3. What should be included in a personal statement
1.Why have you chosen this course?
2.What excites you about the subject?
3.Is my previous or current study relevant to the
course?
4.Have you got any work experience that might help
you?
5.What life experiences have you had that you could
talk about?
6.What achievements are you proud of?
7.What skills do you have that make you perfect for
the course?
8.What plans and ambitions do you have for your
future career?
Questions to answer to get started
How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal
Statement | Undergraduate | UCAS
5. Skills from my CV
Communication
Problem solving
Teamwork
First aid
Health and safety
Professional
Decision making
Leadership
Independent working
6. My own structure
Introduction paragraph
What course do I want to study
Why do I want to study the course
Why do I want to study at the university
Aspirations after the course
1)Experience
Areas of interest
Work experience
What am I currently studying
2)Interests
Abilities
Skills
Qualifications continuous professional development
Courses
Conclusion
Sum up everything discussed so far
Skills
Communication
Problem solving
Teamwork
First aid
Health and safety
Professional
Decision making
Leadership
Independent working
7. Introduction paragraph includes:
• What course do I want to study
• Why do I want to study the course
• Why do I want to study at the university
• Aspirations after the course
Example course: BA (Hons) FILM, TV & THEATRE PRODUCTION
Example university: THE NORTHERN SCHOOL OF ART
Why do I want to study the course? Want to develop my knowledge further in the areas that the course cover
Why do I want to study at the University? Upon attending open days, I enjoy the environment the curriculum lay out and the
facilities offered. The lecturers seem like they will help me to develop my skills and prepare me for the industry.
Aspirations after the course. I aspire to work in the theatre industry as a lighting designer. Going to the theatre from a young age
I always loved the lights but decided that it was my dream career at age 15.
Answers to questions
First draft of paragraph one
Going to the theatre from a young age I was always mesmerized by the lighting in the shows and the technical elements that
happened behind the scenes however since then I explored many different avenues of study before coming to the conclusion
around two years ago that I wanted to pursue technical theatre as a career. To assist me in my career aspirations I visited many
open days and researched courses up and down the country until I found the BA(HONS) FILM,TV AND THEATRE PRODUCTION
course at The Northern School of Art. This course would help me develop my existing knowledge in both media and technical
theatre as when visiting the university, the curriculum would allow me to develop skill supported by lecturers who will support
me and help prepare me for the industry.
8. Paragraph 2-Experience
Experience
• Areas of interest
• Work experience
• What am I currently studying
• Areas of interest. lighting, technical theatre and cinematography
• Work experience: Technician at the fire station
Technician on the tempest
Technician at Durham Fringe Festival
Assistant lighting desk operator on Romeo and Juliet
Technical Theatre Work Experience at Northern Stage
Currently Studying: Level 3 Creative Media at Sunderland College
First draft of Paragraph 2
I am currently studying level 3 creative media at Sunderland College where I am making products for clients where they set a
brief audience and product requirements to which then I conduct research pre-production,production,post-production and
finally reflecting and evaluating on my work to what went well and what I could have done better so that I improve after every
brief and learn from my mistakes.As I am interested in the technical elements of theatre specifically lighting and Sunderland
College don’t offer a course on Technical Theatre I decided to independantly find work experience so I went and trained for a
week in technical theatre at Northern Stage from there I progressed to working with a local professional theatre company
Theatre Space North East as an assistant lighting desk operator for a 3 night production of modern day Romeo and Juliet. From
here I progressed again to a cover technician at Durham Fringe Festival where over the course of a week I assisted with over 40
shows and did sound and lighting independently for 10 of those shows. I then returned to Theatre Space Northeast as a
technician for their production of The Tempest and from there was hired as a technician for The Fire Station in Sunderland City
9. Paragraph 3-Interests
2)Interests
Abilities
Skills
Qualifications continuous professional development
Courses
Skills
Communication
Problem solving
Teamwork
First aid
Health and safety
Professional
Decision making
Leadership
Independent working
First draft of paragraph 3
I have always had a passion and willingness to learn
new things when I was 11, I became a peer mentor
at a local youth group which lead to me being a
qualified youth worker by age 16 with a qualification
in emergency first aid and safeguarding, that
experience instilled transferable skills in me that can
be adapted used both in education and the industry
such as teamwork, effective
communication, adaptability, leadership, time
management and decision-making skills. I have
continued to develop and build on these skills during
my employment and pride myself on
professionalism. Through my course I have
developed my knowledge and skill of photoshop and
premiere pro and continue to work on improving
these skills whilst I am at college.
