statement of purpose for phd in hrm

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Guide

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

Postgraduate Personal Statements

International Student Personal Statements

Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

Postgraduate human resource management personal statement example.

Pursuing a masters degree is a responsibility I owe to myself as well as a commitment I have to others. I refer to it as a responsibility because I have a proactive outlook on life, which makes me actively seek and go after the things that I want to accomplish in life. I refer to it as a commitment because I want to be an example to others of the attainments and contribution to society that women can make.

My first introduction to human resource management came as a result of an encounter with Victor Banjo, General Manager Human Resources Oceanic Bank Plc. It was as a result of this encounter that I was able to get detailed understanding of the roles played by human resource in tackling human issues and consequently in organizational success.

In light of this, I have decided to take up the masters program in Human Resource Management because I am interested in the role it plays in achieving organizations goals and objectives, key among them being hiring and training the best employees, and dealing with performance issues.

I am a graduate of Mass Communications from Bowen University. My Mass Communications degree has provided me with a strong foundation as well as fortified me with good communications skills, personal communications as well as organizational communications skills, bearing in mind that the importance of proper communication in the business environment cannot be over-emphasized. In the same vein, professionals of communication recognize the importance of good business practices.

My career goal is to work in a leading firm that places priority on professionalism and lead such organization towards attainment of set goals by making use of knowledge garnered as well as experience. Ten years from now I see myself as a human resource consultant, providing professional advice so that others can make the best decisions.

I believe a masters degree in Human Resource Management is all I need to make this dream come true. It fits the profile of this goal.

Perhaps some of my greatest attributes is that I am smart, hardworking, and inquisitive. I am always willing to learn and I appreciate every opportunity to learn new things or old ones differently. I am sensitive and genuinely interested in others, which makes me confident that HRM is the path I want to tread. Human resources are vital to any organization: without people the organization would not function.

I chose this university because of its great reputation, its renowned academic excellence, and good industry links as well as flexible postgraduate schemes. I look forward to being a part of a renowned institution as your institution. I firmly believe that the right education in the right school will open doors of advancement in my chosen field of study.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by feeblefoxy for application in 2010.

feeblefoxy's Comments

It took me quite a while to put this together because I was really nervous as to what to write in order to get accepted in a reputable institution. However once I started it really went well and I got admitted in a number of reputable British institutions including University of Sheffield, Kents, Salford, Robert Gordon, Aberdeen and some others

Related Personal Statements

Add new comment.

Sample Statement of Purpose – Human Resource Management

This sample SOP was used by a non-native English speaker to apply to a master’s program in Human Resources Management in the UK.

If you need help writing your SOP, check out our SOP Writing Service

Statement of Purpose – Human Resource Management

As college and graduate degrees have become more important in the modern job market, it has become increasingly important to find ways to stand out and offer a competitive advantage. This is why I have decided to leave my native country and pursue a master’s degree in the UK, as the exposure to its world-class education system and the experience interacting with diverse students in a western environment will give me a crucial edge in my career. I am applying to your master’s program in Human Resource Management in order to prepare to help manage my parents’ company in the future. This company is currently struggling to grow and compete, and in my view this is due largely to human resources factors, such as recruitment/training programs and more comprehensive solutions for situations such as the retirement of key section managers. That is why I have decided to study Human Resource Management, as I want to help this company solve its current problems and deal with future problems of human resources management, which will be crucial to its long-term growth.

Currently, I am completing my final year in Goodwell University’s Department of Tourism, which is part of the management school. In this program, I had the chance to take the course Human Resources Management, in which I learned about the challenges of managing the human resources in organizations of different sizes. The various case studies we were assigned gave me a practical understanding of how to solve these problems. In addition, I had a number of related courses, including Management, Organizational Behavior, and Economics, from which I learned about the broader structure of organizations, grew more familiar with different approaches to management, and developed a foundation of knowledge in both theoretical and practical aspects of economics. Such wide-ranging professional knowledge is vital for a successful human resource manager, and I expect that this background will prove immensely useful when undertaking graduate studies of Human Resources Management.

Outside of class, I had an internship at a hotel, which proved among my most formative learning experiences. I received a great deal of help and guidance from the human resource section there, and as a result I came to better understand the role played by HR personnel in recruitment and training, which includes helping newcomers adapt to the organizational culture and providing training on labour rights, teamwork spirit, language barriers, etc. By the end of my internship, I had a newfound appreciation for the importance of human resource managers, and it was at this time that I began preparing to pursue graduate studies in this field.

In 2014, I had the chance to travel to the UK on a study tour, an experience which significantly broadened my horizons and changed my outlook. I made friends with people from different cultures, which inspired me to explore the world more. In the previous summer vacation, I went backpacking with a friend in the USA, and I thus have considerable experience adapting to new situations and facing the challenges of culture shock. In addition to these trips, I have used my free time to improve my language skills, which are crucial to both the hospitality industry and the HR industry. Aside from studying English, I have been learning Korean, and I obtained a certificate for the Test of Proficiency in Korean. Now, I am eager to pursue more formal and long-term studies in the UK, as I view this as the first step toward becoming a true citizen of the world.

Regarding my future goals, in the short-term I plan to devote all of my energy to studying in your master’s program and cultivating expertise of Human Resources Management. In the medium-term, I plan to earn my CIPD certificate and then return to my native country to begin my career. Eventually, I would like to work in an international hotel, honing my practical skills and applying the professional knowledge that I have accumulated. Besides the HR department, I also hope to learn from the T&D department how to come up with comprehensive courses for different departments. After accumulating sufficient experience, I plan to work in my parents’ company and learn to run the company. I will apply what I learnt to planning a more comprehensive HR program to solve problems and enable this company’s continued growth and expansion. A master’s degree in Human Resources Management from your university will open new doors for me and enable me to achieve any goal that I set for myself, and I am therefore very much looking forward to the opportunity to begin learning from and contributing to your program.

Related Posts

Sample Personal Statement: Architecture

Sample personal statement – business analytics, sample statement of purpose (sop): computer science, write a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Sample SOPs
• Sample UCAS Personal Statements
• Common App Sample Essays
• Sample GTE Statements
• Sample Scholarship Letters and Essays
• Sample Letters of Recommendation / Reference Letters
• Free Sample CVs and Resumes
• FREE Instant SOP Generator
• SOP Writing Service
• IELTS Sample Tests

• Prices/Payment
• Standard Service US$199.00
• VIP/Rush Service US$299.00
• Statement of Purpose Help
• Dr Robert Edinger, Personal Statement of Purpose Specialist
• Editing/Writing Service
• Guarantee/Privacy Policy
• Client Testimony
• Autobiographical
• Disadvantaged Status
• Letters of Recommendation

#header_text h2#site_subheading a, #header_text h2#site_subheading{ color:#000000 } @media (min-width: 650px) { #header_text h2#site_subheading a, #header_text h2#site_subheading{ } }

Sample statement of purpose for the phd in human resource education and development.

I ask for the profound privilege of attending your program primarily based on my extensive professional experience and I ask for special consideration given that my GPA is only 3.14 rather than the required 3.5. My excessive work schedule primarily affected my academic progress. My pursuit to build the careers of others and move up to the next level in my own career, obligated me to commit to long hours and a vast amount of time away from home. I was dedicated to both work and attaining my Master’s degree. I persevered and in time finished my degree, but not at the level of performance that I would have liked. My prior grades are in no way a reflection of the time and work I will dedicate to this program. I will take on this program full-time and only take on an assistantship if granted the opportunity to do so.  I also ask for a waiver of the GMAT/GRE on the basis of the fact that I already earned a Master’s Degree and my graduate program of study did not require testing, so I do not have scores to present.

I look forward, in particular, to studying under Drs. XXXX and XXXX. Both of these noteworthy women stand out as role models that I seek to emulate as a result of my studies in leadership in the HR and Development field in your program.

I seek an intensive and thoroughgoing immersion in Development Studies at the University of XXXX, with a central focus on creating change in organizations, ROI, and employee competency based models. I especially look forward to studying change in the workplace with in-depth examinations of the methods that have been most successful in bringing about progressive change not only within the organization in question but also the broader community. It would be a special honor to learn directly from Dr. XXXX since I very much respect and admire her as a member of the top five finalists for the U.S. Department of Labor's 2005 Recognition of Excellence Award.

Like Dr. Gaudet, I seek to excel in the future in the areas of leadership in private as well as public sector organizations. I look forward to a long professional lifetime giving my all to facilitate the most effective strategic approaches possible to human capital development. I look forward to learning new strategies that will help me to increasingly come to a better understanding of development as it relates to all aspects of an organization

Your PHD Program is my first choice because it fits so well with my central long-term goals and plans for my professional future. Your program is ideal for the fullest immersion into research, change in the workplace, and workforce development. My focus has long been on people, organizational behavior, training and development, and helping those that are in one way or another disadvantaged. The Detroit area communities in which I have worked have invariably been low-income with high unemployment rates. I tried to provide many community members with training and job opportunities that they would not otherwise have. I have always been active in the community as a volunteer, spending a lot of time in particular with a job training program operated by Goodwill Industries focused on urban, low-income communities.

As a result of earning my PHD in your distinguished executive program, I will be able to make my maximum contribution to human development in underserved communities, dedicating the balance of my professional life to fomenting, encouraging, and supporting the development of opportunities in education and career opportunities. I look forward to filling a leadership position as a consultant for firms and organizations, helping to lead their companies to success through effective management of their people. My dream is to travel the world and implement training programs that focus on building organizational growth by investing in the people who are on board and capable of achieving organizational goals for the future.

My goals included traveling as well as teaching. I would like to either be leading an organization in diversity issues and training in organizational leadership/HR or teaching in this area at the university or community college level. My dream is to teach others how to dream successfully, pragmatically, but in innovative and creative ways that are brave, effective, and contribute to progressive social and institutional change resulting in better life for at the community if not also a global level.

My ideal position would be to serve as a Chief Human Resources Officer or Professor in Human Resources or Organizational Behavior. I absolutely love to see people flourish in and outside of the workplace. I have dedicated my life to service, growth, and education, investing a decade in learning and managing for success, helping our employees to achieve personal as well as professional goals, many of whom at first thought these goals to be out of their reach.

I have also spent a lot of time volunteering to help contribute to the growth of our future leaders. I believe that I will help uncover strategic and innovative research that will help organizations focus on the people that will make them successful. I feel strongly that people should have the opportunity to love and grow as a result of what they do. Organizations need to be provide an environment that presents this open door of growth and opportunity to every employee.

I hope to do creative research in the future with respect to our search for solutions to lack of employee opportunity within organizations. I would like to create a program to assist leaders with employee engagement, helping to facilitate growth. My own Master’s Thesis dealt with Pharmacy Employee Engagement with the goal to uncover workplace morale and engagement in the workplace. My study found that most employees do not consider themselves engaged, and management generally places insufficient priority and resources in the areas of training and development.

One of my proudest achievements so far has been my work with CVS Caremark All Kids Can™, a program of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and supported by CVS Caremark, a five-year, $25 million commitment to making life easier for children with disabilities. Through this signature program, CVS Caremark and the Trust supports nonprofit organizations that provide innovative programs and services in local communities, focused on helping children with disabilities to learn, play and succeed in life.

The goals of All Kids Can are to raise awareness in schools and in local communities about the importance of inclusion; build barrier-free playgrounds so children of all abilities can play side-by-side; and provide medical rehabilitation and related services to children with disabilities.  I have taken full advantage of every opportunity to contribute to this program as a store manager for the past 10 years, responsible for onboarding, training, development of new and current talent. As a result of employee engagement results, sales, promotion rates, and overall performance, I was promoted to District Manager Emerging Leader. My work and commitment during my time in this program allowed me to manage across boundaries and build relationships with all levels of management. As a result of my efforts, I earned the Paragon award, the most prestigious award attainable in the organization. Thus, I am now experienced at the management of other salaried store managers, leading district meetings and providing feedback to help teams succeed.

I earned my Bachelors of Science in Public Administration in 2005 and my Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Administration in 2012, followed by my Master of Science in Administration (MSA) in Human Resources Administration in 2016.  Raising professional standards, innovation in the workplace, organizational behavior and its impact on engagement, work environments conducive to individual and organizational growth and development – I keenly look forward to it all.

As part of Career Day, I was a guest speaker for middle school students as part of the Dove Self-Esteem Project, founded in 2004, to help the next generation of women grow up feeling happy and confident about the way they look. The project delivers self-esteem education to young people (primarily girls) aged 8-17 years through lessons in schools, workshops for youth groups, and online resources for parents. This experience taught me early on the joys of public service and empowering others, in the workplace and beyond.

I’m excited and look forward to research opportunities as a doctoral student in your program. I am ready to take on this challenge and hope that I will have the opportunity to learn and grow from the faculty and my fellow students also pursuing their PHD. I look forward to producing work that will contribute to the advancement of research at the University of XXXX and the scholarly community.

I thank you for consideration of my application.

Anonymous Samples of My Work in Human Resources

This is a blog component, you do not currently have any posts to display. You can write your first post , import posts from another service or delete the component.

Placeholder ImageLet a diversity expert help you get admitted to graduate school in HRM!

The Humanitarian Side of Human Resources

A human resources degree could lead you down the path to a humanitarian career working for the UN, an NGO somewhere far away or working abroad could just be a nice detour while you decide what you’d like to specialize in later.

According to FundsForNGOs.Org, human resource management is just as important for NGOs as it is for other organizations. HR managers are critical for organizations to achieve their goals. Without personnel, where would any concern be, whether humanitarian or not?

Take a peek at unjobfinder.org, and you’ll find plenty of interesting posts to choose from.

Fancy a bit of excitement and good work abroad? INTERSOS is an independent nonprofit organization committed to assisting the victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. At the time of writing, they are seeking a Head of Mission in Nigeria to coordinate operations and human resources in Nigeria.

You must have an advanced university degree, or a first level degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience like at least 5 years of professional work experience in a management/coordination position in a humanitarian or development context. The contract is for 1 year.

If Africa is your thing, there is also a vacancy for a Staff Welfare Officer in Nairobi, at UNHCR, which has operations in 126 countries and a large workforce. An advanced university degree in clinical psychology, psychotherapy, counselling or another mental health care profession is required for the job, plus 6 years or more of work experience that’s relevant to the job. Tasks include the provision of technical expertise related to the programs of psychological well-being of staff and their family members, provision of clinical work with colleagues and their family, providing expert advice and guidance to the operation representatives, etc.

UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near East is currently seeking an individual for the Experts Roster – Human Resource Management with substantial experience in job classification and compensation, employment and contract law, recruitment, adult training and development, human resources planning, human resources policy development, etc. This mission is aimed at helping Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and the organization has more than 30,000 staff members.

Femmes Africa Solidarite is an international women’s organization with UN ECOSOS Consultative Status that works to empower African women to assume leadership roles in peace building and conflict resolution. Its Human Resource and Administration Officer job profile may give you a sense of the type of role someone like you could play in an organization like this one.

The key responsibilities involved include developing and maintaining functional and efficient human resources management and administration systems, processes and procedures; tracking staff movement and enhance record-keeping, internal controls, and compliance with legal, labor and immigration requirements; contribute to budget preparations and audit activities; manage performance, compensation and benefits.

The job requirements include a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management or Administration, a minimum of 3 years’ experience in human resources management and administration in an NGO or development agency, and to speak both French and English.

Let’s face it, without a master’s degree, it’s hard to get a good job and do what you really want to do effectively – help people, feel like you have the best skills you can develop for the good of the world.

