lse finance personal statement

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Accounting and Finance Personal Statement (Hoi Lee Yang)

Hoi Lee Yang is currently studying Bsc Accounting and Finance at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and is graduating in 2021. This personal statement was part of his successful application to LSE, University of Warwick, University of Bristol and Durham University for Accounting and Finance.

As a child, I was enamoured with the same questions that would have plagued any questioning child’s mind. Like any aspiring engineer or doctor or lawyer, I yearned to know more about how the world, in all its intricacy and sophistication, functioned. I savoured my opportunities to learn about the breakthroughs of physics in creating our modern comforts, and relished the study of history: of how every nascent today is inextricably linked to past events. I have been thrilled by the knowledge of anatomy, learning so intently about what I was, and how I functioned. Despite all this, the world appeared insistent in showing me that the true key to understanding its machinations lay not in any of these fields. The surest way to make sense of the world, it seemed, was in a certain field without which all human activity would not function. It manages us, as much as we try to manage it: money.

I am interested in accounting and finance due to its sheer ubiquity. I realise that every economic entity, from the big corporations and governments down to local sundry shops or even households, relies on the management of finances and planning for the best future outcome. Accounting has always been a deep-rooted industry, charting a colourful history from the clay envelopes used for bookkeeping in 5000 BC Mesopotamian temples, to the double-entry ledgers of Medieval Venice. Regardless of what general perception might contend, though, I am convinced the field of accounting is also one of growth and vibrancy. Looking to the recent proliferation of financial technology, or Fintech, I am particularly keen to follow the advances in the field as I make my journey into accounting at university.

March 2017 saw HSBC, Europe’s largest bank, partner up with an online commerce platform, Tradeshift, to offer an online alternative for financing and paperwork. This is part of a broader phenomenon of big finance companies collaborating with Fintech startups not just in the UK, but around the world. On the ground, we see the business world evolve, just as it did when manufacturing first took root in the Industrial Revolution. A KFC outlet in Beijing now accepts payment through facial recognition, and the Singapore government is working on a standardised QR code system for all monetary transactions. Bitcoin, despite price volatility and initial hostility from banks had, by the end of August 2017, octupled its market value in a year, pointing to its increasing use as a medium of transaction. Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Litecoin also follow suit. At university, I am eager to refine my knowledge of the current framework of finance, and alongside a group of equally-curious peers, enrich myself with a better understanding of how the status quo will adapt to these technological advances.

I am drawn to accounting and finance due to the promise of challenge, not only arithmetically but also in tackling complex problems. A-Levels also marked my first exposure to the world of Economics, allowing me to enrich my understanding of accounting with a background context in how the business world worked. The course compelled me to pick up books such as Daron Acemoglu’s ‘Why Nations Fail’, which intrigued me with the idea that governments must strive to maintain inclusive economic activity that incentivises every party to work hard. The copious examples of failed civilisations which could not ensure a reward for parties to take risks and adopt new technologies had also sparked my interest in management, realising how similar the running of businesses are to that of entire civilisations.

I feel I am a dynamic, curious and highly-motivated student who is very excited about the prospect of studying Accounting & Finance at a first class university in the UK. I eagerly look forward to the challenges I will face on an academically rigorous and complex course. And hopefully by the end of my degree, the machinations of the world will be a little less elusive.

DISCLAIMER:  The personal statements on this site are strictly meant as a starting point to give an idea of how successful personal statements look like. There is no surefire formula to writing good personal statements.  COLLEGELAH IS STRICTLY AGAINST PLAGIARISM OF ANY KIND .  UCAS employs a plagiarism check system  that checks applicants’ work against other published writing so please  DO NOT PLAGIARISE.

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LSE University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to London School of Economics. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

History Personal Statement Example 3 Recently, I found out that my grandma was gambled into slavery for seven years. She escaped her prison and made her way back to Hong Kong, 300 miles south. I was amazed at how courageous she was. This personal discovery led me to read Jung Chang's 'Wild Swans' which made me both proud and ashamed of my heritage...