10. Paragraph 4 conclusion
• Sum up everything
• What course do I want
to study
• Why do I want to study
the course
• Why do I want to study
at the university
• Aspirations after the
course
Experience
• Areas of interest
• Work experience
• What am I currently
studying
Interests
Abilities
Skills
Qualifications
Courses
Skills
Communication
Problem solving
Teamwork
First aid
Health and safety
Professional
Decision making
Leadership
Independent working
First draft of Conclusion
In conclusion I feel that the BA (Hons) FILM, TV & THEATRE PRODUCTION at The Northern School of Art would be the best
place for me in order to develop and improve on the skills I already have as well as learn new skills in order to help me make
it in the industry and achieve the goal along with my previous experience of being a lighting designer.
11. Academic Personal Statement First Draft
Going to the theatre from a young age I was always mesmerized by the lighting in the shows and the technical elements that happened behind
the scenes however since then I explored many different avenues of study before coming to the conclusion around two years ago that I wanted to
pursue technical theatre as a career. To assist me in my career aspirations I visited many open days and researched courses up and down the
country until I found the BA(HONS) FILM,TV AND THEATRE PRODUCTION course at The Northern School of Art. This course would help me
develop my existing knowledge in both media and technical theatre as when visiting the university, the curriculum would allow me to develop
skill supported by lecturers who will support me and help prepare me for the industry.
I am currently studying level 3 creative media at Sunderland College where I am making products for clients where they set a brief audience and
product requirements to which then I conduct research pre-production, production, post-production and finally reflecting and evaluating on my
work to what went well and what I could have done better so that I improve after every brief and learn from my mistakes. As I am interested in
the technical elements of theatre specifically lighting and Sunderland College don’t offer a course on Technical Theatre, I decided to
independently find work experience, so I went and trained for a week in technical theatre at Northern Stage from there I progressed to working
with a local professional theatre company Theatre Space North East as an assistant lighting desk operator for a 3-night production of modern-
day Romeo and Juliet. From here I progressed again to a cover technician at Durham Fringe Festival where over the course of a week I assisted
with over 40 shows and did sound and lighting independently for 10 of those shows. I then returned to Theatre Space Northeast as a technician
for their production of The Tempest and from there was hired as a technician for The Fire Station in Sunderland City Centre.
I have always had a passion and willingness to learn new things when I was 11, I became a peer mentor at a local youth group which lead to me
being a qualified youth worker by age 16 with a qualification in emergency first aid and safeguarding, that experience instilled transferable skills in
me that can be adapted used both in education and the industry such as teamwork, effective communication, adaptability, leadership,
time management and decision-making skills. I have continued to develop and build on these skills during my employment and pride myself
on professionalism. Through my course I have developed my knowledge and skill of photoshop and premiere pro and continue to work on
improving these skills whilst I am at college.
In conclusion I feel that the BA (Hons) FILM, TV & THEATRE PRODUCTION at The Northern School of Art would be the best place for me in order to
develop and improve on the skills I already have as well as learn new skills in order to help me make it in the industry and achieve the goal along
with my previous experience of being a lighting designer.
CHARACTERS: 3,128
12. Feedback
Remove ages when talking about
experience
Add hobbies and interests to
second paragraph
When discussing a course keep it
general so it can be sent to
multiple universities
13. Academic Personal Statement Final Draft
Attending the theatre from a young age I was always mesmerised by the lighting in the shows and the technical elements that happened behind
the scenes however since then I explored many different avenues of study before coming to the conclusion around two years ago that I wanted
to pursue technical theatre as a career. A technical theatre course would help me develop my existing knowledge in both media and technical
theatre as when visiting the universities, the curriculum would allow me to develop skills supported by lecturers who will support me and help
prepare me for the industry. I am currently studying Level 3 Creative Media at Sunderland College where I am making products for clients where
they set a brief audience and product requirements to which then I conduct research pre-production, production, post-production and finally
reflecting and evaluating on my work to what went well and what I could have done better so that I improve after every brief and learn from my
mistakes.
