education and international development personal statement

International Development Personal Statement (Ultimate Guide)

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When applying for a university degree or a job in international development, your personal statement is one of the most important parts of the application.

Your personal statement gives you a chance to explain your reasons for wanting to work in or study international development, and so getting it right can be crucial to progressing in your development career. With that said, what are the key things to include in an international development personal statement?

A personal statement for an international development job or course should show why you want to work in development, that you have the skills the sector needs and that you’re aware of the major trends in international development. You also should include previous work experience and study, and show your interest in current global events.

But with university degrees and international development job applications giving only limited space for your personal statement, how best are you to a personal statement for the strongest application possible?

Show Why You Want to Work in International Development

Whether for an application for a university degree in international development, or for a job in the humanitarian and development sector, your personal statement needs to highlight why you are motivated to work assisting people affected by poverty, war and disasters.

Ensure your motivations for wanting to study or work in international development are personal to you, and are made clear in your statement.

Reflect on genuine experiences and your own thoughts around how international development can improve the world for the most vulnerable. Focus on why these motivate you to work in international in your personal statement.

As well as making clear your personal motivations for wanting to study or work in international development in your personal statement, is it also important to highlight your longer-term career aims. Demonstrate your immediate, mid-term and eventual international development career goals in your personal statement.

Focus on broad international development areas, as well as macro issues that specifically interest you, such as humanitarian aid, development, the environment or global health. Your international development personal statement should show your commitment to long-term study or work in the development and humanitarian industries.

Alongside showing your motivation and career goals for international development, your personal statement needs to be focused on specific jobs, functions and areas of international development that interest you.

Where-as before you detailed the broad areas of international development you are interested in, your personal statement also needs to include details.

Although you can list specific international development roles or further study you are aiming for, your personal statement can explain how functions such as ‘humanitarian logistics’, ‘renewable energy research’ or ‘community development’ are you aims.

By including specifics goals in your personal statement, it shows your knowledge of the of the international development industry as well as why the course or job you are applying for will help you get there.

International Development Online Courses

If you are looking to study or work in international development, taking an online short course can be a great way to boost your application. We highly recommend the course Management of International Development: Towards Agenda 2030 . It looks at the current international development model as well as the trends that will be key to global development in the near future. Follow the link to the course’s page for more information.

We also think the online course Sustainable Development in the 21st Century by Yonsei University to be one of the best for those interested in international development. Delivered by former UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon, the online course would be a great addition to the personal statement of anyone looking to study or work in international development. The link is to the course’s page.

If you are interested in the practical methods used on international development projects, we recommend the online course How To Design & Fund International Development NGO Projects. The course teaches students the tools needed to establish and run impactful development projects. Click the link to visit the course’s page for more information.

Demonstrate You Have the Skills for International Development

International development is a competitive industry. When applying for jobs or study, it is important your personal statement shows you have the skills required for international development work.

There are several crucial skills relevant to international development that your personal statement should demonstrate and the first is being able to face challenges. Jobs and research in international development often require working in difficult and remote locations abroad for extended periods of time, whilst solving complex local, and global, issues.

Be sure to demonstrate how you have overcome challenges in your personal statement for international development.

Another key skill needed in the international development industry you should show through your personal statement is being organised. As with showing how you overcome challenges, be sure to give good examples of times where you have used personal organisation and team work to achieve aims in your personal statement.

Ideally, make the examples as relevant to international development work as possible, and avoid simply stating you have good organisation skills – detail a time you used those skills to achieve a result. You can include a number of short anecdotes in your international development personal statement to show you have the skills the industry needs.

Problem solving is also a very important skill to have when working in or conducting research for international development.

Your personal statement for international development courses or jobs should explore how you have overcome problems by giving strong examples. As before, the example of your problem-solving skills in your personal statement should be as closely related to international development as possible.

However, if you are applying for a bachelor’s degree and/or don’t have any experience, highlight that you know problem solving and other skills are needed in international development and then demonstrate your skills through a different example. Doing this also helps your personal statement to show you have a good understanding of skills needed in the international development industry. 

The final skill you should show in your international development personal statement is working with people from other cultures and backgrounds.

International development work and university courses are made up of people from all over the world. It is important to show in your personal statement that you can work well with different people. Make sure you highlight you understand this is a key part of international development work in your personal statement through actual examples and demonstrate times you have worked in a multi-cultural team taking ideas from many different world views.

Show an Understanding of International Development

When writing a personal statement for an international development job or university degree, it is important to show that you have researched and have a good understanding of the industry.

Firstly, your personal statement should demonstrate you know the current big trends in international development. Make sure you are following some major international development organisations and reading some of the latest books and articles.

By including reference to the current international development trends that are relevant to your area of interest in your personal statement you are showing you understand the international development industry.

As well as including reference to some the major longer-term trends in international development in your personal statement, it is also important to reference important current events relevant to aid and development.

Global events have a major impact on international development work and it is important your personal statement explains how you see these events affect the industry and your choice of work or study. Exploring current events and their impact on international development in your personal statement is a good way to show your understanding the development industry.

