STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (SOP)

FOR POSTGRADUATE COURSES

Please refer to the ins tu on website for the course that you wish to apply for the specific details that you need to inclu de in your SOP.
This leaflet is for guidance only.

Intake Educa on provides free SOP workshops where you can receive support on how to complete an SOP from our expert advisor. We
also provide a free SOP proofreading service for students who apply through our office for their programme. Please visit our website or
contact our office for further informa on.

WHAT IS SOP?
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE YOU
The SOP is also referred to as a Personal Statement
START YOUR SOP
and is used by ins tu ons to consider you for a
programme as part of your applica on. There are several things that you need to prepare before
you start wri ng your SOP:
It is an important part of the applica on and will be
used by the ins tu on to decide if you are suitable
for the programme along with your qualifica ons Check the guidelines for SOP for the university
and experience.
1 you are applying to:
• Do they have a word limit?
• Do they require you to include certain details or
answer any specific ques ons?
• Is there a deadline date by which you need to
Read through the course details for the submit your SOP and applica on?
programme you are applying 2

Read the informa on regarding the department

3 and university such as ranking, reputa on,
facili es, loca on

Make sure the course is relevant

to your future career plan and 4
read the career guidance on the
course details

Have details of your academic

5 transcripts and work experience Diploma
HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR SOP
Make sure you check the guidelines for SOP for the ins tu on you are applying. Normally
the SOP will be minimum 1 to maximum 2 A4 pages (unless stated otherwise by the
ins tu on). The SOP should have a logical structure and generally there are five key parts:

CHECKLIST FOR SOP

Check ins tu on website for guidance on
1. INTRODUCTION
SOP
Introduce yourself and the programme you
10% are applying for, highlight your previous study
and work experience Read through the course details.

2. WHY YOU ARE INTERESTED IN Make sure you prepare enough me to

THIS SPECIFIC COURSE complete your SOP

Explain why you want to do the course, include

examples of modules and subjects which interest Check grammar and spelling (you can use
you. Highlight any previous related study or work
30% experience to show you are suitable for the Intake’s free proofreading service)
programme
Do not use the same SOP for different
courses or ins tu ons
3. WHY YOU WANT TO STUDY AT
THE INSTITUTION Do not copy from online template or

You can refer to the ins tu on’s reputa on, alterna ve source
20% ranking, loca on, facili es

Do not be nega ve

4. HOW THE COURSE WILL HELP

YOUR FUTURE CAREER Be precise and only include relevant

Provide details of your future career plan. informa on

Explain how the course will help you learn
20% new and relevant knowledge and skills that
you can use in your future

5. HIGHLIGHT KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Include academic and non-academic
Contact Us
achievements. You can also highlight how
20% you will contribute to the ins tu on
(both as a student and alumni)

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Intake.ng
Study Abroad Process
Provide
Required Documents
Personal Statement
Curriculum Vitae
Academic Transcript
Degree Certificate
Reference letters
Secure English Language Test
Portfolio for art/design and
music courses.
Submit Applications
You should apply as early as possi -
ble for popular universities / cours -
es so that you are not disappointed.
Results generally come in from
within one to six weeks aer the
application has been submitted
(PhDs can take longer).
English Test
Preparation
Your advisor will give you advice
and insights in how you can
prepare for this. You can prepare
in your home country, or alterna -
tively, you could travel to your
host country and prepare early.
Application Results /
Make Decision
Unconditional offer.
Conditional offer -
the possible conditions can be:
Graduate certificate / final
transcripts with certain final
grade.
IELTS
Deposit
Reject
Accommodation
There is accommodation for all
budgets offered by the universi -
ties or privately. Popular accom -
modation will fill quickly.
VISA
Advisor will get your CAS and
instruct you on how to apply
for the visa.
Pre Departure
Briefing
Information on what to do
when you arrive at university.