Mathematics and Economics Personal Statement Example 1 As Pythagoras may have said, (Ambitious)2 + (Bold)2 = (Critical thinker)2 makes a perfect student and is what I strive to be. From the simple Pythagorean to the complex Fermat's Last Theorem, mathematics is a never ending branch of study which I enthusiastically enjoy studying and why I wish to pursue it even further at university...

Economics and Politics Personal Statement Example 1 "I killed the bank": the last words of Andrew Jackson, former president of the US, after he had vetoed to renew the charter and withdraw all federal deposits from banks causing them to bust. Real money was backed with gold shortly after, causing the greatest economic boom in history for the US where no income tax was implemented...

Maths and Actuarial Science Personal Statement Example Maths is a subject like no other; its complexity makes it a challenging and often frustrating area of study, however the logic behind every problem leaves a feeling of certainty about it. My devotion to the subject has grown exponentially, especially in recent years...

Geography Personal Statement Example 1 At first glance, my A Level choices appear scientifically biased, but they underpin key topics studied in Geography. I enjoy investigating the theories of global economies, population and poverty. The mathematics I have studied enables me to manipulate raw data meaningfully...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 1 Completing my sixth form education at a multicultural boarding school has allowed me to experience a wide social and cultural diversity that I never would have expected in a school environment, in great contrast to the subtle ethnocentrism of my previous schooling...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 2 My fascination with human behaviour and the motivations behind human actions has existed for most of my adult life, to determine a cause however I would accredit this to the voluntary work I participated in with Crisis Single Persons Homeless charity...

Mathematics and Economics Personal Statement Example 2 Every day we make decisions and interact with others; the laws of economics help us make rational choices and consider the irrationality of others, as well as understand the world better. Maths and statistics are the necessary tools for me to understand the modern economics...

Politics Personal Statement Example 5 My background, living in three major metropolises, Lagos, London and Aberdeen bestowed me a very diverse, open, multicultural way of thinking. The cultural shock of Lagos widened my eyes to vastness of the world and prepped my involvement in the Community Development Committee, allowing me to get in touch with all sectors of Nigerian society; here my interest in sociology, politics and government took flight...

Maths & Actuarial Science Personal Statement Example 1 "It has become a very strange and perhaps frightening subject from the ordinary point of view,but anyone who penetrates into it will find a veritable fairyland"( Kasner E and Newman J).This saying is perhaps the most fitted to describe my enthusiasm for Maths...

Business & Management Personal Statement Example There is no limit to what you can learn and how much you can earn from it. Instilled with this belief by my father, I have since the beginning learnt to approach the world differently. I view that knowledge can be applied practically not only to earn a living, but also to earn wisdom...

Mathematics and Engineering Personal Statement Example Questions regarding the reason for my liking of mathematics have only one answer: mathematical logic and concepts contribute to a practical approach in every aspect of life. It is the diversity and universal applicability of this subject that encourages me to delve further and study it in depth...

Economics and Economic History Personal Statement Example Over the past few years I have developed a strong interest in the Economic history of the UK. I have become interested in how the UK's economic policy over centuries has built the UK into one of the world's most economically developed countries today...

Economics Personal Statement Example 23 It would not be foolish to contemplate the possibility of a far greater progress still. John Maynard Keynes From childhood I was bred to learn and the passion to understand has become a trait of my character...

Accountancy & Management Personal Statement Example I have chosen to study combined degrees in Accounting and Finance or Economics because I intend to further my studies towards developing a career in financial consultancy. Accountancy and Finance remain central elements of the dynamics of commerce, that define the way a firm, shareholders and society at large interact on multiple platforms...

European Social & Political Studies Personal Statement Example In my opinion, the problems societies face today deserve an in-depth analysis which draws on different disciplines of thought for its relevance; furthermore the implementations of strategies to combat problems must take into account more than one academic approach if they are going to be positively effective...

Economics Personal Statement Example 28 While working in the stock broker I became 100% sure that I wanted to study Economics at university. I gained employment at a Stock Broker office as a Monitor Operator in Bangladesh and my duty was to monitor the daily price list of trading of shares at the beginning of the day and then preparing trading reports at the end...

