Letter of Recommendation for Masters | Sample, Format & Tips

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for Masters programs is a single-page document typically contains 400-500 words. The structure of the letter is categorised into 4 or 5 short paragraphs includes introduction, body (2-3 paras), and conclusion/summary. This general LOR format is accepted by most universities. LOR show admissions officers how well prepared you are for graduate study. Recommendation letters can make or break your application. 

A letter of recommendation or LOR is also called a Reference letter that is given by your past employer or academic institution (school/university). The document must highlight your academic performance, vital accomplishments and strengths. This letter is usually provided by someone who knows you well, such as a professor or mentor. Universities in Canada are having LOR as one of the required prerequisites for the admission process. 

Sample letter of recommendation for the master’s program

As a student applying for admission to a graduate school, you want to show an aptitude for graduate-level study. So, how do you write an impressive letter of recommendation that covers all the bases so that admissions officers see potential in you?

Here are a couple of samples for your review:

Sample Letter of Recommendation for Master’s Program from Professor

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am writing to recommend Mr. Jones for admission to the Master of Science program in Computer Science at University X. He is an outstanding student who has shown his ability to complete challenging assignments and projects independently. His academic record shows that he has been able to successfully manage time and resources to meet deadlines while maintaining excellent grades.

Mr. Jones has also shown leadership skills by organizing and leading a team of students to develop a web application. This project involved working closely with faculty members and fellow students to design, implement, test, debug, and deploy a web-based system. Besides completing the project, Mr. Jones also presented the results at our departmental seminar.
His strong interest in computer science is reflected in his participation in various clubs and organizations, including the ACM, IEEE, and CSE. He has also volunteered to teach introductory programming classes to middle school students.

In summary, Mr. Jones would make an ideal candidate for the Master of Science degree in Computer Science at University Y.

Sincerely,
Name, Professor
[College name]

Sample Letter of Recommendation for Master’s Program from Employer

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am writing to recommend Mr. Jones as an outstanding candidate for admission to the Master’s program in Business Administration at the University of California San Diego.

Mr. Jones is currently employed as a Senior Accountant at XYZ Company where he has been working since January 2012. He has demonstrated his ability to perform well under pressure, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and deliver quality results. In addition, he has shown strong leadership skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively within a team environment.

Mr. Jones has also received many awards for his achievements, including:

• Best Sales Team Member Award (2012)
• Top 10% Sales Team Member Award (2013)
• Most Valuable Employee (2014)
• Outstanding Performance Award (2015)
• Highest Customer Satisfaction Rating (2016)
• Overall Excellence Award (2017)

Mr. Jones would make an excellent addition to our team, and I look forward to seeing him succeed in his studies.

Sincerely,
John Doe

Who Should You Ask for a Letter of Recommendation for Master’s Application?

Selecting the right person to write your letter of recommendation is crucial when applying for a Master's program, as it significantly enhances your application by highlighting your qualifications and achievements. The choice of recommender should be tailored to the specific requirements of the university and program to which you are applying. Some universities specify that letters come from professors, professional mentors, or past employers. If the recommendation is expected from a professor, it should emphasize your academic prowess and accomplishments. Conversely, if a past employer is requested, the letter should focus on detailing the skills that are pertinent to the Master's program you're aiming to enter. By thoughtfully choosing who writes your recommendation based on these criteria, you can greatly improve your chances of acceptance into your desired program.

You could present:

• Letter of recommendation for master’s from professors
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from class faculties
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from college counsellors
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from principal
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from teacher like math teacher, physics teacher, english teacher and more
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from HOD
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from internship supervisors
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from company
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from team lead / manager
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from the manager you report to
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from employer
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from your advisor or mentor
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from the department chairperson
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from your thesis committee members
• Letter of recommendation for master’s from the Dean of students

Any people mentioned above can write you a letter of recommendation, but there are some people you should avoid asking. These are the people who will have less knowledge of your skills and achievements and who have less incentive to put their reputation on the line and recommend you. The people you should not ask are employers who are not experts in your field of study, people who have not worked with you directly and perhaps have not even taught you. You must not request someone who might give you a favourable recommendation. If you’re not currently enrolled in college, you cannot ask your past professors.

Letter of Recommendation Format for the Master’s Program

A LOR for Master’s courses is usually a single page document of 400-500 words. The structure of the letter is broadly classified into 4 to 5 short paragraphs: introduction, body (2-3 paras), and conclusion. Majority of universities accept this general letter of recommendation format for students.  More details about the format is given below but be sure to check with your program’s recommendations.

