personal statement examples economics

7 Economics Personal Statement Examples | With Analysis

What makes a great personal statement?

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

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

Key features that great personal statements share

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Lots of supercurriculars
• Highlighting key skills
• Personal takeaways

Here is a breakdown of these categories:

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

For more on supercurricular activities, click the link here:

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

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

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

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

What constitutes a “well written essay”? 

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

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

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

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

• Edexcel Economics notes 2.6.2 Part 1 – monetary policy
• 2.6.3 Supply side policies – Edexcel Economics notes
• 2.2 Aggregate demand notes for Edexcel A Economics
• 2.1.2 Inflation Edexcel A Economics Notes
• Don’t be fooled! How to understand economic statistics

About the author

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

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

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

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

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

Sample Personal Statement Economics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Successful Personal Statement For Economics At Cambridge

Last Updated: 12th April 2022

Author: Chloe Hewitt

Table of Contents

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

Today, we are looking through a Economics applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Cambridge University. The Economics Course at Cambridge provides a rounded, rigorous education in Economics which is valuable for a wide range of career paths.

Read on to see how this candidate wrote a Personal Statement that helped secure their place on a reputable degree. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Cambridge Economics comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts. 

With our  Oxbridge Economics Premium Programme, your tutor will give you regular actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.  

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Economics Personal Statement

The right answer – does such a thing even exist? When considering the field of mathematics, my response would be an unequivocal yes – indeed, I find its simplicity and elegance some of its most attractive qualities. For economics, however, the question of a right answer is not so straightforward. My interest in economics was sparked when I read “Freakonomics” and “SuperFreakonomics”. I found the search for a logical explanation behind seemingly illogical behaviour intriguing, and the idea that small changes to incentives could effect such large changes to those behaviours fascinating.

To further my understanding, I attended lectures at the LSE, including one given by Ha-Joon Chang. His arguments challenged much of what I had learned – deregulation and trade liberalisation would not, apparently, stimulate competitive growth, while education, it turned out, could not be counted on to increase entrepreneurship or productivity. These contradictions made me eager to read his “23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism” and “Bad Samaritans”. Although relishing his controversial stance on almost everything, I found his central thesis – that by using protectionism to support fledgling domestic industries, other poor nations can emulate South Korea’s success – overly optimistic and one-size-fits-all. As Paul Collier argues in “The Bottom Billion”, many are trapped by conflict or bad governance, with even bleaker prospects after “missing the boat” on which many Asian economies sailed away to prosperity.     

While economics is rooted in the world around us, with all its fascinating, messy complexities, mathematics derives its beauty from its abstract nature. It is unique in that it can lead us to an answer that is not merely the right one, but is true in an absolute sense. This was emphasised by G. H. Hardy in “A Mathematician’s Apology”, where he spoke of a mathematical reality distinct from the ordinary one, of which we can only ever hope to produce a “partial and imperfect copy”. Another of the appeals of mathematics is its breadth of application. I was able to explore this over the past three years in a series of Royal Institution master classes covering topics from graph theory to the mathematics of juggling. My decision to continue with mathematics was confirmed when I undertook the AEA; I found it challenging but immensely satisfying to be able to use simple concepts from the A-level core modules to solve even the most daunting problems.

Over the past year, I have mentored two students in mathematics. Explaining concepts to them helped deepen my own understanding and led me to explore proofs behind theorems I had previously accepted. In addition, acting as a primary school classroom assistant inspired me to set up my own volunteering scheme, in which I and other students help children learn to read. I have enjoyed competing in the UKMT Mathematics Challenge, in which I won a medal at Olympiad level, and the UK Linguistics Olympiad, in which I twice progressed to the selection round for the national team. I have also represented my school in the Hans Woyda competition, and am excited to be doing the same in the Target 2.0 challenge later this year.

Despite their differences, the authors I mentioned above hold something in common: their use of empirical methods to reach conclusions. It is here that the attraction of combining the study of mathematics and economics becomes especially apparent. Without mathematics, economics risks beginning to earn its title “the dismal science”, reducing to speculation and rhetoric without even the emotional investment enjoyed by politics. This is not to dismiss the importance of normative economics, but to say that it draws meaning from a basis in fact. I am not arguing for sound bite solutions to complex questions, but rather that, even in a field as hotly debated as economics, the right answer is still a worthwhile goal, reachable through the use of data and copious amounts of trial and error.

