university of oxford medicine personal statement

• [email protected]
• +44 (0) 333 050 7764 (Mon-Fri (9AM-5PM)
• Award-Winning Medicine Application Support
• +44 (0) 333 050 7764 (Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM)

You decide how much you want to pay for our Personal Statement Bundles!

Other PS Support

All UCAT Support

All Interview Support

• All-In-One Tutor
• UCAS Statement Tutor
• Interview Tutor
• Medicine Mock Interviews
• A-Level Tutor
• Medical School Guides & Reviews
• Medical School Success Calculator
• PS Free Resources
• UCAT Free Resources
• Interview Free Resources
• Our Guarantee

Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Oxford (Alexander)

Home » Application Guide » Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Oxford (Alexander)

We believe in leveling the playing field. You can pay whatever you want  for our Personal Statement bundles!

Application Guide Menu

PS Self-Study

Awesome ps resources., awesome resources + course.

Welcome to our collection of Medicine Personal Statement Examples! We’ve searched far and wide to find personal statements from successful applicants all around the UK and asked them to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of their work for your own inspiration. Today’s subject is from Alexander, who studies Medicine at the University of Oxford.

Alexander applied to study medicine in 2014 at 4 of the best medical schools in the UK, including Edinburgh and Sheffield . In the end, he received offers from both University College London and the University of Oxford , of which he chose the latter and began his studies in 2015.

Let’s read the personal statement that got him a place at Oxford, or skip straight to his feedback to learn what made his personal statement a success!

Please be aware that these examples are meant purely for the sake of inspiration, and should absolutely NOT be used as a model around which to base your own personal statement. UCAS have a rather strict system that detects plagiarism .

University of Oxford Medicine Personal Statement Example

Whole personal statement.

Life as a doctor is hard – long hours, demanding patients and a pressurised working environment. However you also have the tremendous privilege of helping people at their most vulnerable. This is what appeals to me about medicine.  

I have always been interested in science and health and used to enjoy listening to my grandfather talking about his experiences as a family doctor at the birth of the NHS. My parents are pharmacists, so healthcare has always featured in family conversations. It made me think that medicine would be a challenging yet rewarding career.  

Medicine reflects my academic interests. For instance, I am a keen follower of rugby and American Football and became intrigued by concussion. My EPQ allowed me to research the physiology of brain injuries, analyse scientific papers on the materials used in helmet construction and study the psychological impact of wearing helmets.  

Taking part in the Chemistry Olympiad and Cambridge Chemistry Challenge really tested my understanding and ability to apply the principles of chemistry to new and unique situations such as drug manufacture. I was particularly interested in the complexity of the processes that create some of our most basic, yet fundamental drugs.  

I am curious about medical research, so read ‘The Trouble with Medical Journals’ by former BMJ editor, Dr Richard Smith. It showed me how difficult it is to conduct studies that are wholly free from bias and conflicts of interest, and opened up an interesting debate about the role of pharmaceutical companies in funding clinical trials.  

My work experience has given me a great insight into life as a doctor. I organised a placement in an orthopaedics department, where I closely observed the whole process from admission and surgery to after-care. I saw how important communication was in all aspects of the department: having clear, defined roles in theatre, and using the right language to guide scared patients through complex procedures. I also witnessed first-hand one of the main challenges facing a doctor – dealing with uncooperative patients, yet still achieving a good outcome.  

My work as a volunteer at a dementia care home showed me some of the harsher realities of long-term illness and gave me a practical understanding of the effects of degenerative brain disease. I spent time talking to residents and keeping them company, including one who was a former matron. She could remember how to diagnose illnesses but could not remember when she last had a cup of tea. When I asked her about her time as a matron, she cried. I found this upsetting and it pushed me way out of my comfort zone. Initially I felt uncomfortable and did not know how to approach my time at the home. However I persevered and gained a new appreciation of the difficulties faced by both the elderly and those caring for them.  

A doctor must keep calm and make good decisions under pressure. On my Gold DofE expedition, I used my problem-solving ability to navigate out of a dense forest using only contour lines. At times the group became frustrated and started to argue. I took responsibility to try and resolve these difficulties by suggesting solutions in a non-confrontational manner.  

My passion outside work and college is cricket. I play as much as I can for several clubs and coach young people aged 4-15. I like the responsibility of influencing a young cricketer’s development. Coaching has enabled me to gain valuable experience in organising other people and become a better communicator. It can be frustrating, but worth it when you see how much they improve. I also help junior school children with their reading, which is richly rewarding but demands great patience.  

In summary: I enjoy science. I can relate to people. I am resilient and would relish an environment of lifelong learning. A career in a caring profession like medicine would be stimulating, meaningful, and provide me with the best opportunities to apply my knowledge to benefit others.

Need some extra guidance in your Personal Statement preparations?

Signing up to the Personal Statement Bundle means you’ll be guided by expert Medics who will help you write the perfect Personal Statement and provide unlimited redraft submissions. 

Want to learn how to Write the Perfect Personal Statement? This bundle is the one for you…

Pay what you want for expert Personal Statement support.

Write an impressive Personal Statement with the help of our in-depth resources and intensive crash course, all for the price that you decide.

Personal Statement Crash Course

University of Oxford Medicine Personal Statement Example Analysis

Now, let’s go section by section and see what Alexander has to say about what he wrote:  

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

I wanted to keep this introduction very simple and straightforward, which I believe I did well. I didn’t waffle about any life-changing events that made me decide to study medicine overnight, I just focused on an honest appraisal of my background that led me to consider medicine. It’s very direct, but I feel admissions teams prefer honestly over trying to create a massively blown-up story about something that is actually pretty simple. It saves time and space that can be used to thoroughly discuss my experiences and skills later on.

‘Life as a doctor is hard’ does sound a little cliché and cringy when I read it back all these years later. I wanted to create a catchy opening but instead, it just feels like I’m either moaning or explaining medical work to a child. In the second part, emphasising the medical background I come from may come across as I’m only doing medicine because my family do it/want me to do it. It is certainly worth mentioning, but I barely discuss how living with medical professionals has helped me develop my own skills and interests.

Lastly, and this is a reoccurring issue, why did I split this into two paragraphs? They both link together, but splitting this section in half makes each part feel less significant than if I had left them as one.  

I am curious about medical research, so read ‘The Trouble with Medical Journals’ by former BMJ editor, Dr Richard Smith. It showed me how difficult it is to conduct studies that are wholly free from bias and conflicts of interest, and opened up an interesting debate about the role of pharmaceutical companies in funding clinical trials.

I start off the main part of my personal statement by discussing my academics. Here, I found ways to relate the extra things I’d done at sixth form (EPQ, Olympiad, Trouble with Medical Journals) to medical topics and reflected on how they had helped me become a good medicine applicant. Again I kept the things I gained from them very simple, being very clear about exactly what I did and not trying to stretch the truth. Although I am trying to sell myself, I didn’t want to over-exaggerate my accomplishments as many admissions teams can see right through insincerity. Detailing my additional research is also a great way of demonstrating my interest in medicine in a practical and applicable way, rather than just describing life experiences that inspired me.  

Throughout these paragraphs, the writing sometimes comes across as a bit waffly, such as being intrigued by concussions because of rugby and American football. It’s a very random detail to mention and could have flowed more naturally into my EPQ. Instead of providing this surface-level information about myself, I could perhaps have given examples of what I’d learnt, although I did leave it slightly open to encourage interviewers to ask me about my EPQ at the interview. I do provide a better amount of depth when discussing the other topics here though.  

As for the paragraphing issue, this section is a bit more justifiable as each paragraph does tackle a separate topic. However, paragraphs this small do make the content feel less important or in-depth.

This is my discussion of work experience and volunteering work . Here, I was clear that I organised my orthopaedic work experience and dementia home volunteering myself, not that it was arranged for me. This may seem like an odd thing to point out, but it definitely shows a level of confidence and initiative that some applicants do miss (it was especially important for me considering my medical background, it would be very easy for the reader to assume my parents sorted something for me).  

Again, I didn’t over-exaggerate what I had done or learnt, I was very factual and let that speak for itself as I was confident it was good enough to be impressive. Even if it wasn’t the most impressive experience they had seen, the confidence in which I presented it gives it equal or greater value to work experience that has been dressed in over descriptive language.  

Paragraph-wise, this is actually a section I handled correctly in my opinion.  

Given how much I could have written about these two experiences, I unfortunately wasn’t as reflective as I should have been here. I had learned a lot from these experiences, but I only really discussed the surface-level skills I had learnt from them. There are many underlying lessons that I could have defiantly discussed in order to give this section a bit more power.  

I was a bit nervous about including the time I made a person cry, and how difficult I initially found the care home, but overall I think that it was important to show awareness that I’m not yet a perfect doctor/person, but at least I have been able to see an improvement in myself from the experience. This is a tactic that could backfire if you’re not fully confident, but as long as you can explain yourself in the interview, you’ll come off as a stronger candidate because of it.  

Here we have another pretty straightforward paragraph which only says what I myself did and doesn’t try and take too much credit. It ticks off some of the soft skills medical schools are looking for, again with examples that I could elaborate on further in the interview. The first sentence of this paragraph also serves to justify the inclusion of everything else I discuss here by linking everything back to medicine.  

In reality, it’s a bit of a filler paragraph to try and show I’ve got some other skills they are after. Nothing here is as strong as what I previously discussed, although it’s really not expected to. I certainly don’t feel it’s a particularly strong or stand-out paragraph like the previous one, but it serves its purpose of demonstrating some additional skills.  

I think this paragraph works well, showing both my extra-curricular interest in cricket and also how I’ve turned my passion for it into something that helps others, which sounds like a decent analogy to medicine. The personal statement isn’t just about medical abilities; universities also want students who are happy, healthy and likely to contribute to university life as a whole. This example perfectly encapsulates how I would be a fantastic university student!

Everything doesn’t need to be “all medicine, all the time”, but linking this topic to medicine would have definitely helped it feel more relevant in this personal statement. I just said that this sounds like a good analogy for medicine, so all I would have needed to do is point this out in a slightly more explanatory way. Looking at the wording and phrasing I used, “ I like the responsibility ” maybe sounds a bit sociopathic while “organising other people” is also a slightly odd phrase. The junior school reading is maybe something I could have expanded on further, to show a bit more breadth.

Looking for more support with your Personal Statement?

When you sign up to 6med’s Personal Statement Bundle, you’ll be getting guidance from expert Medics, alongside a tonne of insightful resources to teach you everything you need to know about personal statement writing.

So are you ready to Write the Perfect Personal Statement? Then get started today with 6med!

Want more expert Personal Statement support?

Pay What You Want for expert Personal Statement guidance from 6med, including comprehensive resources and access to an intensive crash course.

Personal Statement Work Book

Personal Statement Workbook

This is a proper summary of my personal statement; it doesn’t contain any new information and brings everything from my personal statement together in just 3 lines. It comes across as very snappy and ends with a true reflection of why I want to study medicine. This is pretty much everything expected of a good quality conclusion.  

This is perhaps where I may become a bit overly confident describing myself with all those terms. Taken on its own, the paragraph does nothing to show how I can say these things about myself, but I have tried to demonstrate why I believe I have those qualities throughout my statement. So hopefully, in context, it sounded appropriate. I suppose it must have done or else I wouldn’t have gotten my offers.  

Final Thoughts

Throughout this analysis, I have made sure to point out several times that this statement is no-nonsense and straight to the point. It’s very factual, and I make a point of showing my qualities with evidence rather than just saying I am caring or I like science for example. I show a good breadth of experiences and am not afraid to speak about the bad ones, which shows I have a fuller picture of the highs and lows of a career in medicine. I wrote this knowing that whoever would end up reading would know far more than me about medicine and be far more experienced than myself, so I didn’t want to either talk down to them or sound like I was desperate to impress them. I’d say the biggest strength of this personal statement is its confidence. When writing, know what your strengths are and own up to your weaknesses while understanding that they don’t detract from your abilities unless you let them.  

Because I was applying to Oxford I put my academic achievements first, even though my strongest paragraphs were more in the middle. There were several things that I had done that I did not include, and perhaps I could have created more space by shortening some of the paragraphs to create space for them, to ensure I’m covering more of the skills and qualities medical schools are after. These are all structural issues, but I had a few issues with my writing style too. The confident writing approach is effective when done well, but it can fall flat when you make weird statements like my first line, or become a bit too cocky. There’s a balance to reach and, although you probably won’t perfect every line, you will need to most likely go through countless drafts to get it right.  

So there you have it! This personal statement helped Alexander earn 2 offers from two of the most prestigious medical schools in the country!

Everyone has different experiences and abilities, so you may not be able to relate to everything that was said in this personal statement. However, the information and advice provided by Alexander is universal and will help any applicant write a better personal statement!  

Be sure to check out more Medicine Personal Statement Analyses to see advice from all different kinds of applicants, including Ali Abdaal , another Oxbridge medical student! Or if you want to get started on your own statement, check out 6med’s Personal Statement Bundle for all the support and resources you’ll ever need! If you want full support on every part of your application and a guaranteed place at med school, the Complete Bundle will be perfect for you.  

More Medicine Personal Statement Examples & Inspiration

Reapplying to Medicine – Anton’s Personal Statements

Medicine Personal Statement Inspiration – Jonathan (Cambridge)

Medicine Personal Statement Inspiration – Millie (Cambridge)

Medicine Personal Statement Inspiration – Duranka (Oxford)

Medicine Personal Statement Inspiration – James (UCL)

Graduate Entry Medicine Personal Statement – Samah (Cambridge)

Medicine Personal Statement Inspiration – Ali Abdaal (Cambridge)

Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Cambridge (Elizabeth)

Medical Biosciences Personal Statement Example – Imperial College London

Graduate Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Warwick (Laura)

Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Plymouth (Abdullah)

Medicine Personal Statement Examples – King’s College London (Azzra)

Graduate Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Brighton and Sussex

Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Cardiff University (Faris)

Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Cambridge (Lucy)

Graduate Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Sunderland (Ikrah)

Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Cambridge (Annie)

Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Bristol (Faraz)

Are you feeling stuck with your Personal Statement?

Matthew Amalfitano-Stroud

unlock infinite medical wisdom

Just leave your email in the box and you’ll receive weekly updates and the best tips for your medical application!

Application Support

• Personal Statement
• Crash Courses
• 1-1 Tutoring

Free Resources

• Personal Statement Free Resources
• Medicine Application Guides

Other Stuff

• UCAT.Ninja™
• Exams.Ninja
• School Support
• Tutor With Us
• Help Centre

Lost with your application?

A friendly medic is just a phone call away! Get some helpful advice and get on track with your application.

Top Tips for an Oxford Medicine Personal Statement

Oxford medicine personal statement – top 10 tips: do’s and don’ts.

The Medicine Personal Statement is a crucial component of your university application as it presents a unique opportunity for you to differentiate yourself from other applicants. You would be able to articulate your story and explain your interests beyond that of numbers on an admissions test. Furthermore, it gives the interviewer a chance to understand who you are, providing a platform to bounce off questions during your Oxford Medicine interview tutoring .

They can tailor questions on your personality, interests, and commitment to who you are as a person and your amalgamation of experiences before you. To guide you through the arduous university application process, our Oxbridge application experts have compiled a list of top 10 Oxford University Personal Statement medicine tips– dos and don’ts– for your Medicine Personal Statement for the 2024/25 application cycle. 

General Advice for your Oxford Medicine Personal Statement

Medicine is a course that integrates both the theoretical aspect of sciences as well as the human aspect of everyday life. Hence, it is a potential choice for scientists who is passionate in wanting to apply research findings to improve the lives of people and patients. However, Medicine also offers a breadth of experiences beyond that, and with that comes realistic and not as glamorised aspects of the profession– it can be stressful, arduous, bureaucratic and frustrating. 

Hence, it is important for you to demonstrate in your Oxford personal statement medicine that you have a realistic understanding of the profession and that Medicine is the right choice for you. This means that you should demonstrate how you are a good fit for the subject, and not because it is expected of you, or that you are attracted to the prestige of it; your motivations have to be well-reasoned and thought through. 

Moreover, when planning out your Medicine personal statement Oxford, make sure you research the University’s achievements in their relevant fields and use it as a guide to illustrate your interest in Medicine.

Top 5 Tips for your Oxford Medicine Personal Statement

1. explain why you are interested in medicine ..