Another good way to show that you understand international development work in your personal statement is to include reference to the major organisations, donors and key figures in the development industry. Link this to the specific job or course you are applying for, but including details of relevant actors in the development industry is a good way to show your international development knowledge in your personal statement.

Ensure you have done thorough research on the organisation, course and high-level staff where you are applying for and include this in your international development personal statement.

A final area of skills it is important to demonstrate when writing a personal statement for international development work or study is computer skills. Like all modern industries, international development professionals need to be skilled in using programmes such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access.

Be sure to clearly state your computer competencies in your international development personal statement.  If you have additional tech or computer skills, include these too, as international development work and courses can use a wide range of technologies.

Detail Your Relevant International Development Experiences

Your personal statement for an international development job or university degree should highlight the relevant experiences you have completed related to the development industry. There are several ways your personal statement can this.

Firstly, include any international development work experience you have. This can be previous international development jobs or internships if you have completed them. If not, include relevant jobs as way to demonstrate the key skills relevant to the international development industry as discussed above.

As well as detailing any professional international development or related work experience you have in your personal statement, it is good to include volunteering experience related to international development.

Many people interested in a career in the development sector complete short-term volunteer trips around the world to gain experience. However, be sure to volunteer with a reputable volunteer agency and do your research.

Although international development volunteering can be good on your personal statement, the development industry is turning away from ‘volutourism’.

Another important aspect to include in your international development personal statement is any volunteering you have done locally. Don’t feel that you need to volunteer abroad to get relevant international development experience.

Actually, volunteering locally, especially with groups working with refugees and migrants in your home community can, be really beneficial for your international development personal statement. Be sure to also include any volunteering you have done even if it is not directly related to international development, as this can also show a lot of the attitudes and skilled needed for development work.

Connect Your Previous Study to International Development

If you’re applying for a degree or job in international development and writing a personal statement, you should include details of your previous studies.

Firstly, include any previous university courses you have done in your personal statement. Including university degrees in your personal statement can show your dedication to working or further study in the development field, as well as your ability to apply yourself to rigorous research.

Ideally your previous study was relevant to international development. If not, still include them, as they show your level of academic qualifications.

Another good area of previous study to include in your personal statement for international development is any short or online courses you have completed.

There are a large number of development organisations providing quality courses in a wide range of development fields and taking these is a great way to gain a strong understanding of international development. Taking online and short courses to include in your personal statement also shows your dedication to development work. Including online and short courses in your personal statement can be especially good if your previous university degree was not in a subject related to international development.

When including your studies in your personal statement, it is important to show what you have learnt and how it applies to international development.

Avoid simply listing qualifications and short courses. Rather, describe how these have informed your understanding of international development in your personal statement.

It is also good to show how your studies have encouraged you to work in international development, as well as how they have influenced your choices of specific development areas. Your personal statement could also include how your studies have changed your view of development work and international development issues.

Engage with World Events and International Development

International development work, study and research is highly influenced by current world events.

When writing a personal statement for international development, be sure to convey your knowledge and understanding of what is happening globally. Showing you are engaged with the world is crucial to international development so your personal statement needs to demonstrate this.

It is also important your personal statement links current events directly to international development work. It can be good to show in your personal statement how world events have influenced your choice to work in or study international development.

Another good way to show your understanding of the world and engagement in international development in your personal statement is including your travels.

Although you should include any volunteer trips, it can also be beneficial to include personal trips you have made in your statement. Crucially, link these to development work and explain how they have influenced your understanding of the world and global development.

You do not need to have travelled to developing countries, including your own explorations and how they have influenced your thinking around development can demonstrate an engagement with the world in your personal statement.

A good point to ensure is included in your international development personal statement is your engagement with news media and journalism. As it is important to show your understanding of current world events in your international development personal statement, so ensure you include how and where you learn about world events.

Convey that digesting news and keeping informed of events, especially is areas of the world less covered by mainstream media, is important to you. This can be important in a personal statement for international development.

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MA in International Development

• Sample personal statement

20 May, 2015

Ma in international development share.

• 12 May, 2013

I am M Hasan from Bangladesh. I am writing this statement with great joy to study the course MA International Development at the University of East Anglia (UEA). This course is designed to provide a broad knowledge of moral, practical, and political challenges that are faced by the world today. More importantly, this course will teach me how the world politics, morals, gender equality, climate change and access to education shapes the economy. If I get the opportunity to pursue this course, it will also increase my skills of decision making into a shape and how they grow and prosper. As I want to do a career in this field, I am confident that this program will equip me with a lot of tools and skills required to do so.

I have reviewed the course specification of MA International Development at the University of East Anglia and found some modules which are adjusted with the latest developments. The course provides to get the opportunity to be able to make decisions that will help me understand the forces that dictate the level of development in an economy. The modules include Contemporary World Development, and Development Perspectives among the Core modules.

After this, the university provides 2 sets of optional modules totalling in 19 optional modules to choose from. After doing research of my prospective job market, my previous experiences, and current interests, I would like to take Governance, Democracy and Development and Rural Livelihoods and Agrarian Change, given the chance. These modules would help me to broaden my knowledge range of disciplines for a career in international development.

