Learn the essential tips and guidelines for crafting an effective motivation letter for Erasmus Mundus. Here we’ll explain how you can make your application stand out and increase your chances of securing this prestigious scholarship.
A motivation letter, also known as a personal statement or statement of purpose, is a crucial part of your scholarship application. Writing a motivation letter can be daunting, especially if you’re unsure what to include or how to structure it. Many students often ask, “How do I write a motivation letter for Erasmus Mundus?” In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to help you craft a compelling motivation letter that can increase your chances of winning the Erasmus Mundus scholarship.
What is the Purpose of a Motivation Letter?
The motivation letter is your opportunity to explain to the scholarship committee why you are an excellent fit for their program and why you deserve to be selected. The primary purpose of this letter is to give the committee insight into who you are, your motivations, and your aspirations. It’s a chance to share your story, goals, and reasons for pursuing higher education in your chosen field. A well-written motivation letter can help the committee understand your fit for any scholarship and especially the Erasmus Mundus program and why you should be selected.
Do not look for motivation letters from your colleagues and seniors. Everyone comes from a different background, with different ambitions and career aspirations. Every person has a different story from the other. If you write your motivation letter on your own and mould it according to your program specifications will make it ‘personal’ and unique. The purpose is to make you stand out and this one document is your life story. It has to present you in the best possible manner virtually and can more efficiently advocate your case than an interview.
Need some tips to apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship? Read Here
Essential Tips for Writing a Motivation Letter for Erasmus Mundus
1. Understand the Program
Before you write your motivation letter for Erasmus Mundus, it is important to understand the program and its requirements. Make sure you know the deadlines, eligibility criteria, and specific requirements the scholarship committee is looking for. This will help you tailor your motivation letter to the specific program and demonstrate that you are a good fit. Additionally, review the aim and vision of the program and analyze the members of the consortium and profiles of faculty members.
2. Brainstorm Before Writing
Your motivation letter should clearly and concisely convey your goals and motivations for pursuing higher education. This could be “Why I want to study this particular field” or “How I plan to use my degree to make a difference in my community.” Brainstorm topics that reflect your passions and interests and can help the scholarship committee understand why you are a good fit for their program.
3. Use a Professional and Formal Tone
A motivation letter for Erasmus Mundus is a formal document, so it’s essential to use a professional and formal tone. Avoid using slang or colloquial language, and proofread your letter for spelling and grammar errors. Use proper punctuation and avoid using contractions.
4. Keep It Concise and to the Point
A motivation letter should be concise and to the point. Aim for around 500-700 words, and make sure to stay focused on the topic you have chosen. Avoid repeating information or adding useless or contradictory statements. Do check the word count requirements of the program if any. Try to adjust the length of your statement according to program specifications. Exceeding the specified length leaves a negative impression. REMEMBER: Content matters more than the length of the document.
5. Use Technical Details to Illustrate Your Points
To make your motivation letter more effective, use technical language and examples to illustrate your points. This could be a specific experience or project you worked on that demonstrates your passions and interests. Also, keep it RELEVANT.. Avoid adding irrelevant details as it makes the reader lose interest.
How to Write a Motivation Letter for Erasmus Mundus
Start your motivation letter with an introduction that grabs the attention of the scholarship committee. This could be a big question you aim to address or a statement about your goals and motivation for pursuing higher education in a specific field. Avoid using quotes and floral language. Focus on technical language instead.
The body of your motivation letter should consist of multiple paragraphs that expand on the information provided in the introduction and explain why you are a good fit for the scholarship program. Use concrete examples to illustrate your points. For example, if you want to highlight your leadership skills, don’t write long paragraphs about leadership; instead, share examples of projects or events where you demonstrated leadership skills.
Structure of a Motivation Letter
1. Title and Header
The header should be at the top left (or right) and must include the following:
- Applicant’s full name
- Applicant’s address and postal code
- Phone number
- Email address
Providing your Skype ID and social network links is optional.
2. Introduction
Start with formal greetings, get to the point, and state the purpose of the letter. For example, “Through this scholarship, I want to…” Briefly answer why you want to apply for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship and what motivates you to apply for the program. Then, concisely explain what attracted you to study at the institution or country offering the scholarship. Next, outline your objective and how it relates to the program’s mission. For example, “I am looking for an international experience for XYZ purpose… I am sure that this program through this institution/project can help me achieve my goal.”
3. Explain Who You Are
This section should detail your academic achievements. Here you can mention your academic background and what makes you interested in this field. You can also talk about any relevant field experience you have.
4. How This Program Aligns with Your Past Experiences
Here you can mention the relevant courses you studied. How have your past experiences including your projects or internships molded this path for you. Provide detailed insight into your motivation. If you are a fresh graduate, talk about your final year project or any relevant internship experience.
