On the Études en France platform, you write a cover letter for each programme you choose. Space is limited: every sentence has to count. Institutions read hundreds of them; a clear letter written for their programme stands out.
The four-part outline
Who you are
Your current programme or latest degree, and the part of your background that led you to this field: a course, an internship, a project.
Why this programme
What draws you to this specific programme: subjects, a specialisation, a compulsory internship, a lab. Show that you have read the programme description.
What you bring
Your assets for succeeding: strong grades in the key subjects, an experience, a skill, your capacity for work.
Where you are heading
The job or sector you are aiming for after the degree, consistent with the career plan written in your file.
What institutions want to read
An applicant who knows why they are there. Consistency between your background and the programme matters more than fine phrases. A letter that could be sent unchanged to another university does not convince.
Phrases to avoid
- “Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed…”: overused, and says nothing about your background.
- Compliments about France or the institution: replace them with a precise fact about the programme.
- Letters copied from the internet: they all look alike, and advisers recognise them.
- Telling your whole life story: keep only what leads to this programme.
Before you send
Read it aloud, have someone else read it, and check the exact name of the programme and institution in each letter. A letter addressed to the wrong university is rejected outright.
Key points
- A different letter for each programme.
- One precise fact about the programme beats a compliment.
- The letter must match your career plan.
