phd student motivation letter

How to Write a PhD Motivation Letter

• Applying to a PhD

A PhD motivation letter is a document that describes your personal motivation and competence for a particular research project. It is usually submitted together with your academic CV to provide admissions staff with more information about you as an individual, to help them decide whether or not you are the ideal candidate for a research project.

A motivation letter has many similarities to a cover letter and a personal statement, and institutions will not ask you to submit all of these. However, it is a unique document and you should treat it as such. In the context of supporting a PhD application, the difference is nuanced; all three documents outline your suitability for PhD study. However, compared to a cover letter and personal statement, a motivation letter places more emphasis on your motivation for wanting to pursue the particular PhD position you are applying for.

Academic cover letters are more common in UK universities, while motivation letters are more common abroad.

A motivation letter can play a key part in the application process . It allows the admission committee to review a group of PhD applicants with similar academic backgrounds and select the ideal candidate based on their motivations for applying.

For admission staff, academic qualifications alone are not enough to indicate whether a student will be successful in their doctorate. In this sense, a motivational letter will allow them to judge your passion for the field of study, commitment to research and suitability for the programme, all of which better enables them to evaluate your potential.

How Should I Structure My Motivation Letter?

A strong motivation letter for PhD applications will include:

• A concise introduction stating which programme you are applying for,
• Your academic background and professional work experience,
• Any key skills you possess and what makes you the ideal candidate,
• Your interest and motivation for applying,
• Concluding remarks and thanks.

This is a simplistic breakdown of what can be a very complicated document.

However, writing to the above structure will ensure you keep your letter of motivation concise and relevant to the position you are applying for. Remember, the aim of your letter is to show your enthusiasm and that you’re committed and well suited for the programme.

To help you write a motivation letter for a PhD application, we have outlined what to include in the start, main body, and closing sections.

How to Start a Motivation Letter

Introduction: Start with a brief introduction in which you clearly state your intention to apply for a particular programme. Think of this as describing what the document is to a stranger.

Education: State what you have studied and where. Your higher education will be your most important educational experience, so focus on this. Highlight any relevant modules you undertook as part of your studies that are relevant to the programme you are applying for. You should also mention how your studies have influenced your decision to pursue a PhD project, especially if it is in the same field you are currently applying to.

Work experience: Next summarise your professional work experience. Remember, you will likely be asked to submit your academic CV along with your motivation letter, so keep this section brief to avoid any unnecessary repetition. Include any other relevant experiences, such as teaching roles, non-academic experience, or charity work which demonstrates skills or shows your suitability for the research project and in becoming a PhD student.

Key skills: Outline your key skills. Remember the admissions committee is considering your suitability for the specific programme you are applying for, so mention skills relevant to the PhD course.

Motivation for applying: Show your enthusiasm and passion for the subject, and describe your long-term aspirations. Start with how you first became interested in the field, and how your interest has grown since. You should also mention anything else you have done which helps demonstrate your interest in your proposed research topic, for example:

• Have you attended any workshops or seminars?
• Do you have any research experience?
• Have you taught yourself any aspects of the subject?
• Have you read any literature within the research area?

Finally, describe what has convinced you to dedicate the next 3-4 years (assuming you are to study full time) of your life to research.

How to End a Motivation Letter

Concluding the motivation letter is where most people struggle. Typically, people can easily describe their academic background and why they want to study, but convincing the reader they are the best candidate for the PhD programme is often more challenging.

The concluding remarks of your motivation letter should highlight the impacts of your proposed research, in particular: the new contributions it will make to your field, the benefits it will have on society and how it fits in with your aspirations.

With this, conclude with your career goals. For example, do you want to pursue an academic career or become a researcher for a private organisation? Doing so will show you have put a lot of thought into your decision.

Remember, admissions into a PhD degree is very competitive, and supervisors invest a lot of time into mentoring their students. Therefore, supervisors naturally favour those who show the most dedication. Your conclusion should remind the reader that you are not only passionate about the research project, but that the university will benefit from having you.

Finally, thank the reader for considering your application.

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Motivation Letter Format

There are some basic rules to follow when writing a successful motivation letter. These will mimic the standard format for report writing that the supervisor will be familiar with:

• Use a sans serif font (e.g. Arial or Times New Roman),
• Use a standard font size (e.g. 12pt) and black font colour,
• Keep your writing professional throughout and avoid the use of informal language,
• Write in the first person,
• Address your motivation letter to a named person such as the project supervisor, however, this could also be the person in charge of research admissions,
• Structure your letter into paragraphs using the guidance above, such as introduction, academic history, motivation for research, and concluding remarks.

How Long Should a Motivation Letter Be?

A good rule of thumb for PhD motivation letters is to keep it to around one side of A4. A little longer than one page is acceptable, but two pages is generally considered too long. This equates to approximately 400-600 words.

Things to Avoid when Writing Your Motivational Letter

Your motivational letter will only be one of the several documents you’ll be asked to submit as part of your PhD application. You will almost certainly be asked to submit an Academic CV as well. Therefore, be careful not to duplicate any of the information.

It is acceptable to repeat the key points, such as what and where you have studied. However, while your CV should outline your academic background, your motivation letter should bring context to it by explaining why you have studied what you have, and where you hope to go with it. The simplest way to do this is to refer to the information in your CV and explain how it has led you to become interested in research.

Don’t try to include everything. A motivation letter should be short, so focus on the information most relevant to the programme and which best illustrates your passion for it. Remember, the academic committee will need to be critical in order to do their jobs effectively , so they will likely interpret an unnecessarily long letter as in indication that you have poor written skills and cannot communicate effectively.

You must be able to back up all of your statements with evidence, so don’t fabricate experiences or overstate your skills. This isn’t only unethical but is likely to be picked up by your proposed PhD supervisor or the admissions committee.

Whilst it is good to show you have an understanding of the field, don’t try to impress the reader with excessive use of technical terms or abbreviations.

PhD Motivation Letter Samples – A Word of Caution

There are many templates and samples of motivation letters for PhDs available online. A word of caution regarding these – although they can prove to be a great source of inspiration, you should refrain from using them as a template for your own motivation letter.

While there are no rules against them, supervisors will likely have seen a similar letter submitted to them in the past. This will not only prevent your application from standing out, but it will also reflect poorly on you by suggesting that you have put minimal effort into your application.

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• Graduate School

How to Write a PhD Motivation Letter with Samples and Expert Tips

Reading over some PhD motivation letter samples will give you an idea of how to make yours a strong, central component of your application to get into grad school . In addition to your grad school CV , a PhD motivation letter is a chance for you to demonstrate objectively why you are an excellent candidate for the faculty to which you are applying. Unlike a personal statement, a PhD motivation letter is distinct in its unique focus on your academic and research background with little mention of your personal story. This article will take you through the significance of the PhD motivation letter, describe what makes a stellar motivation letter, and provide examples. 

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 11 min read

Do you need to write a phd motivation letter .

Yes, you must write a PhD motivation letter. It is mandatory for most, if not all, PhD programs, regardless of your field of study. Disciplines ranging from arts and humanities to physics and computer science all consider motivation letters (aka “statement of purpose” in some countries) a major component of your application.

Of course, you will also have to fulfill the other documentation requirements, like submitting your transcripts, CV, personal statement, and letters of recommendation, but a motivation letter has a specific intent: to summarize your academic achievements up to the present and what you plan to achieve in the future at this particular school.

The faculty who ultimately consider your application look for how you and your PhD topic match with the mission and values of their program. Personal details and other motivations are best left to your personal statement or letter of intent because the motivation letter is strictly an academic summary.

A great PhD motivation letter should highlight how and why you are prepared for the rigors of PhD-level work. It should include the details of your academic career that have propelled you further into your field of study, like an inspiring professor or undergraduate course that sparked interest in your field.

The following list will provide more insights, but you should remember that whatever you write must be backed up by a concrete, real-world demonstration. It is not enough to say, “I am interested in XYZ because of XYZ.” You must include specific events in your undergraduate and graduate studies where you excelled.

If you are applying for a PhD, that in itself suggests you have a bevy of academic and extracurricular experience to glean from, be it co-authoring a published paper, your time as a TA, or some type of academic recognition. Many stand-out motivation letters single out specific instances when you showed an outsized passion for your studies.

Dos and Don’ts in a PhD Motivation Letter

1. Gain Skills and Experiences

The track to obtaining a PhD degree is a long one, which is why anyone who wants to become a PhD should commit early on to what it entails. All PhD candidates must have both an undergraduate and a master's degree to even apply, so that means structuring your studies around those requirements.

You should gain as much experience in your field, learn new skills related to your studies (a new language, for example, or technical skills), and participate in as many extracurricular activities as possible. Gathering the necessary skills and experiences to enter a PhD program should be the first step, since they are a reflection of your commitment.

2. Start Writing Early

You should begin drafting your PhD motivation letter at least a few months before the deadline. Because it is one of the most important parts of your application, you want to give yourself time to refine it. Refining means going through multiple drafts, soliciting and receiving feedback from other candidates, getting professional grad school application help, and making changes as you go along.

3. Consider Your Audience

The people who will read your motivation letter are renowned academics who have devoted their lives to one particular subject. Your letter needs to reflect your respect not only for them, but for the field of study that you both share. You should write with genuine verve when talking about your topic. Remind them of why they committed so full-heartedly to their career by demonstrating how enthralled you are with your studies.

4. Use Active Voice

You should put “you” in your story. Avoid using the passive voice and hiding behind your achievements as if they spoke for themselves. The admissions committee members want to read about how you approached your studies and learn about your insights into the future of your field of interest. They do not want a cold recitation of your CV but a spirited defense or explanation of what you value most about your topic.

1. Don’t Forget About the Formatting

PhD admission requirements differ between the many programs out there, so be cognizant of how they ask you to format your paper. If the requirements state a two-page limit, then write two pages. The same goes for other criteria like font size, paragraph spacing, and word length. A rambling, incoherent letter is the last thing you want to submit, so make sure to keep it within the guidelines.

2. Don’t Include Personal Stories

A personal statement is the place for formative stories from the past, not your motivation letter. You can include personal thoughts and opinions about your field of study, even unfavorable ones, to show you have a unique perspective, but steer clear of using personal elements like early childhood experiences or anything unrelated to your program.

3. Don’t Ramble

Keep in mind that your writing and organizational skills are also on display when you submit your motivation letter, along with everything else about you (grades, college letter of intent , transcripts). Again, remember who you are writing for: professors with years of experience researching and writing. They, more than anyone, know what good writing looks like, so be concise and clear in your writing.

4. Don’t Shy Away from Failures

The collected experience of those reading your essay guarantees that they know a thing or two about failure. Whether it was an unpublished paper, or a failed experiment, showing your determination in the face of adversity paints a complete picture of who you are as a researcher and academic.

But, again, setbacks in your personal life should not be mentioned. Limit your story to problems you encountered during your undergrad, graduate, or research fellowships and how you sought to overcome them. Mention a class or subject you struggled with or a drop in your grades and how you improved them.

Structure of Your PhD Motivation Letter

The structure of a great motivation letter is easy to follow because its focus is so narrow. The body of your letter should only mention highlights from your academic career, in a very specific chronology starting with your undergrad and progressing from there. But the structure should also cover three main points:

You can adjust the structure based on the requirements of the PhD program you are applying to, but it should cover the reasons you want to commit yourself to this program, what you plan on achieving, and how you have prepared yourself to accomplish those goals. If you already went to grad school, then you can rework your college statement of purpose to use as a template.

PhD Motivation Letter Sample #1

Dear Members of the PhD Selection Committee,

My name is David White, and I am writing to you to express my interest in pursuing a PhD in the Migration Studies program at X University. I recently completed a Master of Ethnography at Y University with an emphasis on the cultural exchange between migrant communities and their adopted homelands viewed through the lens of shared trauma and memory.

In the media, migration is often described as a “crisis,” a designation that has always made me bristle. I assert that migration is one of the most fundamental aspects of our species, yet it has been flagrantly mislabeled to serve the political and socioeconomic interests of a few.

My research is centered around the ways that migrants form new identities based on their experiences. Conversely, I have also explored how an innate identity based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation impacts a migrant’s journey and how those markers expose them to further exploitation or, at the other end, fortify their resolve and inspire perseverance in the face of tremendous odds.

The need for further investigation into identity and the interplay of migration and culture came into focus for me during my second-year undergrad Political Science degree at XYZ University. I was influenced by the work of writers like Franz Fanon and Edward Said, who questioned the foundations of a post-colonial identity and whether it was ever possible for colonized people to form an identity separate from their colonizers. I took an anthropology course, The Nature of Humans, that impacted me greatly. It prompted a Cartesian examination of my own beliefs around identity, as it firmly associated the emergence of human societies with factors such as migration, evolution, adaptability, and diversity.

During my time as a graduate student, I secured a place on a research project headed by Prof. Mohamed Al-Nasseri, a diaspora studies expert. Professor Al-Nasseri's thesis was that policymakers were ignoring the psychological profiles of migrants when assessing their material needs and financial assistance levels.

Our four-person investigative team liaised with a local, non-profit resettlement agency who connected us with volunteer migrant families based in University Town. Under the supervision of Professor Al-Nasseri, we formulated a questionnaire based on the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-V for traumatic events, while taking into account the newly revised definitions.

Mindful of the possible triggering effect our questions could have, we invited a peer, fellow survivor/migrant, and, in some cases, a religious leader before we conducted the interviews or to sit-in on our interviews.