Oxford tutors are looking to teach students with genuine interest and passion for their course. Hence, make this the focus of your personal statement Oxford Medicine, explaining why you want to study your chosen subject. Especially for a course such as Medicine, you would have to ensure that your motives are well reasoned and well thought through. This means that your motivations should not be rooted around the fact that it is secure, well-paid, or prestigious. You should explain to the tutor that you want to study Medicine because you are innately interested in the course and that you are a well fit for it. For example, stating that you want to pursue medicine because you are passionate about the sciences and find that the application of it to help people is meaningful and fulfilling, is a solid reason for wanting to apply to the Medicine course. Using concrete examples that display your interest will go a long way in demonstrating this interest. For example, this could include participating in biology or chemistry competitions, partaking in research projects, and reading up on the latest innovations published in articles or books. Do not worry if you do not have a specific example or time where your ambition became crystal clear to you– your decision in choosing to study Medicine can be illuminated through an amalgamation of your experiences or understanding of yourself and your strengths. Take your time in explaining why you align well with the course!

2. Display a good understanding of the course .

Understand the course that you are applying for, and ensure that you do not have a superficial or misguided view of what the course entails. Most people’s perception of a course is shaped by what they see in the media or by their high school subjects. Particularly in the case of medicine, most people’s impression of the course is shrouded by its prestige and the fact that it is well-paid. However, this is not always the case (there are difficult aspects of the course!) and it leads to a one-dimensional view of the course. Try to talk to graduates or people currently working in the field to gain a better understanding of the course and your options post-graduation. You can demonstrate this understanding in your Medicine personal statement by linking similarities in your past experiences to aspects of Medicine (if applicable), or elaborating on personal qualities or traits that make you suitable for Medicine. For example, Medicine also aims to cultivate students to be clinician-scientists, where research work would be involved. Hence, perseverance is a good quality for an applicant to have when partaking in research or other arduous and difficult aspects of the course. Furthermore, medicine in particular favours medicine-related experience, to signal to the tutors that you have a realistic understanding of your future profession. Try and include any hospital attachment or medical-related work that you were involved in, and reflect on your experience. Volunteering is also another key experience to mention.

3. Read around the subject you’re applying for .

Of course, Oxford does not expect you to be an expert in your field of study– you are going to university to study the material after all. However, being well-read in your course and reading ahead is a great way of demonstrating your interest in it. Look at it this way: if we are interested in a pop star, we would want to find out everything about him. Similarly, if you are genuinely interested in your course, you would also naturally want to learn more and explore the topic on your own. Reading does not only include books. This could also include podcasts, magazine articles, or even Netflix documentaries. Listening to a podcast on your ride home from school can be a nice way to ease such material into your lifestyle. You can find some good articles in Nature, Scientific American and New Scientist that publishes the latest innovations in Medicine, and you can also visit Oxford’s recommended reading list for some book inspirations: Oxford Medicine You can include the books in your Oxford personal statement by reflecting on the ideas and drawing similarities to your personal life or experiences. This would show a deep understanding of the content that you read through– that you actually reflect on the material as you are reading through it.

4. Have a good structure for your Oxford personal statement .

The points listed above give you a lot of content to write about. However, all of that information can be difficult to get through for the reader if it’s not organised well! Try and follow a fixed overall structure for your Medicine personal statement as well as your individual paragraphs to enhance readability. ou can have a look at an Oxford Medicine personal statement example but look at the structure rather than the content otherwise it might not come across as genuine. If you copy medicine personal statement examples Oxford tutors are likely to spot this.

A good structure for example could be as follows. Your introduction could be a short 2-3 lines outlining your interest in Medicine, or your starting point on how you first started considering it as a potential career. In your body paragraphs, you can use it to explain specific traits that you have that make you suitable for the course. For example, if you are empathetic, or if you enjoy academic rigour. You can also use some body paragraphs to explain specific aspects of medicine that you are drawn to and how you pursued this interest. You can conclude by wrapping up the points mentioned above! For individual paragraphs, start off the paragraph with a point (such as your interest in the research aspect of medicine). Next, use concrete real-life experiences and examples to support this, before reflecting on these examples.

5. Ask your friends and family to proofread your Medicine personal statement .

Sometimes we are not able to be objective about our own work, especially when we are telling our own story. Try and approach friends, family, or seniors (especially those already in the same course or university!) to proofread your Oxford personal statement and to provide you with feedback. They can comment on the structure and readability of your Oxford personal statement, which could be really valuable! That being said, don’t share your personal statement in case it gets plagiarised by someone else.

Top 5 things to AVOID for your Oxford Medicine Personal Statement

1. writing a list of achievements ..

Even though one might assume that Oxford wants to choose the most decorated candidate that applies, this is not necessarily the case– they are looking for students who are genuinely interested in the course, and students who are a good fit for it. This means that you could have started a non-profit and dedicated 10,000 hours to volunteering, but if you don’t show how this is relevant to your study in Medicine in your Oxford University personal statement medicine tutors may not necessarily think you are suited for the programme. When talking about your achievements, always link back to how this is relevant to either your interest or your suitability for Medicine. Hence, try not to make your Oxford personal statement a laundry list of all your previous experiences. Less is more in you taking more time to explain and elaborate on a couple of experiences, rather than listing and glossing over multiple.

2. Valuing vocabulary over conciseness .

Some students feel the need to use bombastic words or flowery language but when it comes to your personal statement medicine oxford tutors aren’t necessarily looking for that. The Oxford personal statement comes off as sounding unnatural and difficult to read. Try and understand that the Medicine personal statement is a medium for you to tell your story and your passion. If using a thesaurus is getting in the way of that, opt for simple language. Oxford tutors value Oxford Medicine personal statements that they can read with ease and understand! If you’re not familiar with certain words, don’t use them as it might work against you instead!

3. Not showing the link to medicine .

Oxford tutors are not looking for students with the most awards– they are looking for students who are a good match for the course. Hence, try and focus on relevant experiences that would be useful in you studying medicine. When you mention these experiences, don’t assume that the tutors can immediately understand why it is relevant or impressive: always elaborate on how it is relevant to your passion for medicine or how it makes you a good fit for the course.

4. Misunderstanding what the course is about .

Make sure you thoroughly research the course– this includes the course syllabus, what the career would entail, and so on. You can find out more information by attending seminars or speaking to seniors who are currently studying medicine (preferably at Oxford!) or have graduated from the course. A simple google search and thoroughly reading all university brochure materials is a good start on understanding what you are in for! Try to forget all previous assumptions you have about the course, and make sure you thoroughly understand what you would be studying. Furthermore, especially for medicine, it would be good if you can involve yourself in any hospital or clinical attachments, and to mention such experiences in your personal experience. This is because it is a direct way of showing that you have first hand experience in what you would be studying.

5. Being cliché .

When talking about your interest and passion for medicine, try to explain it in a genuine and authentic way. You don’t need a movie-like moment, such as your whole life changing because of applications in medicine. Don’t feel the need to mention a close family member who was saved because of medicine, or the like. These anecdotes are often overplayed– so definitely do not mention them unless it is authentic to your story. A simple explanation of how unique aspects of medicine intrigues you or draws you in, although seemingly simple and ordinary, would be even more valuable if explained well. Try to be authentic and original, and really understand why YOU would love to study medicine!

Still got a question? Leave a comment

Cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Advice and feedback from our expert tutors on writing a standout personal statement

Prepare for your interview with the help of our expert Oxbridge tutors, who will personalise your sessions according to university and college

This comprehensive course includes tutorials, sample scenarios and model answers and award-winning strategies!

Related links

• FREE Applying to Oxbridge Course
• FREE Applying to Law Course
• FREE Applying to Medicine Course
• FREE Oxbridge Admissions Test Past Papers

Book Your Consultation

Searching . . .

Just start typing....

• Admissions Requirements
• Fees and Funding
• Studying at Oxford

Course overview

UCAS code: A100 Entrance requirements: A*AA (excluding Critical Thinking and Thinking Skills) Course duration: 3 years (BA); 6 years (BM BCh)

Subject requirements

Required subjects: Chemistry with either Maths, Further Maths, Biology or Physics. Recommended subjects: Not applicable Helpful subjects: Not applicable

Other course requirements

Admissions tests:  UCAT Written Work: None

Admissions statistics*

Interviewed: 23% Successful: 8% Intake: 149 *3-year average 2021-23

Email:  [email protected]

Unistats information for this course can be found at the bottom of the page

Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.

About the course

This page is about the standard-entry Medicine course (A100).  

The standard Oxford medical course has separate pre-clinical (years 1-3) and clinical (years 4-6). Students first gain a comprehensive grounding in medical science, before applying that scientific foundation in the clinical setting.

Visit the A101 page  to find out about our graduate-entry/accelerated medical degree.

The practice of Medicine offers a breadth of experiences impossible to find in any other subject. Every day brings different patients with different needs. It’s a great choice for scientists who strive to understand and apply research findings to improve the lives of the patients in their care. It offers a meaningful career that is prestigious, secure and well paid.

However, practising Medicine can be arduous, stressful, frustrating and bureaucratic and is not suited to everyone. You need to be sure that Medicine is the right choice for you. These pages will help you work that out, but there’s no better way to find out for sure than by gaining insight into medical practice by seeing it in action and talking to those who provide healthcare. Studying Medicine because that is what is expected of you is never a good idea; make sure that your motives for choosing to do so are well-reasoned.

The Medicine course at Oxford provides a thorough intellectual training with particular emphasis on the basic science research that underpins medicine. We have retained a distinct three-year pre-clinical stage that includes studying towards a BA Honours degree in Medical Sciences, followed by a three-year clinical stage. 

The School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Oxford is relatively small, allowing students and staff to get to know one another and benefit from a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Research work

All A100 students at Oxford undertake an experimental research project as part of their BA in Medical Sciences. This will be in a field of interest to the student, and will offer valuable first-hand experience of scientific research. Students have the opportunity to undertake research in a laboratory from a wide range of departments within the Medical Sciences Division.

Unistats information

Discover Uni  course data provides applicants with Unistats statistics about undergraduate life at Oxford for a particular undergraduate course.

Please select 'see course data' to view the full Unistats data for Medicine. 

Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small. 

Visit the Studying at Oxford section of this page for a more general insight into what studying here is likely to be like.

The pre-clinical stage

Applicants are initially admitted to the pre-clinical stage of the course.

The first five terms of this course are devoted to the First BM. This addresses not only much of the science that underpins Medicine, but also the clinical problems that arise when systems fail. Students are introduced to the major systems of the body and study all aspects of their structure and function in health and also the principles of disease processes.

Students are encouraged to develop an enquiring approach and to consider the experimental basis of the science in the course. Matters of clinical relevance are illustrated from the outset with students making regular visits to GP tutors.

The First BM is followed by a four-term BA Honours course (the Final Honours School) in Medical Sciences. Students specialise in areas of biomedical science selected from a range of options. They will become adept at working from primary research literature, and will be encouraged to think both critically and creatively. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of their chosen options, as well as advanced technical skills at the laboratory bench and in scientific data handling and presentation.

A typical week

During the First BM, lectures and practicals occupy about half of the time, and the remainder is free for tutorial work, self-directed study and extracurricular activities.

During the BA course, formal lecturing is kept to a minimum, and students are mostly free to pursue their research and to prepare for tutorials and seminars. 

The college tutorial system is a central feature: students see their tutors and are taught weekly in groups often as small as two. This teaching can be tailored to individuals’ needs and interests and strong academic support ensures that students manage their time effectively. Classes and seminars usually contain between 10 and 50 students, while lectures are for up to 200 students.

In the pre-clinical stage of the course (years 1-3), most tutorials, classes, and lectures take place in the Medical Sciences Teaching Centre in the Science Area and are delivered by members of academic staff, research staff or NHS clinicians (usually at the level of consultant). Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research.

Some tutorial and class teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctoral level.

In the clinical stage of the course (years 4-6), most teaching is delivered by clinicians from the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust as well as local primary care physicians, and University academic staff.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our  Academic Year  page.

Course structure

Terms 1-3 (first bm part i), terms 4-5 (first bm part ii), terms 6-9 (final honour schools in medical sciences).

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes .

Progress to clinical training

Registered Oxford medical students who are eligible to progress to Clinical studies may apply to transfer to Oxford Clinical Medicine during the final year of their pre-clinical studies.

Academic requirements 

Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved.

Read further information on  how we use contextual data .

Visit the Medical School's guidance on submitting information about extenuating circumstances . 

Please note that we have no preference for whether the third or fourth A-level subject (or further subject in equivalent qualifications) is a science or not.

Level of attainment in Science and Mathematics

There are no formal GCSE requirements for Medicine. However, in order to be adequately equipped for the application process and for the academic demands of the course, applicants will need to have received a basic education in Biology, Physics and Mathematics. For example, students should have received at least a grade C/4 at GCSE, Intermediate 2 or Standard grade (Credit) or equivalent. The GCSE Dual Award Combined Sciences is also appropriate.

Visit the  Medical Sciences Shortlisting  page for further details on how we assess GCSEs.

Students with degrees may apply for the standard course. There are no places specifically reserved for graduates, and there is no separate application process. Graduates are in open competition with school-leavers, and need to fulfil the same entrance requirements.

If English is not your first language you may also need to meet our English language requirements .

All candidates must follow the application procedure as shown on our  Applying to Oxford  pages. 

The following information gives specific details for students applying for this course. 

No student is admitted without interview. Successful candidates must meet our requirements for  health and fitness to practise .

Admissions test

All candidates must also take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) as part of their application.

Separate registration for this test is required and it is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that they are registered.

We strongly recommend making arrangements in plenty of time before the deadline. Please visit our UCAT webpage for further information.

Written work 

You do not need to submit any written work when you apply for this course.

What are tutors looking for?

Please note that competition to study Medicine at Oxford is particularly strong and only around 425 applicants are shortlisted for interview each year. No student is admitted without interview. 

Students are selected for their scientific ability and for their aptitude for Medicine. Applicants are expected to show that they have a realistic understanding of what a medical career will involve, and that they have the potential to become effective and caring doctors.

All colleges use a common set of selection criteria that relate to academic potential and suitability for Medicine. 

Visit the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences website for further information about selection criteria .

Applicants are free to make reference to skills or experience acquired in any context to illustrate how they might fulfil the selection criteria.

Sometimes candidates refer to voluntary work and other extra-curricular activities, but many forms of evidence can help demonstrate to tutors that a candidate has made an informed decision regarding their own suitability to study Medicine.

The Medical Schools Council has released some useful advice on gaining relevant experience in healthcare when it is difficult to find volunteering or work opportunities. 

International student quota

Please note that the number of international fee status medical students at each medical school in the UK is subject to a government quota. For Oxford this quota is currently a maximum of 14 per year across both the standard entry A100 and A101 graduate-entry/accelerated Medicine courses.

Application conditions 

Oxford conforms to the UK Department of Health’s requirements regarding immunisation status and the GMC’s conditions on Fitness to Practise, and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Students may be refused entry to, or be removed from, the University’s Register of Medical Students on grounds that may be either academic or non-academic (for instance health or conduct).

Applicants should be aware that some practical studies involving living animal tissue are an obligatory component of the course. 

Note that students must have reached their 18th birthday by 1 November in the year they intend to start the course.

Fitness to Practise advice and support:  General Medical Council  and  University of Oxford Occupational Health Service . 

A vast array of speciality training pathways are available after obtaining a medical qualification, ranging from general practice or emergency medicine through obstetrics or ophthalmology to paediatrics or psychiatry.

Of course, you need not remain confined to the clinic, the ward or the operating theatre: the lecture theatre or the laboratory could also beckon. Some of our graduates end up leading the education of the next generation of doctors or directing biomedical research.

You don’t need to know right now what you want to do when you qualify. The Clinical School organises careers sessions for final-year clinical students and helps students learn about and apply for foundation posts.

BM BCh graduates are entitled to provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) with a licence to practise, subject to demonstrating to the GMC that their fitness to practise is not impaired.

Tzveta is a consultant in oncology. She says:

‘Many universities can teach you how to be a foundation doctor. Oxford taught me how to work through problems carefully and logically from first principles, and gave me the theoretical grounding to be able to do so. I had the opportunity to read key papers in my subject, then discuss them with the academics who had published them. Most importantly, Oxford taught me that I was capable of much more than I imagined or believed. Though I have gone from essay crises to night shifts, from finals to Royal College exams, the focused determination it instilled within me remains, driving me through any challenges faced along the way.’