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Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This statement is thoughtful and interesting, and conveys clear motivations for studying Economics, as well as demonstrating a good level of preparation for university study. The student elaborates on their response to each preparatory activity they engaged in, rather than falling into the trap of simply listing books read and lectures attended. They are clearly passionate about the subject, and show promise as an economist, which they demonstrate in, again, not only listing their achievements, but explaining what they took from the experience, and subtly indicating what this says about them as a student.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

I have very little to say in criticism of this essay except that, perhaps, it could come across as a little cliché. Questioning whether there is such a thing as ‘the right answer’ in the introduction, and concluding that pursuit of the field to which they’re applying for further study is worthy are both very common.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This is an exceptional personal statement. Not only is the student accomplished, they convey this without bragging, and in enough detail that we gain insight into their abilities, motivations, and personal interests, rather than simply receiving a list in prose form. Though the ideas with which the student begins and concludes the statement are somewhat unoriginal, the explanation found in between is exceptionally strong, and justifies the unoriginal sentiments – they’re clearly not being added just as throwaway lines.

This Personal Statement for Chemistry is a great example of demonstrating motivation and development which is vital to Admissions Tutors.

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

Check out our other successful personal statements and our expert guides on our Free Personal Statement Resources page.

Successful Personal Statement For Law At Cambridge

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• Economics Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Hannah Slack

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Economics. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

The notion of financial risk has always fascinated me. Risk is involved all parts of our life, and learning economic theory and statistics can help mitigate some of the larger financial risks that can massively impact our economy. Since my undergraduate course I have been intrigued by the theoretical side of economics and statistics. I particularly enjoy learning how to project potential outcomes, as this is a vital skill desired by many corporations to strengthen their decision-making processes.

Currently I am in my final year of an Economics undergraduate degree and I am projected to graduate with a first. Modules in Behavioural Economics, Finance and Investment have been a strong interest of mine since the beginning of my degree. I have also enjoyed learning more about economic policies across the globe. In order to keep up to date with the latest economic policies I make sure to follow governmental and news outlets, such as the Financial Times.

In my second year I completed a four-month placement with a national bank. This allowed me to learn more about the practical implications of economic theory in a financially focused setting. I grew very interested in the work of the Risk Manager, who further enlightened me on the many different factors that must be considered before making a major financial decision. The main thing that I enjoyed about financial risk was the tangibility of it. As history has demonstrated, financial decisions can have a major impact on society, both positive and negative. Learning how to restrain negative impacts, and how to manage risks appropriately, intrigues me as an essential part of our modern world.

My third year I spend abroad studying Economics in Australia. I found it particularly interesting to learn the differences between the Australian economic system and the UK’s, which will become increasingly important with the advent of post-Brexit trade deals between the countries. This experience only contributed to my enthusiasm with economic theory as I was able to learn more about its role within other countries.

I have decided to apply for this course because it is one of the finest in the country, with excellent links to industry. To contribute to financial risk management in the way I aspire to, I believe that I need the best education possible. This course not only has a compelling combination of modules and specialisms, but its reputation and research quality will help propel me as a competitive graduate on the job market. I truly believe that with my passion and intrigue in the subject, and this course’s quality resources, this university will be the best place for my studies.

What are some of my options for studying a Masters in Economics?

Economics - msc, university of cologne faculty of management, economics and social sciences, behavioural economics (msc), erasmus school of economics masters programmes, business economics/international business economics msc, city, university of london school of policy and global affairs, health economics for health professionals msc, pgdip, pgcert, aberdeen university medicine, medical sciences and nutrition, health economics and policy msc, our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice, find a masters in economics.

If you're interested in a studying Economics, then why don't you check out our regularly updated catalogue of available Economics Masters courses .

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Undergraduate Personal Statement Example: Economics

With so many university personal statement examples available, how do you know if you’re reading a good one?  

After all, personal statement examples can teach you how to write and structure your application, and you can quickly learn how to write a personal statement by examining others.

Reading examples of personal statements can be valuable when applying to a university or college course. But what exactly should they contain?

Undergraduate personal statements should highlight relevant academic and practical experience, academic skills, ambitions and suitability for the degree field. This undergraduate personal statement example for Economics clearly illustrates these three critical elements.

Undergraduate degree personal statement examples are sometimes referred to as personal mission statements or statements of purpose , so if you’re tasked with writing a personal mission statement, the following example will work for you.

I’ve broken down this personal statement example section by section, with a commentary on each element. 

That way, you’ll see its strengths and weaknesses and get some inspiration for your own personal statement .

Once you’ve read the personal statement example and analysis, you can download a pdf of the whole document to use as inspiration for your own!

Personal Statement Example: Introduction

“The unprecedented pace and scope of global economic change shape our lives in unfamiliar and complex ways. The COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine and the rising surge of authoritarian populism in Pakistan all challenge social and financial norms, leading to unpredictability in individual behaviour and international markets. Having experienced first-hand the vastly differing economies of the UK, Pakistan and Qatar, I have developed an interest in how economics affects education, employment and income. Comparing each country’s response to the pandemic and observing the long-term impact of the decisions taken, I’m keen to learn which new ideas will replace the old paradigms, how inflation can be tamed without triggering a recession, and whether it is possible to grow global prosperity without exacerbating inequality at a national level.”