When is comes to master’s degrees, you have a number of options.

The M.Sc. in Human Resource Administration Concentration program at Central Michigan University, USA, for example, is going to help you master everything human resources. It will help you keep your knowledge broad, so you can choose to work within a humanitarian organization, or stick with a regular for-profit company.

The Michigan University program costs USD 13,788 per year, and covers course topics like the foundations of research methods in administration, organizational dynamics and human behavior and strategic planning for the administrator.

Alternatively, you could go for something more nonprofit friendly. The Postgraduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management at the American Public University, USA, is a 12-month, online program that will provide you with a solid foundation in leadership, finance, governmental relations, communications, marketing and fundraising. It costs USD 350 per module due to its distance learning nature, and could make the perfect flexible choice if you’re busy working and want to earn while you learn.

Perhaps you don’t want to veer too far off your HR course, and teaching ruffles your feathers. The M.Ed. in Adult Learning (Concentration in Human Resource Development) at Virginia Commonwealth University, USA is a 33-credit hour program that prepares you for a broad range of positions. There’s no reason why you couldn’t take your hard-earned knowledge to the developing world with the help of a humanitarian organization once you completed your studies.

So, ready to get started on the search for a great master’s degree that will make you super employable all over the planet? Or perhaps you’ve already started on this mission, but you’re a bit worried about the personal statement writing. You know what? We have you covered. We provide professional services to intelligent, motivated individuals like you. We want you to succeed. Just get in touch to find out how we can help.

We Need to Bring White Males into Diversity/Inclusion Programs

I consider myself to be not only a diversity specialist, but also a diversity advocate, despite the fact that I am a white male. When HR professionals discuss diversity and inclusion programs, the key demographic of white men is often excluded or neglected. Some people tend to think of white male business leaders as the antithesis of diversity, when in fact they could be the most important group to ensuring that an organization becomes truly inclusive.

Most Recently Edited Samples

• Real Estate Finance Master's Degree, Hong Kong, China
• MS, Chinese, Statistics for Technological Advancement
• MS Construction Mgmt, Indian Applicant
• Graphic Design Master's, Art History Background
• PHD Health Sciences Informatics, Chinese
• PHD Economics, Policy Analysis, Chinese
• PHD Earth Sciences, Petroleum Engineering Nigeria
• Master’s Real Estate Development, Latino, Mexico
• Doctor of Special Education, Autism Spectrum
• Masters Real Estate, Los Angeles, Indian
• MS Real Estate, NYC, Harlem, African-American
• Master’s Statistics, Chinese Woman
• Master’s Global Business Journalism, Korean
• Undergraduate, Physics, Chinese
• Diversity Statement, Grad School, Hong Kong
• PHD Statistics, Biomedical Research, Korean
• PHD Epidemiology LOR, Chinese Doctor
• MS Accountancy, Bookkeeping, Vietnamese
• Certificate Program in Global Studies and IR, Mexican-American
• PHD Agricultural Economics, Bangladeshi

View older posts »

Premium Statement Service by Dr. Robert Edinger

Premium Service  US$299.00    

With maximum creativity, research as indicated, priority attention, and as many drafts as needed,

Dr Robert Edinger with Son David

[email protected]

1-812-675-4937

Statements of Excellence for Admission to Graduate School in Human Resource Management

You are wonderful! I'm so glad I've found you. I will recommend this website to all my friends.  The Statement is so impressive! Thank you so much!  I love you, Statements of Purpose Team! You are my Heroes! Thank you so much and lots of love from Istanbul.

B.Z. (Application for Master’s in HR Management May 2011)

HR, HRM, Human Resources Management Personal Statement of Purpose for Graduate School Admission, Master's MA, Doctorate PHD.

Graduates work as professional HR managers in the public and private sectors; in professional practices such as law firms; trade unions; employer associations; state and federal government departments; HR management consultancies; industrial relations; negotiation and advocacy; and occupational health and safety. A major in human resources is advantageous for all employees who work as line managers in all industries.

I would be honored to help you gain admission to graduate school in Human Resource Management by drafting a most eloquent statement on your behalf. In addition to filling out my  Online Interview Form , send your resume/CV and/or rough draft to my email: 

• Accountancy
• Agriculture
• Architecture
• Asian Studies
• Communications
• Computer Science
• Construction Management
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Ethnic Studies
• Food Science
• Gender Studies
• Graphic Design
• Hospitality
• Human Resources
• Information Systems
• International Relations
• Latin American Studies
• Law Enforcement
• Library & Information Science
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Media Studies
• Medical School
• Occupational Therapy
• Physician Assistant Studies
• Political Science
• Real Estate
• Religious Studies
• Security Studies
• Translation
• Veterinary Medicine
• Women's Studies

Search by Degree, Field, or Country of Origin

How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Congrats! You’ve chosen a graduate program , read up on tips for applying to grad school , and even wrote a focused grad school resumé . But if you’re like many students, you’ve left the most daunting part of the application process for last—writing a statement of purpose. The good news is, the task doesn’t have to feel so overwhelming, as long as you break the process down into simple, actionable steps. Below, learn how to write a strong, unique statement of purpose that will impress admissions committees and increase your chances of getting into your dream school.

What is a statement of purpose?

A statement of purpose (SOP), sometimes referred to as a personal statement, is a critical piece of a graduate school application that tells admissions committees who you are, what your academic and professional interests are, and how you’ll add value to the graduate program you’re applying to.

Jared Pierce, associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.  

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

How long should a statement of purpose be?

“A statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words,” Pierce says, noting that it should typically not exceed a single page. He advises that students use a traditional font at a readable size (11- or 12-pt) and leave enough whitespace in the margins to make the statement easy-to-read. Make sure to double-space the statement if the university has requested it, he adds. 

Interested in learning more about Northeastern’s graduate programs?

Get your questions answered by our enrollment team.

REQUEST INFORMATION

How to Write a Statement of Purpose: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand how to format a statement of purpose, you can begin drafting your own. Getting started can feel daunting, but Pierce suggests making the process more manageable by breaking down the writing process into four easy steps.

1. Brainstorm your ideas.

First, he says, try to reframe the task at hand and get excited for the opportunity to write your statement of purpose. He explains:

“Throughout the application process, you’re afforded few opportunities to address the committee directly. Here is your chance to truly speak directly to them. Each student arrives at this process with a unique story, including prior jobs, volunteer experience, or undergraduate studies. Think about what makes you you and start outlining.”

When writing your statement of purpose, he suggests asking yourself these key questions:

• Why do I want this degree?
• What are my expectations for this degree?
• What courses or program features excite me the most?
• Where do I want this degree to take me, professionally and personally?
• How will my unique professional and personal experiences add value to the program?

Jot these responses down to get your initial thoughts on paper. This will act as your starting point that you’ll use to create an outline and your first draft.

2. Develop an outline.

Next, you’ll want to take the ideas that you’ve identified during the brainstorming process and plug them into an outline that will guide your writing. 

An effective outline for your statement of purpose might look something like this:

• An attention-grabbing hook
• A brief introduction of yourself and your background as it relates to your motivation behind applying to graduate school 
• Your professional goals as they relate to the program you’re applying to
• Why you’re interested in the specific school and what you can bring to the table
• A brief summary of the information presented in the body that emphasizes your qualifications and compatibility with the school

An outline like the one above will give you a roadmap to follow so that your statement of purpose is well-organized and concise. 

3. Write the first draft.

Your statement of purpose should communicate who you are and why you are interested in a particular program, but it also needs to be positioned in a way that differentiates you from other applicants. 

Admissions professionals already have your transcripts, resumé, and test scores; the statement of purpose is your chance to tell your story in your own words.

When you begin drafting content, make sure to:

• Provide insight into what drives you , whether that’s professional advancement, personal growth, or both.
• Demonstrate your interest in the school by addressing the unique features of the program that interest you most. For Northeastern, he says, maybe it’s experiential learning; you’re excited to tackle real-world projects in your desired industry. Or perhaps it’s learning from faculty who are experts in your field of study.
• Be yourself. It helps to keep your audience in mind while writing, but don’t forget to let your personality shine through. It’s important to be authentic when writing your statement to show the admissions committee who you are and why your unique perspective will add value to the program.

4. Edit and refine your work.

Before you submit your statement of purpose:

• Make sure you’ve followed all directions thoroughly , including requirements about margins, spacing, and font size.
• Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Remember that a statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words. If you’ve written far more than this, read through your statement again and edit for clarity and conciseness. Less is often more; articulate your main points strongly and get rid of any “clutter.”
• Walk away and come back later with a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes your best ideas come when you’re not sitting and staring at your computer.
• Ask someone you trust to read your statement before you submit it.

Making a Lasting Impression

Your statement of purpose can leave a lasting impression if done well, Pierce says. It provides you with the opportunity to highlight your unique background and skills so that admissions professionals understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the program that you’re applying to. If nothing else, stay focused on what you uniquely bring to the classroom, the program, and the campus community. If you do that, you’ll excel.

To learn more tricks and tips for submitting an impressive graduate school application, explore our related Grad School Success articles .

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in March 2017. It has since been updated for thoroughness and accuracy.

Subscribe below to receive future content from the Graduate Programs Blog.

About shayna joubert, related articles.

Why Earn a Professional Doctoral Degree?

5 Tips to Get the Most out of Grad School

Is Earning a Graduate Certificate Worth It?

Did you know.

Advanced degree holders earn a salary an average 25% higher than bachelor's degree holders. (Economic Policy Institute, 2021)

Northeastern University Graduate Programs

Explore our 200+ industry-aligned graduate degree and certificate programs.

Most Popular:

Tips for taking online classes: 8 strategies for success, public health careers: what can you do with an mph, 7 international business careers that are in high demand, edd vs. phd in education: what’s the difference, 7 must-have skills for data analysts, in-demand biotechnology careers shaping our future, the benefits of online learning: 8 advantages of online degrees, the best of our graduate blog—right to your inbox.

Stay up to date on our latest posts and university events. Plus receive relevant career tips and grad school advice.

By providing us with your email, you agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Keep Reading:

5 Homeland Security Careers for the Future

The Top 3 Job Requirements For a Homeland Security Career

What Are Security Studies?

Should I Go To Grad School: 4 Questions to Consider

• Skip to main content
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Apply Apply
•   Follow Us

How to Write a Statement of Purpose for PhD Admission

The dreaded doctoral statement of purpose — every PhD program asks for it, but why is it so difficult to write? Writing a strong statement of purpose is essential to getting into your top PhD programs. A PhD statement of purpose gives admissions committees an introduction to your research interests and why their specific program is of interest to you.

Like a cover letter for a job application, a great statement of purpose allows you to highlight your strengths, interests and experience. If you need statement of purpose advice, keep reading for guidance on how to write a successful statement of purpose that will make your PhD application stand out.

Statement of purpose vs. personal statement

Though the two may sound similar, they’re not necessarily interchangeable. A personal statement gives insight into who you are, while a statement of purpose is meant to showcase what you want to do. Rarely will you be asked to write a personal statement for a PhD program.

As you go through the PhD application process, you will likely see schools requesting either a statement of purpose or a research statement. In most cases, they're both looking for the same thing. Admissions committees want to know about your academic background, your research goals and what you hope to accomplish as a candidate in a PhD program.

Your research goals should align with faculty research

Being admitted to a PhD program is a great feeling, but if you enroll in a program that doesn’t match your research interests or help support your career goals, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment later down the road.

Applying for admission to a program is all about fit. Faculty reviewers are looking for students who best represent the department’s mission and will help them obtain their research objectives.

By the time you apply, you should have a solid understanding of what the department’s primary research and content areas are, as well as which faculty members you’d like to work with more closely. This might mean finding information about what their labs do and reading published articles related to their work.

Be sure to include how your interests and past experiences align with the work that they do and how you would be an active contributor to those endeavors. This approach shows that you took the time to look into their program, so the committee will be more willing to invest theirs in reviewing your application.

Don’t be afraid to address your weaknesses

Many people assume they should avoid listing their shortcomings in their essays. The whole point of applying to a program is to impress the reviewers, right? But constructively addressing your weaknesses can be a great way to demonstrate how this program can help you achieve your academic goals.

Look at the catalog and read through the courses that are part of the program. If there is a particular class that fascinates you, talk about how it could help you obtain a new skill or a better understanding of a concept that you’ve struggled with before.

This demonstrates that you are actively seeking programs to help you better your education. It also exhibits that you’re mindful of what areas of your knowledge need some improvement, which shows maturity and the ability to self-assess.

Keep it succinct

If your program of interest does not specify a page word or word limit, it’s best to assume that your statement should not exceed two pages total. It should be enough to give them a glimpse of who you are and what you have to offer but not share your life story.

The aim is to communicate how and why this particular program will help you meet your academic and career goals. Limited space means you must prioritize what you include in your statement.

Create an outline before you start writing to ensure you are including points that are relevant to your application and the program to which you are applying. Your statement is also an example of how well you can write. By framing your essay before you write it, you can avoid stream-of-consciousness writing that can often come across as undefined and incoherent.

Proofread! And read it over and over

When you think you have a finished product, read your essay out loud. This makes it easier to catch typos, poor grammar, and oddly worded sentences. If you have a friend who is also applying to grad school, help each other out by editing each other’s essays.

Having someone else read your statement and ask questions can help you clarify your points and make it more compelling. Your statement is your one chance to present yourself professionally in your own words. The occasional mistake is excusable, but messy writing will make them think you lack attention to detail.

Before you hit submit on that application, be sure that you have attached the correct document for the right institution. It can be very embarrassing if your statement mentions the wrong faculty member’s name or refers to another school’s library! It could also cause the reviewers to think you are not as serious about their program.

You’ve spent a good amount of time perfecting your application, so take your time to review everything before you submit it so you can rest easy knowing you’ve presented your best.

Get tips and learn more

about how to apply to a PhD by reading our guide on Choosing, Applying for, and Thriving in a PhD Program!

Request more

Information.

Complete the form to reach out to us for more information

Published On

More articles, recommended articles for you, 5 tips for writing your ph.d. dissertation.

Somewhere around the end of the first year of your Ph.D. program, you will probably start (or have...

How to Become an Assistant Professor: My Experience Finding a Job in Academia

One of the great benefits of earning a doctoral degree is the range of academic positions a PhD can...

Beyond the Tenure-Track But Still In the Heart of Academia

As a student who is entering or completing a Ph.D. program, you're probably thinking about the...

Browse articles by topic

Subscribe to.

Flawless Statement Of Purpose For PhD: Samples & Tips

As an aspiring PhD student, you’ve probably heard it time and time again – your statement of purpose (SOP) is one of the most important elements of your application. In just a few short pages, the admissions committee needs to understand your research interests, fit for the program, and long-term career goals. It’s no small feat to efficiently and powerfully convey all this within the character limit restrictions. That’s why we are here to walk you through everything you need to know to create the perfect SOP and bolster your chances of admissions success. In this post, we’ll unpack the anatomy of a compelling SOP, including essential components and structure. We’ll also share statement of purpose for PhD samples from both real and fictional but effective essays to give you a sense of the different styles and tones you can take.Finally, we’ll provide my top writing and editing tips to help you put your best foot forward and craft the type of polished, punchy statement that makes admissions officers eager to admit you into their program. Let’s dive in and get started on building your application’s most pivotal piece.

