• 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 Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Clearing Guide

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

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.

The split and intertwining between biology and socialisation, which can be played with empirically and theoretically, means there will always be a challenging array of issues for me to be captivated with.

Fundamental societal issues were thrust on me at a young age, which may have assisted my interest in human behaviour.

I was born a member of the 'Plymouth Bretheren'; and when I left this cult I was dislocated from my family, my friends and my way of life. It is one reason why my mind is constantly perplexed with the different standards in human behaviour.

It makes me boggle over the intermingling factors that create the different walks of life and systematically bring us together, in religion, tradition and habits. In considering how our instinctive behaviour and our inability to act on our best judgements, reading 'Mean Genes' has offered me a light discussion.

The authors that I warm to most, such as Franz Kafka, are those that express a personal identity, which allows us to put faces and humanity to the past. Kafka's expression and innovation, such as in Metamorphosis, is timeless, as his outlook could easily be spotted in today's society.

Even when reading 'Origin of Species' it was highly personalised and possibly unique. He, as an anti-slavery advocate and scientist, envisioned nature's transformation in what would seem alien for most who separated 'godlike' humans from a bestial nature.

The prejudices and segregation between cultures and how tradition manifests has also excited me and so I've enjoyed reading Rivers, who suggests medicine has evolved out of magical and religious beliefs, in his quirky accounts.

Fond interests of mine are films, painting, and visiting and being part of exhibitions. For me, art makes me feel incredibly human. It goes beyond my biology and is an expression of identity. This is how I take pleasure in others' work; it is like another understanding of their mind.

For instance, the precise brushwork against the crooked imagery in many of Dali's paintings suggests to me a sense of control over his disturbance and genius. Antiques also interest me; because when viewing artefacts from the past I can see how style and character has developed.

I spend time researching antiques and assisting my father with furnishings and design. I have volunteered at a charity shop and a retreat cafe where I was able to converse with a variety of people which taught me much about the goodness and diversity in individuals.

I am also undergoing further training this year to become a Samaritan so I can help people's mental health and also expand in my understanding and patience.

On this gap year, I am living in Paris, to immerse myself in a new culture, and to teach myself a new language. I have already had the pleasure of indulging in the cultures of Africa, Spain and Colorado, among others. I anticipate on spending my Anglophone time to focus on the visual customs and behaviours of the Parisians.

Currently, I am waiting on permission to volunteer at a psychiatric home where I plan to concentrate on the behaviour of the mentally ill. This will hopefully expand my view of social identity.

What University offers me is an opportunity to be challenged and educated in an environment hospitable to the open-minded. I feel what I bring to this particular course is a creative mind that enables me to be an independent thinker, life experience that impassions me to learn and understand more, and an innate logic to reason the dynamics of human behaviour, both mathematically and ideologically.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by sarahsomething for application in 2000.

sarahsomething's university choices University of Bath University of Bristol University College London University College London Oxford University University of Bath University of Bristol University College London Oxford University

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

sarahsomething's Comments

I've also applied to anthropology and archaeology and psychology so I couldn't be specific

This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

When i read this personal.

Sun, 18/09/2011 - 11:36

When I read this personal statement I thought: it´s really well written and sure they´re going to love it in top universities, but, what have you done? where´s the real evidence? I mean, not just the i´m going to, I think I am....

Add new comment

Wisteria around a window

How to write a personal statement

How to approach writing your personal statement for graduate applications.

If you’re applying for a grad course that requires a personal statement (sometimes also called a ‘statement of purpose’), it can be difficult to know where to start and what to include. Read on for tips from some of our masters’ students about their process and what they found helpful.

1. Before you start

The academic work is the most important reason why we’re here, but that also translates into work experiences, internships, volunteering. I think a big part of the personal statement is crafting that narrative of academic self that fits alongside your professional experiences, to give that greater picture of who you are as an academic. Lauren (MSc Modern Middle Eastern Studies)

Start by thinking about the skills, knowledge and interests you’ve acquired over time and how the course at Oxford will take them forward.

Your statement is the story you want to tell about yourself and your academic work to the department you are applying to.

Most of your application and its supporting documents communicate plain facts about your academic career so far. Your personal statement is your best opportunity to put these facts into context and show assessors how you’ve progressed and excelled.

Make sure you highlight evidence of your achievements (a high grade in a relevant area, an award or scholarship, a research internship).

