Letter of Motivation for Germany – A Complete Writing Guide for 2024

If you happen to read this blog, you are either planning to do higher education in Germany or struggling to write your letter of motivation for Germany. LOM or Letter of Motivation for Germany is an integral document in the application to German universities and colleges. But for most students from abroad, the term ‘letter of motivation’ is confusing. In this blog, we give you:

  • A straightforward definition of a motivation letter for German university
  • A clear overview of letter of motivation for masters in Germany expectations
  • Sample letter of motivation for masters in Germany for quick reference
Learn how to write letter of motivation for Germany
what is and how to write letter of motivation for germany

What Is a Motivation Letter for Masters in Germany?

A letter of motivation for masters in Germany is an academic document you will be asked to submit along with other documents while applying for postgraduate-level higher education in German colleges and universities. Through this document, you will try to convince the admission officers of a German institute why you are a good fit for their program.

Who Requires a Letter of Motivation for Germany?

You will require a letter of motivation for Germany in a variety of contexts.

  • When you apply for a Postgraduate program in Germany (E.g.: motivation letter for masters in computer science in Germany)
  • When you apply for an undergraduate program in Germany
  • When you apply for a student visa in Germany (motivation letter for visa application Germany)
  • When you apply for a scholarship in Germany
  • When you apply for PhD in Germany
  • When you apply for internship from a German organization

Importance of Letter of Motivation for Germany

By now you know that having a perfect motivation letter for Germany is essential to get admission to a German college or university. But why is it asked? Here are the reasons.
  • LOM for Germany benefits the applicants and the institutes alike.
  • Institutes can distinguish between genuine applicants and those who apply for higher studies for timepass.
  • Motivation letter for German university helps the applicants show why they are the best fit for a certain higher study program.
  • LOM serves as proof of the applicants’ English language proficiency as it is mandatory for admission to German institutes.

Are Letter of Motivation, Motivation Letter, SOP and Personal Statement the Same?

No, they are not the same. Let us look at them one by one. The letter of motivation and motivation letter are the same. It is just that the latter has a different word order than the former.

Now when it comes to SOP and LOM, the SOP is longer, more detailed, and more formal in nature. On the other hand, an LOM is shorter. It is usually written in the range 500 to 800 words. Given the nature, similarities and differences among these documents, a personal statement would have more in common with a letter of motivation. However, all these terms are used interchangeably as equivalent to the German word ‘Motivationsschreiben.

How Important is the LOM for Germany in the Admission Process?

Letter of motivation is essential to get into more than 90 percent of the colleges and universities in Germany. According to a recent report, a good LOM like the letter of motivation samples for German university would contribute to between a 25% to 40% score of your college/university application in Germany.

What Is the Purpose of a Motivation Letter When Applying to Universities or Jobs in Germany?

A letter of motivation is asked by both higher study institutions and employers in Germany. In both scenarios, the selection panel gets to identify the best candidates through motivation letters for their admission or jobs from hundreds of applicants. When you apply for a job in Germany from a foreign country, you may also be required to write a motivation letter for job seeker visa Germany.

In How Many Words Should an LOM for Germany Be Written?

The generally accepted length for an LOM for Germany is approximately 700 to 800 words. We have seen that some institutes in Germany give specific guidelines to their applicants regarding the LOM. If you receive any such instruction from your institute, keep that in mind while composing your letter.

What to Include in an LOM for Germany?

Your letter of motivation for Germany should cover answers to the following questions.

Answer this question by listing your justifications for choosing Germany as your higher study destination. While answering this, compare a few countries with Germany and state why you were more attracted to Germany than those countries.

What motivated you to choose this field of study?

Describing your motivation for choosing a specific field or domain is an important step in your letter of motivation for Germany. Establish how passionate you are about the field you are taking up and what steps you have taken so far to enhance your knowledge in the said domain. Show your future roadmap to convince the selection officers.

Why do you think you are fit for this program?

Show that you are fit for the program by highlighting some of your relevant skills and strengths. Describe some of your achievements, for instance, any published works in the subject or any seminars or projects you have been part of.

how to write letter of motivation for masters in germany complete guidelines

How to Write Letter of Motivation for Masters in Germany – Basic Guidelines

From what point you highlight to what font style you use, there are a lot of things to be careful with while composing an LOM for German universities. Follow the below given basic guidelines.

Keep it short and concise:

Do not exceed or come short of the recommended word count (approximately 800 words) in your LOM for German Universities. Keep your points short, concise and straight.

Review university prompts:

Confirm whether you have to answer any specific university prompts while drafting the LOM. If so, incorporate them into your LOM. By keeping those prompts at the centre of your write-up, you can grab their attention.