Understand the purpose

A statement of purpose for a PhD program is more than just a formal requirement for the application process; it is a critical component that helps the admission committee understand your academic journey, your research interests, and your fit into the program. The SOP serves a dual purpose- it demonstrates your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely, reflecting your communication skills, and it outlines your intellectual curiosity and dedication to your field of study. The committee uses the SOP to gauge whether your research interests align with those of the faculty, whether you have the potential to contribute significantly to the field, and whether you have the resilience and dedication to withstand the rigors of a PhD program. Essentially, the SOP is your opportunity to convince the committee that you are a compatible candidate for the program and that you have the ambition, curiosity, and academic prowess to succeed.

What your statement of purpose should not do

While your statement of purpose should provide a comprehensive picture of your academic journey, it should not merely rehash what can already be found on your resume or CV. The resume primarily lists your qualifications, the courses you’ve taken, the projects you’ve completed, and the positions you’ve held. Simply repeating these details in your statement does not add any value to your application and can be redundant.

As demonstrated in the statement of purpose for PhD samples below, the aim of the essay is to provide context, explain the motivations behind your academic and professional decisions, and to outline your future research goals and aspirations. Rehashing your resume wastes valuable space that could be used to highlight your research interests, demonstrate your analytical thinking, and elucidate your understanding of the academic field. Moreover, it reflects a lack of creativity and an inability to think critically, traits that are extremely important for a successful PhD candidate. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that your SOP goes beyond your resume, offering a deeper insight into your intellectual journey and your commitment to your chosen field of study.

Here is an illustration of how your statement of purpose can provide a comprehensive account of your academic journey without simply echoing your resume or CV:

“As an undergraduate, I was drawn to the complexities and intricacies of molecular biology, a fascination that was kindled during my sophomore year project on DNA replication. This wasn’t simply a course requirement for me, but a thrilling dive into the minuscule yet mighty world of cells and DNA. The project led me to identify my research interest and, subsequently, to choose an internship in a lab specializing in gene editing techniques. This experience allowed me to work with renowned professionals and gain hands-on experience, igniting a desire to contribute meaningfully to this field. My decision to apply for a PhD program in molecular biology stems from this inquisitiveness and the profound desire to delve deeper into the mysteries of genetic codes. If granted the opportunity, my aim is to focus on gene therapy research to combat genetic disorders, a pursuit that I believe can change countless lives. This is not merely an academic endeavor for me; it is my commitment to contribute to a field that holds immense potential for human health.”

Know your audience

Understanding your audience is central to crafting a compelling statement of purpose for a PhD program. When preparing your SOP, consider the specifics of the program and department you’re applying to — what are their research focus areas, what methodologies do they frequently employ, who are the key faculty members, and what are their contributions to the field? Incorporating these details into your SOP will demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and that you’re genuinely interested in the program.

It’s not about pandering to the department; rather, it’s about showing that you’ve taken the time to understand their objectives and that you see a genuine alignment between their work and your research interests. For instance, if the department is known for its focus on quantitative methods, you might want to highlight your experience with these methods and how you plan to utilize them in your research. Similarly, if a faculty member in the department is doing groundbreaking work in your area of interest, mentioning this work and how it aligns with your research goals could work in your favor.

Remember, the SOP is not just about selling your skills and achievements; it’s about weaving a narrative that shows a deep understanding of the program, a clear vision of your research journey, and a firm belief in your compatibility with the department’s goals and values. Among the statement of purpose for PhD samples provided in this blog post, the following one demonstrates how to do just that:

“As an aspiring PhD candidate, I am drawn to the University of XYZ’s Department of Neuroscience due to its renowned focus on neurodegenerative diseases. I have a particular interest in the methodologies that Dr. Jane Doe employs in her groundbreaking research on Parkinson’s disease. Having utilized quantitative methods extensively during my master’s thesis, I plan to further refine these skills to contribute to this field’s evolving discourse. I am particularly impressed by the department’s innovative approach to integrating molecular biology and computational modeling . This aligns closely with my own vision of utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach to understand the complexities of neurodegenerative disorders. My past research endeavors along with my desire to delve deeper into this particular field have equipped me with a unique perspective and a steadfast determination. I firmly believe that the application of my skills and the alignment of our research interests will significantly contribute to the department’s ongoing projects and overarching goals.”

Focus on your research experience

In your statement of purpose, the articulation of past experiences forms a pivotal part. It lays a foundational layer that demonstrates your abilities, commitment, and growth. Each experience that you narrate should be a reflection of your intellectual curiosity, research acumen, and dedication to your chosen field.

This does not mean that you just sequentially list your experiences. Instead, it is essential to focus on those that had a significant impact on your academic journey or shaped your research interests. Discuss your learnings, illustrate how challenges were addressed and remember to underline your contribution to each experience shared.

The idea is to paint a picture of your capabilities, showcasing not just your technical skills, but also your problem-solving ability, perseverance, and team spirit. When an admissions committee member reads your SOP, they should not only grasp your past experiences but also see your potential to effect meaningful change in the future.

As such, your SOP should be a blend of your present and future – a snapshot of who you have been, who you are, and who you aspire to become. Therefore, invest the time to reflect, compose, and meticulously proofread your SOP, as it serves as a powerful tool that can impress the admissions committee, setting you apart from other candidates.

“During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to be a part of a research team working on nano-sensor technology. This experience ignited my passion for nanotechnology and sensor systems, as I found the potential of these technologies in addressing some of the pressing environmental issues remarkable. I contributed to this project by identifying a novel approach for enhancing the sensor’s sensitivity, which was an outcome of my methodical problem-solving approach and rigorous testing. This experience was not without its challenges, and it was during these trying times that my perseverance shone through. There were instances when our team hit roadblocks, but we resolved them collaboratively, highlighting my ability to work effectively in a team. The knowledge and skills that I gained from this experience have significantly influenced my academic path and future aspirations. Now, I aim to delve deeper into this domain in my graduate studies, with the ultimate goal of developing innovative solutions for environmental challenges. I believe that my dedication, combined with my problem-solving skills and team spirit, will enable me to contribute significantly to the ongoing projects at your esteemed institution.”

Highlight your research interests

As shown in the statement of purpose for PhD samples below, general statements about being interested in a broad field, such as ‘molecular biology’ or ‘international relations,’ will not make you stand out. Instead, delve into the intricate aspects of your area of interest, demonstrating your profound understanding and passion for the subject.

For instance, if your research interest lies in the domain of molecular biology, you might specify that you are particularly intrigued by the role of microRNAs in gene regulation and its implications for cancer treatment. If international relations is your field, you might express a keen interest in the interplay of economic sanctions and nuclear disarmament, using specific case studies such as North Korea or Iran.

Back your assertions with evidence of your knowledge and skills – refer to relevant research you’ve done, courses you’ve taken, or seminal literature you’ve read. Tying your research interests to current debates and pressing issues in the field will further underscore your commitment and preparedness for PhD-level work. You also need to mention potential research questions you wish to explore, thereby showcasing your ability to conceptualize and execute research.

Remember, your research interests are the cornerstone of your PhD journey, and the statement of purpose is an opportunity to demonstrate that these interests are informed, well-articulated, and aligned with the department’s expertise.

“My fascination with molecular biology is deeply rooted in the complex world of microRNAs and their potential in gene regulation. I am particularly captivated by the implications this has for cancer treatment, a connection I have explored in my undergraduate research examining the role of microRNA-155 in breast cancer progression. This research, coupled with my advanced coursework in cellular biology and genetics, has equipped me with a robust understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving disease. Furthermore, my keen interest extends to pressing debates in the field, as I am actively engaged in studying the potential of microRNAs as therapeutic targets. Looking forward, I wish to delve deeper into this area during my PhD, with an initial research question centered around understanding the differential expression patterns of microRNAs in various cancer types. I am confident that the department’s expertise in molecular biology, notably the groundbreaking work on microRNA-based therapies, aligns perfectly with my research interests, and I am excited about the possibility of contributing to this pioneering field.”

Emphasize your motivation

Your motivation is the driving force behind your aspiration to pursue a PhD, and it is crucial to articulate this effectively in your statement of purpose . It is not enough to merely state that you are passionate about your subject; you need to demonstrate your commitment and dedication through tangible examples and anecdotes.

For instance, you might talk about a seminal moment or experience that sparked your interest in the field – perhaps a particular course you took or a paper you read that opened up a new perspective. You might recount how you pursued this interest, undertaking independent reading, engaging in research projects, or seeking out mentors in your field. You might discuss how these experiences fueled your passion further, inciting an insatiable curiosity and a determination to contribute to the field.

Convey how your subject has influenced your worldview, shaped your career goals, and ingrained a sense of purpose and direction in your life. This passion should seep into every facet of your statement of purpose, presenting a compelling narrative that resonates with the admissions committee. Ultimately, your motivation should underscore your willingness to embrace the rigors of a PhD program, your readiness to delve deeper into your field, and your ambition to make a profound impact on it.

“My fascination with neurobiology was truly sparked when I took an introductory course in my sophomore year of undergraduate studies. The intricate workings of the human brain and how it influences behavior captivated me. I sought to dive deeper into this subject, undertaking independent reading beyond the scope of my coursework. I also volunteered for a research project under the guidance of a respected professor in the field. This hands-on experience introduced me to the thrill of discovery and the satisfaction of contributing to scientific knowledge. These experiences reinforced my passion for neurobiology, instilling an insatiable curiosity and a determination to delve deeper. Today, this subject has evolved from merely an academic interest to a defining aspect of my life, shaping my career aspirations and directing my purpose. My motivation to pursue a PhD stems from this profound desire to deepen my understanding, participate in groundbreaking research, and ultimately contribute significantly to our understanding of the human brain.”

Discuss your qualifications

Your qualifications form a significant part of your application and should be highlighted effectively in your statement of purpose. Start by discussing your academic background, emphasizing the relevance of your degrees, courses, and thesis projects to your proposed area of study.

For example, if you’re applying for a PhD in psychology, you might mention your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the same field, the psychology courses you’ve mastered, and the dissertation you’ve completed on a related topic.

Next, delve into relevant work experiences, internships, or research projects you’ve partaken in, explaining the insights and skills you’ve gleaned from these opportunities. Be specific about your roles and responsibilities, the methodologies you’ve used, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the results you’ve achieved.

Remember, each aspect of your qualifications should align with your research interests and underscore your readiness for the PhD program.

Show how you can contribute

In the conclusion of your statement of purpose, it’s essential to clearly articulate how you can contribute to the PhD program and the broader academic community. This involves showing how your unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and aspirations can enrich the learning environment, push the boundaries of your field, and address pertinent societal issues.

For example, you might highlight how your innovative research methodology can fill existing gaps in knowledge, how your commitment to mentorship can foster a supportive academic culture, or how your interdisciplinary approach can facilitate collaborations and yield groundbreaking insights.

Be sure to also touch on your long-term career goals, such as becoming a professor, a policy-maker, or a consultant, and explain how these align with the objectives of the PhD program and the institution’s mission. This gives the admissions committee a clear vision of your future trajectory and reassures them of your determination and potential to succeed.

Remember, your conclusion is your final chance to leave a lasting impression, so ensure it’s compelling, coherent, and reflective of your passion, readiness, and potential to excel in the PhD program.

“To conclude, I am keen to join your esteemed PhD program as I see it as a platform where my experiences, skills, and aspirations can have a significant impact. With my in-depth background in environmental science and a passion for data analytics, I intend to explore innovative methodologies that address the pressing issue of climate change. This interdisciplinary approach, I believe, can fill gaps in current research and provide novel insights that could potentially lead to impactful solutions. I am equally committed to fostering a supportive academic culture through active mentorship in the X program, leveraging my experience as a TA during my master’s in Y activities. Looking ahead, my ultimate career goal is to work as a policy consultant, leveraging research to shape powerful environmental policies. I am confident that this aligns with the mission of your institution and the objectives of the PhD program. In summary, I am eager to contribute to the academic community and believe that with my passion, readiness, and potential, I will be a valuable addition to your program.”

Express clearly and concisely

As demonstrated in the statement of purpose for PhD samples above, writing an essay that is clear and concise necessitates a logical structure and a succinct, yet compelling language.

Use simple, direct language, focusing on precision and clarity. Be mindful of wordiness and redundancy, as these can dilute your message and confuse the reader. It’s crucial to use strong, active verbs and to avoid jargon, ensuring that your SOP is accessible and engaging. Breaking down complex ideas into simpler terms not only demonstrates your understanding of the subject but also makes your SOP easier to read.

Each paragraph should flow seamlessly into the next, maintaining a logical progression of ideas. Providing relevant examples and conveying them succinctly can further enhance the clarity and impact of your SOP. Moreover, a well-structured, concise SOP reflects your ability to communicate effectively, a skill integral to any academic pursuit. Whether you’re describing your research interests, academic achievements, or future plans, make every word count.

Remember, your goal is to convince the admissions committee that you are a promising candidate who will contribute positively to their program.

Show, don’t just tell

One of the most persuasive techniques in writing a compelling SOP is to employ a ‘show, don’t tell’ approach. This involves illustrating your claims with vivid examples and stories that demonstrate your qualifications and passion, rather than merely stating them.

For instance, instead of claiming that you have strong research skills, you might describe a complex project that you successfully managed, explaining the strategies you used and the challenges you overcame. You could bring your academic interests to life by detailing the precise moment when you realized your passion for your field of study, whether it was a fascinating lecture, a thought-provoking book, or a groundbreaking research paper.

You can also substantiate your career aspirations by recounting relevant experiences, such as internships, workshops, or leadership roles, that shaped your career goals and prepared you for the future. These narratives not only provide concrete evidence of your attributes but also make your SOP more engaging and memorable.

Be sure to use vibrant language to paint a clear picture and evoke emotions, making your experiences resonate with the reader. Incorporating a personal touch — your unique perspective, insights, or reflections — can give your SOP a distinct voice that stands apart from others.

Through compelling storytelling, you can transform your SOP into a captivating narrative that leaves a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

Warning: The purpose of statement of purpose for PhD samples

When it comes to crafting an impactful statement of purpose, samples can serve as invaluable tools. They offer a glimpse into the structure, content, and tone expected in a well-curated SOP. More than mere templates to be copied, statement of purpose for PhD samples should be viewed as guides for understanding how to articulate your academic and career aspirations effectively. They showcase successful attempts at conveying passion for a field, highlighting academic achievements, and outlining future goals within the constraints of a limited word count.

Despite the benefits of statement of purpose for PhD samples, it’s critical to remember that each SOP is unique and personal. Simply copying a sample would undermine the primary purpose of the SOP: to provide a distinct and authentic narrative of your journey and aspirations. The correct way to utilize these statement of purpose for PhD samples is by analyzing the writing strategies used, deriving inspiration, and then creating an original piece of work that reflects the applicant’s unique story. This approach ensures that the SOP not only meets the formal requirements set forth by the academic institution but also captures the individuality of the applicant, thus making a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

The high stakes of your statement of purpose

Your SOP is much more than a mere component of your application; it is a crucial determinant of your acceptance. This document breathes life into your application, rendering a vivid picture of your past, present, and future aspirations to the admissions committee. Its weight is such that a well-crafted SOP can elevate an otherwise average application, while a poorly constructed one can diminish the impact of an exceptional academic record.

Think of it as a double-edged sword, capable of either bolstering your chances of admission or, alternatively, significantly undermining them. The smallest of errors — be it a grammatical faux pas, a lack of coherence, or a failure to aptly convey your passion — can be detrimental, casting doubt on your abilities and commitment.

On the other hand, a compelling, polished SOP that succinctly encapsulates your journey, goals, and potential can resonate profoundly with the committee, positioning you as a desirable candidate. The stakes, then, are undeniably high. It’s a daunting task to undertake alone, and the margin for error is slim. Assessing your work objectively can be challenging, and subtle nuances may escape your notice. Seeking feedback in this critical endeavor may prove invaluable in ensuring your SOP is not just good, but exceptional.