Presenting yourself

When I was writing my personal statement, I went onto my course website. I looked at what they emphasised and what kind of students they were looking for, and I wrote about my experiences based on that. Kayla (MSc in Clinical Embryology)

Make it easy for an assessor to see how you meet the entry requirements for the course (you can find these on each course page ).

Don’t make any assumptions about what Oxford is looking for!

Get to know your department

You want to study this particular subject and you want to study at Oxford (you’re applying here, so we know that!) but why is Oxford the right place for you to study this subject? What interests or qualities of the academic department and its staff make it attractive to you?

Use your academic department’s website for an overview of their research, academic staff and course information (you'll find a link to the department's own website on each course page ).

I said, ‘why do I actually want to be here? What is it about being at Oxford that’s going to get me to what I want to do? Sarah (Bachelor of Civil Law)

Talk it out

Talking to others about your statement can be a great way to gather your ideas and decide how you’d like to approach it. Sarah even managed to get benefit out of this approach by herself:

“I spent a lot of time talking out loud. My written process was actually very vocal, so I did a lot of talking about myself in my room.”

2. The writing process

Know your format.

Make sure you’ve read all the guidance on the How to Apply section of your course page , so you know what’s needed in terms of the word count of the final statement, what it should cover and what it will be assessed for. This should help you to visualise roughly what you want to end up with at the end of the process.

Make a start

When it comes to writing your personal statement, just getting started can be the hardest part.

One good way to get around writer’s block is to just put it all down on the page, like Mayur.

First - write down anything and everything. In the first round, I was just dumping everything - whatever I’ve done, anything close to computer science, that was on my personal statement. Mayur (MSc Computer Science)

You’ll be editing later anyway so don’t let the blank page intimidate you - try writing a little under each of the following headings to get started:

  • areas of the course at Oxford that are the most interesting to you
  • which areas you’ve already studied or had some experience in
  • what you hope to use your Oxford course experience for afterwards.

3. Finishing up

Get some feedback.

Once you’ve got a draft of about the right length, ask for feedback on what you’ve written. It might take several drafts to get it right.

This could involve getting in touch with some of your undergraduate professors to ask them to read your draft and find any areas which needed strengthening.

You could also show it to people who know you well, like family or friends.

Because they’re the first people to say, ‘Who is that person?’ You want the people around you to recognise that it really sounds like you. It can be scary telling family and friends you’re applying for Oxford, because it makes it real, but be brave enough to share it and get feedback on it. Sarah (Bachelor of Law)

Be yourself

Finally - be genuine and be yourself. Make sure your personal statement represents you, not your idea about what Oxford might be looking for.

We have thousands of students arriving every year from a huge range of subjects, backgrounds, institutions and countries (you can hear from a few more of them in our My Oxford interviews).

Get moving on your application today

To find out more about supporting documents and everything else you need to apply, read your course page and visit our Application Guide .

  • Application Guide: Statement of purpose

Can't find what you're looking for?

If you have a query about graduate admissions at Oxford, we're here to help:

Ask a question

Privacy Policy

Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy

Receive feedback within 48 hours!

Human Sciences Personal Statement

Using our trusted strategies, we can help you learn how to write a successful personal statement for Oxford Human Sciences.

Oxford Human Sciences Personal Statement

Within 48 hours, we'll send you feedback on your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement.

Receive personalised analysis within 48 hours

Personal statements for every course

Our Oxbridge tutors have first-hand experience of writing personal statements for a range of programmes, including Oxford Human Sciences. They can help you craft a strong and compelling Oxford Human Sciences personal statement by ensuring that essential details are included and that you write in the appropriate tone.

In a nutshell...

  • Personal Statement analysis within 48 hours
  • Reduce your word count by 20%
  • Reviewed by Oxbridge Tutors

Line-by-line feedback

  • Ask unlimited questions
  • Matched to your needs

How it Works...

Why are some candidates rejected from the Oxford Human Sciences programme? The main reason is that they lack a compelling personal statement. Knowing what to include in your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement and how to impress the admissions tutors can be difficult. Watch this video to find out how we can support you.

How Oxbridge Mind’s Personal Statement Check works

Many applicants for the Oxford Human Sciences programme aren't offered a place because their personal statements do not meet the high standards expected for Oxford candidates.

Personal Statement Editing in 60 Seconds

Would you watch rather than read? ? Watch the video ☝️

How we can help

Response in 48 hours.