My Commentary and Analysis 

This writer begins this personal statement example by displaying an informed and comprehensive understanding of global politics and current affairs. Although this doesn’t seem directly connected to the study of economics, it’s actually a sophisticated way of introducing the topic. Economics and global affairs are inextricably linked, and displaying this knowledge allows the writer to evidence their knowledge comprehensively.

They then outline their global experience and begin to suggest the ways in which global politics and finance are interconnected. In doing so, the writer introduces their motivations and suitability confidently.

If you’re struggling with your personal statement introduction, check out my article on how to write perfect opening paragraphs here .

Personal Statement Example: Section 2

“I thrive on undertaking research into current financial issues and sharing my perspectives with the world. Following the IMF’s reporting of US tariffs on Chinese imports, I analysed how economies rival one another as part of a wider war of geopolitical positioning. Additionally, I examined the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and its economic effects on neighbouring countries. My articles ‘How the US-China Conflict Affects Asia’ and ‘The Economic Impact of the Afghan Crisis on Pakistan’ were featured in Pakistan’s New Reporter newspaper.”

My Commentary and Analysis

Here the writer outlines their research and clarifies their understanding of international trade and finance a little more broadly. This works well, as it adds some depth and development to the previous section without repeating content. 

The theme of international trade continues throughout this personal statement example, but the impressive aspect here is the reference to the articles that the writer has published. Again, this is an important aspect to include as, for an undergraduate example, it establishes the writer as a uniquely qualified and motivated candidate. 

It’s unusual for an undergraduate applicant to have this level of experience and clarity of motivation, so don’t worry if that isn’t something you have achieved yet. The key thing is to make the most of each experience you have and outline its value to your application and ambition.

If you’d like to learn more about how to structure your personal statement or statement of purpose , check out my awesome Personal Statement Template eBook here . It’s full of detailed examples of what to include!

Personal Statement Example: Section 3

“My relief work has exposed me to many societal disparities, fuelling my interest in economics and finance. I’ve witnessed first-hand the interplay between poverty and the economy and researched economic theories and their implications in real-world contexts to understand these real-life complexities. Deeply moved by the impact of the pandemic lockdowns on those reliant on a daily wage in underserved communities in Pakistan, I was inspired to set up a youth team for the food charity FoodShare and distribute warm meals through the uncertainty of constant lockdowns. This led me to research and discover theories such as Sens, which focused on income inequality and capability deprivation.”

The writer outlines their philanthropic and relief work with relevant examples, all of which serve to establish their understanding of the role of economics in real-world settings. 

The focus is beginning to move away from economics, and whilst the content is impressive, it would be sensible to relate the material to the subject area a little more fully at this stage in the personal statement.

Check out lots more examples of personal statements here , and see how they can inspire your application!

Personal Statement Example: Section 4

“Initiating a drive to plant trees as a member of my college’s Green Club, I realised that a financial incentive for growing trees, given directly to landowners in underserved urban and rural communities, would contribute precisely to the economic stimulus they need. My findings were substantiated when I read Dambisa Moyo’s ‘Dead Aid’. I admire her views on development in low-income economies and her arguments for using trade as a growth and development strategy in Africa rather than relying on government-to-government aid. It is experiences like these which have convinced me to pursue this course of study.”

My Commentary and Analysis: 

This is a highly complex paragraph in many respects. It outlines an additional aspect to the writer’s experience and motivation and gives the reader a deeper sense of the engagement the writer intends to have with the subject matter.

Offering evidence of research increases the writer’s range of academic skills and suitability for the course. This is important at this stage of the personal statement, as there have been few references to academic or transferable skills before this point. 

Undergraduate personal statements usually focus on the academic skills developed in further education. As this applicant has focused on other elements, it’s good to see the writer has begun to reference them at this stage.

The one thing that all successful personal statements have in common is that they are concise, engaging and accurate in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Consequently, I always recommend Grammarly to my students and clients. 

It’s an outstanding tool for ensuring your personal statement is rich with detail whilst hitting those all-important word limits. Check out the free version of Grammarly here , or hit the banner for more information.

Personal Statement Example: Conclusion

“My commitment to degree-level economics is reflected in my decision to study A-level Law during my gap year. This has developed my essay writing, analytical and critical thinking skills and taught me to apply logic and reasoning to reach decisions. Equally, attending the Young Leaders summer program at Buckley University last summer allowed me to develop my project management, team building and leadership skills whilst learning about sustainable development goals. I researched the pandemic in Canada and terrorism in Somalia and presented my ideas from an economic viewpoint, arguing how a country’s stability is directly interlinked with its economic growth, affecting the sustainability of development goals. I valued the opportunity to represent my team and take the lead in public speaking and debating at the Oxford Union Chamber, and was proud to win the ‘Best Debating Team’ prize. I won first prize in the Marshall Young Mathematician competition whilst at college, allowing me to put my mathematical, logical reasoning, problem-solving and analytical skills into practice.

