Letter of Motivation for Germany: An Expert’s Guide

Written by

Alisha Azeem

Fact check by

Afreen Abbasi

Updated on

Jul 07,2024

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Latest Facts and News About German Education

  • Universities in Germany are increasingly focusing on personalized and authentic motivation letters.

  • The competition for admission to German universities is intensifying, making a standout motivation letter more critical than ever.

  • The letter of motivation in Germany holds at least 10% weightage of your total application while applying to a German university.

  • Some institutions even give it 30 to 40% weightage in your total application.

  • A letter of motivation is expected by all applicants applying for bachelor's, master's, or doctoral programs. However, it is considered even more important for master's and doctoral programs.

If you are researching how to write a letter of motivation for Germany, you must already be familiar with the process of applying to a German university. The letter of motivation is a very important document that can help make or break your dream to study in Germany. The letter of motivation provides a direct insight into your mind and is a gold mine for the admissions officer. They look forward to understanding you, your aspirations, and why you chose to study at a university in Germany, and the letter of motivation provides these officers, the answers to all of these questions.

Do you want to learn how to write a letter of motivation for Germany? Or do you simply want to enhance your letter and make sure you have covered all the important parameters in it? In this blog, we will go through every important detail regarding the letter of motivation for masters in Germany, including a letter of motivation for a master in Germany sample towards the end of the article. 

Understanding the Significance of a Letter of Motivation for Studying in Germany 

A very important question that most students ask is – how important is a letter of motivation for a Master in Germany, and how much weight does it have in a student's overall application?

A letter of motivation is usually a compulsory document that indicates why you want to study a chosen program, why you have chosen this university, and why you should be selected among the pool of applicants that the university receives every year. 

Naturally, this letter of motivation for Germany becomes a very important document as it allows you to give a direct insight into who you are and what your aspirations are to the admissions officer. It is the best way for you to advertise or sell yourself to a university, making them see who you are beyond your grades, extracurriculars, and recommendation letters. 

Every German institution gives at least 10% weightage to the letter of motivation in Germany. Some institutions even give it as much as 30% weightage in the overall application.

Through a letter of motivation in Germany, you can express just how much you deserve to be a part of your desired course in ways that other parts of your application cannot.it is the most personal part of your application and you ought to take it seriously if you want to get into a good university in Germany. 

 

Key Elements to Include in Your Letter of Motivation for Masters in Germany 2024

Key elements for Letter of motivation- TerraTern

Now that you know how important a letter of motivation for a Master's in Germany is, it is time to learn how to write a letter of motivation and perfect it to make sure it becomes one of the strong points of your application. 

The most important parts of a letter of motivation for Masters in Germany are:

1. Introduction 

It would help to introduce yourself in the first paragraph, along with a cordial greeting. This paragraph sets the tone for the rest of your letter of motivation, and the admissions officer gauges a certain idea about who you are. It would be best if you kept this short and professional. Include a professional yet polite salutation in your introduction. Read the letter of motivation for Masters in Germany samples available online to further perfect this part of your letter of motivation for Germany.

2. Main Content 

The main content of the letter of motivation for a Master's in Germany involves writing about your interests and aspirations and how these interests and aspirations align with the course you have chosen along with the university you have chosen it in. You must use this space to elucidate why you are the perfect candidate for your desired course and why the university should pick you. It would help if you also discussed what you expect from the course you plan to take and how the university can add to your goals. Read the letter of motivation for Masters in Germany samples available online to further perfect this part of your letter of motivation for Germany.

3. Objectivity and Conciseness

While writing the letter of motivation for Germany, you must make sure that everything you write is concise and to the point. Avoid repeating the same points, and make sure that the content flows smoothly throughout the letter. The letter of motivation for Germany requires you to be direct with your goals and expectations, along with what you bring to the table for the university. So do not beat around the bush while writing your letter of motivation for Germany, and be honest and clear throughout the letter. Read the letter of motivation for Masters in Germany samples available online to further perfect this part of your letter of motivation for Germany.

4. Conclusion 

While concluding the letter of motivation for Germany, you must adhere to the polite and professional tone that you have maintained throughout the document. Include a validation in your conclusion. Be consistent with all the information you have presented throughout the letter, and do not present any new information in the conclusion. Read the letter of motivation for Masters in Germany samples available online to further perfect this part of your letter of motivation for Germany.

Keep the following points in mind to write the perfect letter of motivation for Germany:

  • Your letter should be between 500 to 800 words. Make sure to keep the letter crisp and concise; do not exceed the word limit.

