A marketing personal statement is a crucial element of your application which you will make to university if you want to study for an undergraduate or Master's course. It’s an opportunity for you to showcase your passion for marketing and highlight the relevant experience that makes you a suitable candidate for the programme.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what a marketing personal statement is, how to write an effective one, and what to avoid when creating it.
A personal statement for marketing is a document that you submit as part of your application when you apply for university which outlines your skills, experiences, and motivations in the field of marketing. It should effectively communicate your passion for the industry and highlight your relevant achievements, ultimately demonstrating why you are a strong candidate for the position or programme you are applying for.
An undergraduate marketing personal statement should be around 4,000 words and it should talk about the subject more broadly. A Master’s marketing personal statement is typically shorter, focusing on specific topics in your field of interest and it should be around 500 words.
A marketing personal statement should spotlight skills, achievements and existing experience, conveying your passion and enthusiasm for the subject through tangible examples that demonstrate what you will contribute to the institution.
Whether you are writing an MSc personal statement or one as part of an undergraduate application, there are some essential things you should include in each which we will explore below.
Throughout your marketing personal statement, admissions teams will want to see your passion and enthusiasm for the subject. Expressing genuine interest in the field can resonate with the reader, making you more memorable and proving that you are a serious candidate.
Beyond highlighting your skills and achievements, you should also look to answer the question “Why marketing”, demonstrating your genuine interest in the topic through additional research or activities you do outside of your studies to keep up with the industry.
Try to share personal experiences that sparked your interest in marketing—maybe a project, an internship, or even a campaign that left an impression on you. This context not only humanises your application but also demonstrates your commitment and readiness for the challenges of the course.
As part of your university application, you will need to provide details about any qualifications you have gained or any predicted grades you can expect to achieve before starting your course. Your personal statement is a good opportunity to elaborate on these qualifications to add more context and depth showing how these experiences have shaped your interests and aspirations.
Consider reflecting on significant milestones in your educational journey. For example, if you participated in notable projects, led group assignments, or engaged in extracurricular activities that complemented your studies, these are worth mentioning. Discuss specific subjects or areas of focus that you have particularly enjoyed or excelled in, and explain why they are meaningful to you.
Alongside your academic achievements and interests, relevant work experience is a great way to showcase your skills and abilities through practical examples. This can serve as evidence that you are dedicated to personal and professional development in the subject.
Not only does this demonstrate your practical knowledge but it also highlights your ability to work in diverse environments, collaborate with others, and manage your time effectively which are all essential soft skills required for university.
MSc Marketing and Strategy student Jelena explains how these soft skills can help when demonstrating your suitability for the course format:
“Think about what value you can bring to lectures and workshops, as well as to your future cohort and the university. Show that you have thoroughly researched the university and the course you are applying for. If your course assumes a lot of group work, talk about the relevant experiences and soft skills.”
Relevant work experience could include internships, work shadowing, and volunteering roles. Including examples such as these and the skills or experience you have gained as a result can set you apart from others, providing valuable insights into your character and work ethic.
Providing any evidence of extracurricular activities you have been involved in is another effective way to demonstrate your transferable skills and the personal qualities that admissions teams will be looking for.
This could include things like sports teams, volunteering roles and participation in community projects or clubs.
Extracurricular activities such as sports clubs and societies are commonly offered to students at university. Through your application, universities want to see how their future students will engage with their peers in similar ways adding value to their student body and wider community at university.
Through your marketing personal statement, it's crucial to convey your aspirations clearly, as admission teams are keen to understand the underlying motivations behind your choice of a particular marketing course and how it aligns with your career goals.
You might discuss how you envision using the skills gained during your studies will benefit you in a particular marketing specialisation such as digital marketing, content marketing, brand management, or product marketing.
By providing concrete examples and insights into your career aspirations, you can create a personal statement that not only reflects your enthusiasm for marketing but also demonstrates a clear vision of how your studies will shape your professional future.
University admissions teams receive thousands of applications every year and they are well-experienced in spotting overused clichés and phrases applicants commonly use. Over reliance on hackneyed expressions can result in your application blending into the crowd, which in turn may harm your chances of a successful application.