Let’s recap. As demonstrated through our statement of purpose for your PhD samples, the SOP is one of the most important elements of the application process and needs to distinctly capture your research interests, fit for the program and future aspirations in its few pages. We have provided you with helpful information about components and structure, given real samples to emulate, and shared tips on writing and editing to ensure you submit a top-notch statement that will leave a favorable impression. Now that you know how to write an effective SOP for your PhD application confidently, what are you waiting for? Put your newfound knowledge into action and get started on creating an outstanding SOP that truly speaks for itself. And if you find yourself struggling or needing a bit of guidance along this journey, we offer statement of purpose services – whether it be helping you write your SOP from scratch or providing personalized feedback. Make sure to check them out!

With a Master’s from McGill University and a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Philippe Barr is the founder of The Admit Lab . As a tenure-track professor, Dr. Barr spent a decade teaching and serving on several graduate admission committees at UNC-Chapel Hill before turning to full-time consulting. With more than seven years of experience as a graduate school admissions consultant, Dr. Barr has stewarded the candidate journey across multiple master’s programs and helped hundreds of students get admitted to top-tier graduate programs all over the world .

Subscribe to our YouTube c hannel for weekly tutorials on navigating the graduate application process and live Q&A sessions!

Share this:

Join the conversation.

• Pingback: Speech Pathology Statement of Purpose: Examples & Tips -
• Pingback: Statement of Purpose: A Complete No BS Guide -
• Pingback: Your Winning PhD Application Timeline -
• Pingback: How Many PhD Programs Should I Apply to Now? -

Leave a comment

Leave a reply cancel reply, discover more from admit lab.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Kshitij Tiwari Ph.D.

Statement of Purpose (SOP) for PhD programs [FREE Template]

When applying for a PhD program, you must do 2 things as pre-work: 1.) Make sure you are convinced that PhD is the right choice for you ; 2.) Make sure you have identified the ideal supervisor .

Once that much is done, the next step is preparing your application packet to start applying for available PhD positions.

As a part of your application packet, you will be required to write a Statement of Purpose, more commonly known as an SOP . It is a 1-2 page essay of up to 1000 words that tells a story about who you are and why you want to pursue a PhD in the subject you have chosen.

Let us look into how to write an engaging SOP for your PhD program and build a FREE to use template that generalizes for various PhD programs.

DISCLAIMER: The template is meant to help you get started with organizing your thoughts. Using this template, by no means is meant to encourage to copy-paste the same SOP across multiple applications. Use this to structure your thoughts and iteratively improve over the write up.

Table of Contents

What is an Statement of Purpose (SOP)?

Is SOP same as Letter of Intent (LOI)?

How to write an sop for phd, [free] sop template, formatting your sop.

• Should you create a unique SOP for each program?

Key takeaways

What is a statement of purpose (sop).

A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is a narrative essay that outlines your academic and professional background, your qualifications, and your reasons for wanting to pursue a doctoral program. It’s an opportunity to showcase your unique experiences and talents and explain how they make you a great fit for the particular school and program. An SOP should be written in a professional yet personal tone, as it should capture your personality, as well as your academic and work experience.

Short answer : No, an SOP and a Letter of Intent (LOI) are not the same. LOI is more of an outline whereas SOP is an in depth statement.

Long answer : An SOP focuses on your academic and professional background, while an LOI focuses more on personal and professional goals and objectives. An SOP should share how your background and experiences have shaped who you are today and how these qualities will enable you to excel in your chosen field. An LOI should be more detailed and specific, and should include more information about your goals and objectives. Additionally, an LOI should provide an overview of you, your skills, and the value you can bring to the program.

Writing an SOP can feel intimidating and overwhelming. However, there are some steps you can take to make the process easier. When writing your SOP, it is important to be honest and sincere. Start by understanding your purpose, writing a clear outline and identifying the key points you want to make. Additionally, use active language and provide evidence to support your claims. Finally, once you have completed your essay, make sure to edit and proofread it thoroughly before submitting.

When writing your SOP, it is important to create an engaging essay that stands out. Make sure to highlight unique elements of your background and experiences, such as your achievements, volunteer work, awards, and other accomplishments. Mention any research you’ve conducted and any internships you’ve completed. This will show the admissions committee that you are committed to the program and the research it encompasses. Additionally, make sure to tell stories, describe how you overcame challenges, and emphasize the impact your work has had on others.

Below is a free SOP template that you can use to get started on writing your own statement for the PhD program of your choice .

The key thing to keep in mind while writing an SOP is to show evidence how you can build on your prior experience to excel in your PhD. It is possible that you may not have the exact skill set or even prior publications but that’s OK as long as you make a convincing case as to how your broader skills generalize.

Think of it this way- you want to convince the University that if given a chance, you are willing to go the extra mile to make sure you succeed and make their investment in you, worthwhile.

Subject: Statement of Purpose for P h D program at [Name of University] *** Introduction *** My name is [Name], and I am applying to the [Name of Program , mention Term for which you are applying ] at [Name of University]. I am a [field] professional with [X] years of experience in the [relevant field]. In the past, I have worked in various capacities, including [list relevant positions], and I am dedicated to furthering my education and pursuing my passion in the field of [field]. *** Body Paragraph 1 *** In my current role as [role – can be as a UG student ], I am responsible for [ broadly list responsibilities]. In this role, I have had the opportunity to \[list accomplishments\] and \[mention research projects\] that I have conducted. I have also gained valuable insights into the field of \[field\] and the potential impact it can have on society. This experience has reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing a P h D and has provided me with the motivation to continue my studies. *** Body Paragraph 2 *** I am confident that the \[Name of Program\] at the \[Name of University\] is the great place for me to continue my studies. I have been impressed by the \[list qualities\] that \[Name of University/Program /Potential supervisor \] has to offer and I am confident that I will receive the support I need to excel in my studies. *** Conclusion *** In conclusion, I am excited for the opportunity to pursue a P h D in \[field\] during \[term\] and I believe that the \[Name of Program\] at \[Name of University\] is the perfect place for me to do so. With my prior experience, knowledge and dedication, I am confident that I will be successful in my studies and make a meaningful contribution to the field of \[field\].

While most of the programs may not impose rigid formatting guidelines, as a rule of thumb, keep your SOP within 1-2 pages. As for the fonts, try using at least 12 pts to make it easier to read, underline the key takeaways so that the reviewers can get the gist even if they glance through it. For page margins, keep the standard page formatting for an A4/ Letter paper.

Should you create unique SOP for each program?

Yes , it is important to create an individual and unique SOP for each program you are applying to. Each program has its own requirements, and your SOP should be tailored to each specific program.

Additionally, it is important to include information that is relevant to the program you are applying to. This will help you stand out to the admissions committee and demonstrate how you can contribute to the program and the field as a whole.

Having a template at hand should help you save some time but that should in no way be an indicate to copy-paste SOPs across applications as this will diminish your chances of standing apart from the rest of the applicant pool.

Writing an SOP is an important part of applying to any PhD program. To be successful, it is important to be honest and sincere, use active language and provide evidence to back up your claims. Additionally, make sure to highlight unique elements of your background and experiences and tell stories that capture your personality and experience. With these tips in mind, you can create an impactful SOP that will be sure to catch the eye of the admissions committee. Finally, make sure to create a unique SOP for each program you are applying to, as this will help you stand out and demonstrate your commitment to the program.

Related resources

• I consent to the having this website store my submitted information as per the privacy policy so they can respond to my inquiry.

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Human Resources

Examining examples of personal statements can be exceptionally valuable when applying to a university or college course. Looking through a range of personal statement examples can teach you how to write and structure your application, and you can often learn how to write a personal statement by examining others.

But with so many university personal statement examples available, how do you know which ones are worthwhile and which aren’t?

Postgraduate personal statements should highlight relevant academic and practical experience, research skills and ambitions and their suitability for the course. This postgraduate personal statement example for Human Resources illustrates several of these three critical elements.

Studying master’s degree personal statement examples can be especially valuable. They’re sometimes referred to as personal mission statements or statements of purpose , so if you’re tasked with writing a personal mission statement, the following example will work for you.

I’ve broken down this personal statement example section by section, with a commentary on each element. 

That way, you’ll see its strengths and weaknesses and get some inspiration for your own personal statement .

Once you’ve read the personal statement example and analysis, you’ll be able to download a pdf of the whole document, to use as inspiration for your own!

Personal Statement Example: Introduction

“I believe companies need to be employee-centred, as keeping them satisfied, motivated and personally engaged can create immense value for any organisation. Effective human resource management strategies are therefore crucial to business success. However, my intern experience at the Slater-Marshall accounting firm illustrated that HRM often fails to achieve these challenging goals. The reasons are two-fold. Foremost, many small and medium-sized companies have a misperception of recruitment, regarding it simply as a KPI tool instead of finding talents that match their development needs. As a result, time and resources are wasted on candidates who are not a good match for the company. Worse still, many HRBPs are not shrewd or experienced enough to identify the breadth of talent needed by their companies. HRM also loses its effectiveness when it fails to use proven physical and psychological means to provide a fair and encouraging working environment and subsequently incentivise employees.

First-hand experience of these kinds of issues triggered my curiosity regarding contemporary strategies used when empowering companies to employ a sound human resource management system. How can HRM lead to organisation change? How can I develop professional HRM techniques, release their full potential and create harmonious industrial relationships? The desire to equip myself with the relevant understanding and skills is the driving factor behind my application to this MSc Human Resources and Organisations (HRM Stream) programme at the University of Buckley.

This particular course resonates strongly with my career goal of helping traditional enterprises establish enhanced human resource management systems. Your programme offers a variety of opportunities that will aid me in developing a complete grasp of human resource management theory from the perspectives of corporate strategy, business analysis and organisational management. For instance, the Management of People in Global Companies course will afford me a transformative perspective on leadership. This knowledge will assist me significantly when transforming outdated models of human resource management in enterprises lacking advanced human resource awareness. 

Furthermore, the Business Strategy, Management and Analytics course will be of exceptional professional value thanks to its cross-disciplinary approach, which will offer me a solid grounding in the comprehensive understanding of management theory, theory of the firm, business strategy, accounting and finance. Professor Sara Blake’s research on organisational behaviour and leadership is incredibly inspiring and aligns perfectly with my goal of strengthening leadership in traditional businesses. I look forward to learning from her and contributing to future projects.”

Commentary and Analysis 

This is a long introduction!

This opening section has a strong sense of purpose, connection and opinion, which immediately gives the reader a firm idea of the writer’s experiences and opinions.  The writer also uses an excellent range of specialist vocabulary in this example and connects their significant experiences with the course. In addition, the applicant is already making explicit links between the course and their ambitions.

The writer then identifies specific modules and outlines how they will aid their academic and professional advancement. Not only does this connect the writer’s goals with the course content, but it also shows that the applicant understands the course and has researched the details well. The reference to a specific professor from within the faculty and the connection between the writer’s research ambitions and the opportunities presented by the university are compelling. The writer creates a clear link between their suitability for the course and the content on offer.

If you’re struggling with your personal statement introduction, check out my article on how to write perfect opening paragraphs here .

Personal Statement Example: Academic Background

“Majoring in Accounting and Finance as an undergraduate, my dedication to my studies earned me several awards and ranked me top among my peers. Excelling in courses such as Theory of Firm , Introduction to Managerial Accounting and Business Law , I acquired a spectrum of theoretical understandings which underpin HRM. I have independently investigated the organisational role of HRM by exploring Dave Ulrich’s HR model and the six segments of HR management, examining their adoption by companies of different scales. I have learnt that the role of HRM is to identify the kinds of human resources needed by the companies and allocate those resources wisely to maximise productivity and profitability. Consequently, I regard HRM as a people-oriented sector. This makes understanding human behaviours and psychology in the workplace particularly important for industry practitioners.

Studying on the Introduction to Managerial Accounting course, I was informed that how money is distributed within an organisation is crucial since it determines whether employees’ incentives can be fully realised. Thus, establishing a sound salary and welfare system is of great importance. Different people and contrasting organisations have various demands, but a successful compensation and welfare system balances these two demands and activates the organisation’s motivation. My most significant gain from this course is that many aspects of HRM, including setting different KPIs, performance monitoring and well-being management, are based on developing an accurate understanding of employee behaviour patterns. This can lead to a win-win situation in which companies can fully tap into employee value, and workers receive appropriate remuneration and opportunities for progression. Additionally, knowledge of labour laws and regulations has familiarised me with the rights and duties of employers and employees, which will be of great value to me as a graduate student.” 

Commentary and Analysis

The first paragraph of this section is written confidently. It outlines some academic achievements without writing them as a list. The writer achieves this by explaining what they gained from their experiences. They then link these elements to the course and show how they will be of value.

The most impressive aspect of the second paragraph is that it illustrates connections between the subject of undergraduate study and the intended postgraduate course. The writer is showing transferable skills that will be of value in the future and making explicit connections between the two different subjects, helping to show how a diverse educational background adds to their suitability. 

Again, a sense of value is central to this section. The writer ensures that each example is given a value regarding the application’s demands.

If you’d like to learn more about how to structure your personal statement or statement of purpose , check out my awesome Personal Statement Template eBook here . It’s full of detailed examples of what to include!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 1

“Beyond the classroom, I have operationalised my theoretical knowledge in real-life practice. Interning at the Scorpio Real Estate Development Co, I assisted with the entry procedures for new staff and witnessed the career development of numerous employees from varying departments. Observing the recruitment patterns and preferences of different types of organisations, I observed that state-owned companies tend to recruit talent and offer higher salaries and better entitlements to maintain a low turnover rate and stable employee structure. By contrast, foreign and internet companies attach less importance to stability and focus more on talent creativity. My knowledge of HRM models and labour economy inspired me to think that these differences in recruitment strategy may arise from the varying nature, management structure and strategic positioning of each enterprise. I aim to develop my understanding of these differences during my master’s research.”

By using the example of an internship experience in a seemingly unrelated field, the writer has been able to offer an opinion on their workplace HRM experience. This shows a degree of industry experience but, more importantly, allows the writer to use their expertise to connect with the course’s content. 

By offering an opinion of what they observed and showing an understanding of gaps in their knowledge, they are turning a lack of knowledge into a compelling motivation for their application.

Check out lots more examples of personal statements here , and see how they can inspire your application!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 2

“Moreover, this internship taught me that approaches to HRM are constantly being adjusted and adapted based on practical experience. For instance, the Scorpio Real Estate Development Co is an established business. An established company’s policies and incentives allow its employees to be more aware of the steps needed for advancement and long-term growth. After many decades, the organisational structures of big firms stabilise, and roles become formalised and repetitive. This implies that employees should simply repeat previous tasks and rely on the company’s existing operational system, but this approach can cause workers’ inventive talents to diminish with time.”

Commentary and Analysis: 

This section deepens the value of the writer’s internship and adds evidence to their understanding of the sector they wish to enter. This is ideal for an admissions reader, as they will note the use of language and complexity of informed knowledge in this passage. This, in turn, adds to the candidate’s academic and professional suitability.

The passage also reflects the writer’s ethos, alluded to earlier, and effectively leads to the conclusion by setting up their professional ambitions.

The one thing that all successful personal statements have in common is that they are concise, engaging and accurate in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Consequently, I always recommend Grammarly to my students and clients. 

It’s an outstanding tool for ensuring your personal statement is rich with detail whilst hitting those all-important word limits. Check out the free version of Grammarly here , or hit the banner for more information.