Kanmin graduated from pre-clinical medicine in 2003. He is now a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Academic Clinical Lecturer in ophthalmology at the University of Oxford. He is undergoing 50:50 surgical retina fellowship training and translational research into gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases. Kanmin says:

‘The weekly essays and tutorials with world-leading academics in the colleges were an invaluable experience. In those intimate ‘mind sparring’ exercises, you go beyond the standard curriculum and probe the boundaries of the fundamental science behind modern medicine. In this way, Oxford nurtures not only sound medical practitioners but also future explorers and leaders in medicine… Of course, studying medicine at Oxford involves a lot of hard work. But the opportunities are also there to take part in the most vibrant student society/club life, whatever your hobby or background.’

Note: These annual fees are for full-time students who begin this undergraduate course here in 2024. Course fee information for courses starting in 2025 will be updated in September.

We don't want anyone who has the academic ability to get a place to study here to be held back by their financial circumstances. To meet that aim, Oxford offers one of the most generous financial support packages available for UK students and this may be supplemented by support from your college.

These annual fees are for full-time students who begin this undergraduate course here in 2024.

Pre-clinical fees are charged in years 1, 2 and 3.

Fees for the later years have not yet been confirmed but please note that these may be different from the pre-clinical fees. Clinical fees are charged in years 4 to 6. As a guide, these are the annual fees for students who will complete the pre-clinical stage of their course and progress to the clinical years in 2024.

Please note that these fees apply to continuing students only. 

Further details about fee status eligibility  can be found on the fee status webpage.

For more information please refer to our  course fees page . Fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our  guidance on likely increases to fees and charges.

Living costs

Living costs at Oxford might be less than you’d expect, as our  world-class resources  and  college provision  can help keep costs down.

Living costs for the academic year starting in 2024 are estimated to be between £1,345 and £1,955 for each month you are in Oxford. Please refer to the ‘Additional Fees and charges’ section below for information about the extended terms which apply for each year of the course in order to estimate your living costs. For further details please visit our  living costs webpage .

• Financial support

**If you have studied at undergraduate level before and completed your course, you will be classed as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification student (ELQ) and won’t be eligible to receive government or Oxford funding

Fees, funding and scholarship search

Additional Fees and Charges Information for Medicine

Pre-clinical medicine.

In the third term of the second year, students who undertake a research project may wish to remain in Oxford after the end of full term to facilitate completion of their project. However, this extended residence in Oxford is not a requirement and students should be aware that no financial support is available to help with any additional living costs during this time.

View the  likely range of living costs  for an additional month in Oxford.

Clinical Medicine

Students in the Clinical School study for extended terms. You will need to budget for higher living costs in these three years, as you will be required to be in Oxford for longer than the standard terms. 

• Year 4 – 40 weeks
• Year 5 – 48 weeks
• Year 6 – 48 weeks, including 10 weeks elective study

Visit  Funding for UK/EU Medical Students  for more information about fees and funding for this course.

Elective study

Each final-year student has a period of 10 weeks for elective study within the overall 48 weeks of the course. (This is year 6 for A100 students).

Your elective study may be conducted in Oxford, elsewhere in the UK, or anywhere in the world provided the content of the placement is appropriate experience for medicine. Approval must be granted by the Director of Clinical Studies.

A student who stays in Oxford for their elective would be expected to incur no additional costs apart from their living costs. Many students opt to travel outside the UK in which case the additional cost is on average around £3,000, but may be lower or higher depending on location (very occasionally a student has spent up to £9,000).

Students who have not completed the core training in clinical medicine may be required to follow a prescribed course of study in Oxford for all or part of their 10-week elective instead of arranging a placement.

There are opportunities to apply for additional financial support which varies depending on the destination proposed. This support is usually around £300 to £500 towards travel costs.

Contextual information

Unistats course data from Discover Uni provides applicants with statistics about a particular undergraduate course at Oxford. For a more holistic insight into what studying your chosen course here is likely to be like, we would encourage you to view the information below as well as to explore our website more widely.

The Oxford tutorial

College tutorials are central to teaching at Oxford. Typically, they take place in your college and are led by your academic tutor(s) who teach as well as do their own research. Students will also receive teaching in a variety of other ways, depending on the course. This will include lectures and classes, and may include laboratory work and fieldwork. However, tutorials offer a level of personalised attention from academic experts unavailable at most universities.

During tutorials (normally lasting an hour), college subject tutors will give you and one or two tutorial partners feedback on prepared work and cover a topic in depth. The other student(s) in your tutorials will be doing the same course as you. Such regular and rigorous academic discussion develops and facilitates learning in a way that isn’t possible through lectures alone. Tutorials also allow for close progress monitoring so tutors can quickly provide additional support if necessary.

Read more about tutorials and an Oxford education

College life

Our colleges are at the heart of Oxford’s reputation as one of the best universities in the world.

• At Oxford, everyone is a member of a college as well as their subject department(s) and the University. Students therefore have both the benefits of belonging to a large, renowned institution and to a small and friendly academic community. Each college or hall is made up of academic and support staff, and students. Colleges provide a safe, supportive environment leaving you free to focus on your studies, enjoy time with friends and make the most of the huge variety of opportunities.
• Porters’ lodge (a staffed entrance and reception)
• Dining hall
• Lending library (often open 24/7 in term time)
• Student accommodation
• Tutors’ teaching rooms
• Chapel and/or music rooms
• Green spaces
• Common room (known as the JCR).
• All first-year students are offered college accommodation either on the main site of their college or in a nearby college annexe. This means that your neighbours will also be ‘freshers’ and new to life at Oxford. This accommodation is guaranteed, so you don’t need to worry about finding somewhere to live after accepting a place here, all of this is organised for you before you arrive.
• All colleges offer at least one further year of accommodation and some offer it for the entire duration of your degree. You may choose to take up the option to live in your college for the whole of your time at Oxford, or you might decide to arrange your own accommodation after your first year – perhaps because you want to live with friends from other colleges.
• While college academic tutors primarily support your academic development, you can also ask their advice on other things. Lots of other college staff including welfare officers help students settle in and are available to offer guidance on practical or health matters. Current students also actively support students in earlier years, sometimes as part of a college ‘family’ or as peer supporters trained by the University’s Counselling Service.

Read more about Oxford colleges and how you choose

We regret that the University of Oxford Medicine course cannot accept requests from students wishing to transfer from other universities to Oxford.

Additionally, Oxford does not accept students who wish to spend a year at the University as part of an intercalated course in Medicine.

Applications will also not be considered from people already studying medicine elsewhere who wish to apply to study the course from Year 1.

Read the Medical School's guidance on submitting information about extenuating circumstances .

The Medical Schools Council website is a useful resource for anyone thinking of applying for Medicine, offering advice, resources and events for students and their teachers and supporters.

Read the Medical Schools Council's advice on gaining relevant experience in healthcare when it is difficult to find volunteering or work opportunities. 

FIND OUT MORE  

• View the course structure
• Visit the Medical School's website

Our 2024 undergraduate open days will be held on 26 and 27 June and 20 September.

Register to find out more about our upcoming open days.

BEST IN THE WORLD FOR MEDICINE

Oxford Medical Sciences have been ranked number one for the last ten years in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for clinical, pre-clinical and health sciences.

RELATED PAGES

• Which Oxford colleges offer my course?
• Your academic year
• Foundation Year

RELATED COURSES

• Biomedical Sciences
• Human Sciences  

Feel inspired?

You might like to have a look at the  Introductory Reading for Medicine . 

You may also be interested in the  Oxford Medicine newsletter .

The Medical Schools Council also has a number of videos containing further advice on applying to Medicine degrees. 

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media to get the most up-to-date application information throughout the year, and to hear from our students.

• Oxbridge Law 24/25 Entry
• Non-Oxbridge Law 24/25 Entry
• Oxford PPE 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Economics 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Modern Languages 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Land Economy 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Psychology 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge English 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Human Sciences 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge History 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Geography 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Philosophy 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Classics 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Architecture 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge HSPS Programme 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Medicine 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Biomedical Sciences 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Engineering 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Natural Science 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Maths 24/25 Entry
• Oxbridge Computer Science 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Physics 24/25 Entry
• Oxford PPL 24/25 Entry
• Cambridge Veterinary Science 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Chemistry 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Biology 24/25 Entry
• Oxford Biochemistry 24/25 Entry
• Non-Oxbridge Medicine 24/25 Entry
• Non-Oxbridge Dentistry 24/25 Entry
• IMAT Medicine 24/25 Entry
• Can’t Find Your Subject?
• Law Interview Programme
• PPE Interview Programme
• Economics Interview Programme
• Oxbridge Medicine Interview Programme
• Natural Science Interview Programme
• Engineering Interview Programme
• Maths Interview Programme
• Dentistry Interview Programme
• Medicine MMI Interview Programme
• Our Guarantee

Our Students

Student Success Stories

• University Access Scheme
• New Tutor Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions

• Free Expert Consultation
• +44 (0) 208 068 0438
• [email protected]

SCIENCE PROGRAMMES (25/26 ENTRY)

HUMANITIES PROGRAMMES (25/26 ENTRY)

GET STARTED

Can't find your subject?

OXFORD TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)

CAMBRIDGE TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)

MEDICINE TESTS (25/26 ENTRY)

View Our Free admissions guides & resources

How UniAdmissions Cracked The Oxbridge Formula

Applying for Oxbridge is an opportunity seldom approached correctly. So how do you enter the top 16% of a strong cohort of applicants that get an offer? Discover how UniAdmissions get 2/3 of our students in.

When Do 2024 Medicine Offers Come Out?

When do UK Medical School Interviews start and when do they release their final offers to applicants? Find out all the dates for 2024 medical school admissions in this helpful guide.

Inside The UniAdmissions Portal: The UA Advantage

UniAdmissions students have access to the world's first dedicated Oxbridge admissions preparation platform, and this guide will help you discover exactly how the Portal will help you get your offer.

Discover all guides

ABOUT UNIADMISSIONS

Learn about who the world's first Oxbridge prep school are.

Learn about the Portal; the heart of our Programmes.

UniAdmissions' Foundation

The Foundation is our charitable arm to support disadvantaged students.

Students & Tutors

Discover who a UniAdmissions student is and our admissions criteria.

Learn about our high-performing Oxbridge tutors.

We're proud of our alumni. Read about their journey with UniAdmissions here.

Admissions Resources

Free Admissions Guides

Visit our Learning Centre and read our in-depth free guides.

We are the world's biggest Oxbridge application publisher. Learn more here.

Teachers Learning Hub

Learn about how to help your students get their place at Oxbridge.

Get Started

• Access Student Portal
• Oxbridge Programmes
• Open Day Webinar
• Tutor Application Form
• Common Questions
• Download Our Prospectus
• Book Consultation

Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements

Your Personal Statement is the first demonstration of your character that the admissions teams at Oxford and Cambridge will see. Your perfect Personal Statement can only be written by yourself as it has to convey exactly who you are, why you want to study at Oxbridge and why you deserve to be there. But that doesn't mean help isn't available. There are many things to learn that can improve the effectiveness of your statement when implemented correctly. One of the best ways to get a deeper understanding of what makes a good Personal Statement is to read successful statements that have transferable qualities. This page features over 25 Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements from a whole variety of subjects. Read through them and learn what makes them so good (as well as the mistakes that some make), so that you can create a strong base for your own writing.

Why are Personal Statements Important?

Your personal statement is essentially you introducing yourself to the Oxbridge admissions teams and explaining why you should be given an offer on their courses. It’s a piece of writing that will have a lasting impact throughout the application process, so you need to make the best first impression.

The admissions teams aren’t just interested in the achievements that you have made or the grades you have earned; they are looking for applicants with the right attitude for the course. They need applicants who can go the extra mile, have a true understanding of the subject and have the qualities needed to become successful in their chosen field. All of these things can be expressed in a well-written personal statement.

How To Prepare for your Personal Statement

Your personal statement may not be prepared for in the same way as an entrance exam, but there are still things you can do both before and during the writing process.

Firstly, it’s a good idea to view examples of successful personal statements, such as the 25 + available below. It helps to view those related to your chosen subject, but there are still benefits to looking through as many as possible. 

Beyond this, learning specific techniques and advice from experts will also help. Our Premium Oxbridge Programmes provide a wide variety of support, including books and courses, all of which are designed to help you write the perfect personal statement. View our courses page to find out everything that we can do to help your application. 

Download our FREE 80-Page Personal Statement Starter Guide

We have developed an 80-page E-Book filled with expert Personal Statement Advice. Inside, you’ll find guides on planning and writing your personal statement, as well as our full collection of 25+ Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements. 

To access all this for free, just enter your name and email address and you’ll be sent the guide directly to your inbox. 

Successful Oxbridge Personal Statement Examples

Successful humanities personal statements, cambridge law ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, oxford law ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford law & french ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford economics & management ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge economics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, cambridge land economy ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge classics ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford classics ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, cambridge pbs ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, oxford psychology ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge philosophy ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford ppe ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge english ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, oxford english language & literature ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford modern languages ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford geography ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford history ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, successful science personal statements, cambridge medicine ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford medicine ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, cambridge veterinary medicine ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, kcl dentistry ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆, cambridge natural sciences (bio) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, cambridge natural sciences (phy) ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford physics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford chemistry ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, cambridge engineering ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford engineering ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge maths & physics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford computer science ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, personal statement posts from our blog.

• The Ultimate UCAS Personal Statement Guide
• Personal Statement Cheat Sheet
• How to Write an Oxbridge Personal Statement
• Common Personal Statement Mistakes
• How to Plan your Personal Statement
• How to Make Your Personal Statement Stand out

Successful Personal Statement For Medicine At Oxford University

Writing a Medicine Personal Statement for Oxford? If so, you’re in the right place! In this post, we go through a REAL Personal Statement submitted to UCAS for a candidate wishing to study Medicine at Oxford.

Successful Personal Statement For Veterinary Medicine At Cambridge

Read through a successful Veterinary Medicine Personal Statement for Cambridge with a full analysis by Oxbridge Tutors. Find out why the Personal Statement helped the candidate to receive a Cambridge offer.

Successful Personal Statement For Philosophy At Cambridge

Read through a successful Philosophy Personal Statement for Cambridge with a full analysis by Oxbridge Tutors. Find out why the Personal Statement helped the candidate to receive a Cambridge offer.

Successful Personal Statement For Modern Languages At Oxford

Writing a Modern Languages Personal Statement for Oxford? If so, you’re in the right place! In this post, we go through a REAL Personal Statement submitted to UCAS for a candidate wishing to study Modern Languages at Oxford.

Successful Personal Statement For Psychological and Behavioural Sciences At Cambridge

Read through a successful Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Personal Statement for Cambridge with a full analysis by Oxbridge Tutors. Find out why the Personal Statement helped the candidate to receive a Cambridge offer.

Successful Personal Statement For Engineering At Oxford

Writing an Engineering Personal Statement for Oxford? If so, you’re in the right place! In this post, we go through a REAL Personal Statement submitted to UCAS for a candidate wishing to study Engineering at Oxford.

Successful Personal Statement For Cambridge Mathematics And Physics

Read through a successful Mathematics and Physics Personal Statement for Cambridge with a full analysis by Oxbridge Tutors. Find out why the Personal Statement helped the candidate to receive a Cambridge offer.

Successful Personal Statement For Engineering At Cambridge

Read through a successful Engineering Personal Statement for Cambridge with a full analysis by Oxbridge Tutors. Find out why the Personal Statement helped the candidate to receive a Cambridge offer.

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Sciences (Biological) At Cambridge

Writing a Natural Sciences (Biological) Personal Statement for Cambridge? If so, you’re in the right place! In this post, we go through a REAL Personal Statement submitted to UCAS for a candidate wishing to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge.

Get In Touch

We work with a limited number of students each year to ensure we can provide the best support suited for their particular needs.

Our Programmes have a structured syllabus, however, we tweak elements of the syllabus so the student is able to gain the most out of our support.

As we work with a limited number of students, we have a limited number of places available for enrolment on each Programme.

The best way to find out whether there are still places available is by booking a free consultation here or contacting us via Livechat, where our expert Admissions Consultants will be able to advise you further.

