cover letter for uni application

University cover letter examples

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If you’re applying for jobs at a university, you need a cover letter that will make you stand out amongst all the other qualified candidates.

It’s key that you present yourself in a manner that will persuade the recruitment team to shortlist you for interview, and to help you impress, we’ve put together this detailed guide on how to write a standout cover letter.

We’ll share all our expert advice, along with some university cover letter examples to inspire you.

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These University cover letter examples provide you with some guidance and inspiration for writing a cover letter that gets noticed and ensures your CV will get opened.

But if you really want to master the art of writing a winning cover letter , then follow our step-by-step cove letter writing guide below.

How to write a University 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

Type the content of your cover letter directly into the email you are sending, or if you are applying via a job board, directly into their messaging system.

The reason for doing this it to ensure that your cover letter gets seen instantly and you can start connecting with the recruiter as soon as they open your message.

If you attach your cover letter as a separate document, the recipient will have to open up the document, which will slow the process down, or make them less likely to even open your cover letter – which could mean your application gets skipped over.

Start with a friendly greeting

To start building rapport with the recruiter or hiring manager right away, lead with a friendly greeting.

Try to strike a balance between professional and personable.

Go with something like…

Hi [insert recruiter name]
Hi [insert department/team name]

Stay away from old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies – they can come across as cold and robotic.

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 to uncover it via these methods.

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 *University position* 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 sole objective of your cover letter is to motivate recruiters into to opening your CV. And you achieve this by quickly explaining your suitability to the roles you are applying for.

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

Then, when crafting your cover letter, make your suitability the central focus.

Explain why you are the best qualified candidate, 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 you for the job.

Keep it short and sharp

It is best to keep your cover letter brief if you want to ensure you hold the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers. A lengthy cover letter will probably not get read in full, so keep yours to around 3-6 sentences and save the real detail for your CV.

Remember the purpose of your cover letter is to quickly get recruiters to notice you and encourage them to open your CV, so it only needs to include the highlights of your experience.

Sign off professionally

To finish off your cover note, add a professional signature to the bottom, stating your important contact details and information.

This not only provides recruiters with multiple means of contacting you, but it also adds a nice professional appearance to the cover letter, which shows that you know how to conduct yourself in the workplace.

Include the following points;

A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm 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,

Aaron Smith Customer service professional 075557437373 [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 document that you could copy in.

What to include in your University cover letter

Your University cover letter will be unique to your situation, but there are certain content guidelines you should stick to for best results.

To attract and entice recruiters, stick with the following key subjects in your cover letter – adapting them to fit your profession and target jobs.

Your professional experience – Employers will be keen to know if your experience is suitable for the job you are applying to, so provide a good summary of it in your cover letter.
Your qualifications and education – Highlight your most relevant and high-level of qualification, especially if they are essential to the job.
The positive impact you have made – Employers love to hear about the benefits you can bring to them, so shout about anything impressive you have done, such as saving money or improving processes.
Your reasons for leaving – Use a few words of your cover letter to explain why you are leaving your current job and ensure you avoid any negative reasons.
Your availability – Let recruiters know when you can start a new job . Are you immediately available, or do you have a month notice period?

University cover letter templates

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

I am excited to apply for the Lecturer position in the Politics Department at Sheffield University, bringing with me a wealth of experience and a passion for International Relations, Political Philosophy, and Critical Theory. With an MA and PhD from the University of Leeds and 6+ years of teaching experience, I possess the skills to design engaging lectures, mentor students, and conduct impactful research.

In my current role as Assistant Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, I have designed a popular course on the politics of identity and social movements, demonstrating my ability to innovate new and well-received modules. My research on the intersections of power, identity, and social movements was presented at the International Political Science Association Conference and published in the Journal of Politics. During my tenure as a Teaching Assistant, I introduced a seminar series on essay structure and technique, which received positive feedback and contributed to a significant 12% increase in exam scores. My dedication to fostering inclusive classrooms and research, as evidenced in my publications on intersectionality and politics of representation, aligns with the values of your department.

