As you prepare to study abroad in the UK, don’t underestimate the importance of writing your statement of purpose, or SOP! Your SOP tells the academic institution you’re applying to who you are, and what makes you stand out from other students.
Has it been a while, or is it your first time writing an SOP? Not to worry! We’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn how to write your SOP.
Things to Include in Your Statement of Purpose
Your statement of purpose should use your unique experiences to introduce yourself and to explain why you’ll be a positive addition to the course you’re applying to. Answering questions, like the ones below, can help you build the structure for your SOP:
- Who are you?
- Why are you a good candidate for this course?
- Why are you applying for this specific course?
- Where do you want your education to take you?
- How will your past experiences and education help you succeed?
- Why are you choosing this institution, specifically?
Use this opportunity to be creative, and go in-depth about your experiences! Do your best to avoid over-generalized or cliché statements.
Whatever you do, do not copy someone else’s SOP. You’ll risk having your UK student visa rejected if the admissions team suspects you’ve copied it.
Tips to Consider
Now that you know what to include in your statement of purpose, here are some essential tips to consider before you begin writing:
- Avoid copying other people’s work or experiences
- Plagiarizing isn’t worth it. Besides, your own experiences are one-of-a-kind!
- Mention plans to return home
- Abide by visa rules and regulations, and don’t mention any plans you may have to stay in the UK upon completing your course.
- Give yourself enough time to write and edit your SOP
- Don’t start at the last minute! Revising your SOP can help ensure that its spelling and grammar are correct and that your essay is easy to read and understand.
An example of an introduction to an SOP can look like this:
“My name is ___, and I’m applying to the Mechanical Engineering course at ___ University. I know I’ll be a great candidate for this course because of ___ and ___. I want to study in the United Kingdom, and specifically at ___ University, because of ___ and ___. After graduating with my degree, I plan to use my experiences to ___ and advance my career back home.”
This is a very general example only, not a template. Your own SOP should be unique, far more detailed, and specific to your experiences.
Is English an additional language for you? We’ve come up with some writing tips for international students so your work is clear, thoughtful, and concise!
Writing a Statement of Purpose
1. Begin with an Outline
First, ask yourself the following questions:
- “Why do I want to study in the UK?”
- “Why do I want to study in my course and institution of choice?”
- “What experiences or prerequisites do I have that will help me in this course?”
- “What will I have gained, once I return home after studying in the UK?”
Once you’ve answered all of these questions, try to focus on academic or personal reasons for your answers. It’s a good idea to include your most valuable educational, employment, and individual experiences, whether they were in the far past or more recent.
Tip: If you want your SOP to stand out from the rest, it’s a good idea to incorporate a story element into your essay. Choose one or two strong examples to focus on, and engage your reader with specific details about how you were feeling and how those experiences informed your current learning and career goals.
2. Write a Draft
It’s drafting time! After coming up with an outline, begin writing an essay that includes:
- An introductory paragraph. This tells the institution about who you are and your specific background.
- Body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should elaborate on one central point. List your experiences in chronological order.
- Conclusion. This is a brief summary of all the information presented in your SOP. It’s also a great place to thank the person reading your application!
Keep the majority of your word count in your body paragraphs. Introductions and conclusions are oftentimes meant to be short and sweet. Also, check with your institution to confirm their preferred SOP word count.
Tip: Write your SOP in an active voice. Doing so keeps your sentences easy to understand, and your writing clear for readers.
3. Include Supporting Documentation
Want your SOP to really stand out? Go back to the experiences you’ve listed, and for every experience included, include supporting documentation. Doing so shows the academic institution that you have proof of your claims, and that your educational history is accurate.
Don’t know where to start? If you’ve written about any accomplishments, supplement them with any awards or certificates. For more information about your career, include your resume with up-to-date employment history. Including financial support documentation is always a great idea, as well as medical documents to explain any study gaps.
4. Time to Edit
You finally reach the end of your conclusion and happily sigh in relief. You’re done!
But before you break out the video games or head out on a celebratory night with friends, hold off for a moment. You’re not quite done yet. You see, editing is an important, if not the most important step. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure everything in your essay is correct, listed chronologically, and includes supporting documentation where needed.
- Read it out loud to confirm it sounds good and makes sense. It really does help!
- Ask a friend or family member to give you their honest feedback.
Editing your work is key to an impressive SOP! Overlooked mistakes can be misinterpreted or look sloppy. Spend enough time editing your SOP to ensure you’re covered!
Our step-by-step breakdown can help make writing your SOP a little less intimidating. Follow our guide, and you’ll be well on your way to writing a superb SOP. Best of luck!
Ready to start your study abroad journey? Reach out to us today—ApplyBoard’s team is here to help!