Personal Statement Example: Conclusion

“More positively, many well-known multinational corporations are now devoting more resources to employee training in order to address these issues. It is my intention to place myself at the forefront of this burgeoning field after graduating and apply the skills and knowledge gained from this course to play a critical role in revolutionising the value and application of human resources management in a global setting. I have complete confidence in both your esteemed academic programme and in my capacity to perform outstandingly as a purposeful and positive member of your faculty community.”

The conclusion benefits from brevity and doesn’t recap previous content, both of which are positives. It clearly states the writer’s professional ambitions, which relate directly to the previous content. The passage then links those ambitions with the course, emphasising its importance in helping the writer achieve their goals.

A powerful personal statement, it includes several critical elements: relevant academic and practical experience, ambitions and suitability for the course. It also offers good connections to the course but needs detailed examples of research experience and ambition. However, it  doesn’t provide evidence of the academic skills necessary for postgraduate study, although the evidence of prior learning is convincing.

With a little more focus on academic reading, research and skills, this would be a perfect postgraduate personal statement!

For more great advice, check out my article on writing an excellent final personal statement paragraph here .

Click here or on the banner below to get your free download of this complete personal statement example . 

Whether you’re looking for personal mission statement examples or an example of personal purpose statement, I hope this personal statement example has been helpful. Above all, I wish you every success in your academic career. 

If you’d like to work with me to develop your personal statement 1:1 and write a powerful mission statement, I’d be delighted to hear from you. 

Find out about my personal statement support services by clicking here or on the image below.

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

Recent Posts

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Environmental Policy

Studying examples of personal statements can be a valuable strategy when applying to a university or college.  That’s because personal statement examples can teach you how to write and...

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Examples of personal statements can be valuable to reference when applying to a university or college course.  That’s because personal statement examples can teach you how to write and...

+44 (0) 20 3859 7192

• How you study
• Fees and funding
• How to apply

How to write a strong statement of purpose for postgraduate study

Your statement of purpose is one of the most important supporting documents for the success of your application when applying for a postgraduate course – so it’s important to get it right.  

Here are some tips to guide you on how to write a strong statement of purpose (also often known as a personal statement). This can help ensure you put your best application forward and increase your chances of success when applying for a postgraduate course :  

Start with a strong opening 

Your statement of purpose is your opportunity to speak directly to the admissions team of your chosen course .   

Start strongly on a confident note and use this opportunity to clearly communicate to the admissions team your passion for your chosen subject and field. You can do this by providing a short and succinct introduction on your academic and professional background and what you’re passionate about, and why that passion has motivated you to apply for your chosen course.  

Showcase your strengths 

Along with your enthusiasm for your chosen subject and field, it’s important to showcase to the admissions panel how your strengths, qualities and experience would make you an excellent candidate for the course you’re applying for.  

List any relevant projects you’ve worked on that sparked your passion, as well as any personal traits that would make you an ideal candidate for your chosen course, such as excellent self-discipline, time-management and organisational skills.  

Highlight what makes you stand out 

Your statement of purpose is your best opportunity to really ‘sell’ yourself to the admissions panel.   

While your other supporting documents – such as your CV and degree transcript – provide the panel with proof of your academic qualifications and professional experience, they don’t convey you as a person, or your passion for a particular subject area.   

Use this opportunity to tell the admissions panel about yourself. What makes you stand out as a course applicant? How do you believe studying the course will help you in your future career ? Your career ambitions should make up a substantial part of your personal statement, so be sure to highlight these clearly.  

Keep it concise and to the point 

Your statement of purpose should typically be no more than 1 page of A4 paper, or around 500-600 words.   

Use your word count wisely – get to the point and clearly demonstrate to the admissions panel why you’d like to join the course.   

The key points you’ll want to include in your statement of purpose will typically be:  

Why you’re interested in the course and how it fits in with your career goals  

Your qualifications and work experience and how they’re relevant to the course   

Why you’d like to study with your chosen institution   

Anything else you’d like to let the admissions panel know about yourself that makes you stand out as a great candidate for the course you’re applying for  

Proofread, edit and get feedback 

It’s important to get started with preparing your statement of purpose well in advance of the course application deadline , so that you have enough time to proofread, edit and get feedback on it.  

Once you’ve completed your statement of purpose, run the document through a spell checker and re-read it in its entirety at least once more to see if there are any edits you need to make.  

It’s also a good idea to let a friend, colleague or manager review your statement of purpose and get their feedback before you send it through to your chosen institution. Your peers may be able to provide you with valuable feedback on how you can further improve your statement of purpose. They may also spot any spelling or grammatical errors you may have missed.  

Queen Mary Online offers flexible postgraduate courses that will enhance your expertise and empower you with the skills and confidence to take the next step in your career. Find out about the application process and discover helpful tips to put your best application forward:

Topics: application process

Recent Posts

• Privacy and cookies
• Accessibility
• Student Portal

Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS Tel: +44 (0) 20 3835 4250

Queen Mary Digital Limited Terms & Conditions

© Queen Mary University of London

Testimonials

Free Resources

PrepScholar GRE Prep

Gre prep online guides and tips, 7 successful statement of purpose examples.

Not sure what graduate schools are looking for in a statement of purpose? Looking at successful graduate school statement of purpose samples can help! In this guide, we’ll orient you to what makes a great statement of purpose or letter of intent for graduate school. Then we’ll provide you with four successful statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts. We’ll also provide analysis of what makes them successful. Finally, we’ll direct you to even more helpful examples that you can find online!

The Graduate School Statement of Purpose: An Overview

A statement of purpose (also called a letter of intent or a research statement) introduces your interests and experience to the admissions committee. For research-focused programs, like most PhDs and many master’s degrees, your statement of purpose will focus primarily on your past research experience and plans. For more professionally-focused graduate programs, your statement of purpose will primarily discuss how your pursuit of this professional program relates to your past experiences, and how you will use the skills from the program in your future career.

A statement of purpose for grad school is also where you sell the admissions committee on why you belong in their program specifically. Why do you fit there, and how does what they offer fit your interests?

What’s in a Great Grad School Statement of Purpose?

Here are the essential elements of a strong graduate school statement of purpose:

Clear Articulation of Goals and Interests

A strong statement of purpose will clearly and specifically lay out your goals in undertaking the program and what you hope to accomplish with the degree. Again, for a research-focused program, this will focus primarily on the research project(s) you want to undertake while you are there. For a more professional program, discuss what interests you within the professional field and what skills/knowledge you hope to gain through the program.

Quick side note: we've created the world's leading online GRE prep program that adapts to you and your strengths and weaknesses. Not sure what to study? Confused by how to improve your score? We give you minute by minute guide.

You don't NEED a prep program to get a great GRE score. But we believe PrepScholar is the best GRE prep program available right now , especially if you find it hard to organize your study schedule and don't know what to study .

Click here to learn how you can improve your GRE score by 7 points, guaranteed .

You should be as specific as possible in discussing what interests you. Use examples of particular phenomena, tools, or situations that you find exciting. If you are vague or say that everything in the field interests you, you run the risk of seeming unfocused or not actually that passionate.

Don’t worry that being too specific will box you into a particular research area or subfield during your entire tenure in graduate school. Your program understands that interests change—they won’t be pulling out your research statement to cross-reference with your dissertation proposal!

Evidence of Past Experience and Success

A great graduate school statement of purpose will also show programs that you have already been successful. They want applicants that will be able to follow through on their research/professional plans!

To this end, you’ll need to provide evidence of how your background qualifies you to pursue this program and your specific interests in the field. You’ll probably discuss your undergraduate studies and any professional experience you have. But be sure to draw on specific, vivid examples.  You might draw on your thesis, major projects you’ve worked on, papers you have written/published, presentations you’ve given, mentors you’ve worked with, and so on. This gives admissions committees concrete evidence that you are qualified to undertake graduate study!

Interest and Fit With the Program

The third essential ingredient to a great statement of purpose is to clearly lay out why you and the program are a good fit. You should be able to identify both specific reasons why your work fits with the program and why the program suits your work/interests! Are there particular professors you’d like to work with? Does the department have a strong tradition in a certain methodology or theory you’re interested in? Is there a particular facet to the curriculum that you’d like to experience?

Showing that you and the program are a match shows that you chose the program thoughtfully and have genuine interest in it. Programs want to admit students who aren’t just passionate about the field. They want students who are genuinely enthused about their specific program and positioned to get the most out of what they have to offer.

Strong Writing

The final essential piece of a strong statement of purpose or letter of intent is strong writing. Writing skills are important for all graduate programs. You’ll need to demonstrate that you can clearly and effectively communicate your ideas in a way that flows logically. Additionally, you should show that you know how to write in a way that is descriptive but concise. A statement of purpose shouldn’t ever be longer than two pages, even without a hard word limit.

Admissions committees for humanities programs may be a little more focused on writing style than admissions officers for STEM programs. But even in quantitative and science-focused fields, written communication skills are an essential part of graduate school. So a strong statement of purpose will always be effectively written. You’ll see this in our statement of purpose for graduate school samples.

Real, Successful Statement of Purpose Samples

In this section, we’ll present four successful graduate school statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts, along with a brief commentary on each statement. These statements come from a diverse selection of program types to show you how the core essentials of a statement of purpose can be implemented differently for different fields.

Note: identifying information for these statements have been changed—except for example four, which is my statement.

• Statement of Purpose Sample One: Japanese Studies MA

This statement of purpose is notable for its great use of space and its vivid descriptions. The author is able to cram a lot into about a page. She discusses how she came to her two primary research interests (and how they are connected). She integrates this discussion of her interests with information on her past experiences and qualifications for pursuing the course of study. Finally, she includes details on her goals in pursuing the program and components of the program that interest her. Her examples are specific and fleshed-out. There’s a lot very cleverly included in a small amount of page space!

Additionally, the language is very vivid. Phrases like “evocative and visceral” and “steadily unraveling,” are eye-catching and intriguing. They demonstrate that she has the writing skills necessary to pursue both graduate study and her interest in translation.

• Statement of Purpose Sample Two: Music MM

This sample is fairly long, although at 12 point Times New Roman it’s under two pages single-spaced. The length of this statement is partially due to the somewhat expansive nature of the prompt, which asks what role music has played in the applicant’s life “to date.” This invites applicants to speak more about experiences further in the past (in the childhood and teen years) than is typical for a statement of purpose. Given that this is for a master’s degree in music, this is logical; musical study is typically something that is undertaken at a fairly young age.

This statement does an excellent job describing the student’s past experiences with music in great detail. The descriptions of the student’s past compositions and experiences performing new music are particularly vivid and intriguing.

This statement also lays out and elaborates on specific goals the student hopes to pursue through the program, as well as features particular to the program that interest the student (like particular professors).

• Statement of Purpose Sample Three: Economics PhD

One of the first things you’ll likely notice about this statement is that it’s a little on the longer side. However, at 12 point Times New Roman font and single-spaced, it still comes in under 2 pages (excluding references). It makes sense for a PhD statement of purpose sample to be longer than a master’s degree statement of purpose—there’s more to lay out in terms of research interests!

The writing style is fairly straightforward—there’s definitely a stronger focus on delivering content than flashy writing style. As Economics is a more quantitative-focused field, this is fine. But the writing is still well-organized, clear, and error-free.

The writer also gives numerous examples of their past work and experience, and shows off their knowledge of the field through references, which is a nice touch.

• Statement of Purpose Sample Four: History of the Book MA

This is actually my statement of purpose. It was for a program that I got accepted to but did not end up attending, for a Master’s in the History of the Book. You’ll notice that the two essay prompts essentially asked us to split our statement of purpose into two parts: the first prompt asked about our research interests and goals, and the second prompt asked about our relevant experience and qualifications.

I’ll keep my comments on this graduate school statement of purpose sample brief because I’ll do a deep dive on it in the next section. But looking back at my statement of purpose, I do a good job outlining what within the field interests me and clearly laying out how my past experiences have qualified me for the program.

Obviously this statement did its job, since I was accepted to the program. However, if I were to improve this statement, I’d change the cliche beginning  (“since I was a child”) and provide more specificity in what about the program interested me.

Deep Dive Analysis of a Sample Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Next, we’ll do a paragraph by paragraph analysis of my statement, statement of purpose sample four. I’ll analyze its strengths and suggest ways I could shore up any weaknesses to make it even stronger.

Essay 1: Academic Interests

To refresh, here’s the first prompt: Please give a short statement that describes your academic interests, purpose, objectives and motivation in undertaking this postgraduate study. (max 3500 chars – approx. 500 words)

Want to improve your GRE score by 7 points?  We have the industry's leading GRE prep program. Built by world-class instructors with 99th percentile GRE scores , the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through machine learning data science, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible.

Try our 5-day full access trial for free:

Paragraph 1

Since I was a child, my favorite thing has always been a book. Not just for the stories and information they contain, although that is a large part of it. Mostly, I have been fascinated by the concept of book as object—a tangible item whose purpose is to relate intangible ideas and images. Bookbindings and jackets, different editions, the marginalia in a used book—all of these things become part of the individual book and its significance, and are worth study and consideration. Books and their equivalent forms—perfect bound, scrolled, stone tablets, papyrus—have long been an essential part of material culture and are also one of our most significant sources of information about the human historical past. Through both the literal object of the book, the words contained thereon, and its relationship to other books—forms of context, text and intertext—we are able to learn and hopefully manage layers of information with which we would otherwise have no familiarity.

First, the good: this paragraph does a good job introducing my academic interest in the book-as-object, and shows off pre-existing knowledge both of the study of material culture and literary theory. Additionally, the language is engaging: the juxtaposition of “tangible” and “intangible” in the beginning and phrases like “perfect bound, scrolled, stone tablets, papyrus” lend life to the writing and keep the reader engaged.

If I were to go back and improve this paragraph, first, I would absolutely change the first sentence to something less cliche than talking about my childhood. I might try something like “My love of books is a multifaceted thing. I don’t only love them for the stories and….” Second, I would chill out on the em dashes a little bit. Three sets in one paragraph is a little excessive. Finally, I might actually cut this paragraph down slightly to make more room word-wise later in the statement to discuss what specific things about the program interest me.

Paragraph 2

Furthermore, blogs, webcomics, digital archives, e-readers, and even social media sites like tumblr and Facebook have revolutionized the concept of the book by changing how we share and transmit ideas and information, just as the Gutenberg printing press revolutionized the book all those years ago in the fifteenth century. Once again there has been an explosion both in who can send out information and who can receive it.

This paragraph briefly and effectively introduces my other main academic interest: how new technology has changed the concept of the book-as-object. The tie-back to the printing press is a nice touch; it’s a vivid example that shows that I’m aware of important historical moments in book history.

Paragraph 3

I am deeply interested in the preservation of the physical book, as I think it is an important part of human history (not to mention a satisfying sensory experience for the reader). However I am also very concerned with the digitization and organization of information for the modern world such that the book, in all of its forms, stays relevant and easy to access and use. Collections of books, archives, and information as stored in the world’s servers, libraries and museums are essential resources that need to be properly organized and administered to be fully taken advantage of by their audiences. My purpose in applying to the University of Edinburgh’s Material Culture and History of the Book is to gain the skills necessary to keep all forms of the book relevant and functional in an age when information can move more radically than ever before.

This paragraph actually has a focus problem. Since it covers two topics, I should split it into two paragraphs: one on the integration of my two interests, and one on my goals and interests in the program. I could also stand to expand on what features the program has that interest me: professors I’d like to work with, particular aspects of the curriculum, etc.