During the interviews, I felt both inspired and indignant. I maintained my composure and objectivity, but the fire within raged. Unfortunately, our findings were inconclusive and what we discovered in our interviews did not wholly support Dr. Al-Nasseri’s thesis. But the experience and motivation I took from the project were enough to fuel my desire to explore the topic of identity formation in migrant communities who have undergone severe trauma.

The Migration Studies program at your institution will provide what I consider the perfect research and support network to further my investigation of these topics. I have followed the work of the esteemed Dr. Ellerman whose research into the treatment of post-traumatic stress has informed the direction of my own research. Dr. Ellerman has opened new pathways for thinking about trauma that I wish to incorporate into my thesis project when the time comes.

Until then, I am grateful for the opportunity to apply to this institution and am ready to discuss my future with you should my candidacy prove successful.

David White

My name is Melanie Hicks, and I am writing this letter to fulfill the admission requirements of the Visual Arts PhD Program at Z University. I have already submitted my audiovisual portfolio, CV, and transcripts, along with three letters of recommendation from, respectively, my master’s degree supervisor, Dr. Dana Redmond, my thesis supervisor, Dr. Allan Lee, and my research colleague, Mark Fowler.

I would like to take this opportunity to expand further on the conceptual themes I have focused on in my artistic output over the past decade, contextualize the pieces I have submitted, and elaborate on the goals I have should my application to this program be successful.

My artistic career, from very early on, has been defined by modes of observation, the interplay of observation and reflection between subjects and objects within a sociopolitical realm, and the harnessing of Blackness as a form of radical self-interpretation – all of it couched within the media of still and moving images.

During my undergrad as a Fine Arts student at X University, I was lucky enough to be showcased at the Kepler Gallery for my series, Painted Faces, a collection of photographs I took while working as a freelance photographer for an independent newspaper in Chicago. My focus in that series was the effort and preparation female congregants of an all-Black church put into readying themselves for Sunday services.

After my undergrad, I traveled to Boston to volunteer in local after-school programs with children from minority backgrounds who had an interest in photography. All of them had grown up with easy access to a phone capable of taking crisp, digital images and had never taken film photographs, so it fell to me to show them how to develop prints in a darkroom.

As part of my portfolio, I have submitted photos I took during that time, along with selections from my Painted Faces series. I never constructed a specific narrative with the photos I took during my volunteer work, but they were informed by the social realist photographers and photojournalists who captured the Civil Rights Movement by participating in protests and documenting the unrest.

Gordon Parks is a major influence and part of the reason I am pursuing my PhD studies at this institution. Prof. Alys is a foremost expert on Parks’ work and curated the Parks Retrospective at the Local Museum. Parks himself said that the subject was always more important than the photographer, and I agreed with that statement for a long time, until I began reading Arthur Danto and his artist-centered philosophy of art. While many disagree with Danto’s definition of art as an elitist utopia, I would argue that he opens the gates to everyone, and that anyone can gain entry to the “artworld.”

There is no better exemplar, I think, of the democratization of the “artworld” first posited by Danto than Basquiat, who was not only “allowed” access to the “artworld” but redefined it, in his indomitable way. Basquiat’s quality of outsider-turned-insider and Danto’s liberating of the parameters of what defined art are central themes of my project to understand whether “outsider” artists still exist, given how new technologies and platforms have pushed Danto’s definitions beyond their logical boundaries, if not obliterated them completely.

I hope this program can help me refine my project while matching my urgency to further expand the definition of art and artists to be more inclusive of not only racial minorities, but non-binary and trans people, who are at the forefront of questioning the validity of assigned identities through the curation of their very genders or lack thereof.

I am grateful to this esteemed panel for considering my application, and I would like to close by expressing my profound admiration for the achievements in art, art theory, and the philosophy of art each of you has contributed to a long, continuing train of thought.

I would be honored to accept a place beside you as a PhD candidate.

Melanie Hicks

Motivation letters are used in areas other than academia, but a PhD motivation letter is different for several reasons. Regardless of your particular field of research, the letter should include important points about your academic achievements, research interests, and why you want to continue your research at the faculty to which you are applying.

Even though PhD motivation letters tend to be short – between 500 and 700 words – their length is often the most vexing thing about them. Because students have a hard time condensing their years of study and research into a few words, we hope this article will help you focus your writing and give you insight into what to include.

No, they are not the same. A motivation letter has many different applications but is primarily a summary of your academic and professional achievements. A personal statement is an essay explaining your personal reasons for wanting to enter a specific profession or academic institution.

You should focus only on concrete, real-world examples of how you performed, learned, or grew as the result of an event in your trajectory toward a PhD and how you plan on contributing something new to your field of study. You should also make sure to have enough material, in the form of experience or academic goals, to write a compelling letter.

PhD motivation letters are important because they let prospective PhD candidates distill their background and experience succinctly, so that selection committees can more easily judge their character, commitment, and potential. 

Some people do find it challenging to write a letter about themselves without rambling or sounding incoherent. But if you prepare ahead of time, think honestly about your answer, and write several drafts, you should be able to write an above-average letter. If you are still struggling you can also get application help from professionals. 

Programs tend to ask for either a one or two-page letter, between 700 and 900 words. 

You can talk about anything that has do to with your past work to get to the PhD level, including aspects of your academic career, internships, independent or supervised research, fieldwork in a specific context, and any work experience you have related to your field of study. 

You should not mention any personal motivations for wanting to pursue a PhD. You can write about your intrinsic motivations to become a doctor of philosophy in your personal statement, if you are asked to submit one with your application. 

PhD programs around the world have various entry requirements that differ among schools. Some institutions ask for a motivation letter, while others ask for a personal statement or letter of recommendation and letter of intent, which has elements of a motivation letter but is not the same. 

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• Uncategorized

How to Write a Successful PhD Motivation Letter

Table of Contents Hide

What are phd motivation letters, understanding the key components of a phd motivation letter, initiating your phd motivation letter, do your research, aim for clarity and conciseness, connect your background and experience, show your research potential, demonstrate your connection to the program, be authentic, effective conclusion for your phd motivation letter, ideal length of a phd motivation letter, formatting the phd motivation letter, common mistakes to avoid in phd motivation letter writing, writing a successful phd motivation letter.

When you are applying to a PhD program, one of the requirements is likely to be a motivation letter. This letter is similar to a personal statement in which you will describe reasons why you want to pursue the degree and explain why you should be accepted into the program.

A well-written motivation letter for a PhD can easily become a deciding admissions factor. If you are competing against hundreds of applicants, your letter should help you stand out from the crowd.

No matter what your specialization is or the type of program you’ve chosen, you need to learn how to write a motivation letter for a PhD. Otherwise, your application may not look as persuasive as it could.

Let’s dive deeper into writing a successful motivation letter for your PhD studies.

PhD motivation letters are also known as statements of purpose or personal statements. While not all PhD programs require applicants to submit these letters, writing one can improve your chances of getting accepted.

A motivation letter gives you a priceless opportunity to speak directly to the admissions committee and explain why you are the top candidate. In this letter, you won’t just express your motivation, list research interests, and show yourself in the best possible light. You will demonstrate your commitment to studies and your mastery of words.

While the admissions committee already knows all about your credentials, they want to get to know you as a person. In this letter, you will be showing your passion for getting a PhD in a specific niche.

Interestingly enough, the Ph.D. motivation letter isn’t just a way to conquer the committee members’ hearts. It’s an opportunity to look deeper into what you really want. By writing and reading this statement, you can gain unexpected insight into what’s best for your professional future.

The structure and content of a motivation letter aren’t always the same. Each university may have a list of requirements. So, you won’t be able to write one letter and use it for each program you apply to. However, you can create a framework that makes writing several letters easier.

Here is what a general PhD motivation letter should include:

• Introduction – a short introductory paragraph or two that catches the reader’s attention and explains what the letter will be about.
• Research interests – a list and a brief explanation of your research interests, specific research questions, and topics you plan to explore during your PhD  studies.
• Academic background – you can add a short summary of your academic background (degrees, coursework, research experience, publications)
• Motivation – this is the most important part of the letter. You need to be clear about your motivation for pursuing a PhD in general and the reasons why this program is the perfect fit for your needs. This section must reflect your passion and enthusiasm.
• Goals – briefly explain what your long-term career goals are and mention how obtaining a PhD  within this program can help you achieve them. Your ambition and commitment must shine through the words.

While the university may provide some requirements that can help you structure your motivation letter, the majority of it is your own creativity. Keep in mind that you aren’t just sharing cold facts but showcasing your personality.

In most cases, the introduction is the most important part of your PhD  motivation letter. While the committee is likely to read the entire letter anyway, if you don’t catch their attention immediately, they might simply skim through it.

Always begin with a compelling opening sentence. Consider using a thought-provoking statement or a curious question related to your potential field of study. For example, “My unwavering fascination with the intricate workings of the human brain is the power behind my passion for forensic psychology.”

Next state your purpose for writing the letter and your intention to apply for the specific program. Make sure to immediately highlight your enthusiasm, motivation, and genuine interest in pursuing the subject matter.

For example, “The opportunity to go further into the subject of forensic psychology and contribute to the advancements in the criminal landscape fills me with immense excitement and determination.”

How to Structure the Motivation Letter for PhD

Once you finish the introduction, you can go on to the body of the letter, which should include research interests, academic background, motivation, and goals. Here are a few important tips that can help you make the most out of this structure.

Understanding how to write a motivation letter for Ph.D. studies begins with in-depth research about the program. While you’ve probably done a lot of browsing online already, you’ve been mainly focusing on the way the program meets your needs.

Now, you need to do similar research from a different perspective. Ask yourself, “How do I meet the needs of the program?” The answer can help you make the right statements within your letter.

The admissions committee has to go through hundreds of documents and letters. A long letter with complex and confusing sentences is likely to cause frustration. This is exactly what you need to avoid.

Don’t include any unnecessary details or lengthy explanations. Just share the facts wrapped in positive emotions. If you manage to demonstrate your passion without boring the reader, you can stand out from the crowd.

Make sure to highlight all relevant academic, and especially, research experience. List and discuss projects or publications that demonstrate your knowledge. Talk about how the experience, whether professional or educational, has shaped your research interests. This is a great place to explain where your motivation comes from.

You need to demonstrate to the admissions committee your immense potential to excel in research. Here, you have to show that you possess the necessary critical thinking abilities and problem-solving solving skills. List research methodologies you have experience with.

Explain why this Ph.D. program is a good fit for your research goals. Discuss faculty members whose work aligns with your research (here is where your research will prove highly useful). Make sure to single out at least one unique opportunity that attracts you to the program. Show that you’ve done your homework and know exactly what you are applying for.

While it may be tempting to ask for assistance or use ChatGPT, outsourcing your motivation letter isn’t a good idea. An important part of the letter is demonstrating your own voice. You are the only one who can do it genuinely. Try to avoid any generic statements. Inject each sentence with passion and desire to achieve your educational goals.

The conclusion is the final impression you make on the reader. This is something they are likely to remember you by. Make sure to summarize the points you’ve made in the letter succinctly. This will serve as a reminder.

Next, talk about your goals for the future. Don’t try to share all of your educational and professional plans here. One strong goal is sufficient and easy to fit into a short conclusion.

Finally, express your gratitude to the program for the opportunity to apply and eagerness to hear from the committee soon.

Close the letter with “sincerely” or “best regards” and your full name. Don’t forget to provide your contact details.

The school of your choice is likely to define the length of your motivation letter for PhD. Usually, it’s between 500 and 1,000 words. However, even if the program doesn’t try to limit your writing, it doesn’t mean you have to go “all out.” The ideal letter should fit into one page. The font size shouldn’t be larger than 12 pt.

The font itself must be easy to read. Opt for Times New Roman or Arial. Avoid fancy fonts that can frustrate the reader.

Your motivation letter should contain several short paragraphs. Don’t make them longer than five lines. Otherwise, you could lose the reader’s attention.

Start your letter with “With whom it may concern.” Even if you know the names of the people on the admissions committee, you can never be sure which one of them will be reading the letter.

These common mistakes can hinder the quality of your letter:

• Grammatical and spelling errors
• Using generic or cliché statements
• Lack of clarity
• Overly lengthy explanations
• Failing to tailor the letter to the program’s requirements
• Lack of focus on the research interests and goals
• Failing to demonstrate genuine passion and enthusiasm
• Lack of understanding of the program
• Irrelevant or unnecessary information
• Poor organization of the letter

Many of these mistakes can easily be avoided by proofreading. Besides reading the letter several times yourself, ask someone else to do it. A fresh perspective or two can help you create a truly effective piece.

A PhD motivation letter is a wonderful opportunity to stand out from the crowd and get into the PhD program of your choice, even if you don’t meet the admissions requirements perfectly. It’s a chance to express your passion for studies and demonstrate your fit for the program.

Following a few simple formatting rules and keeping the letter authentic can help you achieve the desired admissions goals. Good luck!

PHD in Economics, Associate Professor, Department of Business Process Management, Faculty of Market Technologies IOM

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Tips for Writing a Successful Motivation Letter for Ph.D. [+Sample]

How To Write a Motivation Letter For Ph.D. Application [+Sample]

Ph.D. applications are not just sorted out in the same way as any other random application. There are processes involved without which your chances of getting in might be truncated.

