital to the homelands of the immigrants after 1990. While Taiwanese blue-collar workers suffer from the capital flux due to the higher salaries, and since they have already been rejected by Taiwanese females, they gain in the “marriage market” with Vietnam partners, whose key motivation for immigrating is economics. It not only implies the personal willingness, but also the flow of capital across countries. Similarly, the marriages, which are economically based, not only apply to Taiwan and Southeast Asia, but also they are occurring in Eastern Europe and Latin America whose females are putting down their roots in Western countries.

Meanwhile, I am engaging in considerable extra activities which are paying attention to the critical social issues in contemporary society. I twice joined the “Summer Grassroots School” activity which focused on the acutest social issues in Taiwan (2010, 2011). It was a turning point that made me anatomize the perfect skeleton of politics and economics for Taiwan and the world, via lectures and visiting the areas afflicted from inequitable treatment, especially where forced migration has occurred, as well as where the country-wide labor conditions are deteriorating, both involved in the disordered development of capitalism recently. These were my priority subjects to study and practice.

For example, I joined the strike which marched to the Office of the President in 2012 in order to require the Government to press Hua Long Weave Cop, which is a remarkable traditional industrial company in Taiwan, to compensate for NT320 billion (around £7.06 billion) debts owing to employees after the local Government conciliation failed. The strike reflected on how industry is shedding jobs because the company used bankruptcy as an excuse, not to pay wages and pensions, but the true story was it had moved its capital to Vietnam, which I have mentioned previously.

Also, I took part in demonstrations against the development of nuclear power, twice, and the latest (March, 2013) was the largest manifestation of anti-nuclear sentiment seen in Taiwan. On that day, there were approximately 200,000 citizens involved. I was a volunteer to order and guide over 500 participants to proceed peacefully in a branch-line. The activity was triggered by “the 4th Nuclear Plant” which has not been completed in 14 years due to instable qualities during the construction. In my opinion, the popular assertion of anti-nuclear power in Taiwan is insufficient: it is contradictory to oppose nuclear plants, but remain silent about nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, both of these can generate exterminatory crises. And I fear the substance of the nuclear debate –the short-fall in electricity production—is being neglected. Nevertheless, I believe this event could be a great beginning to move the debate from anti-nuclear to ant- war and anti- over-exploitation of resources.

It is thus clear that my vision broadens beyond domestic affairs to global issues. I also took part in a training course for overseas volunteers which was established by the International Cooperation and Development Fund; therefore, I know the principle knowledge of international development and assistance. Simultaneously, I participated in the “Alter Globalization International Volunteer Program” which was held by Hao Ran Fund in 2012. I was elected as a candidate for the Volunteer in the primary round, although I was rejected in the 2nd round. This program is really fascinating to me. I believe “another world is possible!”, which is a celebrated slogan to capture the purpose of alter globalization, is true. Because every individual social symptom shares a common environment worldwide, it should be resolved collaboratively.

In spite of my passion to know the ideal, I am unsatisfied with the lack of a great deal of knowledge. For instance, how to unify the complexities of the mutual disagreements between Communism, Neo-Keynesian, Anarchism? Does Reformism offer a solution? How to keep a fine balance between conservation of native values and alter globalization? and so on. So many doubts incite me to learn more in order to practice alter globalization.

London is a flourishing center to attract people who derive from diverse cultures, so it is deserved to experience and do research in. It goes without saying the LSE is the paragon of cultural melting-pots, more than other universities around world! The Sociology Department in the LSE is the pioneer for sociology studies universally, and has had the most sophisticated experiences in international vision since 1904. In addition to ”Politics and Society”, I am attracted by “Globalisation: Economy, Politics and Power” and several other fantastic courses. Moreover, I expect to attend the lectures of Dr. Robin Archer and Dr. Manali Desai who specialise in social movements. While the LSE and your program provide immense resources, I will be ready to contribute my experiences of academia and practices, and the Taiwanese and Asian insights into scholarship elsewhere.

From the Taiwanese point of view, the political, economic and social change position of Taiwan is unusual in global terms. It is standing at the intersection of “core” and “periphery” countries, at divisions of international capital after establishing the first “Export Processing Zones” in Asia in 1966. Like the economics, the domestic democracy and social modification are transiting after Martial Law was abolished in 1987. In addition, the political situation is complex due to our ambiguous national identity. From various observations, I believe my background of Taiwanese could therefore contribute to the unique perspective of democracy and capital during the class discussions.

During my master studies, I will be much excited to be engaging in the four research areas of the department, but I prefer the “human rights, violence and injustice” and “politics, states and movements”. After I finish MSc Political Sociology, I will apply the knowledge and theories to the most critical problems of politics, economics, and sociology, and I anticipate devoting myself to NGOs, either domestic or multinational, to promote the ideas of alter globalization; for instance, the “Hao Ran Fund”, the “Association for the Taxation of financial Transactions and Aid to Citizens” (ATTAC), the “Landless Workers' Movement” (MST), and so on. No matter where I am working, I must strengthen the world through justice and fairness.

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This personal statement was written by KIT for application in 2013.

KIT's Comments

Does someone give me advises to my material? I have not send out. The LSE's principles about SOP's words limitation, which has 2 different statement: one is 1,000-1,500 words; another one is 2-3 A4 paper. I do my best to simplify my article to limited in 1,300-1,400 words. How about your opinions? Many thanks!

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READ THIS BEFORE YOU START WRITING YOUR LSE PERSONAL STATEMENT

The few opportunities in LSE’s programmes get thousands of applications. They are logistically unable to properly review every application and read every person’s personal statement. As a result, an initial selection factor is utilised to decide whether to continue evaluating a candidate or to reject them outright.

The grades you received in your ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades together make up this initial selection factor (if 12th grade scores are available, then those are considered as well). An email is sent to the applicant rejecting admission if they don’t make the cut based on this preliminary assessment.