Sociology Personal Statement Example 12 A Gospel choir tour around South Africa was the catalyst for my fascination with human culture. As I travelled I was able to directly experience a multiplicity of cultures even within this one country...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 7 Coming from a mixed religious background, the comparison between cultural practices has touched me deeply, personally and profoundly. I have been able to observe the influence of culture on people's perspectives and world views...

Politics & Social Policy Personal Statement Example The ever-changing nature and diversity of politics is fascinating. The rapid social and political development in Russia in the early 2000s, still surrounded by the left-overs, if not quite the toppled statues of the previous socialist regime, kindled my interest in politics...

PPE/Economics Personal Statement Example Humanity today stands at the intersection of the most significant questions facing the world today: if democracy leads to political infighting, should it be sacrificed in the interest of economic well-being? Does religious fundamentalism provide a way for countries in the developing world to assert their identity in the face of Western hegemony? Does the entry of Western consumer goods threaten a country’s economic self-sufficiency? The answers of these questions will determine what the nature of our world is in the twenty-first century...

Sociology Personal Statement Example 14 The need for the study of Sociology in society is, arguably, universally fundamental. The study of society is of paramount importance in solving social problems of great magnitude such as poverty and family disorganisation...

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Personal statements

Read the phrasing carefully.

Different institutions will phrase what they want to see in their personal statement differently, some examples (as of September 2013) and how you could break the wording down to ensure you address everything are below:

Example of application guidance from LSE:

You must submit a personal statement with your application form. This should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words. It should describe your academic interests and your purpose and objectives in undertaking graduate study. 

Suggestions of what to include for this phrasing:

• Outline what are your academic interests specifically
• How they are related to the course.
• How do you see the course furthering these interests?
• Do you have previous experience of studying these areas?
• Was your undergraduate dissertation, major project or a group presentation relevant to the course or your academic interests?
•  Have you attended conferences, seminars or networking events outside your studies to increase your knowledge?
• What have you learnt recently,
• and how does this link to the course you are applying for?
• Perhaps you can link your academic interests to work experience you have gained?
• Purpose in undertaking graduate study  – Why are you applying for postgraduate study? This could be linked to discussing your academic interests, or perhaps you have a career orientated goal.
• Objectives in undertaking graduate study  – What do you hope to achieve by the end of your postgraduate study, whether educationally or professionally? If you have professional objectives, how will this course help you move towards your career goal?
• What else?  – you could also include some of the suggestions in the guidelines below, but make sure you address everything in their description.

Example of application guidance from SOAS:

Your personal statement should be no more than 1,000 words. It should include the reasons why you are interested in the programme, highlight your relevant experience and suitability for the programme as well as future plans. 

• Why you are interested in the programme  – Look at the course content carefully to decide what it is that most interests you in the programme content-wise. Discuss any relevant research or coursework you might have done in the past, and include technical language or language that shows you have a grasp of the topic.
• Relevant experience  – think back to your work experience, extracurricular activities and voluntary experiences and reflect upon relevant projects you might have worked on, tasks you were set or research you conducted that demonstrates relevance to the course. You might not feel you have this experience yet, but perhaps you have worked in a relevant sector and you could show your technical and commercial understanding.
• Suitability for the programme  – Think about the skills you might need to succeed in this programme. What is your experience that makes you suitable for the programme? Perhaps you will reflect on study or research skills that you have gained, or maybe you’ll need strong negotiation, communication or presentation skills which you gained through mooting or as a student representative? If you can show you were engaged with your undergraduate university’s community then this might be a good place to mention what you did.
• Future plans  – What are your career aspirations and how do you see the course furthering these?

Writing a personal statement

If they do not specify what to include in your personal statement, areas you might want to include are below. There is no set order of when to mention what but starting your personal statement with your most relevant point is advised.

