Making and Submitting Your Application

Making and Submitting your application can sometimes be a confusing process that some people may find a bit overwhelming. There is no need to worry about the application process as it is generally quite straight forward and we have some information on hand to help and advise.

Personal Statements

Your personal statement is a substantial and important part of your application that may distinguish you from other applicants. Your personal statement is read thoroughly by the Admissions Unit and Admissions tutors when your application is being considered. It is your opportunity to sell yourself and could make the difference between you being accepted or rejected.

Clear and well written - Your Personal Statement should be clear, well written, well-structured, and display good English language skills. It should be organised into paragraphs with an introduction, middle, and end. Do not use bullet points or informal language.

You should focus your personal statement on the course you have applied for and it should support your desire to study your chosen course.

You should explain your reasons for applying for your chosen course – why would this course suit you? What interests you about the course? You should demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to the course.

If you are applying as a mature student then you could include information on why you have decided to return to study at this point and how you developed an interest in the subject.

Highlight what you have done to develop knowledge of your chosen area of study - You should detail any jobs, placements, work experience (paid or unpaid), or activities that you have undertaken to develop your interest/knowledge in the area that you have chosen to study. This should include the nature of the experience/activities, where you were based and the amount of time you spent there. You should also state when this experience took place as some courses only consider recent experience.

When considering the course you are applying to it is important that you identify the personal qualities you possess or have developed that will help you during the course. This is especially important when you are applying to a course that requires particular values from the applicant (teaching, nursing, social work, paramedic science, etc). You should ensure that you identify your personal qualities and transferable skills within your Personal Statement.

You should show you have general knowledge and insight about the subject area you will be studying. How will your present knowledge help you? What have you done to prepare you for studying?

Show you have carefully considered your study choice - We would be interested to know how the course relates to your future plans. You do not have to have a definite career path planned out, just an understanding of the future prospects the subject may lead to. If you are not sure then you can explore career options by degree subject at https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree (opens in new window)

Further information can also be found at: www.ucas.com/personalstatement (opens in new window)

Once you have submitted your personal statement we will not accept amended versions unless you are applying for an alternative course through UCAS Extra , UCAS Clearing , or by contacting the University directly if you have already been offered a place. If this is the case then you need to email a new personal statement to admissions@wlv.ac.uk ensuring you include your student number.

Your personal statement should be your own work and individual to you. All personal statements are read thoroughly by the Admissions Unit and if similarities are spotted between your personal statement and those from other applicants, your application may be refused.

UCAS also checks personal statements and identifies those that have a high content of work from other sources (other personal statements, material from the internet, etc.). UCAS will notify you if your personal statement has been identified in this way and they also notify the University of Wolverhampton.

If this is the case, the school or institute that you have applied to will be asked to consider your application in detail. You may wish to inform us of the situation that has led to your personal statement being identified in this way. You should do this by logging a Helpdesk call on the Applicant Helpdesk in e:Vision (opens in new window) .

If you are applying from overseas, your personal statement must include the following -

• Your Full Name
• The course you are applying for
• Why are you applying to the University of Wolverhampton
• Why does studying in the UK and this course interest you
• Why do you think you’re suitable for the course and how will studying this course benefit you
• What would you like to do after completing this course
• Any skills, achievements, or other information you wish to provide to support your application

Previous study at the same level

If you have previously completed studies at the same or a higher level as the course you have applied for, your personal statement must clearly outline why you wish to study your course and how it will relate and add to your previous qualification or how the two qualifications combined will support your career aspirations.

Addressing these areas in your personal statement will help you to develop your answers to the questions that you may be asked as part of your pre-CAS interview.

References

The referee’s report is an integral and important part of the selection process, and the information given will help guide Admissions Staff in making their decisions.

An academic reference should be provided by a current or previous tutor from your most recent educational institution.

An employer's reference should be provided by your line manager at your current or previous place of work.

A school reference should be provided by your personal tutor or Head of Year at your school.

Please note: references written by friends and relatives will not be accepted.

References should be written on letter-headed paper and should clearly state:

• The applicants' name, choice of course, and student number.
• The referee's name, occupation, and relationship to the applicant.

Important: References in paper format

If you are posting a reference to the Admissions Unit, this must be on letter-headed paper.

The reference should, where possible, cover the following:

• Your suitability for the course(s) you applied for
• Intellectual qualities including:
• development to date and previous examination performance with special reference to any factors which may in your opinion have adversely influenced the result
• present performance
• potential, including an assessment of the probable results of any pending examinations
• Personal qualities, such as motivation, communication skills, powers of analysis, and independent thought
• Career aspirations
• Health and other personal circumstances relevant to the application
• Athletic, social, and other interests

Please remember that under the Data Protection Act, the applicant can request a copy of the reference and any other personal information that we hold about them.

If the application form, including the reference, has any information missing or has any false or misleading information, the University has the right to cancel the application and withdraw any offers.

Online

If an applicant has identified you as their referee on their online application form, you will receive an email from the Admissions Unit asking you to upload a reference to their application.

You can fill in a reference via the link we email to you. The email will give you a direct link to the application where you will be able to locate the document on your pc and upload it.