If you’ve been considering applying for a Ph.D. then this post is especially directed at you. A motivation letter as used in the case of a Ph.D. application can be much likened to a Personal statement.

There is a need to know if you’re truly qualified to do a Ph.D. while writing an application to a school, so the motivation letter is the perfect insight into who you really are and they expect you to do it justice.   

• An introduction which should state in clear terms which program you are applying for.
• A Summary of your Academic Background.
• Why do you want to do a Ph.D.?
• The significance of your research on society.
• Your career plans.

Avoid Making Spurious Claims

It is quite easy to get lost while writing a motivation letter and forget that motivation cannot be achieved without the necessary evidence to back it up.

Nobody’s really interested in how awesome you are while writing a motivation letter, no offense but anybody can look good on paper but without the proper evidence to back it up, they wouldn’t be any motivation.

For Example, it is very common to see people write; “I work well with other people, or I am an expert at working under pressure”. Well, it is not a cover letter , it’s a motivation letter and you need to give realistic scenarios such as; “my leadership ability was demonstrated when I had to be in charge of a group of colleagues during my internship which required intense marketing management skills.”

Try As Much As Possible to Be Specific

It is equally very important to avoid being vague while writing your motivation letter. The reason why you’re required to write a motivation letter is that someone or some people have to know, if not you wouldn’t have to attempt one.

Saying that your undergraduate days in Marketing was very interesting is too vague to fit into a motivational letter, it sounds like something that should rather be written to a pen friend. You should be more specific about the courses you took as an undergraduate, why you love them and what you learned from them.

Show How Much Skill or Work Experience You Have

While writing a motivational letter, it is very important to concisely include how much skill and/or working experience you possess. A Ph.D. is about more than just a sequel to your past academic endeavors, it is a true test of education and education is more than just owning degrees.

They will be interested in the skills and/or work experience you’ve gathered over the years, skills which are strong enough to make you qualified to bag a Ph.D. That research, data analysis, etc. skills you thought you’d never have to flaunt, well I think this would be a perfect opportunity to talk about them.

Be Professional

It is equally quite important that you are very professional while writing a motivation letter for a Ph.D. application . It will be in your own best interest to ensure that you present your motivation letter with professional grammar, font and the appropriate writing style in which you’d rather prefer to be accepted.

Your professionalism sends a good message about your personality and would go a long way into helping you get accepted. 

Sample Motivation Letter for a Ph.D. Application

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Cover Letter for PhD Application: Guide for Writing One & Example From a Real PhD Student

• Klara Cervenanska , 
• Updated March 27, 2023 9 min read

When applying for a PhD research position, you usually need to submit certain documents, including an academic CV and a cover letter for PhD application .

A PhD cover letter, also referred to as an academic cover letter, should be carefully crafted, well-formatted, and contain specific sections.

We'll show you how to do exactly that, along with a sample of an academic cover letter from a real person admitted to a PhD program at Lyon University in France.

And if you're not sure how to go about writing your PhD CV, check out this article: CV for PhD Application: How to Write One Like a True Scholar (+CV Example) .

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is an academic cover letter?

What to include in a cover letter for phd application, how to write a cover letter for phd application, how to format an academic cover letter, phd cover letter sample.

An academic cover letter is a document that PhD candidates submit alongside their academic CV when applying for a PhD. 

Essentially, it's a cover letter for a PhD application.

It's not exactly the same as your regular business cover letter. Nor is it the same as a personal statement or a motivation letter .

The purpose of a cover letter for PhD application is to explain to the reader, who's likely a researcher or a professor, what you can contribute to their institution and/or field.

Moreover, in a PhD application cover letter, you should explain why you're a good match for the research position on the program.

Differences between academic cover letter and business cover letter

Both these documents serve different purposes and people use them in different settings:

• Academic cover letter is used when applying for positions in academia — most often for a PhD. More emphasis should be on education, research background and scholarly accomplishments. Moreover, it should explain what your contribution to the institution or field could be. It should also point the reader to your academic CV.
• Regular (business) cover letter is normally used when applying for any kind of job . Hence, more emphasis should be on skills and past experience while being tailored to a specific job position. You should also explain why you're a good fit for the position at the given company. It should point the reader to your resume.

There are also other documents people often mistake for an academic cover letter. These include:

• Motivation letter is especially relevant for fresh graduates when applying to a university, a non-profit organization, or voluntary work. A motivation letter focuses more on your interests and motives for applying.
• Personal statement. Also used in an academic setting. It's always written by an applicant, often a prospective student, applying to college, university, or graduate school. You explain why you've chosen a particular course and why you'd be good at it. Other names include a statement of purpose or a letter of intent .

Like every cover letter, an academic one also needs to include specific elements and content sections. These are:

• Header. Here, provide your contact information, such as your name, address, phone number, and email in the header of the document.
• Formal salutation. In an official letter like this one, you should address the reader in a professional and formal way. If you know who'll be reading your cover letter, go with Dear Dr. [Surname] or Dear Professor [Surname] . If you don't, go with Dear Sir/Madam .
• The specific PhD program or position. Clearly state in your letter which research position you're applying for or the name of the PhD program. A cover letter is usually read before a CV, so you need to make sure everything is clear.
• Your motivation. Explain why you're interested in the specific PhD position — it's one of the key elements you should include.
• Your academic background. Now, we don't mean you should list in detail every single university course you ever took. Instead, focus on the most relevant course for the PhD and describe in detail what you learned, any projects you worked on, why it was interesting (and optionally, what knowledge gap you identified). In this way, you also show a certain level of understanding of the field.
• Your ambition. Briefly mention what your ambitions, intentions, and plans are regarding your contribution to the field when securing your PhD position. How is your research going to enrich the field? How will the institution benefit from it?
• Conclusion. Keep the conclusion short. Contrary to a regular cover letter ending , there's no place for reiterating everything here. Simply thank the reader for your consideration and prompt them to read your academic CV.
• Formal sign-off. Just pick from the usual: Sincerely, Respectfully, Regards... Then throw in your full name in the following line.

And that's all you need to include!

Now, let's take a look at how to write your cover letter step-by-step.

Applying for a PhD will be a lot less stressful if you follow these tips on how to write a cover letter for a research position:

Consider researching the background of the organization, department, ongoing research projects, and their past and current projects. All that before you start writing your cover letter. Knowing these things will help you tailor your letter to the specific PhD opening.

Before you actually start writing, try to sit down and take a moment to think first. Assess how your past experiences helped you prepare for the PhD position and scribble down those that are most relevant and significant for the specific program. These include any research experiences, research projects, courses, or internships.

In the first few sentences of your letter, you need to convey some basic information about yourself and what specific position you're applying for. The opening should also state firmly why you're a strong candidate for the position/program, by using a persuasive and convincing wording. Here's an example: "As an MChem Chemistry graduate with a narrow focus on the sustainable synthesis of biologically active molecules from the University of Dundee, I am excited to apply to a "Synthesis Of Small Molecule Inhibitors Using Enzymes" PhD programme at an institution with such a strong foundation and numerous research groups in this field."

This is the place where you may explore more extensively on the educational journey that brought you here. Set the foundation for demonstrating how your Master's degree and research experience seamlessly translate into the next phase — the PhD program. Emphasize how your thesis contributes to the field's body of knowledge. Mention any other publications that support your thesis. And, if you can, identify any knowledge gaps or topics that can be explored further.

This paragraph provides the opportunity to neatly tie in together everything the reader has learned about you so far. You can show how your previous experience, coupled with what you'll learn during the PhD program, will come together to produce something novel to enrich the field. First, identify the courses or topics within the PhD program that interest you the most and how they relate to you developing your research further. Second, introduce your future research aspirations and goals. Third, point out how this future work will enrich the field and what will the intellectual merit be.

When ending your PhD cover letter, briefly refer your reader to your academic CV and encourage them to examine all of the remaining projects, courses, publications, or references . Finally, thank the reader for their time and consideration and let them know you look forward to hearing from them. Sign off.

Put the letter in a drawer and don't think about it for a day or two. Then, when you read it again, you'll have a fresh pair of eyes to see the cover letter in a new light. Maybe you decide some things are redundant, or you think of something that's more relevant. Or you know, find a typo here and there.

Just like an academic cover letter needs to contain certain content components, the formatting should also align with the structural expectations for this type of document.

How long should a cover letter be? How to finish a cover letter? And what about the cover letter font and spacing?

Here's a recommended academic cover letter format:

• Length. While STEM PhD candidates should aim for half a page to one page, humanities candidates can do 1–2 pages.
• Font. Use one of the classics: Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial. Just no Comic Sans, we beg you. Keep the size between 10–12 points. Also remember to keep the text clean — no underlining, no bolding, and no color. However, you can use italics if appropriate.
• Spacing. Cover letter spacing isn't complicated. Just single-space your text, make sure there's a space between each paragraph, and leave a space between the concluding paragraph and your formal sign-off.
• Margins. The only rule here is that the margins on your cover letter should match those on your CV.
• Consistence with your CV. Your academic cover letter should match your academic CV in all formatting aspects — including the cover letter font and spacing. For example, Kickresume lets you choose a matching template for your CV and your cover letter, so no need to worry about this.

If the institution provided any instructions for formatting your academic cover letter, don’t get creative and follow their guidelines.

Finally, to help you tie everything we talked about together, here's a cover letter sample from a real person admitted to a PhD program at Lyon University in France.

These things ensured Herrera's cover letter was successful:

• She clearly states her motivation in the opening. In the first two paragraphs, Herrera introduces herself and her motivation to apply for the given PhD program.
• She describes educational and research background thoroughly. The main body of the letter is dedicated to describing Herrera's educational background, research projects, internships, and skills acquired throughout the way.
• She presents research aspirations in the letter. Herrera writes: "I have a history of proven results and profound findings. Given opportunity, I’m confident in my abilities to earn similar ground-breaking results while being part of your team."

Even though this example lacks some of the key elements, such as mentioning the specific PhD program or identifying the topics within the PhD program that interest her the most, this PhD cover letter still managed to impress the University of Lyon.

Lyon University PhD Student Cover Letter Sample

Klara graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. After having written resumes for many of her fellow students, she began writing full-time for Kickresume. Klara is our go-to person for all things related to student or 'no experience resumes'. At the same time, she has written some of the most popular resume advice articles on this blog. Her pieces were featured in multiple CNBC articles. When she's not writing, you'll probably find her chasing dogs or people-watching while sipping on a cup of coffee.

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Motivation letter for Ph.D. applications | Crafting an essential guide

A well-crafted motivation letter for a ph.d. program is a powerful tool that can enhance your chances of admission. it is your opportunity to showcase your qualifications, express your passion, and demonstrate your suitability for the program. continue reading to learn more, table of contents, crafting a compelling motivation letter for a ph.d. application, understanding the purpose of a motivation letter, research the program, structure your letter, academic background, research interests and goals, personal motivation, be concise and specific, showcase your abilities, address potential weaknesses, tailor your letter for each application, proofread and edit, maintain a formal tone, show confidence, not arrogance, seek professional guidance, follow application instructions, key takeaways.

Applying for a Ph.D. program is a significant step in one’s academic journey, and the motivation letter plays a pivotal role in the application process. Also known as a statement of purpose, personal statement, or letter of intent, this formal document is your opportunity to convince the admissions committee that you are a suitable candidate. This blog will walk you through the key elements of writing an effective motivation letter for Ph.D. applications.

Before delving into the specifics of creating an effective motivation letter, it’s crucial to understand its purpose. The motivation letter summarizes your academic achievements, experiences, and the Ph.D. program you’re applying to. Its primary function is to demonstrate your qualifications, convey your enthusiasm, and provide the admissions committee with insights into your character and ambitions.

Begin your motivation letter by demonstrating your genuine interest in the Ph.D. program. Research the university, the department, and the specific project or study area you want to be a part of. Explain why you chose this program, citing specific faculty members, research projects, or resources aligning with your academic goals.

A well-structured motivational letter is more likely to make a positive impression. Start with a formal salutation and introductory paragraph that clearly states your purpose in writing the letter. The body of your letter should be divided into three main sections-

In this section, discuss your academic achievements, highlighting your most relevant coursework, research experiences, and any publications or presentations. Clearly articulate your academic qualifications and how they have prepared you for the Ph.D. program.

Share your research interests, your passion for your chosen field, and how they align with the program you’re applying for. Discuss any prior research experiences and the potential contributions you could make to the department. Show that you’ve thought about your future contributions to the field.

Convey your personal motivations, such as your long-term career aspirations, why you are passionate about the field, and how the program will help you achieve your goals. You can also discuss how the specific program aligns with your values and ambitions.

Admissions committees receive numerous applications, so your motivation letter must be concise and specific. Avoid vague or generic statements and instead provide concrete examples of your accomplishments, experiences, and ambitions. Highlight unique aspects of your background and avoid using overly technical or jargon-filled language.

Your motivation letter should demonstrate how you are a perfect fit for the program. Highlight your alignment with the department’s research areas, values, and goals. Discuss how your interests match the research interests of faculty members or ongoing projects , and clarify that you’ve thoroughly researched the program.

If you have any weaknesses in your application, such as a lower GPA or a gap in your academic history, address them honestly and briefly. Use this as an opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the weakness and how you have grown or learned from them.

While it may be tempting to use a template for multiple applications, it’s essential to customize each motivation letter for the specific program you’re applying to. Admissions committees can easily spot letters written with the help of a template as they lack a personal touch. Customizing your letter helps as it demonstrates your commitment to pursuing that university.