Now, LSE cannot claim that the applicant’s grades are insufficient because many applications do fulfil their fundamental entrance requirements. Consequently, the school informs the applicants that their “personal statement is not convincing enough.” Although it may not seem fair, LSE is forced to do this because of the overwhelming number of applications they get. You should be aware that your statement of purpose considerably influences your chances of decision. On that note, let’s take a look at how to write a proper personal LSE statement in this blog.

Before we get into the specifics of drafting your individual LSE application, it’s critical that you brush up on your knowledge regarding the institution to which you are applying so that you can adjust your SOP to meet its requirements.

An English public research university in London, the London School of Economics and Political Science is a constituent institution of the Federal Institute of London. It is ranked second in the world for social sciences and management and is acknowledged as a hub of academic excellence and innovation in the social sciences. Unlike any other university in the UK, 50% of all LSE research was placed in the top 4 in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.

The significance of the LSE personal statement

The strength of an applicant’s personal statement is quite significant at LSE. This is the sole chance the applicant has to demonstrate that he or she is a good match for the course because the university does not conduct interviews.

We are all aware of the low admission rate for international students at LSE; therefore, your ability to craft a compelling SOP will set you apart from the competition. Students should take into account the \ UCAS’ guidelines as they get ready to complete this portion of their application.

Please be aware that completing the personal statement writing guidelines does not ensure approval. There is stiff competition for admission to the LSE, and personal statements are assessed in comparison. The institution does not accept additional personal statements. Only the personal statement provided via UCAS is taken into consideration.

Writing your LSE personal statement

When assessing your application, the selection committee will take into account how well your academic interests align with the LSE program. Here’s where research can be useful. Since the LSE doesn’t offer any sections on ancient history, a personal LSE statement that emphasises a strong interest in contemporary international history (with an emphasis on the LSE International History course) is more likely to offer you a competitive advantage.

In order for your personal statement to reflect on each of your UCAS choices, if you are applying for several different courses, it is good to draw attention to the areas where they overlap. Note that the LSE does not accept substitute or supplemental personal statements. Make sure your personal statement is well-organised, concise, and that you utilise all of the UCAS-provided space. Make a rough draft of your personal statement, then go back and double-check the grammar, punctuation, and spelling to make sure it makes sense. You should always give new English terms a try, but be careful not to let them overshadow the important points of your LSE personal statement.

Elements to include in your personal statement

The focus of your personal statement should be on your intellectual enthusiasm for the field you plan to study. Looking at what the LSE expects from undergraduate students can be one method to approach the personal statement:

  • LSE students are expected to read up on subjects relating to their class or engage in other experiences, and then write essays in which they explain the ideas they learned.
  • The university looks for this skill in personal statements, so it is advised that you spend at least 80% of your statement on this kind of intellectual discussion.

How you demonstrate a broader interest in your subject is entirely up to you. The institution is not searching for students who have had the most opportunities, but rather those who can best reflect on the experiences and intellectual ideas they have encountered as a result of the opportunities made available to them. If you’re unsure of where to begin, you might check out the newsletter for suggested reading selections or listen to the recordings of LSE public events. Keep in mind that the institution wants to see proof that you have thought deeply about academic ideas, not merely a list of what you have read or done.

You can address these questions in your SOP

When writing your LSE personal statement, think about the following questions:

  • Why did you pick this particular course?
  • What aspects of the subject have you found compelling enough to pursue a degree in it?
  • What are your top priorities and areas of interest?
  • Do you have a passion for a subject unrelated to your studies?
  • What are the readings or lectures that piqued your interest, and what are your thoughts on the aspects covered?
  • Did you have the chance to have any work experience that might be useful for your application? Have you taken part in any LSE projects or activities, such as Saturday Schools, Summer Schools, LSE Choice, etc.?

How can Rostrum help?

We acknowledge and understand that writing a personal statement is a challenging task. Don’t worry. Rostrum Education has your back. Our counsellors can help you write the ideal personal statement because they are acquainted with the application process. We can connect you to current students studying at LSE so that you get an idea regarding what it takes to get into LSE. Contact us right away to schedule a free counselling session!

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Example LSE Personal Statement in Economics

personal statement lse masters

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In personal statements samples by university.

The following personal statement is written by an applicant who got accepted to Masters’s program in Local Economic Development at London School of Economics. Read this essay to understand what a top Personal Statement in economics should look like.

Sample Personal Statement for LSE

“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher.

As a child, my daily routine composed of attending school, helping with household chores, and learning embroidery. For all I knew, this was how girls lived in rural Balochistan. However, when I was 15, my family shifted to urban Karachi, where I saw a new world. The new moon of this unique place brought a lot of challenges with itself. I did not know how to converse with my privileged peers, and I had to study extra hours to compete with them. But the most shocking realization was that there was no trace of my previous lifestyle in this city, and girls had very different aspirations here compared to those in my village.

Harsh realities of chronic poverty, income inequality, and persistent unemployment are widespread in Pakistan, but the situation is even worse in my native Balochistan. Despite being rich in natural resources, nearly all Balochis live below the poverty line. As one of the few educated Balochis who has experienced hunger, I have always considered it a personal responsibility to play an active role in resolving the economic challenges of this province.

With this ardent desire, I joined Chief Minister’s Policy Reform Unit (CMPRU) as an economist research officer in Balochistan. My experience at the CMPRU, which provides policy support to Balochistan Chief Minister’s office, has been invaluable. Working directly with the Government’s economic advisors has enlightened me about the practical implications of economic theories. I have played a lead role in preparing a concept note called “Proposed Balochistan Development Vision and Strategy” for the development of primary sectors using the ‘Big Push’ and ‘Unbalanced’ growth theories. I used demographics and economic variables for identifying Rural and Urban Growth Nodes, i.e., selected areas where the development effort will be concentrated. District-wise data was used to build the primary economy of the province, which in turn would trigger growth in the secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy.

