unistatement — Imperem

1. Purpose

The personal statement helps universities understand why you want to study your chosen subject, how you’ve prepared, and what kind of learner you are. It’s not about sounding impressive – it’s about being genuine, reflective, and purposeful.

2. Structure Overview

Opening paragraph: What drives your interest in Computer Science and Cyber.
Exploration: What you’ve done outside lessons – coding, challenges, or independent study.
Academic grounding: How A-levels have built relevant skills.
Broader engagement: Reading, videos, and awareness of the field.
Future direction: Why Computer Science & Cyber is the right path.
Closing: A short, confident finish that sounds like you.

3. Paragraph-by-Paragraph Guidance

3.1 Opening – Motivation

Explain why computing interests you – not just that it does. Anchor it in a real experience, such as building a system, coding a project, or solving a technical problem. Be authentic and specific.

3.2 Exploration – Learning Beyond the Classroom

Show independent learning: Python projects, cybersecurity labs, Minecraft modding, or online courses. Reflect on lessons learned and technical skills gained.

3.3 Academic Grounding – Linking A-Levels

Computer Science: Logical thinking, algorithms, data structures, and project work.
Physics: Analytical reasoning, modelling, and understanding systems.
Music Technology: Systems thinking, digital signal processing, and creativity under technical constraints.

3.4 Broader Engagement – Thinking Beyond Code

Show awareness of how technology impacts the world. Mention reading, YouTube channels, or work experience that builds perspective.

3.5 Future Direction – Professional Readiness

Explain how Computer Science & Cyber connect to your future goals. For example, designing secure systems, understanding AI, or solving technical problems at scale.

3.6 Closing – Confidence & Authenticity

End positively and in your own voice. Summarise motivation and readiness without clichés.

4. Checklist Before Submission

✅ Under 4000 characters and 47 lines.
✅ Avoid lists – reflect on what you learned.
✅ Keep tone natural, like explaining to a mentor.
✅ Proofread aloud to check flow and authenticity.
✅ No clichés (“I have always been passionate about…”).

5. Example Personal Statement

Example for Jack Morris:

I’ve been programming since I was a child, starting with modding and scripting in Minecraft. What began as curiosity about how games worked turned into years of building plugins, designing systems, and debugging thousands of lines of code to make complex ideas come to life. That process – imagining something, building it, and fixing it until it works – is what made me realise that computer science is where I belong.

For my A-level coursework I built a digital audio workstation using C# and WinForms, combining my interests in music and technology. Creating a multi-track recording environment with real-time playback and editing taught me how data structures, algorithms, and interface design come together in a complete system. Debugging timing issues in the audio engine was both maddening and rewarding – the moment I got seamless playback was the moment I decided I wanted to do this for a living.

Outside class, I’ve continued to explore computing independently. I’ve built Python tools, worked through cybersecurity labs on TryHackMe, and hosted personal projects on GitHub. Minecraft modding remains my testing ground – from designing logic-based automation scripts to writing API integrations, it’s where I learned how architectures evolve through experimentation. I’m also learning Python more formally through my work at Imperem Ltd, where I’m employed as an analyst supporting Private Equity technology due diligence projects. This experience has helped me understand how software, data, and infrastructure are evaluated in the real world, and why clean, secure, and scalable design matters commercially as much as technically.

My A-levels have strengthened that foundation. Computer Science gave me structured programming and algorithmic discipline. Physics developed my ability to model systems and think analytically. Music Technology connected creativity with logic – understanding digital signal flow and automation systems in DAWs made me think about computation as both art and engineering.

I follow channels such as Computerphile and NetworkChuck and read about AI and cybersecurity trends. I’m particularly interested in how artificial intelligence is reshaping the field of cybersecurity – from predictive threat detection to automated response – and how that convergence between AI and defence will define the next generation of computing challenges. Although cybersecurity wasn’t my first area of focus, I’m fascinated by how intelligent systems will both strengthen and test the security of future software.

Studying Computer Science at university will let me deepen my technical expertise and apply it to real-world challenges. Whether developing software, analysing systems, or defending them, I’m ready to take the next step – and to keep learning how technology shapes the world around us.

What gives Jack the edge: A rare combination of creative and analytical experience. Building a full DAW in WinForms at A-level shows genuine engineering ability. Years of Minecraft programming reveal depth and persistence in coding from a young age. His work at Imperem Ltd adds professional exposure to real-world software and data evaluation, giving him a commercial understanding of technology most applicants won’t have. This blend of creativity, logic, and business insight makes his application stand out.

6. A Parent's Guide to the UCAS Personal Statement (Computer Science)

Use this to help your son structure his thinking. The statement is a persuasive essay answering one question: Why should we offer you a place on our Computer Science course?

6.1 What admissions tutors look for

Genuine passion – evidence he seeks out CS beyond school.
Problem-solving mindset – enjoys hard, logical challenges.
Self-motivation – projects built, skills learned independently.
Academic suitability – readiness for mathematical and technical rigour.

80/20 rule: 80% academic and super-curricular, 20% extra-curricular.

6.2 The ABC model

Use ABC for each claim to keep the writing specific and relevant.

A - Activity: What he did. “I built a Discord bot in Python.”
B - Benefit: What he learned. “I learned OOP and debugging from documentation.”
C - Course link: Why it matters at university. “These concepts underpin first-year software engineering.”

6.3 Section-by-section breakdown

Introduction (15–20%) – the hook

Open with a concrete moment or problem, not a cliché.
Briefly signal a focus area such as AI, cyber, software engineering, or data.

Academic core (40–50%) – the proof

Curricular (A-levels): Connect CS, Physics, and Music Tech to analytical and creative thinking.
Super-curricular: Projects (DAW, Minecraft modding, TryHackMe), Python learning, and Imperem experience.

Wider skills (20–25%) – the “so what?”

Jobs, sport, DofE, or teamwork experiences – link to collaboration and discipline.

Conclusion (10–15%) – the wrap-up

Summarise strengths, reiterate enthusiasm, avoid formal closings.

6.4 Targeting without naming universities

Write around shared themes – AI, software engineering, and cyber – to fit all UCAS choices naturally.

6.5 Final do’s and don’ts

Do: use his own voice, be specific, proofread carefully.
Don’t: exaggerate, use jargon, or list hobbies.
Remember: UCAS checks for originality – it must be his work.