Personal statements 'highlight gap year activities'

Students who take a gap year abroad before starting university can use their application to highlight the ways in which they have benefited from voluntary work or other meaningful experience overseas.

Beverley Woodhams, head of central recruitment at the University of Greenwich, said the personal statement gives applicants the opportunity to demonstrate what extra activities they have been involved with and how they have helped.

"Candidates should articulate how they have grown or developed skills as a result, for example, they may have been an organiser, or taken responsibility, or are consistent, reliable and hard-working," she explained.

Ms Woodhams urged those detailing their gap year activities in a personal statement to "be honest and enthusiastic" but avoid making exaggerated claims that could actually harm their chances.

Dan Hawes, co-founder of the Graduate Recruitment Bureau, recently urged UK students to incorporate meaningful work experience, which could be completed overseas, into their time at university.

Find out about gap year benefits