At CMPRU, I also conducted in-depth research on the ‘State of School Education in Balochistan’ and proposed actionable recommendations to improve school education. The output variables (student performance of grades five to ten) were correlated with input variables (school facilities) to analyze the data on education. The findings convinced the education department to opt for multi-room, multi-teacher schools instead of one-room, one-teacher schools, which were strengthened using distance learning techniques. The results of my work were also published in “The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press”.

I particularly enjoyed this research work because it was an extension of a cause I previously worked passionately for – the ‘Strengthening Poverty Reduction Strategy Monitoring Project’ (SPRSM). At SPRSM, I was engaged in a pro-poor and gender analysis of the provincial budget of the Government of Balochistan. My work revealed how the provincial budget is being used as a powerful tool to favour the males over the females and how the poor choices of government spending enhanced gender inequity. For example, constructing more boys’ schools was creating education inequality. The Planning & Development Department and key Ministries brought my work to light as a landmark study, and its findings were incorporated into the forthcoming budget.

Balochistan remains stagnant in the pre-industrial era and the grip of a robust military insurgency. Unfortunately, the people of Balochistan have never been taken on board while deciding their province’s fate; consequently, an armed struggle in the region continues to date. Currently, the Federal Government has agreed to give control of the Gwadar Port to a Chinese company on 43 years lease, and similar sentiments are surfacing in local stakeholders as they feel distanced from important decisions. When bottom-up economic policies are used to initiate the decision-making process, we will be able to see better results.

My experiences have convinced me of the importance of Economics in the socioeconomic development of a society. Consequently, I have decided to pursue an MSc in Local Economic Development at LSE, where I wish to seek and explore the contextualized definition of development from the point of view of indigenous people in Balochistan. Balochistan, being in the nascent stage of economic development, requires a unique development model to reap the benefits. The particular focus of LSE’s program on policy frameworks for local economies will enable me to devise the right policy interventions to spur economic growth in the province.

Working directly with the Chief Minister Balochistan Office and having the mandate to advise the Government on its policymaking, I have identified specific areas where I wish to make a significant impact after completing my LSE degree. For example, NGOs in Balochistan conduct pre-budget consultations every year to force provincial governments to make citizen-friendly budgets and increase the size of the Annual Development Plan. However, such efforts are not bringing any change. I regard this failure as a lack of technical expertise of the NGOs and the absence of their initial formal economic analysis of past government spending behaviours.

Following this rigorous and insightful MSc program, I feel I would be better equipped to trace the gaps and inefficiencies in budget-making and suggest ways to eliminate their inefficiencies. Furthermore, connections made with alumni, students and teachers at LSE will help me learn more about solutions others have implemented in other countries and then adapt them to Balochistan. I will also be able to use this platform to pique people working in Balochistan and forge partnerships with local NGOs and government institutions in other countries.

LSE will allow me to live in a multicultural setting and learn from other cultures. Moreover, it will let me tell people about life in Balochistan. Through this degree, I aim to complement my experience with a broad-based economic education and analytical tools that not only provide me with an academic foundation but also enable me to tackle real-world economic problems. I firmly believe that our economic policies should protect our wealth and resources and promote open markets and economic growth. 

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How To Write a Personal Statement For a Master’s Degree

personal statement lse masters

Learn how to write a compelling personal statement for your master’s degree application. Follow these tips and examples so that you can stand out from the crowd.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a crucial component of your master’s degree application. It allows admissions officers to get a clear picture of who you are – beyond the basic, factual information on your CV. This is a prime opportunity to make a good impression and convey what makes you stand out as a candidate for postgraduate study. The personal statement is your chance to tell your story and provide context to your academic and professional achievements.

What is the purpose of a personal statement?

Admissions officers use the personal statement to determine if you are a good fit for the course you’re applying for. They want to see a genuine interest and commitment to the subject, along with the necessary skills and qualifications. They will be asking themselves three key questions when reading your statement:

  • Can you demonstrate a keen interest in the subject?
  • Do you have the necessary skills and qualifications?
  • Have you shown how this course is relevant to your long-term goals?

Before writing your personal statement, it’s essential to answer these three questions yourself by creating a bullet point list for each one. It’s important to consider at this stage how you would provide evidence of your interest, capabilities, and aspirations to someone who doesn’t know you.

Give yourself plenty of time to sit and think about the answers to these questions and try to list as many solid examples as you can. It’s not enough to simply tell the admissions officer that you’re passionate about the subject – they will assume that this is the case for anyone who applies! You need to actually provide evidence of your interest.

Your answers to these questions will guide you and keep you focused as you write the bulk of your statement. Reflecting on these questions will also help you to understand your own motivations and ensure that you are making the right choice for your future. If you are clear in your own mind about what you want to study and why, it will be much easier to convince someone else of the same.

In addition to answering these questions, it’s a good idea to check if there are any personal statement how-to guides or tips on how to write a personal statement provided by the institution and specific department you’re applying to. These will provide a helpful starting point with reliable information on how to craft your master’s application .

How to structure a personal statement

First paragraph.

Begin with a brief introduction. Get straight to the point: who you are and why you’re applying.

  • Who : Mention what you’re currently studying or doing and where. This sets the context and gives the admissions officers a snapshot of your current status.
  • Why : Refer back to your answers to the three key questions—your interest, capability, and motivations. This will lay the foundation for the rest of your statement.

For example, you might say: “ I am studying Politics at University College London, where my coursework and debate society involvement have fueled my interest in international relations. I am applying to this Master’s program to pursue a career in global policy development.”

Next, explain why you’re interested in this course at this particular institution. Be specific and show you’ve researched the course and university extensively.

You should mention specific modules that have caught your eye and particular academics you’re interested in working with. Find out their areas of interest and read some of their published work. Demonstrating that you’ve done your homework shows your commitment and genuine interest in the program.