We do have ideal start times at points throughout the year, however, the syllabus can be adapted to suit your particular start time if you are accepted onto the Programme. Our Admissions Consultants can help you understand the Programme timeline in your specific case – all you need to do is ask.

First and foremost, we assess whether the potential student has the right academic capabilities and profile to be realistically accepted to study at Oxford or Cambridge.

Secondly, we assess whether the student is capable and willing to put in the time required to create a strong application for Oxbridge.

Finally, we assess the student’s attitude and reasoning behind applying to Oxford or Cambridge. This is one of our most important considerations.

If a student has below-average (but still realistic) grades for Oxford and Cambridge, but the correct attitude, we would consider accepting them onto our Programme. Unfortunately, if the inverse is the case, it’s unlikely the student would be accepted onto the Programme.

UniAdmissions is committed to giving the very best service to every student. Our talented tutors are the key to the excellent service we pride ourselves on, passing on not only their expertise, but also their enthusiasm to inspire the next generation to succeed.

All tutors are either current senior students, recent graduates or from a professional background. Our selection process ensures only the best tutors work for us, in roles most suited to their skill-sets.

You’ll get access to all of our online resources and paperback books relevant to each aspect of your application, including your personal statement, admissions test and interview. Each book is filled with everything you need to know to succeed in your application. 

Of course, our Oxbridge Premium Programmes also grant you 1 – 1 Tuition hours and invitations to both of our preparation courses.

Tuition sessions are held online via video chat. Times for these sessions are arranged between you and your tutor to best meet your needs. 

In exceptional cases, in-person tuition may be offered. 

As much as you like! Although we do offer rough guidelines for how to use your tuition hours, you are more than welcome to dedicate more or less than the recommended amount to your personal statement if you wish to do so. 

The Programme Portal is where you will find all of the support and resources for your Programme.

You can think of the Portal as the hub of all the materials included within your Programme. If you are ever looking for a relevant book, an online course, course dates or anything along those lines, the Portal is very likely to be your answer.

You can also use the Portal to get in touch with our team at any point.

How would you like to speak to an Admissions Consultant?

Personal Statement for Medicine

Composing a personal statement for any degree is a challenge but for medicine, this is your chance to illustrate your academic prowess and work experience alongside a genuine passion and fascination for the medical subjects you love. a personal statement can support your application if your exam results are slightly below your expectations or can enhance a strong set of grades for the best chance of acceptance., make the most of your words.

UCAS , the admissions service for universities in the UK, describes a personal statement as “your opportunity to sell yourself to your prospective school, college or training provider.” Students are given a 47 line, 4,000 character limit (which roughly equates to 500 words) in which to show off their appeal to the institutions of their choosing. 

Here, it’s important to get into the mind of the member of admissions staff that will be reading your statement – what do they want to see? 500 words may seem like plenty, but you’ll likely find that space is at a premium when you’re trying to find the perfect formula to impress your chosen university.

Research a career in medicine before you apply

The key things that medical schools will be looking for are evidence of motivation, explorative work experience and suitability for fitting into their learning environment.

Your personal statement is not only an opportunity to demonstrate your motivations for studying medicine, but also to convey a sense of insight into medicine as a career. It is a chance to reflect on your experiences thus far and outline your personal qualities which will enable you to excel as both a medical student and future doctor.

Developing an understanding about the roles and responsibilities of a doctor will help you prepare your personal statement with ease. Volunteering in your local community and undertaking work experience placements are examples of activities which may allow you to gain a deeper insight into medicine. However, reading official resources such as those produced by the General Medical Council (GMC) before you even begin to think about the content of your personal statement, can help to give your writing a clear focus and direction.

Check how universities will use your personal statement 

Your personal statement may be used in the selection process for interviews to a varying degree by each medical school. Having said this, on the whole, personal statements do not feature heavily in the selection process for interview. Whilst this is the case for most medical schools in the UK, a few medical schools will utilise a scoring system to assess the personal statement at some point in their selection process; either before interview (for interview selection) or at the interview itself.

If this is the case for one or more of the universities you intend to apply to, pay careful attention to any details on their website which discuss exactly what the admissions team are looking for in a personal statement. For example, the University of Oxford place a larger emphasis on showing an interest in medical science and academia.

Where to find this information

It is important to check exactly how the medical schools you intend to apply to will use your personal statement both before and during the interview. To access the most relevant and up-to-date information you should check the websites for each of the medical schools you may apply to. If you have any queries about how your personal statement will be used, or if anything you find on their websites is unclear, email the admissions team directly.

Key things to remember about your personal statement 

Writing a personal statement can be daunting, but we are here to help make the process less stressful. To break it down, we have listed some essential factors you should remember to focus on when writing your own personal statement:

• Structure and flow: Creating a clear and organised structure allows the reader to follow your thought process and enables you, the writer, to include the most relevant information about yourself, given the restricted word count.
• Authenticity: The clue is in the title; your personal statement should be personal! Be genuine and honest about your experiences and skills and let your personality shine through your writing. 
• Relevance: With the limited word count, you need to include only the most relevant experiences and skills you have that are directly relevant to medicine. 
• Specificity: Provide details about your experiences and give examples. Avoid any vague and general statements. 

Goals and aspirations: You should mention your goals and aspirations and what you want to get out of a degree in medicine. What are your short-term and long-term goals?

The aim of this section is for you to establish a structure that works for you, by deciding what the main components of your personal statement will be about.

Before diving into finding the best structure for your personal statement, it is important to remember there is no set format or st ructure. Reading a few example statements may help to give you an idea of where you start ; however it is all about finding the right balance that is appropriate for you. This balance will be based on your personal experiences and what has been important in shaping your journey towards Medicine.

You should start your personal statement with a clear introduction and end with a conclusion .

DEVELOPING A STRUCTURE THAT WORKS FOR YOU

Here, we will focus on developing a structure for the main body of your personal statement. The importance of having a well-thought-out structure is that it will make your thoughts and experiences easier to follow. A good structure will help reinforce the key content of your statement, further giving admissions tutors the impression that you have a focused understanding of medicine and yourself. 

T here is no one way to structure the main body ; in fact , there are many ways! The components you discuss will differ according to your experiences, and the weighting given to these components will largely be based on what medical schools you apply to.

EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL STATEMENT STRUCTURE 

Here is an example of how to divide the main body of your personal statement:

• Interest in academia and wider reading
• Work experience and voluntary commitments
• Extra-curricular Activities

Remember, this is only one example. Alternatively, you could base your paragraphs on the qualities you want to demonstrate, such as:

• Interest in medicine, science, and academia
• Compassion, communication skills and empathy
• Leadership, teamwork and problem-solving

These ideas are here to prompt you, so work around them based on your experiences. If there is a particularly valuable quality, such as resilience, that you are passionate about and have relevant experiences in, of course , this should be included!

The idea of convincing an admissions tutor, in around 500 words, that you are an ideal prospective medical student can be overwhelming. This, as well as the fact that they will be reading through hundreds of personal statements of people applying for the same course, might make you feel pressured to have an introduction that will grab their attention and set you aside from the majority.

DON’T FOCUS TOO MUCH ON YOUR INTRODUCTION

A powerful introduction will state an intrinsic motivation to study medicine, whilst also outlining your understanding of the career. However, your reasons for wanting to pursue medicine do not have to be entirely crammed into your introduction. 

W hile there is no set length for an introduction, you should make sure it is not too short that it seems rushed and neglected, but not so long that it is the same size as the paragraphs of your main body. A few sentences should be sufficient for an introduction.

TRY STARTING WITH THE MAIN BODY FIRST

It might seem logical and necessary to begin by writing the introduction, but this is not the case! It is perfectly reasonable to work on other parts of your personal statement and return to write the introduction at a later point in time. Some people even find that once they have written the majority of their personal statement, they are able to pick out points they think will work well for their introduction.

• Be original: It is a personal statement , so keep it personal. It should accurately depict why you want to study medicine .
• Give examples: Stories can add to the personal element of motivation to study medicine but ensure that this comes across as genuine. Do not try and pin your motivation down to a single event as this can appear naïve . I nstead , state how this scenario was one of the elements that led you to pursue medicine.
• Use your time wisely: Do not spend all your time trying to think of a catchy opening. Remember that you can always come back to the introduction.
• Remember you have a word limit: Keep your statements succinct and to the point.
• Use a professional tone: Stay away from using humour as the person reading your personal statement may not receive it as well as you would hope. The aim is to be professional and put across your interest in medicine.

Keep in mind that depending on the interview style of the medical schools you are applying to; your personal statement can be used as part of your interview. They may pick out parts of your introduction and ask you to elaborate on them. 

C heck this beforehand and if applicable, remember this when stating your motivations to study medicine. If you would not be happy to talk about it in your interview, then avoid including it!

• Using cliché words and phrases such as ‘passionate’, ‘fascinated’ and ‘from a young age I have always wanted to’
• Using a quote without reflecting on how it adds to what you are trying to convey. If possible, avoid quotes and use your own words. After all, they are interested in what you have to say, not a scientist or author
• Making blank statements that do not add to what you are saying.
• Describing how TV shows attracted you to medicine, even if other reasons are raised, as this will reduce the power of your introduction.

Reflecting on your work experiences, wider reading and other relevant activities will form the bulk of the main body of your personal statement. Reflection is imperative to a successful application. A well-reflected personal statement shows that you have given serious thought to healthcare as a life-long career , and it goes down extremely well with the admission officers. The General Medical Council (GMC) has created a guide for medical students about reflection – most of the information is transferrable to medical applicants.

It is crucial to understand that the lessons and skills that you take away from an experience are far more superior to the number of activities you have undertaken or descriptions of consultations you may have seen. Therefore, this section will delve deeper into how you should reflect on an experience whilst undertaking it, as well as how this reflection can be incorporated concisely into your personal statement.

HOW TO REFLECT ON AN EXPERIENCE

Below are some general questions to think about when reflecting on any type of experience you have partaken in . R anging from clinical work experience placements to leadership roles, voluntary commitments, and par t-ti me jobs , you should ask yourself these questions when reflecting on your experiences.

• Description of the experience: W hat was your role? If you are telling a story, what happened , or what was the task at hand?
• Feelings and thoughts about the experience: What resonated with you or affected you the most?
• Analysis and evaluation of the experience: W hat went well and what didn’t? Which parts stood out to you? Did you have any challenging experiences? How did you deal with them?
• Conclusion and action plan: S ummary of what you learned and what you could have done differently . H ow could you relate this to your development as a doctor ?

HOW TO REFLECT ON YOUR LEARNING

The following questions will help you reflect and think critically about learning experiences. This includes anything you have read, listened to, or watched to gain a deeper insight into the life of a medical student and/or doctor.

• Description: What is the idea or concept you have been exposed to?
• Feelings and thoughts about what you have learned: What resonated with you or affected you the most?
• Analysis: Is there anything that drew your attention or anything you found challenging? Does this build upon what you had previously known or read about? Has it changed the way you think, opened your eyes to something new, or made you more confident and assured in a belief you already had?
• Conclusion and action plan: What other avenues of this concept would you like to explore? How can you implement what you’ve learned in your clinical practice?

HOW TO INCLUDE REFLECTION IN YOUR MEDICINE PERSONAL STATEMENT

Before you sit down and start typing away at your statement, we highly suggest that you first read through all of the reflective notes you wrote when undertaking any experience or activity that gave you an insight into medicine. This will allow you to look back at all of the wonderful experiences you have had and focus on the key points you can take away from them.

REFLECTION METHODS TO TRY

There are so many different approaches you can take to reflective writing in your personal statement , and different people prefer different methods. For example, you can structure your reflection according to Gibb’s reflective cycle . Another approach is the ‘STARR’ framework , which stands for ‘Situation, Task, Action, Result and Reflection’ . This is often a favourite among applicants for medicine interviews but can also be used in the personal statement to write structured reflections.

• S ituation: What is the setting in which you have undertaken your experience?
• T ask: What was the position or role you held?
• A ction: What actions did you specifically carry out on a regular basis?
• R esults: What was the most relevant and significant outcome of your activities?
• R eflection: What skills and knowledge have you acquired as a result of this activity? How and why had this experience influence d you?

Work experience can be loosely defined as any activity that is designed to sufficiently broaden your understanding of a particular career path. The aim of this section is to provide you with examples of the different types of work experiences you can undertake and how you should go about reflecting on them in your personal statement.

WHY IS MEDICAL WORK EXPERIENCE IMPORTANT?

Most students will feel that work experience gives the most realistic perspective of medicine as a career. Through shadowing in consultations, watching surgeries, and perhaps even just being in a clinical environment, you will start to build your understanding of the role of a doctor. 

A pplying to medical school is a huge commitment, so exploring the working life of a physician is definitely a wise thing to do. Work experience allows you to gain valuable skills that may be useful throughout your university life and your career as well.

WHAT IS THE AIM OF WORK EXPERIENCE?

W ork experience is evidence to show that you have taken the time to find out more about the realities of a career in medicine. Therefore, it is a vital aspect of not only the personal statement but your medical school application as a whole. The purpose and overall aim of your work experience will broadly fall into one or more of the following categories:

• To understand the realities of life as a doctor and medical student
• To develop the skills and qualities needed for a career in medicine
• To acquire more knowledge about your particular interests

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE WORK EXPERIENCE

Firstly, we will consider traditional in-person work experience activities, which are usually undertaken in a healthcare environment. This can include hospital, general practi c e, or pharmacy shadowing placements, as well as voluntary roles in a care home or hospice. To make the most out of these types of experiences, we would recommend the following:

• Listen to the types of questions that healthcare professionals use when taking a history or interacting with patients. What did you think about their interactions with patients? How do they adapt their communication style?
• Ask questions. This is an opportunity to ask all those burning questions ; don’t be shy! If possible, ask questions to a wide range of health care professionals about each of their individual roles as well as their experiences working in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Research one of the common conditions that you have seen during your placement and are interested in finding out more about it.

The above points will form the basis of your reflection, so it is important to start thinking about them as you go along with your work experience. Keep a reflective diary to jot down these thoughts and experiences. This diary will become especially useful when sitting down to write your personal statement.

TIPS FOR WRITING ABOUT MEDICAL WORK EXPERIENCE

• Mention the transferrable skills and attributes you will have developed. Skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and resilience in the face of adversity are vital to a career in medicine.
• State clearly the insights you have gained. For example, as the GP demonstrates active listening and shows empathy, you will see that the patient immediately opens up and gives more information , which will be helpful in establishing a diagnosis. If this resonates with you, include this in your personal statement.
• It is important to show that you understand the challenges a doctor will face. Be sure to reflect on any negative experiences which made you more aware of the demanding nature of the profession. What could have been done differently in the scenario you witnessed?
• Be as concise as possible . D escriptions should be kept to a minimum. It is more important to highlight your thoughts, understanding and values before and after an experience, rather than details about the experience itself.
• Viewing medical work experience as merely a tick box exercise. Try not to view work experience as a requirement for university statements or interviews. Instead, you should view this as a learning opportunity for yourself so that you can develop both academically and personally. If you have this mindset, you will be able to truly discover a lot more about the subject and about yourself too!
• Concerning yourself too much with the medical jargon and knowledge you come across during your work experience, whether in-person or virtual. Focus on the attitudes and transferrable skills, and definitely do try to explore the science , but ultimately , medical school will teach you the required knowledge for your career
• Breaching confidentiality when writing about your work experience, whether it be in your personal statement or reflective diary. This means that you do not include any identifiable information in your personal statement, such as, ‘I witnessed Mr Smith undergoing an ECG’.

Volunteering is the idea of offering your time or skills to benefit an unrelated person or organisation with no formal payment in return.

Relevant volunteering can be considered a form of work experience and can significantly enhance your personal statement. Whilst grades are important, medical schools are also highly interested in students who exhibit genuine care and compassion. 

Doing voluntary work can highlight this side of you and give some insight into the life of a doctor, which is very much a caring profession. Volunteering can assist you in developing the necessary skills and qualities relevant to medicine.