I have completed my Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2012. After that, I started my professional career as a First Executive Officer in Jamuna Bank. In the meantime, I felt that I need to gain more comprehensive knowledge to explore human rights in the environment and international crimes. Then I have completed another master’s degree; Master of Human Security in 2019 from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Now I am working as District Commandant in Bangladesh Ansar & VDP. My core responsibility is to ensure personal security, community security & political security of mass people and conduct various training for the socio-economic benefits. I need to get this MSc degree for my promotion. With my academic and professional experience, I am confident that my aspects and professional goal make me a suitable candidate for the course.

Through my research, I have come to know that this MA degree have been ranked as one of the top-10 in the world for development studies in 2021 according to QS World University Rankings. Therefore, the course modules are specially designed to the requirements of the development sector. By completing this MA degree, I will gain knowledge in problem solving in environments to examine political, economic, and socio-cultural transformations in the world and explore the dynamics, challenges and opportunities confronting various societies. My previously earned skills and conducting of further research programs, and detailed appreciation of my current knowledge and developments will help me to complete my prospective study. I hope my chosen course will make it better and further open doors for my profession.

The UK’s academic reputation is globally renowned, especially the study environment in my country follows traditional systems of education which quite different. Furthermore, due to political chaos, students often struggle to finish their degrees on time. Moreover, a UK degree prepares its graduates with great academic prowess and develops personal and professional skills fundamental for organizational success. Skills attained in and carried over from the UK are vital when aiming for organizational growth and a competitive edge. Moreover, there are almost 20k UK alumni working in my home country by using their knowledge and experience gained from the UK. This staggering number of post-graduation successes has strengthened my ambition to get a degree from the UK. And the degrees awarded by UK universities are recognized all over the world by recruiters and academics alike and most universities have a graduate employability rate of almost 90%. These are the reasons why I choose the UK over other countries to pursue my higher education.

University of East Anglia is my choice as it is also incredibly welcoming to international students. The University of East Anglia (UEA) was founded in 1963 and is a public research university which is another attraction. The university is placed in the top 20 higher education institutions in the UK: 12 positions in the Complete University Guide 2018 and 18-th position in the Guardian University Guide 2018. Moreover, to support students the University have invested heavily in their facilities to shape the physical and intellectual environment of learning. The alumni of this university include some notable names, such as Greg James (BBC Radio 1 Presenter), Ian McEwan who’s a Booker Prize Winner and Kazuo Ishiguro who won a Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017. Tutors are highly qualified academics and focus on education and research for their respective subject areas. If I get the chance to study at this university, I will have the opportunity to gain real-world knowledge and transferable skills that will allow me to become an accredited development specialist. It would be a great achievement for me if I get the opportunity to study at University of East Anglia.

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• Education Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Hannah Slack

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Education. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

Recent developments in the social and political landscapes have strongly highlighted the importance of education for children in schools. Studying an undergraduate degree in History allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of societal change over time. Completing modules in Public History also let me explore the importance of education.

Having completed my degree, I decided that my true passions lie in the educational field. After a few years working in a secondary school, I became increasingly interested in how the national curriculum is built. To help propel my career into curriculum design and management, I decided completing a Masters at your university would be the best option.

As I have already mentioned, I completed my undergraduate degree in History. Afterwards, I went on to earn a PGCE and have been teaching humanities at secondary level for two years. During, I took a particular interest in the curriculum assigned for each year. Our current societal climate has been questioning some of the contents of the English curriculum, particularly in the Humanities. In light of these criticisms, I was inspired to also think deeply about how chosen topics contribute to the education system and what kind of topics could be appropriately brought in to expand our horizons. A Masters degree is therefore the perfect opportunity for me to continue exploring these questions and learn more about the practical implications of curricular design.

In addition to my qualifications, I volunteered at a museum during the summer holidays where I helped run educational events for children. This was particularly useful for me as it allowed me to learn how to compact and communicate complex periods to a young audience. It also helped me learn how to make subjects easily accessible and enjoyable.

Completing two years of teaching has built up my leadership skills rapidly. As a teacher I have been able to learn more about the role of educational leadership. I have also enjoyed communicating with my own superiors to learn more about their responsibilities in higher positions.

I was particularly excited when I discovered your course. By having a global focus, this course will allow me to truly explore the issues and debates I’m interested in. I believe having an understanding of global events and education is going to become increasingly important in our increasingly globalised world. I therefore believe that this course will prepare me the best for my future career goals as a curriculum developer.

What are some of my options for studying Education?

Master of arts (education) (full time) - mumbai campus, tata institute of social sciences department of social sciences, education: religious education ma, st mary’s university, twickenham faculty of education, theology and the arts, education: physical education ma, education: part time (ma), university of derby college of arts, humanities and education, master of education in early childhood education, dublin city university institute of education, find a masters in education.

If you're interested in a studying Education, then why don't you check out our regularly updated catalogue of available Education Masters courses or read more about postgraduate teacher training courses .

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Education Personal Statement Guide

When asked to provide a summary of academic background, interests, and motivation for choosing a degree course, many students panic and don’t know where to start. This is because it’s the first time most people have ever had to write anything like this and, what’s more, a great deal of importance is attached to it.