A diligent, dedicated and motivated student, I’m confident that my personal qualities, practical experience and academic interests will fully support my commitment to reading for an economics degree.”

The first paragraph above is, perhaps, the most effective and relevant in this personal statement. This is because previous academic skills and experiences are referenced, and their value is considered in relation to the degree course applied for.

The writer then outlines their co-curricular activities. These are highly relevant and impressive examples, and including them here shows the scope of the applicant’s commitment and quality. Referencing the award the writer achieved and considering the transferable skills gained is a compelling strategy that adds to their suitability for the degree.

In summary, there are some significant strengths in this personal statement example. The applicant is mature, engaged and accomplished. They show a range of experiential and practical skills, and the depth of their achievements makes them highly suitable.

In contrast, there’s a lack of formal academic depth here and not very much content that reflects the writer’s personality. Equally, there could be a wider reference to the value that the writer would bring to the university environment.

For more great advice, check out my article on writing an excellent final personal statement paragraph here .

Click here or on the banner below to get your free download of this complete personal statement example . 

Whether you’re looking for personal mission statement examples or an example of personal purpose statement, I hope this personal statement example has been helpful. Above all, I wish you every success in your academic career. 

If you’d like to work with me to develop your personal statement 1:1 and write a powerful mission statement, I’d be delighted to hear from you. 

Find out about my personal statement support services by clicking here or on the image below.

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

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By Nik Taylor (Editor, The Uni Guide) | 21 September 2023 | 8 min read

Writing an economics personal statement: expert advice from universities

Get your economics personal statement in top shape with these insider tips

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• Read more:  how to write an excellent personal statement in ten steps

Let your passion for economics shine through in your personal statement

• Read more:  teacher secrets for writing a great personal statement

Make sure you really understand what economics is all about

Do your research into the course.

• Read more:  personal statement FAQs

Keep your personal statement personal

Talk about how you engage with the world around you.

• Read more:  the ten biggest mistakes to avoid when writing your personal statement

Show your interest in collecting and analysing data

• Read more:  universities reveal all about personal statements

Don’t only focus on finance

• Read more:  universities explain how to end your personal statement with a bang

Include extracurricular activities with relevant skills

• Read more:  how to write your personal statement when you have nothing interesting to say

You could talk about your plans for your future, but don’t worry if you don’t have a definite career trajectory all mapped out

• Read more:  how long does it take for universities to reply to your application? 

It shouldn’t matter if you haven’t studied economics before

Proofread your personal statement before you send it out, you may want to look at these..., personal statement secrets – universities reveal all.

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• Economics personal statement examples

Economics degree personal statement example (2d) with review

I am applying to study a degree in economics principally because of the diversity of both the subject and its applications, and because I find it fascinating and challenging at the same time. Having studied the subject at A-level, I believe that the possible depths to which it may be studied are almost endless, and as such, the number of real-life situations to which it is relevant is similarly vast. For example, the area of economics in which I am most interested is the study of the ways in which monetary and fiscal policies affect society as a whole. For this reason, I found the Public Choice theory particularly engaging. In the future, I hope to gain employment in the banking or financial sector, and I think that a course as flexible as economics would be of great benefit to this.

Recently, I have participated in the Bank of England’s ‘Target 2.0’ challenge. From this, I not only improved skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication and analytical skills, but also learnt about the consequences that a seemingly small decision, such as the lowering of the interest rate by a quarter of one percent, can have on just about everyone. Another aspect of the project that I enjoyed was the way in which all of our team members’ research and work came together at the end to form the whole, and enabled us to come to a conclusion. I would very much like to have the opportunity to study this area, among others concerning the interest rate and monetary policy, in greater depth. I am enthusiastic about the subject, and a highly motivated student, and I therefore think that I would be well suited to studying economics at university level.

My hobbies mostly centre around music; I sing, play the piano to grade four standard, and have also composed music for keyboard-based instruments. I have found that the more knowledge of music, and its structures, that I have gained, the more insights into popular music I have acquired, and can then enjoy it on many more levels. I think that this holds true for many subjects: the more understanding you have of something, the more you can enjoy it. I also like to get involved in sports, such as swimming, in my spare time, as I find them a great way to unwind and have fun at the same time!

