Unique Supercurriculars for Politics Students
By Maha M
HOW CAN I ENHANCE MY UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS AS A POLITICS STUDENT?
The 2024 UK general election presents a unique opportunity for aspiring politics students to enhance their university applications. By integrating experiences and reflections related to pivotal events, you can demonstrate your passion for politics. Here are a few ways to incorporate the 2024 general election into your personal statement.
Analysis of Key Issues
The 2024 election highlighted several significant political issues, including healthcare, education, and climate change. Not only are these topics central to the election, they are also pivotal in shaping the future of the country. You can discuss how these issues have influenced your interest in politics in your personal statement. For instance, you may write about how the ongoing debate over NHS funding sparked your curiosity about public health policy or how climate change discussions have driven your passion for environmental legislation. By showcasing your engagement with these key issues, you demonstrate a deep understanding of current political dynamics and a commitment to addressing them through your studies.
Debate Participation
Participation in debates, whether in a school or community setting, is an easy and effective way to demonstrate your analytical skills. Organising a debate in a group setting between people with different political views in light of the new government can help you hone your ability to construct arguments and analyse different viewpoints—crucial skills for studying politics at university.
Media and Communication
The role of the media in shaping public opinion is an interesting aspect of modern elections. You could conduct surveys or interviews with people who voted in the election, or who have a decided opinion on who they would have voted for if they were unable to do so, and analyse whether they were influenced by media outlets who covered the 2024 election. In your personal statement, you could reflect on this and showcase your media literacy skills by exemplifying your understanding of media dynamics.
Policy Impact
You may consider analysing the political impact of the 2024 election results on the new Labour government’s policies. For example, you could discuss how changes they plan to make align with your academic interests and career aspirations. If you are passionate about education reform, you could explain how the election outcome has influenced educational policies and what impact this may have on your future studies. This approach would showcase your forward-thinking and how you are already considering the impact that a new government can have on your own and other people’s lives in various policy areas.