EXAMPLES OF VOLUNTEERING ROLES

The types of volunteering roles and commitments you can include in your personal statement, can vary extensively. Moreover, the volunteering you have undertaken does not need to be within a healthcare setting. It is more important that you can reflect on your experiences and appreciate how the skills you have developed are relevant to career in medicine. Below are just some examples of voluntary roles you may include in your personal statement:

• Carehome/hospice volunteer
• Hospital volunteer
• School mentor
• Charity shop assistant
• Youth group coordinator
• Foodbank volunteer

TIPS FOR WRITING ABOUT VOLUNTARY ROLES

• Emphasise any long-term or frequent volunteering commitments. This shows commitment to medicine and determination. Whilst long-term volunteering is favoured, do not worry if you were unable to complete any due to the pandemic!
• Use buzzwords alluding to the relevant skills and qualities learnt. Examples of buzzwords can include “contributed”, “enhanced” and “implemented”. 
• Discuss briefly how you found any volunteering opportunities , especially if you organised it yourself. This shows initiative! If an opportunity is extremely rare or competitive, make sure to highlight this.
• Group together experiences where you gained similar skills and insights, rather than discussing multiple experiences individually. This can get messy and take up a lot of your time
• Speak about your feelings and emotions during your volunteering! This shows you are human and comes across much more genuine and sincere.
• Clearly state your contribution and actions , not someone else’s!
• Discuss any sacrifices, mistakes, or challenges you faced during your volunteering. Also , make sure you are prepared to describe what you did/would do differently to overcome these challenges!
• Rambling on about experiences . U se the STARR structure to organise thoughts. Keep it concise!
• Writing a long list of all the voluntary roles you have ever held. Focus on one or two that you benefitted from greatly and reflect on them.
• Repeating experiences, certain insights, or qualities. Demonstrate variety in what you have learned.
• Lie or exaggerate any details!
• Superficially state what happened. If you are able to, delve further into your thoughts before, during and after volunteering.

When it comes to extra-curriculars, it ’s easy to get confused on what you should include and how to include it in your personal statement. As an aspiring medic, you might have done many different activities at school (and outside) that may be related or seemingly have nothing to do with each other. This could range from part-time jobs to being a prefect in your school, societies, clubs , or even your personal hobbies or sporting interests.

HOW TO WRITE ABOUT EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 

In your personal statement, a great way to tie it all together is to use your activities to reflect on how they made you the person you are today. Instead of simply listing all of your positions or engagements, think about what qualities you were able to gain from them that would make you a better doctor. 

A mong others, qualities like compassion, empathy, time management, organisation, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership are essential in medicine, but they’re not necessarily born in a hospital or through direct engagement in clinical experiences. You have probably been doing some of these activities for a really long time, now let’s frame it in a different context for your application.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

In a large pool of applicants, it is easy to think , ‘ H ave I done enough?’. Sometimes, this can be the wrong question to ask, as most medical schools do not look at the ‘number’ of things you have done but rather how the things you’ve done can help you as a doctor. 

D o not worry if you have not done a lot of activities in your time at school. The number of things you’ve done doesn’t matter as much as:

• What you’ve learned from them
• How you’ve reflected on them
• What moments and experiences you can improve on
• How you’ve later developed as a person and an aspiring medic based on those experiences

WHAT GOES WHERE?

With a limited number of characters, every word counts. You want to make sure you make the most of everything you have done, but at the same time , frame it in the most effective way for your application. This is why you might want to focus on some activities over others or group some activities together to give yourself space to write about and reflect on your experiences in a more elaborate way and relate them to your future career. There are many ways you can group your activities, mainly either by the type of activity ( e.g., academic, sports, or volunteering ) or based on what qualities or skills you’ve developed as a result of partaking in this activity.

SHOULD I INCLUDE MY HOBBIES?

The short answer is yes if you want to, but – make sure you’re not just taking up space by listing them. You don’t need to elaborate on them too much if you don’t want to, but try to strike the balance so as to show the admissions committee you value your time spent doing these hobbies, but at the same time you’re not taking away from all the other elements of your personal statement. You could also relate them to having a work-life balance – an essential trait in medicine.

TIPS FOR WRITING ABOUT EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Use your experiences to highlight your strengths and your skills. How did your activity help you develop a unique skill?
• Focus on the activities that have benefited you the most.
• Elaborate with insight and introspection on the activities you’ve chosen to focus on.
• Group other activities together to help you use your limited characters where they matter most.
• Listing things you have done without further elaborating on them.
• Elaborating on every single activity or being repetitive – if they sound similar, group them, or take some out if you don’t think they’re important.
• Faking interest or passion in something you do not actually like or mention ing an activity you did not really do. It takes away from the space you have to talk about things you are passionate about, which is a lot more valuable and impactful.

This is your final chance to make an impression on the admissions tutor, so make it count! The aim of your conclusion should be to tie together the key points that you included in the main body of your personal statement. Along with the introduction, this is one of the most difficult parts to write, so writing both at the end, after you have a coherent idea of the flow of your piece is advisable.

Ideally, it should only be a few sentences long. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to revisit your conclusion multiple times before submitting. It is important to end on a confident note by expressing a real passion for medicine.

TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR CONCLUSION 

• Summarise and reiterate your key points: Include s kills, experiences, and interests and how these make you suitable for studying medicine. For example, if your experiences have taught you the importance of resilience, how will this skill help you to progress in your future career?
• Mention the takeaway points: What do you want the admission tutor to remember about you ?
• Revisit your conclusion and read it aloud to yourself: Reading it out to yourself and others helps to determine if you’re being concise and getting straight to the point without waffling.
• Write a couple of drafts: By writing different versions of your conclusion, you might find various ways of conveying the same idea, some that you like more than others. This will help you write the best conclusion to suit you.
• Acknowledge the difficulties and demanding nature of studying medicine: Studying medicine can be difficult, but you are equipped with the skills to handle this! You should showcase how the skills you’ve developed will assist you in overcoming difficulties .This will show you are the ideal candidate for studying medicine.
• Writing a conclusion that is too long. You will probably find that the 4000 – character limit of the personal statement will restrict the length of your conclusion. So ideally, one or two succinct sentences should be more than enough to summarise.
• Introducing completely new points – you do not want to leave the admissions tutor confused by bringing in new ideas that you cannot elaborate on further.
• As with the introduction, avoid clichés and quotes.
• Avoid repeating sentences from the main body of the personal statement.
• Avoid making your conclusion too specific to one university. For example, don’t mention a particular teaching style if it is not offered by all the universities that you are applying for.

Now that you have written your personal statement, the hard part is over, right? Well, in all honesty , you might find yourself spending more time editing your personal statement than writing it! It is important to give yourself enough time to perfect your personal statement before the deadline. 

O ur advice at this point is – before you start editing, put your personal statement away. By the time you have finished writing, you will have read and re-read it countless times in the process. You need to take the time away from it to get a fresh look. This will be invaluable when you start editing.

SPELLING, PUNCTUATION, AND GRAMMAR

First things first, triple-check that your word processor has spell-check on with UK English, so that you can correct any spelling mistakes. It may sound obvious; however, technology can often malfunction!

You are a school-age pupil, so the piece should sound like you wrote it. It does not have to sound like you have taken letter-writing classes and have used a thesaurus on every other word. However, you also need to come across as professional. It is best not to use contractions such as don’t (do not), as it is too informal. Make sure you have used a combination of long and short sentences so that it has structure, as well as making sure every sentence doesn’t start with ‘I’.

READ YOUR STATEMENT OUT ALOUD

There are many ways of making sure your personal statement reads well. One method, which is particularly helpful is to read your personal statement aloud to someone else. It becomes very obvious when a sentence is too long and does not flow or make sense when you say it aloud. The person listening will be able to tell you which parts do not sound right. 

W hen we write, we often overestimate how well the writing sounds because you will , of course , know what you meant to say. However, to another person and the admissions team reading it – you want them to know exactly what you mean, rather than having to decode paragraphs that are not crystal clear .

You could try asking an English teacher at your school, or a friend who is studying English to read through it. The spelling, grammar and syntax are independent of the content , so this could be really useful in ensuring it flows well.

SEEKING ANOTHER OPINION

Whilst it may seem tempting to gain as many opinions as possible on your personal statement, it is better to seek the advice of a few trusted individuals. The medicine personal statement is , by nature , a subjective piece of writing. Having too many people read your personal statement and suggest changes, can become quite confusing and stressful very quickly! Here’s how you can avoid this situation: 

• Make sure you are close to your final draft before giving your personal statement to someone else to read. However, still ensure you have enough time to make changes.
• If your school has a careers advisor or team of teachers familiar with reading personal statements, it is worth having your personal statement read and critiqued by them.
• When listening to feedback from others, consider all you can get, but don’t be afraid to not include all the feedback you receive since your personal statement should be truly reflective of only you.
• If you would really like a raw opinion, find a way to have a teacher read it anonymously ! The admissions tutor will be reading your personal statement with no knowledge of who you are. If you want someone to read your personal statement with no knowledge of your background, print off a copy with your details omitted.

TIPS TO SHORTEN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Do not waste characters writing about things that are elsewhere on your UCAS form. For example, your A-level (or equivalent) choices can all be entered in the qualifications section.
• Remove unnecessary adverbs such as somewhat, rather, sometimes, fairly, pretty really, quite, basically, hopefully, luckily.
• Use the verb form of a word over the noun form – this should reduce words. For example, ‘I created a MedSoc’ vs ‘A MedSoc was created by me’
• Print off your personal statement to edit and cut words. Print it off in a different font to the one you typed it in. This will provide an experience of looking at your personal statement with ‘fresh eyes’.
• Use the ‘Build, Blur, Corrode’ method to identify the weakest parts of your personal statement.
• If you cannot bear to cut sentences, copy and paste them into a document called ‘Scrap’ , that way you know exactly where to find them if you were to want to add them again.
• When focusing on a specific paragraph, copy it into a new blank document and separate each sentence with a line between them. Use this technique to perfect each individual sentence and identify those that are too long.
• When retelling encounters from your work experience, details of what exactly happened are not always necessary!

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT IS READY TO GO

Once you’ve followed the steps and tips we have outlined, your personal statement is all ready to be submitted. You’ve finished another step in your application to med school! You’re essentially mid-way through the application process ; you should be proud of yourself that you have made it this far. 

Next, you should think about references from your teachers and prepare yourself for a medical school interview. Interviews can be intimidating, but don’t worry! We have created a guide to help you understand the process and how to complete the interviews to the best of your ability. 

HOW PREMED CAN HELP YOU

If you need some work experience to help enhance your med school application, we are here to help! At Premed, we offer in-person and online work experience to ensure you get a taste of life in the medical field. Boost your chances of getting into medical school by applying to one of our work experience courses today.

What should a medicine personal statement include?

When writing a personal statement for medicine, you should focus on including relevant work experience and any volunteer work. The majority of your writing should focus on these aspects as it is important to reflect on your experiences and how this makes the ideal candidate to study medicine. You may also want to include a few short sentences about some extra-curricular activities you partake in as well. 

What should you not say in a medical personal statement?

Don’t be generic about why you want to study medicine. You should demonstrate you have a passion for helping people by providing examples through any work experience or volunteering. Remember, an admissions tutor will read hundreds of personal statements so your application needs to be personal to you. 

Additionally, don’t provide general statements about your skills and experiences or simply list them. You should reflect on your experience and skills by supplying concrete examples to support your statements. This will show you can demonstrate these skills, enhancing your application. 

What do medical schools want in a personal statement?

What your personal statement should contain may differ from university to university but there are some common trends. For example, you should focus on writing about your skills and work experience and reflect on what you have learned from them. It is also ideal to state you understand what a career in medicine entails and how you are prepared to manage the challenges that come with a career in medicine. 

How should I structure my personal statement?

There are several ways you can structure a personal statement, there is no set structure! The way you write your personal statement should be personal to you based on your own experiences. An example of how you can structure your personal statement is:

Another example of a personal statement structure is: 

• Interest in academia and medicine
• Group of skills related to each other (e.g., compassion, empathy and communication)
• Another group of skills related to each other (e.g., leadership, teamwork and problem-solving)

Remember, you also need to include an introduction and conclusion! 

How long should a personal statement be?

You have a limit of 4,000 characters for your personal statement based on UCAS guidelines . This is equivalent to approximately 550-1,000 words. This shows you need to be precise with what you include in your personal statement as you are limited by the words you have. 

• In-Person Courses
• Online Courses
• Free Guides
• Prices & Dates
• Course Benefits

Booking form

Course: personal statement for medicine.

Student Name*

Preferred Name

Contact Number*

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

Placement Type*

Date of Birth*

T-Shirt Size*

Nationality*

Guardian / Emergency Contact Information*

Additional Information

I understand today I am paying the registration fee of £395 for a Premed Project. The remaining total placement fee for the project will be due before the placement begins. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.

Insurance Form

Pre Existing Medical Conditions

Email Address *

Submit arrival and departure details

Further information.

Dietary Requirements * Please let us know of any dietary requirements you may have

Medical Conditions Let us know if you think we should know about any pre-existing medical conditions. All of our staff will be made aware of them and include any allergies or medication you may be taking.

Emergency Contact Details * Please provide the name, contact numbers, email address and postal address of someone who you would like us to contact in case of an emergency

Anything Else? Is there anything else you think we should be aware of/you would like us to know before your placement?

• AI Content Shield
• AI KW Research
• AI Assistant
• SEO Optimizer
• AI KW Clustering
• Customer reviews
• The NLO Revolution
• Press Center
• Help Center
• Content Resources
• Facebook Group

Writing An Effective Oxford Medicine Personal Statement

Table of Contents

Writing a personal statement for medical school is challenging, but perhaps not as challenging as writing a statement for the University of Oxford. Located in the heart of England, Oxford has a storied history as one of the world’s leading medical education and research centers. With its highly competitive admissions process and rigorous academic standards, getting accepted to study medicine at Oxford is a dream for many aspiring doctors. You need to stand out and demonstrate to the admission committee why you’re perfect for admission. The medicine personal statement examples Oxford in this guide is a great place to start!

In this article, we’ll take a closer look into writing a personal medical statement for Oxford. We also provide practical examples to guide you in writing the most compelling statement that will intrigue the admission committee.

What Is A Medicine Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a written document submitted as part of an application to study medicine. When applying to Oxford, you will be required to provide a statement that showcases your achievements, skills, interests. You’ll also need to detail why you are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. And why you believe you would be a good fit for the Oxford medical program.

Your statement also allows you to highlight relevant experiences or achievements that may not be reflected in your academic transcripts or other application materials. 

A well-written medical personal statement will help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of being accepted into the prestigious university.

Purpose of a Medical Personal Statement in Oxford

Here are the primary purposes of writing a personal medicine statement in Oxford. To:

• Provide the admissions’ committee with a better understanding of your motivations and goals.
• Showcase your passion for medicine and your commitment to pursuing a career in the field.
• Highlight any relevant experiences or achievements that may not be reflected in your academic transcripts or other application materials.
• Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and clearly.
• Help the admissions committee determine if you are a good fit for the Oxford medicine program.
• Give the admissions committee a sense of your personality and character.
• Provide the admissions’ committee with a better understanding of your unique strengths and experiences.
• Help the admissions committee evaluate your potential as a future medical professional.

What is the admissions’ between an Oxford personal statement and other universities ?

Every medical school has specific requirements and expectations for personal statements , and the University of Oxford is no exception. A personal statement’s general purpose is to give the admissions committee a better understanding of your motivations, goals, and suitability for the program. The personal statement’s specific content and format may vary from school to school.

The Oxford application process is likely to be more competitive and selective than other medical schools. This is due to the prestige and reputation of the institution. As such, you need to take the time to thoroughly research and understand the expectations of the admissions committee and tailor your statement accordingly.

How to Structure your Personal Statement

There is no one “right” way to structure an Oxford medicine personal statement. But here are a few tips to guide you in writing your statement.

1. Begin with a hook

Begin with an introduction that captures the reader’s attention and clearly states your purpose for writing the statement. It could be a brief overview of your background and interests or a specific experience that sparked your interest in medicine.

2. Highlight your experiences and achievements

Outline your relevant experiences and achievements. This could be any clinical or research experiences or leadership roles you have taken. Or any other experiences demonstrating your commitment to medicine and your potential as future medical personnel.

3. Discuss your interest in the program

Also, discuss why you are specifically interested in studying medicine at the University of Oxford. You can include any relevant experiences or connections to the university. Or the city of Oxford and any specific aspects of the Oxford medicine program that appeal to you.

4. Discuss your career goals

Next, discuss your long-term career goals and how studying medicine at Oxford will help you achieve them. Make sure you are specific and explain how the Oxford program will prepare you for your desired career path.

5. Summarize your statement

Conclude your statement by summarizing your key points and stating your commitment to pursuing a career in medicine.