You can send us your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement at any stage of writing, whether it's your first or final draft. We can also help you to work on any areas that you're worried about, such as fitting the word count or linking in relevant work experience.

Our expert tutors will carefully review your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement and provide an evaluation of what you have done well and where there's room to make some changes.

Once you've read your feedback, you'll have the knowledge and skills to make improvements to your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement. If you'd like, you can then send us another draft to review.

After making your improvements, all you to do is submit your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement to UCAS. Easy, right?

Your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement will be attentively reviewed by our Human Sciences tutors to make sure it matches our high standards.

Complete with an analysis summary

We will provide you with line-by-line analysis for your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement, as well as comments on how you performed in each of the crucial areas that the Oxford Human Sciences admissions team will be focusing on.

Write, revise and repeat

Consider the improvements we've recommended after reading our feedback for your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement. You are welcome to get in touch with us at any stage for more guidance or to ask for another Oxford Human Sciences personal statement review!

1-1 sessions with Zoom Tutoring

  • Discuss & Rewrite LIVE

Your Oxford Human Sciences tutor will evaluate your Human Sciences personal statement and provide some initial feedback prior to your one-on-one meeting to make the most of the time you have together.

You can go over your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement with your tutor in real-time and receive ongoing advice.

Following the session, you can revise your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement at your own pace and reach out to your tutor if you have any more questions.

Let’s work through an example

Reducing word count.

Your Oxford Human Sciences tutor can help you to reduce your word count by condensing your writing to include the points with the most impact.

Work Experience

Your Oxbridge tutor can help you make the connection between your interest in Human Sciences and experience that you have, and then help you to integrate that into your writing.

Spelling and Grammar

The spelling, grammar, tone and structure of your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement will all be carefully reviewed by our expert tutors.

Extra Reading

Your tutor can help you to link books you've read or talks you've been to with specific components of the Oxford Human Sciences courses.

Motivation for Human Sciences

You'll learn the best ways to explain why you want to study Human Sciences at Oxford.

Language Style

Your tone of voice and writing structure will be carefully reviewed by your Oxford Human Sciences tutor.

How can we improve your Personal Statement?

Personal analysis.

Personalised feedback will be given after we have read your essay, rather than just a list of general suggestions.

Reducing Word Count

Since it can be challenging to keep under the 4,000 character limit, we will show you how to write more succinctly.

Improving Language

Our tutors have expertise in writing personal statements for Oxford Human Sciences course with the correct tone and language.

  • Grammar Checking

We'll carefully review your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement to ensure that your spelling and grammar is flawless.

Reviewed by Human Sciences Tutors

Our expert tutors who are familiar with the Oxford admissions process will carefully review your Human Sciences personal statement.

1-to-1 Feedback Lessons

You will receive ongoing support from your tutor, so you can be sure that your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement will be outstanding by the time you're ready to submit to UCAS.

Our students love us

I'm so thankful for the help Shameena gave! She managed to cut out 1,000 characters from my medicine personal statement! She also gave some great insights into how I could improve.

Thanks to Oxbridge Mind's Personal Statement check I managed to get invited to 4 interviews! They were very quick in their turnaround, and were able to address the areas I needed to edit.

I was surprised by how detailed Oxbridge Mind were in their feedback - they noticed things my head of sixth form didn’t. I liked the fact that I could Skype the tutor and discuss the edits through with her.

I had my medicine personal statement reviewed 4 times by Oxbridge Mind and they went above and beyond what I expected! They are a group of enthusiastic and professional teachers!

October 2019

The feedback they gave was very constructive and helped me cut down words. They took extra care to make sure I understood the feedback they were giving, and implement it effectively.

September 2018

I would highly recommend the Oxbridge Mind medicine personal statement review. They made sure they didn't just rewrite my personal statement but instead gave some real individual feedback!

August 2017

I could not recommend this website more! I bought a medicine personal statement check from many companies but theirs was the best. They also responded within 24h before my UCAS deadline

August 2019

I had a two hour 1-1 session with Alice who was so helpful in cutting down my medicine personal statement. She helped me with my surgical work experience paragraph, which had a few lengthy sentences.

September 2019

The medicine personal statement check happened so quickly - I got it back instantly. I have no complaints at all! Speed was good - I got it back within 2 days. The analysis was detailed and clear to me.