Beware of line spacing:

How you space the lines in your letter of motivation is another area to give attention to. Be consistent with your spacing choices. 1.5 or double spacing are recommended options.

Use simple language:

Remember that the ultimate purpose of your LOM is to communicate how motivated you are about your choices to the selection committee. Use simple and unambiguous words so that your message gets properly communicated.

How to write Letter of motivation for masters in germany
Tell us about your unique LOM requirements. We will sort it out at the earliest.

    sample letter of motivation for german universities example

    Sample Letter of Motivation for Germany Visa

    Here is a letter of motivation for Germany visa to help you get familiar with the requirements and expectations. Read it several times and brainstorm your points.

    What Should Be the Structure of An LOM for Germany?

    The basic structure of an LOM for Germany – be it a motivation letter for student visa Germany or motivation letter for masters in electrical engineering in Germany – will have the following components.

    Introduction:

    An introduction that clearly establishes the purpose of the write-up and why you want to study/work in Germany.

    Background:

    This paragraph will cover your academic and professional background and how they are connected to the advanced education program in Germany you plan to enrol in.

    Motivation:

    Here, you will emphasize your passion for the chosen subject and how taking up this program will contribute to your career growth.

    Why Germany:

    In this paragraph, you will speak about the advantages of studying your chosen subject in Germany. You can also say how closely you relate to German culture, language etc.

    Goals:

    Here you speak about your career goals – what you want to become and how you will materialize your goals through this course and the roadmap of your growth after the course.

    Conclusion:

    Conclude your motivation letter reiterating all points you discussed in the above paragraphs and stressing that you will respect the values and culture of the institute and the country and contribute to the institute in your good capacity.

    What Do German Institutes Expect in Your Letter of Motivation?

    Here are a few things you are expected to achieve in your letter of motivation for Germany. Although some universities may be lenient with some of these, it is advisable to ensure maximum adherence to these qualities.

    • Genuineness: The information you supply in the letter of motivation for Germany must be genuine.
    • Accuracy: Your LOM must keep maximum accuracy with grammar, spelling and punctuation.
    • Supporting information: All points you write need to be supported with sufficient proof or evidence.
    • Engagement: Your LOM must be able to keep the reader engaged from start to end.
    • Originality: The letter must be written 100% unique and should not contain copied content from any other sources.
    • Potential to contribute: Your LOM must show how you can contribute to their institute other than studies, say, leadership roles, extracurricular involvements, volunteering etc.
    • Clear goals: The document should clearly specify your goals and objectives.
    • Communication skills: From your LOM, the admission panel should make out that you have sound communication skills.
    format and strecture of letter of motivation for Germany

    How to Format a Letter of Motivation for Germany?

    Using the right format for your letter of motivation will benefit you in multiple ways. One, it will help ensure that all your points are scanned by the admission officer. Two, it will improve the overall look and appeal of your document. So, the better the format you use, the more competitive edge it gets.

    Font Style:You are free to use any academically accepted font styles for your LOM. We recommend Times New Roman or Ariel.
    Font Size:

    Set the font size to either 11 or 12 points. It’s an acceptable font size all over the world.

    Font Colour:

    Use only black. Do not use any other font colour.

    Number of words:

    Write your LOM in about 800 words. Going slightly up or down is okay. However, try to maintain the recommended word count.

    Line spacing:Set 1.5 or double spacing as in the letter of motivation for masters in Germany sample.
    Number of pages:

    Two to three pages when formatted as per the above guidelines.

    What are the differences between a cover letter and a motivational letter?

    A letter of motivation and a cover letter are two different documents and should not be confused. Here are the differences.
    • A cover letter is asked when you apply for a job or internship in Germany. A letter of motivation is required when you apply for a higher education program.
    • A cover letter goes with a resume and elaborates on the skills, qualities or strengths the candidate has highlighted in the resume to show that he is fit for the role being applied for.
    • A letter of motivation focuses on establishing a candidate’s suitability for a higher study program and why he or she deserves admission.
    • A cover letter is brief and will not exceed more than one page. A letter of motivation is more detailed and can go up to two to three pages or about 800 words.
    • Both cover letter and letter of motivation need to be tailored to the job or higher study program.

    Common Doubts About Motivation Letter for Germany

    How should I write the introduction of a Letter of Motivation?

    Answer: In the introduction for your letter of motivation, specify why you are writing the letter in the first place. Proceed by giving a background of how you got interested in the chosen subject and why you think doing the given program will help you broaden your horizons.

    How should I conclude my Letter of Motivation?

    Answer: The selection committee will take away what the conclusion leaves. So, conclude your motivation letter by reiterating your interest and summarizing your key points. Express your gratitude to the selection committee for reviewing your document.

