academic covering letter uk

Cover Letters

A cover letter introduces and markets you effectively by complementing your CV.

A cover letter tells your story by highlighting your relevant strengths and motivation for the person and organisation you are writing to, rather than listing all the things that can already be seen on your CV.

Always take the opportunity to submit a cover letter if you are given the chance.

The cover letter gives you scope to showcase what interests and drives you, and your enthusiasm for an organisation and the role. You can use it to align yourself with the organisation’s strengths, values and culture, and highlight in a targeted way your knowledge and strongest, most relevant skills for the position.

The content and style are up to you, but a logical and engaging structure is key. Below are some guidelines.

How to Write Cover Letters

Aim for a professional tone that conveys your message to the reader succinctly - remember it's not an essay or dissertation! Write in clear, concise English – take care not to drown the reader with your detail and avoid jargon they may not understand. The Plain English Campaign has some good guidance on improving your writing style.

Structure it like a business letter, brevity adds power and aim for no longer than 1 side of A4 in length. However, if the organisation gives you very specific instructions about the structure. length and content, follow their guidance.

Introduction

Introduce yourself and explain why you are writing. If you are responding to an advertisement, state where you saw it. This tells the recruiter why they are reading the letter, and it gives them feedback on which of their advertising sources are working. You need to think about how you would like to introduce yourself; it could be that you mention the course you are studying and when you plan to finish it along with your place of study.

Why this job?

Explain why you are interested in the job and the organisation. Tailor the letter to the organisation and job description to make it clear that you haven't sent out multiple copies of the same letter to different employers.

Draw on your research, especially what you have learnt from speaking with their staff (e.g. while meeting them at a fair or event, or during work shadowing/experience) as this will demonstrate an awareness and understanding of them that goes beyond the corporate website. Be specific about why the position is particularly attractive for you, and back this up with evidence from your past, or by linking this to your overall career plans, and what you find exciting about this sector, don’t just repeat the text from their publicity material.

Explain why you are well-suited to the position. Refer to the most relevant skills (c.3-5), experience and knowledge you have and match what you say to the requirements outlined in the job description. Tell your story and highlight key evidence so that you are building on your CV, but not using exactly the same phrases. Make sure you read our guidance on demonstrating you fit the job criteria for more advice.

As your aim is to convince the recruiter that you are a suitable candidate for the job, focus on your accomplishments and the transferable skills that are relevant to the role. State explicitly how you match the job criteria – don’t expect the person reading your letter to infer your skills or experiences for themselves.

Support your claims by referring to examples that are already detailed in your CV. You can make a stronger, more credible case by linking different experiences that highlight similar skills or competences. For example:

You first demonstrated your organisational skills by creating (an event) at school, and you have developed them further by raising (£xx) at last year’s fundraiser and, most recently, by leading (another event) for your society attended by (number) of people.
The role (applied for) would allow you to further explore your interest in mental health well-being which has driven your success as college welfare officer and the personal sense of achievement gained from working as a peer counsellor.

Reiterate your desire to join the organisation and end on a ‘look forward to hearing from you’ statement, followed by ‘Yours sincerely’ if writing to a named individual and ‘Yours faithfully’ if you have not been able to find a named contact.

Write to a named person if you can
If you have not been able to find a named contact, you could use ‘Dear Recruitment Manager’ or ‘Dear Recruiter’.
Check your spelling and get someone else to read it over.
Check that it says clearly what you want it to say. Are there any sections that are hard to read, overly long sentences? If yes, try to simplify the language, avoid jargon, use shorter sentences or take out that section completely.
Make the letter different each time. If you insert another company name, does the letter still read the same? If so, tailor it more specifically to the firm - you may need to do further research
Don’t start every sentence with “I”.
Give evidence for all your claims.
Be enthusiastic and interested.
Don’t repeat your whole CV.
It’s normal to find cover letters tricky to write. Give yourself plenty of time before the application deadline to redraft.
A careers adviser at the Careers Service can give you feedback on the content and structure of your cover letter and CV, and advise you on how best to target particular sectors – write one first, book an appointment on CareerConnect and ask a careers adviser for feedback.

Academic Cover Letters and Statements

Academic cover letters.

Academic cover letters vary in length, purpose, content and tone. Each job application requires a new, distinct letter.

For applications that require additional research or teaching statements, there is no point repeating these points in a cover letter – here, one page is enough (brief personal introduction, delighted to apply, please find enclosed X, Y, Z documents).

Other applications ask for a CV and a cover letter only, in which case the letter will need to be longer and require more detail. Others ask explicitly for this detail in the form of a supporting statement that sets out how you fulfil the job criteria. Aim for a maximum length of two pages, though for roles at associate professor level and above it may extend to 3-5 pages. In all cases it is important to use the space effectively and show that you can prioritise according to what they are looking for.

In all cases:

Your letter is a piece of academic writing – you need a strong argument and empirical evidence
Write for the non-expert to prove that you can communicate well
Make sure you sound confident by using a tone that is collegial (rather than like a junior talking to a senior)
Demonstrate your insight into what the recruiting department is doing in areas of research and teaching, and say what you would bring to these areas from your work so far.
Give quantifiable evidence of teaching, research and funding success where possible.

Teaching Statements

What is a teaching statement and why do you need one.

When making an academic job application, you may be asked for a teaching statement (sometimes referred to as a ‘philosophy of teaching statement’). These statements may also be requested of candidates for grant applications or teaching awards.

A teaching statement is a narrative that describes:

How you teach
Why you teach the way you do
How you know if you are an effective teacher, and how you know that your students are learning.

The rationale behind a teaching statement is to:

Demonstrate that you have been reflective and purposeful about your teaching. This means showing an understanding of the teaching process and your experience of this
Communicate your goals as an instructor, and your corresponding actions in the laboratory, classroom, or other teaching setting.

Format and style of a Teaching Statement

There is no required content or format for a teaching statement because they are personal in nature, but they are generally 1-2 pages, and written in the first person. The statement will include teaching strategies and methods to help readers ‘see’ you in a lab, lecture hall, or other teaching setting. The teaching statement is, in essence, a writing sample, and should be written with the audience in mind (i.e. the search committee for the institution(s) to which you are applying). This means that, like a cover letter, your teaching statement should be tailored for presentation to different audiences.

Articulating your teaching philosophy

Consider your experiences as both teacher and learner, and always keep your subject at the forefront. Consider all opportunities that you have previously had to teach, mentor, or guide, and determine instances that were both successful and perhaps not so successful. Understanding why and how learning happens is an important part of your teaching philosophy.

Here are some general areas to focus on in your teaching statement:

Goals : Convey your teaching goals. What would you like students to get out of your courses? What matters most to you in teaching and why?

Strategies : List effective teaching strategies. How will you realise your goals? What obstacles exist to student learning and how do you help students overcome them?

Evidence : Specific examples of your teaching experience are powerful in a teaching statement. Provide evidence that your students have learned (or not) in the past.

Research Statements

Some applications ask for a short research statement. This is your opportunity to showcase your vision for your research, propose a research plan and show how this builds on your current expertise and achievements. It forms the basis for discussions and your presentation if you are invited for interview.

Remember to:

Provide a big picture overview of your research vision
Make sure there are clear links between your proposal and the work of the recruiting institution. Each statement must be tailored to the particular role you are applying for
Write about your research experience stating the aims, achievements, relevant techniques and your responsibilities for each project
Write as much (within the word limit) about your planned research and its contribution to the department, and to society more broadly
Invest time and ask for feedback from your supervisor/principal investigator or colleagues.

Tips for Junior Research Fellowship or JRF Applications

Read the job description carefully to understand what is prioritised by the recruiting College or institution(s) beyond furthering your research. If there are additional responsibilities such as outreach, mentoring, expanding or fostering academic networks, you will need to provide evidence of your interest and experience in these areas, as well as statements about how you would fulfil these roles when in post.

Try to meet current junior research fellowship (JRF) holders to gain further insight into what the role entails on a daily basis and what is expected by senior colleagues.

Show how your research contributes to, extends and/or maximises the impact of other work going on in the university. Then state why the JRF would enable you to further these in specific ways.

Think about how to demonstrate your experience in the following areas:

Your research vision. Can you outline a big picture view of the research you want to do and its impact, for the department, the field and the wider society
Publications, think broadly here and include journal articles, book chapters, policy papers, expert reviews, public commentaries and any other type of media coverage
Funding, give prominence to any funding awards and to your grant-writing experience
Participation in professional activities such as establishing collaborations with people or organisations outside the university, reviewing journal articles and membership of relevant societies
Outline how you intend to participate in knowledge exchange and public engagement within your fellowship. These activities are now recognised as significant components of academic life

Look at Vitae’s Research Developer Framework to identify any other academic-related competencies that you could demonstrate in your application (particularly project-management, leadership, developing innovative partnerships/strategic thinking).

Have your application reviewed by a careers adviser by booking a short discussion appointment on CareerConnect .

Our Resources

Example cover letters.