At first I was reluctant as I was skeptical that it was cheaper than most providers. However, I was very happy! My editor, Shameena, spotted grammar mistakes and helped me cut my word count

If it wasn't for Oxbridge Mind, I would never have known how to write a medicine personal statement so well. They helped teach me how to make links between my work experience and my skills.

Our packages

Your personal statement will be reviewed by an expert Oxbridge Mind tutor, and all of our packages come with grammar, language, and content checks. Your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement will be sent back to you within 48 hours, whichever package you choose, or you can get a full refund.

  • 1 Personal Statement Check
  • Expert Feedback in 48h
  • Real-Time Feedback
  • Analysis on Character Limit
  • Writing Suggestions
  • 2 Personal Statement Checks
  • 3 Personal Statement Checks

Our proven 4-Step Method

Step 1

Send us your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement

You can send us your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement at any stage of writing, whether it’s your first or final draft. We can also help you to work on any areas that you’re worried about, such as fitting the word count or linking in relevant work experience.

Step 2

We’ll analyse your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement

Our expert tutors will carefully review your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement and provide an evaluation of what you have done well and where there’s room to make some changes.

Step 3

Write, Revise & Repeat

Once you’ve read your feedback, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to make improvements to your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement. If you’d like, you can then send us another draft to review.

Step 4

Submit and Relax

Still got questions don’t worry, we’ve got you covered., frequently asked questions, i need my oxford human sciences personal statement check back in the next 24 hours. can you help.

Yes we can! On request, we offer an express service. If you email us your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement, letting us know that you'd like it back sooner and the reason for it, we'll be able to help you.

Can you write my Oxford Human Sciences personal statement for me?

We cannot write personal statements for you, so if we are requested to do this, we'll have to politely decline.

Will my Oxford Human Sciences personal statement be secure?

Yes, your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement will only be seen by Oxbridge Mind tutors, and your data will be encrypted and secured in accordance with our privacy policy.

I'm worried about the word count for my Oxford Human Sciences personal statement - can you help?

Of course! When you email us, just let us know that you'd like to condense your writing and we'll be able to help you.

I'm an international student and I'm worried my English isn't good enough to write an Oxford Human Sciences personal statement. How can you help me?

We can offer a special service to make sure your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement meets the English language requirements for Oxford.

Didn’t find the answer you’re looking for? Feel free to contact us directly

  • Architecture
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Biochemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Human Sciences
  • Land Economy
  • Modern Languages
  • Natural Sciences
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • PAT Preparation Course
  • MAT Preparation Course
  • Terms and Conditions

Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance

  • Telephone Tel: +44 (0) 20 7499 2394
  • Email Email: [email protected]

Strategic Guidance

  • Private Oxbridge Consultation
  • International Oxbridge Consultation
  • Postgraduate Applications Guidance
  • Book a Complimentary Call

Comprehensive Support

  • The Premier Service
  • Oxford and Cambridge Interview Preparation Weekend (2024 is Fully Booked)

Targeted Support

  • Oxbridge Personal Statement Support
  • Oxbridge Admissions Test Support
  • Oxbridge Interview Preparation Support
  • Oxbridge Interview Preparation Day 2024

Application Guidance

  • ‘Aspiring to Oxbridge’ School Talk
  • Teacher Training Workshop
  • Individual Guidance Consultations

Personal Statement Support

  • Personal Statement Group Workshop
  • Personal Statement Consultations

Admissions Test Preparation

  • Admissions Test Day
  • Admissions Test Course

Interview Preparation

  • Interview Preparation Day
  • Interview Preparation Course

Free Library

  • Oxbridge Interview Resources
  • Admissions Tests Resources
  • Student Library
  • Webinar Library

Our Publications

Course reports, oxbridge applications.

  • Become A Tutor
  • Our Offices
  • Dukes Education

News & Press

  • Widening Access
  • Publications
  • Sign In Register
  • Sign In    Register

Guide to Oxford Human Sciences Interviews

Everything you should know before interviewing at Oxford for Human Sciences and how to be successful.

  • Receiving Your Invitation to Interview
  • Turning Up to Your Interview (Online)
  • How Many Interviews Will I Have?
  • Answering Questions Based on Your Personal Statement
  • Analysing Unseen Materials as Part of the Interview
  • What Do I Do If I Don't Know the Answer to a Question?
  • Example Questions
  • How to Prepare for an Oxbridge-Style Interview

The admissions process for Oxford for their Human Sciences undergraduate course can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Getting the coveted invitation to interview is a significant milestone in your academic journey, and it's essential to prepare thoroughly. This guide, tailored to applicants for top UK universities, aims to demystify the Oxford interview process, from receiving your invitation to handling the interviews themselves. We'll cover various aspects, including online and in-person interviews, personal statement questions, pre-interview admissions tests, analysing unseen materials, and dealing with challenging questions.

