Ucas is to use plagiarism detection technology to scrutinise the half a million forms seeking entry in 2008.
A study suggested one in 20 applicants cheated on their personal statements.
The statement is the part of the form where would-be students write about themselves and their interests in their chosen courses of study.
“A personal statement should be the student's own work.” said Steve Harrop, Ucas
“It gives them the chance distinguish themselves from other students with similar qualifications.
"The new system, Copycatch, will compare every application submitted for entry next year with thousands posted on websites and 1.5 million from previous years."
If three sentences or more - 10% of the statement - appear to have been copied, the form will be passed to Ucas staff for further scrutiny.
They might then pass the case on to the individual institutions to which a student has applied for a decision on further action.
