A motivation letter for university (in German: Motivationsschreiben) explains why you want to study this degree at this institution and why you are suited to it. Many applicants underestimate it, although it often leaves the most room for personal wording. This guide shows how to structure the text, how long it should be and what selection committees look for.
Short answer: A motivation letter for university usually answers three questions: who you are, what you can do and what you want to achieve. A guide from the TU Darmstadt writing centre gives at most 1.5 to 2 pages as a guideline. That is the example of a single university, not a general standard. Institute requirements always take priority. Last updated: November 2026, guide dated February 2020, not re-checked.
The most important points at a glance
- The central question is why you are the right candidate for exactly this place.
- The text can be divided into three parts: who you are, what you can do and what you want.
- As an example, the TU Darmstadt guide of 2020 suggests at most 1.5 to 2 pages; other universities set their own limits.
- Clichés, mottos and references to good career prospects weaken the text.
- The requirements of the university or the institute always take precedence.
How do you structure a motivation letter?
The guide from the writing centre of the TU Darmstadt proposes a structure (dated February 2020) that can serve as orientation. It starts with the person, moves through skills to goals and can be realised in a few paragraphs. The table shows which content belongs in which section.
| Section | Guiding question | What belongs there |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Introduction | Why are you writing now? | Occasion of the application, short introduction, link to the degree |
| 2. Who am I? | What has shaped you? | Interests, passions, challenges you have overcome |
| 3. What can I do? | Which aptitude do you bring? | Subject knowledge, projects, internships, study abroad, social skills |
| 4. What do I want? | Which goal do you pursue? | Career plans, contribution to the field, outlook after graduation |
| 5. Closing | How does the text end? | Thanks and, where appropriate, a wish for an interview |
The guide stresses that the reasoning should rest on experience, the present and goals. By contrast, reasoning based on good career prospects or earning potential is explicitly not wanted. Instead, show which activities in your studies excite you.
How long should a motivation letter be?
The TU Darmstadt guide of 2020 names at most 1.5 to 2 pages as a guideline, unless other requirements apply. That is an example from a single university and not a general rule. It is important to follow the instructions of the respective body. Some programmes require a fixed number of pages, others a form with character limits. Going over the limit risks the text not being read in full, so treat the limit as part of the task.
A text of about one page can be enough if you stay concrete. It only becomes longer when you add examples that prove your aptitude. Never let a paragraph consist of general sentences alone.
What should you avoid?
The writing guide names several typical weak points. They concern tone, content and structure. Applicants who avoid them stand out from many others.
- Reasons based on good career prospects or high earnings. Write instead about the activities that interest you.
- Mottos, slogans and phrases that appear in many applications.
- Uncertain, subjunctive wording such as “I would like to try”.
- Repetition, colloquial language and long digressions away from the subject.
- A layout that departs from the usual letter heading without being requested.
Example of an opening
An opening could read like this: “Since my internship at a wastewater treatment plant, I have wondered how water cycles can be modelled. The degree in environmental engineering combines this question with mathematics and practice, which is exactly why I am applying.” The sample shows three things. It names a concrete occasion, it refers to an experience and it connects to the degree. Write your own opening in your own words, because identical sentences quickly stand out in selection procedures.
How to write the text step by step
- Collect notes on three questions: what led you to this subject, what you can prove, and what you want to do later.
- Link each statement about yourself to evidence, such as a project, an internship or a course.
- Write the text in one go and then cut everything that sounds good but says nothing.
- Read the text aloud and check that it matches the requirements of the university.
Before and after: from clichés to evidence
A sentence such as “I am highly committed and a team player” says little, because every application contains it. A statement with evidence works better: “In my study group project I took over the task allocation, which kept our submission ahead of the deadline.” The second sentence names an action, a context and a result, and that combination makes it credible.
This pattern helps in every section. For each claim, ask yourself how someone could recognise it. If a quality cannot be tied to a situation, cut it or replace it with an experience you actually had.
Pay attention to sentence length as well. Long, nested sentences often hide what you actually mean. Short sentences with one clear statement usually sound more confident in a selection procedure than convoluted phrasing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate motivation letter for each degree programme?
Usually yes. A text that only swaps the name of the university is easy to spot. Refer to the focus areas of the specific degree and to the offers of the university that genuinely interest you.
May a motivation letter also mention weaknesses?
A short, factual note can make sense, for example for a gap in your CV. Lengthy justifications, however, tend to look weak. Place the circumstance briefly in context and then move on to your goals.
How important is the layout?
Layout matters because it shows care. Clean paragraphs, a clear structure and a correct letter heading are the standard. The guide expects a traditional heading with sender, recipient, date, subject line, closing and signature.
Can I use a template from the internet?
A template can help with structure, but it should never replace your content. If you take over wording word for word, it is easy to spot in selection procedures. Use templates only as a framework and fill them with your own experience.
What is different for a scholarship?
For scholarships, the fit with the funding organisation often takes centre stage. The TU Darmstadt guide describes an extended structure for this purpose. Our article on applying for a scholarship (in German) covers this in more detail.
What to do now
- Check the requirements for length, form and content on the website of the university or in the application portal.
- Write a first draft along the three questions and mark every statement that lacks evidence.
- Cut the text to the required length and replace clichés with concrete examples.
- Have a second person proofread the text and check spelling before uploading.
Related articles
- Finding a study place: free places and waiting procedures overview (in German)
- Applying for the winter semester 2027/28: deadlines, documents and process (in German)
- Applying online to university: step by step through the portal (in German)
- Applying for a scholarship: how to convince selection panels (in German)
Sources: Motivation letter for university, guide of the writing centre of the TU Darmstadt (dated February 2020, example of a single university, not re-checked) (in German). Your own university’s requirements take priority.
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
