UCAS Question 3: Your extracurricular activities
As discussed in my previous posts, the UCAS personal statement has changed for 2025 entry onwards. Instead of one long essay, students now answer three focused questions. The third of these questions is:
“What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?”
This is your chance to show that you’re more than just your studies. Universities want students who can handle the challenges of independent learning, adapt to new environments, and contribute to the wider education community. Question 3 is your opportunity to highlight those qualities.
How much should I write?
Remember, you still have 4,000 characters in total across all three questions. I recommend spending 350-800 characters on this section. That gives you enough space to include 1-3 strong examples without overshadowing the academic focus of Questions 1 and 2.
What to include in Question 3
This section isn’t about repeating supercurriculars, since those belong in Questions 1 and 2. Instead, you should focus on experiences outside of your direct subject study that demonstrate skills, maturity, and readiness for university.
Here are some categories to consider:
Extracurricular activities: Sports, music, drama, or debating can show teamwork, discipline, communication, or leadership.
Work experience or part-time jobs: Even if unrelated to your degree, they demonstrate responsibility, organisation, and time management.
Volunteering: This might showcase empathy, community engagement, or problem-solving skills.
Life experiences: Caring responsibilities, overcoming personal challenges, or adapting to a new culture can highlight resilience and independence.
The key: reflection, not description
Simply listing activities won’t impress admissions tutors. What matters is how you reflect on them.
Ask yourself:
What skills did I develop?
How will these skills help me at university?
What did I learn about myself through this experience?
For example:
Instead of: “I play in my local football team.”
Write: “Playing in my local football team has taught me how to manage setbacks constructively and work effectively as part of a team, all of which are skills I know I’ll need when collaborating on group projects at university.”
How to structure your answer
A simple framework works best here:
Name the activity.
Explain the skill or quality you developed.
Link it directly to how it will help you at university.
This keeps your answer focused and shows clear relevance.
Final thoughts
Question 3 is your chance to round out your personal statement and show you’re ready for the challenges of higher education. Keep it concise, keep it reflective, and focus on the skills and experiences that genuinely prepared you for the next stage.
If you’d like expert, personalised feedback on your personal statement draft, you can book a free 15-minute chat with me using the button below to discuss how I might be able to help you.