You should write an impeccable motivation letter that is well-structured and free from grammatical errors. Carefully proofread your letter and seek feedback from professors, colleagues, or mentors. Having multiple sets of eyes review your document is often beneficial to catch any overlooked mistakes.

The tone of your motivation letter should be formal, professional, and respectful. Avoid slang, informal language, or overly personal anecdotes. Address the recipient with proper titles and maintain respectful and formal language throughout the letter.

Confidence in your abilities is essential, but be cautious not to come across as arrogant. Instead of declaring your superiority, focus on your qualifications and how they make you a strong candidate.

If you’re unsure about your motivation letter, consider seeking guidance from professionals in your field or from your academic advisors. They can provide valuable insights and help you refine your letter to make it more compelling.

ensure that you follow the application instructions provided by the university. This includes adhering to any word or page limits, submission methods, and document formatting. Ignoring these details can negatively impact your application.

• A well-crafted motivation letter for Ph.D. is a powerful tool to enhance your chances of admission to a Ph.D. program.
• Understand the purpose of the motivation letter, which is to bridge your academic achievements, experiences, and your chosen Ph.D. program.
• Research the program thoroughly, demonstrating a genuine interest in the university, department, and specific research areas.
• Structure your letter with a formal salutation, an introductory paragraph, and four main sections. They are academic background, research interests and goals, and personal motivation.
• Maintain a formal and professional tone throughout the letter, avoiding informal language or arrogance. Seek professional guidance and feedback to refine your motivation letter.
• Follow all the instructions provided by the university to avoid any negative impact on your application.

Your feedback is important to us! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or to inquire about any specific questions or assistance with your academic pursuits. We would be delighted to help you.

Liked this blog? Read next: Cambridge University fees | Navigating tuition costs

Q1. What is the ideal length of a motivation letter to apply for a Ph.D. program?

Ans- While requirements can vary, a typical motivation letter for a Ph.D. application is one to two pages in length. Adhere to any word or page limits specified by the university.

Q2. Can I include my extracurricular activities or non-academic experiences in the motivation letter?

Ans- While the primary focus should be on your academic qualifications and motivations, you can briefly mention relevant extracurricular activities or non-academic experiences if they directly contribute to your suitability for the program.

Q3. Is there a recommended word count for a motivation letter?

Ans- Word count recommendations can vary, but a motivation letter for a Ph.D. application should typically be 500 to 1,000 words. Adhere to any word or page limits specified by the university.

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How to Write a Powerful Motivation Letter for PhD Program

An effective motivation letter assists the admissions board in distinguishing exceptional students from the rest of the pack. A motivation letter for a Ph.D. program helps the admissions board get a better sense of you than they will from your application. Hence, the design of the letter, its tone, and the level of interest suggested in the letter serve a crucial role.  Your goal is to stand out from other applicants.

When applying for a Postdoc or a Ph.D. program, you need to write a research proposal and a motivation letter. A motivation letter is a must for Ph.D. candidates. The letter elaborates on why you are the perfect candidate. We are going to give you some tips and structures to use as you write the motivation letter for your Ph.D. application.

At the end of the post, we will provide you with a sample to help guide you for your own motivation letter.

How to Write a Brilliant Motivation Letter for a Ph.D. Application

A motivation letter is very similar to a personal statement and a cover letter . All three documents explain and highlight your suitability for Ph.D. study when you are applying for a Ph.D. program. Typically, a cover letter would be for a job.  A motivation letter serves to show why you want to be part of the Ph.D. program and why you are a good candidate for it.

A motivation letter serves a fundamental role in the application process. It enables the admission board to evaluate several Ph.D. applicants with identical academic credentials and choose the perfect candidate and understand their inspiration for applying.

For the admission committee, academic credentials alone aren’t sufficient to showcase whether a learner will succeed in their doctorate program. A motivational letter enables them to understand an applicant’s enthusiasm, commitment, and appropriateness to the program, which better allows them to assess your capabilities.

How Should I Structure My Motivation Letter for a PhD

An outstanding motivation letter for Ph.D. admission will entail:

• A concise introduction disclosing which Ph.D. program you seek
• Your professional experience and educational background
• Major skills, experiences, and interests that you have and what makes you an outstanding candidate
• What drove you to apply
• Final remarks and thanks.

This is the most straightforward itemization of a complex document.

The above framework will ensure that you keep your motivation letter for the Ph.D. brief and pertinent to the position you are seeking. Bear in mind that the letter’s purpose showcases your zeal and commitment and that you are well-suited for the program.

To simplify writing down a motivation letter for a Ph.D. application, we have defined what your introduction, main body, and closing segments should entail.

Starting Your Motivation Letter

Introduction: Open with a concise introduction where you openly declare your intention of applying for a given program. Picture it as explaining to a stranger what the document is all about.

Education: Describe what you studied and give the institution’s name, your program of study, and the research that you have done.

You want to provide the admissions team with an understanding of your course of study to date.  Ideally, you can include any research, including publications that you have been a part of.  This will show that you have the experience, interest, and tenacity needed for a Ph.D. program and the research that goes with it.

Work Experience: Condense your professional experience. Bear in mind that you will probably be requested to present your motivational letter alongside your academic résumé. Hence, you are advised to keep the section brief to eradicate potential redundancy. Make sure you include any other important experiences, such as charity work, teaching roles, or non-academic ones that showcase your skills and eligibility to become a Ph.D. scholar.

Key Skills: Highlight your major skills. Keep in mind that the admissions board considers your eligibility for the given program you are seeking; thus, state skills important to the Ph.D. program.

Motivation for Applying: Display your zeal for the program, the research involved, and why you want it.  Elaborate on your long-term ambitions. Begin by stating how that particular course caught your eyes and how your hunger to learn more about the topic has increased. Don’t forget to state all the other things you have done that showcase your curiosity in your suggested study topic, for instance:

• Are you an experienced researcher?
• Have you taken part in any seminars or workshops?
• Are you conversant with the research field?
• Are there any aspects of the topic which you have taught yourself?
• Why this research?

Lastly, paint a picture for the admission board to help them understand what convinced you to commit the next half a decade to the program.

How to Conclude a Motivation Letter

Many people struggle with how to end a motivation letter . Normally, people can account for their academic credentials and why they desire to become part of the program.

A good way to conclude is with a summary of why you are a great candidate and an offer to discuss your candidacy.  It’s a good idea to provide your contact details so that a reader has them available.

Remember, getting admitted into a Ph.D. program is extremely competitive, and professors put a lot of work into mentoring their learners. Professors are naturally inclined to favor those who demonstrate the highest level of dedication. The conclusion must remind the admissions board that you are not only committed to the course, but the institution will greatly benefit from having you on board.

And lastly, thank the board for taking into account your application.

Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Admission Format

It is important to follow some basic guidelines when writing a motivation letter. The format mimics the report writing formats, which the professors are conversant with:

• Use a sans serif font, for example, Arial or Times New Roman.  It should look professional.  Nothing fancy. 
• Utilize a black standard font size. A 12-point font should work.  This makes it easy to read without being too large.
• Adhere to professionalism all the way through and avoid the use of informal language or colloquialisms.
• Write in the first person.
• Address the motivation letter for Ph.D. to a named individual.  If in doubt, you can use the person in charge of admissions.

The Length of a Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Admission

For Ph.D. motivation letters, the standard recommendation is to keep them to one page. These are busy people and they won’t spend a lot of time reading information. You want to make it as easy on them as possible. Keep your letter to one page, usually 3-5 paragraphs.

Tips for Writing a Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Admission

Below, we’ve stated the greatest tips for effectively writing a Ph.D. Motivation Letter. You want to keep these in mind as you write, review and edit your motivation letter:

Compose the Motivational Letter using a Professional Tone

It is crucial to add information in a motivation letter for a Ph.D. application professionally. It is in your best interest to write a letter with the right font, style, and grammar. Plus, doing this raises your odds of getting accepted into the program. Professionalism serves a crucial role in directing a great insight into your personality and lets you get acceptance.

Be Specific, Truthful, and Show Results

Where you can, the most powerful message is to show specific accomplishments, responsibilities and results.  This is true for research, academic achievements, or work or volunteer achievements.  Showing results demonstrates that you understand the impact of your effort and that the program can expect results from your work. 

This can be a powerful message.

Make sure that you can back up any accomplishments or experiences that you highlight.  It’s great to show accomplishments but the last thing you want to do is to create doubt about your honesty or your application. 

If you lack prior experience in carrying out Ph.D. tasks, this is alright – you are not expected to understand everything before you kick start the program. Nonetheless, you have to prove in your motivation letter for a Ph.D. that you can carry out this work. To achieve this, we advise that you concentrate on the expertise you possess – for example, writing, presentation, data analysis, etc. Attempt to illustrate how you have deployed these abilities in the past to indicate that you are well-prepared for the Ph.D. program.

Show Personality

The motivation letter must remain professional. Hence, steer clear of jokes and sarcasm. At the same time, it can be much more interesting to read, and much more powerful to show who you are in your writing.

Discuss your Future Plans and Your Interest s

Showing your passion and interest in the field of study can really make a difference in your admission.  Professors want someone who is interested in the work and the research.  You want to show how your background, goals, and passions fit into the work that you will be doing.

A great way to do this is to show why you are passionate about the research. Perhaps it means something to you personally or it’s a way that you can make a difference. Maybe you are just fascinated by the topic. Passion goes a long way if it’s genuine.

Check Your Spelling and Grammar

You are applying for an academic position.  You want a letter that doesn’t have any grammatical or spelling mistakes.  Even minor mistakes can make an admissions officer question your candidacy. Of course, use a spell checker. For something this important, a more robust spelling and grammar checker like Grammarly can be invaluable.

Additional Resources

We offer an editable version of the sample motivation letter for PhD program. You can download that here . It works with both Word and Google Docs and can help get you started on your own letter. 

If you need help writing your motivation letter, there is experienced help out there to help you.  Fiverr is a great resource for finding someone to help you write your motivation letter for your Ph.D. program.  There are a number of great freelancers there with experience writing motivational letters.  There are also freelancers on Fiverr who can help you with your research proposal. We’ve written a guide to help you get started using Fiverr.

If you decide that’s a good route for you, we’ve put together a guide to help you find the right freelancer for your needs.  They will help you get the motivation letter you need for that Ph.D. program.

Another great resource is Grammarly .  Grammarly is a spell-checking and grammar-checking tool that goes beyond anything you will find in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.  It will help you find misused words and common grammar mistakes.  That’s the free version!

The paid version of Grammarly is much richer and an amazing resource if you aren’t a natural writer or applying in a language that isn’t your primary language.  Grammarly will help you strike the right tone for your letter.  It points out grammar and stylistic problems and will often suggest improvements for your writing.  It’s a great resource for you when writing something as important as a motivation letter or application. 

A Sample Motivation Letter for a Ph.D. Program Application

Below is a sample motivation letter you can use to get started. Remember that this is to give you some ideas and the proper formatting. Do not use this letter or even change it for your information. It’s here to give you some ideas, but you must write your letter. You can download an editable version of this letter here .

Thank you and Good Luck!!!!

You can also download an Adobe Acrobat (pdf) version of the Motivation letter for Ph. D.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can my future plans and interests make a difference in a motivation letter for a ph.d..

Attitude is often as important as aptitude. Showing your passion for the area of research or having a personal tie can make a big difference in your selection.

Related posts:

• Crafting the Perfect Motivation Letter for Study Abroad
• Motivation Letter for Internship with Example
• Motivation Letter For Scholarship With Example
• Motivation Letter for University, College & School With Example

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How to Write a Motivation Letter for PhD Programs?

• Updated on  
• Apr 25, 2023

A successful motivation letter allows the admission committee of any institution to select students of excellent academic backgrounds. While applying for Ph.D. programs, a student has to submit a motivation letter that states why they wish to embark on that particular position and how appropriate they are to be studying in the chosen program. Ph.D. applications are not classified as any other random sample application. There are processes without which your chances of getting in may be reduced. For some institutions, academic qualifications are not enough to indicate whether a candidate is suitable for a Ph.D. In this sense, a Motivation Letter for Phd Programs are the perfect insight into who you really are. 

This Blog Includes:

How should you structure your motivation letter for ph.d., avoid false statements, be specific , include your skills and work experience , write in a professional manner , top things to be included in a motivation letter for ph.d. programs , sample of motivation letter for ph.d. programs , top ph.d. programs.

Ph.D. Scholarships in India

To write a strong motivation letter for Ph.D. applications you must include:

• A concise introduction that must state the program you are applying for,
• All about your academic background as well as professional work experience,
• You can include skills you possess that make you the ideal candidate,
• Your motivation and interest in applying for the program,
• Concluding remarks with thanks.

Tips for Writing a Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Programs 

Here are the best tips for acing your writing a motivation letter for Ph.D.:

While writing a Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Programs, candidates often forget to add necessary things in the letter. It is important to know that without adding important information the application wouldn’t stand out. For instance, candidates tend to write, “I work well with other people or I am good at working under pressure.” Well, this is not how you write in a motivation letter as you should provide some real examples like, “My leadership skills were demonstrated when I had to lead a group of colleagues during my internship, which required intensive marketing management ability.”