For example, if you are applying for a Master’s in Environmental Science, you might mention a particular module on climate change policy that aligns with your career goals or a professor whose research on sustainable agriculture has inspired you. This level of detail can make your statement stand out and show that you are a thoughtful and informed candidate.

This is the time to address each of those three key questions in detail.

Demonstrate a keen interest in the subject

  • Share what sparked your initial desire to pursue a Master’s in this subject. Was it a particular experience, an undergraduate module, or a personal passion that led you to this field? Providing a narrative can make your statement more engaging.
  • Explain how you’ve pursued your interest outside of academia. This could be through clubs and societies you’ve joined, books and articles you’ve read, or even podcasts you enjoy listening to. Highlighting your extracurricular activities shows that your interest goes beyond the classroom and that you are proactive in seeking knowledge.
  • Show your knowledge of the relevant issues in the field. Discuss any current events, trends, or challenges in the field that you are passionate about. This demonstrates that you are well informed and engaged with the subject matter.

For instance, if you are applying for a Master’s in International Relations, you could discuss your participation in a Model United Nations club, your internship at a foreign embassy, or your avid reading of international policy journals. These examples illustrate your active engagement with the field.

Evidence of necessary skills and qualifications

  • Academic Career : Avoid simply stating results. Instead, highlight specific skills you acquired. Mention relevant essays and projects. If you’ve never received any Bachelor’s qualifications, it is still possible to apply for a Master’s without a Bachelor’s .
  • Experience : Discuss extracurricular activities, work experience, internships, professional achievements, life experiences, hobbies, and interests. Highlight specific relevant experiences that showcase your capabilities.

For example, if you are applying for a Master’s in Business Administration, you could discuss your role in a student business club, your internship at a marketing firm, and a successful project you led that demonstrates your leadership and analytical skills. Providing concrete examples of your achievements and experiences makes your statement more compelling and credible.

Relevance to your long-term goals

By this point, you should have painted a vivid picture of your journey so far and why it has brought you here, applying for this course. Make it clear that this course is a stepping stone to your future, the next phase in a journey that you’ve already mapped out for yourself.

Discuss your long-term career goals and how this course will help you achieve them. Be specific about the skills and knowledge you hope to gain and how they will be applied in your future career. This shows that you have a clear vision and that this program is an integral part of your career path.

For example, if you are applying for a Master’s in Public Health, you might discuss your goal to work in global health policy, how the program’s focus on epidemiology will provide you with the necessary skills, and your aspiration to work with international health organisations to combat infectious diseases. This demonstrates that you have a well-thought-out plan and that the program is a crucial part of your career trajectory.

You don’t want the admissions officer reading your application to think you’ve applied simply because you weren’t sure what else to do after graduating .

End with a short paragraph that provides a succinct summary of your statement. Highlight why you would be an excellent student and an asset to their institution in a sentence or two. This final impression should reinforce your enthusiasm and suitability for the program.

For instance, you could say: “With my background in environmental science, my passion for sustainable development, and my proven research skills, I am confident that I will contribute significantly to your program and thrive in the academic environment at [University Name].”

Top tips on how to write a personal statement for a master’s degree

Before you submit, be sure to do the following:

  • Check spelling and grammar meticulously. Errors can detract from your professionalism and attention to detail.
  • Ask a friend or family member to read over your statement. A fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes and provide valuable feedback.
  • Ensure it meets any specific criteria mentioned in the application form. Tailoring your statement to each institution’s requirements shows that you are diligent and attentive.

What to avoid

  • Exceeding the Word Limit : Never go over the word limit. If unspecified, aim for no longer than one page of A4 or around 500 words, unless they ask for more. Being concise and to the point is crucial.
  • Clichés : Avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…”, as these can make your statement sound generic and insincere. Instead of overused words like passionate , try “keen interest” or “strong affinity”.
  • Using AI : It’s okay for guidance, but remember it’s supposed to be personal. Authenticity is key.
  • Repeating Your CV : Avoid reiterating what’s already in other parts of your application. Your personal statement should add depth and context, not duplicate information.
  • Using the Same Statement for Different Applications : Each statement should be specifically tailored to each institution, even if the content may be similar.

Final thoughts on how to write a personal statement for a master’s degree

You should now have a clear idea on how to write a personal statement for a masters degree. By following this guide, taking the time to carefully craft your personal statement will pay off by providing admissions officers with a vivid picture of who you are and why you are the ideal candidate for their program.

Further advice and tips on how to plan your future and navigate your career after graduating can be found on the Graduate Coach blog . If you’re uncertain about the next steps and feel that you need further guidance, they offer comprehensive career coaching services aimed at ensuring you reach your full potential after university.

Featured photo by Katerina Holmes from Pexels

Written by Alice Janusz

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October 1st, 2023

Top tips for writing a great personal statement.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Having good grades is one thing, but writing an excellent personal statement is one of the main factors contributing to a successful UCAS application, which can grant you a place in an institution such as LSE. That is why the lengthy process of drafting a convincing statement revealing your motivation and competency to study a given course at university might seem stressful and daunting. While there is no easy and quick way to create a compelling personal statement, there are some things that you can do to ensure the essay is well thought out and written, which will facilitate securing a place at your dream university.

My first tip is to thoroughly read and analyse the outline and entry requirements of your programme. For each programme, LSE provides detailed facts about the programme’s structure, different modules that you will take, and information about how your application will be assessed. Try to note down the key characteristics and skills that a candidate for your programme would be expected to have and make use of the website’s indications about the types of students they are looking for. Once you know the most important skills the university is looking for, try to think of any academic or extracurricular activities that you have done in the past that would show that you have characteristics expected of you. For example, if your course requires effective communication skills, mentioning activities like a group project, volunteering or debate would be great to include in your personal statement to reveal your capacity to work with other people. Making use of the information that is provided to you, will not only show that you have researched and thought out your course selection well, but it will also be most helpful when trying to decide what details are relevant to include in the personal statement.

