If you want to study at a university in Germany, you may be asked to submit a motivation letter (or Motivationsschreiben) as part of your application. You’ll also need a letter of motivation for your student visa application, once you’ve been accepted. This makes this letter one of the most important documents you’ll prepare.
Whether you’re applying for a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programme, your motivation letter helps the university understand who you are, why you chose the program, and how it fits into your future plans.
What Is a Motivation Letter?
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A motivation letter—also referred to as a letter of motivation, a letter of intent, or a statement of purpose (SOP) is a written explanation from you to the university or visa office. It describes your academic background, your career goals, and your reasons for applying to a specific programme.
Unlike in some other destination countries, motivation letters aren’t just required with your visa application. German public universities commonly require them, especially for competitive programs such as engineering, medicine, computer science, business, and social sciences. In Germany, universities use this letter to get to know you better beyond your grades and documents. |
Your motivation letter should answer important questions like:
- 📍 What have you studied previously and how is it related to the programme you’re applying for?
- 📍 Why are you interested in studying in Germany?
- 📍 Why did you choose this specific institution and programme?
- 📍 How do your future goals connect with this programme?
- 📍 What makes you a strong candidate?
Application reviewers at universities in Germany expect detailed and thoughtful answers in your letter. Try to be personal, clear, and truthful.
Why Is the Motivation Letter Important?
Germany is known for its high-quality education system and affordable tuition fees for international students. A motivation letter gives you the chance to show who you are, what makes you unique, and how well you understand the programme you want to take.
A well-written letter can help you stand out, even if other applicants have similar grades or work experience. Some universities even list the motivation letter as a deciding factor in competitive admissions, especially for master’s level programmes.
Your motivation letter also helps German visa officers verify that you are a legitimate applicant. Visa officers want to ensure that you’ve done your research about your intended institution, programme, field of study, and post-study plans.
How Is a Motivation Letter for an Institution Different Than a Visa Motivation Letter?
While both motivation letters explain your goals and academic background, the letter you submit to your chosen German institution should be more focused on why you’re applying to a specific study programme. It is more personal and should express enthusiasm for the programme, your interest in the subject, and how it fits into your professional and academic journey.
The motivation letter you submit with your German visa application (sometimes called a Statement of Purpose) is often longer, more formal, and includes details about post-study plans.
Tips Before You Start Writing
Before you begin writing your letter, keep these things in mind:
- 📎 Be original: Use your own voice and words. Do not copy from online examples and avoid relying on AI tools to write your motivation letter.
- 📎 Stay honest: Share your real goals, interests, and past experiences.
- 📎 Show research: Prove that you understand the programme you plan to enrol in and the institution you’ve chosen.
- 📎 Keep it relevant: Focus on your academic path and future career.
- 📎 Proofread carefully: Small mistakes can impact your likelihood of acceptance.
Source: ApplyBoard