Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience that can broaden your horizons, offer personal
growth, and provide you with unique opportunities that can shape your future. However, applying
for study abroad can be a daunting task, and writing a motivation letter is a crucial part of the
application process. Remember the personal statement you wrote when applying for university?
Well, a motivation letter is basically the same thing but for universities abroad. In this blog post, we
will provide you with some top tips on how to write a compelling motivation letter for study abroad.
Summary of Top Tips when writing a motivation letter:
- Research a lot and early
- Watch YouTube Vlogs
- Don’t be afraid to use your personal statement for inspiration
- Be authentic and personal
- Book an appointment with Careers & Placements
Research a lot and early
Choosing another country to spend your time in is a big decision that should not be taken lightly so
make sure you have done adequate research on the city you will be in, the university you will be
studying and the modules which you will be taking. Make sure to start this research early as you
never know where your research could take you, you may stumble into information that could
completely change the direction of your research.
Watch YouTube Vlogs
If you’re stuck on deciding a location, YouTube is your best friend. There are a ton of YouTube videos
and vlogs that people have done about their experience abroad. Make sure to check these out for
your universities and cities of interest as they are a great way of getting real-life reviews and
knowledge of what being abroad is really like. A bonus is that on these vlogs people are also more
likely to share a realistic experience rather than glorified version which you may see on other social
medias. Maybe even try to picture yourself in that city and environment to see how this makes you
feel.
Don’t be afraid to use your personal statement for inspiration
Remember that personal statement you wrote in your university application? Well, it’s time to dig it
up from wherever its hidden in the cloud and use it to get some inspiration. Reading over your UCAS
personal statement is a good starting point as it gives you a clear overview of the structure you can
use in your motivation letter as well as key details about yourself that you can include.
Be authentic and personal
The motivation letter is your chance to showcase your personality and unique qualities. Therefore, it
is essential to be authentic and personal in your writing. Avoid using generic phrases and clichés, and
instead, use your own voice and style. Above all, make sure to share your personal experiences,
interests, and aspirations that make you stand out from other applicants. Being personal and
authentic will make your motivation letter more memorable and engaging.
Book an appointment with Careers and Placements
The Careers and Placements team are here to help you whether you need some more help getting
started or even just need someone to read over your letter and give you some feedback. Go on the
C&P website and book an appointment with one of our study abroad advisors.