The second tip for a successful personal statement is to read and research the things that interest you about your subject. Whether it is books, articles, podcasts, or documentaries, absorbing knowledge about some key issues of the course you want to study will broaden your knowledge and allow you to critically discuss an issue you found relevant in your personal statement. Since a major part of personal statements for universities like LSE is supposed to concern academics, showing your independent thoughts on ideas you found intriguing or fascinating will highlight your interest, broad knowledge beyond the school curriculum, and capacity to think critically. While many students like to mention work experience they have completed prior to their application, people who did not have an opportunity to do so can equally well express their wide interest in the subject, by demonstrating the knowledge grasped through additional reading.

My final tip is to ask as many people as possible around you to read and share their thoughts about your personal statement. Whether it is teachers, relatives, tutors or friends, feedback from other people will give you a unique perspective on your personal statement and allow you to reflect upon your text to make it even better. Apart from obvious comments about language or grammar, proofreaders can supply you with valuable information about things such as tone or the relevance of arguments raised in your essay, and whether the claims you bring to support your motivation are adequately convincing and persuasive. Sharing your personal statement with others may seem uncomfortable since as the name suggests the essay is indeed very individual and private, having someone not from your immediate surrounding read your work, can prove extremely advantageous and aim for your essay to truly stand out.

About the author

personal statement lse masters

My name is Zosia, and I am a first-year undergraduate student at LSE, studying LLB in Laws. I am an international student from Poland, and my passions include reading, writing, travelling and participating in all kinds of sports.

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How to complete the LSE Graduate Financial Support Application

When completing the application, you must click Save to store information before moving to the next section. After clicking Save any errors may be hightlighted related to the format of the data entered or any missing fields. Address those errors, click Save again and then Continue to proceed. 

To move back, you must use the Back button within the application, and not the Back facility on your internet browser.

Some questions will require you to select a radio button for Yes or No, or to select other responses from a list. Even if the correct selection is already highlighted, please change the button, Save and then select your correct response; this will prevent errors when you get to the end of your application and click Check Complete, which is looking for incorrect or missing data. 

When completing information in tables, please use Add Row(s) to add another row to a table. To delete a row, check the box to the left of the row then click Delete Row(s). 

It is very important that all financial information is provided in £ sterling and does not include pence, so please round up or down. 

If you are offered an award you will be asked to provide supporting documentation, relevant to your case. If you are not able to provide the documentation or the documentation is not consistent with the information you supplied on the GSS form, we may amend or withdraw your GSS award.

A. Personal details

Most of Section A has been automatically completed using information you have already supplied in your application for admission to the School. If you feel any of this information may be incorrect, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office .

B. Study details

Information about the programme(s) you have applied for, and whether you intend to study full or part time, has been automatically completed using information you have already supplied in your application for admission to the School. If you feel any of this information may be incorrect, please  contact the Graduate Admissions Office .

B3 and B4 : You should give details of the degree level qualifications you hold and any degree level qualifications still pending.

B5 : If you have received any scholarships for your education to date, you should provide details.

C. Current personal circumstances

C1 : Please indicate whether in the year before your proposed programme at LSE (ie, October - September) you have been working or studying. You should indicate as many of these that apply to you, since at different points of this year you may be engaged in different activities. You may be engaged in other activities, such as voluntary work or travel, instead of or as well as working/studying, but there is no need to indicate this here.

If you have been employed at any point during the year, please give the name and location of your employer. The location should be the city, or nearest city, and the country. If you have held a number of jobs during the year in question, you should put the most significant.

C2 : Please provide us with your expected total net income (after tax) during the 12 months immediately preceding the start of your programme (ie October - September). This will need to be an intelligent estimate, especially if you are planning to change jobs, obtain a new job (including summer vacation work), or undertake voluntary work or travel before beginning your master's programme. Only you can make a realistic estimate and we understand that circumstances can change. It also does not have to be income from work, if you are living off another source of income such as contributions from parents or a spouse, a pension or savings, this income should be included. Student loans or scholarships should not be included, however.

The figure in this field must be a round number not including pence, eg, £12000, not £12,000.00, or £12.000. Punctuation, including commas and decimal points, is not permitted in this field.

C3 : Please list any loans you have already taken out to finance your previous or current (if you are currently studying) study, including the academic year in which you took it out, the amount you borrowed, the amount you have outstanding and the period of time you have in which to repay it. If you took out a loan from the same source for more than one year of your undergraduate degree, there is no need to enter these separately. For example, if you took a loan from Student Finance for your undergraduate degree, you need only enter the total debt you have accrued during the duration of your degree (and the repayment period on these can be listed as "25 years").

C4 : If you have not taken out loans to finance your previous or current study, please give some information about how you are financing your undergraduate degree, eg, help from family/household, scholarships, government support.

C5 : This section is an opportunity for you to tell us if you have a disability or medical condition which could affect your financial situation during your LSE programme. We recommend that students with a disability make the School aware of their situation. If you have a disability which you have not yet declared, please declare it by submitting the extra information form request (11) and it will be added to your application for admission.  

Guide to services provided by LSE for disabled students   Disabled Students' Allowances (Home students only)

D. Household circumstances

This section is designed to obtain information from you about your current living arrangements.

D1 : We need to know whether you will be receiving any financial support from your household. Your household is the group of people you ordinarily live with as a family. This could include parents or a partner/spouse. It would not normally include people you are living with in a flat or house share, unless these people are supporting you financially and directly contributing to your studies. You may currently be living away from your family/household for a temporary period of time, eg, for the purposes of studying, but this is not relevant since we require information about the people you ordinarily live with, if they will be providing you with financial support. If you are expecting to receive some support from your household, you will need to answer D1a, D1b and D1c.