6. Edit and proofread

Your statement should be well-written, free of errors, and tailored to the Oxford program. Remember to proofread and edit carefully before submitting your statement.

Medicine Personal Statement Examples Oxford

Growing up in a family of doctors, I developed an interest in the medical field and a deep respect for its power to heal.

From watching my parents care for their patients to volunteering at community clinics, I have been surrounded by medicine all my life. And it has become embedded into my own identity.

I am now ready to take this passion and expertise to the next level by pursuing a degree in medicine from Oxford University. 

I could study the developments in the medical world, learn innovative approaches to patient care, and expand upon my existing knowledge. Moreover, I look forward to collaborating with fellow students who share a common dedication to advancing medical science. While exploring both traditional and non-traditional avenues of reasoning.

I am also confident that I can contribute to the Oxford community through the experience I have already gained. My background in public health has given me a deep understanding of various healthcare systems and helped cultivate my resourcefulness when treating complex cases. Additionally, I am proficient in multiple languages, including Spanish and Hindi, allowing me to communicate effectively with different people.

I am eager to join the esteemed Oxford faculty and use my acquired skills to pursue innovation in the medical field. Not only do I possess comprehensive technical know-how, but I also commit to contributing to the development of society through compassionate care.

I sincerely hope you will consider me for admission and allow me to use my abilities to serve and improve human well-being.

I have had a passion for medicine since I was a child. Hence, it is with great ambition and enthusiasm that I am applying to the Oxford undergraduate medical program. I have an advantage as a multilingual individual who can converse fluently in both English and Spanish. My ability to communicate effectively with different people have allowed me to gain insight into their perspectives and beliefs. This I hope to apply when dealing with complex healthcare challenges.

Having been actively involved in voluntary organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, I know the challenges of providing quality care amidst tense situations. This is a feat I relish, and I strive to excel at every opportunity.

I am a keen observer and quick learner, equipping myself with the knowledge necessary to tackle any obstacle I face. 

My unwavering determination has also helped me attain distinctions in all my secondary school coursework, further affirming my capabilities as a scholar. 

Beyond academia, I’ve participated in numerous debating competitions, simultaneously building my critical thinking and public speaking abilities.

These qualities, coupled with my strong command of the language, will enable me to provide Oxford’s esteemed faculty with a unique contribution to medicine. 

Through hard work and dedication, I aspire to positively impact society. This is by advancing our understanding of health sciences and exploring innovative solutions for better patient treatment.

Having been brought up by a single mother, my exposure to medicine began at an early age. Growing up, I quickly became aware of the harsh realities of medical professionals and their limited time when treating patients. 

Having heard stories from my mother and seen how she juggle patient care and family, I knew this was something I wanted to pursue. With that in mind, my studies were focused on attaining the essential qualifications for entry into Oxford’s Medical School.

I am excited by the prospect of studying medicine and embarking on this journey toward becoming a doctor. As part of my current studies, I have deepened my knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology. This is while exploring case studies that depict human behavior and health conditions. This has revealed fascinating ideas and motivated me to uncover more knowledge about medical practice. 

A particular highlight for me has been dissecting cadavers; this has offered invaluable experience regarding the anatomical structure and internal organs. My voluntary work at the hospital affirmed my ambition to pursue medicine. In addition, it has reinforced my commitment to helping others, particularly those with physical disabilities or mental illnesses. 

I believe that I have the necessary dedication required to complete an Oxford course in medicine while embracing every challenge. Ultimately, I am thrilled by the prospect of contributing positively to society through the practice of medicine. I hope that you will consider me a competent candidate for your program.

Getting into Oxford is tough but getting into Oxford medical school is even more challenging. It is more competitive, with many wanting to study medicine at the prestigious institution.

 Your personal statement is that chance you have to set yourself apart from the other applicants . Ensure your statement is fascinating, captivating, and genuine enough to land you admission.

The medicine personal statement examples Oxford in this guide will help you get started on the right track.

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.

Explore All Write Personal Statement Articles

How to draft meaningful length of law school personal statement.

Are you confused on how to write a law school personal statement? One of the essential elements of your application…

• Write Personal Statement

Effective History and International Relations Personal Statement to Try

Are you considering studying history and international relations? Or you may be curious about what a degree in this field…

Guide to Quality Global Management Personal Statement

Are you applying for a global management program and want to stand out from the crowd? A well-written personal statement…

How to Draft Better Examples of Personal Statements for Residency

Achieving a residency can be a massive accomplishment for any aspiring medical professional. To secure your spot in one of…

Tips for Drafting a Free Example of Personal History Statement

A personal history statement can be crucial to many applications, from university admissions to job search processes. This blog will…

Writing Compelling Dietetic Internship Personal Statement

Applying for a dietetic internship is a rigorous process and requires submitting a personal statement, which is an essential part…

Username or email  *

Password  *

Forgotten password?

[email protected]

+44 (0)20 8834 4579

Medicine Personal Statement Examples

Get some inspiration to start writing your Medicine Personal Statement with these successful examples from current Medical School students. We've got Medicine Personal Statements which were successful for universities including Imperial, UCL, King's, Bristol, Edinburgh and more.

Personal Statement Examples

• Read successful Personal Statements for Medicine
• Pay attention to the structure and the content
• Get inspiration to plan your Personal Statement

Personal Statement Example 1

Check out this Medicine Personal Statement which was successful for Imperial, UCL, QMUL and King's.

Personal Statement Example 2

This Personal Statement comes from a student who received Medicine offers from Bristol and Plymouth - and also got an interview at Cambridge.

Personal Statement Example 3

Have a look at this Medicine Personal Statement which was successful for Imperial, Edinburgh, Dundee and Newcastle.

Personal Statement Example 4

Take a look at this Medicine Personal Statement which was successful for King's, Newcastle, Bristol and Sheffield.

Personal Statement Example 5

Pick up tips from this Medicine Personal Statement which was successful for Imperial, Birmingham and Manchester.

Personal Statement Example 6

This Personal Statement comes from a student who got into Graduate Entry Medicine at King's - and also had interviews for Undergraduate Medicine at King's, QMUL and Exeter.

Loading More Content

• College Application

Oxford Personal Statement Examples: Top 4

If you’re looking to craft the perfect personal statement, reading over some Oxford personal statement examples will be the best way to start. It’s one thing to read college essay tips or instructions on how to write the perfect personal statement, but another entirely to see an example of how it’s done.

How to start a college essay can be tricky, but we have you covered! In this article, we have Oxford personal statement examples for your edification so that you can write your own best work.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 12 min read

Oxford personal statement examples, example no.1.

We are made of stories. History itself is the story we tell ourselves about who we are, and our oldest stories are still with us. Gilgamesh would never have found his immortality but through his story being told over and over again. Scrooge is visited by three ghosts every year for some people, and no matter how many times we hear about his conversion from miser to “…as good a man as the good old city knew…” we have our hearts warmed, reminding ourselves of the importance of human comfort and generosity. I have come to my interest in the classics through my interest in the stories we tell that make us who we are.

My personal reading list always exceeds my school’s reading list. When I was a boy, I was gripped by the stories of heroes like Perseus and Hercules. As I grew, I sought further stories and came across the epic poems. Over the years, I have found many people who share my enjoyment of these tales, but often they do not truly know them. One of my perpetual fascinations with classics is how these stories change, or are perceived, in the public consciousness.

Want to learn easy ways to make your college essay stand out? Watch this video:

For example, many people know of the Labours of Hercules – or Herakles, as the Greeks said – but they rarely know why he was tasked with these Labours: he killed his children. We often make dark aspects of old stories into children’s stories. We see this with modern cartoon versions of far grimmer fairy tales. I believe that this has done our world a disservice. Instead of confronting unpleasant truths, we hide them. History is often whitewashed along with the stories to make it palatable.

My studies of the classics have led me to begin a work on Hercules – investigating how his story has been told and retold. I am also examining how the story has changed over the years, why it has changed and how retelling this story in gentler ways has paralleled pop culture dumbing down stories and ignoring unpleasant truths.

“It’s just a frog,” I thought, but no matter how I tried to convince myself of that fact, I didn’t find it any easier to dissect. I was disappointed in myself because I thought that a scientist should be dispassionate, logical, and capable of dealing with any sentimental subject in an objective fashion. Yet there was the frog, my scalpel poised dramatically above its little, amphibian torso. I was almost paralysed with sympathy, and I began to fear that I would never be a scientist.

When I was young, I would wander the woods, sketching plants and animals before looking them up at home. I am happiest when I am learning something new – even if it means unlearning a truth I “knew” the day before. I had loved labs and experiments, but I had hit the wall of dissection. Could I take these creatures apart? I love learning about them, but how could I slice them open?

I told my friend Jeremiah that I wasn’t going to dissect the bullfrog. I would drop the course and do something else with my life. “I’ll help,” he said, “Come on.” With his support and encouragement, I made the first cut and couldn’t believe what I saw; I was entranced by the intricacy of the frog. Being able to see and understand nature from an insider’s perspective, so to speak, was no longer “gross,” and my curiosity finally kicked in.

As I continued in biology, through lab experiments, dissections and investigations, I found myself reversing my position on the mentality of the scientist. It is not that we must be dispassionate, but that we must intimately feel a connection with the natural world. We are a part of this world – as perfectly slotted into our evolutionary position as any other creature. More excited than ever, I joined a biology club in our city where I was surrounded by biologists of all ages – amateur and professional – and I grew immensely. I was even awarded 1 st place in a biology Olympiad.

I believe that a truly successful scientist is one who finds harmony in the natural world, not one who exploits it, and I have had several conversations with my laboratory instructor on these points. He agreed with me, and we have been working on a rubric to create a more nature-friendly approach to the science curriculum at our school. He was already quite nature-conscious, but we both agree that we could be doing more to minimise our ecological footprints.

My dream job is one that helps to balance human interaction with nature on a global scale, to fight climate change and ensure the survival of all natural species. I hope to study the natural sciences at Oxford to bring this about. I believe that my journey is one of lifelong learning, a concept stressed at your school. I am also interested in your research in sustainable urban development. I think that co-existing with nature is one of the all-important issues for humanity and for an aspiring biologist. I want to contribute to a world where, even if we dissect frogs, we do so with a sense of responsibility, not callous indifference.

Want to learn some tips for your college essays? Check out this infographic:

Example No.3

I was ten minutes into a well-structured argument as to why I was not argumentative before I realised the irony of my words. I shut my mouth, red-faced and laughing with the rest of my family. I come from a family of debaters. Not that being a debater is the only thing that makes me want to study history and politics at your institution. Politicians are more than just arguers, but my temperament is well-suited to challenging ideas and wrestling with those ideas in the public sphere.

I want to make a difference on a national level in the political arena, serving the public as a politician. I joined the debate club to learn how to perform well in front of an audience, how to test my ideas and most importantly, how to lose. I am proud of my track record, wins and losses. Losses can be a strength. My first debate was, “Be it therefore resolved that there is an obesity problem in this country.” I was assigned the “pro” angle, and I was so sure that I could win by appealing to statistical realities. However, I lost. My opponent had sharper arguments and convinced the audience that “problem” implied an inherent morality issue with obesity. I had no counterargument.

From that loss, I learned how to use language better, to anticipate counterarguments and to know my opponent’s position better than my own. Every loss is an opportunity to grow, and I love that I have been pitted against fierce opponents who make me earn every point. I would rather achieve fewer victories against a skilled debater than gain many victories against those who are ill-prepared. I also rarely lose on the same subject twice.

This is relevant to my political philosophy, which is that I believe politicians should be willing to change their opinions, even on important issues. If nobody changed their minds, we would all be pig-headed fools. I want the best information, and if that changes my mind, so be it. We need more changed minds and evidence-based policies coming from politicians who value truth and accuracy, as well as the ethics to provide morally defensible positions.

Thanks to my debate club experience, I was able to campaign successfully for student body president, a position I held for two years. I took this responsibility seriously, even if not every peer or authority figure felt the same way. During my time in student government, my proudest accomplishment was helping create a new scholarship programme to fund the university studies and housing of one student. I believe that politicians should fight for changes that will benefit people, not just institutions, so this scholarship was a particularly exciting project for me to work on.

Outside of political ambitions, my favourite thing to do is to go to museums and art galleries. I take tremendous pleasure in discovering who we were and are and being able to compare the two. I hope to bring my historical knowledge and understanding to my career in politics.

Whether I am debating at family dinner or quietly, reverently studying in a museum, my greatest joy would be to help people build the society that they want to see.

Example No.4

When the first atomic bombs were detonated, Oppenheimer famously stated, “I am become death, destroyer of worlds,” characterising the transcendent regret he felt. Of course, Oppenheimer was himself quoting from the Bhagavad Gita. When I think of Oppenheimer’s sorrow, I think of the importance philosophy has for a person navigating hard sciences, like mathematics.

For many people, philosophy and mathematics – what I hope to study at Oxford – are divorced from one another, if not opposites. One, resulting from the musings of a curious mind, is seen as almost useless in practical terms. The other is seen as cold, scientific truth in written form. But I believe they are linked. I loved reading Oxford’s published paper, “Influencing HIV/AIDS Policy in India Through Mathematical Modelling.” Our math knowledge, and the application thereof, can directly affect the world around us, improving it for all.

In my final year of high school, I wanted to write about the impact that mathematics has on the world. I wrote a paper on black holes. I interviewed a mathematician named Peter Richards who was working at a physics lab studying the phenomenon. Mr. Richards told me how the gravity of black holes creates event horizons, shaping space around them, but that scientists are investigating whether gravity is influenced by light. This cosmological-level chicken-or-egg question became the basis of my paper, which was about how we think about the universe and our place in it. Mathematics might one day answer who we are and why we are here. This paper won 1 st place in an essay competition and secured me a small scholarship.

Math is the language of the universe. I see it everywhere: in nature’s patterns and in the music I play. I have been learning to play flutes – everything from woodwinds to concert flutes to world music instruments like ocarinas. As my study of math deepens, I become more immersed in exploring the range of the instrument, which, in turn, transforms my music. Math reshapes the world around us.

This study of the interplay between mathematics and philosophy led me to study the mathematics of global populations, which I believe will soon become imperative research on how we can maintain a sustainable eco-system. I attended a recent event for mathematicians studying global trends, where I interviewed several prominent mathematicians in the field for the school paper. I got to ask these important persons about their thoughts on the responsibility mathematicians have regarding humanity and the care needed to help our species. A surprising number – two out of the five I spoke with – had given little or no thought to the idea of blending philosophy and mathematics. I was shocked at this mathematical proof that even people in the field did not give much thought to this.

I hope to combat this in my own life and studies, encouraging mathematicians to increase their conscientious use of their skills to better humanity in a direct way, as well as to be more conscious of their responsibilities in the world today.

Oxford recommends that you follow the UCAS advice on personal statements when writing your own. It is well worth taking your time drafting your personal statement because the admissions committee at Oxford reads each one several times. They are really interested in learning about anything academic because they are curious about your potential in your field of study. This implies that they are interested in both what you have done and are doing in school as well as anything you have done outside of the classroom that is related to the subject you have chosen to study. More than being the best extracurriculars for college , Oxford refers to these activities as super-curriculars . Super-curriculars can be anything “you’ve read, listened to, watched or visited” that relates to your academic interests, unlike extracurriculars.

About 80% of your personal statement should discuss your academic interests and super-curriculars. The recommended structure is as follows:

• Opening paragraph explaining why you want to pursue the programme
• 3 or 4 paragraphs analysing your academic and super-curricular activities
• Brief closing paragraph about your extracurricular interests, with a focus on transferable skills and career plans/future aspirations

To ensure that your personal statement applies specifically to the University of Oxford, first look at the school’s mission, vision statement and core values. Aligning your essay with these values will help prove that Oxford is the perfect fit for you, which is your main goal. This is the first step in how to write a college essay for this school.

You may also want to reference other important aspects of Oxford. Do they have research in the area you want to work in? Do they have a professor you cannot wait to study with? Do they have the curriculum set up in a way that best suits you as a student and your future goals? You need to show not only how you fit with Oxford, but also how the school will propel you forward in a way that no other school could.

Oxford’s Mission Statement

“We inspire people locally, nationally and globally by extending access to Oxford’s world-class teaching and resources through flexible and inclusive opportunities for study and research.”

