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Sociology Personal Statement Examples

What is a sociology personal statement?

Writing a personal statement for sociology is a chance to sell yourself to the admissions tutors and show them why you would make a great sociology candidate. It’s a place to describe your skills and strengths, as well as your career plans.

You are allowed up to 4000 characters to explain why you are applying for a sociology degree, so you need to make sure your statement is as polished as possible to stand out from the crowd.

How do I write a good sociology personal statement?

Good sociology personal statements always use evidence to support their claims. You need to convince admissions tutors that you’re a good match for the programme, so if you claim to be committed or inquisitive, then use examples from your life to back it up.

To write a great sociology personal statement you need to start early, brainstorm some ideas, and then begin your first draft.

This will then need to be carefully revised and edited before asking family and friends for feedback. Incorporate their comments and suggestions, and see how it is improved before asking them to look at it again.

Read through our sociology personal statement examples to give you an idea of what a good sociology statement entails.

Make sure you proofread your statement for grammar and spelling before sending it off, and if you feel you need a little extra help, take a look at our personal statement editing services .

What should I include in my sociology personal statement?

Many students choose to start their statement by picking a specific aspect of sociology and explaining why they enjoy it.

Admissions tutors want candidates that are as passionate about the subject as they are.

As well as your motivations for studying sociology, think about your hobbies and extracurricular activities too. What skills have you learned from these and how will these help you in your sociology degree?

Talk about any work experience placements you have completed, e.g. shadowing a social worker or someone in a related profession. What did you take away from this experience? Do you feel you have all the necessary personal traits and qualities that make a good sociology student?

Your wider reading is also important, so it's worth mentioning anything you've read recently that you found interesting and why. Generally, admissions tutors like students who express their views and opinions, and can back them up with evidence.

For more help and advice on what to write in your sociology personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
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• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
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• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

What can I do with a sociology degree?

There are many different career options open to those wishing to study sociology at university. These include:

• Advice worker
• Further or higher education teacher
• International aid worker
• Policy officer
• Social researcher
• Youth worker

However, there are jobs in other industries where your sociology degree might be useful, such as:

• Police or proation officer
• Family support worker
• Civil service administrator

For more information about careers with a sociology degree, please see Prospects and TargetJobs .

What are the best UK universities for sociology?

Currently, the best universities in the UK for studying sociology are:

For more information on UK university rankings for sociology, please see The Complete University Guide .

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Our advice when writing a personal statement

Your personal statement is your place to write whatever you’d like to say about yourself and your motivation to study your course.

It’s important to remember that  you can only write one personal statement  and so the same wording will be seen by all the universities you apply to. your personal statement should therefore focus on the course you want to study, not the universities themselves., what are universities looking for in a personal statement.

People with the skills and attributes required by the course

People ready for university-style learning

People who genuinely enjoy the subject that they are applying for

People who have engaged with their subject, above and beyond whatever they have studied at school or college

Where do I start?

Before you start writing, try talking to your friends or family about what you want to study at university: what would you tell them? What have you read or watched or seen that has inspired you? Why was it interesting? What do you want to find out next? 

How should I structure my personal statement?

Around 80% of your personal statement should be focused on your academic interests, abilities and achievements  (including super-curricular activities) and 20% on unrelated extra-curricular activities.

Opening Paragraph

  Personal statement openings tend to follow a similar format:

• Why you are excited about your subject?
• What you have done academically to show this?
• Keep it short and simple.
• Leave it until last.
• Draft five first sentences and choose your favourite. 
• Avoid clichés! (e.g. 'From an early age I have been passionate about...')

Your current studies

• Why do you want to study this course?
• What have you learnt about this topic?
• What has inspired you?

When you start to write, remember not just to list your achievements but show how they have affected you, how you have benefited, and what you’d like to learn next. 

Super-curriculars

  Super-curriculars are hobbies or activities that demonstrate how you have developed your knowledge outside of the classroom.

• What have you read, watched, visited or listened to that has inspired you? (e.g. books, documentaries, podcasts, lectures, museums)
• Have you attended any summer schools, completed any work experience, or volunteered anywhere?
• Why was it interesting?
• How do these support and compliment the course you are applying for?

Super-curriculars can also be used as 'stepping stones' within your personal statement. For example, did a super-curricular spark your interest in something new, leading you to do further research into this topic?

Extra-curriculars

• Try and focus on transferrable skills - how has balancing your extra-curriculars allowed you to become a better student?