In secondary school, I held a position of responsibility as a prefect. I also sang soprano in the school choir, which again helped me to hone my skills of teamwork and co-operation. Prior to beginning sixth form, I spent a summer working as a volunteer in a scheme run for children with disabilities, which was both a lot of fun and very rewarding. Although working with some of the children was demanding and required the ability to adjust and adapt quickly, I would definitely say that it was worth it and would love to do it again. In addition, I currently have a part-time job in a retail environment. Because of this, I believe that I am able to communicate and solve problems more effectively. I have also gained understanding of the worlds of business and commerce within the context of a large company.

I have put serious consideration into my choice of course applications, and believe that I would be able to contribute both academically and socially to university life.

Universities Applied to:

• Warwick - AABb (Firm)
• Loughborough - ABB
• Leicester - ABC (Insurance)
• Swansea - BBC or 280 UCAS points
• Bath – Rejected

General Comments:

Overall this statement is quite weak for a competitive subject like economics and while there is some economics discussion, the extra-curricular side has been too extensively covered and there is a need for greater focus on economics. This could include more on the economics-specific side of Target 2.0, Public Choice theory, and perhaps one other area that the applicant is interested in from monetary and fiscal policy. In doing so, they could also alter the structure so that the final section includes a direct reference to one of these economics topics. If they study economics at A-level then it would be expected that they discuss this relating their interest in the degree to their coursework/class work. At the moment there is no mention of economics from "My hobbies" onwards. To make the space for this, the penultimate two paragraphs could be merged into one.

At times the statement is very disjointed in the way it is written and the applicant would benefit from properly structuring this before submitting it.

Comments on the statement:

I am applying to study a degree in economics principally because of the diversity of both the subject and its applications, and because I find it fascinating and challenging at the same time. Having studied the subject at A-level, I believe that the possible depths to which it may be studied are almost endless, and as such, the number of real-life situations to which it is relevant is similarly vast.  This is a long intro without much substantive content. What is it about economics that fascinates and challenges the applicant? A lot of applicants make assertions such as this then never back it up with  why . It is so important that they say why they like economics and give examples.  For example, the area of economics in which I am most interested is the study of the ways in which monetary and fiscal policies affect society as a whole.  Why are they interested in this particular area? Again, more detail and explanation is required  For this reason, I found the Public Choice theory particularly engaging.  This is better, but they need to discuss a part of Public Choice theory in more detail and say why they found it engaging.  In the future, I hope to gain employment in the banking or financial sector, and I think that a course as flexible as economics would be of great benefit to this.  This isn't really something they should mention in the introduction, its fine for them to mention careers in the conclusion if they've got an idea but not really in the introduction as this implies they want to do the degree only for the job. Admissions teams will be looking for students who will love studying economics for the next 3/4 years of their life, not just students who want the job at the end of it.

Recently, I have participated in the Bank of England’s ‘Target 2.0’ challenge.  This is a good thing to include.  From this, I not only improved skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication and analytical skills,  The sentence structure is a little clumsy here, with quite a long list and "skills such as ... skills"  but also learnt about the consequences that a seemingly small decision, such as the lowering of the interest rate by a quarter of one percent, can have on just about everyone.  This is good and the applicant could go on to explain some of these 'consequences' 'on just about everyone'.  Another aspect of the project that I enjoyed was the way in which all of our team members’ research and work came together at the end to form the whole, and enabled us to come to a conclusion.  OK, so what was the conclusion and how did the group come to it? What was their specific area of 'research and work'?  I would very much like to have the opportunity to study this area, among others concerning the interest rate and monetary policy, in greater depth.  Rather than just alluding to 'among others', which specific areas, ideas or concepts would the applicant like the 'opportunity to study'?  I am enthusiastic about the subject, and a highly motivated student, and I therefore think that I would be well suited to studying economics at university level.  It should be self-evident that you're 'enthusiastic', 'highly motivated' and 'well suited to studying economics'. It is best left to the referee to comment on what a wonderful student they are, it doesn't need to be in the PS and can make the applicant appear arrogant

The key thing in this is the research and conclusion, all of the stuff about team work is secondary to the pure economics side and this is what the applicant needs to focus on. How this has enhanced their interest/engagement/knowledge of economics? This is their main academic part of the PS meaning I'd expect to see mentions of reading, research and theories in this part. The applicant will struggle to get into competitive universities if this section is not redrafted in more detail and in a more academic way.

My hobbies mostly centre around music; I sing, play the piano to grade four standard, and have also composed music for keyboard-based instruments. I have found that the more knowledge of music, and its structures, that I have gained, the more insights into popular music I have acquired, and can then enjoy it on many more levels. I think that this holds true for many subjects: the more understanding you have of something, the more you can enjoy it.  A tenuous link, but OK.  I also like to get involved in sports, such as swimming, in my spare time, as I find them a great way to unwind and have fun at the same time!  The punctuation in this paragraph needs some work and in PSs saying you enjoy having fun/socialising/hanging out with friends can often be read as an implied way of saying "I enjoy getting drunk" etc. which is something to be avoided. Universities couldn't care less what the applicant did in their life in that respect so its better to stick to the "I like swimming" type of pro-active hobbies. These are more interesting and set the applicant apart from others.

