How to Write a Motivation Letter for University, With 2 Examples
Requirements checked on the universities’ official websites in October 2026
A motivation letter is a short piece of writing in which you explain why you want to study a particular course, how you have prepared for it and what you hope to do with it. Some universities ask for one, others ask for an essay with its own name and rules, and some don’t consider letters at all, so the first step is always to check what your university actually asks for.
If you’re staring at a blank page, that’s completely normal: for most students, this is the hardest part of the application. Below you’ll find who asks for what, a simple structure, the mistakes I see most often, and two real examples from students I have worked with, shared with their permission and with identifying details removed.
Who Asks for a Motivation Letter, and Who Doesn’t
Names and rules vary from one university to the next, so always start from the admissions page for your programme. A few examples, checked on the universities’ own websites:
Bocconi, bachelor’s programmes: motivational letters, CVs and recommendation letters are not considered. Admission is based on the admissions test and school grades. (Bocconi admissions)
UK universities, undergraduate: instead of a letter, you write one personal statement through UCAS, answering three questions in up to 4,000 characters including spaces, with at least 350 characters per answer. (UCAS)
LSE, graduate programmes: a “statement of academic purpose” of 1,000–1,500 words on your academic interest, your preparation and your goals. A few programmes set their own format. (LSE)
IE University, bachelor’s programmes: an “Express Yourself” piece is among the required documents, and the topic is revealed in the application form. (IE University)
For any other university, read the admissions page for your programme. It will tell you whether a letter is required, what it is called, and how long it can be.
A Simple Structure That Works
Why this subject. Open with what draws you to the field, through something specific: a question, a project, a moment. Avoid quotations and “ever since I was a child”.
How you have prepared. Courses, projects, reading, work experience: what you did and, more importantly, what you learned from it.
Why this programme, at this university. Name modules, teaching methods or research that match your interests. Show that you have read the programme page, not the rankings.
Where you want to go next. Your short- and longer-term goals, and how the programme helps you get there.
A short, confident close. One or two sentences that bring it together.
Not every university wants all five. An essay like IE’s “Express Yourself” answers a prompt instead. But for most motivation letters and statements of purpose, this order works well.
Common Mistakes
One letter for every university. Each programme deserves its own letter; LSE, for example, asks for a separate statement for each programme you apply to.
Listing achievements without reflection. Your CV already lists them. The letter should explain what they taught you.
Praising the ranking or the city. LSE specifically asks applicants to avoid general statements about its rankings or about London.
Ignoring the format. Word and character limits, and details such as LSE’s request for your name and programme title on every page, are part of the task.
Not sounding like yourself. LSE asks for the statement to be all your own work, and a letter that doesn’t sound like you is hard to stand behind at interview. Write it in your own words, then edit.
Leaving it to the last week. Good letters take several drafts.
Example 1: Statement of Academic Purpose, MSc in Finance (LSE)
Written by a final-year economics and finance student applying to LSE’s MSc in Finance, and shared with the student’s permission. Names, places and other identifying details have been changed. Programme details are as the student described them at the time, so check LSE’s current programme page before writing your own.
Why it works:
It moves in a clear order: interest, preparation, why this programme, goals.
It links specific modules to specific interests instead of praising LSE in general.
It ends with concrete short-, medium- and long-term goals.
What fascinates me most about Finance is analysing data to outperform the market, leveraging unique opportunities and successfully predicting future trends. I have always been passionate about Mathematics, and my combined interest in Economics urged me to pursue a BSc in economics and finance at an Italian university. My current degree has offered me a comprehensive understanding of concepts in my disciplines of interest, creating a solid basis for the courses I am taking in my final year. Studying international and monetary economics has introduced me to the close correlation between fluctuations in exchange rates and macroeconomic events, while financial economics has demonstrated the practical application of econometric models in impacting financial decisions. In the exchange semester I am currently spending abroad, I have chosen courses on capital markets and institutions as well as international finance, which have clarified the activity of financial intermediaries and the factors affecting the international monetary system. Simultaneously studying Econometrics has equipped me with statistical instruments and subsequent mathematical models to quantify economic phenomena, with broad applications for various areas in finance like forecasting and risk management.