First Section: Introduction

• Begin with a concise introduction of the recommender, stating their full name, title, and affiliation, including the specific college or university, department, and their position.
• Provide a clear description of how the recommender knows the student, including the duration and capacity of their relationship, such as the courses taught by the recommender to the student or any direct supervisory role.
• Mention the purpose of the letter, which is to recommend the student for the specific Master’s program the student is applying to.

Second Section: Achievements

• Focus on key academic achievements of the student relevant to the Master’s program. This could include major projects, research work, publications, presentations, or academic competitions.
• Highlight any exceptional grades or awards received by the student in their relevant coursework or during their undergraduate studies.
• Discuss any relevant academic traits that stood out, such as the student's analytical skills, innovative approaches to problem-solving, or dedication to their field of study.

Third Section: Skills

• Provide specific examples that illustrate the student’s skills. These can include instances of exemplary research, critical thinking, technical proficiency, or creative output.
• Discuss soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication, particularly in contexts such as group projects, leadership roles in student organisations, or during internships.
• Emphasize how these skills are not only inherent to the student’s current achievements but are indicative of their potential success in the Master’s program.

Fourth Section: Conclusion

• Summarise the key points discussed, reinforcing why these experiences and skills make the student a strong candidate for the Master’s program.
• Reiterate the fit between the student’s academic and professional goals and the Master’s program they are applying to, based on the detailed observations shared in the letter.
• Include a strong, supportive statement of recommendation for the student’s admission into the program.
• Conclude with the recommender's complete contact details, including their telephone number and email address, ensuring they are available for any follow-up questions.  

Tips for Indian Students to Write a LOR for Master’s

Below are some strategies to enhance your LOR for a Master's program, ensuring it effectively highlights your strengths and improves your admission prospects:

How to Submit your Letter of Recommendation ?

There are three common ways to send your letters of recommendation:

1. Submit it via the school’s online portal: Most schools allow students to upload their letters of recommendation through their website or the recommenders will be provided with a login using which they can directly submit the LOR.

2. Email it directly to the admissions office: The recommender should send the LOR from their official mail ID to the email address of the school’s admissions office.

3. Send it through postal mail: If the recommender wants to send the LOR through post, then he/she needs to print out the form and fill it up with all relevant details and send it through post

Difference between LOR, SOP, and Letter of Reference.

The terms LOR, SOP, and Letter of Reference can be often confusing. They are used for different purposes, by distinct people and have different formats.

• A letter of reference is a document that provides information about an individual’s qualifications, experience, skills, and abilities. This document is used when applying for jobs, promotions, and academic scholarships.
• A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a document that provides recommendations for someone’s character, personality, and ability to perform a job. These documents are typically written by supervisors, colleagues, friends, and family members.
• A statement of purpose is a document written by yourself. It describes why you want to attend school/college, why you want to pursue a career in a particular field, why you want to join a company, etc. Each country has its own SOP format, like SOP for Canada requires its SOP to be in two pages long with 1000-1500 words. 

 Check out more LOR samples here:

• Letter of Recommendation Sample for MS Program
• Sample letter of Recommendation for MS in Canada
• Sample letter of Recommendation for MBA in Canada

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

1. Are there instances when you do NOT need a letter of recommendation? 

Sometimes writing a letter of recommendation is not appropriate. For example, if you are applying for a PhD program, you do not need a letter of recommendation from your undergraduate advisor. In addition, if you are applying for a job, you do not need recommendations from your previous employers.

2. Can a friend write a letter of recommendation?

Someone who has worked with you closely in an academic or professional setting can be requested to write a letter of recommendation. A friend, however, may not know enough about your work history or other qualities to provide a good evaluation.

3. How long should a grad school letter of recommendation be?

The preferred length of the LOR is one page; however, if the recommender wants to add more details to support your application, they can do so by extending to one more page.

4. What format should my letter of recommendation be submitted in?

It’s best if you submit the letter of recommendation in the same format as your other documents. If you ‌submit the letter in a different format, the admissions committee may not read it. The most widely accepted file format is PDF.

5. How many letters of recommendation are required for a master's program in universities?

Usually, each university you apply for will ask for two to three letters of recommendation. However, some programs require only one letter of recommendation. Please check with the university about the specific LOR they’re looking for. Often, they mention the specifics in instructions related to your application documents.

6. How many times should I send out a letter of recommendation? Should I keep sending them after the deadline passes?

You should send out the letter of recommendation at least once before the deadline. Sending multiple copies of the letter does not increase its chances of being considered.

7. Is there any difference between writing a letter of recommendation for an undergraduate degree vs. master's degree?

There is no difference in the way you write a letter of recommendation for undergraduates versus masters students. You just need to make sure that you have included all the relevant information when writing the letter.