D1a : If you expect to receive household support, you will be asked to provide details. The amount being contributed must be given in number format, in GBP and must not include pence.

Two year or part time programmes: we will assume that if you are applying for a two year full or part time programme, you will receive the same contribution for each academic year. It may therefore be necessary to halve the contribution figure you enter. For example, if someone is giving you £10,000 in total for your programme, you would only enter £5,000 in the table, and we will assume you have a further £5,000 for the second year of your programme.

D1b : If you expect to receive household support, you will also need to give the combined net income (after tax) of your household during the 12 months immediately preceding the start of your programme (ie, October - September), and details about all the people this income supports.

The figure in this field must be given in GBP and not include pence. Punctuation, including commas and decimal points, is not permitted in this field.

D1c : You will need to add additional members of the household supported by the income included in D1b, e.g. siblings. Do not include yourself or the people you have listed in the contributions table (D1a). It is important that everyone who your household income supports is included. There is no need to include an "occupation" for anyone under the age of 16, please use "n/a".

If you are made an offer of an award, we will ask you to provide supporting documentation on any additional people supported by the household income listed in D1c. 

D2 : We also need to know whether you personally support any dependants, and if so, how many. Dependants may be classified as anyone who is wholly or mainly financially dependant on you. This would normally refer to dependant children; other dependant relatives should only be included if they completely rely on you to support them. Please provide details of each dependant. This should include their name, age and relationship to you. Dependants included in D1 should not be counted again.

If you are made an offer of an award, we will ask you to provide supporting documentation on any dependants listed in D2.  

E. During your programme at LSE

This section seeks to find out if there are any other factors which will affect your financial situation, either positively or negatively, whilst you are studying at LSE.

This includes whether there will be other members of your household in higher education and/or studying overseas, whether you expect to receive contributions from anyone outside your household and whether you have any other sources of personal income.

E3 : Personal income sources may include the sale of assets, such as property or a car, savings, interest from savings or social security benefits. Figures must be given in number format, in £ sterling.

Two year or part time programmes: we will assume that if you are applying for a two year full or part time programme, you will have the same amount available for each academic year. It may therefore be necessary to halve the figure you enter. For example, if you intend to sell a car for £4,000, you would only enter £2,000 in the table, and we will assume you have a further £2,000 for the second year of your programme.

E4 : Many students will supplement their income by undertaking  Part time work  whilst studying. There are lots of part time jobs available in London. LSE  Careers and vacancies  can offer advice on finding part time work once you arrive in London.

The School strongly recommends that you work no more than 15 hours per week since it is important that you devote sufficient time to the academic demands of your programme. You will be expected to produce regular course-work and prepare for seminars, as well as study for examinations. An excessive amount of part time work can have a detrimental effect on academic performance.

The Home Office allows anyone studying in the UK on a student visa to work part-time during the term (up to 20 hours a week) and any number of hours during vacation periods. You should check that you have a visa which allows you to work in the UK before applying for any job. 

E5 : If you have applied, or intend to apply for, other (non LSE) financial support in the form of non-repayable scholarships, grants or bursaries, please provide details. If you have already been successful with an application, please complete the value of your award in the "Amount secured" column. If you are still awaiting the outcome, please use the "Date result expected" column.

If we offer you an award from the Graduate Support Scheme, proof that you have been unsuccessful with your other application(s) may be requested at our discretion. If you are subsequently successful with another non LSE scholarship application, you must inform us and provide copies of notification letters. In "Contact details", you should give a phone number or email or web address of the scholarship awarding body.

It is important that you research the eligibility requirements of any particular scholarship or funding sources which you are hoping to apply for, to ensure that you will definitely be able to apply and have a chance of success (eg you haven't missed the deadline, you meet any nationality or residence requirements, the funding is still being offered), so that you can give a realistic idea of other financial support you can apply for.

Careful personal research is the best way to identify sources of financial support which might be applicable to your particular circumstances, but there are a number of websites which provide a good starting point:

www.britishcouncil.org www.ukcisa.org.uk  www.acu.ac.uk www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk www.studentcashpoint.co.uk

Loans should not be entered in the table in E5 as these are dealt with in E6.

Two year or part time programmes: we will assume that if you are applying for a two year full or part time programme, you will have the same amount available for each academic year. It may therefore be necessary to halve the figure you enter. For example, if you receive a scholarship for £20,000 for the duration of your programme, you would only enter £10,000 in the table, and we will assume you have a further £10,000 for the second year of your programme.

E6 : We need to know if you intend to take out a loan to help finance your studies, and the repayment period (Duration (in years) field) for it.

LSE does not offer loans to students. It does not recommend any particular lending institution and nor does it have any preferential agreements. Loans are a private arrangement between you and a lending institution and are subject to the usual credit and eligibility checks.

It is virtually impossible for overseas students to obtain a loan from a British bank or other lending institution. If you are an overseas student, you are far more likely to be able to obtain a loan from your country of permanent residence.

Find out more about funding available from the UK and other overseas governments.

Two year or part time programmes: we will assume that if you are applying for a two year full or part time programme, you will have the same amount available for each academic year. It may therefore be necessary to halve the figure you enter. For example, if you obtain a loan of £8,000 for the duration of your programme, you would only enter £4,000 in the table, and we will assume you have a further £4,000 for the second year of your programme.

E7 : You may have some financial obligations which will affect the amount you have available for your programme. This might include medical bills, or the repayment of a previous educational loan. If you do have existing obligations, please give details. If you have taken out a loan for a previous study programme, please do not include this if it is deferrable whilst you are studying/not earning or earning under a minimum level, eg, UK students with their undergraduate Student Loan - you will not be expected to repay any of this whilst you are studying.