    How can I make my letter of motivation stand out?

    Answer: To make your letter of motivation stand out, tailor it to the institute, program and country of your choice. Also, keep your letter engaging and filled with enthusiasm throughout.

    7 Things to Keep in Mind While Writing Motivation Letter for Germany

    • Start Early: Once you have clarity about the program, university and admission deadline, do not wait any more to start working on your letter of motivation.
    • Address the recipient: Start the letter by addressing the recipient. You can either use the last name of the person or the title of the post he or she holds.
    • Research: Do your own research about the course, institute and the scope of the program in Germany. These insights can help you tailor your LOM.
    • Read samples: Read one or two LOM samples for Germany to get a rough idea about how it should be and what the expectations are.
    • Prepare an outline: Do not start writing like you would write any other letter. Prepare an outline first and develop each point one by one.
    • Proofread: After finishing the writing part of the LOM, proofread it several times. The letter must contain no mistakes whatsoever.
    • Get feedback: Before submitting the letter, request a colleague or an expert to read your LOM and give you constructive feedback.

    5 Mistakes to Avoid in Letter of Motivation for Masters in Germany

    The following mistakes in your letter of motivation for Germany will cause you to lose the competitive edge or even get rejected.  So, beware of them.

    • Being too generic: Institutes expect a tailored letter of motivation from you.
    • Irrelevant points: Including irrelevant points will make it lengthy and less focused.
    • Overly formal: When the LOM is overly formal, it can be less engaging to the reader.
    • Lack of enthusiasm: You must sound pleasant and enthusiastic to impress the reader.
    • Noncompliance: Noncompliance with guidelines given by the institutes is a big mistake.
    german university requirements for motivation letter guide

    LOM Requirements of Top Universities in Germany

    Here is a list of top universities in Germany and their LOM requirements.

    Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich)

    • Write your motivation letter in about 700 words.
    • Establish your motivation for choosing the subject.
    • Show why you deserve admission and how you can contribute.

    Humboldt University of Berlin

    • Keep the letter short and concise
    • Go through the university guidelines before starting to write
    • Answer all prompts – why this course, why Germany and why this university

    Technical University of Munich (TU Munich)

    • Write your LOM in 1-2 pages.
    • Talk about your research and project priorities
    • Submit the LOM in PDF format

    Heidelberg University

    • Highlight how the opportunity of studying at Heidelberg University will benefit you.
    • Show what you can bring to the program and the institute
    • Discuss what certain unique aspects of the program mean to you.

    Freie Universität Berlin

    • Write your letter of motivation in 1-2 pages.
    • Discuss what gives you the competitive edge
    • Format your LOM as per the institute guidelines.

    Documents Required for The Student Visa in Germany

    In order to apply for a student visa in Germany, you need to have the following documents ready.
    • A valid passport
    • Duly filled student visa application form
    • Language proficiency certificate (IELTS or German)
    • Medical fitness certificate
    • Letter of motivation for Germany
    • Conduct certificate
    • Proof of fund

    How Much Does a German Student Visa Cost?

    You will need to pay €75 for the German Student visa application. Please note that all other costs – language proficiency tests, medical tests, etc. are in addition to this. 

    Top 15 Universities to Study in Germany

    According to QS World University Rankings 2022, the top 15 universities in Germany are:
    1. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich)
    2. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    3. Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
    4. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
    5. University of Hamburg
    6. Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin)
    7. Universität Freiburg
    8. Technical University of Munich (TUM)
    9. Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
    10. Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin)
    11. Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
    12. Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
    13. Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
    14. Universität Mannheim
    15. Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

    Note that you will need to tailor your motivation letter to each of these universities. You may refer to our letter of motivation for masters in Germany sample to have a deep outlook of the specifics.

    Conclusion

    An impressive letter of motivation for Germany will make your admission process to the best German university both simple and easy. Use the steps, strategies and tips shared in this blog to write your unique and winning LOM.

    Do you have any questions regarding LOM for Germany? Do you need any help with writing it or finding the best German college or university? We are at your disposal at any time. Contact us right away or drop your questions and doubts in the comment below.

    FAQ

    Unless you have been specifically told, we recommend that you send the LOM to your respective college/university in PDF format.

    It is totally okay to hire an expert or a professional to write your LOM for Germany if you are not confident in writing it on your own. By hiring someone, you can get your LOM in perfect quality and in a very limited time.

    No. LOM for each German university needs to be customized. When you use the same LOM for multiple universities, it would look generic and fail to impress the selection officers.

    You can ask a colleague or a professor or an expert. The person whom you ask for the feedback must know about the LOM expectations.

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