It’s therefore understandable if you feel like this too, but you shouldn’t worry - there are tried and tested ways to approach the writing of a personal statement . Everyone is different, of course, and there’s no right way to go about it, but universities have expressed many times over what they find valuable in a personal statement.

This guide is going to help you to check the tickboxes that universities want checked! It will take you through what to consider, what to include and exclude, and how to draft an effective statement by focusing on:

• Why are Personal Statements Important?
• What Should I Include in an Education Personal Statement?  
• What Should I Avoid in an Education   Personal Statement ?  
• Advice on How to Start an Education Personal Statement
• Advice on How to Finish an Education Personal Statement

What Should I Avoid in an Education Personal Statement ?  

As the personal statement is there to inform, you want to avoid any potential misunderstandings or misinterpretations on the part of the reader; this is important as you’re not going to be present to clarify anything while it’s being read. For that reason, clarity and simplicity of language are key , as is the avoidance of anything that could be seen as hackneyed or trite , including quotations, clichés, and pleas to be admitted onto the course.

In short, put yourself in the shoes of the reader and think about what you’d want to see from a potential student; it’s likely you’d want them to be direct, interesting, and interested. This is what you should aim for.

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

Advice on How to Start an Education Personal Statement  

A great deal of candidates start by talking about an inspirational teacher they had at school, or lessons they particularly enjoyed. The problem with this is that admissions tutors have seen these openings thousands of times, and they lack originality.

Try to be different and consider education holistically ; there are so many ways it impacts our lives globally that you shouldn’t struggle to find a unique personal take on it, which could come from a less ordinary experience you had or an original observation you made.

The opening should be arresting in a good way, and make the reader think your statement is going to be different from all the others for what it brings to the table. Just make sure it is!

Advice on How to Finish an Education Personal Statement  

Writing the personal statement is a privileged opportunity to speak directly to universities and to tell them why you deserve an offer. This applies as much to the conclusion as it does to any other part of the statement.

In this final section you should bring together your key points about experience, skills, interests, and ambitions to stress how much you deserve a place on this course . Do make sure you’ve included everything you intended to in the rest of the statement, as this isn’t the place to start bringing in new material. Consider instead about what you’re most looking forward to in terms of learning and challenges is a good place to end.

• What are some Tips for Writing a Strong Education Personal Statement?
• How Long Should my Education Personal Statement Be?
• What Kind of Extracurricular Activities Should I Include in my Education Personal Statement?
• How Can I Tailor my Education Personal Statement to the Oxford/Cambridge Course?

As with any interdisciplinary course, you should not only be aware of the impact and influence of different fields of study on education, but also be ready and willing to engage with them. A degree in education will expose you to psychology, sociology, biology, history, literature and so much more in between. Universities will want to see that you know this and that you’re open to intellectual challenge, as well as to exploring branches of knowledge you’ve not encountered before. You can also reference skills you’ve developed in your subjects at school and how these might equip you for tackling certain aspects of the course; subjects like history and biology will help with understanding change over time and human development, for example.

All good personal statements are self-reflective to some extent, and one way to do this in an educational context is to consider how you’ve been educated so far and what the wider implications of that are. This is a useful way to broaden your discussion of the discipline and to demonstrate your understanding of its varied and contrasting nature.

Every UCAS personal statement must abide by the limitations of either 4000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines of the form. Given how many statements admissions tutors have to read, this makes sense, but it also teaches you to express yourself articulately within certain confines. This is excellent training for university as essays and assignments will most likely have word counts applied to them. Think of it as practice ahead of time, and prioritise what you plan to include.

It’s common, but by no means required, for applicants to education degrees to have some teaching experience, whether that’s as a teaching assistant, private tutor, or simply helping your siblings with their homework. Volunteering is a good way to come by this sort of experience, but it’s not important if you haven’t had any hands-on involvement with delivering education. It’s much more valuable for you to have read widely around the subject’s theory and practice and to have come to some informed views about it. Any mention of extracurricular activities should be kept to a minimum, however, and they should always be relevant to studying for an education degree.

Whilst you cannot mention course specifics (since your personal statement is sent to all universities to which you are applying), there are certain things you can do to make your statement particularly Oxbridge-worthy!

Oxford and Cambridge like applicants to have varied academic interests if they propose studying a humanities course since these courses always have a wide disciplinary scope. It’s therefore helpful if you take a range of arts and humanities subjects at school, but this doesn’t preclude you from taking science or maths, of course.

In addition, Oxbridge degrees are led by independent reading and self-study, so try to emphasise your own research and academic discoveries within the world of education, and that way you can show you already have the requisite motivation and drive to make a success of it.

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Sample Personal Statement for Masters in International Business

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In personal statement | personal statement samples by field.

In this Article

What Works Well for this Personal Statement?

Why will the admissions committe like this applicant, why will the admissions committe like this essay.

My journey began amidst the kaleidoscope of Qatar’s landscapes, setting the stage for a life attuned to cultural nuances. Transitioning to Riyadh in my teens, I absorbed a mosaic of traditions, sparking a curiosity in global perspectives that continues to fuel my ambitions.

As a testament to this drive, I secured a place at Harvard Business School (HBS), where my management science studies were not merely academic; they were a gateway to a multitude of business disciplines, igniting a passion for marketing and international business. The hallmark case study approach at HBS deepened my understanding of business intricacies, particularly in marketing and global commerce.