Sample cover letter
Sample cover letter for management consultancy
Sample cover letter for voluntary organisation
Sample speculative cover letter (see speculative applications)
Sample cover letter for first lectureship, Arts and Humanities
Vitae for examples and advice relating to academic cover letters

Demonstrate You Fit the Job Criteria
Application Forms

External Resources

External websites with guidance and examples.

TARGETjobs: Cover letter essentials
Prospects: Cover Letters

Artificial Intelligence (AI) generators and other paid-for services

A growing number of websites offer AI-generated cover letters, either for free or for a fee. There are also numerous organisations offering to write your cover letters for a fee. We believe that if you follow the advice above and come for a (free) cover letter review at the Careers Service as part of a 20-minute 1:1 appointment, you will get the best service for you.

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Academic Cover Letter: Examples & Ready-to-Fill Templates

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George

1. Academic Cover Letter Examples

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Covering letters for academic jobs in the UK

Key elements for your academic covering letter .

Your academic covering letter should:

be approximately one to two A4 pages in length, but can be longer (especially for more senior positions).
focus on what you have to offer the department or institution to which you are applying, rather than what you’d like to gain from working there.
succinctly highlight your academic success and achievements, in relation to the post being advertised.
make clear links between your experience and the job to which you are applying (e.g. which of the departments modules you could teach on, which staff members you could collaborate with etc., if relevant).

What to include in your academic covering letter

Your CV is there for the employer to refer to for further details, so you should avoid simply repeating your CV again in your covering letter.

In your covering letter, you should argue your case as to why your experience so far makes you a great candidate for that particualr job at that particular university. Here are some tips on what to include in your academic covering letter:

Open by explaining what you are applying for and where you say it advertised.
Briefly introduce yourself and what attracted you to the employer and the job (avoid directly restating phrases from their recruitment literature).
Explain how your research interests and/or teaching experience complement those of the department.
Give examples that show that you have the right combination of skills. Examples might include some details of modules you’ve taught, conferences you’ve participated in, successful collaborations or projects in which you have been involved.
Include a closing paragraph stating your availability for interview (if necessary) and that you look forward to hearing from them etc.
Jobs.ac.uk have a useful academic cover letter template and an e-book guide on how to write a cover letter for academic jobs.
Keep your letter succinct, relevant and enthusiastic in tone. Ensure it complies with formal conventions, e.g. sign off with “Yours sincerely” if it is addressed to a specific individual and “Yours faithfully” when you don’t have a name, and include your address and the date at the top.
If you would like advice on your academic covering letter, you can arrange to see the PGR Careers Adviser .

Good luck with your applications!

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Cover Letter Examples

Academic Cover Letter Template [For Faculty Positions]

Your passion and skill make you the best choice for that university job. Now prove it to the selection committee. This academic cover letter sample gets you through the ivy.

Writing a cover letter for academic jobs isn’t first year level.

That’s where this academic cover letter sample comes in.

Your CV is polished to a high gloss.

But does that matter if they only skim it?

You have to write a cover letter for faculty positions that shows your laurels.

This guide will show you:

A sample cover letter for academic jobs better than 9 out of 10 others.
Ten academic cover letter examples for inspiration.
How to write an academic covering letter with authority.
Why achievements are the key to a great academic job cover letter.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your CV. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

Create your cover letter now

Sample Cover Letter for a CV— See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here .

Send your cover letter for academic jobs with a job-winning academic CV. See our guide: How to Write an Academic CV: Example and Template

Considering other careers? See our cover letter guides:

Receptionist Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
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Teaching Assistant (TA) Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
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This academic cover letter template fills the prerequisites:

Academic Cover Letter Sample

Current University/Institution (if employed)

Your Postal Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Hiring Official’s Name

Honorary Title if Any

University/Institution Name

Postal Address

Dear [Hiring Official Name],

I'm excited to apply for the job of Professor of English at the University of Roehampton. The most energizing aspect of my work as Professor of English at the University of Nottingham has been supervising independent Final Year Projects. In that capacity I've coached 17 outstanding young writers during my time here, leading and challenging them to do their best work. Twelve are now employed as full-time writers. four have written Sunday Times Best Sellers. Two work for the Guardian. Three have received British Journalism Awards. The satisfaction I get from their achievements is visceral and awe-inspiring.

I'm so excited about the opening, in part because of your robust Final Year Scholar Program. The opportunity to expand and extend my mentoring to over 10 students per year would be a dream come true. Your posting says you're seeking an English professor with four years of experience at the university level. I have five years. You also need a professor with a Doctorate in English Literature, experience teaching a variety of English classes, and strong interpersonal skills. Here are a few of my achievements in those areas:

Doctorate. Graduated from University College London with a PhD in Comparative Literature. Wrote, submitted, and published "Nabokov in Full," a fictionalized account of a literary researcher that received the Booker Prize in 2008.
Teaching a variety of English classes. Taught multiple modern European literature survey courses and literary theory classes. Nine were undergraduate and 18 were postgraduate-level. Conducted 7 writing classes, including 4 in fiction and 3 in nonfiction.
Interpersonal skills. Consistently scored 99.9% in student exit surveys. Worked closely with 11 other English professors in the department in a project to raise LBGTQ awareness. Post-project data showed a 70% decrease in reported instances of insensitivity.

I would thoroughly enjoy sitting down with you to discuss how my passion for creating intellectual engagement aligns with your mission to enable each student to find his or her unique potential. I'd also be glad to tell you how I proved to a student uninterested in writing that he is actually a best-selling author in disguise.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name, Title]

[Current University/Institution]

With an academic cover letter template like that, they’d have to interview you.

Now here’s how to write a great academic cover letter:

1. Use a Respected Academic Cover Letter Template

Writing a good cover letter for university jobs takes certain core requirements.

This academic cover letter template has them.

Hit all the right notes and the selection committee is bound to notice you.

Sample Cover Letter for Academic—Checklist

Your contact info
The hiring official’s info
Dear (hiring official’s name)
Paragraph 1: biggest accomplishment that fits their needs
Paragraph 2: passion + achievements that prove skills they want
Paragraph 3: your offer + a little mystery
Yours sincerely + your name + title

Pro Tip : How to mention passion in a cover letter for assistant professors? Start with a skill the school wants. Then show a time your passion—plus that skill—helped students.

What’s the right academic covering letter format? What fonts should you choose? See our guide: Cover Letter Format: A Complete How-To Guide

2. Start Your Academic Cover Letter Strong

You’re in trouble.

That Head of Department is really busy.

She’s got her own classes to keep up with. Plus there’s department business and 100+ academic cover letters and CVs to read.

You need to get your message across fast or you’ll lose her.

So—start strong.

Grab her with a Cambridge-worthy academic achievement.

These cover letter for academic jobs examples show how:

Academic Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]

The first of these cover letter for academic faculty position examples passes with flying colors.

The position wants someone skilled in one-on-one coaching.

That academic cover letter example works because it:

Shows a massive academic achievement
Fits the position

But this sample cover letter for academic jobs is a clear fail:

That’s first-year level stuff.

It just says, “I’m an English professor.” It shows no indication that you fit this school and this position.

You want the hiring official to sit bolt upright in her chair.

But what if you’re writing an entry-level academic advisor cover letter?

Academic Advisor Cover Letter With No Experience

Are you an academic advisor? Or do you need a cover letter for research positions at the undergraduate level?

Learn which academic skills the job needs most.
Tell about a time you used those skills to help out massively.

You still need achievements, but get them from unrelated jobs.

For instance?

Let’s say you need to prove research skills, but you’ve never been an academic researcher.

However, as a student, you researched job burnout. You got top marks. The UK MBA podcast interviewed you about it. The episode got 75,000 listeners.

That’s the right achievement for your academic cover letter’s first paragraph .

You can also start a cover letter for academic jobs with:

Something you love about the school or department
A fact that shows your passion
A connection at the school
A recent, positive news item about the school

See the next of our academic cover letter examples:

When Carol Daviau suggested I apply to the undergraduate research position, I knew it was the perfect fit. My manager at Industrial Chemistry News Today called me the most helpful researcher he’s ever known. The daily research I did for her required me to develop and use skills in Google Scholar and networking outreach.

Top of the class.

It shows you practically invented the skills they need.

Need more help with how to start an academic cover letter so the hiring official notices you? See our guide: How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide

When making a CV in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building your CV here .

When you’re done, Zety’s CV builder will score your CV and tell you exactly how to make it better.

3. Write an Educational Academic Cover Letter Middle

Don’t let your cover letter for academic jobs ramble after the first paragraph.

To land the interview, add more proof you’re the perfect candidate.

In your academic cover letter second paragraph, include:

Why you love the position
Your understanding of its duties
More evidence you’re versed in them

Learn how from these academic covering letter examples:

Academic Cover Letter Examples [Middle]

The first of these academic cover letter examples scores high. It shows motivation , understanding , and evidence .

That’s in good standing.

That cover letter for academic jobs example shows you want the job. Then it shows you know the job and you can do the job.

How could they resist?

But the next of our cover letter for academic position examples shows up late:

That’s not a complete disaster, but it won’t land interviews.

