How to Write a Motivation Letter for a Master's — Structure & Sample

A motivation letter (also called a letter of motivation or cover letter) is a 500–700 word letter, most common for European master's programmes and scholarships, explaining why you want this specific course at this specific university and why you are the right candidate. It is written in the format of a formal letter — greeting, body, sign-off — and is more personal and concise than a full Statement of Purpose.

The document is short, so every sentence has to work. Admissions readers see thousands of letters that say "I am passionate and hardworking"; the ones that win name a specific reason, a specific programme feature, and a specific goal. Research is what separates a motivation letter that is remembered from one that is skimmed.

Motivation letter vs SOP — what is the difference?

They overlap heavily and some universities use the terms interchangeably, so always follow the prompt. In general a motivation letter is shorter (around 500–700 words), written as a formal letter, and leans a little more on personal drive and fit; a Statement of Purpose is usually longer (800–1,200 words), written as an essay, and leans more on academic detail and career trajectory. If you have already read our SOP guide, you will find the structure below is a tighter, letter-formatted cousin of it.

The structure (three to five paragraphs)

• Greeting & opening — address the committee, state the exact programme you are applying for and a compelling one-line reason.
• Why this field & your background — the academic and practical experience that led you here, with specific projects and results.
• Why this programme & university — name real modules, specialisations, faculty or facilities and connect them to your goal (this is the research-driven paragraph).
• Your goals & contribution — the short- and long-term goal this degree unlocks, and what you will bring to the cohort.
• Close — a confident sign-off thanking the reader, with a formal complimentary close and your name.

Length, tone and format

Aim for 500–700 words on a single page, in a clean 11–12pt font. Keep the tone formal but genuine, write in the first person without starting every sentence with "I", and vary your sentence rhythm. Because it is a letter, include a proper salutation and complimentary close — and if you can find the name of the admissions contact, address them directly.

A motivation letter skeleton (original)

Replace every bracket with your own specific, honest detail, and keep the whole letter to roughly 500–700 words. Do not reuse a template letter with the university name swapped — readers spot it immediately.

Greeting & opening: "Dear [Admissions Committee / name], I am applying for the [exact programme] at [university] because [one specific, genuine reason tied to your goal]." Skip the generic "I have always been passionate" opener.

Background: "During my [degree] at [university], my work on [project/topic] showed me [specific insight], and as a [role] at [organisation] I [action + measurable result]." Two or three relevant proofs, not a full history.

Why this programme: "The [specific module/specialisation] and [Professor name]'s research on [topic] map directly onto my goal of [X], and [university]'s [lab/partnership/facility] is the environment I need." This paragraph must prove you researched the course.

Goals: "In the short term I want to [role/skill]; longer term, [larger goal] — and this master's gives me the [specific knowledge/network] to get there."

Contribution: "I would bring [specific strength/experience/perspective] to the cohort, particularly in [area]."

Close: "Thank you for considering my application; I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to and learn from [programme]. Yours sincerely, [Full Name]."

Expert tips

• Research the programme deeply and name real modules, specialisations or faculty — this is the single biggest differentiator.
• Replace every vague claim ("hardworking", "passionate") with a concrete example that proves it.
• Keep it to 500–700 words on one page and write it as a proper letter with a salutation and close.
• Write in the first person but vary your sentence openings so it does not become a wall of "I".
• Tailor a fresh "why this university" section for every application; never send one letter to many schools.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Making generic claims with no evidence — the fastest way to sound like every other applicant.
• Sending a copy-paste letter with only the university name changed.
• Ignoring the programme itself and never naming a specific module, professor or facility.
• Running far over length, or padding with clichés and famous quotes instead of your own reasons.
• Forgetting it is a letter: no greeting, no sign-off, or an unprofessional, over-casual tone.