In spite of these things, however, this paragraph does a good job clearly integrating the two academic interests related to the book I introduced in the first two paragraphs. And the language is still strong —“satisfying sensory experience” is a great phrase. However, I’ve been using the word “information,” a lot; I might try to replace with appropriate synonyms (like “knowledge”) in a couple of places.

Paragraph 4

Additionally, I intend on pursuing a PhD in Library and Information Sciences upon completion of my master’s and I feel that this program while make me uniquely suited to approach library science from a highly academic and interdisciplinary perspective.

This final paragraph offers just quick touch on my future goals beyond the program. It’s typically fine for this to be relatively brief, as it is here, just so long as you can clearly identify some future goals.

Essay 2: Relevant Experience

The second prompt just asked me to describe my relevant knowledge, training, and skills.

As a folklore and mythology student, I have gained a robust understanding of material culture and how it relates to culture as a whole. I have also learned about the transmission of ideas, information, stories and pieces of lore among and between populations, which is an important component of book history. Folklore is also deeply concerned with questions of the literary vs. oral lore and the tendency for text to “canonize” folklore, and yet text can also question or invert canonized versions; along with this my studies in my focus field of religion and storytelling have been deeply concerned with intertextuality. One of my courses was specifically concerned with the Heian-period Japanese novel The Tale of Genji and questions of translation and representation in post-Heian picture scrolls and also modern translations and manga. In addition to broader cultural questions concerned with gender and spirituality both in historical Japan and now, we considered the relationships between different Genji texts and images.

This is a strong, focused paragraph. I relate my academic background in Folklore and Mythology to my interests in studying the book, as well as showing off some of my knowledge in the area. I also chose and elaborated on a strong example (my class on the Tale of Genji ) of my relevant coursework.

I also have work experience that lends itself to the study of the book. After my freshman year of college I interned at the Chicago History Museum. Though I was in the visitor services department I was exposed to the preservation and archival departments of the museum and worked closely with the education department, which sparked my interest in archival collections and how museums present collection information to the public. After my sophomore year of college and into my junior year, I worked at Harvard’s rare books library, Houghton. At Houghton I prepared curated collections for archival storage. These collections were mostly comprised of the personal papers of noteworthy individuals, categorized into alphabetical folders. This experience made me very process-oriented and helped me to understand how collections come together on a holistic basis.

This paragraph also has a clear focus: my past, relevant work experience. Discussing archival collections and presenting information to the public links the interests discussed in my first statement with my qualifications in my second statement. However, if I were to revise this paragraph, I would add some specific examples of the amazing things I worked on and handled at Houghton Library. In that job, I got to touch Oliver Cromwell’s death mask! An interesting example would make this paragraph really pop even more.

Finally, in my current capacity as an education mentor in Allston, a suburb of Boston, I have learned the value of book history and material culture from an educational perspective. As a mentor who designs curriculum for individual students and small groups, I have learned to highly value clearly organized and useful educational resources such as websites, iPad apps, and books as tools for learning. By managing and organizing collections in a way that makes sense we are making information accessible to those who need it.

This final paragraph discusses my current (at the time) work experience in education and how that ties into my interest in the history of the book. It’s an intriguing connection and also harkens back to my discussion of information availability in the paragraph three of the first statement. Again, if I were to amp up this statement even more, I might include a specific example of a book-based (or book technology-based) project I did with one of my students. I worked on things like bookbinding and making “illuminated manuscripts” with some of my students; those would be interesting examples here.

This statement is split into two parts by virtue of the two-prompt format. However, if I were to integrate all of this information into one unified statement of purpose, I would probably briefly introduce my research interests, go in-depth on my background, then circle back around to speak more about my personal interests and goals and what intrigues me about the program. There’s not really one correct way to structure a statement of purpose just so long as it flows well and paragraphs are structured in a logical way: one topic per paragraph, with a clear topic and concluding sentence.

More Statement of Purpose Examples

We’ve provided you with four great graduate school statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts. However, if you’re looking for more, there are other sample letters of intent and statements of purpose for graduate school online. We’ve rounded up the best ones here, along with some strengths and weaknesses about each example.

Majortests Statement of Purpose Sample

This is a fairly straightforward, clearly written statement of purpose sample for a biology program. It includes useful commentary after each paragraph about what this statement of purpose is accomplishing.

• This statement of purpose sample is well-organized, with clear topic sentences and points made in each paragraph.
• The student clearly identifies what interests her about the program.
• The student proactively addresses questions about why she hasn’t gone directly to graduate school, and frames her professional research experience as a positive thing.
• She gives a tiny bit of color about her personality in a relevant way by discussing her involvement with the Natural History Society.
• In general, discussing high school interests is too far back in time unless the anecdote is very interesting or unusual. The detail about The Theory of Evolution is intriguing; the information about the high school teacher seems irrelevant. The student should have condensed this paragraph into a sentence or two.
• While this statement is cogently written and makes the candidate sound competent and well-qualified, it’s not exactly the most scintillating piece of writing out there. Some of the constructions are a little awkward or cliche. For example, the “many people have asked me” sentence followed by “the answer is” is a little bit clunky. This is probably fine for a STEM program. But just be aware that this statement is not a paragon of writing style.

Want to improve your GRE score by 7+ points?

Check out our best-in-class online GRE prep program . We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your GRE score by 7 points or more.

PrepScholar GRE is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses . We also feature 2,000 practice questions , official practice tests, 150 hours of interactive lessons, and 1-on-1 scoring and feedback on your AWA essays.

Check out our 5-day free trial now:

UC Berkeley History Statement of Purpose Sample

This is a graduate school statement of purpose example from the UC Berkeley History department’s PhD program, with annotations from a professor as to why it’s a successful statement.

• The author is able to very clearly and articulately lay out her research interests and link them to past work she has successfully completed, namely, her thesis.
• She is able to identify several things about the program and Berkeley that indicate why it is a good fit for her research interests.
• She addresses the time she spent away from school and frames it as a positive, emphasizing that her use of time was well-considered and productive.
• Her writing is very vivid, with excellent word choice and great imagery.

While very well-written and engaging, this sample statement of purpose for graduate school is a little bit on the long side! It’s a little over two single-spaced pages, which is definitely pushing the limits of acceptable length. Try to keep yours at 2 pages or less. Some of the information on the thesis (which comprises over half of the statement of purpose) could be condensed to bring it down to two pages.

Pharmacy Residency Letter of Intent Sample

This is not technically a sample letter of intent for graduate school because it’s actually for a pharmacy residency program. However, this example still provides illumination as to what makes a decent graduate school letter of intent sample.

• This is a serviceable letter of intent: the writer clearly lays out their own goals within the field of pharmacy, what qualifications they have and how they’ve arrived at their interests, and how the program fits their needs.
• The writing is clearly structured and well-organized.
• The main weakness is that some of the writer’s statements come across as fairly generic. For example, “The PGY-1 Residency Program at UO Hospitals will provide me with the opportunity to further develop my clinical knowledge, critical thinking, teaching, research, and leadership skills” is a generic statement that could apply to any residency program. A punchier, more program-specific conclusion would have amped up this letter.
• While the writer does a decent job providing examples of their activities, like working as a tutor and attending the APhA conference, more specificity and detail in these examples would make the statement more memorable.
• There’s a typo in the last paragraph —a “to” that doesn’t belong! This is an unprofessional blip in an otherwise solid letter. Read you own letter of intent aloud to avoid this!

NIU Bad Statement of Purpose Example

This is an ineffective graduate school statement of purpose example, with annotations on why it doesn’t work.

As you might imagine, the main strength in this document is as an example of what not to do. Otherwise, there is little to recommend it.

• The annotations quite clearly detail the weaknesses of this statement. So I won’t address them exhaustively except to point out that this statement of purpose fails at both content and style. The author includes irrelevant anecdotes and lists without offering a decisive picture of interests or any particular insight into the field. Additionally, the statement is riddled with grammatical mistakes, awkward sentence structures, and strange acronyms.
• You’ll note that the commentary advises you to “never start with a quote.” I agree that you should never start with a freestanding quote as in this example. However, I do think starting with a quote is acceptable in cases like the Berkeley history example above, where the quote is brief and then directly linked to the research interest.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Examples: 4 Key Points

Graduate programs ask for statement of purpose to hear about your interests and goals and why you think you and the program would be a good fit.

There are four key elements to a successful statement of purpose:

• A clear articulation of your goals and interests
• Evidence of past experiences and success
• Interest and fit with the program
• Strong writing

We’ve provided you with four successful statement of purpose samples from our graduate school experts!

We also provided additional statement of purpose samples (and a sample letter of intent) for graduate school from other sources on the internet. Now you have all kinds of guidance!

What’s Next?

If you’re looking for more information on graduate school , see our guide to what makes a good GPA for grad school .

Not sure if you need to take the GRE ? See if you can get into graduate school without GRE scores .

Want more information about the GRE? We can help you figure out when to take the GRE , how to make a GRE study plan , and how to improve your GRE score .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

Chris Blattman

Phd applicants: writing your statement of purpose.

• January 11, 2022

I’ve read a lot of personal statements for PhD applications. I sat on admissions at UChicago, Columbia, and Yale, mostly in economics, political science, and public policy. Here’s the advice I’ve given my own students and research assistants to craft their statements. I give it because, sadly, I don’t find most statements helpful. This means they are not helping you, the applicant.

As with all my advice posts, it’s important that students outside elite colleges get this information, so here are some personal thoughts.

[Note: You can now subscribe by email to receive posts to your inbox.]

First, let’s clarify your number one job as an applicant: Send the best, clearest signal of your abilities as a future researcher, and minimize the noise around that signal. I explain why in a longer post on whether and how you should apply to PhD programs (including the other elements of an application packet):

the fundamental problems in graduate admissions are “information overload” and “noise”. For every slot in a PhD program, there are probably 30 to 50 applicants. A department that plans to have a class of 20 students may receive 1000 applications. Meanwhile, most departments delegate admissions to a small committee of two to six faculty. They don’t have time to read 1000 applications in detail. And the committee may change every year. Thus, their experience may be limited. And you never know who will be on the committee or what they care about. This adds further randomness. These faculty want to admit the most talented and creative young researchers who will push the field ahead. And they also want you to pass all the most technical classes, because they hate kicking students out. So the admissions committee are looking for strong signals of intelligence, creativity, determination, and other proclivities for research. But this is hard . There are too many applications. Applicants don’t have many good ways to signal quality. All applicants are trying to send the same signals. And there is a ton of uncertainty around each signal. Hence: Information overload and noise.

Yet most schools as for a written statement of some kind. Sometimes they ask for both a biographical statement and a research statement. What do they want and what should you write?

• Don’t tell your life story. This statement is not an undergrad entry essay where you describe your life’s trials and tribulations, or your journey to wanting to do a PhD. It’s not that we don’t care. It’s just that it’s probably not relevant to judging your ability as a researcher. If it is, then weave that into the narrative around your research interests and plans. We have hundreds of these things to read and so you only want to focus on the most important information.
• Don’t be cliché. Do not start your with your epiphany—the day the scales fell from your eyes and you realized you wanted to be a professor, or were inspired tackle big questions and social issues. Especially if it involves a child in a poor country. This approach is overused and unoriginal, and the information does not help us judge whether you will be a great researcher (see point 1).
• Platitudes about wanting to be a professor or researcher
• Generic or flattering statements about being excited to join a program, your admiration for the faculty, etc.
• Unspecific interests in a research subject or field
• Routine information such as “I am graduating in May…”
• Filler sentences like “Please find enclosed…”
• Start with your broad fields of interest (e.g. “I am principally interested in labor and development economics” or “I want to work at the intersection of comparative politics and international relations”)
• Then give 2-3 examples of broad topics and questions that interest you. (“I’m interested in studying inefficiencies in labor markets, especially market power and monopsony. I’m also interested in…”)
• Are tenure or tenure-track faculty
• Have their primary appointment in the department you are applying to
• Are actually there and take students (i.e. they didn’t retire last year, etc.)
• You could discuss two ideas in moderate depth, or one idea in greater depth. Either way, I recommend this research discussion be 40-60% of your entire statement.
• Ideally this is a question or topic of current interest in the field. One thing I often see is that students are focussed on the research frontier 10 years ago (because those are the papers they read in their classes) and are not clued in to some of the current puzzled and priorities. This is hard to avoid, but some reading and your advisors should be able to help you avoid this.
• The best discussions will (if empirical) identify interesting data and discuss plausible empirical strategies. This is difficult, which is why it is a good signal if you do it well.
• It’s important to locate your question in the literature without overdoing that discussion. Try to motivate the question with reference to recent and recognizable research papers and agendas. If you are mainly citing articles with few citations, in lower-ranked journals, this is a sign that you need to link your idea to bigger debates in the field, or perhaps rethink the question you are proposing.
• This is (in my experience) the most crucial section for most social science departments. Except possibly economics. It’s not clear how seriously many departments take your statement in economics, and some of my colleagues profess to never look at the statement. That may be true, but some will look, and you have to have a statement, so I suggest following this advice to make it a research proposal.
• Why you studied physics but now are doing political science
• What happened in that single bad semester on your transcript
• How to interpret your foreign GPA, and where you ranked in your class
• Clarify your classes if they have off names (e.g. “My class called XX was a Real Analysis class using textbook X, and so I have all the mathematical requirements for entry.”
• Get help. Your letter writers, professors you work for, or PhD student you know can read and give feedback on your statements. Ask them for their advice. Do this early–a couple months before the application, ideally. they can help you frame your question in a more interesting way, decide what papers to mention, or what is or is not frontier.
• Don’t be repetitive. This is not the place to restate your CV (“First I worked for Professor… and then I worked for…”). They have your CV. Use this document to do something no other in your application can do. Only mention work or other experience if you can add essential, high-density information the reader cannot get elsewhere in the application packet. Maybe you picked up specific technical skills working on a project that relate to the research proposal you just described? If not, you don’t have to say anything at all about your past. Just let the research proposal speak for itself.
• I recommend using the Hemingway Editor as a tool to write more clearly. Some long and complex sentences are ok, but sparingly. And they can often be improved. Aim for a grade 10 reading level.
• Use active voice
• Omit needless material and words (see points 3 and 9)
• Limit jargon
• Each paragraph should be a distinct idea
• Paragraphs should have a hierarchical structure, with the big idea or general point as the first topic sentence, and the rest of the paragraph elaborates. Someone should be able to get an “executive summary” but simply reading the first line in every paragraph. they should make sense as a story/summary.
• Use subheadings if possible, to delineate sections such as your broad fields of interest (point 4), your research proposal (point 5), and other key information (point 6)

This is just my view. Other professors will have different preferences and advice here. So ask them. Get more opinions. Or put your advice in the comments below.

Subscribe to Blog

Email Address

Recent Posts

Presentation to the joint chiefs operations directorate, from street fights to world wars: what gang violence can teach us about conflict, when is war justified, conversation with teny gross on gang violence, the 5 reasons wars happen, advanced master’s & phds.

SOP & LOR

SOP For PhD: Us...

SOP For PhD: Use Yocket’s PhD SOP Sample And Format To Draft Your Impressive SOP

  A PhD statement of purpose is an important aspect of your PhD application. While your academic records and LORs demonstrate your academic qualifications, your PhD SOP allows you to introduce yourself as a candidate in a more comprehensive and convincing manner. This is your chance to define yourself as a motivated candidate! So, invest ample time in drafting and finishing your PhD SOP. Also, refer to as many statement of purpose for PhD samples as possible.