This is not an opportunity to tell us about general living cost expenditure, eg, mortgage repayments or rent, childcare costs, utility bills etc. Any obligations listed should be exceptional. If credit card or student loan debts are listed, these must be the minimum annual repayment, not the total amount of the debt. Your obligations figure will be directly factored into our calculation of your funding shortfall. Large obligations figures can actually push the funding shortfall to a minus figure. Please bear in mind that  Graduate Support Scheme awards are intended to supplement funding already secured or expected, and not to provide a full funding package to applicants.

F. Summary of secured funding

Most of the fields on this page have been pre-populated with information you provided earlier in the form. Amounts for part time employment are based on your answer to E4 and on an average hourly wage of £7.50.

In addition, we have pre-populated the costs associated with your master's programme. The tuition fees are populated based on your first choice programme, and are for illustrative purposes only. This will be amended should you subsequently receive an offer for a programme where the tuition fee is higher or lower.

If no data is populated in the programme costs section (in Fees or Living costs), you will be unable to continue with your application. Please  Contact the Financial Support Office  who will be able to resolve the situation and enable you to continue with your application.

For living costs, we use a figure of £1,200 per month. More about living costs and how to budget during your time at LSE . The School cannot fund the costs of bringing dependants to London.

By deducting the amount you have secured, or hope to secure, from the costs associated with your programme, the system will calculate the Current assessed funding shortfall. You are then invited to enter the minimum amount of financial support that will allow you to take up your place at LSE - enter the figure in GBP and do not include pence. If there is a difference between the Current assessed funding shortfall and your minimum amount, you must tick one of the boxes to state the reason AND provide additional information in the text box. If you do not complete this check box and text there will be an error shown on clicking Check Complete to advise you to complete the necessary fields.

Failure to provide a full, specific and realistic explanation will negatively affect assessment of your application. Full and specific means showing EXACTLY how you have reached your minimum amount, if it is different from ours.

Please note that details mentioned in this section which should have been mentioned in Section D or E, such as additional possible funding from loans or household, will be disregarded if they are mentioned at this point for the first time. The form should be completed in full with all the other sources of funding open to you. Funding from pending scholarship applications or other unconfirmed sources cannot be taken into consideration either in Section E or Section F.

G. Personal statement

Completion of a statement is necessary for consideration for LSE scholarships. If you decide not to complete the statement, there will be no opportunity to add one at a later date and you will receive no further consideration for financial support opportunities after the Graduate Support Scheme decision has been made.

Please note that completion of the statement is not necessary for consideration for a Graduate Support Scheme Award. This is because assessment for a Graduate Support Scheme Award is automated and will not be able to review the statement.

You are required to write a statement, of no more than 8,000 characters including spaces, explaining why you have applied for financial support. Although we are also interested in your academic interests, work experience and future career objectives, it is very important that you tell us why you are particularly deserving of financial support.

If you wish to write the statement in a word processing application such as Microsoft Word, you may copy and paste into the online application. When pasting from a word processing application, please ensure you do not inadvertently paste extra blank lines or characters at the end of the document, as these will count towards your character count. 8,000 characters should be in the region of 1,100 words but this is a guideline only. If you can get the system to accept your statement as within the character limit, it doesn't matter how many words it has.

Some of our scholarships for overseas students require the award holder to return to their country of permanent residence after the tenure of their award is finished. This is made clear in the information about the award on the relevant webpage. If you do not indicate your destination after graduation on your application, this will mean that you are not considered for certain country specific scholarships even though you are a national of that country and/or domiciled there.

H. Declaration

In this section, you are required to confirm that the information you are submitting is true and correct, to the best of your knowledge, that you are happy for us to share this information to scholarship donors, and that you understand that you will be asked to provide supporting documentation in the event that an award is offered to you.

I. Submission

Clicking Check Complete will run a check to ensure that you have completed all the required fields correctly and will direct you to any missing information/fields or data in the incorrect format.

There is no opportunity to change information you have entered once you have pressed the Submit button. Do not submit your application unless you are 100 per cent happy with the information you have entered.

We recommend that you save a version of your completed application before you submit it as you will not have access to the application, to change any details, or to view it, once you have submitted it. You can save your application as a PDF by clicking on Printer Friendly Version in the top right hand corner of the screen.

You submit your application by clicking Submit Application button.

The LSE Graduate Financial Support Application will be available until 17:00 (UK time) on  25 April 2024 . After this date, applicants who have started but not finished an application will have no opportunity to finish it, and applicants who have not started an application will not be able to apply. In any case, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as funds are limited.

When you have submitted your application, you will see an acknowledgement screen confirming that your application has been submitted, and the date it was submitted. If you do not see this screen, it may mean that your application has not been submitted. If you log back into the application, you will be able to verify whether it has been successfully submitted, since if it has been successfully submitted you will no longer be able to access the application.

Contact the Financial Support Office

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Fees and funding Scholarships, studentships, loans and tuition fees

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How to apply The application process, UCAS and when to apply

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Undergraduate fees and funding Details on available scholarships, bursaries, loans and tuition fees

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Graduate fees and funding Details on available scholarships, bursaries, loans and tuition fees

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Contact us Get in touch with the Financial Support Office

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Meet, visit and discover LSE Webinars, videos, on campus events and visits around the world

COMMENTS

  1. Statement of academic purpose

    Statement of academic purpose - all programmes, excluding those listed below. You must upload a statement that explains your academic interest in, understanding of and academic preparedness for the programme (s) you are applying for. You should also explain the academic rationale for applying to the programme (s) you have chosen.

  2. Personal statements

    Example of application guidance from LSE: You must submit a personal statement with your application form. This should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words. It should describe your academic interests and your purpose and objectives in undertaking graduate study. Suggestions of what to include for this phrasing: Your academic interests - This part ...