  • The letter of motivation for Germany should have unique content and should not be a repetition of your resume.

  • The letter of motivation for Germany is not something. You can write overnight before submission. Take your time while writing it, and have a secondary individual proofread it to make sure you haven’t made any mistakes. 

  • Different institutions have certain different expectations for a letter of motivation for a Master's in Germany. Make sure to do your research about the university-specific expectations that exist regarding the letter of motivation for the universities. You want to apply to.

  • Before you start writing this document, make sure to do your research and read the letter of motivation for masses in Germany samples available online to get a rough outline of what you have to write. There is a letter of motivation for the Masters in Germany sample at the end of this blog as well. Make sure to go through it thoroughly. 

Letter of Motivation for Masters in Germany Sample 2024

Written below is a letter of motivation for a Masters in Germany sample from the lens of an Indian student who wishes to study BSc Economics at a university in Germany.

Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing this letter of motivation to express my passionate interest in pursuing a master of science degree in the field of economics at the Technical University of Munich. As an economics graduate with a bachelor of science in economics, I wish to further my education in this field and pursue a degree that will help me build the necessary skills and acquire the knowledge I must have to succeed in this ever-growing economy. 

Being an Indian citizen, I come from a country with one of the fastest-growing economies, along with a very high poverty rate. I have seen the most of both worlds and gained a lot of exposure, with most of my exposure being through my parents – who worked hard day and night at their own business. My parents not only provided for me financially and made sure I could achieve everything I wanted but also imparted me an education about finances and economics that I would not have acquired anywhere else.

My undergraduate education equipped me with the knowledge of economics that not only formed a foundational base for the rest of my career but also piqued my interest in the subject, which has made me want to pursue it as my main subject for my master's degree. As I pursued my undergraduate education, I also completed various internships at audit firms, local businesses, and multinational corporations. Thus, my theoretical education from my university was supplemented with practical experiences and knowledge from my work experience, which gave me invaluable familiarity with the field. I have chosen my career. 

I am specifically motivated to study at the Technical of Munich because of its reputation for imparting high-quality education, especially in economics and finance. The course design, resources, faculty, and industry connections combine to form the most conducive environment for any Economics aspirant. Furthermore, the research opportunities at your university are at the top. The infrastructure and opportunities for economics at your university reinforce my passion for Economics and motivate me to study harder and pursue a degree in this field.

To conclude, I would like to express my heartiest gratitude to the Technical University of Munich for considering my application. I will continue to work hard and contribute to the community of Economics and, hopefully, the community at the Technical University of Munich should I be accepted into the program.

Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Meher Shah 

Latest Format for the Letter of Motivation for Germany

Format of letter of motivation- TerraTern

If the university does not specify a format for your Letter of Motivation, you can follow this standard format:

  • Margins: 2.5 cm (1 inch) on all sides

  • Font Size: 11 or 12-point Times New Roman

  • Line Spacing: Single

  • Text Alignment: Justified

Conclusion

Thus, it is safe to assume that you now understand the importance of a letter of motivation for Germany and how to write it. The letter of motivation for a master's in Germany can seal the deal of your application. Contrary to popular belief, it is an indispensable part of your application and is as important as a personal interview. Make sure to start working on your letter of motivation for Germany a good while before you submit it so that you have enough time to review it or make any edits required. Good luck!

If you have prepared a Letter of Motivation for Germany and want expertise on it, TerraTern is the expert eyes that you can trust for a perfect letter of motivation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a letter of motivation for Germany be?

The letter of motivation for Germany should be between 500 to 800 words. Make sure to not exceed the word limit, or you might be marked negatively.

Can I include personal experiences in my motivation letter?

Yes. You are encouraged to include personal experiences in your motivation letter as long as they stay relevant to the topic at hand. The letter of motivation for Germany allows the admissions officers to see you from a more personalized lens. So feel free to include any relevant personal experiences.

Should I mention specific professors or research projects in the letter?

While there is no need to mention specific professors, if you find them to be an indispensable part of your application, feel free to do so. You are encouraged to mention specific research projects as they demonstrate deliverable action at your end.

Is it necessary to address any potential weaknesses or gaps in my academic background?

This is a very subjective question. It depends on your application how important a certain weakness or a gap in the academic background is, and how much impact it can have on your application. If you feel the need to explain it and think it will benefit your application, go ahead.

Are there specific cultural aspects to consider when writing a motivation letter for Germany?

Feel free to include certain cultural aspects at your end as it helps the admissions officer understand who you are better.