Why does the second of those academic cover letter examples fail? Because it says, “I’m a good professor.” But it’s generic.

It doesn’t say why this university, nor does it prove your professional skills .

A cover letter for academic jobs can be a little longer than the average. See our guide: How Long Should A Cover Letter Be? Sample & Guide

4. End Your Academic Cover Letter Right

‘Thank you for your time.’

That’s not how to end a cover letter for academic jobs.

The head of department will barely see it.

Believe it or not, you need to offer something.

These academic cover letter examples show the lesson plan:

Cover Letter Examples for Academic [Ending]

The first of these cover letter examples for academic jobs did its homework:

That’s first class honours material.

That academic covering letter sample promises:

Alignment with the university’s mission.
A little mystery and an exciting story.

But this academic cover letter sample needs more work:

That’s not even worth a third.

Everybody wants the interview. You need to earn it.

Want other ways to end your cover letter for faculty positions? See our guide: How to End a Cover Letter [+Examples]

Key Takeaway

How to write an academic cover letter:

Use the 3-paragraph academic cover letter format . It shows passion, understanding, and a fit they can’t ignore.
Start strong . The first paragraph of a cover letter for academic jobs needs a big, eye-catching fact.
Show skills . The middle of your academic covering letter should show you’ve mastered their most needed skills.
Make an offer . Your academic cover letter’s ending has to leave them thinking they had better call you soon.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Not sure how to start an academic job cover letter? Need a cover letter for other university jobs? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to help.

About Zety’s Editorial Process

Our editorial team has thoroughly reviewed this article to ensure it follows Zety’s editorial guidelines . Our dedication lies in sharing our expertise and providing you with actionable career advice that offers you real value. Every year, the quality of our content attracts 40 million readers to our site. But that’s not all – we conduct original research to gain a detailed understanding of the labour market. We take pride in being cited by top universities and leading media outlets in the UK and worldwide .

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Cover Letter Examples

How to Write an Academic Cover Letter in the UK

Our customers were hired by:

Progressing through your academic career requires a somewhat strategic approach. Academia is for the most part a fiercely competitive sphere. Whether you’re out there looking for research positions, teaching posts or both, you have many equally over-achieving and dedicated academics clamouring for the same jobs. Standing out and breaking through aren’t easy to do in this environment.

So the question arises of how to write a cover letter for an academic position that will put your application front and centre. This article is here to walk you through doing just that with academic cover letter examples better than nine out of ten out there. Just like the academic cover letter below.

Use the LiveCareer cover letter builder and your cover letter will write itself. Choose a professional template, answer a few easy questions and the creator will generate a professional cover letter for you with just one click.

Create your cover letter now

Want to learn more about writing cover letters for other purposes? Check these guides:

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example
Office Administrator Cover Letter Example
PhD Cover Letter Example
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Teaching Assistant Cover Letter Example

Couldn't find the one that interests you? See a full cover letter examples list.

Academic cover letter example

Lewis Higgins, PhD

52 Warren St

072 3333 3333

[email protected]

4th December 2021

Prof. Mohammad Short

Business Studies Programme Director

McCallister University

99 Berkeley Rd

Dear Prof. Short,

I was very happy indeed to recently hear from my former colleague and good friend Dr Anne Weir that McCallister University has a vacancy for a postgraduate business studies lecturer. Having recently marked the end of my 5th year teaching general business subjects and specialising in Management Accounting with 4.88 / 5.00 student satisfaction ratings, I can bring both industry and teaching skills to the role.

Working as a management accountant before transitioning into full-time teaching 3 years ago, I had been responsible for accounts worth over 120 million pounds. Teaching subjects like Financial Statements for Managers, Management Accounting, Corporate Finance, Financial Risk Management, and Strategic Management among others, I worked with a total of over 400 MSc, MA, and MBA students. Both my assessment strategy and marking have passed AMBA, AACSB, and EFMD audits without any concerns or areas for improvement being raised while having my students achieve grades 5–10% higher than average. I was recently moved to learn that I had been voted ‘Best Lecturer’ for the third time running by the graduating class of Executive MBA students at the Manchester Trinity University Business School.

As you can perhaps gather from my achievements and accolades, I have a real passion for academia, teaching, and mentorship. The student-centred approach I have been developing is completely in line with the Dean’s recent editorial on the topic.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience, I would love to discuss my candidature with you further.

Yours Sincerely,

Lewis Higgins

Now you know what should a cover letter include . Now, here’s how to write an academic cover letter:

1. Make sure your academic cover letter header is set out properly

The structural aspects of writing an academic cover letter are dictated by the standard UK business letter format. So start by aligning to the right your full name, postal address, email address, and phone number. Leave a line and add the date of writing, always in the form 23rd May 2021.

Leave another line and align to the left the recruiter’s academic title and full name, their job title, university or teaching/research institution, and campus address. When addressing a cover letter , you may also need to include the name of their faculty, school, and/or department and possibly even building name or number on larger campuses.

Academic cover letter example: header

You can adjust every cover letter created in the builder to meet the job requirements. Choose the name of your profession and the company to which you’re applying, and the LiveCareer cover letter builder will automatically adapt the content for you. Create a cover letter faster than you ever thought possible and apply for the job in record time.

2. Use the right salutation for your academic cover letter

We all know how fussy academics can be about their titles. And when you take into account how much work, dedication, and sacrifice it can take to earn the title of Doctor or Professor, one can hardly blame them. Be sure you address them properly and start your cover letter with the right salutation .

Different educational institutions and even different faculties and departments within those institutions will have different cultures when it comes to how formal or familiar academics are with each other. Most, though, will be on a first-name basis with each other as the default. But you’re not there yet.

By far the safest salutation for you to use is ‘ Dear + title + surname ’. Use the abbreviations ‘Prof.’ and ‘Dr’ rather than the full words. Double and triple check that you’re using the right title. Don’t assume that staff pages are up-to-date. Rely on multiple recent sources, including Microsoft’s LinkedIn.

Use ‘Ms’ for women who don’t hold an academic title and ‘Mr’ for men. It may well be appropriate to use a salutation in the form ‘Dear + first name’ with non-academics and academics of a lower rank—use your better judgement and err on the side of formality when in doubt.

Non-academic titles tend to be gendered and require you take extra care to get your reader’s sex right. If you have any doubts as to a recruiter’s sex (some names aren’t much help here), then make sure you confirm and double-check their gender by searching online, especially on the institution’s website.

What happens if the job advert or notice doesn’t mention a particular recruiter by name? Ideally, you should find out for yourself. The quickest and most direct way to do this is simply to call and ask. It won’t take much detective work to find administrative or reception staff that are in the know.

In the extremely unlikely event that you truly can’t find out who is responsible for hiring in this case, then address your academic cover letter to the head of the programme, school or institute to which you’re applying. Absolutely avoid ‘To Whom It May Concern’ and anything similar— better mistaken than lazy.

Academic cover letter example: salutation

3. use the opening paragraph of your academic cover letter to make a good impression fast.

The opening paragraph of your academic cover letter is your opportunity to grab your reader’s attention, possibly your only opportunity if competition is fierce. Use your opening paragraph to communicate your enthusiasm for the role, give an idea of what you have to offer, and show that you’re a good fit.

Nothing shows enthusiasm like knowledge regarding the teaching or research institution to which you’re applying. For example, is the industry experience of their teaching staff one of their main selling points? If so, then highlight your industry experience and in doing so show that you’re in the know.

The best way to give an indication of what it is that you can bring to the institution is to show what benefits you’ve brought to previous employers. Do this by including one of your professional achievements. An achievement is typically the description of an action you took and the benefits it brought.

Actions like these are often taken in response to a problem or challenge, but they needn’t be. The most important thing is that you quantify everything you can, the benefits that your employer gained as a result of your actions first and foremost. Use something like a CAR statement to help with the structure.

Just starting your teaching and/or research career? Open your academic cover letter with your passion for the work of either teaching or research (or both) and the institution to which you’re applying. Include a relevant achievement from your casual teaching work or studies. Describe how you’d make a good fit with institution.

If you have no experience at all, then substitute a belief statement for your professional achievement. Whether you have experience or not, be sure to mention it if you were referred to the role by someone within the institution.

Your application might be parsed by an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) before a person so much as takes a look at it. ATS algorithms can be gamed by massaging the keywords in your academic cover letter. So be sure to mention the institution and job title by name and mirror other keywords from the job advert.

Writing a cover letter for an academic job is an exercise in efficiency and the opening paragraph is far from being an exception here. As much as your opening paragraph will need to achieve, you should keep it at a brief 40–80 words.

Cover letter for a university: opening paragraph

You don’t have to create any content yourself. The LiveCareer cover letter generator will automatically suggest the best content for your cover letter with ready-made examples and expert tips.

4. Showcase your prior achievements in your academic position cover letter

Even though a significant proportion of being an academic is difficult to pin down in concrete terms, your performance as either or both a member of the teaching and research staff is surprisingly well-defined by various metrics. From teaching evaluations to impact factors, your performance is measurable.

