How to Write a Motivation Letter: Example and Template (2026)

A motivation letter is your personal answer to "why me, and why you?" in an application for postgraduate study, a scholarship, an internship or a job. A CV tells the numbers; a motivation letter tells your story and your drive. In this guide you'll find the structure, an example letter and the common mistakes.

The Difference Between a Motivation Letter and a Cover Letter

The two are often confused, but their focus differs:

• Cover letter: Accompanies a CV in a job application, focused on skills and experience.
• Motivation letter: Weighs most in academic and scholarship applications, where your goals and inner motivation take centre stage.

If you're writing a letter for a job application, our cover letter example guide may suit you better.

The 4 Sections of a Motivation Letter

1. Introduction: A strong opening that shows what drew you to this opportunity
2. Your background: Relevant experience, achievements and skills
3. Why this programme/role: Concrete, researched reasons
4. Your future goal: Where this opportunity will take you

Example Motivation Letter (Master's Degree)

Dear Admissions Committee,

For my final-year dissertation project, I built a data
analytics dashboard for small businesses. That
experience showed me first-hand how data transforms
decision-making, and it crystallised my desire to
specialise in Data Science.

Throughout my Industrial Engineering degree I performed
above average in statistics and optimisation modules; I
spent two terms as a research assistant. I ran analysis
projects in Python and SQL.

I've chosen your programme in particular for its
applied-project focus and for [Professor's Name]'s work
on predictive modelling. The prospect of contributing to
your research in this area genuinely excites me.

In the long term, I aim to become a specialist who builds
data-driven decision systems in the manufacturing sector.
I'm confident your programme will give me a strong
foundation on that path.

Thank you for considering my application.

Kind regards,
[Full Name]

Tips for a Strong Motivation Letter

• Be concrete: Instead of "I was very keen", describe a specific moment.
• Write for the institution: Name the programme or company, the modules, the projects — make it obvious it isn't copy-and-paste.
• Fit-focused, not self-focused: Don't just describe yourself; explain what you'll bring to them.
• Plain English: Avoid ornate, long-winded sentences; be clear.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending the same letter to every application
• Repeating your CV as plain prose
• Over-the-top, insincere flattery
• Spelling and grammar errors