Avoid being vague and imprecise while writing a Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Programs. Be specific while putting information in the letter. For example, If you describe it as “My marketing days were very interesting in my undergraduate days”, it would be inappropriate to fit it into a motivation letter. It depicts a very informal manner of writing a letter. You should include specific details about the courses you took as an undergraduate student such as, what made you choose them and what you learned from them. 

In a motivation letter, it is essential to add the skills you possess and the work experience you have. A Ph.D. is more than a continuation of your previous academic endeavors, it is a real educational test, and education is more than obtaining degrees. A Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Programs become impressive when you write about the skills and experiences you possess over the years which are strong enough to make you a qualified Ph.D. candidate. You can flourish your research and analytical skills in a motivation letter. 

It is equally important to add information in a Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Programs professionally. It is in your own best interest to submit the motivation letter with an appropriate font, writing style, and professional grammar. This will ensure your chances of getting accepted into a Ph.D. program. Professionalism plays a vital role in sending a good insight into your personality and helps you gain acceptance. 

Benefits of Pursuing a Ph.D. after MBA

A Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Programs share similarities with a cover letter and a personal statement. All three documents describe your suitability for a Ph.D. program. However, as compared to a personal statement and cover letter, a motivation letter gives more precision to your motivation for wanting to pursue a Ph.D. 

• An introduction to the Ph.D. program: Begin with a brief introduction in clear terms that why you are applying for a particular Ph.D. program. Think of it as you telling it to a stranger. 
• A summary of your academic background: Focus on your educational background and state what you have studied here and where. It is important to highlight extra curriculums that were a part of your studies. Mention what made you interested in a Ph.D. program, especially if you are applying in the same field. In addition, summarize your professional work experience and include any relevant work experiences such as teaching roles, or charity work. 
• Reason to pursue a Ph.D.: Describe your long-term aspirations, and show your enthusiasm and passion for pursuing a Ph.D. program. You can also mention what made you interested in this field. You can also demonstrate your interest in proposed research topics such as the seminars you attended, research experience, and aspects of the subjects, and finally, specify what has convinced you to devote 3-4 years of your life to the research field. 
• The significant effect of your research on society and career goals: At the of your motivation letter, add a few sentences on the research’s impact on your life and the experience as a whole. It should conclude the new contributions it will make to your field, and how it benefits society and fits in with your aspirations. In addition, state your career goals, for example, do you want to become a researcher or pursue an academic career? This will enable the reader to judge you based on how passionate you are about pursuing a Ph.D. program. 

• Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship
• Ph.D. in Commerce
• Ph.D. in Accounting
• Ph.D. in Management
• Ph.D. in Economics
• Ph.D. in Commercial Law
• Ph.D. in Human Resource Management
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• Ph.D. in Marketing
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Ans: A motivation letter for the Ph.D. program should be 400-600 words.

Ans: Start with the introduction about yourself and the intent. Describe your experiences in the body of the letter.

Ans: A motivation letter is the exact same as a statement of purpose. You might hear colleges and companies use one or more of these letters.

This was all about Motivation Letters for Ph.D. Programs. We hope you find this insightful. Are you interested in making your career in Ph.D. abroad? Reach out to our Leverage Edu experts on 1800 57 2000 and we will help you in finding the best university.

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Motivation Letter for Ph.D.

Updated on 30 october, 2023.

upGrad Abroad Team

Upgrad abroad editorial team.

A motivation letter for Ph.D. is crucial since it is a way to convey the candidate’s personality, motivations, interests, and commitment to the admissions authorities. It is a vital part of the Ph.D. application process and should not be neglected. 

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Table of Contents

• Format of a Motivation Letter for Ph.D.

Tips for Writing a Successful Motivation Letter for Ph.D. Programs

Ph.d. motivation letter sample, format of a motivation letter for ph.d. .

There is no fixed format for a motivation letter for Ph.D. applications. However, here are some points that you must keep in mind. 

• Introduction- This should mention your purpose and the program being applied for. 
• Main Body- This should contain a summary of your educational background, your reasons for doing your PhD, and the importance of your research work. It should also include information on your future goals. 
• Conclusion- Sign off by reiterating your admission goals while thanking the admissions authorities for their time and consideration. 

You can check out a Ph.D. motivation letter sample PDF for more insights. Here are a few tips that can be of immense help: 

• Make genuine statements about your application and documents. 
• Be specific and avoid vague or abstract statements. 
• Discuss your research experience, professional experience, skill sets, and academic credentials. 
• Maintain a professional tone throughout the motivation letter without being casual or too personal. 

A motivation letter for a Ph.D. sample will help you get a better idea. 

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To Whom It May Concern, 

I am writing this letter to express my interest in applying for the Ph.D. project available in the (group name) under the project (project name) at the (institution name). I graduated with a master’s degree in civil engineering in (year) from the (institution name) in (location, city, country).

I have been drawn to 3D modeling and simulation technologies since my undergraduate years, which gave me a solid foundation in the subject. I learned the basic concepts of structural analysis, CAD, mechanics , and programming and data structures simultaneously. My master’s program helped me enhance these skill sets further, giving me an in-depth glimpse of building materials, earthquake engineering, construction management , using technologies for 3D modeling, and more such areas. 

I have also been associated with a research project at the institution, successfully enabling VR/AR-enabled digital walkthroughs for buildings. This was the inception of my interest in deploying artificial and augmented reality, virtual reality, and 3D simulation for building digital counterparts of physical environments, applying this knowledge to real estate projects, infrastructural projects, and other ventures which are mainstays in the world of civil engineering. It naturally prompted me to apply for the Ph.D. position at your institution, which has an enviable track record in terms of global rankings, research opportunities, infrastructure, partnerships with leading research firms, and reputed faculty. 

I believe my foundational knowledge of these core concepts and research experiences will contribute towards making me a good fit for the doctoral program at your institution. I am aware of the perseverance and commitment expected of doctoral students pursuing research in this intellectually stimulating yet challenging arena of study. I will do my best to meet the high standards of your institution on this count. It is a great opportunity to demonstrate my skill sets while acquiring invaluable knowledge and research exposure if I am chosen for your Ph.D. program. I remain at your disposal for any additional information. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Sincerely, 

How do I start a motivational letter for my PhD?

You should begin by talking about the program you are applying for and mentioning your purpose explicitly. You should also briefly introduce yourself, i.e., your last qualification and so on. You can then move on to the main body and discuss the reasons for choosing the course, institution, research interests, and other aspects.

How do I write a letter of Ph.D. request?

You should include details without going overboard and demonstrate your research approach, outlook, and methods. Justify these methods while ensuring they are viable. Also, mention whether any ethical aspects are connected to your field of research and how you wish to address them.

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Motivation Letter for PhD or Postdoctoral Fellowship

This post is especially useful for those of you who are planning to apply for a Ph.D. In the context of a Ph.D. application, a motivation letter is identical to a personal statement that showcases all the skills and capabilities you have to contribute to the project. When writing an application to an institute or university, it is important to show that you are qualified to pursue a Ph.D. Your motivation letter provides the perfect window into your character, and they expect you to live up to their expectations.

A simple and sample copy of the motivation letter

To (Professor/Scientist Name), PhD. Organization Mail ID Department of Microbiology Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Europe

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my interest in a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Department of Microbiology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kongens Lyngby, Europe (the department and university you prefer). I completed a Masters (MSc) from… (University and Department) and my Ph.D. from… (sub-branch of ….., if it is not your main branch), and I received my Ph.D. degree on (Date-Month-Year). Considering my research skills in microbiology obtained during my master’s and my research experience at (your department) as a research fellow, I believe my experience and education are well qualified to meet the position’s needs. I secured University First Rank in M.Sc., Microbiology from… in (year). I have been awarded a five-year research fellowship by (funding agency name) to pursue a doctoral degree in biology.

I believe my research experience and education make me well-qualified to meet the position’s needs. My interest in the science field made me pursue a career in research and education, and it all started when I joined the principal scientist (supervisor name) lab in the department of microbiology as a junior research fellow to study the role of beneficial microbes on host plants. During the study, I examined the fate of the host plant after inducing stress in plants by bio-stimulants such as fungal and bacterial microbes to enhance the plant immunity and defense mechanisms in the roots of my experimental plant. I also estimated the compatibility of native fungal microbes with Trichoderma viride and their impact on plant growth and plant metabolite content in the plant. We also developed carrier-based formulations of beneficial fungi for the cultivation of my experimental plant. Further, I analyzed the cross-functional ability of native fungal microbes to cultivate other commercial crops. We also analyzed the possibilities for enhancing the in-planta defense mechanisms against pathogens in the host plant by targeting the expression levels of pathway genes by qRT-PCR.

I was successful in bringing the entire PhD work to fruition in five publications, and a few manuscripts are under submission. In addition, I have worked on other collaborative projects in our lab on antimicrobials, especially essential metabolites from different medicinal plants. I have good exposure to plant physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, and cell culture techniques, and I have good knowledge of biosafety. I carried out various molecular and analytical techniques such as cell culturing, immunoassays, DNA, RNA extraction, PCR techniques, Southern blotting, Western blotting, SEM, ESI-MS/MS, HPLC, GC, NMR, and so on. I have self-sufficiency and excellent communication, writing, and data interpretation skills. I can work independently and in independent scientific research investigations.

Please consider that my investigative qualities of independence, creativity, and critical thinking; my technical skills in molecular biology, microbiology, and metabolic flux analysis; along with the application of CRISPR/Cas9 tools, would be beneficial to completing a project successfully. I believe that this position would provide me with the best platform to perform research. I would like to utilize my research and education experience to develop new ideas that would be useful to the scientific community and mankind. Considering my qualifications and interests outlined above and in my CV (attached), I very much hope that you will consider my application for this position and provide me with an opportunity to be a part of your work.

Yours Sincerely

(Your Name)

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Experiences of a London PhD student and beyond

PhD Motivation: How to Stay Driven From Cover Letter to Completion

PhDs can be a long slog and it’s easy to lose touch with why you set out to do one in the first place. If you’re falling out of love with your PhD why not try these tips to help boost your motivation.

Note – This post, and its predecessor about PhD Burnout , were inspired by a reader who asked for suggestions on tackling PhD fatigue. I love hearing from readers of the blog, so if you have any ideas for posts which you, or others, could find useful please do let me know! Just pop a note in the comments section below or drop me a message .

This post is part of my PhD mindset series, you can check out the full series below:

• PhD Burnout: Managing Energy, Stress, Anxiety & Your Mental Health
• PhD Motivation: How to Stay Driven From Cover Letter to Completion (this part!)
• How to Stop Procrastinating and Start Studying

Focus on the Big Picture

If you’re struggling with motivation during your PhD it can be helpful to consider what originally motivated you to pursue one. One way you may find it useful to capture these thoughts is through a vision board or spider diagram.

Try listing out each of the following:

• What you hope to achieve during your PhD (both personally and professionally)
• How you picture your life and career post-PhD

The vision board for the PhD itself will help you make the most of your time now, while your post PhD vision board will serve as a reminder of where you are going.

This can be a great way to increase your motivation and identify opportunities within your PhD that may help you to realise your long term vision.

Here is an example one I created about life after the PhD which could serve as some motivation during the PhD:

Set Short Term Goals

Depending on how far along you are in your PhD, reaching the finishing line may seem like a herculean task. Rather than risking getting overwhelmed, focus on making regular progress by setting achievable short term goals.

What are some examples of short term goals? Well let’s start by highlighting a few potential milestones during a PhD:

• Completing your first set of experiments
• Writing your first paper
• Drafting your thesis
• Passing your viva

Try to break down these large tasks into sub-tasks and set yourself short term goals. Importantly, make sure that the goals are actually realistically achievable! Although it is great to push yourself, if you set goals that are too lofty you risk demotivating yourself further! Small and consistent progress is what we’re aiming for.

Breaking tasks down will allow you to recognise your progress and how far you’ve come. While recognising what you’ve already accomplished with your PhD will help provide the motivation to achieve even more.

So for instance breaking down the first of those example milestones, completing your first set of experiments, could be broken down into much smaller short term goals:

Breaking down goal 1: Completing your first set of experiments

• Read five relevant papers to get ideas from other studies. Which techniques did they use? What further work did they recommend?
• Speak with my supervisor about first potential experiments. What is achievable in the lab? Do we need to order any consumables?
• Get inducted into the lab if necessary and get trained on key equipment.
• If relevant, shadow someone else in the lab to understand certain processes.
• Give it a go: conduct a few preliminary experiments.
• Build on these first experiments and suddenly you’ve become a self-sufficient researcher. Good job!

You may personally choose to set goals monthly, weekly or even set yourself one task to achieve each day. Try different lengths and see what works best for you.

Now as a postdoc I personally have an ongoing document which I always keep open with goals and tasks for me to complete which I add to as I have new thoughts and conversations. Every day I set myself a short list of tasks I set to complete myself to work towards these bigger goals and projects. Without this not only would I lack focus but also motivation.

Recognise What You’ve Already Achieved

As mentioned above it can feel like you haven’t achieved much when the big picture PhD goals still seem far away.

Sometimes we can get motivation from realising how much we already have to be proud of. I know what it is like to be in a downbeat part of your PhD and it can be tough to appreciate your successes but this is exactly the time when we need harness positive and motivational thoughts!

Let’s play a quick game. Set a timer on your phone for 2 minutes and write down a few things about your PhD you’re already proud of. Don’t worry, I’m not expecting a list of potential Nobel prize winning discoveries.

