Motivation Letter: Example, Template and Builder
How to write a motivation letter for a master's program, scholarship or exchange: the one-page structure European programs expect, an example, and a free builder.
By Onward ScoutPublished 3 min read
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Motivation letter generator
For master's programs, scholarships and exchanges, especially in Europe. Fill in the program, your motivation, preparation and goals. Get two short motivation letter drafts in the one-page structure, ready for you to expand.
Nothing you type here is uploaded or stored by Onward Scout; the tool runs entirely in your browser.
A motivation letter is a one-page letter explaining why you want a specific program, scholarship or exchange, what has prepared you, and what you will do afterwards. It is standard for European master's programs and scholarships. The builder above turns your details into two short drafts in that structure, which you then expand to 400 to 500 words with your own specifics.
What is a motivation letter?
In short
A formal one-page letter to an admissions or selection committee that answers three questions: why this field, why this program, and why you. It complements your CV and transcripts by showing the reasoning behind your choices, which those documents cannot.
Committees use it to judge fit and seriousness, especially where funding is involved. For Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, the European Commission notes that full scholarships are available for the best students, who apply directly to the institution running the program[European Commission]. A clear motivation letter is part of how they find those students.
How long should a motivation letter be?
In short
One page is the norm, and some programs make it a rule. Follow the call exactly when it sets a limit. Without one, aim for 400 to 500 words in four or five short paragraphs, which fits on a page with a standard letter layout.
Program rules can be strict. Guidance for one DAAD-funded scholarship at TH OWL says the length of your motivation letter should not exceed a DIN A4 page as a general rule[TH OWL, DAAD STIBET guidelines]. That is far shorter than many US statements of purpose, which can run to two pages.
What should a motivation letter include?
In short
An opening that names the program and your motivation in one or two sentences, a paragraph of preparation with a concrete result, a paragraph on why this program specifically, your goals afterwards, and a short formal close. Keep each paragraph to one idea.
Our view: the "why this program" paragraph decides most letters. Name a course, a lab or a partner university and say what you will do with it; a letter that could be sent to any program reads as if it was.
| Paragraph | Content |
|---|---|
| Opening | Program name and why this field matters to you |
| Preparation | Studies, projects or work with one concrete result |
| Why this program | Specific tracks, courses, partners or faculty |
| Goals | What you will do with the degree |
| Close | Thanks and a formal sign-off |
Here is an illustrative draft from the builder's sample answers, not from a real applicant:
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am applying to the MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems. Growing up next to a coal plant made energy policy personal for me long before I studied it.
Here is what has prepared me for this step. For my bachelor thesis I modeled battery storage for a 5 MW wind farm and found a configuration that cut curtailment by 18%.
I chose this program for its joint track with the grid operator and the course on energy storage economics.
After graduating, I plan to work on storage planning for a European transmission operator. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Lena Novak
Expand each paragraph with one specific detail until the letter reaches 400 to 500 words.
How is a motivation letter different from a statement of purpose?
In short
A motivation letter is usually a one-page letter focused on fit and motivation; a statement of purpose is a longer essay focused on academic preparation and research direction. Some universities ask for both a statement of purpose and a separate personal statement, so read each requirement literally.
US graduate schools often split the material differently: UC Berkeley, for example, requires two statements from graduate applicants: a Statement of Purpose and a Personal History Statement[UC Berkeley Graduate Division]. For US applications, use our statement of purpose builder; to see how the documents differ, read statement of purpose vs personal statement.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a motivation letter be?
One page in most cases, and never more than the program states. Some scholarship programs set an explicit one-page or two-page maximum in the call.
What is the difference between a motivation letter and a statement of purpose?
They overlap. A motivation letter, common in Europe, is usually shorter and letter-formatted, focused on why this program and you. A statement of purpose, common in the US, is longer and more academic.
Should a motivation letter be formal?
Yes: a letter format with a greeting such as "Dear Admissions Committee", clear paragraphs and a formal sign-off. Plain, direct sentences work better than elaborate ones.
Can I use the same motivation letter for several programs?
Keep the motivation and preparation paragraphs; rewrite why this program and your goals for each one.
Find scholarships and fellowships, then apply to more of them
Onward Scout finds scholarships and fellowships in its catalog that fit your profile, checks requirements and drafts each motivation letter from your sourced facts for you to edit and approve.
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