In secondary school, I held a position of responsibility as a prefect. I also sang soprano in the school choir, which again helped me to hone my skills of teamwork and co-operation.  Nothing wrong with including the singing, but 'teamwork and co-operation' from being part of a choir is really pushing it.  Prior to beginning sixth form, I spent a summer working as a volunteer in a scheme run for children with disabilities, which was both a lot of fun and very rewarding. Although working with some of the children was demanding and required the ability to adjust and adapt quickly, I would definitely say that it was worth it and would love to do it again.  A little long, but good content-wise.  In addition, I currently have a part-time job in  a  retail  environment . Because of this, I believe that I am able to communicate and solve problems more effectively. I have also gained understanding of the worlds of business and commerce within the context of a large company.  Once again, stretching it a bit (I'm presuming the applicant works part-time in a shop) but probably just about acceptable.

In the last 2 paragraphs the applicant has developed their communication and problem solving skills many times over. It's really important that they only mention each "skill" once and that they only have this as a small part of their PS. All of the extra curricular activities should only be a paragraph (around 30% of the PS) at the most, with this substantially reduced if they're applying to Oxbridge and the like.

I have put serious consideration into my choice of course applications, and believe that I would be able to contribute both academically and socially to university life.  This needs bringing back to why the applicant wants to do economics, or why they would be a good economics student, as this final line doesn't add much to their PS, and it's been a while since any mention of economics. They can mention their career ambitions here if they want and draw together all of the things they've already said.

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How To Write A Personal Statement & Examples

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Whether you’re using the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or a school-specific application portal, it can be scary to come up with an essay topic that encompasses the complexity and vastness of who you are as a person. So to help you move past the intimidating aspects and focus more on the fun and meaning, in this post, we’ll describe what differentiates the personal statement from other college essays and what function it serves in your college application.

Applied in: Winter 2013

University offers: lse, ucl, bristol, queen mary, warwick.

To me, Economics is the intertwining of science and art. The models, theories and flow of thought in Economics concepts I learn in school is similar to that of science and mathematics, where logic is used as the basis of theories. What I find interesting is the fact that in some cases, these theories do not hold in the real world. The fluid and dynamic nature of Economics fuels my curiosity to want to learn more about it. I believe that reading Economics at a tertiary level will allow me to understand how these concepts are derived and at the same time, gain better insight into how Economics can influence people and societies alike. 

In my free time, I enjoy reading Economics-related articles on magazines such as The Economist or online newspapers such as Project Syndicate. These out-of-textbook readings allow me to gain greater knowledge of economies outside of Singapore. For example, reading up on the wide-ranging issues that may arise when the Federal Reserve (Fed) starts tapering their bond-purchasing program known as quantitative easing is both eye-opening and intriguing. In addition, I find it fascinating to read about how different economists will have contrasting schools of thought. The differing economic visions of India’s top political rivals, welfare economist Professor Amartya Sen and Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, demonstrates this. It is interesting to read about how they both make use of economic concepts to support their respective visions, but yet their visions are not aligned with one another. From my readings, I learn to draw the links between real-life examples and theoretical concepts. It is this real-world application that sustains my growing interest in both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, beyond what we learn in our textbooks. 

I am particularly interested in the application of economic concepts in policy-making. This interest was sparked by my experience in organizing an outing for the elderly at the Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society last year, where my interactions with the elderly allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of their changing needs. Currently, I am in the midst of helping out in a community initiative called “Project Upstart” which raises funds for the under-privileged children at the Little Arts Academy. This experience highlighted to me how the fruits of economic success in a nation does not always trickle down to the lower strata of society. Through my various community involvement experiences, I reflected upon some of the pressing problems Singapore will face in the future; an ageing society, rising income inequality and worsening social mobility. This got me to think about how current governmental and economic policies must change to suit the changing societal needs. 

Besides reading up on Economics and getting involved in volunteering activities, I also enjoy sports. My experience in my extra-co curricular activity, Wushu, is an exhilarating and enriching one. Trainings taught me the importance of dedication and devotion to one’s profession while representing my college at competitions cultivated a strong sense of sportsmanship within me. I also served as part of the executive committee for Wushu and this gave me the opportunity to bring a group of individuals from vastly different backgrounds together to form a team that is bonded, motivated and hardworking. As a leader, I often had to give motivational talks or resolve disputes among team members. From these experiences, I learnt to communicate better, which made me a more confident public speaker. In addition, the need to prioritize my time given the hectic schedule of trainings and school work allowed me to develop my time-management skills. 