  3. Supporting documents

    Submitting your application form. You must submit your application and supporting documents using our online application system. Please make sure that all of your supporting documents are legible and uploaded in one of the following formats: pdf, doc, docx, jpg, png, or gif. Each document must no larger than 2MB in size.

  4. My LSE Masters Personal Statement

    My LSE Masters Personal Statement. Andrew Jude. ·. Follow. 3 min read. ·. Dec 10, 2017. To my luck, I grew up in a family that emphasized the importance of being knowledgeable about world ...

  5. Personal statement

    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.

  6. Writing a successful Statement of Purpose for postgraduate study in the USA

    Writing your Statement of Purpose. The SoP should be written in essay form. It should have: A clear structure with sentences and paragraphs that flow. An introduction, middle and conclusion. A consistent and positive tone, which communicates your individuality without being too personal. Advice for writing: Don't worry about the length, you can ...

  7. Writing a Winning Personal Statement for London School of Economics and

    Earning a coveted spot at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a dream for many aspiring social science scholars. This prestigious institution fosters critical thinkers and future leaders, demanding a personal statement for LSE that reflects not just academic prowess, but genuine intellectual curiosity and a drive to contribute to the ever-evolving social, political ...

  8. Writing a personal statement for further studies

    2) Your statement should describe your academic interests, strengths and background relevant to the programme (s). These include: Specific undergraduate modules or dissertation/project work. Broader academic skills developed in the context of undergraduate study. Academically relevant extra-curricular activities.

  9. How to write a successful personal statement

    My recommendation is to have a line of argument, theme or underlying notion throughout the personal statement. Admissions see potential in such candidates as when you get to university, sustaining an overall idea in an essay is essential. Including a diverse range of pre-reading helps to illustrate a deep interest in your chosen subject.

  10. Tips for writing your personal statement

    Producing a well-written personal statement is naturally important as an academic piece of writing but, more fundamentally, it aids you in making a good impression and effectively getting across what you want to say. Editing for clarity and precision will take considerable time, especially if you want to make the very most of your character limit.

  11. LSE Masters Personal Statement for Scholarship Example/Sample (Masters

    Personal Statement for an LSE Scholarship: Masters in Accounting and Finance Course Growing up in Kenya, I remember always being immensely passionate about how money is made, so much so that my father nicknamed me 'Young Gates.' In fact, he often quipped that I would grow up to become an entrepreneur some day.

  12. London School of Economics Personal Statements

    LSE University Personal Statements. These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to London School of Economics. 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 ...

  13. Sociology Personal Statement Example (LSE)

    For example, I joined the strike which marched to the Office of the President in 2012 in order to require the Government to press Hua Long Weave Cop, which is a remarkable traditional industrial company in Taiwan, to compensate for NT320 billion (around £7.06 billion) debts owing to employees after the local Government conciliation failed.

  14. PDF Advising the Advisers 2018

    Task 3 - Personal Statement Examples. In pairs/threes rank the personal statements in order of how effective you think they are: 1 = Most effective/ most likely to receive an offer. 3 = Least effective/ least likely to receive and offer.

  15. London School of Economics (LSE) Personal Statements

    Personal Statement:Philosophy 11. Personal Statement:Philosophy and Economics 1. Personal Statement:Politics 3. Personal Statement:Politics 10. Personal Statement:Politics and Philosophy 2. Personal Statement:Politics philosophy and economics ppe 5. Personal Statement:Politics philosophy and economics ppe 9. Personal Statement:PPE 12.

  16. LSE Personal Statement: How to Write and its Significance

    The significance of the LSE personal statement. The strength of an applicant's personal statement is quite significant at LSE. This is the sole chance the applicant has to demonstrate that he or she is a good match for the course because the university does not conduct interviews. We are all aware of the low admission rate for international ...

  17. How to write the ideal personal statement?

    1. Planning. You should always plan prior to writing anything important, and the same is said for your personal statement. List everything you've accomplished and then narrow it down to the most important things you want to include in your statement. This is because, when writing, you don't want to list every accomplishment.

  18. Example LSE Personal Statement in Economics

    The following personal statement is written by an applicant who got accepted to Masters's program in Local Economic Development at London School of Economics. Read this essay to understand what a top Personal Statement in economics should look like. Sample Personal Statement for LSE

  19. How To Write a Personal Statement For a Master's Degree

    Top tips on how to write a personal statement for a master's degree. Before you submit, be sure to do the following: Check spelling and grammar meticulously. Errors can detract from your professionalism and attention to detail. Ask a friend or family member to read over your statement. A fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes and provide ...

  20. The LSE Personal Statement Guide You Should Follow

    Things To Include In Your Personal Statement. Your personal statement should primarily address your academic passion for the course you intend to study. One way to approach the LSE personal statement is to consider what the institute expects of undergraduates: Students at LSE are asked to learn about issues relevant to their course by reading ...

  21. Top tips for writing a great personal statement

    Whether it is books, articles, podcasts, or documentaries, absorbing knowledge about some key issues of the course you want to study will broaden your knowledge and allow you to critically discuss an issue you found relevant in your personal statement. Since a major part of personal statements for universities like LSE is supposed to concern ...

  22. Lse University

    Ah, Economics. This is one subject that highlights my love of learning and overcoming academic challenges. The all-pervasive and consequence oriented nature of Economics appeals to me the most and ... Examples of UCAS undefined Personal Statements that received an offer from Lse, to help you write your personal statement.

  23. LSE

    A. Jazzza. 1. I agree with the above, that you must write about your achievements and background to give the profs some idea about what you have done already. When you write about your professional aims try to show enthusiasm - but also try to be specific about areas of the subject that interest you and why.

  24. How to complete the LSE Graduate Financial Support Application

    G. Personal statement. ... The LSE Graduate Financial Support Application will be available until 17:00 (UK time) ... London School of Economics and Political Science. Houghton Street. London. WC2A 2AE UK . LSE is a private company limited by guarantee, registration number 70527.