An extraordinary chapter unfolded when I participated in a global business competition, collaborating with peers from the USA, Canada, and India to strategize market entry for a top American brand in India. My leadership in this project involved in-depth market analyses, resulting in our strategy’s recognition among the top 5% of 30,000 contenders. This experience was pivotal, sharpening my leadership skills and enhancing my adaptability to global business practices.

During my senior year, I was honored to represent HBS at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) as part of an elite exchange program. The vibrant intellectual environment at IIM, peppered with students from over 80 nations, was instrumental in broadening my academic and cultural horizons. Here, I not only excelled academically but also embraced the multifaceted campus life, contributing to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of international business.

Engagement with multicultural student organizations at Harvard, particularly in roles such as the social media head, honed my digital communication strategies and allowed me to lead impactful campaigns. My leadership role at the Harvard Climate Change Community further polished my ability to foster collaboration and guide diverse teams towards common goals.

My professional acumen was further developed through a dynamic internship with Walmart in New York City, where I worked within Business Intelligence & Marketing. This role required leveraging data analytics to inform strategies across the U.S. market, refining my skills in project management and analytical reasoning.

My subsequent experience at McKinsey provided a holistic view of the business landscape in key American cities, equipping me with a comprehensive skill set in marketing strategy and project execution. These roles, shaped by real-world challenges, have laid a solid foundation for my future in marketing and international commerce.

Having lived and worked across cultures—in Brazil, the Middle East, and the United States—I am prepared to contribute meaningfully to the international business sphere. The masters in international business (MIB) program at XYZ university, with its emphasis on a ‘Multi-Cultural Classroom’ and flexibility to specialize in International Market Development, is a perfect fit for my career aspirations.

Upon completing my master’s, I aim to leverage my education and experiences to enhance the burgeoning economic landscape of the Middle East, focusing on the diversification efforts that are propelling the region forward. With a master’s degree from XYZ university, I am excited about the prospect of returning to Riyadh, contributing to the growth of multinational corporations in Saudi Arabia.

In conclusion, my educational journey through leading institutions, coupled with practical business engagements, has prepared me for the challenges of an international career. I am eager to further my education in the United States, confident that XYZ university is the catalyst I need to transform my professional ambitions into reality.

Cohesive Narrative Flow: The statement offers a clear, linear progression of your life and career, effectively showing how past experiences have prepared you for future aspirations. This narrative demonstrates purpose and direction.

Cultural Richness: The emphasis on diverse cultural experiences stands out as a unique asset. It shows that you’re not just academically qualified but also culturally adept, which is highly valued in international business programs.

Concrete Achievements: By focusing on specific accomplishments, like the global business competition and your roles in student organizations, you establish credibility and show that you’re capable of achieving excellence.

Leadership and Teamwork: Highlighting your leadership roles in various teams and projects helps portray you as someone who can manage, lead, and work collaboratively—an essential skill set for business professionals.

Professional Experiences: Your internships and practical experiences at Walmart and McKinsey are strong points, showcasing your ability to apply academic knowledge to real-world business challenges.

Personal Development: The statement illustrates personal growth, not just academic and professional progression. It shows that your experiences have had a transformative impact on you personally.

Clarity of Purpose: You articulate a clear reason for wanting to pursue a Master’s in International Business, connecting it logically to your past experiences and future goals.

Contribution Back Home: Your desire to return to Riyadh and contribute to the region’s growth after completing your education abroad reflects a commendable commitment to societal development.

Academic Rigor: The mention of demanding curricula and challenging academic environments establishes that you’re well-prepared for the rigorous study at the graduate level.

Well-Defined Career Goals: The statement ends with a clear professional goal, which is critical. Admissions committees want to see that applicants have a vision for how the degree will fit into their career path.

Academic Excellence: Your history of studying at prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School and the Indian Institute of Management indicates a high level of academic achievement and dedication.

Global Perspective: Your international experiences in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and India demonstrate a global mindset, which is crucial for a program focused on international business.

Leadership Experience: Your roles in leading teams in various capacities, including academic projects and student organizations, show that you have practical leadership skills that can translate into success in both academic and business environments.

Cultural Competency: You have not only lived in but also actively engaged with diverse cultures. This is particularly valuable in today’s globalized business world, where understanding and navigating cultural differences is key.

Proven Track Record: Your participation in a global business competition and success in reaching the top echelon of competitors illustrates your ability to perform well under pressure and deliver results.

Professional Readiness: Your internships with Walmart and McKinsey & Company have provided you with real-world business experience, which suggests that you are prepared for the practical aspects of the business curriculum.

Communication Skills: Your role as a social media head and the success of your digital campaigns point to strong communication skills, especially in the context of modern, digital-heavy marketing practices.

Commitment to Sustainability: Your involvement in the Harvard Climate Change Community indicates a commitment to sustainability, a quality that many business schools now seek in their candidates due to the growing importance of corporate social responsibility.

Future Potential: Your clear aspiration to contribute to the economic development of the Middle East after graduation signals that you’re likely to become a successful alumnus who will reflect well on the university.