To ensure your application stands out, you should endeavour to craft an honest and authentic personal statement which reflects your true experiences and ambitions. Avoid exaggeration and focus on specific moments in your experience that showcase your skills, passions and motivations. Don’t be afraid to share relevant stories that reveal your personality and experience and steer clear of generic statements without concrete evidence to back your points up.
Your authenticity will capture the attention of admissions teams far better than generic statements that they have seen time and time again as MSc student, Wennie, goes on to explain:
“When writing your personal statement, aim for authenticity. Highlight your relevant experiences to strengthen and support your application. A well-crafted personal statement can effectively showcase your skills, passion, and interests to persuade the admission team that you are the ideal candidate.”
Your marketing personal statement needs to follow a narrative which engages the reader by providing succinct points which flow from introduction to conclusion. You are limited by a word count and repeating the same points or alluding to the same examples not only wastes your opportunity, it also loses the attention of the reader.
Before diving straight into writing, try to create a rough outline for your statement. Each paragraph should build upon the previous one, bringing in unique examples that back up the points you have made. Remember to keep an eye on the word count, ensuring that every sentence serves a purpose and contributes to your overall message.
Top tip: You’ll find some useful prompts and ideas on the things to cover in your marketing personal statement on our MSc Business & Marketing and MSc Marketing & Strategy course pages.
While you can make up to five choices in your application, the personal statement you write will be used for all of these choices. As such, it’s important that it is tailored enough to reflect your genuine interests and experiences related to each course and university.
Applying to multiple different courses? Remember to avoid calling out any one course in particular. And by the same token, don’t mention the names of any universities (unless, of course, you’re applying to just one). Instead, consider highlighting common themes or experiences that connect your choices, while also ensuring that you address the unique aspects of each programme.
As we have already alluded to, admissions teams are well-versed in spotting overused cliches in personal statements. UCAS has previously published the common phrases they see each year, which include:
Using these means your application will blend in with the many others they receive and the impact of your points will fall short. Instead, you should try to use a variation of sentences placing greater emphasis on the unique stories and experiences that no one else can replicate.
In preparation for finalising your decisions, it's likely that you attended an open day or read through course information brochures and course pages. You should try to demonstrate your understanding of the course you are applying for by highlighting specific course themes that interest you.
MSc student, Dhananjay, explains how researching is a crucial part of crafting a successful personal statement:
“Before you even begin the application process, it’s crucial to invest time in researching various MSc courses that align with your academic interests and career goals. Consider factors such as curriculum content, faculty expertise, research facilities, and employment outcomes.”
Not only will this help you to structure and examples you use throughout your marketing personal statement but it will also demonstrate you’ve taken the time to fully consider and firm up the options on your UCAS application.
Once you have written your personal statement, it can be tempting to send it off without thoroughly proofreading your writing. Unfortunately, this means that you may have overlooked simple grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
A personal statement littered with mistakes can undermine the professionalism of your application and detract from the strength of your message. Admissions teams may also view your writing as a reflection of your attention to detail and commitment to your application.
A polished statement not only showcases your writing skills but also demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively. To ensure your personal statement leaves a positive impression you should proofread your personal statement thoroughly before sending it. You could also try reading it aloud or asking a trusted friend or family member to proofread your statement as a fresh pair of eyes is a good way to spot mistakes or identify areas of improvement.
Crafting a compelling marketing personal statement is essential for standing out in a competitive applicant pool. By effectively showcasing your experiences, achievements, and passion for the field, you can demonstrate your readiness for advanced study.
Designed for the Change Makers of the future, our Master's courses will drive you to learn, question, debate and make an impact on the world around you.
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in the world of marketing, explore our MSc Business & Marketing or our MSc Marketing & Strategy course which has been voted 2nd in the UK and 7th in the world in the QS Business Masters Rankings 2025. These programmes are designed to equip you with essential skills and knowledge that are crucial in today’s ever-changing marketing landscape. Not quite right for you? Discover our full range of Master’s courses.
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