Letter of Motivation for Germany

Dreaming of a Master's degree in Germany? Don't let a weak Letter of Motivation (LOM) hold you back. This crucial document is your chance to shine and convince universities you are the ideal candidate with a well-structured, impactful letter of Motivation (LOM).

Letter of Motivation for Germany: German universities mostly require a Letter of Motivation (LOM) as a compulsory document to be submitted with the application. Some universities call it LOM, while others may call it a Statement of Purpose (SOP). The term should not confuse you. Now, what exactly is a Letter of Motivation (LOM) and how do you write this? In the following paragraphs, we will try to discuss all that you need to know about LOM.

What is a Letter of Motivation?

A Letter of Motivation is a document where the applicant can demonstrate his motivation to pursue the chosen study program. LOM for Germany allows the candidate to demonstrate how he stands apart from the rest of the applicants and convince the admission officers that he would be an excellent fit for the program selected and vice versa.

How crucial is a Letter of Motivation when applying for a Master’s in Germany?

A Letter of Motivation is paramount for a student applying for a Master’s degree in Germany. After the GPA, it is the LOM that becomes the deciding factor for admission. In the selection process, Master's study programs give 10% - 40% weightage to the LOM of the total applicant score.

Related Reads

Dos and Don’ts for SOP for Germany	SOP for MS in Germany
Student Guide to Germany	Study in Germany

How to Write a Letter of Motivation for Germany?

Having understood the importance of a Letter of Motivation for Germany, the next step would be to learn how it is written. A Letter of Motivation for Germany is generally between 500-1000 words unless a specific word limit has been given by your chosen university. For example, the M.Sc. in Economics program at the University of Hamburg requires the applicant to write a LOM of a maximum of 500 words, whereas the LOM word limit specified by FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg is 800 words for the same program. The applicant should be able to convey everything that he wants to in simple and grammatically correct English, without boring the reader.

Letter of Motivation for a Master's in Germany: Guidelines 

In this section, we are going to be talking about the guidelines that students must adhere to while writing their letter of motivation to pursue a Master's in Germany.  

Introduction

Begin your LOM for Germany with an anecdote from the recent past that shows your motivation to pursue your Master’s in your chosen field/ subject. In case you are making a shift from one field to another, you should be able to justify it convincingly. Ensure that you do not discuss your childhood and school experiences here as they are too far back in time for a Master’s level LOM.

Academic Background

In this section of the LOM for Germany, discuss your academic background, starting from under-graduation. Avoid school details in Master’s Letter of Motivation for Germany. Things to be included are your favourite subjects, projects done in the relevant field and lessons learnt from the same, internships undertaken and their learnings, and any other courses, paper presentations, or research work taken up that bolstered your undergraduate experience.

Professional experience

In case you have full-time work experience, you must discuss the same in detail, specifying the name of the organization, city, designation, roles and responsibilities, and lessons learned. Any awards won or recognition received at the workplace should also be mentioned to show how you added value to your company.

Reasons for pursuing a Master's

In the LOM for Germany, the applicant must spell out why he/she wants to pursue a Master’s in the particular subject and also why it is the right time for him/her to pursue this particular program.

Career Goals/ Future Plans

The most important part of the Letter of Motivation for Germany is the career goals that will show how aligned your plans are with the program that you are applying for. The applicant must remember that the Master’s program is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. Thus, you must include both your immediate and long-term career goals after completing your Master’s degree.

University-specific details

There should be a compelling reason for you to apply to the chosen university. It is a good idea to collect relevant information about what is special about the chosen program offered by the particular university. You must include the electives that you can take up, relevant research and researchers at the university, clubs/ organizations that appeal to you, and career and internship opportunities that you may avail of here. Whatever attracts you towards the department and the university.

Reasons for selecting Germany

This is an important section where you must discuss why you have chosen Germany as a study destination for your Master’s degree. You can talk about the German education system, university tie-ups with the relevant industry, welcoming attitude towards international students, and other factors that appeal to you.

Extracurricular activities

This is an optional section in the LOM for Germany where you can showcase your multi-faceted personality by talking about your engagements related to sports, arts, culture, community work, and others.

Conclusion

The LOM for Germany should be concluded with a short and crisp paragraph at the end to reinforce why you will be a suitable candidate for the chosen program at the university and how you may add value to the learning environment in the classroom.

Also, Read

Sample of Statement of Purpose (Sample SOP)	Study Bachelors in Germany
Study MIM in Germany	How to Frame a Perfect Letter of Motivation for DAAD?

Format for the Letter of Motivation for Germany

The format for a Letter of Motivation may be specified by the university. However, if that is not the case, then you can follow a standard format, which is:

1. Margins: 2.5 cm, or one inch, on all sides
2. Font size: 11- or 12-point Times New Roman
3. Line spacing: Single
4. Text alignment: Justified

Do not underestimate the value of revising and proofreading your Letter of Motivation for Germany to ensure that there are no grammatical errors or typing mistakes. Candidates looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.