I am a 30 yr old that has been out of education for more than a decade, and I am applying to do a certificate in Arts and Humanities university course which eventually leads to a degree after 6 years. I haven’t got any previous qualifications/volunteer work/work experience in this area as it is completely new to me, but I am very enthusiastic about doing the course. Any tips, advice or hints on what I could put in my personal statement to make sure it stands out from others ? Thanks.
Firstly, don’t begin with something like "I’ve always had a passion for this subject" many people make the mistake of starting like that. You should begin by talking about the subject and why it is important to study, e.g. you can say that art has always been an important aspect of human life and has been used for religious and social reasons, and sometimes just for decoration and study of the subject increases appreciation of art from pre-history to the present day. This shows you have an understanding of what studying the subject involves.
You say you don’t have an work experience in this area but you must have experience of some sort. Are you a reader in this area, do you watch a lot of documentaries about the subject? Think about why you want to do Arts and Humanities rather than a different subject and think about what you do do and think about how it is related to Arts and Humanities.
What have you been doing for the past ten years? Write about it and say how it has influenced your decision to do this certificate.
What do you want out of university besides the certificate and what do you want afterwards? E.g. you can say you are looking forward to the social aspects of university and meeting a variety of people from different backgrounds and once you’ve finished your certificate you want to study for a degree.
Firstly, don’t begin with something like "I’ve always had a passion for this subject" many people make the mistake of starting like that. You should begin by talking about the subject and why it is important to study, e.g. you can say that art has always been an important aspect of human life and has been used for religious and social reasons, and sometimes just for decoration and study of the subject increases appreciation of art from pre-history to the present day. This shows you have an understanding of what studying the subject involves.
You say you don’t have an work experience in this area but you must have experience of some sort. Are you a reader in this area, do you watch a lot of documentaries about the subject? Think about why you want to do Arts and Humanities rather than a different subject and think about what you do do and think about how it is related to Arts and Humanities.
What have you been doing for the past ten years? Write about it and say how it has influenced your decision to do this certificate.
What do you want out of university besides the certificate and what do you want afterwards? E.g. you can say you are looking forward to the social aspects of university and meeting a variety of people from different backgrounds and once you’ve finished your certificate you want to study for a degree.
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