Motivations

• Why are you applying for the programme?
• What do you hope to gain from the programme?
• What is it that interests you about the subject? Can this be related to your previous education or work experience (see below)?
• What are your career aspirations and how will this course help you achieve them?

Educational experience and commercial knowledge

• Do you have past education that gives you the knowledge base you need for the course?
• Is your undergraduate dissertation relevant? Tell the tutor about it and the research methods you used (especially if applying for a research masters).
• Perhaps you like to keep up with current news in the sector you hope to go into. You could mention a topical issue and discuss how you see the course furthering your understanding.

Work experience

• Have you gained work experience in a field relevant to the course or relevant to your career ambitions? Can you link this experience to your motivation to wanting to continue studying in this field?
• Tell the tutor about this experience and reflect on how this could help with the course or use it as an example of your motivation for continued study in a related area.
• If you are a mature student returning to study, why are you returning? Are you looking to make a career change? Why, and how, do you expect the course will support your new ambition?

Other experience

• Include your extracurricular and voluntary experience too. Tutors want rounded people on their course; show that you engaged in university life during your undergraduate course or that you gained some relevant skills or experiences through volunteering.

Anything else

• You can outline your main achievements, awards or successes in competitions. Think about the course you are applying for and if there is anything they might be particularly impressed by.
• Mention relevant summer schools, overseas study or conferences/ short courses you might have attended that are related to the course.

Other circumstances

• Deferred entry – if you would like to start the course the following year explain to the course tutor what you will be doing with the next year.

Final checks

• Spelling and grammar – this will give the course tutor an idea as to your writing skills, so ensure there are no mistakes.
• Abbreviations and acronyms – explain any you have used.
• Content structure – ensure the paragraphs make sense and that the document flows well. Don’t repeat yourself by revisiting an experience or educational point.
• Don’t write a narrative of your life, from leaving school to current day.
• Be positive; don’t use negative language i.e. Although I have little experience of…
• Adhere to the word count (where applicable) or if there isn’t one, keep your statement to two to three pages of A4.

If you are already a student at LSE and would like LSE Careers to check your personal statement before you submit it please  make an appointment for a careers discussion  on CareerHub. It is also advised that if your application is fairly technically subject specific that you get an academic to check the content for accuracy.

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December 21st, 2022

How to write a successful personal statement.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

The prospect of writing a personal statement can be daunting. It is not simple to sum up your character, achievements and academic skills in 4,000 characters. I wrote almost 10 drafts over the span of three weeks until I was satisfied. While arguably unnecessary, dedicating a substantial amount of time to your personal statement will pay off. As you are lined up next to thousands of other straight A candidates, the personal statement can often be the deciding factor. This is particularly so at LSE, who are explicit with their focus on the personal statement.

Indeed, the content of the personal statement is only as good as the writing and structure. If you are applying for an essay based subject, the personal statement will be a reflection of your ability to write succinctly and maturely. My recommendation is to have a line of argument, theme or underlying notion throughout the personal statement. Admissions see potential in such candidates as when you get to university, sustaining an overall idea in an essay is essential.

Including a diverse range of pre-reading helps to illustrate a deep interest in your chosen subject. I included four books, two of which I analysed in depth. I also touched on articles, podcasts, videos and lectures. Work experience is not essential and does not have to be directly related to your field: it is more important to discuss the transferrable skills acquired. It is not enough to merely state what you have done without engaging with it: say why you are interested in it; your opinion on the academics; or argue against it.

LSE tend to favour a higher proportion of academic content to extra-curricular (about 80%). I took this to an extreme and used a 90/10 split. Most students that I have spoken to wrote around a quarter on extra-curricular. Indeed, if your extra-curriculars are highly applicable to your chosen degree, it may be worth focusing on them more. Indeed, whatever you choose to discuss, ensure that you interconnect it to the subject that you are applying for. When discussing activities unrelated to academia, try and explain how the skills that you have learned from them can be applied to your future studies.

On a more niche note, if you happen to be in the situation I was and have a “ non-preferred subject ” such as Art and Design, I recommend using the personal statement to assert the relevance of your subject choice to your degree. More generally, it is useful to link your chosen school subjects to your degree programme and illustrate how they are useful and connected.