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How to Draft a Key Sociology Masters Personal Statement

Table of Contents

Writing a personal statement for your sociology master’s studies is no task. It is the opportunity to showcase who you are as an individual, demonstrate your unique strengths.

Creating a successful personal statement requires research, introspection, and dedication. To help you get started, here are some important elements you should consider when crafting your sociology masters personal statement .

What Is a Sociology Masters Program?

A sociology master’s program typically focuses on social science research, theory, and methodology. It is designed to give you the skills to analyze and use data in a larger societal context. You may also take courses that explore cultural diversity, crime, deviance, poverty, inequality, and more.

What Should You Add to a Personal Statement?

Your sociology master’s personal statement should begin with an introduction that clearly states your purpose for applying to the program . This should be followed by a discussion of why you are drawn to studying sociology.

Add how your experiences have shaped you for this endeavor. Be sure to highlight any specific interests or skills that make you well-suited for the program. Additionally, discuss any research or field experience under your belt, as well as any volunteer work or extracurricular activities.

Steps to Writing a Sociology Masters Personal Statement

Researching the Program

Before writing your personal statement , it’s essential to research the school or institution to which you’re applying. Make sure that you have an understanding of their requirements and objectives to write correctly tailored content for them. This will also help you showcase your knowledge of the sociology field and your commitment to studying there.

Brainstorming Ideas

Think about why you want to study sociology and what interests you. What experiences have led you to this point? Write down any thoughts or potential topics so that when it comes time to write your statement, you already have a starting place. Make sure that all ideas are relevant to the program and related topics in sociology.

Structure and Formatting Consideration

Your statement should be written with a clear structure and must remain concise throughout. Your opening paragraph should provide some background information on why you’re interested in studying sociology and your overall goals.

After that, divide the essay into several sections or paragraphs to discuss your relevant professional experiences. And educational accomplishments, and unique skills you can bring to the program. Include a summary of why you’d be an asset to their program and what you hope to gain from it.

Proofreading and Editing

Once you have written your statement, take some time away from it before revisiting it once more for proofreading and editing purposes. Check for any typos, grammar mistakes, or other errors that could damage your chances of being accepted into the program. Consider having someone else read over your statement as well, so they can provide feedback on anything that needs adjusting or improvement.

Tips to Follow

• Make sure to remain honest and transparent when writing your personal statement.
• Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your knowledge of the field.
• Keep it concise, yet strong enough to make a lasting impression.
• Demonstrate how you will contribute to the program during and after completion.
• Make someone else read over your statement for additional feedback before submitting it.

Example of Sociology Master’s Personal Statement

Looking for an example of a sociology masters personal statement ? Take a look below for some inspiration:

“Having spent the past three years studying sociology at the undergraduate level, I am now eager to further my education. I want to pursue a master’s degree. My research has focused on understanding how poverty affects health and well-being, and how these issues are affected by gender and race. Through my studies, I have developed an in-depth knowledge of social justice theories as well as qualitative methods of analysis. My professional experience working with non-profit organizations has also given me valuable insights into advocacy efforts at the local level. With this background, I believe I would make a valuable addition to your program and contribute significantly to its goals.”

Writing a personal statement for your sociology master’s studies can be both exciting and daunting.

By researching the program, brainstorming potential topics, and structuring and appropriately formatting your essay, you can create a successful personal statement.

This will help to demonstrate why you should be accepted into the program of your choice . Once you have written it, take some time away from it and then proofread and edit accordingly before submitting it.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Statements of Excellence in Sociology

Sample 1st Paragraph, PHD Degree in Sociology, Kuwait

I help as many people as I have the opportunity to help in the area of Sociology because of my sheer love or this field of study. Raised by parents who put little value on education, I began college late, at the age of 22. My first semester, I was clueless but registered for classes that sounded interesting, which included a Sociology class. That semester, my world lit up like a pinball machine, especially because I learned to think sociologically. I would go on to study mostly Religious Studies and Philosophy, but Sociology would always be with me in the way that I learned to think so long ago; and continue to think until today.

Help with your Personal Statement of Purpose for Graduate School in Sociology.

As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, global sociology becomes ever more important, understanding the nature of our international interactions on a scientific level. On a domestic level, sociology is helpful on a host of fronts as well. It helps us to understand why, for example, our country, the United States, is such a deeply divided nation, culture wars, conflict and tension between social classes, age groups, people of diverse sexual orientations, races, languages, etc. Sociology provides the  lens through which we can look at and understand ourselves.