I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience to discuss how my qualifications and commitment to diversity and equity align with your department’s vision.

Best wishes,

I hope you’re well. With a varied 30-year academic career and specialist experience in 18th-century literature, literary theory, and critical race studies, I am thrilled to apply for the position of Professor of English Literature at UCL.

Through my PhD research and 12+ years of teaching experience at The University of Manchester, I have honed my ability to design and deliver engaging lectures and seminars while effectively mentoring students. My original research on race and gender in 18th-century literature has garnered recognition from Lit Today and LHB Journal, including a successful research project on the reception of African American literature in the UK. My monograph on the same subject received acclaim in Women’s Writing Journal. In my previous role as Senior Lecturer, I designed a highly requested course on the history of the novel which attracted 65% of students in its first year, showcasing my innovative approach to course development. Additionally, in 2021 I organised an international conference on race and literature that attracted scholars from 38 countries and engaged 800 undergraduate students.

I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience to discuss how my qualifications and dedication can contribute to the progressive academic excellence at UCL.

Kind regards,

Simone Rickard

Dear Martin,

I hope this email finds you well. With a 25+ year career at UCL, including a PhD in the history of women’s rights and the feminist movement, I am excited to apply for the esteemed position of Program Director, bringing with me a wealth of experience and dedication to advancing the field of Women’s History.

As the current Program Director of Women’s History at UCL, I successfully spearheaded the development of a new undergraduate program in Women’s History Studies, becoming the most popular history class in recent cohorts. I have also cultivated partnerships with external organisations, such as the British Library and the Tate, to create interpretive exhibits showcasing influential women throughout history. My dedication to fostering an inclusive learning environment is evident in my implementation of a 1-2-1 mentorship program for women interested in pursuing careers in history. My ability to design and deliver engaging curriculum materials, mentor students, and secure funding through grant proposals makes me the ideal candidate for this role.

I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience to discuss how my qualifications and commitment to advancing the study of Women’s History align with your institution’s mission.

Osei Johnson

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a job working at a University, 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!

Guide On How To Write A Cover Letter For A University

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Cover It Up

It's the time of year again; you have made a list of your selected colleges and will apply to them. You are about to apply, but one hurdle remains in your path; the dreaded cover letter. Many students still are unsure of how to write a good cover letter for a university. In this blog, we will tell you how to write a great cover letter for a university. We will discuss the basic template, tips, and things to remember while writing a university application letter. So let us not waste any time and dive straight into it.

What is a cover letter for a university, and why is it important?

Many of us thought of this question when we first encountered the need for a cover letter when applying for universities. A cover letter for a university is basically a one-page application that you submit alongside your CV or resume when applying to a university or college. Many universities ask for a cover letter nowadays since it provides the admissions officer with further detail on how your skill set aligns with the university, what you can bring to the institution and why you want a seat. It also shows the admissions officer your passion and suitability for the course. In addition, a university application letter is more personal than a resume and builds a relationship with the officer.

How to write a cover letter for a university?

Since we have discussed why a university application letter is important, let us now see how to write one. The structure and text volume of a cover letter for a university is determined by its five major features. In most circumstances, a university application letter should be no more than one page long and no more than 300 words long. However, those words must be carefully picked and stick to a well-defined structure. The five major features of a cover letter for a university are:

The officer will see the header first, which is precisely where you can wow them. The header is the only place of a university application letter where you can have some design choices instead of the entire letter being in black text boxes. It will help your letter look as good as it reads. The header usually includes your name , occupation , address , phone number and email .

2. Greeting

The greeting line of a university application letter, also known as a salutation, is where you say your greetings. In a university application letter, don't go too inventive. A simple "Hey" is obviously ineffective. Try to learn the name of the individual to whom you should address your university application letter. People enjoy reading their names , demonstrating your attention to detail and interest in this officer, showing that you've gone out of your way to determine who is processing applications!