Fuelled by my passion and equipped with the above qualities, I hope to read Economics at a higher level in the United Kingdom as I believe that a tertiary education overseas would be a valuable experience to me and would allow me to become a more mature and independent individual.

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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Economics & politics personal statement example 1.

My perception of the world changed on September the 11th 2001, when I returned home from school to find that a terrorist organisation had attacked the World Trade Centre.

The attack destroyed my feeling of security, provoking me to probe and question the world around me in a way I hadn't before and sparking my interest in current affairs.

The importance of political decisions and economics soon became apparent, how can the two disciplines be overlooked, when almost every issue or headline from the food on our table to the death of thousands in a terrorist attack, is related to one or both of the subjects?

My favourite area of economics is macro; I particularly enjoy comparing and evaluating the different tools and management strategies that the government can use in controlling the economy.

It is interesting to assess not only how different ideas affect the economic climate, but also the political reasons and repercussions of such decisions.

I keep up to date with developments within the subject by regularly reading The Economist and David Smith in The Times.

For me, one of the most interesting features of Economics is the way in which the theory can be applied to the very simple situations, for example the way that Steven Levitt is able to compare the Klu Klux Klan to Estate agents in his book Freakonomics. However, I look forward to using the skills that I have gained in Mathematics for the more complex, like game theory, at degree level.

Reading books like 'The Wealth and Poverty of Nations' by David Landes has opened my eyes to the global inequality of wealth, and the negative effect that groups like the WTO have on 3rd world countries.

I have campaigned to 'Make Poverty History', improving my presentation skills while gaining greater insight into Wyn Grant's ideas on pressure groups by presenting assemblies to the lower school and volunteering in Oxfam. My team work and organisational skills were developed while working as a group of Charity Committee representatives who were asked to organise a human 'Make Poverty History' band around Salisbury Cathedral.

Learning about the reforming agenda that Tony Blair introduced to his party in 1997 motivated me to get involved with the Labour party on the less glamorous local level, and so I have gained insight into local and regional meetings.

I enjoyed outlining ideologies like the 3rd Way and conservatism in my AS course, it was interesting to study the core ideas and beliefs behind policy, so developed my understanding by reading 'Political Ideologies: an introduction' by Andrew Heywood.

I was lucky enough to be invited to represent my school at the 2005 Dicey Conference at Trinity College Oxford. The two day conference allowed me to explore one of my favourite topics, 'Who rules the UK?', with significant figures and aware students from all over the country. It strengthened my opinion that power and influence has moved from directly accountable institutions like Parliament and the Cabinet to less democratic bodies like the city and the media.

This opportunity to discuss with a spectrum of different opinions is mirrored in my school life, where I am an active member of the Debating Society and get the chance to talk to and grill guest speakers at Politics Society.

I have been involved in a unique Student Research programme, where I have led a team of yr 7's towards a presentation to the staff on what we think makes the perfect lesson. In investigating lesson structure, I have gained essential research and presentation skills as well as growing a lot more active in my own learning.

I have proved how committed and responsible I am, while perfecting my teamwork and leadership skills by taking on the roles of Head of the Sixth Form Council, a Head of House and a Senior Prefect.

I feel that my passion for both Politics and Economics makes me worthy of a place on a joint course, and I look forward to getting involved in both academic and social aspects of university life.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by Shane_Garvin for application in 2006.

Shane_Garvin's university choices London School of Economics The University of Durham University of Bristol University of Bath The University of Manchester Cardiff University

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

Shane_Garvin's Comments

As you can see from my UCAS choices, I got offfers to study economics and politics at Durham, Cardiff, Bristol, Manchester and Bath. I've accepted an offer from LSE to study Government and Economics. Not really sure if this is an economics or politics statement - it's pretty equal in both!

Related Personal Statements

Tue, 29/08/2006 - 00:00

This is excellent. It is very detailed, and not at all cliched or waffley. Has a catching intro. I liked the way he didnt talk about boring extra currics for ages- but just mentioned them to show hes an all rounder.

I agree that it is good, but

Fri, 01/09/2006 - 00:00

I agree that it is good, but I would disagree with the previous comment that it isnt cliched... using 9/11 as an opening seems to me the ultimate cliche.

Some very strong points

Fri, 08/09/2006 - 00:00

Some very strong points indeed

Excellent personal statement.

Tue, 24/10/2006 - 12:36

Excellent personal statement.. very detailed and clear..

Sun, 29/10/2006 - 21:06

Very good opening. After scanning the introductions of the statements under Politics, this was the only one that really caught my attention.

returned home to find a terrorist group attacked..

