Planning to apply to a university abroad? You may have the grades, meet the eligibility criteria and have your application ready—but one key element can make all the difference: your Statement of Purpose (SOP). A well-written SOP is your opportunity to tell your story, highlight your motivations and stand out from other applicants. This session with our University expert, will guide you through the essential components of a strong SOP, help you organise your ideas, and share practical tips on writing a clear, compelling and authentic statement.
Event details: Saturday 18 July from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. at British Council Kolkata, 16 Camac Street, L&T Chambers, Kolkata 700017.
Meet our expert: Prerna Guha - Senior International Recruitment Officer—South Asia, University of Greenwich, London
Prerna Guha is an international education professional with over 15 years of experience guiding students across India, Sri Lanka and Nepal towards universities in the UK and beyond. She began her career as a Senior Counsellor at The Chopras before rising to Chief Operating Officer at Gateway Abroad India. She subsequently served as Country Manager for India, Nepal and Sri Lanka at the University of Greenwich, and as Senior Recruitment Advisor supporting the University of Exeter. In her current role at the University of Greenwich in London, she supports students across South Asia through every stage of the university application journey. Having sat on both sides of the table as a counsellor, a country manager, and a university recruiter Prerna brings a rare depth of insight into what universities genuinely look for when shortlisting applicants.
The session will focus on:
- Understanding what universities look for in an SOP.
- Structuring an SOP effectively.
- Connecting academic background, experiences, and future career goals.
- Avoiding common mistakes such as generic content, plagiarism, and over-reliance on templates.
- Developing a personal and authentic statement that reflects the student's motivations and aspirations.
At the end of the session, participants will:
- Have a clearer understanding of how admissions teams assess SOPs.
- Learn how to structure and present their story effectively.
- Be able to identify the key points that should be included in their SOP.
- Understand how to explain their course choice, university selection, and future plans.
- Gain practical tips to improve the quality and impact of their applications.
The session will also include examples and common admissions scenarios, followed by a Q&A session to address student queries.
Seats are limited to 30 participants so register now! For any queries, you can write to us at Praveena.Ireland@britishcouncil.org