Here are some ideas:

• Coming up with some ideas for experiments
• Learning a new research technique
• Facing a personal fear – such as public speaking

If you’re in the early stages, remind yourself that pushing yourself to apply for the PhD is an achievement and getting accepted into a PhD programme is no mean feat. Go you!

Reward Your Accomplishments

Along with setting short term academic goals it’s important to reward yourself once they’re completed. Depending on what length goal you set, the reward may be as simple as taking a break and indulging in something unproductive, taking an afternoon off to relax or treating yourself to your favourite meal.

It can be tempting to skip this step but celebrating when you complete tasks is really important. This will help to get you in the right mindset for progressing towards the next goal. Celebrating achievements is also a great way to instill better habits and we’ll cover more on this next.

Build Better Habits

Mastering self discipline and consistency is one of the best ways to maximise your potential both during your PhD and beyond. If this is something you struggle with then now is the perfect time to try making improvements in a very low risk environment. Here is some great advice on this subject by an incredibly successful guy:

Making these improvements through small actions can make surprisingly big differences. To illustrate this: a person who improved by 1% each day would be 37 times better after a year!

Consistently improving 1% each and every day isn’t likely, but the cumulative effect of working on yourself by building better habits is undeniable.

It typically takes 40 days to master a habit, so start small and once you have your first habit ingrained you can start on the next. Realising success will empower you to master harder challenges too and also provide you with the confidence to know that you can achieve what you set your mind to.

Some ideas for areas you may wish to develop better habits for are:

• Work schedule
• Healthy eating

Habit Building Tips

• Start small and focus on just turning up – When building new habits it is much more important to be consistent than to set lofty goals.
• Gamify it – In 2020 I decided to start using Duolingo to learn Spanish. Not only is the format on Duolingo very engaging, so is the “streak” of uninterrupted days you use the app for. It is surprising how powerful motivation can become to keep the streak going. In fact, as of writing this post I’ve just passed 600 uninterrupted days on Duolingo! I now try to apply similar concepts in other parts of my life.
• Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up – It’s natural to make mistakes but it’s what you do afterwards that counts. If you slip up with your habit fight the urge to give it up. Instead move on and work to get back.
• Be accountable – Tell others about your goals and if you know another PhD student struggling with the same issue why not team up together to try and improve.

I’d also highly recommend giving the below video from Kurzgesagt a watch to learn more about how to build positive habits.

Prioritise Self-Care

PhDs are a marathon not a sprint and in order to make it to the end it’s vital to take care of yourself along the way. Exercising, socialising, eating healthily and prioritising mental health will all put you in the best position to keep your energy levels high.

PhD Burnout is a very real thing and the last thing you want is to lose all passion for research entirely. Check out my post here on PhD Burnout to learn the warning signs and how to intervene before things go to far.

Make sure to take time each week to recharge and don’t prioritise your research to the detriment of all else. It isn’t worth sacrificing your own health for your research. Make the most of opportunities during your PhD and find things you’re passionate about and look forward to.

I personally found it helpful to treat my PhD like a full-time job which meant having weekends and weekday evenings off. There were exceptions to this of course but in general it meant that I had a good work/life balance and didn’t feel desperate for the PhD to end.

Everyone will have different ways of structuring their time, but recognise that YOU are a priority and your life shouldn’t go on hold until your PhD is complete.

Define Success Differently

Reframe what you see as success. Instead of defining success by the achievement of a long term goal instead define success by the consistent actions taken to progress towards it.

For instance, if you’re nearing the end of your PhD then completing your PhD thesis may be months away. But, if you commit to working on your thesis for at least one hour a day (and achieve it) you’re already on a successful path.

I’d suggest giving the intro to this newsletter by Andrew Ng a read to learn more about process goals versus outcome goals.

Avoid Comparisons to Other PhD Students

We all know this one but it can be easy to forget. Looking at what others have achieved can sometimes be motivating, but it can also leave you feeling inferior.

No two PhD journeys will ever be the same so all you can do is aim to achieve the “best” version of your own journey.

Top Tips to Boost PhD Motivation

• Focus on the big picture
• Set achievable short term goals
• Recognise what you’ve already achieved
• Reward your accomplishments
• Build better habits
• Prioritise self-care
• Define success differently
• Avoid comparisons to other PhD students

I hope you found these suggestions on how to boost PhD motivation helpful. Do you have any advice of your own to share? Let me know in the comments section below.

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Academic Cover Letter for Doctoral Students

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The academic cover letter communicates your scholarly fit with the position, organization and department. The cover letter should be no longer than 2 pages and should expand on your most relevant accomplishments and situate your work in the context outlined by the position. It should also outline your research agenda and future trajectory. All academic positions will require a cover letter and because the academic job market is so competitive, it has become common for search committees to ask just for a cover letter and CV. If this is the case you need to include paragraphs that provide information similar to teaching and research statements, highlighting what is not articulated on your CV. Some disciplines have a very specific format, so be sure to work with your department to align your cover letter with disciplinary standards. Avoid overly verbose or overly humble language.

Tips for condensing research and teaching statements into the academic cover letter:

• Your materials should create an overall picture of you as a scholar. This means that you should consider each document within the context of the other materials required.
• Begin by drafting longer statements about teaching (the teaching statement) and research (dissertation abstract, research statement).
• Pare down these statements for different lengths: one page, one paragraph.
• For the cover letter, take your one-paragraph versions of your teaching and research statements and edit them to market yourself as a scholar and teacher – how do you want the committee to perceive you? What’s the main take-away you want them to know about you?
• Because the materials required vary widely, keep in mind that the cover letter should be able to act as a standalone document – any other materials should expand and reinforce the cover letter.

PHD Application cover letter examples

As the highest postgraduate qualification you can achieve, it’s no wonder that most PhD programs require a cover letter as part of the application process.

So, if you’re hoping to complete your doctorate, you need to brush up on your writing skills and prove why you deserve a place in the program.

To help you do that, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide, complete with PhD cover letter examples to support your application.

CV templates 

PHD Application cover letter example 1

PHD Application cover letter example 2

PHD Application cover letter example 3

The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your PHD Application cover letter should be formatted and written.

The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.

How to write a PHD Application cover letter

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When writing your PHD Application cover letter, it’s best to type the content into the body of your email (or the job site messaging system) and not to attach the cover letter as a separate document.

This ensures that your cover letter gets seen as soon as a recruiter or employer opens your message.

If you attach the cover letter as a document, you’re making the reader go through an unnecessary step of opening the document before reading it.

If it’s in the body of the message itself, it will be seen instantly, which hugely increases the chances of it being read.

Start with a friendly greeting

Start you cover letter with a greeting that is professional but friendly.

This will build rapport with the recruiter whilst showing your professionalism.

• Hi, hope you’re well
• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very traditional companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.

Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one.

• I am interested in applying for the position of *specialist field PHD Applicant* with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for a junior project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The main purpose of your cover letter is to excite recruiters and make them eager to open your CV. And you achieve this by quickly demonstrating your suitability to the job you are applying for.

Take a look at the job adverts you are applying for, and make note of the most important skills being asked for.

Then, when you write your cover letter, make your suitability the focal point.

Explain how you meet the candidate requirements fully, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider your application.

Keep it short and sharp

A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.

Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers .

Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.

Sign off professionally

To round of your CV, you should sign off with a professional signature.

This will give your cover letter a slick appearance and also give the recruiter all of the necessary contact information they need to get in touch with you.

The information to add should include:

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Kindest regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network –  e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Jill North IT Project Manager 078837437373 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate documents that you could copy in.

What to include in your PHD Application cover letter

Here’s what kind of content you should include in your PHD Application cover letter…

The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.

• Your relevant experience – Where have you worked and what type of jobs have you held?
• Your qualifications – Let recruiters know about your highest level of qualification to show them you have the credentials for the job.
• The impact you have made – Show how your actions have made a positive impact on previous employers; perhaps you’ve saved them money or helped them to acquire new customers?
• Your reasons for moving – Hiring managers will want to know why you are leaving your current or previous role, so give them a brief explanation.
• Your availability – When can you start a new job ? Recruiters will want to know how soon they can get you on board.

Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.

PHD Application cover letter templates

Copy and paste these PHD Application cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

Dear Admissions Committee

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Ph.D. in Physics programme at the University of London. As a highly motivated and dedicated individual with a deep fascination with the fundamental principles of physics, I am eager to contribute my academic background and research experience to your faculty.

I hold an MSc in Physics from the University of Birmingham, where I achieved distinctions for quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and atomic & molecular physics. During this period, I was involved in evaluating quantum phenomena using computational methods, which honed my analytical skills and provided insights into the intricate nature of quantum systems. My passion for research has also led me to publish two peer-reviewed papers in reputable journals.

I am enthusiastic about continuing my journey in addressing challenges in the field of physics and have previously collaborated with renowned experts in securing £10M in funding to support projects, as well as improving experimental efficiency by 40% through implementing state-of-the-art quantum optics equipment. I have also delivered presentations to share research on condensed matter systems.

I am thrilled at the possibility of joining your institution. Thank you for considering me for the programme.

Kind regards

Matt Turner

I am writing to you concerning the Ph.D. program in Chemical Engineering at the University of Oxford. I possess a profound passion for advanced research and innovation in chemical engineering, with an eagerness to contribute my academic background and problem-solving abilities to your institution.

I hold an MSc in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London and had the opportunity to delve into cutting-edge projects alongside esteemed experts. We focused on sustainable practices in chemical manufacturing, as well as the efficient production, transformation, and transportation of various products. I helped design and conduct experiments to improve chemical operations and reduce environmental impacts, where my findings were published in two peer-reviewed journals.

Some key accomplishments during master’s studies include, obtaining research funding worth £2M to conduct experiments in catalysis and reaction engineering, and playing a role in improving industrial processes by 50%. In addition, I delivered five oral presentations at international conferences to share information on driving sustainable practices.

Thank you for considering my application, and I am available at your convenience for further discussions.

Sable Norris

Dear Members of the Graduate Admissions Committee

I am writing to express my interest in the Ph.D. programme in Archaeology at the University of Cambridge. I possess a profound fascination for uncovering the mysteries of the past, and I am focused on contributing my academic background, fieldwork experience, and research skills to your institution.

I obtained a master’s degree in Archaeology from the University of Manchester, where I had the privilege of working closely with esteemed faculty and engaged in research that ignited my passion for understanding the Sumerian civilisation.

During my studies I conducted original research on the excavation and analysis of burial sites to shed light on their ancient practices and cultural beliefs, completing 95 excavation seasons, which was 30+ more than any other student, co-authoring two research papers published in reputable journals, and securing £500K from the UK government to conduct a 3-month research trip in the Middle East.

My experience coupled with advanced coursework in archaeological methodologies and artefact analysis have equipped me with the skills to excel in the programme. Thank you for considering my application.

Dominic Ferdinand

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a place on a PHD, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

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Home » Motivational Letter For PHD In Mathematics Ideas: 5+ Templates

Motivational Letter For PHD In Mathematics Ideas: 5+ Templates

Unlocking the mysteries of the universe, one equation at a time—this is the calling of the modern-day mathematician. If you’re daring to venture into the realm of infinite possibilities with a Ph.D. in Mathematics, then you’re on the brink of joining an elite league of problem-solvers and visionaries. But before you embark on this journey, there’s a crucial stepping stone: Motivational Letter For PHD In Mathematics. It’s not just a piece of paper; it’s your ticket to showcasing your passion, intellect, and unwavering commitment to the world of numbers.

In this blog post, we delve deep into the art of crafting a compelling motivational letter for a Ph.D. in Mathematics. From articulating your research interests to highlighting your academic achievements, we’ll uncover the secrets to standing out in a sea of applicants.

So, whether you’re pondering over polynomial equations or unraveling the complexities of prime numbers, let your motivation shine through every word. Are you ready to make your mark on the world of mathematics? Let’s dive in and craft a letter that speaks volumes!”

Table of Contents

Key Components of a Strong Motivational Letter For PHD In Mathematics

• Introduction: Highlight your passion for mathematics and mention your academic background briefly.
• Research Interests: Clearly articulate your specific areas of interest within mathematics and any relevant projects or experiences.
• Academic Achievements: Highlight your academic accomplishments, such as publications, awards, and honors.
• Future Goals: Discuss your aspirations and how obtaining a Ph.D. in Mathematics aligns with your long-term objectives.
• Fit with the Program/Position: Demonstrate your understanding of the program or position you’re applying for and explain why you’re the perfect fit.

Motivational Letter For PhD in Mathematics

• The Benefits of a Motivational Letter: Examples and Tips
• Motivation Letter for Scholarship: 9+ Samples
• Motivational letter for university: 12 Examples & Sample Included

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Motivational Letter For PhD in Computational Mathematics

Motivational letter for phd in algebra and logic, example motivational letter for phd in mathematics:, motivational letter for phd in mathematics sample.

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Motivational Letter For PhD in Mathematics Template

Motivational letter for phd in maths.

• Unique Motivation Letter Finance: 09 Editable Example
• 4+ Motivational Letter For PHD In Biology Samples To Stand Out
• Good Motivation Letter: 5+ Example

Do’s And Don’t’s of writing an impactful Motivational Letter For PhD in Mathematics:

• Showcase your passion: Express your genuine enthusiasm for mathematics and your desire to contribute to the field.
• Highlight your research interests: Clearly articulate your specific areas of interest within mathematics and how they align with the program or position.
• Demonstrate your academic achievements: Highlight your academic accomplishments, such as publications, awards, and relevant coursework.