Use the main body paragraphs of your academic cover letter to outline 2–4 achievements, just like the one you included in your opening paragraph. Add just enough prose to string your achievements into a coherent whole, if not a narrative or de facto argument indicating why you’re the right one for the job.

Break this part of your cover letter down into two paragraphs if you feel one paragraph will constitute too big a block of text. Whether you go with one or two paragraphs, consider using bullet points to enhance readability further. Quantify everything possible, even if you need to estimate metrics to do so.

As with every part of your academic cover letter, the more efficient your use of words, the better. Your reader will be in a hurry——make your cover letter a breath of fresh air rather than a convoluted bore. Keep it short at 120–200 words.

Academic cover letter examples: main body paragraph

5. end your academic cover letter with a bold cta.

Writing is an unavoidable and undeniably huge part of being an academic of any stripe. Flex those skills by neatly summarising the main body paragraphs of your academic cover letter. Tie up any loose ends, but don’t try to fix what isn’t broken or repeat yourself unnecessarily. Keep it brief: 40–60 words.

Thank the recruiter for the time and effort they’re putting into considering your application. This isn’t just a matter of having good manners, there’s an element of calculation to it as well. End your cover letter on a bold (but suitably respectful) call to action (CTA). Show your eagerness and suggest a follow-up discussion.

Academic cover letter examples: closing paragraphs

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience, I would love to discuss my candidature with you further.

6. Sign off from your academic cover letter in a way that matches your salutation

Few aspects of the application process for jobs in academia are going to be as easy as choosing the right sign-off for your academic cover letter. Use ‘Yours Sincerely’ if you addressed the cover letter to somebody by name and use ‘Yours Faithfully’ if you didn’t.

Leave two or three lines and then type out your full name. Sign above your name if you’re going to be printing out your application and submitting it in hardcopy. Leave the extra space even if you’re sending everything in electronically. You could paste in a high-quality scan of your signature, but it’s not necessary.

Cover letter for a university example: sign-off

7. keep these things in mind before submitting your academic cover letter and cv.

As an academic, you’re all too familiar with the need to properly present your written work, from undergraduate assignments to conference-paper abstracts and grant proposals. Those skills as well as more general attributes like conscientiousness are on display in your academic CV and cover letter.

Sticking to word limits is also nothing new to you. How long should an academic cover letter be? A total of about 250–400 words. Space your academic cover letter out such that it nicely fills a single A4 page, never more. Leave margins at the default 2.5 cm. Leave font size at 11–12 points.

When formatting your cover letter , choose a professional and understated font like Noto, Garamond, Liberation, Arial, or even Calibri. Make subtle use of font, line-spacing, and most importantly plenty of white space to maximise the readability of your cover letter. For a neat cover letter layout , use bullet points to break up long passages of text where appropriate.

Remember that a cover letter for an academic position is only one part of the job application. Your academic CV and cover letter make up the application together—the overall look and layout of your documents should reflect this fact. This means matching the font, layout, and any colours you use. Use a simple template, fancy templates may equal worse readability.

One final tip: be sure to save or export your work in PDF, unless of course you’ve been asked to use another file format. Working in academia, you’ve probably seen more than one submission or presentation ruined by a less stable format, like *.docx.

A cover letter alone simply won’t be enough—you need an impactful CV, too. Create your CV in minutes. Just follow our wizard and fill in every CV section with ready-made content. Get started by choosing a professional CV template .

Was this article about an academic cover letter helpful to you? As different as academic jobs can be from other lines of work, the basics of job-hunting are the same. Is there anything I’ve mentioned here that you’d like me to elaborate upon? Please leave any questions, comments or experiences you have to share down below.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines . It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

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Since 2013, the LiveCareer UK team has shared the best advice to help you advance your career. Experts from our UK editorial team have written more than one hundred guides on how to write the perfect CV or cover letter.

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Academic cover letter

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Academic cover letters: 10 top tips

T he classic counterpart to a CV, cover letters are standard in almost all job applications. Academic cover letters are typically allowed to be longer than in other sectors, but this latitude comes with its own pitfalls. For one, many cover letters are written as if they were simply a retelling in full sentences of everything on the CV. But this makes no sense. Selectors will have skimmed through your CV already, and they don't want to re-read it in prose form.

Instead, approach your cover letter as a short essay. It needs to present a coherent, evidence-based response to one question above all: why would you be an excellent hire for this position?

1) Start with a clear identity

Consider this sentence: "My research interests include Thomas Mann, German modernist literature, the body, the senses, Freudian psychoanalysis, queer theory and performativity, poststructuralism, and Derridean deconstruction." In my experience, this type of sentence is all too common. Who is this person? What do they really do? If I'm asking myself these questions after more than a few lines of your cover letter, then you've already fallen into the trap of being beige and forgettable.

To get shortlisted, you need to stand out. So, let's start as we mean to go on. Your opening paragraph should answer the following questions: What is your current job and affiliation? What's your research field, and what's your main contribution to it? What makes you most suitable for this post?

2) Evidence, evidence, evidence

It's generally accepted that, in job applications, we need to 'sell' ourselves, but how to do this can be a source of real anxiety. Where's the line between assertiveness, modesty and arrogance? The best way to guard against self-aggrandisement or self-abnegation is to focus on evidence. For example, "I am internationally recognised as an expert in my field" is arrogant, because you are making a bold claim and asking me to trust your account of yourself. By contrast, "I was invited to deliver a keynote talk at [top international conference]" is tangible and verifiable.

If you can produce facts and figures to strengthen your evidence, then your letter will have even more impact, for example "I created three protocols which improved reliability by N%. These protocols are now embedded in my group's experiments and are also being used by ABC". Remember that your readers need you to be distinctive and memorable.

Never cite the job description back at the selectors. If they have asked for excellent communication skills, you're going to need to do better than merely including the sentence "I have excellent communication skills." What is your evidence for this claim?

3) It's not an encyclopaedia

Because everything you say must be supported with evidence, you can't include everything. I find that many people are prone to an encyclopaedic fervour in their cover letters: they slavishly address each line of the job description, mention every single side project which they have on the go, every book chapter and review article they've ever written, and so on. Letters like this just end up being plaintive, excessively tedious, and ineffective.

Instead, show that you can distinguish your key achievements (eg. top publications, grants won, invited talks) from the purely nice-to-have stuff (eg. seminar series organised, review articles, edited collections). Put your highlights and best evidence in the letter – leave the rest to the CV.

4) Think holistically

There's no need to try to make each application document do all the work for you. That leads to repetitiveness. Let them work together holistically. If there's a research proposal, why agonise over a lengthy paraphrase of the proposal in the cover letter? If there's a teaching statement, why write three more teaching paragraphs in your letter as well? Give me a quick snapshot and signpost where the rest of the information can be found, for example: "My next project will achieve X by doing Y. Further details, including funding and publication plans related to the project, are included in my research proposal."

5) Two sides are more than enough

There is no reason why your cover letter should need to go beyond two sides. In fact, I've seen plenty of people get shortlisted for fellowships and lectureships using a cover letter that fitted on to a single side of A4. It can be done – without shrinking the font and reducing the margins, neither of which, I'm sorry to break it to you, is an acceptable ruse. Besides, please have some sympathy for your readers: they have jobs to do and lives to lead; they will appreciate pith.

6) Writing about your research: why, not what

In almost every conceivable kind of academic application, fellowships included, it's very high risk to write about your research in such a way that it can only be understood by an expert in your field. It's far safer to pitch your letter so that it's comprehensible to a broader readership. You need to show a draft of your letter to at least one person who, as a minimum requirement, is outside your immediate group or department. Do they understand your research? Crucially, do they understand its significance? Before the selectors can care about the details of what you do, you have to hook their interest with why you do it.

Bad: "I work on the lived experiences of LGB people in contemporary Britain [why?]. I look particularly at secondary school children [why?], and I use mixed methods to describe their experiences of homophobic bullying [vague]. My PhD is the first full-length study of this topic [so what?]."

Better: "In recent years, significant progress has been made towards equality for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people living in Britain. However, young people aged 11-19 who self-identify as LGB are more likely to experience verbal and physical bullying, and they are at significantly greater risk of self-harm and suicide. In my dissertation, I conduct an ethnographic study of a large metropolitan secondary school, in order to identify the factors which lead to homophobic bullying, as well as policies and initiatives which LGB young people find effective in dealing with it."

7) Mind the gap

Be aware that "nobody has studied this topic before" is a very weak justification for a project. Nature may abhor a vacuum, but academia does not. Does it even matter that no previous scholarship exists on this precise topic? Perhaps it never merited all that money and time. What are we unable to do because of this gap? What have we been getting wrong until now? What will we be able to do differently once your project has filled this void?

8) Writing about teaching: avoid list-making

Avoid the temptation of list-making here, too. You don't need to itemise each course you have taught, because I've already read this on your CV, and there's no need to detail every module you would teach at the new department. Similarly, you don't need to quote extensively from student feedback in order to show that you're a great teacher; this smacks of desperation.