Diversity in Experience: You bring a diverse set of experiences to the table, which can enrich classroom discussions and group projects, benefiting not only you but also your peers.

In sum, this personal statement communicates that you are a well-rounded candidate with a strong blend of academic prowess, professional experience, leadership abilities, and a deep understanding of cultural nuances, all of which are highly sought after in candidates for a competitive international business program.

The admissions committee will likely appreciate your essay for several key reasons:

Engaging Storytelling: The narrative structure of your essay is engaging, which helps to keep the reader interested. It’s not just a list of achievements; it’s a story of personal and professional growth.

Clear Trajectory: You show a clear trajectory from your upbringing to your educational experiences and your career goals. This linear progression demonstrates purpose and the ability to set and achieve long-term goals.

Cultural Depth: Your essay reflects a deep understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, which is an asset in business education, particularly in international fields.

Well-Rounded Character: You come across as a well-rounded individual with a balance of academic success, extracurricular involvement, and professional experience.

Specific Examples: You provide specific examples of your achievements, like leading a team in a global business competition and engaging with digital campaigns. This specificity gives credibility to your claims of skill and experience.

Leadership Skills: Your essay illustrates your leadership experience and potential, which are key qualities that business schools look for in candidates.

Commitment to Service: You express a desire to contribute to society, particularly in your home region, which aligns with the values of many business programs that emphasize social responsibility.

Professional Experience: Your internships and practical work experience show that you can apply classroom learning to real-world situations, a quality that indicates readiness for advanced study.

Personal Growth: The essay doesn’t just focus on professional achievements; it also reflects on personal growth and development, showcasing your maturity and readiness for further education.

Writing Quality: The essay is well-written, with careful attention to grammar and style, which reflects well on your communication skills.

In essence, your essay is likely to resonate with the admissions committee because it presents you as a multifaceted, experienced, and motivated candidate who has not only achieved academically and professionally but also possesses the soft skills and cultural sensitivity necessary for success in international business.

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Student Affairs

The Career Center

Career pathways ⌄, professional development advice ⌄, jobs and internships ⌄, pre-health at illinois ⌄, resources for international students ⌄, how to write a personal statement, purpose of your personal statement.

Your personal statement, also called “application essay” or “statement of purpose”, is an opportunity to explain why you are an ideal candidate for a specific graduate or professional school program. 

It is a picture of who you are and an opportunity to share how your personal and academic experiences have shaped you and your professional goals. 

Ways to Prepare 

• Read the prompt(s) you are required to answer.
• Research the program.
• Consider 2 - 3 meaningful experiences that will support your goal.

An Effective Personal Statement Typically Answers and Addresses:

• Who you are as a person.
• What you would like to study and why.
• What type of contribution or impact you would like to make and why.
• Why the program you are applying to will help you reach your goal.

The Writing Process

• Develop a plan for what you want to say, including the topics you want to cover.
• Write a draft.
• Read your draft and ask yourself if you covered all of the desired topics.
• Revise and obtain feedback.
• Revise again.

Title Related Resources

• Personal Statement Reviews
• Personal Statements Handout (pdf)

• Schools & departments

Personal statement

You will need to submit a personal statement of around 500 words, outlining your academic history and relevant experience.

Your personal statement is an important part of your application: it will help selectors to decide whether you are a good match for the programme you have applied for and, just as importantly, whether the programme is right for you.

Areas to cover

Your personal statement gives you the opportunity to outline your academic history and relevant experience in order to demonstrate that you are a suitable candidate for the programme you have applied for. 

You should also use your personal statement to outline your motivation for your chosen area of study. Try to answer questions such as:

• Why are you interested in studying at Edinburgh?
• Why have you chosen this particular programme?
• If you are studying for career development, what are your career plans and how will your studies support these?

If you have any other relevant experience, for example paid or voluntary work experience or additional qualifications not stated elsewhere, then please include this information in your personal statement, or you can add it to the “Relevant knowledge/training skills” field in the application form.

If you are applying for more than one programme you should write a tailored personal statement for each of your applications. This enables you to refer to the specific programme you are applying for and to highlight how your academic background and skills make you suitable for this particular programme.

Remember that your personal statement is an opportunity to tell us about yourself. The information you give us must be true. Copying information from elsewhere or asking someone else to write your statement, including the use of AI apps such as Chat GPT, could be considered fraud.

Length and writing style

Your personal statement should be no more than 3,500 characters (approximately 500 words) in length and should be written in formal English, using appropriate grammar and punctuation.

It is a good idea to ask a friend to proofread your statement for you before you submit your application.