Register to access our complimentary e-book "So You Want To Go To Oxbridge? Tell me about a banana…"

Receiving an invitation to interview at Oxford is a significant achievement. Typically, invitations are sent out in late November or early December, so it can be a little wait between applying and receiving your invitation. This means that it can be a good idea to start preparing for potential interviews before you’ve been invited, since there’s likely to be less than a month between receiving a formal invitation and attending the interview itself. Notification of your invitation (or not) will come in a letter or email from an Oxford college. This could be the college you applied to, or another college (either different from the one you applied to or any college if you submitted an open application). If you applied to a specific college and are invited to interview elsewhere, do not take this as any kind of sign reflecting your chances at acceptance - it is all part of the normal reallocation process that Oxford use to ensure that the best applicants across the university are accepted.

The date and time of your interview(s) (or at least those which the college has organised at present - but more on that later) will be specified in the correspondence you receive from the college along with your invitation, so no need to worry about organising that. Oxford will be holding interviews in the 2023-2024 cycle online again this year, with the details for how and where to join the online meeting communicated in the email you receive from the University. 

1. Technical Preparation

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online interviews are still being used at Cambridge (with the exception of the applicants listed above). This makes the interview easier in certain manners (you won’t have to travel, you are able to remain in the comfort of your own home, etc.), but it also presents additional potential issues in that you are responsible for ensuring you have a reliable technical set up. In the lead up to the interview, ensure that you have access to a stable internet connection, a functioning camera (either built into a laptop or computer, or a separate webcam), and a quiet, well-lit environment. Be sure to check this all with plenty of time to spare (e.g. the week or some days before) so that, should an issue arise, you’ve got plenty of time to address it. 

If you are worried about not having access to the appropriate equipment or the right atmosphere in which to conduct a successful interview, we suggest asking your school if they have a classroom or quiet space and some equipment you could use.

2. Dress Appropriately Even for online interviews, it is a good idea to dress smartly. Present yourself professionally, just as you would in person, but ensure that you are also comfortable (remember that if you’re interviewing over a webcam you can always keep on your favourite slippers!). We’re not saying that you need to wear a full suit and tie, but maybe don’t keep on your pyjamas or a stained hoodie; interviews are all about showing your intent, and dressing respectfully is the first step to showing that you mean business.

3. Practice Video Interviews If you're not used to video interviews, practice with friends or mentors to get comfortable with the format. It can be easy to think of talking over video meetings to be just the same as in person, but the process can actually feel very different. Chances are most of us have learned to interact over online video chat over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s always good to get a little practice in order to refresh your memory. We also recommend practising video calls from your chosen location (either with someone else or just to yourself) to make sure that nothing inappropriate can be seen in the background!

The number of interviews you will be asked to attend varies by course and college. Some applicants may have two or more interviews, while others might have only one. It's crucial to check the specific requirements for your chosen course and college. It is also common to have two interviews scheduled from the beginning: one with your college and one with the Department.

In addition to the interviews you have scheduled from the start, it is also possible that, during the interview window, you will have further interviews scheduled. This is usually because other colleges have decided to cast their net wider, and are considering you for a position at their college instead of the one who invited you to interview. These interviews will be conducted by new interviewers, so there is no separate preparation you will need to undertake. It’s also important to remember that being invited to other interviews in no way indicates that you have a higher or lower chance of being accepted: It’s just part of the university’s way of making sure they get the most talented Human Sciences students from across the applicant pool.

Be prepared to discuss your personal statement in detail during the interview. Examiners may ask questions related to what you've written, so make sure you understand every aspect of your statement. We recommend reading through your personal statement regularly in the lead up to interviews to ensure that you know its contents inside and out! It can also be useful, if you have time, to read, watch, or listen back on the key sources you reference in your statement, especially since it can be some time between initially consulting them and attending the interview itself. Remember that interviewers will be well-versed in key literature relating to your subject, and so may well be familiar with any resources you reference, meaning that you need to know them in detail (or at least the key arguments within that you find interesting) to be able to discuss them in an academic setting.