A few examples of relevant teaching and the names of some courses you would be prepared to teach will suffice. You should also give me an insight into your philosophy of teaching. What do students get out of your courses? What strategies do you use in your teaching, and why are they effective?

9) Be specific about the department

When explaining why you want to join the department, look out for well-intentioned but empty statements which could apply to pretty much any higher education institution in the world. For example, "I would be delighted to join the department of X, with its world-leading research and teaching, and I see this as the perfect place to develop my career." This won't do.

Deploy your research skills, use the internet judiciously, and identify some specifics. Are there initiatives in the department to which you could contribute, e.g. research clusters, seminar series, outreach events? What about potential collaborators (remembering to say what's in it for them)? What about interdisciplinary links to other departments in the institution?

10) Be yourself

It often feels like slim pickings when you're job hunting, and many people feel compelled to apply for pretty much any role which comes up in their area, even if it's not a great fit. But you still need to make the most of who you are, rather than refashioning yourself into an approximation of what you think the selectors want.

If you have a strong track record in quantitative research and you've spotted a job in a department leaning more towards qualitative methods, you might still decide to apply, but there's no point in trying to sell yourself as what you're not. They'll see through it, and you'll have downplayed your genuine successes for no reason.

Instead, make a case for why your achievements should be of interest to the department, for example by demonstrating how statistics would complement their qualitative work. At the end of the day, the best way to get shortlisted is to highlight bona fide achievements that are distinctive to you.

Steve Joy is careers adviser for research staff in the arts, humanities, and social sciences at the University of Cambridge – follow him on Twitter @EarlyCareerBlog

Do you have any tips to add? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional . Looking for your next university role? Browse Guardian jobs for hundreds of the latest academic, administrative and research posts

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Cover letters

It's important to get your cover letter right. It's your one opportunity to sell your skills and experience to potential employers. Find out how to write and format a cover letter and take ideas and inspiration from our cover letter templates

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a document sent alongside your CV when applying for jobs. It acts as a personal introduction and helps to sell your application.

Cover letters are necessary as they give you the chance to explain to an employer why you're the best candidate for the job. You do this by highlighting relevant skills and experience; therefore, you should always write your cover letter with the position you're applying for in mind.

Not to be confused with personal statements for your CV , cover letters should complement your CV but not duplicate it. The consensus among recruiters when it comes to the length of these documents is the shorter the better. Typically, three to five short paragraphs, cover letters should not exceed one A4 page.

If sending electronically, put the text in the body of the email rather than as an attachment, to avoid it being detected by spam filters.

Applications should always include a cover letter unless the job advert instructs you differently.

How do I write a good cover letter?

Before writing your cover letter it's important that you do your research. While reading the job description thoroughly is essential, it's not enough on its own. To help you craft a successful cover letter you’ll need to find out more about:

who will be reading your cover letter
the organisation and its culture
the industry it operates in and any relevant news
company competitors and market position.
the organisations goals over the next five years.

When writing your cover letter keep it brief, while making sure it emphasises your suitability for the job. Cover letters can be broken down into the following sections:

First paragraph - The opening statement should set out why you're writing the letter. Begin by stating the position you're applying for, where you saw it advertised and when you are available to start.
Second paragraph - Highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the job description. Summarise any additional strengths and explain how these could benefit the company.
Third paragraph - Cover why you're suitable for the job, what attracted you to this type of work, why you're interested in working for the company and what you can offer the organisation. This is a good opportunity to show off your knowledge of the company.
Last paragraph - Use the closing paragraph to round up your letter. Reiterate your interest in the role and indicate your desire for an interview. Now is the time to mention any unavailable dates.

Once finished read through the document and cut out any unnecessary words and sentences. Don't fill up space by repeating what's already covered in your CV. As a rule, only mention your current salary or salary expectations if the employer has specifically asked you to. If you're asked to include this information, put it between the third and last paragraphs.

Unless the job advert states differently (for example, it may ask you to provide your CV and cover letter as a Word document) save with a .PDF file extension to make sure it can be opened and read on any machine. Windows PCs and Macs don't always work in harmony - Windows use a .docx file extension and Macs .pages but if the recruiter uses the opposite system, they may not be able to open your file. Using a .PDF file extension should solve this.

If you need help with your CV take a look at how to write a CV .

How should I address a cover letter?

Always try and address your cover letter directly to the person who will be reading it. Bear in mind that you're more likely to receive a reply if you send it to the right person.

If you're struggling to find a named contact, you can use a general greeting such as:

Dear Sir/Madam
Dear Hiring manager
Dear Human resources director.

However, general greetings should only be used once you have exhausted methods of finding a named contact.

How do I sign off?

How you sign off your cover letter depends on how you addressed it. If you include a named contact, sign off 'Yours sincerely'. If you use a general greeting, finish with 'Yours faithfully'.

Example cover letters

Sample cover letter - Used to highlight your skills and experience and to express your suitability and passion for the job, cover letters are used to encourage recruiters to look at your CV. Attention to detail is crucial and spelling, grammar and formatting needs to be spot on. Take a look at our sample cover letter for inspiration.
Speculative cover letter - These can sometimes be an effective method of creating an opportunity. To ensure that speculative cover letters are successful you'll need to do your research on the company you're applying to. Using our cover letter template, discover what to include in speculative applications.
Cover letter by a Masters graduate - You probably embarked on a Masters to expand your subject knowledge, gain industry contacts and improve your job prospects but to really make it work you need to know how to sell your postgraduate qualification to employers.
Cover letter for a jobseeker with no experience - It can be tough applying for a job with no experience, but our example cover letter shows you how to promote yourself to an employer if you haven't got any directly related work experience.
Explaining a gap in your CV - Knowing how to navigate around gaps in your CV can be tricky but it's a mistake to try and gloss over them. Your cover letter is the perfect place to explain these gaps in your employment history to potential employers. Take a look at our sample cover letter to find out how to go about it.
Cover letter for changing career - Find out how to explain a change of direction in our example cover letter for career changers. You'll need to briefly cover why you want to change career and relate your past experience and wealth of skills to the industry/job you’re applying to.
Cover letter by an international graduate - If you'd like to expand your horizons by working abroad, take a look at our cover letter of an international student applying for a job in the UK. You’ll need to do your research if you apply for a job in another country, as application rules may differ.
Disclosing a disability - Just like your gender, marital status and dependants your disability doesn't affect your ability to do a job and you're not legally required to disclose it on your CV or in your cover letter. However, if you would like to disclose a disability to outline any adjustments you may need, this sample cover letter will show you how.
Internship cover letter - To set yourself above the competition you need to successfully sell your relevant skills and experience while conveying your passion for the role. As well as explaining to employers what the opportunity could do for you, you'll need to communicate what you could do for the company. Discover how to craft the perfect application for a formal internship with our internship cover letter template.
Apprenticeship cover letter - Apprenticeships are an increasingly popular route into work, as well as a great alternative to university. Find out how to apply for these roles with our apprenticeship cover letter example.

For inspiration and guidance on crafting a CV see example CVs .

When should I follow up my application?

It's always a good idea to follow up on a job application if you don't hear back. If two weeks have passed and you've had no response, send an email to the hiring manager to check that your application has been received. Use this opportunity to reiterate your interest in the role and why you think you'd be an asset to the company.

Keep this email brief. It shouldn't act as a second cover letter or attempt to replace or repeat the original.

What are some top tips for writing a cover letter?

With employers often receiving lots of applications for each vacancy, you need to ensure that your cover letter makes a lasting impression for the right reasons. These tips will increase your chances of success:

Tailor to the organisation - You should rewrite your cover letter every time you apply for a position in order to target the company. Sending out a generic letter for all applications rarely yields positive results and recruiters can spot your lack of time and effort from a mile away.
Format - Presentation is important so you'll need to format your cover letter properly. Make sure the document is as uncluttered as possible, use the same font and size as you use in your CV and if you're sending it through the post or handing it in use good quality plain white paper to print it on.
Use keywords that appear in the job advert - This lets the employer know that you’ve read and understood the job description. It also demonstrates that you’ve taken the time to tailor your application to the job.
Identify your USPs - They're your unique selling points. Be positive about what you have to offer and clearly outline how your skills and experience meet those requested in the job description. Demonstrate why you're the perfect candidate.
Include examples - Back up the claims in your cover letter with real evidence or examples that show how and when you've used your skills and experience.
Save a copy - If you’re invited to interview you might need to refer back to it.

If you're a student or recent graduate, you can make an appointment with your university's careers and employability service to access further help when writing your cover letter. You'll be able to talk with specially-trained advisers, get advice on what to include and have a professional eye look over your application before sending.

To make sure you don’t trip up read about the 5 things to avoid when writing a cover letter .

Find out more

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Academic cover letters

It’s also important to understand what will and won’t be acceptable to the organisation you’re hoping to join. Faced with a big pile of applications, an employer is looking for reasons to put most of them in the bin. If your application varies from the expected format or is difficult for the potential employer to understand you are giving them a reason to discard it - and all before they’ve had a chance to see that you’re perfect for the job!