As I am interested in the technical elements of theatre specifically lighting and Sunderland College don’t offer a course on Technical Theatre, I
decided to independently find work experience, so I went and trained for a week in technical theatre at Northern Stage from there I progressed
to working with a local professional theatre company Theatre Space North East as an assistant lighting desk operator for a 3-night production
of modern-day Romeo and Juliet. From here I progressed again to a cover technician at Durham Fringe Festival where over the course of a
week I assisted with over 40 shows and did sound and lighting independently for 10 of those shows. I then returned to Theatre Space Northeast
as a technician for their production of The Tempest and from there was hired as a technician for The Fire Station in Sunderland City Centre.
Someone once told me if you do something you love you will never work a day in your life, and this is why I want to study to be a theatre
technician the first production I saw was the Lion King where I fell in love with the lights, the change in scenes and the effects that could be
created captured my imagination where my love for theatre grew and grew. I have always had a passion and willingness to learn new things, I
became a peer mentor at a local youth group which lead to me being a qualified youth worker by age 16 with a qualification in emergency first
aid and safeguarding, that experience instilled transferable skills in me that can be adapted used both in education and the industry such as
teamwork, effective communication, adaptability, leadership, time management and decision-making skills. I have continued to develop and
build on these skills during my employment and pride myself on professionalism. Through my course I have developed my knowledge and skill
of photoshop and premiere pro and continue to work on improving these skills whilst I am at college. In conclusion I feel that studying technical
theatre would be the best course for me in order to develop and improve on the skills I already have as well as learn new skills in order to
support my career ambition as working as a Theatre Technician and help the growth of specialist skills to help me succeed.
14. Feedback
Reword the opening to
make more of an impact
Don’t forget to link it
back to why it would help
you in higher education
15. Academic Personal Statement Final Draft
Someone once told me if you do something you love you will never work a day in your life, and this is why I want to study to be a theatre
technician the first production I saw was the Lion King where I fell in love with the lights, the change in scenes and the effects that could be
created captured my imagination where my love for theatre grew and grew. Attending the theatre from a young age I was always mesmerised
by the lighting in the shows and the technical elements that happened behind the scenes however since then I explored many different avenues
of study before concluding around two years ago that I wanted to pursue technical theatre as a career. A technical theatre course would help
me develop my existing knowledge in both media and technical theatre as the HE curriculum would allow me to develop skills supported by
lecturers who will support me and help prepare me for the industry. As part of my college course, I have ample experience of working with a
range of clients to fulfil a specific brief with tight deadlines. Knowledge of this working practice will help prepare me for the demands of a higher
education course
As I am interested in the technical elements of theatre, specifically lighting, and as my course does not specifically offer me the opportunity to
explore this area, I sought my own work experience in this field. So, I went and trained for a week in technical theatre at Northern Stage from
there I progressed to working with a local professional theatre company Theatre Space North East as an assistant lighting desk operator for a 3-
night production of modern-day Romeo and Juliet. From here I progressed again to a cover technician at Durham Fringe Festival where over the
course of a week I assisted with over 40 shows and did sound and lighting independently for 10 of those shows. I then returned to Theatre
Space Northeast as a technician for their production of The Tempest and from there was hired as a technician for The Fire Station in Sunderland
City Centre. Someone once told me if you do something you love you will never work a day in your life, and this is why I want to study to be a
theatre technician the first production I saw was the Lion King where I fell in love with the lights, the change in scenes and the effects that could
be created captured my imagination where my love for theatre grew and grew. I have always had a passion and willingness to learn new things, I
became a peer mentor at a local youth group which lead to me being a qualified youth worker by age 16 with a qualification in emergency first
aid and safeguarding, that experience instilled transferable skills in me that can be adapted used both in education and the industry such as
teamwork, effective communication, adaptability, leadership, time management and decision-making skills. I have continued to develop and
build on these skills during my employment and pride myself on professionalism. Through my course I have developed my knowledge and skill
of photoshop and premiere pro and continue to work on improving these skills whilst I am at college. I firmly believe that studying technical
theatre would be the best course for me to develop and improve on the skills I already have as well as learn new skills to support my career
ambition as working as a Theatre Technician and help the growth of specialist skills to help me succeed.