A useful exercise can be to think about the key ideas or resources in your personal statement critically just to yourself. Maybe write them down and produce a spider diagram of thoughts, opinions, or interesting linking ideas you have relating to them? Thinking in a creative and open-minded way about the content of your Personal Statement can be a good way to prepare yourself for the questions interviewers might ask. We also recommend sitting down with a parent, friend, or mentor to explain and discuss the big issues identified in your Personal Statement. Don’t worry if nobody close to you is familiar with the topic; sometimes explaining an idea to someone new can be the best way of solidifying it in your own mind!

Often in Oxbridge-style interviews, applicants are given a piece of unseen material and asked to discuss it as part of the interview. This could be a text extract, a piece of data, an image, or a problem to solve. In the case of Human  Sciences interviews, interviewers may provide you with a problem sheet to work on, data to analyse, an extract of text to read, or an image to look at. They will most likely provide you with this just before the interview and ask you to discuss your answers in the interview itself. 

The key to such a task is to approach it as systematically as possible. Reading the problems carefully, making notes as you work it out, and thinking about possible discussion points as you go through it can all be crucial to your performance in the interview. Remember that subjects are broad and there is a good chance you will be unfamiliar with the content or specific context of the material in question; this is not a problem! The exercise is not intended to assess how much you know about the wider subject, but rather your application of principles you have learned in your studies so far to new materials. 

It's okay not to have all the answers. If you encounter a question that stumps you, the key is not to panic. Take a deep breath, ask for clarification if needed, and attempt to work through the problem logically. Interviewers often want to see how you handle challenging situations and think on your feet. For more guidance on how to handle unknown questions in an interview situation, read our t ips for answering an unexpected Oxbridge interview question .

Below are some past interview questions asked to applicants for Human Sciences at Oxford were asked in their interviews. Use them to get a feel for what is asked during an interview and to prepare your strategy for responding.

  • Design an experiment to show whether monkeys’ behaviour is innate or learnt.
  • What is the greatest threat to humankind?
  • What use can scientists make of a 19th Century skeleton?

How to Prepare for an Oxbridge-Style Interview 

Given that the interview is designed to test, in large part, your creativity and thinking skills, it is unsurprisingly quite difficult to think of how to prepare. as we talked about before, the first step we recommend is to go through your personal statement and review any key sources so that you’re happy to discuss questions relating to them (since they are the questions you can most rely on cropping up). when it comes to preparing for unexpected or unknown questions, there are a whole host of ways that you can exercise your ability to deal with them. to delve into these recommendations in closer detail, read our dedicated interview preparation top tips blog , where our expert mentors have collated their 14 most useful tips for interview preparation., recent articles, can i prepare answers for my oxbridge interviews, how to prepare for unseen materials in your oxbridge interviews, how can i make last-minute improvements to my admissions test performance, jump to section, human sciences mock interview package.

If you have any more questions about your application or interview that you would like to discuss with a member of our team, please do get in touch. Call us on +44 (0) 20 7499 2394, or email [email protected] .

Other pages that may interest you

February 22, 2019

Established in 1999, Oxbridge Applications is the global leader in Oxbridge admissions c...

Oxbridge Application Support and Mentoring

Admissions Tutors at Oxford and Cambridge are looking for evidence of an interesting and...

March 24, 2020

Admissions Test Support Not sure which ...

  • Private Oxbridge Application Consultation

December 12, 2018

Browse Sections ...

Our Oxbridge-graduate consultants are available between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday, with additional evening availability when requested.

  • Tel: +44 (0) 20 7499 2394
  • Email: [email protected]

Oxbridge Applications, 58 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ

  • Oxbridge Personal Statement Support Package
  • Oxbridge Mock Interview Preparation and Support
  • Personal Statement Workshop and Checks
  • Schools Mock Interviews – Online and In-School
  • Teacher Training Workshops – Online and In-School
  • Oxbridge Preparation Days – Online and In-School
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Safeguarding & Child Protection
  • Company Registration Number: 3757054

Recently Updated Blogs

Blog can i prepare answers for my oxbridge interviews, blog how to prepare for unseen materials in your oxbridge interviews, blog how can i make last-minute improvements to my admissions test performance, blog how important is the admissions test to my oxbridge application, blog a beginner’s guide to the ucas personal statement, choosing a college, a slippery question, added to cart.

  • 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
  • Oxford History & Economics 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 Reviews

Our Students

Student Success Stories

  • University Access Scheme
  • New Tutor Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Does It Work?
  • +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.