In terms of receiving help, your school is a good place to start. Teachers can offer useful insights, as can former pupils, if you can contact them. I would also recommend utilising the vast support available online. For me, listening and reading to the personal statements of those who had already received places at top universities was the most useful way of understanding the level of writing required to succeed. Many are available on YouTube, while other advice on the topic can be found on The Student Room. While this can be valuable, remember to take others’ opinions with a pinch of salt.

While challenging, the personal statement is your opportunity to present your personal qualities and academic skills that will distinguish you from others. The success of your personal statement is very much dependent on the work you put in. My best advice is to take it seriously as it will play a key role in dictating the next stage of your life.

About the author

I am a first year undergraduate, studying BA History with Spanish. I am involved with many societies, such as the newspaper, netball and yoga. When I am not in the library, I love to explore London and find unusual new places.

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Accounting and Finance

Applied in: winter 2013, university offers: lse.

The fact that the 2013 Nobel Prize in Economics appeared to be the third Nobel Prize within the last twenty years awarded for research in the field of Asset Pricing has not been surprising to me. Although it is only one part of the broad field of financial market theory, having a closer look at Asset Pricing shows how it is a fascinating subject of great controversy, not least emphasised by the fact that the Prize was given to Eugene Fama as well as to Robert Shiller, a declared opponent of Fama’s hypothesis of efficient markets. Considering that Behavioural Finance has challenged Modern Portfolio Theory in recent years I remain unsure whether we will ever entirely understand Asset Pricing in financial markets. Therefore, discussing questions like this against the background of modern phenomena like “Bitcoin” is one of the reasons I intend to study Accounting and Finance on degree level.

My Abitur courses created the basis for me to seek a deeper understanding of Finance and its diverse subtopics. Maths proved essential for dealing with any business-related subject as it improved my analytical and numeracy skills. Business Administration and Accounting made me understand how financial statements build the foundation of financial decision-making, revealing the close connection between Accounting and Finance. With books like “How the City of London Works” and “The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life” drawing my interest to financial markets, I dealt with Graham’s approach on Value Investing in “The Intelligent Investor”. As both Graham’s methods as well as the success stories of people applying them, like Buffett, seem to contradict the proponents of efficient market theory, the fascinating controversy of financial market theory mentioned above is reinforced and makes me eager to learn more about this subject.

However, what makes Finance even more intriguing to me is its status as an integral part of our everyday life. Hearing my grandparents discuss how to invest their money, seeing my father think about whether to buy or lease a new car or my mother’s puzzled look after she received a letter from Continental AG informing her about her options during their capital increase, I understood that life is full of finance-related decisions. With that in mind, I think that studying Finance is not just gaining expertise but makes one a more educated person in life.

Working as a fundraiser for the German Red Cross not only challenged me in proving high endurance and my ability to cope with stress but also made me experience Finance at a very basic level. Interning at an investment consultancy and taking part in the elaboration of financial concepts enabled me to obtain a profound insight into financial markets from a practical point of view. As I found consulting people on financial issues appealing this experience reinforced my desire to turn my passion for Finance into a career and gave me a valuable understanding of business procedures and problem solving, which I plan to build on during my studies.

In my spare time, apart from my interest in languages and managing a virtual portfolio, I have always been committed to politics. Participating in a political debate contest and being in the executive committee of a local representation of Europe’s biggest political youth organization “Young Union” furthered my communication and leadership skills remarkably. In the course of the financial turmoil I noticed how politics is linked to financial issues, regarding monetary and fiscal policy has dominated the headlines for the last years.

During an internship in Ireland in 2012 I found that my open-mindedness in an international environment opens up new horizons and enables me to consider problems from a diverse range of perspectives. I assume to also meet such an environment when studying at a university in London which makes it the ideal place to discuss (my own) theories and ideas with similar minded people.

Please note UCAS will detect any form of plagiarism. PSE and its contributors do not take any responsibility for the way in which personal statements are used.