18. Skills from my CV
Communication
Problem solving
Teamwork
First aid
Health and safety
Professional
Decision making
Leadership
Independent working
19. My own structure
Introduction paragraph
What am I applying for
Why do I want this opportunity
Aspirations for the future
Experience
Areas of interest
Work experience
What am I currently studying
Interests
Abilities
Skills
Qualifications continuous professional development
Courses
Conclusion
Sum up everything discussed so far
Skills
Communication
Problem solving
Teamwork
First aid
Health and safety
Professional
Decision making
Leadership
Independent working
20. Introduction paragraph includes:
Example Job Opportunity: Casual Stage Technician
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Example of actual job opportunity available currently
What am I applying for? A casual stage technician job at Sunderland Empire
Why do I want this opportunity? A local opportunity to develop my skills and progress in my career due to the caliber of shows
they attract.
Aspirations for the future? Progress to a full-time technician and eventually Chief LX
Answers to questions
First draft of paragraph one
I am applying for the role of a casual stage technician at the Sunderland Empire. From being young my parents have taken me to
the theatre and I have always been interested in the lighting of a show and the technical elements in creating a show. As a local
it would be an opportunity for me to develop my skills and progress in my career due to the caliber of shows that visit the
empire whilst being able to stay in the north east with my long-term goal of progressing and developing my skills to progress to a
full-time technician and eventually a Chief LX in the future.
Introduction paragraph
What am I applying for
Why do I want this opportunity
Aspirations for the future
21. Paragraph 2-Experience
Experience
• Areas of interest
• Work experience
• What am I currently studying
• Areas of interest. lighting, technical theatre and cinematography
• Work experience: Technician at the fire station
Technician on the tempest
Technician at Durham Fringe Festival
Assistant lighting desk operator on Romeo and Juliet
Technical Theatre Work Experience at Northern Stage
Currently Studying: Level 3 Creative Media at Sunderland College
First draft of Paragraph 2
I am currently studying level 3 creative media at Sunderland College where I am making products for clients where they set a
brief audience and product requirements to which then I conduct research pre-production,production,post-production and
finally reflecting and evaluating on my work to what went well and what I could have done better so that I improve after every
brief and learn from my mistakes.As I am interested in the technical elements of theatre specifically lighting and Sunderland
College don’t offer a course on Technical Theatre I decided to independantly find work experience so I went and trained for a
week in technical theatre at Northern Stage from there I progressed to working with a local professional theatre company
Theatre Space North East as an assistant lighting desk operator for a 3 night production of modern day Romeo and Juliet. From
here I progressed again to a cover technician at Durham Fringe Festival where over the course of a week I assisted with over 40
shows and did sound and lighting independently for 10 of those shows. I then returned to Theatre Space Northeast as a
technician for their production of The Tempest and from there was hired as a technician for The Fire Station in Sunderland City
22. Paragraph 3-Interests
2)Interests
Abilities
Skills
Qualifications continuous professional development
Courses
Skills
Communication
Problem solving
Teamwork
First aid
Health and safety
Professional
Decision making
Leadership
Independent working
First draft of paragraph 3
I have always had a passion and willingness to learn
new things when I was 11, I became a peer mentor
at a local youth group which lead to me being a
qualified youth worker by age 16 with a qualification
in emergency first aid and safeguarding, that
experience instilled transferable skills in me that can
be adapted used in industry such as teamwork,
effective communication, adaptability, leadership,
time management and decision-making skills. I have
continued to develop and build on these skills during
my employment and pride myself on
professionalism. Through my course I have
developed my knowledge and skill of photoshop and
premiere pro and continue to work on improving
these skills whilst I am at college.