Beyond university, I have extensively researched how financial models are constructed using Python, particularly in the context of portfolio simulation and investment management. I recently began an online course offered by a European business school to understand how machine learning is applied to financial data sets; developing Python tools to test investment strategies taught me structured risk analysis, which is quite useful when assessing downside scenarios. This independent exploration into quantitative finance has been quite useful in linking theoretical concepts to their practical applications, since back-testing my own models has demonstrated the complexity of market behaviours and the resulting importance of a concrete methodology in processing financial data to extract actionable insights. In January, I will be commencing a short internship at a financial advisory firm, with my main objective being to shadow a senior partner. This will allow me to gain a deeper understanding of all the responsibilities a financial professional in a senior position has, whether those are creating and maintaining relationships with clients, overseeing and leading the advisory team, setting a strategic direction based on market performance or identifying opportunities for business development.
The main driver in my decision to pursue the MSc in Finance is my objective of developing in-depth knowledge on topics relating to the broader discipline. Considering my interest in data-driven financial decision making and systematic risk assessment, the modules in Risk Management & Corporate Investment and Financial Policy will provide me with a holistic overview of tools for measuring exposure and how those can later be applied to drive investment choices. On the other hand, Entrepreneurial Finance and International Finance are aligned with my professional aspirations, since I am passionate about shared value creation, especially through the funding of early-stage ventures. Given the wide diffusion of globalisation, achieving this demands a perspective that transcends national borders and considers the interconnected nature of modern business. The fact that courses are delivered over flexible 3 hour sessions is quite appealing to me, because it will enable me to directly connect theoretical concepts to their practical implications.
Obtaining a postgraduate degree in Finance is undoubtedly linked to my career objectives. I am looking forward to the practitioner seminars and case-based approach, since these will provide information on how current professionals operate within my field of interest. Combined with the consistent analysis of case studies, I will consolidate my theoretical understanding of corporate finance, valuation and capital markets with the decision-making processes utilised by professionals in real-life settings. The fact that teaching is actively informed by academia is another salient factor in my decision to apply to this degree, since learning in the same environment as leading researchers like [a faculty member whose work you have read] means that I will have access to cutting-edge insights on topics such as how to drive innovation and entrepreneurship through private markets. Beyond private markets, I am fascinated by how the Finance discipline is transforming due to the structural changes in valuation and investment processes; during the MSc in Finance I hope to be exposed to the latest advancements in this field, spanning from the rising importance of intangible assets to the wide diffusion of advanced algorithms and ML in optimising investment decisions. The department’s research on SRIs will prepare me for a changing landscape which places a growing preference on companies with a high ESG performance and long-term resilience. Aligning capital with purpose does not only have the potential to redefine business growth models, but can be a unique means of promoting sustainable innovation and generating measurable value for society. As I develop professionally, I aspire to apply these broader competencies to private-market investing, since scaling in these contexts can be aided by longer time horizons and active ownership.
Outside lectures, I aspire to join the Private Equity society so as to have access to additional stimuli and networking opportunities, working towards my professional goal. Combined with the extensive career preparation the university offers, including the communication and personal impact training day at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the focus on creating a potent personal brand, I am confident that I will be prepared to join an undoubtedly competitive job market upon graduation. On the other hand, coming in regular contact with LSE’s alumni network through various events, particularly those which allow for a more intimate opportunity for knowledge exchange such as the alumni breakfasts, will certainly facilitate the identification of career opportunities and the fostering of genuine connections with potential future colleagues.
The strong prevalence of international students and a highly diverse faculty is a complement to my undergraduate studies, especially considering the added value cross-cultural collaboration has already brought to my learning experience. This does not only apply to gaining insights on the numerous possibilities within emerging markets, but to the sheer value of knowledge exchange and diverse perspectives for my intention of working in multiple countries.
In the short term, I aim to join an investment firm, ideally spanning private markets and growth equity, as an Analyst. In this role, I will deepen my understanding of valuation modelling, due diligence, market sizing and the development of investment theses which contribute to long-term sustainability. Considering my medium term career goals, I aim to coordinate value-creation projects within portfolio companies, while my long term aspiration is to contribute significantly to investment strategies that concretely support sustainable innovation across international markets.