3. Introduction

The first paragraph of your cover letter for a university introduction should include your prestigious alma mater ( the school or college you have attended ). Another possibility is that you have experience in your field. Lead with your abilities, and aim to produce a paragraph that makes the admissions officer want to keep reading.

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The heart of your pitch should be in the body of your cover letter for a university. Given the one-page limit, you have a lot of work to perform in a limited time. In this section, you must mention your top qualifications for the course you wish to apply for. Also, attempt to include the name of the university you're applying to and explain why you want to study there. Remind the admissions officer that you aren't merely sending out study applications to random colleges but want to study at this one.

5. Conclusion

A call to action (CTA) should be included at the end of your cover letter for a university, in which you urge that the admissions officers take some action as a result of your letter. You can state you're looking forward to hearing back, that you'd be happy to follow up with a phone call, or that you'd be honoured to be invited to an interview, either in person or remotely. Your desire to receive a response should indicate to the officer that you are serious about attending this university. You don't want to come across as desperate or overconfident, but you want to express your genuine desire.

If you need more in-depth understanding on how to write your cover letter, our ultimate guide to writing a cover letter will surely help you out!

Documents you will need while submitting your university application letter?

You will need to submit a few documents while submitting your cover letter for a university! The documents include the following:

A CV/Resume
Previous academic transcripts
Portfolio (if required)
A personal statement

You need to submit these basic documents, but it would be best if you verified the required documents on the university site! As you know, you have to submit your CV or resume alongside your cover letter. Many students still face problems while creating a good resume, don't worry; we will show you how to create your first resume !

Tips on writing your cover letter for a university

There are a few tips that can help you make a great cover letter for a university that can wow the admissions officer:

Try to sound more human in your letter.
Beware of the cliches almost everyone uses, so you need to think "outside the box" for this one.
Keep an eye on your tone and ensure it's friendly , professional , and confident , but never arrogant or condescending.
Keep your cover letter brief ; keep it point to point so the reader doesn't get bored reading it.
It's a good idea to divide your introduction into the past, present, and future portions to stay organised while talking about yourself.
Prove everything you say in your cover letter for a university by keeping the tone friendly and not arrogant!
Don't just list everything you have achieved since it is already in your CV! Try to mention what new things you would achieve!

University application letter format

Your university application letter must say the appropriate things and look the right way. Choose the appropriate layout and design for your cover letter, and don't waste your golden prose on a poorly designed letter that sounds wonderful but looks horrible. You must use a legible font – nothing grand or unusual. You should use a font size of 10 to 12 points, which is large enough to read but not so large that it looks like you're creating a kid's story. Use 1-inch margins on your letter's top, bottom, right, and left sides. You must include a space between paragraphs that are not indented and keep all paragraphs to a decent length.

Things to keep in mind when writing a cover letter for a university

There are a few things to keep when writing your cover letter; these include the likes of spelling mistakes, grammar, poorly designed cover letters and much more. Here are a few things to remember:

Words are wasted. Irrelevant information, clichés, and fluff will clutter your page with unnecessary language. Use the limited space you have to write in your own words what makes you a good candidate.
One of the most typical mistakes students make is wasting their cover letter by transforming their resume into paragraph form . This repetition does not help the admissions officer assess your qualifications or persuade them that you are enthusiastic about the chance.
A solid cover letter might be improved by including facts about the university that you've learnt about. Learn about the university's culture and goals , and tailor your cover letter to reflect how you would be a good fit.
A cover letter is not the place to give bad information about your qualifications. An interview allows the admissions officer to learn about your weaknesses. Concentrate on your strengths !

These were the ways to create a good cover letter for a university. It will take you a bit of time and practice to perfect your cover letter. Once you submit your application, you might get called upon for a university interview. If the interview is going to scare you, then don't worry our blog about university interview questions will help you run that scare away. If you are going to apply to universities in the Uk, we can help you do exactly that. Our blog on applying to universities in the UK will do that.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a university application letter be, how do you end a cover letter for university, does a cover letter for a university improve your chances, can you be too confident in a university application letter, does a university application letter have to be perfect.

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