23. Paragraph 4 conclusion
• Sum up everything
• What course do I want
to study
• Why do I want to study
the course
• Why do I want to study
at the university
• Aspirations after the
course
Experience
• Areas of interest
• Work experience
• What am I currently
studying
Interests
Abilities
Skills
Qualifications
Courses
Skills
Communication
Problem solving
Teamwork
First aid
Health and safety
Professional
Decision making
Leadership
Independent working
First draft of Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read my cover letter and
considering me for this role hopefully I will get to work for you soon,
Kind Regards, Chloe Meadows
24. First draft of an industry
personal statement/cover letter
I am applying for the role of a casual stage technician at the Sunderland Empire. From being young my parents have taken me to the theatre and I
have always been interested in the lighting of a show and the technical elements in creating a show. As a local it would be an opportunity for me
to develop my skills and progress in my career due to the caliber of shows that visit the empire whilst being able to stay in the north east with
my long-term goal of progressing and developing my skills to progress to a full-time technician and eventually a Chief LX in the future.
I am currently studying level 3 creative media at Sunderland College where I am making products for clients where they set a brief audience and
product requirements to which then I conduct research pre-production, production, post-production and finally reflecting and evaluating on my
work to what went well and what I could have done better so that I improve after every brief and learn from my mistakes. As I am interested in the
technical elements of theatre specifically lighting and Sunderland College don’t offer a course on Technical Theatre, I decided to independently
find work experience, so I went and trained for a week in technical theatre at Northern Stage from there I progressed to working with a
local professional theatre company Theatre Space North East as an assistant lighting desk operator for a 3-night production of modern-day
Romeo and Juliet. From here I progressed again to a cover technician at Durham Fringe Festival where over the course of a week I assisted with
over 40 shows and did sound and lighting independently for 10 of those shows. I then returned to Theatre Space Northeast as a technician for
their production of The Tempest and from there was hired as a technician for The Fire Station in Sunderland City Centre.
I have always had a passion and willingness to learn new things when I was 11, I became a peer mentor at a local youth group
which lead to me being a qualified youth worker by age 16 with a qualification in emergency first aid and safeguarding,
that experience instilled transferable skills in me that can be adapted used in industry such as teamwork, effective
communication, adaptability, leadership, time management and decision-making skills. I have continued to develop and build on
these skills during my employment and pride myself on professionalism.
Thank you for taking the time to read my cover letter and considering me for this role hopefully I will get to work for you soon,
Kind Regards, Chloe Meadows
CHARACTERS 2551
26. Final Draft
I am applying for the role of a Casual Stage Technician at the Sunderland Empire. From being young my parents have taken me to the theatre, and I have always been
interested in the lighting of a show and the technical elements in creating a show. "Being from the North East and living in close proximity to the venue, this would be
a fantastic opportunity to further progress my skills and career ambitions close to home due to the calibre of shows that visit the Empire whilst being able to stay in
the north east with my long-term goal of progressing and developing my skills to progress to a full-time technician and eventually a Chief LX in the future.
I am currently studying Level 3 Creative Media at Sunderland College where I am making products for clients working to a brief and meeting product requirements to
which then I conduct research pre-production, production and post-production. During productions I am responsive to constructive feedback and always seek to make
improvements to strengthen the quality of my work. Although my course does not contain technical theatre units, I have independently found a wealth of work
experience opportunities to develop skills within this specialist area., I went and trained for a week in technical theatre at Northern Stage from there I progressed to
working with a local professional theatre company Theatre Space North East as an assistant lighting desk operator for a 3-night production of modern-day Romeo
and Juliet. From here I progressed again to a cover technician at Durham Fringe Festival where over the course of a week I assisted with over 40 shows and did sound
and lighting independently for 10 of those shows. I then returned to Theatre Space Northeast as a technician for their production of The Tempest and from there was
hired as a technician for The Fire Station in Sunderland City Centre.
I have always had a passion and willingness to learn new things, I became a peer mentor at a local youth group which lead to me being a qualified youth worker by
age 16 with a qualification in emergency first aid and safeguarding, that experience instilled transferable skills in me that can be adapted used in industry such as
teamwork, effective communication, adaptability, leadership, time management and decision-making skills. I have continued to develop and build on these skills
during my employment and pride myself on professionalism.
With my ambition to progress in the world of Theatre, I would relish the opportunity to become a Stage Technician and I am certain that I would be an invaluable and
dedicated employee within your company.
Kind Regards, Chloe Meadows