And Of course, each university is different. So, before you start drafting your statement, double-check the needs of your desired university. Refer to the statement of purpose for PhD samples. But, keep in mind that, a compelling PhD statement of purpose is critical for your success.

To ace your PhD SOP in this blog, we will discuss the following - How to write a good PhD SOP? Along with free PhD SOP samples.

How to Write a Winning SOP for PhD

It is critical to recognise the distinction between a PhD SOP and any other SOP. A PhD SOP, for example, is heavily focused on research. Your PhD SOP as shown in the PhD samples below must highlight the candidate's research aptitude, time management skills, efficiency, analytical and reasoning abilities.

In addition to that, you need to show interest in research, whether it is talking about one's own study, a fascinating subject of research or interest in a professor's research. Having said that, follow the given statement of purpose format for PhD and present yourself well:

Introduction

• Start with a very concise introduction.
• Talk about your interest in the PhD, the subject, university and the mentor.

First Paragraph

• Mention your previous academic and research achievements.
• You need to convince the admissions committee that you are capable of handling records and research. So, justify your research interest and your calibre.

Look at the PhD statement of purpose example below to gather ideas for presentation.

Second Paragraph

• Reason for choosing the programme and how do you feel about the specialisation.
• Share your short term and long term plans.

Third Paragraph

• While applying for a PhD, it is imperative that you explain the reason for choosing the particular country you are aspiring to study in.
• Try to include previous studies that you have done about that country. For instance, if you look at the PhD statement of purpose examples, you will see how the candidate has expressed his interest in studying in the US.

Fourth Paragraph

• Your selected mentor ought to have a good understanding of why you wish to study with him/her.
• Talk about the commonalities you have with the subject and your mentor’s interest in your PhD SOP.

Fifth Paragraph

• Write about your short and long term career goals. Like the PhD SOP examples below you can compose your future plans after your PhD.
• Add any future study topics you'd want to look into, as well as how and why these areas influence the community as a whole.
• Following the PhD SOP samples, you can also point out the vision you have for your job 10-15 years from now. This acts as an important indicator of your thoughts and showcases how you plan to integrate your knowledge into practicality.
• Summarize your intentions and adhere to the statement of purpose for PhD sample format.
• Your conclusion must leave a lasting impression. So, make sure you leave an impressive sign out.

By following the above format, you will be able to successfully draft a PhD SOP.

Dos and Don'ts for an SOP for PhD

There are certain key do's and don'ts and guidelines to follow while writing your PhD SOP. Refer to the table below to understand them clearly:

Soft Skills you MUST Talk About in your SOP for PhD

To pursue a PhD, there are some soft skills or interpersonal skills that you should highlight in your SOP for a PhD abroad. By highlighting these skills you will increase your chances of getting an admission. So, do talk about your:

• Problem-solving
• Analytical thinking
• Communication
• Passion for success
• Willingness to learn

Popular Universities for PhD Courses & their Criteria

Most universities follow the format of the popular universities from the same country. Although the guidelines remain the same, in some cases, the university provides its own PhD SOP structure. For that, we’d recommend you check out their websites. However, to understand the requirements of some of the top universities, read the following:

RWTH Aachen University, Germany

To apply to German universities, follow the guidelines below:

• Talk about yourself
• 500-1,000 words
• Why do you want to study this program
• Explain that you’re fit for the respected university
• Display intellectual curiosity
• Showcase your research experience and skillset
• Submit an error-free SOP.

University of Montreal, Canada

If you are composing an SOP for Canada, then follow the guidelines below and add details of the points mentioned below:

• 1,000-1,500 words
• Adds facts about yourself
• Academic qualifications
• Answer - Why are you the right person for the course? Why is the course right for you?
• Explain that you strongly align with their university’s values

John Hopkins University, USA

US SOP requirements differ from university to university. But, the straightforward insights to look out for are:

• 2-page limit and 11-12 font size
• Talk about your interest in the program
• Add insights about past research experiences
• Avoid diving deep into how great the university is
• Avoid talking excessively about your personal life too

As an extension of our discussion about SOP for a PhD, it is vital to add that the letter of motivation is different from an SOP. You might have to compose a letter of motivation to pursue a PhD. This letter is addressed to a specific department or professor. However, your SOP is the deciding factor for your SOP.

The above-mentioned sample SOP for PhD on Yocket will assist you with the fundamental framework. The more time you devote to writing your PhD SOP now, the less likely you are to have issues later. So, get to writing! In case you need expert advice, you can reach out to Yocket counsellors for a free 15-minute consultation.

SOP For PhD Sample 1

“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” - Steve Jobs

To begin, I was fascinated by the importance of Pharmaceutical Sciences in today's healthcare system. It is a vast topic with several research potentials, including the exploration and modification of chemical properties that make up medications with therapeutic effects in order to improve patient compliance. The global healthcare industry has recently had to deal with new epidemics, which has necessitated rigorous innovation.

Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) - post-Oral Delivery, such as low-cost Microrobots, Nanotubes, and Microneedles, are capable of bridging the gap between scientific research and commercial need. Carbon Nanotubes, in particular, may easily enter cells, delivering medications straight to the cytoplasm or nucleus, improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing the risk of side effects. Nanotechnology for Drug Delivery has long been promising, and it may now be used in Gene Therapy, Active Targeting, Controlled and Sustained Drug Release, and Synergistic Multimodal Therapies to enhance treatments for illnesses such as Bronchial, Colorectal, and Prostate malignancies. I'm considering pursuing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences because I want to undertake such cutting-edge research.

My time as a Pharmacy undergraduate at XYZ University was a turning point in my career since I was immersed in a cutting-edge curriculum that valued both academic underpinnings and practical applications equally. Courses like 'Pharmaceutical Technology,' 'Pharmaceutical Analysis,' 'Pharmacognosy,' and 'Medicinal Chemistry,' among others, provided me with a solid foundation in pharmacy concepts, which was amplified by the laboratory sessions, resulting in an 8.4 CGPA. I became interested in Formulations and Drug Delivery Systems in the final semesters of my undergraduate studies, which led to my Master's in Pharmaceutics. Advanced courses like Nanotechnology, Targeted Drug Delivery and Computer-Aided Design, and Drug Delivery Systems honed my ability to look at a problem and explore different possible outcomes that can be achieved by NDDS, such as my Tramadol HCL analgesic patch project, where Transdermal Drug Delivery not only improved the 'Controlled' release of the drug but also made it possible at minute levels of medicament.

Following my Master's, I interned with XYZ Pharma Pvt. Ltd. as a Graduate Trainee. During this time, I was able to get experience in several elements of formulation, such as coating Tablets, filling Capsules, and using HPLC and GC. I am now undergoing training at XYZ Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., where laboratory professionals are assisting me in gaining a better understanding of the complicated research organisations and frameworks. In the manufacturing unit for topical dosage forms, I've been aiding in the execution of product designs according to protocol, as well as doing pre formulation tests and reviewing data to determine compatibility and delivery possibilities.

It's amazing to observe how a chemical that's ineffective in normal formulations does miracles in NDDS. Aside from Controlled Systems, as part of my Master's thesis. Aside from academics, I was an enthusiastic member of college extracurriculars, winning several honours in Inter-University Art and Sports contests.

I'm dedicated to the field of pharmaceutical sciences. My Research's in-vitro testing and analytical methodologies, as well as my Internship's pre-formulation and molecular evaluation studies, improved my conceptual comprehension of the topic. I aim to get the necessary skills in Drug Delivery with the aid of a PhD, which will not only keep me up to date on advances in Pharmaceutics but also assist me in exploring creative mediums to increase the therapeutic effects of medications.

The United States has traditionally been at the forefront of science and technology development, providing opportunities to work on cutting-edge initiatives. XYZ University is a major contributor to high-quality pharmaceutical research. I wish to deepen my knowledge in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, and I feel that your university is the best location to do it since it has experienced faculty, a vibrant academic environment, and a graduate programme that balances high-quality teaching with research infrastructure. Professors XYZ, XYZ, and XYZ are doing work that I find extremely intriguing and well-suited to my research interests.

My education will reinforce principles that will aid in the research of advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences concepts. This programme provides me with an excellent opportunity to take the next step toward becoming a researcher capable of expanding my horizons of care and concern. Healthcare that is easily accessible, efficient, and cost-effective for everybody is a pressing necessity.

I hope the Admissions Committee will consider my application favourably, and I look forward to joining your esteemed institution's Fall 2023 PhD cohort.

SOP For PhD Sample 2

My interest in research, particularly finance-related research, arose from a variety of previous undertakings including Financial Analysis. Furthermore, I have actively employed research approaches such as surveys, ethnography, questionnaires, and case studies as a result of my experiences with undergraduate (UG) thesis research and graduate projects. As a result, I feel that having a thorough understanding of the essential components of Finance would enable me to engage in problem-solving, share relevant information, and encourage people to see things in new ways, which has prompted me to seek a PhD in Finance.

I hope the Admissions Committee will consider my application favourably, and I look forward to joining your esteemed institution's Fall 2022 PhD cohort.

Mathematics was always my strong suit as a kid. I also pursued a minor in Mathematics at XYZ University. The interdisciplinary study is widely recognised and promoted. Furthermore, I was able to improve my knowledge of areas such as probability and statistics, linear regression for predictive analysis, and numerical analysis and optimization - all of which have applications in financial data analysis.

My study, titled "XYZ Businesses of India: A Time-Dependent Analysis," used Data Envelopment Analysis to evaluate the performance of private and public-sector ABCS corporations in India over four years (2013-2016). We used the Solver function in MS Excel to complete our task. As part of this project, we built multiple optimization models, did Sensitivity Analysis, Malmquist Productivity Indexing, and curve-fitting. The project experience reinforced for me the need for patience and diligence in doing effective data analysis. It also taught me about financial jargon in financial statements and how to read an organization's annual report in depth. I, therefore, reasoned that performing due diligence on a large scale would not only assure the sustainable use of resources but would also greatly enhance such firms' internal rate of return.

Following my undergraduate education, I went on to XYZ to pursue doctoral studies in Engineering Management. The training reinforced the idea that in some industries, financial analysis, engineering, and business are so linked that knowledge of one without the understanding of the others is worthless. In addition, my time at XYZ opened my eyes to the almost endless possibilities that were within the broad canopy of management, particularly financial management. I immediately realised that I wanted to learn more about finance. To that goal, I registered for the CFA Level 1 exam in December 2020. In addition, I took an elective called Economic Foundations for Public Decision Making to study the fundamental economic concepts that are used in finance all the time.

During the summer of 2020, I worked at XYZ on a research project to build the graduate course "Strategies for Innovation and Growth" and prepare case studies for the incoming class. I lead a team of six people and wrote two case studies on American startups pursuing the triple-bottom-line strategy. I also worked with XYZ, a technology company in Japan, as part of the Practice of Consulting course, to revamp their business strategy and product improvements on two of their products.

I'm looking forward to working with Dr XYZ and Dr XYZ on topics such as international finance, asset pricing, corporate finance, and family businesses. I'm particularly interested in Dr XYZ's study on 'Governance Problems in Closely Held Corporations.' I'm curious about how majority and minority shareholders affect such firms' return on assets and expense-to-sales ratios. I feel that my comprehension of financial principles, which I've had since I was a child, along with my desire to study, will make me a valuable member of the XYZ student community.

As a PhD student, I wish to take on a variety of duties during the programme in order to improve academic rigour, autonomous judgement, and intellectual honesty. I am convinced that my experiences at XYZ will provide me with a solid foundation in financial principles, allowing me to pursue a successful academic career. I eagerly anticipate the difficulties of a PhD in Finance programme at your illustrious university.

Sumeet Jain

Articles you might like

• [email protected]

Some of these samples have been accepted by top programs. They have been graciously shared by past applicants for educational purposes. We hope they inspire you to write your own.

Drop us a draft of your SOP, PS, LOI, ML, &/or LOR for

• Expert 1 v 1 Guidance (includes reviewing and editing)
• Review and edit

Most reviewed programs

• MS and PhD in Computer science, Data Science, AI, Engineering (MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, Caltec, etc)
• Mathematics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Linguistics and literature
• Film studies

PLACE ORDER

Statement of Purpose for PhD in Computer Science (MIT Accepted)

We analyse three SOP samples, two accepted at MIT and one at the University of Washington.

Statement of Purpose for PhD in Biomedical Engineering (MIT Accepted)

In this article, we analyse a Biomedical Engineering SOP that was accepted at MIT, Stanford, and Georgia Tech

Letters of Recommendation: A Guide and Sample for your Recommenders

Statement of Purpose Sample for Nursing (Undergraduate) (Highly rated)

Description: We describe in detail how to write a statement of purpose for nursing. In the SOP, the applicant underscores the areas of nursing she’d focus on and how she was suited for the school.

Statement of Purpose Sample for Ph. D Nursing (Compelling)

Description: In this Statement of Purpose Sample for Nursing Ph. D, the applicant identifies the field of interest and specialization that he’s interested in early, details professional and research work, then points out the skills he would like to gain from this program and how the university will help in this endeavor.

Statement of Purpose for MBA (Ivy school)

Description: We start by providing a step by step guide that should help with generating ideas for your MBA SOP and then crafting one while adhering to certain tips. We then provide 3 ivy school samples.

Statement of Purpose Sample for Computer Science  (Highly rated)

Description: In this Statement of Purpose Sample for Computer Science, the applicant describes how a local mobile money sending application in rural parts of Africa inspired his love for computing.  The applicant explains a clear career path after graduating. You can get a similar SOP by ORDERING HERE

Statement of purpose sample for computer science 2 (Recommended)

Description: In this SOP, we provide the blueprint of writing a SOP for computer science. We follow it with two highly rated samples.

Statement of Purpose Sample for Cognitive Science (Good)

Description: In this SOP, the applicant describes how personal struggles with Dyslexia, and the inspiring story of  Akeelah in the Akeelah and the Bee film, motivated a desire to understand how the human brain works and how it can be trained to optimize the good while negating the bad.

MBA Statement of Purpose Example  (Excellent)

Description: In this Statement of Purpose Sample for MBA, the applicant evokes the loss of family business and a business degree that didn’t equip him with practical skills as the motivation for applying for an MBA. The applicant brings out the steps that he has taken to remedy this lack of practical experience and the skills that he looked forward to getting from the MBA program.

Statement of Purpose Sample for MBA with Engineering Background (Compelling)

Description: The applicant underscores professional experience managing people, financial, and operational processes. He emphasizes possession of transferable research experience, the result of which is a successful Statement of Purpose for MBA that got him acceptance to a top business school. You can get the same HERE

Statement of Purpose Sample for Masters in Public Health Science (Good)

Description:  In this SOP, the applicant underscores her teaching and research experience and show how they would be transferred to a role of a public health educator. If you’re applying for university admission in a field other than you did your bachelor’s, we can help with standardizing your SOP. Speak to us today HERE

Statement of Purpose Sample for  Psychology Graduate School (Great)

Description: In this SOP, the applicant explains how growing up in a crime-ridden neighborhood with a police father informed her early views on crime prevention and the place of psychology. She places this early observations in their proper context by profiling the background of teenage offenders thereby underling the place of early trauma on future behavior.

Statement of Purpose Sample for Mathematics (Highly rated)

Description: This sample explains the applicant’s love for numbers and top achievement as well as suitability for the university.