Sociologists must possess a variety of skills to successfully understand that which they study. Graduate students in sociology sociological theory, social psychology, research skills and methods, statistics, and politics. But because there are many specialized areas of sociology, graduate students may also engage in coursework as varied as women's studies, gerontology, and classes dealing with legal issues

 Graduate students usually also focus on one specific area of study. This can include not only certain "geographically-bounded communities,” but also crime patterns, maintenance of ethnic and racial diversity, provision of quality social services, homelessness, domestic violence, and demographic trends in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, to name a few.

 Job opportunities include work in sociological research, teaching at both the secondary and post-secondary levels, and community-based positions, not only schools, but also hospitals and psychological clinics, as well as politics. Other options include sales and marketing, communications, and community development; in fact, the choices are limited only by your imagination and your willingness to explore all your options.

 It is very important that you carefully review the style and presentation of your application material for graduate school before submitting it, especially your Personal Statement of Purpose. Seeking the assistance of a professional writer is often a very good idea, especially if English is your second or third language. I would be happy to draft the first paragraph free of charge so that I have the opportunity to demonstrate to you how I can help in this regard. You will only need to pay for my services if you are very impressed with the first paragraph and decide to commission me to draft the entire statement.

I want to help you get accepted to Graduate School in Sociology.

I would be happy to provide you with a highly eloquent Statement that portrays you as someone with enormous potential to contribute to the advance of the field of sociology over the long term. After you fill out my  Online Interview Form , I will ask you some specific questions by email if I need any further information. Please also send your resume/CV and or rough draft if you have one.

Issues and Challenges in the Provision of Aid

The greatest challenges for those involved in humanitarian aid and development assistance are to and achieve efficiency, effectiveness, and manage the extremely complex political, economic, and social side effects associated with them. It has become increasingly clear that aid is not a panacea, and, although externally driven, humanitarian aid and development assistance programs inevitably take on roles within the conflict and in the societies in which they operate.

As a sociologist, you get to analyze and take part in improving humanitarian action and the relationships by the various actors involved. How will you make your mark? If further study is necessary at this stage in the journey, or you would like help applying for the job of your dreams, let us know if we can help! Good luck.

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Sociology and Women's Studies Major Applying to MSW Program, Sample 1st 2 Paragraphs

Completing my undergraduate studies in Sociology and Women’s Studies enabled me to make the most of my study abroad experience in Tel Aviv, Israel, (January-July 2014), serving as an Intern at the Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center. Among other duties, I was assigned the task of reviewing, evaluating, and revising sexual assault prevention programs. This year, May-August 2015, I enjoyed the enormous privilege of serving as a Behavioral Health Specialist with The XXXX Foundation in Scottsdale, AZ, helping youth with substance abuse and mental health issues. These experiences, combined with my leadership role in the Jewish community, have convinced me that I have the heart and soul to do this work.

The Humanitarian Side of Sociology

As protracted internal conflicts have become more common and more deadly, the impact on civilians has increased. Post-Cold War conflicts have caused over five million casualties. Ninety-five percent of them were civilians. In 2001, it was estimated that 35 million people were affected in different ways by conflict internationally.

According to former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, it is increasingly true that "the main aim ... [of conflicts] ... is the destruction not of armies but of civilians and entire ethnic groups."

These disturbing developments have involved extensive humanitarian relief efforts and development assistance to rebuild war-torn countries after the conflict has ended. Development assistance is also a long-term strategy for the prevention of  violence . Although they are presented separately here, humanitarian aid and development assistance often overlap and have a lot in common.

What Is Humanitarian Aid?

Conflicts adversely affect civilians both directly, and indirectly, through resulting "complex emergencies" created by protracted conflicts. In the immediate area of conflict, the primary aim is preventing human casualties and ensuring access to the basics for survival: water, sanitation, food, shelter, and medical care. Away from the main fighting, the priority is to help people who have been  displaced , prevent the spread of conflict, support relief work, and prepare for rehabilitation.

What Is Development Assistance?

External development assistance, to reconstruct a country's infrastructure, institutions, and economy, is often a key part of the work done in the aftermath of war. This assistance ensures that the country can develop, instead of sliding back into conflict and war. Some of the key requirements include:

• Reconstruction  of property and infrastructure to facilitate return of the displaced security, governance, transport of food and supplies, and rebuild the economy.
• Transitioning to normal security conditions: demilitarization, demobilization, reintegration of ex-combatants and an adequate police force.
• A functioning judiciary system to enforce the rule of law.
• Governance and government service provision.
• Democratization , often in the form of a representative government to moderate conflict.
• Economic development  and a stable macroeconomic environment, promoting political stability and facilitating a solid financial base for government.
• Local capacity building: once the donors leave, the country needs to function independently of aid and function adequately.

