International students are parroting university websites in their applications in an attempt to curry favour with admissions tutors, research suggests.

A study by Surrey University found similarities between what a university says it offers and phrases found in the personal statements of applicants.

Personal statements are used by students to set out their reasons for choosing a university and particular course.

The study looked at a random sample of 60 personal statements, submitted between 2005-06 and 2008-09, for postgraduate courses at an unnamed business school.

They were compared to material found on the business school's and relevant university's websites, as well as on the website of the British Council, the UK's international cultural relations body.

The largest proportion of the applications were from China, the majority were from abroad, and only three were from British applicants.

The findings showed similarities between the language used in applications and that found on the websites.

For example, applicants used the phrases "global reputation" and "excellent teaching quality", which were found on the websites.

One student said the university "enables students to develop their competencies for working in multinational and multicultural environments", and the business school's website also used the wording "multinational and multicultural environment".

The study concludes: "Personal statements provide an opportunity to give reasons but they tend to be the reasons the applicant might think the admissions tutors want to hear."