Tue, 13/03/2007 - 20:30

oh boy! he is in for a big shock when he realises it was the government who carried out the attacks on the world trade center and that his own country have been involved in government sponsored terrorism for the past 40 years, the same government who murdered dr david kelly and is sturring up the violence in iraq, you have it all to learn. Great personal statement but are you sure you are ready for all of this?

wow london school of

Mon, 19/03/2007 - 12:32

wow london school of economics is one of the best in the world! awesome, hope it goes well for ya

Didn't like the opening, but

Sun, 20/05/2007 - 23:34

Didn't like the opening, but loved the rest. 9/11 is so tired.

Sun, 03/06/2007 - 17:54

Very useful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! best of luck in future!!!!!!!!!

i was under the impression

Wed, 13/06/2007 - 20:41

i was under the impression that personal statements were only supposed to be 1500 characters, in which case this is rather long...am i right?

yes you are right.. about

Wed, 20/06/2007 - 13:40

yes you are right.. about 1400 characters with spaces

Tue, 10/07/2007 - 13:40

i think that a ucas statement

Mon, 20/08/2007 - 16:35

i think that a ucas statement is allowed 4000 characters, that's what i've been told

Actually he only got 12 GCSEs

Tue, 21/08/2007 - 12:51

Actually he only got 12 GCSEs, they are just all repeated, and the grades aren't really that good either, having just two A*s. Very good personal statement though and I assume it was backed by some good AS results.

Sun, 02/09/2007 - 18:38

i liked the personal staemnet but the writer overused "I" which is not advised. about 9/11 different introduction than the ones published over here but it got old!

one thing that i liked is the refrence to freakonomics my favourite economics's book adn my favourite section about the ku klux klan!

Amazing personal statement!!

Wed, 05/09/2007 - 10:18

Amazing personal statement!! may i know what A-levels u did?

Sat, 08/09/2007 - 16:10

i agree with "came back from school..." before accusing anyone, you need to know who organized the attack on world trade center. u need to more learn, or maybe do researches...great PS>> GL in politics life. and PS should be about 1000 characters i reckon

thtas just emotional

Tue, 18/09/2007 - 09:09

thtas just emotional blackmail

what did u get for ur 'A'

Fri, 12/10/2007 - 15:18

what did u get for ur 'A' levels?

Sun, 14/10/2007 - 20:57

It's an okish statement.. Need to improve, I wouldn't copy any of it lol

it's convincing...

Sun, 28/10/2007 - 15:19

Just shows you don't need amazing GCSE's to get in LSE. His really were not the usual standard LSE accept.

Thu, 15/11/2007 - 05:52

i like a ps where the emphasis is on the subject-what interests you about, and where you see yourself going with it. Sure, extra curricular stuff is great but your subject has to be dominant.

I'd suggest that this is

Fri, 07/12/2007 - 12:24

I'd suggest that this is actually a very good statement. His GCSE's are not the best but are still a good set of results. The fact the he isn't 'up to LSE's normal standards' would lead me to think his personal statement must be very effective to score him a place at both LSE and five other good universities.

PS: With respect to '9/11'

Fri, 07/12/2007 - 12:27

PS: With respect to '9/11' being very tired, writing personal statements should be focused on being very honest about why you're passionate about the course you want to do. If that's why you want to study a subject, why not include it?

Let the admissions officers decide if it is 'tired' or 'cliched'.

awesome baby!!!

Thu, 10/07/2008 - 09:47

not 24 gcses

Thu, 17/07/2008 - 21:48

not 24 gcses hes accidentally pasted them twice- lol

You have an amazing PS.

Fri, 22/08/2008 - 01:55

Not to take away your thunder or whatever but can everyone comment on my PS. No one has commented on it and it's my first draft and I would like some opinions. It's the last one in the Politics category titled, First Draft..Politics/International Relations/SP.

is good wonder if 911 was

Tue, 02/09/2008 - 21:25

is good wonder if 911 was necessary? better talk about self no?

it's soo long

Fri, 12/09/2008 - 17:27

I am a canadian student.. and apparently UCAS will now only allow 4000 characters. so although this is a very good personal statement.. how did you fit it in.. or have the rules changed>????

didn't like the 9/11 into.

Sun, 14/09/2008 - 15:56

didn't like the 9/11 into. Rest was clear and concise. Overall pretty good.

this is brilliant

Tue, 23/09/2008 - 09:48

to be honest this ps really scared me, dont think mine is that good, and im applying to LSE!!! I'd like to your AS/AL grades though.

Wed, 16/09/2009 - 12:27

YOU GUY YOUR TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WACK

DID YOU GO TO UNIVERSITY OF WACKBRIDGE?

Party Politics

Wed, 15/09/2010 - 14:25

Glad to see you mention your work in the party; some people had warned me to keep away from my partisan support for Labour - but considering it is a clear display of ones passion for politics I will be sure to mention it.

Mon, 15/11/2010 - 20:41

Incredible opening!!!!

Tue, 23/07/2013 - 19:48

Appreciate you sharing, great blog post. Will read on...

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