5. How You Are A Valuable Addition To the Program?
Here you say why you think you are an ideal candidate. Mention all your accomplishments to demonstrate the value you will bring to the institution and your potential contribution to society. Explain with examples how your skills and abilities will contribute to the program and what you expect to learn.
6. Talk about the Program / University You are Applying To
Explain why this particular program means so much to you, how the program, research projects, and facilities of the institutes or countries will help you achieve your goals, and how this achievement will help your society progress. Mention how the program will lead to personal development as well. You can talk about one particular lab or professor who is a part of the consortium and wishes to work with them.
7. You Future Goals
Talk about what you aim to do in the future and how this scholarship will help you achieve it. What questions do you want to address? Do you wish to serve the industry or pursue academia and how this scholarship will be a milestone in it.
8. Conclude Well
Prove that you are a suitable candidate and need this opportunity. Show your desire to learn, contribute, and use the knowledge.
Before submitting your motivation letter, proofread and revise it carefully. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your letter is well-organized and easy to read. Avoid extending it beyond one page unless specified otherwise. Address the letter to the correct institution, as addressing errors can be embarrassing and unprofessional. Try to make it as RELEVANT and TECHNICAL as possible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Lack of Specificity
Avoid vague phrases like “My dream was to study in XYZ country.” Instead, use specific examples that highlight your work in a relevant field.
2. Overemphasis on Personal Development
While personal development is important, scholarship providers are more interested in how you plan to make a positive impact and contribute to development and sustainability.
3. Not Following Instructions
Ensure you follow all the requirements, including word count and document format. Start writing the letter early to avoid missing deadlines.
Motivation Letter Template for Scholarships
Here is a sample motivation letter that you can use. However, I recommend you use this template just as an idea. There is not one universal template. If you have years of work experience, prioritize discussing your recent professional endeavors over your university studies. However, if you haven’t entered professional life yet, highlight any internships, or volunteer work, or elaborate on how you utilize your spare time. People on the selection committee read hundreds of motivational letters every year. Hence only an original letter will stand out. Try to make your motivation letter precise, consistent, polite but confident.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am looking for a suitable master’s degree program which [WHAT YOU WANT TO PURSUE … WHAT YOU WANT TO PURSUE], and [WHAT YOU WANT TO PURSUE. NAME OF THE PROGRAM] aligns exactly with my future/research/career aspirations.
I completed my bachelor studies in [YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE TITLE]. My studies have provided me with [EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE LEARNT] I spent [INTERNSHIP, EXCHANGE SEMESTER] For that reason/ This helped me / I have gained/I have learned WHAT HAVE YOUR LEARNT….. This experience made me realize [PROBLEMS/ISSUE IN THE FIELD YOU HAVE STUDIED/ RELEVANT ISSUES IN YOUR COUNTRY?]
After my bachelor’s, I had an experience of [NAME WHAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCED AT and……. NAME WHAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCED AT]. For example, I did/ have [SAY A BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT]. Currently, I am [WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT THE MOMENT] and I work/volunteer in……. for [NAME OF THE COMPANY as YOUR
POSITION].
I believe [NAME OF THE PROGRAM] is a program that combines all topics I am interested in such as [SUBJECT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN] or [SUBJECT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN] …….. Living in different countries provides an …… opportunity to experience different approaches to…… and learn more profoundly about TOPIC. Moreover, I like …… (field trips, summer school, additional courses, collaborating companies etc.) which are part of the study program. In my future career, I would like to focus on the [CAREER PATH, BUSINESS IDEA, RESEARCH FIELD]. Therefore, I would be pleased to complete my master’s thesis at [CHOOSE A UNIVERSITY FROM THE CONSORTIUM] The topic for my master’s thesis would be…. [NAME OF THE THESIS] dealing with [THE TOPICS OF YOUR THESIS]. I assume that [NAME OF THE PROFESSOR], which is a FIELD expert, would be a perfect supervisor for my master’s thesis.
One of the things I am the proudest is ………. This experience has taught me……… [WHY YOU SHOULD RECEIVE THE SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID? TRY TO DISCUSS ISSUES YOU HAVE HAD IN YOUR LIFE, HOW YOU OVERCAME THEM AND WHAT YOU LEARNT. GIVE A LITTLE DETAIL ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL BACKGROUND].
I believe my past [NAME SOME VALUABLE EXPERIENCE OR PAST EVENT…,….] experience in [EXPERIENCE IN SOME FIELD] and deep interest in [WHAT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN] would make a valuable asset to all Consortium partner Universities.
Thank you for considering my application.
[Name Surname]
Once done, refine it your motivation letter by getting it reviewed. I was fortunate to be accepted into the fully funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for the WAVES program in 2023. Since then, I have helped many candidates, many of whom were selected this year. Are you looking to maximize your chances of acceptance? Consider using our Professional Services to polish your application and stand out from the crowd.
Good luck with your future endeavors! May you achieve all your academic goals.