Statement of Purpose Sample for Business Management (Highly rated)

Description: The SOP demonstrates how professional experience not deemed relevant to business management may be captured as an example of work ethics

Statement of Purpose Sample for Nursing

Statement of Purpose Sample for Nursing PhD

Statement of Purpose sample for MBA

Statement of purpose sample for computer science 2

Statement of Purpose Sample in Cognitive Science

Statement of Purpose sample for mathematics

Statement of Purpose sample for MBA with Engineering Background

Statement of Purpose sample for Masters in Pyschology

Statement of Purpose Sample for Computer Science

Statement of Purpose sample for Business Management

Statement of Purpose sample for Masters in Public Health

Statement of Purpose for MBA Sample (Ivy school)

We also edit, review, and standardize other Admission Documents

Admission CV

Personal Statement

Recommendation Letter

Scholarship Essay

Motivation Letter

Cover Letter

Our Promise

• A SOP tailored to your program/university requirements
• Original, plagiarism free
• A SOP customized by an expert in your field
• Direct communication with assigned editor
• Proofreading and plagiarism check
• Punctuality
• Free revision for 2 weeks
• Confidentiality
• Money back guarantee

Let us Polish your Admission Documents

You don’t have to gamble an admission slot because of a low quality admission document. We’re the experts. You can count on us.

Expert SOP Help

• SOP for MBA
• SOP for Law Internship
• SOP for Tourism
• SOP for Social Work
• SOP for Graduate School
• SOP for Ph.D.
• SOP for Engineering
• SOP for Scholarship

SOP Edit & Review

• SOP Proofreading
• SOP Graduate School
• SOP for College
• SOP for PHD
• SOP for Information Technology
• SOP for MPH
• SOP Engineering
• SOP Medical
• SOP for Computer Science

What Our Clients Say

"After hours of staring at my computer screen and attempting to cobble up something together, I decided to try PhD Statements of purpose services. I enjoyed quite a peace of mind as they delivered a SOP that brought out exactly who I am. My nursing doctoral dream is now on course, partly because of the ivy standards services I received."

Michelle Stuart

“I Requested for an MBA SOP and I was quite nervous as I had never used the platform before. It's now my plug for all admission documents. Thanks a bunch."

I needed a Mathematics statement of purpose and an admission CV as quick as possible. These guys delivered these admission documents within hours of placing my orders. They reflected my individuality and I don't know how they did it. AMAZING!!

Dorothy Palmer

"I didn’t realize I could get such a quality Nursing PhD Statement of Purpose online. It was perfectly customized and individualized.Thanks for bringing me up closer to my doctoral program admission.<!-- wp:shortcode -->[learn_press_profile]<!-- /wp:shortcode -->

[learn_press_profile]

Clearing Universities & Courses

Clearing advice.

Recommended Clearing Universities

Popular Course Categories

Course Search & Discover

Start the search for your uni. Filter from hundreds of universities based on your preferences.

Search by Type

Search by region.

Recommended Universities

Ravensbourne University London

London (Greater) · 88% Recommended

University of Surrey

South East England · 98% Recommended

University of Kent

South East England · 96% Recommended

Search Open Days

What's new at Uni Compare

University of Roehampton

Take your computing skills to the next level. Discover the perfect Computing Degree for you!

Surrey has been ranked 4th for overall student satisfaction [NSS 2023].

Ranking Categories

Regional rankings.

More Rankings

Top 100 Universities

Taken from 65,000+ data points from students attending university to help future generations

About our Rankings

Discover university rankings devised from data collected from current students.

Guide Categories

Advice categories, recommended articles, popular statement examples, statement advice.

What to include in a Personal Statement

Personal Statement Tips

Personal statement example management and human resources personal statement.

Submitted by Millie

Top 10% for Business graduate earnings (Longitudinal Education Outcomes 2022)

Gain real-world business skills and experience at University of Brighton in an AACSB-accredited business school​​​​. Explore Business degrees at Brighton.

Gain real world experience needed for success in Business

Prepare for your future with a Business Degree at Roehampton which includes practical learning, paid placements and employability events.

Management and Human Resources Personal Statement

Growing up, I had a natural inclination to organise; be it planning games in the playground at six years old, to ensuring everything was in place for group success in school and college. I pride myself in achieving a high standard, and enjoy working in an environment with people who are as dedicated and eager to succeed as myself.

A Human Resources degree incorporates the skills I possessed from an early age, with the key elements of my A Level subjects, thus making it obvious that this would be the perfect degree opportunity for me. I am currently studying A-levels in English Language, Religious studies and Law. These subjects contain key aspects relating to a Human Resource degree ; understanding emotions through paralinguistic features, having the ability to construct linguistically perfect letters and documents, being able to identify the ethically and morally right action in a situation, and the concepts of law. As well as this all of these subjects developed my essay writing skills; a key attribute for success at University. I aspire to do a Human Resource degree that includes a year working in an industry as I believe that practical experience is just as vital as theory based learning. Having a year of experience would allow me to widen my skills, and give me a true understanding of Human Resources, whilst applying both my academia to my physical work, and vice versa.

My first experience of Human Resources was working for a Human Resource team at Foxes Biscuits. This gave me an insight into the generalist side of HR, as it was factory based and dealt with issues that were found in a factory environment. I had the opportunity to have one-on-one meetings with all levels of a Human Resource team, as well as meetings with the manager of Training and Development, and the Occupational Health team. Meeting these people allowed me to not only gain knowledge and experience of the duties of someone in or related to HR, but it also allowed me to ask a team of people who employ people in HR their opinion on what to do regarding my university degree, and the specialisms and qualifications that would help me into employment after my degree. I also did work experience with a specialist Human Resource team in the Two Sisters shared services centre. This showed me an alternative side to Human Resources that dealt with the issues of thousands of people, rather than a small number of people. I was able to see the work that went into the technology used by the smaller factories, and also saw the payroll and reporting sides too. This was a completely different side to Human Resources, and it was a very enriching experience to know that my degree could take me down so many different paths.

As another chance to widen my study, I completed an A-level in Creative Writing outside of the curriculum. This allowed me to develop my independent learning skills, and focus on the finer detail of a piece of writing. Interpreting situations was a key element to this course, and I believe this would help me in my degree as Human resources requires you to understand the different interpretations of an event, and deduce the most likely or best explanation.

In July 2018, I will be taking part in a volunteering project with my college, in which I will be helping to build a school in Nepal, and supporting less fortunate children. I had to go through 3 separate interview stages, and competed with 136 other applicants to be given this opportunity, and I look forward to seeing the world from another perspective, and making a difference. I believe this trip to Nepal will help not only with my social skills, but also academically. Human resources requires you to give help to people in need, and this will be a skill I am able to understand and perfect from this opportunity. I am an extremely driven student who strives for success. I look forward to joining many different societies, pursuing my passions and representing the University with pride.

Recommended Course

Recommended Statements

Submitted by anonymous

Business and Management Personal Statement

I am applying to study a

Business and Management (Marketing) Personal Statement

Living in London, which is ranked as the number one city for bus...

International Business Personal Statement

Interaction with business professionals has led ...

Business Management Personal Statement

There are many events in a person’s life, but only a few of them are important and define a new start in t...

undergraduate Universities

Undergraduate uni's.

Ravensbourne

Uni of Surrey

434 courses

Uni of Kent

413 courses

Goldsmiths, UOL

273 courses

Swansea Uni

771 courses

238 courses

Northeastern Uni

Uni of Roehampton

268 courses

Uni of Reading

391 courses

West London IoT

Middlesex Uni

470 courses

Uni of Leicester

267 courses

Uni of Sunderland

201 courses

Cardiff Met Uni

305 courses

Uni of East London

317 courses

Uni of Winchester

154 courses

Uni of Chester

398 courses

Uni of Hertfordshire

415 courses

Uni of Bradford

265 courses

Coventry Uni

444 courses

Uni of Suffolk

110 courses

528 courses

ARU Writtle

104 courses

Uni of Bedfordshire

327 courses

Uni for Creative Arts

457 courses

Leeds Beckett Uni

324 courses

Heriot-Watt Uni

208 courses

Queen's Uni

411 courses

Staffordshire Uni

272 courses

Escape Studios

Uni of Portsmouth

547 courses

Uni of Westminster

338 courses

UWE, Bristol

252 courses

Kingston Uni

373 courses

Uni of Essex

801 courses

Leeds Arts University

Anglia Ruskin Uni

464 courses

353 courses

Uni of Huddersfield

458 courses

Uni of C.Lancashire

531 courses

Wrexham Uni

171 courses

Uni of Brighton

257 courses

Bath Spa Uni

292 courses

Edge Hill Uni

243 courses

Uni of Hull

274 courses

Nottingham Trent

537 courses

Find the latest from Uni Compare

University of Law

Ranked Top 20 amongst English universities in the 2023 National Student Survey, learn more here!

SOAS, University of London

Ranked in the global top three universities for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)

Call us : +88 (0) 1712969390, +44 (0) 7495942849, +44 (0) 7459725824

[email protected]

Sign in  |  Sign up     

MSc International Human Resource Management

• Sample personal statement

23 May, 2015

Msc international human resource management share.

• 12 May, 2013

I want to pursue my higher education at University of Bedfordshire for the MSc International Human Resource Management in November 2021 intake. I want to study this course to enhance my current academic credentials and prepare myself as a career ready graduate with required skills and knowledge for my future managerial role (HR & Admin ) at BEXIMCO Textile Limited , Bangladesh. I strongly believe that this course will meet the requirement with relevant skills and knowledge for my professional career position.

After my secondary and higher secondary education, I have completed my Bachelor of Business Administration with Human Resource Management in 201 which provided me with an academic platform in the area. To gain some professional experience, I have joined at L.B Green Flower High School for the position of Accounts & Admin Assistant in my home country and I have been working there from September 2018 to till now. Doing research about my career, I have realized that I need an internationally recognized qualification which will allow me to manage a better and secure professional career position. The skills, knowledge and experience I have gained from my academic level will assist to equip me with a master qualification at your university as I have studied core subjects of business including management, marketing, accounting and finance, economics, and organization along with intermediate and some advanced courses on HR. In addition, I have achieved basic HR and administrative skills from my current profession along with organizational skills, management skills, communication skills, time management skills and so on. These will help to understand some topics of this masters course. . Therefore, pursuing this MSc qualification from your institution would be appropriate to become an industry professional in the area of HR & Admin.

I want to study this course due its practical learning approach, global professional recognition, international exposure and unique and appropriate modules for my future career aspirations. The foremost reason to pursue this course because I have some theoretical gaps in strategic management and leadership, project management and consultancy skills, in depth understanding regarding HRM, and advanced research knowledge which I am looking to cover from this postgraduate programme offered by the University of Bedfordshire. I believe that this strategically challenging and internationally recognized degree can prepare me with the right directions for my future career. Furthermore, this course will prepare me to become a career ready graduate with industry needs. There are enormous benefits of studying this course which inspired me to pursue this course. I am aiming to develop my skills and knowledge from this postgraduate degree which include research skills, business plan and execution methods, problem solving, analytical skills, leadership skills, decision making abilities, employee relation, organizational behaviour, performance management skills, excellent communication skills. These will surely assist me to become a successful HR professional. Furthermore, the course modules of this programme have been designed with the global context of HR in the organization with an employability practice-based approach.

By studying this course, I will develop practical business skills, project management skills, business plan and execution, research methods and techniques and put those knowledge and skills into professional practice. Furthermore, this course will provide me abilities to achieve multicultural and intercultural competencies and build practical skills and knowledge regarding team working, communication, problem dealings, strategic marketing, analytical assessment and so on. Additionally, this course will provide me skills and knowledge regarding contemporary and in-depth understanding regarding HR issues including internal and external environments of the business organization. Additionally, I will be able to analyse and apply conceptual frameworks, HR strategies into practical HR solutions. These will surely assist me to become a successful industry professional. Additionally this qualification will provide me knowledge and understanding of Principles and practice of HRM in the global dimensions, critical analysis of global HR models, and the capabilities required to work at a strategic level in MNCs.

With this international qualification and the skills, knowledge and experience from the UK, I believe that I can manage a sound professional position in my home country. Similarly, previous graduates managed a better professional and developed their career when they returned to our home country. My future plan is to join as a Manager ( HR & Admin) at Bashundhara Textile Limited, Bangladesh ( Bashundhara group is one the largest group of companies in Bangladesh) . I have already discussed the prospects with the managing director of that company and he encouraged me to pursue this degree to be part of his company. I am confident that I can take the best opportunity in a HR & Admin position in this organization. I wish to see myself as a Director of HR in the future in that company.

I want to study this course at your university rather than other universities such as Teesside University and University of South Wales, so that some unique course contents include Performance Achievement Planning, Professional Practice, Talent Resourcing And Development and Leading People In Creative Teams inspired me to select this university over others as these modules are most relevant for my future professional role of assistant HR manager. In addition, the library and learning resources facilities are outstanding in this university where a seven-storey library building is open 24/7 days at Luton campus. According to the NSS (National Student Survey) 2019, UOB placed 16th as most improved in learning resources and top 15th as most improved in organization and management. Furthermore, the Business School of BEDS is the 1st Business School in the UK to achieve the award for Business School Impact System (BSIS). The unique block teaching systems for masters courses also fascinated me to choose this university over others as only one unit will be taught in one block. Consequently, it will assist to gain depth understanding in each specific module. There are some distinct features and unique facilities which are offered by BEDS in my chosen course including Professional and Academic Development (PAD) team help to develop writing, maths and study skills and assist on assignment or assessment feedback and Drop in sessions with the Study Hub Team which helps to develop academic skills and improve assignment writing techniques. Beside this, the location of the University of Bedfordshire is excellent compared to other two universities. For instance- Luton is 2.5km from the Campus with London Luton Airport and 30 minutes train journey with centre London.

The factors which appeal to me to select the UK as the destination of my higher education due to the following reasons. Firstly, the standard and quality of British education systems have much more global exposure and are recognised by major employers around the world. Specifically, major corporations of Bangladesh provide a high preference to UK graduates with handsome salaries with top-level positions because of practical and professional experience along with a degree. Secondly, studying in the UK will give me opportunities to acquire a degree in 3 years while in Bangladesh and other major decisions take 4 years or more. Consequently, it will be beneficial in case saving money and time and open the door to start a career earlier which will allow me to get a return on investment quicker compared to other countries. Furthermore, UK universities are highly focused to prepare their graduates for the present world’s industry demands along with modern education systems through the latest academic tools, seminars, internships, placement, workshops, company visits, presentations and so on. Moreover, the UK is the most welcoming and one of the 2nd best popular destinations for the global students and the most multicultural country in the world has been reported by (HESA). Studying in the UK will provide me to become truly connected globally and international networking opportunities while studying in Bangladesh would have allow me to be connected only with home students.

Find more resources

• MSc Management with Project Management
• SOP - MSc Computing and Information Communication Technology
• Personal Statement of Purpose BSc Pharmacology

BA (Hons) Business Management (Final Year)

• PS - BA (Hons) Business Administration (Top up)

Read similar resources

Business success requires a breadth of knowledge and abilities of efficient management to survive in fierce global co...

BA (Hons) Business and Marketing

Modern business is a dynamic environment in which customer wants and needs constantly change at an ever-faster pace. ...

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Following my MSc in Financial Management qualification in 2012, I have been in constant search for a real career for ...

Are you looking to study abroad?

Touch your dream with University Admission Expert

• Offering 15,000+ courses at 100+ study locations
• Maintaining 99% visa success rate
• Serving with 14+ years accumulative admission experience
• Providing end-to-end services, almost 24/7

Newsletter Subscription

Keep up to date with the latest news on UK student visa, courses, universities, scholarships, start dates, study guides etc.

Post Comment