The link between underdevelopment and propensity to conflict makes development assistance important in  violence prevention . The structural factors  contributing to conflict include political, economic, and social  inequalities ; extreme poverty; economic stagnation; poor government services; high unemployment and individual (economic) incentives to go to war and fight. Development assistance must attempt to reduce inequalities between groups and reduce economic incentives to fight by controlling illicit trade.

It is probable that the most important principle of development assistance is the use of  aid conditionality  to promote economic and political practices that strengthen peacebuilding. Donor assistance is often conditional on acceptance of a peace settlement by all sides. Continued commitment to implementing and consolidating peace is also often required.

Coordination  and effective  leadership  of the humanitarian relief effort is extremely important if the duplication and conflicting activities are to be minimized and the exchange and flow of intelligence in an extremely difficult and stressful working environment are to be maximized. Coordination is usually provided by the UN.

Funding for humanitarian aid and development assistance comes mostly from foreign governments: approximately 50 percent of funding is channeled through U.N. agencies, and much of this is then allocated to partner agencies that implement the programs.

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How to write a personal statement for sociology

Whether it’s by doing a job at McDonalds or volunteering to work in your community, show how your life has given you an interest in sociology

F rom social inequality and crime, to culture and the media, sociology can be applied to most aspects of life. It's an exciting subject to study at university and to secure a place on a course you must demonstrate particular qualities and interests. Equally, there are important things you should avoid as a budding sociologist.

What to include

"Include a mixture of three things: a passion for the subject, what you want to get out of university, and what you can offer the university," says Dr Mark Monaghan, admissions tutor for sociology and social policy at Leeds University.

Sociological interests: Dr Wendy Bottero, senior lecturer in sociology at Manchester University, says: "People often don't get the opportunity to study sociology at school or college, so we're interested in how they view the subject, why they want to study it and how it fits in with their life".

Tailor your statement to the institutions you're applying to. "Look at departments' webpages to see the modules on offer. Gear your application towards your preferred department, but be careful not to alienate other universities. Mention broad areas of sociology that are taught by a number of your choices," says Dr Gareth Millington, admissions tutor for sociology at York University.

Applicants who are new to the subject should say how they became interested in it: "Everyone will have had experiences that can be linked to sociologically relevant issues. Your part-time job in McDonalds is as relevant as having done work experience with an MP – the important point is how you link what you've done to thinking about social issues and how society works," says Dr Patrick White, admissions tutor for sociology at Leicester University.

Sociological texts: Show that you've read some relevant books. Monaghan recommends Zygmunt Bauman's What Use is Sociology? and C Wright Mills' The Sociological Imagination. Monaghan also recommends the Guardian's Society section to give you "an awareness of current debate".

Career aspirations: You should have at least some knowledge of what you can do with a sociology degree, but don't worry if you don't know exactly what job you want. "We expect applicants to be aware of the kinds of jobs available, but we wouldn't expect you to have any specific career in mind," says Monaghan.

Non-academic interests: Universities are looking at more than just your academic interests: "We want someone who shows enthusiasm and passion more generally, for example through clubs and societies. But sociologists know that this is often down to how well-off someone is, so we don't discriminate on this basis," says Bottero.

"We want someone who takes a critical view of common assumptions that people lazily accept."

What to avoid

Confusion: Sociology may be offered as part of a joint honours degree at some universities and as a single subject at others, which can result in a confused statement. Monaghan says: "Be consistent about the degree you're applying for. You may be applying for different courses at different universities, so think about the social sciences in general."

"Work out where there's common ground between degree programmes, such as politics or history, and stress that your interests are in those areas of overlap," says Bottero.

A rigid structure: The statement needs to be clear, but your personality should still shine through. "There is no set recipe for personal statements because we like to see students express who they are," says Dr Anne-Marie Fortier, from the sociology department at Lancaster University.

At Bristol University, templates are "strongly discouraged" because they result in a "generic" end product.

Sloppy writing: It might sound obvious, but as White says: "This is your chance to show that you can write well. Whatever the content, an applicant with a poorly written personal statement is unlikely to be offered a place".

Last but not least: "There's no need to overdo it with superlatives. Keep it simple and honest", says Fortier.

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Nail your uni application with our personal statement examples!

Discover personal statements by subject, from A to Z. Find inspiration for your own application with these successful personal statement examples from real students.