Online advice on academic cover letters can be conflicting due to different expectations between disciplines and especially between countries: some examples are length of the letter, what it should include versus the CV/resume and type of supplementary documents to attach.

Getting your letter right

Other things to consider.

Cultural differences - a few examples

Articles about academic cover letters or applications

Templates and examples, will anyone read my cover letter.

There are some things everyone seems to agree on and which are not specific to applications for academic positions. Key points include:

The main purposes of your letter are to convey your enthusiasm, to make it clear why you’re a good fit for the position and why you want to work in that department or research group
Tailor your letter to the position and employer. If you use the same letter for all applications it will probably be obvious, could give the appearance that you are not as keen as other candidates and is likely to be detrimental to your application. Remember that your covering letter might be the first thing that a potential employer reads
Try to address your letter to a specific individual. Do a bit of digging if you don’t already know who the appropriate person is
Rather than simply making assertions, give evidence to illustrate your strengths and your fit for the role
Don’t repeat what can easily be seen on your CV/resume
Get the tone right. Apart from being professional, the right tone can vary by culture so if you’re applying outside your home nation or your comfort zone, do some research. For example, what passes for a confident tone in one culture might appear to be arrogance in another
Make sure you use correct spelling and grammar and have made no mistakes.
If the application is by online form, send a cover letter in addition unless this is specifically prohibited. If the entire application must be submitted via the online form, look for ways to incorporate what you would otherwise include in a cover letter
When sending your application by email, make sure that the titles of your email and of each attachment include your name and the title or reference for the position. Make it easy for your potential employer – they shouldn’t have to open your cover letter just to check who it’s from
Your email might be forwarded directly to the person who’s making decisions about applications so make sure that the email itself is clear and professional. It’s also important to consider your email address, for example if you are currently using [email protected] don’t even think of using it – set up a new address with a more professional feel such as [email protected]
Unless you possess a good knowledge of a national language for the country you’re applying to, write in English which is a working language in academia in many countries. In cases where English might not be widely spoken you could send both English and translated versions of your cover letter and other documents
If you have a professional website, you could direct a potential employer to it for additional information about you, if it's relevant to the position.

Cultural differences – a few examples

Consider what your potential employer will expect from an application to ensure that you stand out in the right ways, not the wrong ways! If you’re not completely familiar with the culture and customs of the country or situation you’re applying to, seek specific advice. Universities, professional bodies and national careers services might offer information. There may be international expertise in your current institution’s advisory services or in your personal network but consider whether potential advisors also have specific knowledge of academic expectations.

Here are just a few examples of different expectations that might affect how you write your cover letter or put together your application as a whole:

If you are applying for a position in China, remember that Chinese names are written surname first. Also, in Chinese culture humility is appreciated far more than arrogance. Language that may not seem arrogant in Western culture may appear so in China
For many countries, in addition to a cover letter, CV/resume, statement of academic research interests and application form it’s usual to include a professional photograph. If it’s not usual, don’t include one. In other countries, including Germany, copies of educational certificates and written references may also be expected
UK advice may positively encourage you to contact a potential employer - to discuss the position and the sort of person they’re looking for - as part of your research on the role. Taking the initiative, showing an interest and drawing yourself to their attention is seen as complementary to your written application. If you’re applying to a university or institute in the USA, while asking for basic information may be acceptable appearing to promote yourself outside of the defined application process can be frowned upon
Be aware of variations in academic qualifications and job titles between countries and that some explanation from you may be necessary. For example Lecturer (level B) in Australia is equivalent to Assistant Professor in North American universities. If you are from France and have the Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches qualification, this might need further explanation if you are applying to work in a country where no similar qualification exists, such as the UK.
Academic cover letters from the UK perspective . Article from jobs.ac.uk
Ten top tips on writing academic cover letters from the Guardian (UK). Number 4 is ‘think holistically’ about your application
Inside Higher Ed article which sees the cover letter as the most important part of your application (US perspective)
This article on cover letters from Macquarie University Sydney has a section on applying for academic posts
Charlotte Frost compares looking for an academic job in the US to looking in the UK . A noteable difference is the relatively long application process and standard timeframes in the US.
UK templates from jobs.ac.uk for teaching focussed lectureship and senior lectureship posts. Their academic cover letters e-book also includes some example letters
Examples from the University of California, San Francisco written by those applying for faculty and postdoctoral positions.

It’s impossible to say and probably in some cases no. However, in lots of cases your letter will be read or even prioritised so deciding not to bother is simply not worth it. If you do, that’s just the impression you could give – that you couldn’t be bothered.

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Write an academic CV

This section outlines key points to remember when preparing a CV and covering letter and highlights how to present your education and experience for academic jobs in teaching and research.

When you write your CV and cover letter you will face lots of choices about what material to include and how to present it. You need to use your judgement to make decisions which will demonstrate your experience most effectively.

Academic CVs

An academic CV can be longer than the two pages which is standard in other sectors but it should still contain the most important information at the start.

If the application is for a research only position then you should emphasise your research experience, publications, contributions at conferences, research funding you have won and any relevant technical skills.

If it is for a research and teaching position (lectureship) then you should also give details of any teaching and tutoring experience.

Example CV for academic role (CAHSS) (UoE login required)

Example CV for academic role (CSE) (UoE login required)

The headings below describe the typical content of an academic CV.

Education

your PhD, first degree and Masters, if you have one

probably no need to list school qualifications, but if you do, put those that counted for entry to higher education only

for your PhD you should summarise your research to date, include the names of your supervisor(s) and details of any funding obtained. If you have a viva date or target submission date note that

title, grade achieved, and dissertation title is usually enough for Masters and first degrees

give more detail about courses you have taken if they demonstrate a wider subject knowledge that could be of use if applying for a teaching post

Experience (Research)

if you are including this section you can choose to give full details of your PhD research here, and only dates, title and supervisors under the education section

include any research experience in addition to your PhD, such as research assistant or technician roles

give details of the subject area if relevant, and your methodology and technical skills

mention any funding obtained, and your supervisor or research leader

Experience (Teaching)

provide details of any tutoring, demonstrating or lecturing

mention courses taught and level, e.g. Sociology 1 or Cell Biology 2

show involvement with developing courses, marking and assessment

for a teaching application, you could include your teaching methods and philosophy, and any feedback received

invited or guest lectures could be included

Additional experience

The focus should be on your research and / or teaching experience but you can also include briefly other work that can:

demonstrate the skills being sought for the job

show you can successfully manage work and study

fill any chronological gaps in your history

Experience (administration)

demonstrate that you will be a supportive colleague, willing to make a contribution to the administrative work of the department

list any administrative experience you have such as helping to organise a seminar programme or conference or committee membership

Publications and presentations

Published, peer-reviewed publications or monographs will often hold the most weight but early on in your career you will mention other things to illustrate your research activity and impact.

peer-reviewed publications

contributions to books

book reviews

can include those accepted for publication but not yet published

if this section is a bit slim you could include submitted articles to show your intention to publish

inclusion in conference proceedings

presentations or posters at conferences -mention if these have been invited presentations

Interests / other activities

This section is not essential in an academic CV but could be used to include:

positions of responsibility that demonstrate some of the skills the employer is looking for that have not been covered elsewhere

hobbies and interests that say a bit about you, but only very brief details

References

when applying for advertised jobs, you will usually be expected to provide full contact details (name, relationship to you, address, e-mail and telephone) for 2 - 3 referees at least one of whom will be your PhD supervisor

think carefully about who you ask to act as a referee. It can be useful to have someone who is well-known in your academic field but only if they know you well and can comment positively on your abilities

make sure you brief your referees well on what you are applying for and give them an up-to-date copy of your CV to ensure they are aware of all the contributions you have made to your department / research area

Watch our Quick Guide to academic CVs which covers the basics of what to include in an academic CV:

Narrative CVs

In recent years, some research-funding applications have required submission of a CV in the narrative format. Read more in the Narrative CVs for research and innovation blog from our Research Office, which includes a link to the Resume for Researchers template developed by the Royal Society. Also, the Institute for Academic Development offers helpful information on narrative CVs and what steps to take to create your own.

Narrative CVs for research and innovation

Narrative CVs - Institute of Academic Development

The covering or supporting letter

This is your opportunity to show your motivation for the position and demonstrate that you meet the person specification for the job. For academic jobs a covering letter may be longer than one page and should if at all possible be addressed to a named person rather than ‘Dear sir or madam’. You should use your covering letter to address:

why you are interested in this institution and department or research group - they want to know that you are genuinely interested in working for them and are knowledgeable about the teaching (if relevant) and research interests of staff within the department

why you are interested in this position and how it fits in with your career plans

what you have to offer in terms of research and / or teaching experience, qualifications and skills - use good examples to back this up

your ideas for the future in terms of research direction, and your potential to attract funding and publish - particularly important for research-only jobs or teaching jobs at research-intensive universities

You don’t need to repeat your CV, but you should draw attention to key points to encourage the employer to read it.

