Guidelines on how to write Academic and Personal Reference
letters for a UK university application
References sit alongside a student’s Personal Statement, CV, and academic qualifications, and it’s the only part of the application that the student won’t have any control over. Universities cite the reference as a deciding factor that affects whether a student gains a place on their chosen course or not; it could also impact whether a university offers a student a conditional or unconditional place.
When you submit your application, do not view each component in isolation. Your application is like a jigsaw; each component complements the other and fits together. If one is missing or substandard, the overall picture, which is YOU, is not complete.
What is an academic reference?
Your academic reference should be written by a teacher, tutor or professor who has interacted with you in an intellectual capacity. Someone who has taught you, assessed your assignments, observed your contribution to group discussions performance in exams. This also applies to an academic research assistant or thesis supervisor.
What is a personal reference?
A personal reference describes your values, integrity, character and long term visions for your future. It is written by someone who is not a relative, who would know about many parts of your life, a work-colleague, employer, line-manager, including volunteering, extracurricular activities, sporting achievement, team values, personal associations and leadership.
Is a personal reference the same as a professional reference?
Personal references are valuable because they provide prospective universities and employers with a holistic view of the kind of person you are. Whereas Professional References confirm the information you've provided regarding your work experiences and professional skills, personal references confirm your soft skills.
What should a reference letter include?
- The referee’s relationship to the applicant
- A summary of a past study performance
- The referee’s opinion of the applicant’s motivation and ability to study a subject at university
- The applicant’s academic achievements
- The applicant’s characteristics in support of the university acceptance of this student
What is the format for a reference letter for UK universities?
There is no specific requirement about how long the reference letter should be, but it is advised that a reference letter should not exceed two A4 pages in length.
The letter should be written on the official letterhead of the referee’s university, employer or organisation. The referee’s contact details (email, phone number and working address) should be noted on the top right corner of the letter.
The reference should be addressed to the admissions tutor of the intended course with the university’s complete address in the left corner of the letter.
There is no specific requirement on how a reference letter should be organised. However, the admission team from the university needs to see a logical order in writing. They may want to know who the referee is before jumping into why the referee thinks you are a genuine, eligible applicant. Therefore, a brief introduction of the referee and their relationship with the applicant will be appreciated.
The referee can then comment on your strengths and skills and emphasise the relation between those qualities and the course provided by the university. Examples such as discussions, tutorials or coursework can be displayed in the letter to demonstrate your abilities.
Suppose the referee is also familiar with your extracurricular work, such as student jobs, having a position in clubs or student unions, working in an NGO or organising events. They can mention those experiences in the reference letter as long as the experience is relevant to the course. The letter will be more convincing and highlight the student’s character of having a positive attitude and being responsible.
The letter should conclude with an offer for further contact from the referee, and it needs to be signed.
Prepare your referees
After selecting your referees, you may want to inform them of the deadlines for your submission. It would help if you met with your referees in advance to have time to discuss the letter.
You may have to change your referee at the last stage when you find out that the referee is not committed enough or you decide to apply for a different programme, but don’t worry, this is perfectly normal.
Remember that you can submit your application before the reference letter arrives. You may be asked to offer them at a later stage but do not hold up submitting your application.
Example of an Academic Reference
This reference would be produced on a university letterhead of the institution of the member is staff writing the reference.
The address below is the recipient of the academic reference.
FAO of the Admissions Tutor
MSc International Relations
The University of Life
12 Student Avenue
Bloomimgham
Countyshire
BL22 5QW
10 July 2023
Master’s Degree Academic Reference for Harry Plotter
I have known Harry from 2018-to 2022 as the Director of Studies in the School of Diplomacy and Politics at the University of Somewhere.
Harry attended classes I taught from the first year until his final year, which ended in June. He studied a range of modules that I taught, including British Governance, International Relations & Global Politics, Qualitative Research Methods in Humanities, and Diplomacy and Law. Harry earned 67%, 66%, 67% and 69% respectively in these modules. His overall degree award was 2:1 an Upper Second Class. His attendance was excellent, and he was always an active seminar participant, often leading discussions and formulating interesting opinions and theories. When Harry was asked to lead a seminar as part of his assessment, he had a confident manner and a clear speaking voice. He disseminated difficult concepts to ensure audience members could grasp them.
In my opinion, Harry has an array of strengths to offer and demonstrated excellent organisational skills, always handing in his well-written work on time or early. His ability to lead successfully was shown each time he volunteered to be the team leader of a research group. He is a pleasant individual, self-motivated and always willing to learn and develop.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend Harry for a Master’s degree in International Relations at the University of Life. His performance at the University of Somewhere indicates that he will make a very positive addition to the MSc International Relations course.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact me.
Yours faithfully,
S. Shooter
Senior Lecturer
+44 1234 4637 836
s.shooter@unianywere.ac.uk
-
Example of a Personal Reference
This reference would be produced on a letterhead of the institution or organisation of the person writing the reference.
The address below is the recipient of the Personal reference.
FAO of the Admissions Tutor
MSc International Relations
The University of Life
12 Student Avenue
Bloomimgham
Countyshire
BL22 5QW
10 July 2023
Master’s Personal Reference for Harry Plotter
I am the Scout Leader of the Basildon Bond Scout Group. I have known Harry for five years when he first joined the troop at the age of 16 years. Harry was a senior scout and a natural leader to the younger members of the troop. He led by example and was a very popular leader among the younger and older members of the troop.
I highly recommend Harry to become a masters degree student at your university. I am confident that he will do a very capable student and become a fine university and course ambassador when he graduates.
If you have any specific questions, please contact me for more details.
Yours faithfully (Yours sincerely, if you address this reference by name to its recepient)
B. Sprout, Scout Leader
Basildon Bond Scout Group
Tel: + 44 1234 567 890
b.spout@BBSGroup.org
World Student Advisors will process your visa application for you