ESAT Scoring & Results Explained

The ESAT is nearly here, but what score should you be aiming for to get into Cambridge? This guide breaks down the ESAT’s scoring system and reveals what a good score is for the test.

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

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 The Big Book Of Oxbridge Applications For FREE

You can access all of these Personal Statements and so much more in more than 350 pages. This book covers everything you need to know about Oxbridge, from the top courses to the selection of colleges and details explanations of each step of the application process. 

To access all this for free, just enter your name and email address and you’ll be sent your digital copy of the book 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 stem 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 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, oxford computer science ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆, cambridge maths & physics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, oxford mathematics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★, 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 Physics At Oxford

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

Successful Personal Statement For Chemistry At Oxford

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

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 Oxford Mathematics

Read through a successful Mathematics Personal Statement for Oxford with a full analysis by an Oxbridge Tutor. Find out why the Personal Statement helped the candidate to receive their offer.

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 Law At Cambridge

Writing a Law 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 Law at Cambridge.

Successful Personal Statement Example For Computer Science At Oxford

Read through a successful Computer Science Personal Statement for Oxford with a full analysis by Oxbridge Tutors. Find out why the Personal Statement helped the candidate to receive an Oxford offer.

Successful Personal Statement For Economics At Cambridge

Read through a successful Economics 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 Economics & Management At Oxford

Writing an Economics and Management 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 E&M at Oxford.

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, including various UniAdmissions published books, our masterclasses, admissions test question banks and much more. All of our resources are filled with powerful strategies and techniques to help you prepare, improve and boost your score.

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 UniAdmissions 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.

However, the Portal also houses your programme curriculum, which guides you through each stage of the admissions process through the use of your resources. The Portal automatically tracks what you’ve completed and provides support if you’re falling behind in certain areas. 

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?

IMAGES

  1. Human Sciences Personal Statement

    oxford human sciences personal statement

  2. Personal Statement (Oxford) (600 Words)

    oxford human sciences personal statement

  3. 10 Top Tips for an Oxford Human Sciences Personal Statement

    oxford human sciences personal statement

  4. Part 5: how to write an Oxford PhD personal statement

    oxford human sciences personal statement

  5. Top 10 Tips on Oxford Human Sciences Personal Statement Writing

    oxford human sciences personal statement

  6. 10 Top Tips for an Oxford Human Sciences Personal Statement

    oxford human sciences personal statement

VIDEO

  1. Part 5: how to write an Oxford PhD personal statement

  2. How to Write a Good Personal Statement for Oxford

  3. Oxford from the Inside #33: Writing a Personal Statement: Biomedical Sciences

  4. The personal statement that got me into Oxford

  5. Oxford Personal Statement: How to choose perfect topics (examples)

  6. How to write a KILLER personal statement!!

COMMENTS

  1. 10 Top Tips for an Oxford Human Sciences Personal Statement

    Human Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree course which enables students to study humans from multiple interconnecting perspectives across the biological and social sciences. Underlying the degree concept is the recognition that it is important to understand connections among biological, social, and cultural …

  2. Human Sciences Personal Statement Example

    I feel what I bring to this particular course is a creative mind that enables me to be an independent thinker, life experience that impassions me to learn and understand more, and an innate logic …

  3. Expert Guide to the Oxford Human Science Degree: Personal …

    This guide will explore all these aspects of the Oxford Human Sciences application process, offering advice on researching and writing an Oxford Human Sciences …

  4. Human Sciences Personal Statement Guide

    Your personal statement is arguably one of the most important steps of your Human Sciences application. It gives the admissions team an insight into who you are and why …

  5. How to write a personal statement

    Your personal statement is your best opportunity to put these facts into context and show assessors how you’ve progressed and excelled. Make sure you highlight evidence of your …

  6. Human Sciences Personal Statement

    We will provide you with line-by-line analysis for your Oxford Human Sciences personal statement, as well as comments on how you performed in each of the crucial areas that the Oxford Human Sciences admissions team will be …

  7. Guide to Oxford Human Sciences Interviews

    We'll cover various aspects, including online and in-person interviews, personal statement questions, pre-interview admissions tests, analysing unseen materials, and dealing with challenging questions.

  8. Successful Oxbridge Personal Statements

    Read through a successful Computer Science Personal Statement for Oxford with a full analysis by Oxbridge Tutors. Find out why the Personal Statement helped the candidate to receive an Oxford offer.