Oxford’s Vision Statement

“To be a global centre of excellence for lifelong learning. Courses will be underpinned by the best teaching, research and support for learning to meet the needs of diverse, ambitious and intellectually curious students. Staff and students will work together within and beyond Oxford to foster a vibrant learning community attentive to the importance of promoting sustainability and social justice.”

Oxford’s Values

Finally, note that all Oxford personal statements have a character cap of 4,000, including spaces, and must be no longer than 47 lines.

Essay Writing Tips

Here are some general pieces of advice to keep in mind while working through your college essay review process. These tips will apply to your Oxford essays, but they will also be beneficial for any essays. Essays follow a basic structure and have a fundamental goal that is shared among them, even when specifics differ. So, you could be writing supplemental college essays , college diversity essays , or Harvard medical school secondary essays , but regardless of the type of essay or school, these tips will still apply.

The Main Objective

All essays are, directly or indirectly, “ why this college” essays . The admissions committee is looking for students who fit their institution and are excited about attending. Whatever your college essay topics are, you’re always answering that fundamental question.

Start Strong

College essay introductions are hard in and of themselves. Conquering the introduction means beating the blank page. Start with the best “"hook” sentence you can find. That means you need an attention-grabbing opener that compels the reader to continue.

Once you’re through the introduction, you must follow through with two or three paragraphs about your accomplishments or criteria the school expect to hear about – in Oxford’s case, those are your academics and super-curriculars.

Each story should answer the fundamental question: “Why is this person perfect for this school?"

Wrap it up with a conclusion that summarises your main points and, if possible, connects to the introduction like a loop.

Up to 4,000 characters, which includes spaces.

You don’t want to go so short you can’t say anything of substance. Brevity is the soul of wit, however, so don’t worry about having a personal statement that is “only” 300–400 words long. Don’t pad out your statement; say what you need to and no more.

Your personal statement shows your unique abilities and personality and why you are ideally suited for the institution and programme to which you are applying. Showcase qualities like perseverance, leadership, teamwork, curiosity, creativity, logic and personal growth.

Your main focus will be on academics and super-curricular activities.

Negative people don’t come off well, so dwelling on problems, whining, or badmouthing people is never a good idea.

Formal, standard essay format is perfect: hook sentence, introduction, main body – which expresses one or two main ideas – and a conclusion that comes full-circle, ideally connecting to the introduction. You can use the first person, since this is a personal essay.

Always follow the rule of “show, don’t tell” to demonstrate your qualities and abilities.

Free-associate for a while. Give yourself one or two minutes to write on the programme you want to take at Oxford and just free-associate. By the end, your passion for the subject will have won out and given you a good list of ideas to explore.

Your essay gets cut off. Never exceed the limit. So, in practical terms, if you exceed the character limit, or 47 lines, part of your personal statement will be missing.

Not formally, no, but it is being evaluated, so make sure you edit properly and go over spelling and grammar with a fine-tooth comb.

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Apple Podcasts

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions, get started now.

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

FREE Training Webinar:

How to make your college applications stand out, (and avoid the top 5 mistakes that get most rejected).

Time Sensitive. Limited Spots Available:

We guarantee you'll get into your dream college or university or you don't pay.

Swipe up to see a great offer!

Student Good Guide

The best UK online resource for students

• Veterinary Personal Statement Examples For University

Step into the University of veterinary medicine as you delve into two exceptional personal statements that showcase the unwavering passion, exceptional skills, and profound dedication of aspiring veterinarians. Use our Veterinary personal statement examples to write your application for the Vet course to make a successful university application. 

Veterinary Personal Statement

I grow up on the farm. Since a young age, my passion for horses has ignited a deep connection with these magnificent animals. Growing up, I immersed myself in the world of equine care, constantly learning and developing my knowledge of their well-being. It was through this journey that I discovered my fervour for trimming and caring for horse hooves in their natural state, favouring the preservation of their inherent grace over conventional shoeing methods. This hands-on experience not only allowed me to witness the profound impact of proper hoof care but also instilled in me an unwavering desire to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

While my love for horses, I have always been fascinated by the world of exotic pets. My commitment to understanding diverse animal care requirements led me to take on the responsibility of caring for Josh, a beautiful chameleon. Delving into the unique intricacies of reptiles and tropical animal care hypnotised me, as I discovered the delicate balance required to provide them with a prosperous atmosphere. This experience further solidified my determination to specialize in exotic animal Vet medicine and contribute to the well-being of these remarkable pieces.

For my best practical experience, I actively aspired to opportunities to expand my knowledge beyond horses and reptiles. Working at an animal shelter exposed me to the day-to-day care of various animals, primarily dogs and cats. However, I used every chance to assist in the care of other pieces, including Josh the chameleon. This experience not only let me develop my skills in treating different species but also taught me the importance of empathy and kindness in providing quality Veterinary care.

I wanted to further broaden my horizons, I pursued employment at a city zoo. This opportunity proved to be transformative, as it provided me with adequate exposure to an extensive range of exotic animals. Working alongside the zoo’s best veterinarians, I absorbed knowledge from experts while sharpening my clinical skills. It was during this time that I was fortunate enough to form a mentorship with Dr Martin Bellford, a seasoned veterinarian. His guidance and support have been very valuable, enabling my ambitions and providing me with opportunities to excel in veterinary medicine.

Academically, my love for biology has been my driver in my educational journey. Biology labs, in particular, have provided a platform for me to explore the intricacies of life and deepen my understanding of animal physiology. Though my empathy for animals sometimes makes dissection uncomfortable, I appreciate the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of animal anatomy and its practical application in veterinary medicine.

Looking to the future, I have ambitious career goals. As an exotic animal specialist, I aspire to work with unique and wild species, employing my knowledge and skills to safeguard their well-being. Furthermore, I am passionate about wildlife preservation and hope to contribute to this cause through active involvement with organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund. By combining my veterinary expertise with a dedication to conservation, I aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of animals, both domestic and wild.

My journey in veterinary medicine has been shaped by a lifelong passion for horses and an unwavering dedication to animal care. The diverse experiences I have gained, from working with horses to caring for exotic pets and assisting at a city zoo, have solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. With a strong academic foundation in biology and a burning desire to make a difference, I am eager to embark on this transformative journey and contribute to the well-being of animals in need.

Veterinary Medicine Personal Statement Example

Ever since I can remember, my fascination with animals has been my driver in shaping my school achievements and personal goals. The intricate biology of animals, their diverse forms, and their profound impact on the world have fascinated me, igniting a passion that has led me to seek a career in veterinary medicine. With an interest in genetics and its application to animal health, I am eager to contribute my knowledge and skills, while improving the welfare of our dear “buddies”.

As I delved more in-depth into biology, my focus on genetics strengthened. Studying the complexity of evolution and selective breeding, I became aware of the challenges that certain species face due to genetic defects. Ventricular septal defects in bulldogs demonstrate the importance of genetic predispositions and the impact they have on health. It is my earnest wish to utilise this knowledge to diagnose, treat, and mitigate such conditions, ensuring good health for animals.

Throughout my academic journey, I have always displayed an affinity for the sciences, particularly biology. I have demonstrated a strong grasp of fundamental principles and an ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real scenarios. Moreover, my overall performance in the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) demonstrates a positive mindset and a commitment to hard work across all mentioned disciplines.

To complement my academic work, I have eagerly aspired to relevant work experiences in veterinary medicine. Assisting with surgeries and consultations, I have seen the dedication and skill required to provide humane care to animals in need. These experiences have extended beyond the borders of my home country, allowing me to observe veterinary practices in diverse environments. Additionally, my work with horse husbandry and breeding, as well as my involvement with racehorses and farming animals, has upgraded my knowledge to the next level.

Beyond my academic and professional goals, I actively engage in extracurricular activities that have honed my attributes and fostered a well-rounded character. As a dedicated sportsman and Silver Sports Ambassador, I have been privileged to promote the values of the Olympics and inspire others to embrace an active lifestyle. My participation in rugby for Sheppey RFC and my school team has instilled in me the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and leadership.

Driven by a real desire to make a positive result, I have enthusiastically taken part in charity work. Regularly participating in fundraising runs and embarking on an expedition to Tanzania, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of collective action. These experiences have taught me empathy and my commitment to managing animal welfare issues with my heart and dedication.

My dedication to my studies is further demonstrated by my participation in a Vetsim course, where I developed a particular interest in avian veterinary surgery. Immersed in a simulated veterinary environment, I honed my technical skills and deepened my understanding of avian health and treatment. This experience solidified my conviction to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, as it allowed me to witness the profound impact that veterinary care can have on the lives of animals and their owners.

My empathetic nature, excellent communication skills, and strong affinity for animal welfare issues have shaped me into a candidate ready to make a meaningful contribution to the field of veterinary medicine. Through the learning of genetics, a dedication to lifelong learning, and an unwavering dedication to the welfare of animals, I am confident in my ability to excel in the rigorous academic program of veterinary medicine. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute my knowledge and skills to animal health, ultimately making a positive impact.

Personal Statement Examples

• Statistics Personal Statements
• PPE Oxford Personal Statement Example
• Classics Personal Statement Examples
• Theology Personal Statement Examples
• Physics Personal Statement Examples
• Chemical Engineering personal statement examples
• Oncology Personal Statement Examples
• Psychiatry Personal Statement Examples
• Earth Sciences Personal Statement Example
• History Personal Statement Examples
• Civil Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• User Experience Design Personal Statement Example
• Finance Personal Statement Examples
• Neuroscience Personal Statement Examples
• Graphic Design Personal Statement Examples
• Film Production Personal Statement Examples
• Events Management Personal Statement Examples
• Counselling Personal Statement Examples
• Forensic Science Personal Statement Examples
• Children’s Nursing Personal Statement Examples
• Chemistry Personal Statement Examples
• Sports Science Personal Statement Examples
• Mechanical Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Quantity Surveying Personal Statement Examples
• Social Work Personal Statement Examples
• Physiotherapy Personal Statement Examples
• Journalism Personal Statement Examples
• English Literature Personal Statement Examples
• Marketing Personal Statement Examples
• Computer Science Personal Statement Examples
• Fashion Marketing Personal Statement Examples
• Dietetic Personal Statement Examples
• Product Design Personal Statement Examples
• Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Geography Personal Statement Examples
• Business Management Personal Statement Examples
• Politics Personal Statement Examples
• Psychology Personal Statement Examples
• Oxbridge Personal Statement Examples
• Zoology Personal Statement Example
• Sociology Personal Statement Example
• Fashion Personal Statement Example
• Mathematics Personal Statement Examples
• Software Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• Philosophy Personal Statement
• International Relations Personal Statement Example
• Biochemistry Personal Statement Example
• Dentistry Personal Statement Examples
• Midwifery Personal Statement
• Law Personal Statement Example
• Medicine Personal Statement for Cambridge
• ICT Personal Statement
• Primary Teacher PGCE Personal Statement
• PGCE Personal Statement Example
• Games Design Personal Statement
• Paramedic Science Personal Statement Examples
• Occupational Therapy Personal Statement
• Pharmacy Personal Statement Example

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Guide

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

• Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

• Postgraduate Personal Statements
• International Student Personal Statements
• Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

• Mature Student Personal Statements
• Aberystwyth
• Anglia Polytechnic University
• Bath Spa University College
• Bournemouth University
• British College of Osteopathic Medicine
• British School of Osteopathy
• Canterbury Christ Church University College
• Central School of Speech and Drama
• Chester A College of The University of Liverpool
• City College Manchester
• Coventry University
• De Montfort University
• Edge Hill College of Higher Education
• Falmouth University
• Farnborough College of Technology
• Glamorgan Centre for Art and Design Technology
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• Goldsmiths College
• Heriot-watt
• Heythrop College
• King's College
• Kingston University
• Leeds Metropolitan University
• Liverpool Hope
• Liverpool John Moores University
• London Metropolitan University
• London South Bank University
• Loughborough
• Loughborough College
• Middlesex University
• Napier University, Edinburgh
• Newcastle College
• Northumbria University
• Nottingham Trent
• Oxford Brookes
• Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
• Queen's, Belfast
• Regents Business School London
• Roehampton University of Surrey
• Royal Holloway
• Royal Veterinary College
• Sheffield Hallam University
• Southampton
• Southampton Institute
• St George's Hospital Medical School
• St Mary's University College
• Staffordshire University
• Strathclyde
• Swansea Institute of Higher Education
• Thames Valley University
• The Arts Institute At Bournemouth
• The Glasgow School of Art
• The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
• The London Institute
• The Manchester Metropolitan University
• The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education
• The Robert Gordon University
• The Surrey Institute of Art and Design
• The University of Bradford
• The University of Buckingham
• The University of Gloucestershire
• The University of Huddersfield
• The University of Salford
• University College Northampton
• University College Worcester
• University of Abertay Dundee
• University of Brighton
• University of Central Lancashire
• University of Derby
• University of East London
• University of Glamorgan
• University of Greenwich
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Lincoln
• University of Plymouth
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Sunderland
• University of Teesside
• University of The West of England, Bristol
• University of Ulster
• University of Wales College, Newport
• University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
• University of Wales, Bangor
• University of Westminster
• University of Wolverhampton
• Writtle College
• York St John College
• Personal Statement Editing Service
• Personal Statement Writing Guide
• Submit Your Personal Statement
• Personal Statement Questions 2025
• Personal Statement Changes 2024

Oxford University Personal Statements

We hope our collection of oxford university personal statements provides inspiration for writing your own. please do not plagiarise them in any way, or ucas will penalise your application. our  personal statement editing & review services  are availble if you feel you need a little extra help..

History Personal Statement Example 3 Recently, I found out that my grandma was gambled into slavery for seven years. She escaped her prison and made her way back to Hong Kong, 300 miles south. I was amazed at how courageous she was. This personal discovery led me to read Jung Chang's 'Wild Swans' which made me both proud and ashamed of my heritage...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 4 I find it amazing to watch as the digital revolution sculpts society at a rate that has never before been seen; there is so much to still be discovered. Quantum computing is a topic that particularly interests me, stemming from my studies and keen interest in physics...

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

English Literature Personal Statement Example 1 When I saw Gatz, John Collin's eight hour interpretation of The Great Gatsby, I noticed that Fitzgerald changes the colour of Daisy's hair every time he describes it. It is "like a dash of blue paint", "yellowy" like her daughters and then "dark, shining"...

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

Psychology Personal Statement Example 11 “If she’s smart she will study Medicine.” This is an unwritten rule in my culture - all Nigerian parents want their children to become doctors. What becomes of the aspiring psychologist in the family? I met a junior doctor, at an educational conference, who wanted to specialise in psychiatry...

History Personal Statement Example 13 Until I began my A-levels last September, I had never been to school or followed a formal syllabus. My parents homeschooled me. They guided, encouraged, and fed my interests with books, documentaries and discussions...

Natural and Biological Sciences Personal Statement Example Experiencing first-hand life as a human in the natural world, I have the authority to confirm that regardless of previous knowledge, unexplained phenomena still exist. As a scientist, I adore observing the unknown, analysing the known and making decisions accordingly...

English Personal Statement Example 22 What I enjoy above all else in a piece of literature is the feeling that it has brought about change, either in me or in some wider context. Literature which offers the opportunity for an adapted way of living or thinking, however slight, is I think a thing to be kept and treasured in our intellects...

English Literature and Creative Writing Personal Statement Example 1 I once aspired to be a visual artist, a photographer or painter. However, I later discovered the unique ability of poetry and the written word to maintain its power and resonance in a world saturated with images and messages...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 45 Advances in computer and information technology over the past few decades have brought about revolution in science, medicine, education, business, and entertainment. I wish to be part of the future revolution and that is why I want to study computer science...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 16 I believe that to read English is to read the human being itself: after all, we are all writers. Even in the very act of choosing our words - thinking them, speaking them, physically writing them down - we create something meaningful...

Human Sciences Personal Statement Example Perhaps what makes me different from other University applicants is that I have ambition to understand multidimensional human life. It is not the appeal of a top qualification or the zesty student lifestyle that attracts me to this course; but it is the long-term knowledge and answers to interdisciplinary human problems, and the enigmas that I will commit a lifetime investigating with perhaps no solution, that inspires me to apply...

Engineering Personal Statement Example 19 Physics is that branch of science without which science is just like a beautiful lamp with no light. For centuries, mathematicians and physicists have made plenty of scientific contributions thus helping the world make a better place to live...

