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Writing a personal statement can feel like a lot of pressure, especially when you’re trying to sum up your passion for music in a way that feels clear, honest and authentic.
On top of that, from 2026 entry onwards, UCAS personal statements have changed. Instead of writing one long essay, applicants now answer three questions covering why they want to study the course, how previous study has prepared them and what they’ve done outside education.
To help break it all down, we asked our admissions team here at LCCM to shares some practical advice on what makes a strong music personal statement stand out.
What are the new personal statement questions for 2026?
Instead of writing a single essay, applicants are now asked to answer three key questions:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- How have your qualifications and/or studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences helpful?
For music applicants, these questions are a good chance to provide a full picture of your creative interests, skills, your practical experience and your reasons for choosing a specific course or subject area.
Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?
This section lets you dive straight into explaining your interests and what’s pulling you towards your area of music.
Don’t just say you love music
Opening with “I’ve always loved music” is common, but it doesn’t really tell admissions teams much on its own.
Instead, talk about what sparked your interest in the specific area of music you’re looking to pursue. Showing real engagement straight away will make your statement feel more intentional and personal.
Show that you understand the course
Different music degrees focus on different things, so your answer should connect directly to the subject you’re applying for.
To do this, study your chosen course’s page carefully and feel free to reference specific modules you’re looking forward to in your statement.
A strong personal statement should show that you understand what the course covers and why that suits the way you want to develop creatively and professionally.
Keep your goals realistic
It’s good to talk about ambition but try to keep your goals grounded and specific.
You can also mention any specific career goals you’re working towards, whether that’s performing, producing, songwriting or something more behind the scenes. If you’re still figuring that out, exploring different music career paths can also help you better understand where your interests fit within the industry.
Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare?
This section is about showing how your education has helped shape your skills, mindset and understanding of music.
Link your studies to music
This doesn’t only mean music qualifications. You can also talk about subjects, coursework or projects that helped you build relevant skills such as creativity, collaboration or technical confidence. Even subjects outside music can demonstrate these qualities.
Reflect on what you’ve learned
Strong applications explain what your experience has taught you and how it’s helped prepare you for higher education.
For example, did a college project help you become more confident analysing music? Did? Did jamming in your best friend’s garage help you understand more about collaboration?
Self-reflections on experiences like these – even if they seem “unofficial” – are what make applicants stand out.
Be honest about what you’re still developing
Admissions teams are not expecting perfectly polished professionals. They’re looking for curiosity, potential and willingness to grow.
Being honest about the areas you still want to develop can actually make your application feel more mature and self-aware.
Question 3: What else have you done outside education?
For many music applicants, this is where a personal statement really comes to life.
This section is a chance to talk about your practical experience, independent projects and the ways you engage with music outside of education.
Focus on things you’ve actually done
Talk about real activity and experience. Examples of this might include:
- producing tracks
- performing live
- writing songs
- releasing music online
- organising gigs/events
- creating content for music projects
The strongest applications usually focus on action and involvement.
Be specific
Specific details instantly make a statement feel more genuine.
Instead of saying you have “experience in music production”, explain what DAWs you’ve used, projects you’ve worked on or what your creative process looks like.
You don’t need huge achievements or industry credits. Showing genuine creative engagement is far more important.
Show consistency
Regular creative output, ongoing collaborations or long-term engagement with music can say a lot about your commitment and mindset. Talk about how often you engage with your passion for music – even small, regular routines can demonstrate discipline and curiosity.
Explain the decisions behind your work
If you mention a project or release, try to explain some of the thinking behind it. Try to answer questions like:
- Why did you choose a certain creative direction?
- What practical decisions had to be made and how did you make them?
- What did you learn from the experience?
- What would you do differently next time?
These kinds of reflections demonstrate creative and critical thinking, which is a big part of degree-level learning.
What makes a strong personal statement for music?
A strong music personal statement should feel clear, specific and genuinely connected to you. Admissions teams are usually less interested in perfection and more interested in seeing creative curiosity, self-awareness and real engagement with music.
Remember: you don’t need to sound perfect or overly polished. A clear and thoughtful statement that demonstrates your true self will stand out far more than one trying too hard to impress.
Music personal statement FAQs
Do I need professional music experience to apply for a music degree?
Not at all. Independent projects, regular practice, collaborations and self-directed learning can all strengthen an application.
Can I talk about SoundCloud, TikTok or YouTube projects?
Yes. Online releases and content creation demonstrate creativity, initiative and practical engagement with music culture.
What if I’m self-taught?
That’s completely fine. Many music applicants are self-taught in areas like production, songwriting or performance. Focus on what you’ve learned, how you’ve developed and what you want to improve next.
How do I make my music personal statement stand out?
Be specific, reflective and honest and connect your experience, interests and goals to the curriculum of the course you’re applying for. Admissions teams want to understand how you think creatively, what you’ve done and why the course is the right next step for you.
If you’re thinking seriously about studying music, spending time exploring different courses can help you figure out what kind of creative environment and career direction feels right for you. At LCCM, our courses across performance, production, songwriting and music business are built around real-world music practice, collaboration and industry experience.