Education, Gender and International Development MA

London, Bloomsbury

The MA Education, Gender and International Development will develop your understanding of the gender dimensions of research, analysis, policy and practice in relation to education in low- and middle-income countries. It will encourage you to consider the relationships and power dynamics between poorer and wealthier regions of the world.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Applications closed

Applications open

• Entry requirements

The minimum requirement for entry to this programme is a second class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. As the academic content on this MA programme is demanding, we are particularly looking for applicants who can demonstrate commitment to, knowledge of and genuine interest in issues relating to gender, education and international development. Applicants will normally have a minimum of six months’ relevant work experience in a low- or middle-income country. Applicants who do not meet these criteria will occasionally be considered on the basis of an excellent personal statement that clearly demonstrates how other experience relating to gender, education and/or international development supports their application.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting October.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This programme provides you with the opportunity to follow a course of study unique in the UK. You will explore a range of current issues and debates, including:

• discussions about gender inequalities in access to schooling, and in experiences and achievements within and through school and other forms and sites of education
• femininities, masculinities and gender relations within education
• links between gender, education and work
• ways in which the state and society (historical and contemporary) shape the politics of gender, education and development
• approaches to social justice, gender and education

This programme can be taken on campus, online (distance), or a combination of both (mixed mode). Please select the relevant mode of study at point of application. Note that distance and mixed mode options are not available to students applying for a student visa.

Who this course is for

This programme is suited to professionals with an interest in gender, education and development, who would like to reflect and build on their experience of working in these areas.

What this course will give you

The Department of Education, Practice and Society at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society is the well-established home of an interdisciplinary grouping bringing together high-quality teaching and research in the history, sociology and philosophy of education and international development.

The department has extensive experience and expertise in education planning, health and gender in Africa, Asia and Latin America; 'policy sociology'; education, equality and human rights; issues of gender, 'race', sexuality, disability and social class. Policy seminars and a vibrant student/alumni group provide excellent networking opportunities.

Students on this programme benefit from an extraordinarily powerful learning community which links research, policy and practice.

The foundation of your career

Recent graduates from this programme have taken up posts including in United Nations agencies, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), International NGOs such as Oxfam, local civil society organisations, schools and universities. Other graduates have gone on to pursue further study.

Employability

Graduates of this programme work across a broad range of areas and in a range of contexts worldwide. Some graduates work as specialist professionals in NGOs and international development organisations, while others have jobs as teachers and education managers. Graduates also work as government officials, civil servants and university lecturers.

During your time at UCL, you will be able to build networks with fellow students on this programme and the other programmes in the Education and International Development cluster, academic staff and alumni in the Centre for Education and International Development, as well as the broader UCL community.

Teaching and learning

Teaching is delivered by lectures or other structured inputs by staff; participant-led presentations and discussions based on selected readings or a clearly specified project; tutor-led seminars; workshops; problem/issue-based individual, paired and small-group work; occasional debates and invited speakers; reflections on film and video inputs.

Assessment is via various forms of coursework including discursive essays, critical analysis of empirical research, reviews of literature, policy or other relevant documents, and the dissertation.

For each 30-credit taught module you are expected to contribute 300 learning hours (8 hours a day for just over 37 days). Direct teaching accounts for 30 hours, assignment tutorial(s) 1 hour, and the remaining hours consist of your own self-directed study such as, preparation for classes and online learning activities, reading (individual and with other students), searching for new literature related to your area of interest, assignment preparation and completion.

This programme can be taken on campus, online (distance) or a combination of both (mixed mode). Please select your mode of study at the point of application. Note: Distance and mixed mode options are not available to students applying for a student visa (international students).

If you study the programme full time, you will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits within a one-year period (Sept - Sept).

The programme consists of two compulsory modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits) and a compulsory dissertation (60 credits).

Compulsory modules are:

• Education and International Development: Concepts, Theories and Issues
• Gender, Education and Development

You can select your compulsory modules in either term 1 or term 2.

If you study the programme part time, you will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits split over the two-year period, e.g., 90 credits in each year.

We advise you to select the compulsory modules in your first year. You must select the Dissertation module in your second year.

If you study the programme on the modular flexible route, you will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits split over a maximum of 5 years.

The programme consists of two compulsory modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits) and a compulsory dissertation (60 credits).

We advise you to select the compulsory modules first. You must select the Dissertation module in your final year of study.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

You will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Education, Gender and International Development.

You may undertake fieldwork in relation to your research for your dissertation, but it is not a requirement. If you do undertake fieldwork, it must be self-funded.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Education and International Development

Are you passionate about shaping global contemporary practice and policy? We welcome you to book your place at our Virtual Open Event. You will meet our Programme Leaders, hear about the programmes you are interested in and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. These sessions are free and open to all. Be part of a world-leading centre for research and teaching working to make a difference in the world.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis .

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and other expenses involved in their dissertation.

If students decide to undertake the fieldwork, it must be self-funded.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Deadline: NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY Value: Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: EU, Overseas

GREAT Scholarship

Deadline: NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (1 year) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024 Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024 Value: Tuition fees and accommodation (1 year) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees .

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• why you would like to study Education, Gender and International Development at graduate level
• why you would like to study this particular programme at UCL
• how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
• where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please make sure that your personal statement also clearly explains the nature and length of your relevant experience of living/working in a low- or middle-income country.

Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions get in touch.

Education, Practice and Society

[email protected]

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students .

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Climate change and international development degree personal statement example (1a) Masters, Sheffield offer

Climate change is arguably the most important and immediate issue of my generation. Academics, advocates and the IPCC make it alarmingly clear that the least developed countries and small islands are increasingly and disproportionately feeling the adverse effects of climate change. Some add that these countries’ vulnerability is compounded by their lack of well-funded, highly-skilled teams with which to participate in complex negotiations. This uneven playing field deeply concerns me and I feel compelled to pursue a path in which I can influence environmental policy so as to protect and empower the poor. I aspire to work towards achieving sustainable and just development in the global south.