LSE’s MSc in Finance will equip me with strategic tools to convert my passion for innovation and markets into tangible impact. Identifying value where others only see risk is my ultimate objective and I look forward to learning how to bridge analytical precision with strategic decision-making.
Example 2: “Express Yourself” Essay (IE University)
Written by a final-year school student applying to study Computer Science at IE University, and shared with the student’s permission. Identifying details have been changed. IE reveals the topic in the application form, so your prompt may be different.
Why it works:
It answers the prompt directly: one experience, and what it taught.
It links the experience to the chosen subject without forcing it.
It shows growth with a concrete cause: meeting students from other countries made the writer “much less timid in expressing my views”.
Prompt: Reflect on a personal accomplishment which has helped you develop your understanding of yourself or the world around you.
Being a member of a small school delegation in an Erasmus+ project on water and environmental responsibility has been one of my most salient personal accomplishments; as part of this project, I have travelled to two other European countries, visiting local schools to exchange knowledge and develop bespoke communication materials. The main objectives of this initiative are to raise awareness on environmental responsibility, particularly as it pertains to water availability and the potential impact of natural disasters. Beyond developing a profound understanding of these contemporary issues, we explored prospective mitigation strategies through the simulation of disaster scenarios, offering us some context on environmental crisis management. My group was specifically assigned the audience of people aged 15-24, which meant that our communication strategy had to be tailored to maximise the reach for the intended target. The finalisation of materials was performed on site during our visits and we opted for the development of a website landing page, which I spearheaded, as well as the production of a video and promotional poster. The project will likely continue virtually for a few more weeks, since another partner school is also involved and we are unable to visit in person due to upcoming school deadlines.
The most important insight from this experience has been the confirmation of my conviction to pursue studies in Computer Science, since I thoroughly enjoyed developing the webpage for our presentation and researching the best tools to do so. Comprehending the continuously evolving nature of technology has convinced me that I want to be an active contributor to these advancements, especially given the rapid advent of Artificial Intelligence and its resounding impact on how the world works. I also understood that I am able to connect with my generation, since I have a deep understanding of how the wide diffusion of technology has impacted interpersonal interaction and individual perception. Beyond this, meeting new people from countries with cultures that vary from my own has made me much less timid in expressing my views and has inspired me to be my authentic self, since I realised that my perspective is unique and can add value to a wider conversation.
In terms of enhancing my understanding of the world, the element of intercultural exchange really shed light on how social norms affect perception, despite the fact that many issues faced today exist on a global scale. This highlights the significance of cross-cultural collaboration, as well as the necessity for constructive exchange of information to solve such complex concerns. Visiting schools in particular was also very insightful, since I observed the radical differences in how education is approached. In one of the schools we visited, there was a dedicated area with a pool table and a games console, which reframes the learning experience as an equilibrium between academic enrichment and recreation. It also strengthens social bonds in students through offering an additional channel for interacting beyond the classroom and equates socialising with academics in the context of preparing for one’s future. Besides instilling a sense of work-life balance, which is important in one’s overall approach of life, I really appreciated the resulting independence and self-paced learning, since there was a degree of flexibility in combining class attendance with self-study.
Overall, the Erasmus+ mobility project has been an excellent opportunity to experience different schooling systems and cultures firsthand, while delving deeper into a global and complex issue and applying my skills in building websites to address diverse audiences. Learning to use my voice and to share my perspective in a constructive way is perhaps the most valuable outcome of my participation and I look forward to bringing all the aforementioned insights to my studies at IE. Thank you in advance for considering my application.
Length, Tone and Format
Follow what the university says, every time. If there is a word or character limit, stay within it; if a format is specified, use it. If nothing is specified, ask the admissions office rather than guessing. For tone, aim for natural and professional: write as you would speak to a professor you respect.
How I Can Help
Writing is at the heart of what I do. I help students find the right material, shape it and refine it over as many drafts as it takes, while keeping every letter in their own voice. Read more about my support with personal statements and motivation letters, or book a free first call.