History (Ancient and Modern) Personal Statement Example 1 It is those things we don’t yet know or understand that make history a fascinating, intellectual puzzle. We know a remarkable amount about history and the development of society but new archaeological discoveries, the dedicated efforts of historians, translators and other academics and advancements in areas such as archaeometry mean that the body of historical information is still expanding...

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

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 49 My views about computing changed considerably when I heard about Linux. In the late nineties it was a newer operating system and tasks like installing and configuring were considered to be quite challenging in India...

Law Personal Statement Example 70 Law is ever changing, whether parliament is passing new legislation, existing legislation is being rewritten or the courts are interpreting laws in different ways. In the case of Anthony Bland the distinguishing of earlier precedents was vital...

History and English Personal Statement Example Studying history and English concurrently has appealed to me ever since I recognised the inseparability of the two disciplines closest to my heart. Personally, I believe that the literary style of a piece of writing is as important as scholarly research and I try to make my essays as lively as possible whilst still grounded in solid historical or literary method, dulce et utile, following the example of writers such as Richard J Evans...

Economics and Management Personal Statement Example 2 My interest in Economics goes beyond an appreciation of statistics and profit margins. In my mind, economics represents the relationship between people and their money – a relationship that dates back to the history of mankind...

German Personal Statement Example 7 The study of language has always been appealing and is the focus of much of my time and energy, but the study of the German language is what mesmerises me most. Before understanding German I was first intrigued by its sound, and as I began to learn it, I became fascinated by its complexity...

Economics Personal Statement Example 30 The ever-changing nature of the human science intrigues me. Newton’s laws of motion will never change, from wherever ‘the ball is dropped’. However, different strategies and policies have to be framed and implemented for each economic problem...

Mathematics & Computer Science Personal Statement Example I have found mathematics a fascinating subject since my early years. I enjoy it as it is challenging and logical. I am particularly interested in decision mathematics as it is a field that is directly related to real-life applications of mathematics and can be used to solve problems, such as finding the optimal solution for transporting materials from one place to another while minimising the cost...

Physics Personal Statement Example 15 I have always been intrigued by the world of physics. From everyday experiences to the most extreme boundaries of today's knowledge, I have always voraciously searched for answers to my questions. As I grew up, the elegance of mathematical demonstrations and of physical theorems fascinated me, and I have often dreamt of making contributions to the unification theory and of improving and simplifying the Navier-Stokes equations...

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

Medicine Personal Statement Example 70 The challenge of spending my working life immersed in the fascinating, ever-evolving world of the medical sciences, and the opportunity to use this knowledge to benefit others, has drawn me to seek a career in medicine...

Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE) Personal Statement Example 3 In this day and age virtually every aspect of our lives may be considered political. My passion to study Politics stems from this tenet and a belief that a comprehension of Politics is integral to understanding the current state of humanity...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 18 Chemistry explores the properties of all matter and energy in our universe, which eventually leads to breakthroughs that benefit mankind, ranging from how to prevent food from decomposing to understanding what chemicals can help or harm you...

Philosophy Personal Statement Example (Mature Student) Since leaving education in 2006 I have always wanted to return; a great love of learning, desire for knowledge and natural curiosity throughout my life resulted in an ambition to teach. It was with this ambition in my heart that I took the plunge and returned to education, beginning my Access course last year with the intention of applying to study for a primary education degree...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 17 My decision to study engineering stems from a desire to contribute to the evolution of society through a process that does not just define our environment but our era. My personal inspiration is the Segovia aqueduct, an 800m long, 30 metre high Roman marvel which still stands today...

Ancient and Modern History Personal Statement Example 1 What makes history engaging and interesting to me is its interdisciplinary nature and its ability to take you on a journey to the discovery of humanity's past. History has been a constant source of captivation for me, from studying the mythology of Ancient Greece in primary school through to the study of the Russian Revolution at A Level...

• University specific personal statements
• All personal statements

• Louisville.edu
• Health Sciences Center
• PeopleSoft HR
• PeopleSoft Campus Solutions
• PeopleSoft Financials
• Business Ops
• Cardinal Careers

Office of Faculty Affairs and Advancement

• Faculty Affairs /
• Personal Statement - Service to Research (TERM) Example

Office of Faculty Affairs

Abell Administration Building 323 East Chestnut Street, Room 408 Louisville, KY 40202

Office Hours

M-F 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Director: (502) 852-6165

Vice Dean: (502) 852-6266

Faculty Affairs Contacts

• Search Menu
• Virtual Issues
• Advance Articles
• Supplements
• Highly Cited Articles
• Podcast Episodes
• Author Guidelines
• Submission Site
• Review Guidelines
• Open Access
• Self-Archiving Policy
• Reasons to Publish with Military Medicine
• About AMSUS
• About Military Medicine
• Become a Reviewer
• Editorial Board
• Advertising and Corporate Services
• Journals Career Network
• Journals on Oxford Academic
• Books on Oxford Academic

Article Contents

• INTRODUCTION
• MATERIALS AND METHODS
• CONCLUSIONS
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
• CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
• < Previous

Battlefield Vital Sign Monitoring in Role 1 Military Treatment Facilities: A Thematic Analysis of After-Action Reviews from the Prehospital Trauma Registry

• Article contents
• Figures & tables
• Supplementary Data

Brandon M Carius, Jason F Naylor, Michael D April, Andrew D Fisher, Ian L Hudson, Peter J Stednick, Joseph K Maddry, Erik K Weitzel, Victor A Convertino, Steve G Schauer, Battlefield Vital Sign Monitoring in Role 1 Military Treatment Facilities: A Thematic Analysis of After-Action Reviews from the Prehospital Trauma Registry, Military Medicine , Volume 187, Issue 1-2, January/February 2022, Pages e28–e33, https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa515

• Permissions Icon Permissions

The Prehospital Trauma Registry (PHTR) captures after-action reviews (AARs) as part of a continuous performance improvement cycle and to provide commanders real-time feedback of Role 1 care. We have previously described overall challenges noted within the AARs. We now performed a focused assessment of challenges with regard to hemodynamic monitoring to improve casualty monitoring systems.

We performed a review of AARs within the PHTR in Afghanistan from January 2013 to September 2014 as previously described. In this analysis, we focus on AARs specific to challenges with hemodynamic monitoring of combat casualties.

Of the 705 PHTR casualties, 592 had available AAR data; 86 of those described challenges with hemodynamic monitoring. Most were identified as male (97%) and having sustained battle injuries (93%), typically from an explosion (48%). Most were urgent evacuation status (85%) and had a medical officer in their chain of care (65%). The most common vital sign mentioned in AAR comments was blood pressure (62%), and nearly one-quarter of comments stated that arterial palpation was used in place of blood pressure cuff measurements.

Our qualitative methods study highlights the challenges with obtaining vital signs—both training and equipment. We also highlight the challenges regarding ongoing monitoring to prevent hemodynamic collapse in severely injured casualties. The U.S. military needs to develop better methods for casualty monitoring for the subset of casualties that are critically injured.

• blood pressure
• afghanistan
• military personnel
• wounds and injuries
• vital signs
• blood pressure cuffs
• performance improvement
• rotatory subluxation of atlantoaxial joint
• emergency evacuation
• hemodynamic monitoring

Email alerts

Citing articles via, looking for your next opportunity.

• Recommend to Your Librarian

Affiliations

• Online ISSN 1930-613X
• Print ISSN 0026-4075
• Copyright © 2024 The Society of Federal Health Professionals
• About Oxford Academic
• Publish journals with us
• University press partners
• What we publish
• New features  
• Open access
• Institutional account management
• Rights and permissions
• Get help with access
• Accessibility
• Advertising
• Media enquiries
• Oxford University Press
• Oxford Languages
• University of Oxford

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide

• Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
• Cookie settings
• Cookie policy
• Privacy policy
• Legal notice

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

Evaluating biomedical feature fusion on machine learning's predictability and interpretability of COVID-19 severity types

• Find this author on Google Scholar
• Find this author on PubMed
• Search for this author on this site
• For correspondence: [email protected]
• Info/History
• Supplementary material
• Preview PDF

Background: Accurately differentiating severe from non-severe COVID-19 clinical types is critical for the healthcare system to optimize workflow, as severe patients require intensive care. Current techniques lack the ability to accurately predict COVID-19 patients' clinical type, especially as SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate. Objective: In this work, we explore both predictability and interpretability of multiple state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) techniques trained and tested under different biomedical data types and COVID-19 variants. Methods: Comprehensive patient-level data were collected from 362 patients (214 severe, 148 non-severe) with the original SARS-CoV-2 variant in 2020 and 1000 patients (500 severe, 500 non-severe) with the Omicron variant in 2022-2023. The data included 26 biochemical features from blood testing and 26 clinical features from each patient's clinical characteristics and medical history. Different types of ML techniques, including penalized logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), k-nearest neighbors (kNN), and support vector machines (SVM) were applied to build predictive models based on each data modality separately and together for each variant set. Results: All ML models performed similarly under different testing scenarios. The fused characteristic modality yielded the highest area under the curve (AUC) score achieving 0.914 on average. The second highest AUC was 0.876 achieved by the biochemical modality alone, followed by 0.825 achieved by clinical modality alone. All ML models were robust when cross-tested with original and Omicron variant patient data. Upon model interpretation, our models ranked elevated d-dimer (biochemical feature), elevated high sensitivity troponin I (biochemical feature), and age greater than 55 years (clinical feature) as the most predictive features of severe COVID-19. Conclusions: We found ML to be a powerful tool for predicting severe COVID-19 based on comprehensive individual patient-level data. Further, ML models trained on the biochemical and clinical modalities together witness enhanced predictive power. The improved performance of these ML models when trained and cross-tested with Omicron variant data supports the robustness of ML as a tool for clinical decision support.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

This study was funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant U01CK000677 Building Mathematical Modeling Workforce Capacity to Support Infectious Disease and Healthcare Research (HIRe Modeling Fellowship).

Author Declarations

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

An institutional review board (IRB) of Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji College of Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology gave ethical approval of this work. (IRB approval #IEC-J-345)

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

Data Availability

All data produced are available online at

https://github.com/hnwestpage/Fusion-ML-COVID-19

View the discussion thread.

Supplementary Material

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word about medRxiv.

NOTE: Your email address is requested solely to identify you as the sender of this article.

Citation Manager Formats

• EndNote (tagged)
• EndNote 8 (xml)
• RefWorks Tagged
• Ref Manager
• Tweet Widget
• Facebook Like
• Google Plus One
• Addiction Medicine (316)
• Allergy and Immunology (618)
• Anesthesia (159)
• Cardiovascular Medicine (2277)
• Dentistry and Oral Medicine (279)
• Dermatology (201)
• Emergency Medicine (370)
• Endocrinology (including Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Disease) (798)
• Epidemiology (11579)
• Forensic Medicine (10)
• Gastroenterology (678)
• Genetic and Genomic Medicine (3580)
• Geriatric Medicine (336)
• Health Economics (617)
• Health Informatics (2305)
• Health Policy (913)
• Health Systems and Quality Improvement (864)
• Hematology (335)
• HIV/AIDS (752)
• Infectious Diseases (except HIV/AIDS) (13154)
• Intensive Care and Critical Care Medicine (757)
• Medical Education (359)
• Medical Ethics (100)
• Nephrology (389)
• Neurology (3351)
• Nursing (191)
• Nutrition (507)
• Obstetrics and Gynecology (651)
• Occupational and Environmental Health (646)
• Oncology (1758)
• Ophthalmology (524)
• Orthopedics (209)
• Otolaryngology (284)
• Pain Medicine (223)
• Palliative Medicine (66)
• Pathology (438)
• Pediatrics (1004)
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics (422)
• Primary Care Research (406)
• Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology (3062)
• Public and Global Health (5992)
• Radiology and Imaging (1222)
• Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy (714)
• Respiratory Medicine (811)
• Rheumatology (367)
• Sexual and Reproductive Health (353)
• Sports Medicine (316)
• Surgery (386)
• Toxicology (50)
• Transplantation (170)
• Urology (142)

Oxford 1+1 MBA

Start dates: September 2024 / September 2025

Time commitment:

A unique two-year experience

The Oxford 1+1 MBA programme is an opportunity for talented individuals to combine a Master's degree from selected Oxford University departments with our one-year MBA.

As the global business environment becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, this powerful joint degree combination allows you to gain deep knowledge and expertise in your specialist fields, as well as developing a comprehensive understanding of business, exceptional leadership skills and practical experience.

You will spend your first year completing a Master's in your chosen discipline before joining the MBA in your second year.

As soon as you start the 1+1 MBA, you will become an integral part of our diverse community, developing strong relationships with current MBA students, international alumni, prominent academics, and expert practitioners.

You will also have full access to the career and professional development resources of the business school throughout your time in Oxford on this. You will become a dynamic leader who is able to use management practices to translate specific knowledge into practical applications with wide-reaching impact.

Experience Oxford through our 1+1 MBA students

Deepen your knowledge with a Master's degree from one of our partnering departments at the University of Oxford, including the Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, the MSc in Computer Science at the Department of Computer Science, the MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, and the MSc in Environmental Change and Management at the School of Geography and the Environment. 

Broaden your business skills as an Oxford MBA student. Our curriculum of core business principles and tailored elective courses will help you to extend the learnings from your Master's degree and accelerate your career. As an Oxford 1+1 MBA student, you will have access to the network of Saïd Business School from day one, so that by the time you begin your MBA in year two you are already a fully entrenched member of the wider Saïd Business School community. 

How to apply

To apply for the Oxford 1+1 MBA you will need to submit two separate applications, one to your chosen partnering programme and one to the Oxford MBA.

Both programmes will have their own entry requirements, application deadlines and admissions process. Research both programmes to ensure you have everything you need to submit by the required deadlines.

Application process

Entry requirements.

You must meet the entry requirements for both the Oxford MBA and your chosen partnering master’s programme individually, and submit separate applications to both programmes before their respective deadlines.

Browse partnering programmes and their respective application requirements .

View Oxford MBA application requirements .

Apply to the partnering Master’s degree of your choice

Apply for your chosen master’s programme according to their application process and entry requirements, by their January deadline. Each of our  partnering master's programmes  has its own application form, deadlines and requirements.

Depending on your chosen programme, some shortlisted applicants may be interviewed.

Successful applicants will receive an offer for their chosen master’s degree.

Apply for the Oxford MBA programme

Apply to the Oxford MBA by following our application process and entry requirements, by our January deadline . For 2024-26 intake, this will be Friday 5 January 2024.

In addition to the written statement and online assessment required for the Oxford MBA application, 1+1 MBA applicants are required to submit this essay:

• 'Explain why you see the 1+1 MBA as particularly beneficial for you and how it fits with your career and personal development aims' (maximum 250 words).

Ensure you indicate that you are applying for the 1+1 within your MBA application.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.

There are three possible outcomes after applying to the Oxford 1+1 MBA;

• If you are admitted to both programmes, you will then become a 1+1 MBA student: 1+1 MBA students stay in the same college for the two years; your choice of college will be determined by the partner programme. The Admissions team will guide you through this process.
• If you are admitted to the MSc but not the MBA: You are welcome to accept your MSc offer. If you would like to try again to apply for the MBA programme, you are welcome to re-apply during your MSc.
• If you are admitted to the MBA but not your MSc of choice: The MBA admissions committee may offer you a place to join the MBA programme in the first year or alternatively reject your application should your MSc application be unsuccessful.

Frequently asked questions

If you have additional questions about the application requirements or admissions process for applying to the Oxford 1+1 MBA, please browse our FAQs. 

Pershing Square Scholarship

Every year, the Pershing Square Foundation awards up to six full scholarships to support outstanding students on the 1+1 MBA, covering the course fees in full and providing a grant for living expenses for both the Master's and the MBA degrees. 

Pershing Square Scholars are exceptional individuals who can demonstrate the potential and commitment to finding scalable and sustainable solutions to world-scale social challenges. The scholarship is designed for students who would like to pursue any of the partnering Master’s degrees and combine it with our MBA.

Student experiences

Read blogs from our Oxford 1+1 MBA students and alumni as they reflect on the highlights of their two years at Oxford University. Gain insights from students combining the MBA with various partnering programmes, from the Master of Public Policy, to the MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management.

Ready to apply or questions?

Applications for the Oxford 1+1 MBA are now open, start yours today. Alternatively, if you have any questions please email us.