Using generative AI to create your CV or cover letter

Technologies such as ChatGPT can provide a reasonable basic structure for you to build upon, but what they give you is unlikely to be tailored convincingly and will be bland and generic, and unlikely to impress employers. Use them as a support and starting point if you like - but edit their product to make the end result your own.

Remember these points:

adapt the content generated, to make it more closely related to you -otherwise it will lack impact
be cautious about submitting any personal data, as whatever you put in could be in the public domain
you may be risking plagiarism, as these systems incorporate, in their output, content produced by other people without acknowledging or referencing them

The Bayes Centre at the University has produced general guidance on the use of AI .

AI guidance for staff and students - Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh

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Your covering or cover letter is a polite and professional introduction that accompanies your CV when applying for an advertised vacancy or enquiring about potential job opportunities in a company.

It builds on two or three key pieces of information within your CV and expands them by explaining in more depth how those skills and experiences match the job role.
Use the covering letter to show you are keen to work for the company by demonstrating that you have researched the organisation thoroughly.

A well-written and researched covering letter, sent alongside a targeted CV will help you secure you an interview.

Your next steps

What works best for you?

Book an appointment to have your covering letter reviewed

Book your place on a covering letter workshop

Take our short online course

How to write an effective covering letter

Hayley Gillmore, Students' Union Employability Manager, gives her top tips on writing an effective covering letter when applying for a job vacancy.

An employer's perspective

When we read covering letters we look for someone who can demonstrate a strong 'can do' attitude to work. They might not necessarily have the knowledge, but more important to us is that they are able to articulate their determination to really want to do it.

Jane Shepherd, Shepherd PR

How long should my covering letter be?

Length and font.

Your covering letter should be well presented, concise and to the point. It should ideally be no longer than one side of A4. It's a good idea to pick a modern font such as Calibri or Sans serif, font size 11 or 12 - it's advisable to use the same font as your CV.

How should I attach or send my cover letter?

Emails and covering letters.

When applying for a position by email, you can either use the email itself as a covering letter and attach your CV, or write a brief email message and attach a separate covering letter as well as your CV. If you choose this option, your email should be professional in style.

If you attach a CV and covering letter to your email, avoid repeating information in the email which is in your covering letter. The email should be brief and professional, referring to your CV and covering letter attached.

When attaching your CV and cover letter, ideally do this in PDF so it’s readable on any device. Also remember to name the file appropriately, such as ‘your name’, ‘date’ ‘company name you’re applying to’. First impressions count even down to the little details.

What tone and language should I use?

Using active verbs when talking about tasks you've undertaken can be very effective. Here is our list of active verbs.

Action verbs for covering letters

Levels of formality

Choosing the right tone for your covering letter is key to its success. If you are unsure about the tone of your covering letter, make an appointment with our team to clarify any doubts.

While you want to come across as respectful and professional, being too formal and over-polite is not advisable either.

While linguistically correct, these three statements come across as too ceremonious:

I hereby apply for the position of graphic designer
I would highly appreciate the opportunity to have my application considered and thank you in advance for your time and attention

Over-familiarity can be equally easy to fall into, so avoid sentences:

I hope this email finds you well
Consider me for this project and you will not be disappointed

Keep it simple as shown in these two examples:

I am delighted to have the opportunity to submit this application.
I am applying for the post of graphic designer advertised on your website as I believe I have the skills and experience to make a valuable contribution to Sigma Solutions.

Structuring your covering letter

Example covering letters.

These covering letter examples will demonstrate how to present your covering letter based on the advice provided on this page. We have three examples depending on your circumstances.

1. Covering letter and CV for an advertised vacancy

2. covering letter to send to a company to enquire if they have vacancies, 3. covering letter and cv to highlight online work experience.

Post pandemic, many companies have adapted to a more hybrid working culture. As part of this, some in-person activities such as internships, part-time jobs and volunteering experiences have moved online. These activities are just as important for your personal and professional development and you will have developed a new range of skills, such as collaborating on group projects remotely using new software.

We have created a covering letter and CV in response to a job vacancy to highlight how to showcase your experience of virtual activities and the skills developed. More on CVs.

How should I start the covering letter?

At the start, include your personal contact details and the date to the letter. Ideally you should address your covering letter to the person who will be reading it.

The covering letter should be addressed to a named person and often you can find the name of the hiring manager in the job advert, for example: Dear Dr. Harman, Dear Mrs Stevenson, Dear Alex Wozniak, if possible

If no name is given, or you are sending a speculative application, then take the time to find the appropriate contact using LinkedIn or the company's website to find the head of human resources or the head of the department the vacancy is based within.

It is good practice to include a job reference number or the name of the advertised role. This helps your application get to the right person within the organisation.

What should I include in the opening paragraph?

Open positively and politely, with a short introductory statement that explains the purpose of the letter and details how you found out about the job advert. For example:

I am applying for the position of graduate management trainee advertised on your website as I would welcome the chance to work for Transco Exports

Then briefly highlight your relevant qualifications or experience that make you a strong fit for the role.

What should I include in the main part of the letter?

The body of your letter should be two or three concise paragraphs to outline

Why you want to work for the organisation

Why your previous experience or skills make you a good candidate

Explain your motivation to work for the company

You should include a paragraph that demonstrates you have researched the company and explains why you want to work for them.

You should research and mention specific aspects of the company that appeal to you, such as its mission, values, recent projects, or achievements. Explain why you are attracted to the company and how you can contribute to its success.

Find out how to research a company

Explain why you’re the ideal candidate

To do this, ensure you understand the job requirements and what they're looking for in applicants. You can then:

highlight how your skills, experiences, and achievements align with their needs
provide specific examples that demonstrate the skills required for the role
include examples from your studies, work experience including part-time jobs, and other activities you're involved in
quantify your achievements whenever possible to make them more impactful

Make sure to refer to your CV, especially to highlight any key experience that’s relevant to the role. A simple line such as, “My attached CV outlines my academic and work experience to date.” will be fine.

Our example cover letters can demonstrate good practice (see above).

Some more examples of good practice

To help structure your information and provide evidence in a professional way, we have included some examples.

I have developed sound organisational and presentation skills during my degree
I have developed sound organisational and presentation skills during my degree by participating in student working groups and research projects, giving presentations to staff and fellow students
As you can see from my CV, I have previously undertaken similar duties to the ones required by this post
I have previous experience of providing technical support and dealing with client requests in a pressurised environment, as shown in my CV

Relate examples to the post

If you present personal experiences as evidence of having certain competencies, relate your achievements to the post as clearly as possible. In the following examples, the second version is much more specific and better connected to the job. For a post of assistant events organiser:

Not specific enough

The various parties I organised for the Spanish Society were amongst the most popular on campus – they were always full to the brim, people had a great time and I became well known at university as a result

Much more specific

I organised three parties for the Spanish Society covering all costs through sponsorship and ticket sales. Attendees highlighted a vibrant atmosphere and excellent value for money, and I was asked to help organise other events as a result

Focus on the employer's needs

Focus on the employer’s requirements and how you can meet the employer’s needs – not how the post can meet yours. Check these examples:

This post constitutes a great opportunity to update my design skills and will also help towards the costs of my studies
This post constitutes a great opportunity to build on my design skills complementing the knowledge gained in my masters studies

Avoid clichés

Employers will read about countless ‘ambitious recent graduate looking for a challenging position’ who can ‘think outside the box’ and are ‘team players equally happy to work by themselves’ as well as ‘fast learners with a can-do attitude who always give 100%’.

How should I close the covering letter?

Conclude your cover letter by reiterating your interest in the position and expressing your desire for an interview. Thank the reader for their time and consideration.

If you know the recipient’s name, then end with Yours sincerely.
If you do not know the recipient’s name, then end with Yours faithfully

Should I include information about my disability?

Sharing information about disability.

Telling a perspective employer any information about a disability(s) is a personal choice. It is up to you if, when and how. If you are unsure at any stage, consider what would be the advantage of sharing at that point. If you decide that you want to, think about what would be most relevant for the employer to know at this specific stage of the recruitment process. For more information, see our page on applying with a disability

And finally...

Who can check over my covering letter.

Read your draft carefully for grammar, punctuation, capitalisation and spelling, and have it proofread by someone with a sound knowledge of English and an eye for detail. You can use tools such as Grammarly.com to help you with this.

You can make an appointment to have your covering letter reviewed by our team and discuss any queries you may have. However, we are not able to offer a proofreading service.

The Centre for English Language Education (CELE) offers help on the appropriate use of language for job applications, cover letters, interviews and presentations. Personalised one-to-one consultations allow you to guide the focus according to your needs. This is not a proofreading service, but a tutor can offer advice on language choice, formality and structure to help your application stand out.

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Covering letters

Popular pages on the careers website

Submit a covering letter with your job application as a way of introducing yourself whilst highlighting your strengths and motivation for applying for the role and company.

For most roles, aim for one A4 page with three or four paragraphs.

Academic positions may require around two A4 pages, while senior roles can extend to up to five pages.