Don’ts:

• Avoid generic statements: Steer clear of clichés and generic phrases; instead, be specific and authentic in your writing.
• Don’t focus solely on grades: While academic achievements are important, don’t solely rely on grades; emphasize your passion for mathematics and your potential for future research.
• Avoid excessive length: Keep your letter concise and focused, avoiding unnecessary details or lengthy explanations.

Final Thoughts:

In closing, crafting a compelling motivation letter for a Ph.D. in Mathematics is not just a formality; it’s your opportunity to showcase your passion, expertise, and potential as a researcher and scholar. By following the key tips outlined in this article—showcasing your passion, highlighting your research interests, and emphasizing your academic achievements—you can create a letter that captures the attention of potential employers or decision-makers and sets you apart from other applicants.

Remember, the key to a successful motivation letter lies in its customization and relevance to the specific job or program you’re applying for. Tailoring your letter to the unique requirements and expectations of the position demonstrates your genuine interest and understanding of the role, increasing your chances of making a positive impression.

As you revise your motivation letter, keep in mind the insights and examples provided here, and strive to convey your enthusiasm, expertise, and readiness to make a meaningful contribution to the field of mathematics. With a well-crafted motivation letter, you have the power to persuade and impress potential employers or decision-makers, paving the way for exciting opportunities and fulfilling career prospects.

So, seize the moment, refine your letter, and step confidently towards your dream job in the dynamic world of mathematics. Your journey begins with a single. Compelling letter—make it count.

Let your passion and potential shine through. And watch as doors of opportunity swing open. Your dream job awaits—craft your motivation letter with care, and let your future unfold.

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May 14th, 2024

Motivation: how to find it.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Studying at university may be very challenging for you. Especially at LSE, a university known for being academically rigorous, I found it a bit difficult to stay motivated to study. As the assignments started to pile up, I was juggling multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously, and I couldn’t get myself to sit down and study efficiently.

If you’ve felt this way, then please take comfort in the fact that you’re not alone. It’s likely that every student has felt demotivated to study at some point during their studies; it becomes even more challenging when you’re living away from family and managing work on your own.

When I felt that I lacked the motivation to study, I would get some other tasks completed. I found that if I was worrying about the million other things that I had to do, then I really couldn’t focus on the work I was doing in the moment. Completing other chores, such as cleaning my room, cooking a meal, or doing my laundry, left me feeling more relaxed to study and ready to concentrate on what I was studying. Ticking things off the to-do list is a great motivator to get more work done.

Studying on LSE campus  or going to a café helps me feel and stay motivated. Very early in the year, I understood that if I stayed home and tried to study, I would actually get much less done than if I was working at LSE, a café or library. The environment of work and concentration at LSE Library or the Marshall Building (MAR) really helps me motivate myself to study and work. I also don’t have my bed to tempt me in between, which is always great when you’re trying to get work done. While it might seem a bit pointless to go somewhere to sit by yourself and study, I do think the environment that you study in is very important to your motivation levels and productivity.

Studying with friends is also a great motivator for me, although it might not be effective for everyone. I find that studying in groups where everyone’s concentrating motivates me to work better. It also helps that you can take breaks together during which you can relax then get back into studying.

Small things like making yourself a daily to-do list of achievable tasks and having an organised work area are important. The tasks on your to-do list should be realistic and could include the smallest of tasks, be it reviewing notes or sending an email to a professor about a doubt. Whilst it’s difficult to constantly remain motivated, we must remember to give ourselves some grace. It’s a challenging degree, and we also have a lot of other tasks that we have to manage. Build in some systems that work for you and makes studying easier. All the best!

About the author

Hi, I’m Lavanya and I’m studying MSc Public Policy and Administration at LSE.

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PhD Student Jae Weller honored with Graduate Student Service Scholarship

Congratulations to 3rd year Linguistics PhD student Jae Weller who received a well-deserved Graduate Student Service Scholarship this year! This award from the Graduate School recognizes and honors graduate students who volunteer to take on service roles in addition to their research, work, and family obligations.

Jae was nominated due to their outstanding and inspiring service to our campus as Co-President of the Linguistics Student Organization (LSO) . Jae has been a central force in the LSO since they arrived on campus, and has contributed to many projects including an innovative ASM grant which allowed undergraduate Linguistics students to travel to New York for the annual meeting of the Linguistic Society of America in 2024 , organization of a Linguistics graduate school panel , a leading role in organizing the annual Workshop in General Linguistics , and numerous social events for students of all levels. Congratulations Jae – we really appreciate the many ways that you enrich our community, and are very happy to see your efforts recognized at the campus level with this award!

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Dear Colleague Letter: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students in Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies (Hydrogen INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity

May 6, 2024

Dear Colleague:

Fostering the growth of a globally competitive and diverse research workforce and advancing the scientific and innovation skills of U.S. students are strategic objectives of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Supporting the development of a skilled workforce in energy efficiency and renewable energy is a strategic objective of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The NSF and DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) have established a partnership to support internship and training opportunities to meet these strategic objectives with a focus on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. A new generation of skilled workforce is needed to drive research and development of hydrogen production, delivery, infrastructure, storage, fuel cells, and multiple end uses across transportation, industrial, and stationary power applications. For more information on DOE-EERE's priorities for hydrogen energy research, please see the DOE's Hydrogen Program Areas and the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy Roadmap .

This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) describes this unique partnership with DOE EERE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) and is aligned with and conforms with the NSF INTERN opportunity described in the Dear Colleague Letter: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity . This DCL is referred to as the Hydrogen INTERN DCL.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

NSF will consider supplemental funding requests in the broad area of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies that enable PIs (or Co-PIs) to request supplemental support of up to $55,000 and six months for graduate students supported on active NSF grants with the following goals:

• To provide graduate students with the opportunity to augment their research assistantships or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) fellowships with research internship activities and training opportunities that will complement their academic research training.
• To allow graduate students to pursue new activities aimed at acquiring professional development experience that will enhance their preparation for multiple career pathways after graduation.
• To encourage the participation of the full spectrum of diverse talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED

The PI/co-PI of an active NSF award may request supplemental funding for one or more graduate students to gain knowledge, skills, training, and experiences in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and their application areas.

Internship hosts include, but are not limited to:

• Private sector companies, laboratories, or industry research and development groups.
• Start-up businesses such as, but not limited to, those funded through the NSF's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
• Department of Energy Laboratories, other government agencies (all levels), and National Laboratories.
• Museums, science centers, and other informal learning settings that educate the public.
• Policy think-tanks.
• Non-profit organizations.

Prior to submission, PIs are encouraged to discuss possible INTERN supplements with the cognizant NSF Program Director Points of Contact listed in this DCL to ensure the proposed internship and its topic are a good fit for this DCL. It is expected that the graduate student and the PI on the NSF grant will work together to identify experiences that add the most educational value for the graduate student through activities that are not already available at the student's academic institution. Further, it is expected that the internship will be research-focused and will be on-site at the host organization unless a specific exception to this is granted by the cognizant Program Director due to extenuating circumstances.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for this opportunity, graduate students must have completed at least one academic year in their graduate program (master's or doctoral) prior to commencement of the proposed INTERN activity and be making satisfactory progress toward completion of their degree.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

Information about requesting supplemental support is contained in the NSF PAPPG ), Chapter VI.E.5. In addition to the PAPPG requirements for supplemental support, the following materials must be included.

• A two-page summary that describes the internship
• A one-page personal statement from the graduate student describing career goals, accomplishments, and how the activity will better prepare the individual to enter the workforce.
• Research summary to include contribution(s) to research discipline
• Institution(s)
• Year of study (1st year, 2nd year, etc.)
• Completed coursework
• Employment and volunteer/outreach history
• Publications (accepted only)
• Other information relevant to the proposed internship
• A letter of collaboration from an authorized official at the host organization that describes the internship opportunity and mentoring the student will experience during the internship. The letter should include a statement confirming that neither the graduate student nor the PI has a financial interest in the organization hosting the internship.
• An endorsement letter from the PI that confirms that the student meets the eligibility requirements specified in this DCL. The letter must describe how the proposed internship activity will contribute to the student's graduate education experience and how it may impact time to degree.
• The NSF recipient and Host Organization must agree in advance as to how intellectual property (IP) rights will be handled. A signed agreement on IP (including publication and patent rights) must be submitted either as a supplementary document or, via email to the cognizant Program Director after submission of the supplementary funding request and prior to the award of the supplemental funding. NSF is responsible neither for the agreement reached nor the IP information exchanged between the NSF recipient and Host Organization.
• A budget and budget justification.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING AMOUNT

The total amount of funding requested must not exceed $55,000 per student per six-month period. NSF plans to fund up to approximately 10 or more supplements in each fiscal year starting with FY 2024, depending on availability of funds.

ALLOWABLE COSTS UNDER THIS DCL

Funds may be used to support travel, tuition and fees, health insurance, additional stipend, and temporary relocation costs for the graduate student. Additional stipends are not allowed for GRFP fellows "on tenure" (currently receiving a GRFP stipend), but a stipend will be considered for fellows "on reserve" (not currently receiving a GRFP stipend) equal to the monthly rate of the GRFP stipend. Up to $2,500 may be used for the PI or the graduate research fellow's advisor to travel to work with the host organization in co-mentoring the student during the internship. Up to $2,500 may be used for materials and supplies to support the student during the internship. Travel costs must be allocated in the budget request for the graduate student to travel once to Washington DC, to present the outcomes of the INTERN project at the DOE's Annual Merit Review meeting. The recipient is permitted to request indirect costs in accordance with their approved/negotiated indirect cost rate. The total requested budget cannot exceed the limits listed under the "Supplement funding amount" section above. Note: Spousal and dependent travel are not supported.

PERIOD OF SUPPORT

The supplement funding will provide up to six months of support for an internship. Up to two supplemental funding requests may be submitted on a grant per student. This would allow the student up to two internship periods of up to six months each (i.e., a maximum of 12 months per student).

Supplemental funding requests may be submitted at any time with a target date of June 15 for Fiscal Year 2024 and April 15 for future Fiscal Years.

SUBMISSION & REVIEW

Requests for supplemental funding must be submitted electronically via Research.gov. A PI or co-PI on an NSF award must contact his/her cognizant program director prior to submission. GRFP INTERN supplement requests are submitted by the GRFP PI, not by the GRFP fellow or the fellow's research advisor. Requests for supplemental funding submitted in response to this DCL will be reviewed internally by NSF Program Officers. All supplements are subject to (a) the availability of funds, and (b) merit review of the supplemental funding request.

• Dr. Prakash Balan, [email protected] - Directorate for Engineering
• Dr. Barbara Ransom, [email protected] - Directorate for Geosciences

SPECIAL AWARD CONDITION

Intellectual Property Rights: Internships under this DCL are considered equivalent to traineeships. The National Science Foundation claims no rights to any inventions or writings that might result from its traineeship awards. However, trainees should be aware that NSF, another Federal agency, or some private party may acquire such rights through other support for particular research. Also, trainees should note their obligation to include an Acknowledgment and Disclaimer in any publication.

POLICY OR CODE ADDRESSING HARASSMENT

Recipients are required to have a policy or code of conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault. The recipient should work with the Host Organization to ensure that the Host Organization also has a policy or code of conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault including reporting and complaint procedures and to confirm that such policy both covers and protects INTERN students interacting with the Host Organization. The recipient should also coordinate with the Host Organization to provide orientation to graduate students to cover expectations of behavior to ensure a safe and respectful environment, and to review the recipient and host organization's policy or code of conduct addressing sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault, including reporting and complaint procedures. For additional information, see the NSF policies at https://new.nsf.gov/stopping-harassment .

Susan Marqusee, Assistant Director Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO)

Dilma Da Silva, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)

James L. Moore III, Assistant Director Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EDU)

Susan Margulies, Assistant Director Directorate for Engineering (ENG)

Alexandra Isern, Assistant Director Directorate for Geosciences (GEO)

C. Denise Caldwell, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS)

Alicia Knoedler, Office Head Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)

Kendra Sharp, Office Head Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE)

Kaye Husbands Fealing, Assistant Director Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)

Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnership (TIP)

• by Greg Watry
• May 14, 2024

An archaeologist is called upon to lead an excavation in a war-torn region that her home country is invading. A graduate student working as a crew chief grapples with worker safety issues in a hostile environment. A scholar considers the notion of safeguarding data when her work is plagiarized by colleagues. 

Such ethical scenarios are among the many that professional anthropologists and archaeologists deal with regularly. At the 89th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, held in New Orleans last month, a team of UC Davis first-year graduate students won first place at the 19th Annual Ethics Bowl, a competition in which teams from different universities face off as they debate ethical dilemmas in the field. 

“Archaeology and anthropology have a storied past of not always following the ethics that we strive for today and even some fairly racist foundations,” said Teresa Steele, a professor of anthropology and the faculty mentor of the UC Davis-winning team. “As disciplines, we really need to own up to that history and move ourselves forward by having very open conversations about these issues.” 

The Society for American Archaeology Ethics Bowl is an avenue to do that while also providing burgeoning archaeologists the opportunity to consider these important questions and ideate ethical frameworks from the ground floor. 

“We got the chance to have some really nice discussions with the other teams as well as audience members interested in ethics,” said Madison McCartin, a team member and anthropology graduate student. “One of the judges even invited us to help organize a future ethics bowl at the World Archaeological Congress.”

