Understanding the three UCAS questions (2026 onwards)

Starting from 2026, your personal statement won’t be one long piece of writing. Instead, you’ll answer three focused questions. This makes things clearer, but it also means you need to be precise, thoughtful, and reflective in each response.

1. Why do you want to study this subject?

What this question is really asking:
 “What sparked your interest and why do you care enough to study it for three years?”

How to approach it:
Think about moments that shaped your interest. It could be something you studied in school, a conversation, a book, a news story or a hands-on experience like a Springpod programme. The goal is to show genuine curiosity and a personal connection to the subject.

How Springpod helps:
Springpod can be proof that you took your interest seriously. Maybe a Sprint gave you new insight. Maybe a task showed you the kind of thinking the subject demands. Mention this as a turning point or deepening of interest.

Example line: I’ve always enjoyed Maths, and over time, that interest led me to Economics. I was curious about how numbers shape decisions in the real world. To explore this further, I took part in the ICAEW Virtual Work Experience through Springpod, where I discovered how accountancy brings these subjects together in a professional setting. The experience introduced me to a wide range of career paths and helped to confirm that this is a field I’d like to pursue.

What this question is really asking:
 “How has school (and beyond) helped you develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in this subject?”

How to approach it:
Mention relevant subjects, projects, or assignments and go beyond just listing them. Explain how they helped you think, analyse, problem-solve, write, or research.

How Springpod helps: Springpod can be a great bridge between theory and application. If you studied Physics and then applied those ideas in a Springpod engineering challenge, that’s powerful. Use it to show initiative and context.

Example line:
Studying A-Level Physics gave me a solid grounding in energy transfer and mechanics, but it was Springpod’s offshore wind simulation that really brought those concepts to life. Applying classroom theory to a real-world engineering challenge helped me develop problem-solving skills, think critically under pressure, and better understand how sustainable technologies work in practice.


What this question is really asking:
“What have you done outside of school that shows you’re proactive, motivated, and serious about this subject?”

How to approach it:
This could include volunteering, part-time work, clubs, competitions, or independent projects. Reflect on what you learned, not just what you did.

How Springpod helps:
This is where completing a Springpod programme could really make you shine. It’s outside the curriculum, shows independence, and offers transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and decision-making. Reflect on how completing a programme helped you grow.

Example line:
I wanted to learn more about what a career in nursing might lead me to, so I enrolled in a Springpod Virtual Work Experience in Nursing with the NHS in my local area. I learned about the different functions available in a Nursing career, as well as learn from industry professionals what it’s really like to work as a Nurse and all the career opportunities that are available to me. This helped me to clearly see my path into a Nursing career and start developing the skills I need to get there.

Before you begin: Get everything you need in one place

Before you start writing, it helps to get all your ideas and experiences in one place. That way, when you sit down to answer each UCAS question, you’re not starting from scratch; you’re selecting the best parts of your story.

The name of the programme(s) you completed

Notes from webinars, tasks or reflections

Key moments: Was there a session, challenge, role or quote that stuck with you?

Tip: Head back to your Springpod dashboard and rewatch any saved sessions or read through your activity log to jog your memory.

School projects or coursework you’re proud of

Any competitions, extension tasks or subject-based clubs

Focus on experiences that relate to the subject you’re applying for. What skills did you gain?( Such as research, analysis, or creativity)


Volunteering, part-time work or caring responsibilities

Books, podcasts, or documentaries that sparked your interest

Any real-life situations that changed your perspective or goals

This section shows that you’re curious, committed, and growing, and that you’re serious about preparing for the next step.


UCAS deadline (usually mid-January for most courses)

A place to write and save your draft (Google Docs, Word, Notion, etc.)

Save often. And save in more than one place if you can.

Once you’ve pulled this together, you’ll have everything you need to write with confidence and bring your Springpod experience to life alongside the rest of your story.

What NOT to do in your Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your chance to show who you are, what matters to you, and why you’re ready for the next step. But there are a few common mistakes that can hold you back —and they’re easier to avoid when you know what to look out for.

Don’t list things without explaining them

Saying “I completed a Springpod Law experience” is good. But saying “I completed a Springpod Law experience where I analysed a case study on human rights law, which deepened my interest in social justice” is much better.

Always add reflection: What did you learn? Why did it matter?

Phrases like “I’m passionate about business” or “I have great teamwork skills” don’t tell the reader much.

Swap out buzzwords for stories or examples. Show your passion by writing about what sparked it and what you did with it.

Don’t copy someone else’s personal statement

UCAS has plagiarism detection software and more importantly, your journey is unique. Even if your friend also did a Springpod programme, your reason for joining and what you got out of it will be different.

Be yourself. That’s what they want to hear.

Try to avoid using AI to write your personal statement entirely. You could use it for inspiration and refining, but ultimately, this is your store,y and you should be the one to tell it.

Don’t assume the reader knows what Springpod is

Even though Springpod is widely used, admissions tutors might not know what the programmes involve.

 Briefly explain that it’s an online experience with industry insights, real-world tasks and reflection. Keep it clear and simple.


Don’t try to sound overly formal (or overly casual)

You don’t need to write like a robot (“I partook in an informative module...”) or a WhatsApp chat (“lol it was actually great”).

 Write in your natural voice clear, respectful and enthusiastic. Imagine explaining your experience to a teacher who really wants to see you succeed.

Don’t repeat the same story in all three questions

Each question is a chance to show something different about your motivation, your preparation, and your wider experience.

Use each answer to shine a light on a different side of you. If you mention Springpod in more than one place, focus on different moments or lessons from the experience.

Want to double-check your work? Use the Final Tips Checklist at the end of this guide to make sure you’re on the right track.

Your Personal Statement should be personal and well-rounded

While your Springpod experience is a brilliant asset, it’s only one part of your story.

Admissions teams want to get a full picture of you -your interests, your motivations, your experiences both in and out of the classroom. That might include:

Work experience placements or part-time jobs

Real-life challenges that shaped your thinking

Your Springpod programme should add depth to your statement not replace the rest of it.

Think of it as evidence: proof that you took your curiosity one step further and proactively explored your interests. It helps to position your Springpod experience as a natural next step in your journey.

How to introduce your Springpod experience

You don’t need to dive into every detail; just give the reader a clear sense of why you chose to do it and what you got from it.

Here are a few ways to introduce your Springpod programme in your answers:

“After developing a strong interest in psychology during my A-Levels, I took part in a Springpod virtual experience to explore different career paths in the field.”

“To build on my business studies, I joined a Springpod programme that allowed me to work on a marketing brief and hear from industry professionals.”

“Keen to explore healthcare careers beyond medicine, I completed a Springpod experience focused on allied health roles.”

“Unsure whether I wanted to pursue law or politics, I used Springpod’s programme to better understand what a legal career really involves.”

“I joined Springpod’s virtual work experience in engineering to see how what I’d learned in school applies in real-world sustainability projects.”

Each of these examples does three things:

Explain your motivation for joining the programme

Leads naturally into a reflection or insight you gained

UCAS Personal Statement subject examples (Springpod-enhanced)

Use these sample answers to help you shape your own responses based on the new UCAS format for 2026 and beyond. Each one includes examples of how a Springpod experience can strengthen your answers across the three UCAS questions.

Struggling with your UCAS personal statement? Discover expert tips, examples, and a step-by-step guide to help you write a standout personal statement for university in 2025.

Writing Your UCAS Personal Statement - Springpod's how-to guide