Make a professional impression by using a proper greeting and closing in your covering letter. For example, Dear Hiring Manager, Yours sincerely (further information on formal letter writing can be found in the Resources section below).

Whenever possible, address the letter to a specific person by checking the job advert or contacting the company.

Opening: Introduce yourself, mention where you found the job, and explain your reasons for applying.

First paragraph: Express your interest in the company and the role. Show your knowledge about the organisation and sector. Align your career aspirations with the company's values.

Second paragraph: Match your skills and experiences to the job description. Highlight relevant examples and achievements. Emphasise transferable skills if you lack direct experience.

Closing: Stay positive and showcase your suitability for the role. Convey enthusiasm and end with a closing statement like "I look forward to hearing from you soon."

Address a named person whenever possible.
Proofread for spelling and grammar - get feedback from friends, family, or your careers adviser.
Include a cover letter unless instructed otherwise.
Customise your letter for each role and company to avoid generic content.
Support your statements with examples using the STAR Technique .
Let your enthusiasm shine through!

Further support

Get cover letter writing tips at the Writing a Winning CV and Cover Letter workshop or explore our Cover Letter LinkedIn Learning Pathway for ideas and inspiration.

Recommended by our careers advisers

Writing a Covering Letter (includes four examples)
Prospects Cover Letters
Target Jobs Cover Letters
Balance Careers: Sample letter format
Balance Careers: Closing a formal letter
Jobs.ac.uk: Academic Cover Letters

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Academic Cover Letter Template: Senior Lectureship

This is an academic cover letter template that you can use together with the academic CV template.

< Include your address here

and phone number

and email address>

< Date >

Application for the position of

< In the first paragraph introduce yourself generally and list the reasons why you should be considered for the job, e.g.: >

I would like to be considered for the above position and hope to demonstrate how much I could bring to it. My research and teaching interests fit extremely well with the requirements of this post and with the existing members of staff. I have extensive teaching experience in the department of x at university y , most of it focused on < name a field relevant to this job >. My work provides a useful link between < name two related fields > in the department, encouraging research and teaching collaborations.

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I have published widely in the field of < name field >. My most recent work was < name article and/or monograph > which received the < name prize and give date > award. It was funded with money from the < name fund >

< Discuss your research record in the third paragraph >

Currently I am developing my research in < name area >. This is being undertaken with funding from < name internal or external funding body, amount and length of award >. In it, I explore < give 150 words or so of explanation about your project. What do you look at, what is your methodology, what are your findings and what makes your project unique and original >. My publication plans for this work are as follows: < list any interest from publishers and/or a timetable for publication >

< In the next paragraph discuss your future research plans >

< Now move on to teaching/managerial experience >

< List your employment history , but include only posts relevant to the current application >. I have x number of years’ teaching experience on < list module names >. < List any teaching innovations that you have introduced in previous posts, especially to do with e-learning> As required, I would be happy to contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate modules of both a research-led and a methodological nature. < Suggest possible new modules that you could offer. Give titles and a one-sentence description of what they are about and at which level of student they are aimed >. < List your doctoral supervision experience and name one or two projects you have seen through to completion. Describe the areas you wish to supervise if you get this post >

My managerial expertise is as follows: < list posts held such as admissions tutor, programme leader, director of studies, director of postgraduate studies, etc. including dates and institutions >

< Provide a fully-detailed list of any other factors you believe will make you attractive and show you lead a full and active academic life, e.g. conference/seminar organisation, editing journals, membership of professional bodies, peer reviewing for journals/publishers, reading proposals for funding bodies etc .>

To summarise, I fill the criteria of the person specification thus: < here is your chance to end on a snappy note, directly comparing yourself to the requirements listed in the job advertisement >

< One statement about qualifications and their relevance; your teaching experience; your research record and publications; your participation in academic culture on an international basis >

< Finally, ask explicitly to be interviewed >

I would be grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities further at interview. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

< Your name >

By carefully and thoughtfully completing your academic cover letter, your application should stand out to the employer.

Free CV templates:

Free CV template
Academic CV Example for a Senior Post
Skills CV Template
Senior Lecturer CV Template

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PDF How to Write a Cover Letter for Academic Jobs
2 3 www.jobs.ac.uk How to Write a over etter for cademi obs Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+ The cover letter exists to: •emonstrate your enthusiasm for theD post, based on the research you have done about the role and the institution •our rationale for applying andExplain y how the role fits with your career plans
Cover Letters
Academic Cover Letters. Academic cover letters vary in length, purpose, content and tone. Each job application requires a new, distinct letter. For applications that require additional research or teaching statements, there is no point repeating these points in a cover letter - here, one page is enough (brief personal introduction, delighted to apply, please find enclosed X, Y, Z documents).
How to write an academic job cover letter
Academic cover letter sample Here is a sample academic cover letter to help you in crafting your own: Malik Hanson 38 Minnow Street, London, E6 3QY 0356 158205 [email protected] +44 (0)1234 567890 6 June 2021 Ms Elizabeth Smith University of Dover English Department 41 Robin Lane, Dover, E9 2QY 0947 159759 Dear Ms Smith, I am writing to apply for the English professorship at the University of ...
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Academic Cover Letter
An academic cover letter should not be more than two pages. Remember that the selection panel might have several hundred applications to look through. You want your letter to have immediate impact and therefore it is best to keep it specific, clear and concise. Please do not fall into the trap of writing a letter much more than two pages - it ...
Academic Cover Letter: Examples & Ready-to-Fill Templates
A fill-in-the-blanks template that will produce your academic cover letter within 15 minutes. Save hours of work and get a cover letter like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 21 cover letter templates and download your cover letter now. Create your cover letter now.
Covering letters for academic jobs in the UK
Jobs.ac.uk have a useful academic cover letter template and an e-book guide on how to write a cover letter for academic jobs. Keep your letter succinct, relevant and enthusiastic in tone. Ensure it complies with formal conventions, e.g. sign off with "Yours sincerely" if it is addressed to a specific individual and "Yours faithfully ...
How to Write an Academic Cover Letter
Go ahead and download the template as a Word Document here and use it as a starting point for writing your own cover letter. To: [Name of Faculty Head, Name of University/College, City & Postcode] Re: [Advertised job title] Dear [Joe] [Mr. Bloggs] I am pleased to apply for the role of Psychology Lecturer at XXXX University and to attach my CV ...
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Use the cover letter to highlight information you need the employer to know, and to explain anything such as extenuating circumstances which you want them to take into account. You should: aim for one page in length with about three to five concise paragraphs. Watch the recording above to find out more about how to write your cover letter.
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Best format for an academic cover letter. As we have already mentioned, your academic cover letter should be no longer than 300-400 words. If you have trouble sticking to a word count, don't panic. Structuring your cover letter will help you stay on track. Here are the elements you should include: The cover letter header; The greeting/salutation
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The structural aspects of writing an academic cover letter are dictated by the standard UK business letter format. So start by aligning to the right your full name, postal address, email address, and phone number. Leave a line and add the date of writing, always in the form 23rd May 2021.
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Typically, three to five short paragraphs, cover letters should not exceed one A4 page. If sending electronically, put the text in the body of the email rather than as an attachment, to avoid it being detected by spam filters. Applications should always include a cover letter unless the job advert instructs you differently.
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Write an academic CV. This section outlines key points to remember when preparing a CV and covering letter and highlights how to present your education and experience for academic jobs in teaching and research. When you write your CV and cover letter you will face lots of choices about what material to include and how to present it.
Covering letters
Covering letters. Your covering or cover letter is a polite and professional introduction that accompanies your CV when applying for an advertised vacancy or enquiring about potential job opportunities in a company. It builds on two or three key pieces of information within your CV and expands them by explaining in more depth how those skills ...
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Length. Submit a covering letter with your job application as a way of introducing yourself whilst highlighting your strengths and motivation for applying for the role and company. For most roles, aim for one A4 page with three or four paragraphs. Academic positions may require around two A4 pages, while senior roles can extend to up to five pages.
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A cover letter introduces and markets you effectively by complementing your CV.

How to Write Cover Letters

Introduction

Why this job?

Academic Cover Letters and Statements

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Format and style of a Teaching Statement

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Academic Cover Letter Sample

1. Use a Respected Academic Cover Letter Template

Sample Cover Letter for Academic—Checklist

2. Start Your Academic Cover Letter Strong

Academic Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]

Academic Advisor Cover Letter With No Experience

3. Write an Educational Academic Cover Letter Middle

Academic Cover Letter Examples [Middle]

4. End Your Academic Cover Letter Right

Cover Letter Examples for Academic [Ending]

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How to Write an Academic Cover Letter in the UK

Academic cover letter example

1. Make sure your academic cover letter header is set out properly

Academic cover letter example: header

2. Use the right salutation for your academic cover letter

Academic cover letter example: salutation

Cover letter for a university: opening paragraph

4. Showcase your prior achievements in your academic position cover letter

Academic cover letter examples: main body paragraph

Academic cover letter examples: closing paragraphs

6. Sign off from your academic cover letter in a way that matches your salutation

Cover letter for a university example: sign-off

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