Guidance for writing a personal statement

A strong personal statement is clear, concise, and personal. 

We spotlight our top recommendations for writing a personal statement below. Please note, this is intended as guidance only and should not be treated as formal marking criteria for any of the School's programmes.

What to include

• Your current practice: What kind of work do you make? What subjects, themes, or materials do you work with? 
• Your process: How do you approach making your work? 
• Why do you want to apply? What draws you to the Online Drawing Development Year, and how do you think it will support your development as an artist? 

Practical tips

• Keep within the 500 word (3,000 character max.) limit.  
• Statements typically need to be written in the first person, for example using phrases such as "I work with" to articulate your point of view. 
• Strive for clarity! Imagine you are explaining your practice to someone who is new to your work. 
• Draft, edit, and read your statement aloud to check it flows naturally.  

A personal statement is an important part of any application. It is also a snapshot in time. Your personal statement will evolve and develop alongside your creative practice.