In 2013, I volunteered with a school in a coastal town hit by the 2004 Tsunami in Chennai, India. I visited slum dwellers who were still rebuilding their once shattered communities, even nine years later and was struck by the scale of the disaster’s impact on the poor. It is a huge challenge to bring this human vulnerability into the collective conscious and climate negotiations and arguments about causal links move slowly and without sufficient recognition. I quickly realised that I had to engage in a dialogue that puts the rights of affected populations at its centre. I now follow closely those who campaign for climate justice, including Mary Robinson and Professor Lord Stern. They emphasise the need for the Sustainable Development Goals to address strongly the human impacts of environmental change and I am hopeful that this will transpire.

Whilst strengthening the resilience of at-risk groups is crucial, adaptation also urgently requires addressing unavoidable mass migration and displacement. Rising sea levels will cause countries such as the Maldives and Tuvalu to become uninhabitable, forcing populations to flee. There is a pressing need to distinguish between ‘climate migrant’ and ‘climate refugee’ so as to avoid a protection gap and potential mass violation of human rights. I aim to contribute to this agenda.

The School of International Development at UEA is world renowned and to study here would be a dream. The school’s close relationship with the Tyndall Centre provides unrivalled networking opportunities, whilst the programme is attractive for its fantastic, large range of modules. The potential for students to participate in a UNFCCC meeting is exceptional and immensely valuable. This degree would certainly equip me with the specialist knowledge, skills and experience to realise my ambition of influencing environmental policy within a development context. ////

The Department of Geography at Sheffield University is world renowned and to study here would be a dream. The programme is attractive for its interdisciplinary approach and for its Enhanced Language module – an opportunity for me to develop my Spanish, thus adding to my useful skills for international work. I am especially attracted by the invaluable 10-day fieldtrip and the placement-based dissertation, which will build on my practical experience in India and elsewhere. This application of research skills would enhance my appreciation of the real world challenges in climate change work, whilst equipping me well for work in the field.

Through my active membership of Brighton and Hove Labour Party, I have worked closely with councillors and a parliamentary candidate to understand policy and government. I have also been involved in actions to freeze energy bills and protect air quality monitors. This experience will aid me on the course and I will continue my political activism with Sheffield's / UEA’s Labour Society.

An insatiable curiosity of the world has taken me to over 20 countries and I have worked and studied abroad. I follow current affairs closely and subscribe to National Geographic Magazine. I also have an acute awareness of some of the challenges faced by marginalised groups having worked with Gypsies, Travellers, disabled, homeless and trafficked people. Complimented by my strong social science academic background, these experiences ensure I will offer rich, vibrant perspectives to discussions. Having attained a first-class joint honours in my bachelor’s degree whilst successfully balancing employment and internships, I am confident that I will thrive in a rigorous postgraduate environment. I look forward to joining your 2014 cohort!

Universities Applied to:

• UEA (MSc Climate Change and International Development) - Offer
• University of Sheffield (Environmental Change and International Development) - Offer - ACCEPTED

Grades Achieved:

• BSc Psychology and Social Anthropology with professional development (First Class Hons.)
• Psychology (A2) - B
• Business Studies (A2) - C
• English Literature (A2) - B
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Education Personal Statement Examples

What is an education personal statement?

Writing a personal statement for education is a chance to sell yourself to the admissions tutors and show them why you would make a good education candidate. It’s a place to describe your skills and strengths, as well as your career plans.

You are allowed up to 4,000 characters to explain why you are applying for an education degree, so you need to make sure your statement is as polished as possible to stand out from the crowd.

How do I write a good education personal statement?

Good education personal statements always use evidence to support their claims. You need to convince admissions tutors that you’re a good match for the programme, so if you claim to be committed or inquisitive, then use examples from your life to back it up.

To write a successful education personal statement you need to start early, brainstorm some ideas, and then begin your first draft.

This will then need to be carefully revised and edited before asking family and friends for feedback. Incorporate their comments and suggestions, and see how it is improved before asking them to look at it again.

Read through our education personal statement examples above to get an idea of what a good education statement entails.

Make sure you proofread your statement for grammar and spelling before sending it off, and if you feel you need a little extra help, take a look at our personal statement editing services .

What should I include in my education personal statement?

Many students choose to start their statement by picking a specific aspect of education and explaining why they enjoy it, e.g. developmental psychology, equality and diversity, etc.

Admissions tutors want candidates that are as passionate about the subject as they are.

As well as your motivations for studying education, think about your hobbies and extracurricular activities too. What skills have you learned from these and how will these help you in your education degree?

Talk about any work experience placements you have completed, e.g. shadowing a teacher or TA. What did you take away from this experience? Do you feel you have all the necessary personal traits and qualities that make a good sociology student?

Your wider reading is also important, so it's worth mentioning anything you've read recently that you found interesting and why. Generally, admissions tutors like students who express their views and opinions, and can back them up with evidence.

For more help and advice on what to write in your education personal statement, please see:

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• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It

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