Additional members from the UC Davis Ethics Bowl team include anthropology graduate students Erin Mooneyham, Morgan Hall, Daniel Goring and Nikki Wu.

Reckoning with the past

To prepare for the Ethics Bowl, the UC Davis team spent months learning about various topics, international laws and ethical frameworks, including policies around repatriation, international excavation, archaeology in warzones, interpersonal dynamics in the field and indigenous perspectives, among others.

“One thing I would love to commend, especially Erin for, is that — even though there wasn’t necessarily a structured team captain — she was absolutely our team captain,” McCartin said. “We were really impressed by her ability to help us prepare so adequately for a competition that she had never participated in before.”   

For Mooneyham, who specializes in zooarchaeology, her work and collaboration with the indigenous Alutiq communities of Kodiak Island, Alaska is a reminder of the checkered past of both anthropology and archaeology. 

“Some of the first archaeology on Kodiak Island was done by a Smithsonian anthropologist, Ales Hrdlicka, who is notorious and well-hated by everyone because he excavated almost exclusively to find human burials and was only interested in taking human remains from these indigenous communities and putting them in his museum.” 

According to  The Washington Post , Hrdlicka’s excavations on Kodiak Island “amounted to industrial-scale pillaging.” With a small team, he “disinterred the remains of about 1,000 people.” 

While the majority of Hrdlicka’s work on Kodiak Island occurred during the 1930s, the community and today’s scholars are still reckoning with those actions from nearly 100 years ago. These echoes inform how Mooneyham and her colleagues conduct their research. 

“We don’t want to just abide by legal codes and do what’s mandated by law, we want to think ethically,” Mooneyham said. “Communities have had anthropologists and archaeologists come in, sit with them, write about them, take their resources, eat their food and then just leave and never see them again. We don’t want to be those people.” 

“We have to think about, how are we serving this community?” she added. “What do they want? What do they need? And how can our research serve that community in some way?” 

The debate stage

About six weeks before the Ethics Bowl, all participating teams were sent 10 hypothetical cases to review. During the competition, cases were selected at random and then debated by competing teams. 

“We exhaustively dissected the arguments and selected the best way to present our stances,” McCartin said. “We also practiced answering questions on the fly and developing counter questions for the opposing team. A final aspect of preparation was to conduct a practice ethics bowl with our department and get some external feedback.”

Steele is hopeful that the practice ethics bowl, which was held in a colloquium setting, will create a space for open dialogue about ethical frameworks within the Department of Anthropology. 

“These wider discussions are really important for professional development, for progressing the culture of the discipline, to make all of this really at the forefront and something we should all be thinking about and incorporating.” 

Thanks to their performance at the event, the UC Davis team was invited to help organize a future ethics bowl at the World Archaeological Congress, an international annual event that acts as a forum for all things related to the past. Additionally, McCartin and Mooneyham will co-chair a session related to ethics in zooarchaeology for the Society for American Archaeology next year in Denver.

“Within our team, we can all say that our appreciation for the nuance of archaeological ethics has increased ten-fold and is something we intend to pursue in the future,” McCartin said.   

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Princeton, practice what you preach: SPIA graduate students on protest and dialogue

Protesters gathered around the SPIA fountain.

Zehao wu / the daily princetonian.

The following is an open letter and reflects the authors'   views alone. For information on how to submit a piece to the Opinion section, click   here .

Dear Graduate School Administration and Princeton University Community, 

In his opening remarks at the 1969 Princeton commencement, University president Robert F. Goheen ’40 GS ’48 said, “Only through disturbance comes growth.” Today, those words could not ring more true for us as graduate students at Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA).

For the past eight months, we have watched genocide unfold in real time in Gaza. We have sat in classrooms with professors who sidestep the issue. We have attended panels where the same platitudinous narratives failed to draw truly diverse, historical perspectives on the conflict. Our professors and deans have commended us for speaking out about a difficult subject while refusing to engage with us on questions around responsibility, complicity, and how we at Princeton can act.

Meanwhile, in our classes, we continue to discuss the history of popular movements like the Arab Spring, civil rights, and queer liberation and their aims of advancing human rights across the globe. We learn how international institutions can hold rule-breakers accountable. We learn that state institutions often abuse power and exploit communities, and that shaping a more equitable and sustainable world can require confrontation and disruption. We learn about injustices stemming from colonialism, racism, sexism, and other types of bigotry. And we are taught to fight against these systems however we can, to fight for equal rights, freedoms, and equity, even at the expense of our comfort, futures, and livelihoods.

At the time of Goheen’s speech, Princeton students were protesting the Vietnam War, propping banners that read “EVEN PRINCETON” to push back on Princeton’s quiet, conservative, and reactionary reputation. SPIA, which was formerly known as the Woodrow Wilson School, has also been at the center of political and moral discourse in the University. In February 1968, SPIA students undertook a solidarity fast to protest the “brutal and senseless policy” pursued in Vietnam. That same year, around 300 students marched on the former Woodrow Wilson School building to protest the university and its trustees’ complicity in corporations upholding the racist apartheid state in South Africa. In 1972, after 58 student demonstrators were charged by the University’s Judicial Committee for a sit-in at Nassau Hall, around 200 protestors occupied the policy school demanding amnesty for the protestors and the disclosure of the source of an anonymous $35 million grant to the school. Brave student actions have led to tangible results, from partial divestment from Apartheid in 1978 to demands for a more diverse curriculum in 1995. Today, these movements are celebrated as embodying the University’s ethos of service to humanity and commitment to civic activism.

In light of the values that Princeton and its policy school claim to hold, and a history of student protest guiding the University, we are shocked at how Princeton has punitively targeted students acting in the same vein of public service and social justice. In Goheen’s own words, these students caused a “disturbance,” seeking to draw attention toward a movement that directly impacts world events today. They acted in solidarity with university students around the country and the world, and in the spirit of a long history of peaceful protest at Princeton and within the policy school. This includes two of our peers at SPIA, Achinthya Sivalingam and Ariel Munczek Edelman.

On April 25, Achinthya, a second-year SPIA master’s student, was arrested while setting up a tent in McCosh Courtyard as part of a peaceful action. Four days later , 13 students including Ariel, a first-year Master in Public Affairs student, performed a sit-in — a peaceful protest tactic with a long and successful history . Along with many other graduate and undergraduate students, they took action to demand that Princeton divest from companies that fund and support Israeli attacks on Gaza.

As policy students, we believe in the need for collective action and political organization to advocate for marginalized populations, an essential right in any democracy. Yet Achinthya and Ariel were punished and censored by their own university, which preaches the power of advocacy and denounces punitive retaliation in its classes. Now, Achinthya is unsure if she will be able to graduate with her peers in less than three weeks. Ariel was barred from campus, and was only allowed to return to their campus housing after 12 days. In his campus-wide email on April 29, President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 even threatened Ariel and the rest of the Clio Hall sit-in participants with suspension and expulsion.

So why has a university whose motto commits it to service to humanity remained complicit in crimes against humanity? Why is Princeton so afraid of students applying the values we’ve been taught to our actions on campus? As policy students, we are appalled by the blatant hypocrisy of the University administration, which has relied on fear-mongering and false narratives to discredit student protestors. We are increasingly disillusioned with the dissonance of what we are taught in our classrooms and the University’s actions.

Despite student arrests, and the continued resilience of the Princeton Gaza Solidarity Encampment and hunger strike , the University has ignored and vilified student demands. We urge the administration to practice the values they preach and engage in constructive dialogue with students on their demands. Moreover, we demand complete amnesty for all students who have been engaging in peaceful protests for the rights of those in Palestine, including our classmates Achinthya and Ariel.

Current graduate students :

Afsana Khan, MPA ’24

Amana Abdurrezak, MPA ’25

Andre Jimenez, MPA ’24

Anna Schaeffer, MPA ’25

Avery Barnett, PhD 

Ayushi Vig, MPA ’25

Barghav Sivaguru, MPA ’24 

Ben Anderson, MPA ’24

Betsabe Rojas Gonzalez, MPA ’24

Brent Efron, MPA ’24

Brontë Forsgren, MPA ’24

Bronte Nevins

Claire Fondrie-Teitler, MPA ’25

Cydney Gardner-Brown, MPA ’24, 

Ebonie Simpson, MPP ’24

Eleni Smitham, MPA ’25

Elmir Mukhtarov, MPA ’24 

Fatma Gdoura, MPA ’24

Frances Steele, MPA ’25

Gillian Tisdale, MPA ’24

Isabela Salgado Pereira, MPA ’24

Jennifer Williams, MPA ’25

Jeremiah Chamberlin

Julia Kaufman, MPA ’25

Justin Schuster, MPA ’24

Juyoung Lee, MPA ’24

Kate Hannick, MPA ’24

Keiana West, MPA ’25

Kelso Brasunas, MPA ’24

Laurel Cooke, MPA ’25

Liam M., MPA ’24

Lizabelt Avila, MPA ’24

Madeleine Granda, MPA ’25

Madeline Davet, MPA ’25

Maimuna Ahmad, MPP ’24

Margot Adam, PhD ’28

Maya Pontón Aronoff 

Maya T. Woser, MPA ’24

Melissa Tier, PhD ’25

Mustafa Ali-Smith, MPA/JD ’27

Nada Shalash, MPA’25

Olivia Lucas, MPA ’24

Paris Wilkerson, MPA ’27

Peter Kirgis, MPA ’25

Pranav Bhandarkar, MPA ’27

Rachel Morrow, MPA ’25

Rooya Rahin, MPA ’27

Rosemary Newsome, MPA ’25

Sabrina Fields, PhD Student

Sarah Lee ’22, MPA ’28

Sergio Rodriguez Camarena, MPA ’24

Shelley Hoover, PhD ’28

Sophie Bandarkar, MPA ’25

Sylvia Skerry, MPA ’25

Tina Lee, MPA ’25

Tony Solís Cruz, MPA ’24

Vaani Chopra, MPA ’24

Graduate alumni :

Alessandra Brown, MPA ’18

Amber Forbes, MPA ’18

Amber Zuberi, MPA ’18

Andom Ghebreghiorgis, MPP ’22

Auri Minaya, MPA’23

Conor Hussey, MPA ’22

Daniel Edelman, MPA ’15

Dominick Tanoh, MPA ’23

Evelyn Wong, MPA ’23 

Fatima Khan, MPA’ 21

Francis Torres, MPA ’22

Hannah Ceja, MPA ’23

Harshita Rallabhandi, MPA ’21

Helena H., MPA ’23

Henrietta Toivanen, PhD ’23

Ileana Cruz, MPA ’19

Ishita Batra, MPA ’23

J. Sebastián Leiva M., MPA ’23

Jessie Press-Williams, MPA ’23

Jia Jun Lee, MPA ’22

Johana De la Cruz, MPA ’23

Julieta Cuéllar, MPA ’19

Kacie Rettig, MPA ’23

Kat Phan, MPA ’23

Kavita N Ramdas 

Marcelo Norsworthy, MPA ’18

Mark Lee Cambray, MPA ’21

Maura Farrell, MPA ’19

Muhsin Hassan MPA ’16

Nusrat Ahmed ’17 

Odette Overton, MPA ’23

Paco García Bellego, MPA ’23

Pallavi Nuka, MPA ’04

Patrick Ryan, MPA ’23

Rain Tsong, MPA ’23

Rouguiatou Diallo, MPA’23

Sam Carlson, MPA ’89

Seleeke Flingai, PhD, MPA ’18

Shehab Chowdhury, MPA ’18 

Sujata Rajpurohit, MPA ’21

Susan Ragheb, MPA ’22, APGA Board Member

Swetha Balachandran, MPA ’18

Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, MPA ’19

Vincent Cauntay

Vivian Chang, MPA ’17

Vyette Tiya, MPA ’24

The signatories listed signed as of 9:00 p.m. EST on May 13, 2024. To view a full list of signatories or to sign the letter, please see this continuously updating document. The document is monitored by the authors of the letter.

Eisgruber says protesters must clear encampment, divestment to be formally considered

In a campus message, University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 announced that protesters must clear Cannon Green, but gave no specific deadline. He also announced that the CPUC’s Resources Committee will meet on Tuesday to formally consider divestment from Israel.

First graduates of GSRC’s Drag University take the stage

Though not the first Drag Brunch ever hosted on Princeton’s campus, this year's brunch featured something special: student performers who spent the entire year in the Drag University program, learning from local queens on mastering the ins and outs of drag.

Hunger strikers trade off with new participants after nine days

After nine days of hunger striking in solidarity with Palestine, the 13 participating students ended their strike. Seven other undergraduates have taken their place, beginning a new iteration of the strike.

Most Popular

Civil disobedience has consequences, live updates: protesters issued warning to clear camp on monday, no timeline set, faculty call on the board of trustees to act in face of hunger strike.

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Graduate route: rapid review

The Migration Advisory Committee's report on the Graduate route, with a letter to the Home Secretary.

PDF , 1.47 MB , 70 pages

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Letter to the Home Secretary on the rapid review of the Graduate route (accessible)

Letter to the home secretary on the rapid review of the graduate route.

PDF , 121 KB , 3 pages

Data tables

ODS , 1.17 MB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

In March 2024, the Home Secretary commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee to carry out a rapid review of the Graduate route.

The committee recommends that the route stays in place in its current form.

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Added the data tables spreadsheet.

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