A-Z of Personal Statements

Learn from previous student personal statements here. We have collated over 700 personal statement examples to help you on your university journey and to help you with how to write a personal statement.

These personal statement examples will show you the kind of thing that universities are looking for from their applicants. See how to structure your personal statement, what kind of format your personal statement should be in, what to write in a personal statement and the key areas to touch on in your statement.

A personal statement is a chance to tell your university all about you - a good personal statement is one that showcases your passion for the subject, what inspired you to apply for the course you’re applying for and why you think you would be an asset to the university.

Our collection includes personal statement examples in Mathematics, Anthropology, Accounting, Computer Science, Zoology and more.

Writing a personal statement has never been easier with our vast collection of personal statement examples.

Personal Statement

15 Accounting statements have been submitted.

Aerospace Engineering

2 Aerospace Engineering statements have been submitted.

American Studies

1 American Studies statements have been submitted.

Anthropology

2 Anthropology statements have been submitted.

Architecture

4 Architecture statements have been submitted.

Biochemistry

3 Biochemistry statements have been submitted.

26 Biology statements have been submitted.

Biomedical Science

7 Biomedical Science statements have been submitted.

Biotechnology

1 Biotechnology statements have been submitted.

Business Management

6 Business Management statements have been submitted.

Business Studies

23 Business Studies statements have been submitted.

3 Chemistry statements have been submitted.

Civil Engineering

2 Civil Engineering statements have been submitted.

4 Classics statements have been submitted.

Computer Science

14 Computer Science statements have been submitted.

Criminology

5 Criminology statements have been submitted.

2 Dentistry statements have been submitted.

6 Design statements have been submitted.

1 Dietetics statements have been submitted.

3 Drama statements have been submitted.

17 Economics statements have been submitted.

Engineering

9 Engineering statements have been submitted.

English Language

5 English Language statements have been submitted.

English Literature

13 English Literature statements have been submitted.

Environment

1 Environment statements have been submitted.

Event Management

1 Event Management statements have been submitted.

1 Fashion statements have been submitted.

4 Film statements have been submitted.

1 Finance statements have been submitted.

Forensic Science

2 Forensic Science statements have been submitted.

6 Geography statements have been submitted.

1 Geology statements have been submitted.

Health Sciences

1 Health Sciences statements have been submitted.

9 History statements have been submitted.

International Studies

2 International Studies statements have been submitted.

3 Languages statements have been submitted.

50 Law statements have been submitted.

2 Management statements have been submitted.

7 Marketing statements have been submitted.

7 Maths statements have been submitted.

5 Media statements have been submitted.

10 Medicine statements have been submitted.

1 Midwifery statements have been submitted.

10 Nursing statements have been submitted.

Pharmacology

9 Pharmacology statements have been submitted.

3 Pharmacy statements have been submitted.

5 Philosophy statements have been submitted.

Physical Education

1 Physical Education statements have been submitted.

3 Physics statements have been submitted.

Physiotherapy

5 Physiotherapy statements have been submitted.

14 Politics statements have been submitted.

23 Psychology statements have been submitted.

Religious Studies

2 Religious Studies statements have been submitted.

Social Policy

1 Social Policy statements have been submitted.

Social Work

3 Social Work statements have been submitted.

6 Sociology statements have been submitted.

Sports Science

1 Sports Science statements have been submitted.

Teacher Training

8 Teacher Training statements have been submitted.

2 Veterinary statements have been submitted.

1 Zoology statements have been submitted.

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Personal Statement Help

What is a personal statement.

A personal statement is an essay written by a student applying to either a college or university. A personal statement is written and then uploaded to UCAS and is then attached to any university applications that the student may then make.

If you need more information check out our personal statement advice articles .

How to write a personal statement

There isn't a clearly defined personal statement template for you to use as each person's statement is different.

When it comes to writing a personal statement for universities, your personal statement should touch on your passions, your interest in the course, why you're applying for the course and why you would be an asset to the university you're applying to.

Talk about the clubs and societies that you belong to, any work experience you may have and any awards you might have won.

If you're still looking for information check out our article on how to write a personal statement .

How to start a personal statement

When it comes to starting your personal statement, the best thing to do is to be succinct and to have enough tantalising information to keep the reader informed and eager for more.

Your introduction should touch on your personal qualities and why you are applying for the subject you're applying for. Keeping things short and sweet means that it also allows you to break your personal statement up, which makes it easier for the reader.

We have plenty of advice for students that are wondering about what to include in a personal statement .

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