Motivationsschreiben for German Universities: Complete Requirements for 15 Universities

The requirement nobody standardized

Approximately 90% of German master's programs require a Motivationsschreiben (motivation letter). Yet unlike the US, where most graduate schools converge on a 500-1000 word Statement of Purpose, German universities have no shared standard. One program wants 500 words. Another wants 3,000 characters. A third provides structured prompts with per-question word limits. And at least two top programs explicitly state they will not read your motivation letter even if you submit one.

We surveyed official requirements from 15 German universities across 40+ programs to build what no competitor has published: a university-by-university comparison table with exact word limits, format rules, and evaluation criteria.

If you are applying from outside Europe, you are not alone in this confusion. India now sends 59,000 students to Germany annually -- surpassing China as the largest source country -- and the total international student population hit 402,000+ in winter semester 2024/25. The demand for clear guidance on German motivation letters has never been higher.

For applicants also targeting US or UK programs, see our US SOP requirements guide covering 134 universities and the UK and European motivation letter guide.

Table of Contents

• Terminology: What German universities actually call it
• Complete university requirements table
• Detailed university breakdowns
• How much does the motivation letter weigh in admissions?
• German vs. US vs. UK expectations
• The uni-assist process and where motivation letters fit
• Application deadlines for international students
• Formatting and style standards
• 10 mistakes that get motivation letters rejected
• How to approach the "Why Germany" question

Terminology: What German universities actually call it

The universal German term is Motivationsschreiben -- literally "motivation writing." When translated for international applicants, German universities use several terms interchangeably:

• Letter of Motivation (LOM) -- the most common in German university contexts
• Motivation Letter
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Personal Statement

"German Master's programs may not use the term 'Letter of Motivation' but instead use terms like 'Statement of Purpose (SOP),' 'Personal Statement' or 'Cover Letter,' and usually use these terms interchangeably, depending on the cultural and linguistic background of the people that administer the given study program." -- MyGermanUniversity.com

The terminology depends on who runs the program. English-taught programs with internationally-oriented faculty tend to use "Statement of Purpose." Programs with German-oriented administration default to "Letter of Motivation" as a direct translation. For practical purposes, they expect the same document. If you have written an SOP for a US application, see our SOP vs. personal statement guide to understand how the German version differs.

Motivationsschreiben vs. Bewerbungsschreiben

This distinction matters. A Bewerbungsschreiben (Anschreiben) is a formal application cover letter focused on skills and qualifications -- common in German job applications. A Motivationsschreiben goes deeper: it asks why you are really interested in the program, what drives your academic goals, and how your motivations align with the curriculum.

"A Motivationsschreiben for university studies focuses more on personal drives and academic goals and is typically used in academic contexts for applications to study programs or research projects, where the applicant presents how their personal goals, interests, and motivations align with the intended program or institution." -- Unicum.de

Complete university requirements table

This is the only comprehensive, university-by-university comparison table for German motivation letter requirements published online. Bookmark it.

Key patterns:

• The most common length is 1-2 pages (500-800 words)
• Some programs specify characters instead of words: LMU (2,000-3,000 characters), KIT (1,000-3,000 characters)
• At least 3 top programs do not require or read motivation letters: Mannheim MMM, Humboldt Mind and Brain, Stuttgart INFOTECH
• There is no universal format standard -- requirements vary not just between universities but between programs at the same university

For comparison with US requirements, our 134-university US SOP survey found that 42% of US programs specify 500-1000 words. German programs tend to run shorter and more concise.

Detailed university breakdowns

TU Munich (TUM)

TUM is the most popular German university for international students, and its motivation letter requirements are among the most specific.

"The statement of purpose is not just a letter of motivation. Instead, you should explain why you are suitable and committed to studying at TUM." -- TUM Style Guide

"A generic letter of motivation is not sufficient. Please specifically address your desired degree program and TUM and make clear why you have chosen this specific degree program." -- TUM Style Guide

Program-specific requirements:

TUM CSE structured prompts (this is unusual -- most programs do not provide this level of structure):

1. "State your motivation to join the CSE program" (max 150 words)
2. "Provide your mathematical and computational background and relate it to the CSE program. What steps have you taken to prepare yourself for the CSE program? Do not simply list related courses" (max 200 words)
3. "Describe any additional qualifications and/or multi-disciplinary projects you may have previously worked on and relate them to the CSE program" (max 200 words)
4. "Describe the specializations in the CSE program that you are interested to study during your masters..." (continues)

Source: TUM CIT - CSE Motivation Letter PDF

Critical rule: All ideas from other sources must be correctly cited as quotations. Incorrect or missing citation can lead to rejection as plagiarism. Applications are submitted through the TUMonline portal.

For a deep dive on TUM specifically, see our TU Munich motivation letter guide.

LMU Munich

LMU has some of the most precise formatting constraints of any German university.

The M.Sc. Economics program specifies: 2,000 to 3,000 characters (including spaces) in English. That translates to roughly 350-530 words -- significantly shorter than what most applicants expect.

The motivation letter "should describe your goals in pursuing graduate studies and in particular why you would like to complete the Master's Program in Economics at LMU." -- LMU Economics Master

Critical technical constraint: "The motivation letter has to be inserted as an unformatted text without using control characters, indentations or other special symbols in the provided text field." This means no formatting whatsoever -- no bold, no bullet points, no paragraph indentation. Plain text only.

Source: LMU Economics - Required Documents

RWTH Aachen

RWTH Aachen generally does not publish standardized word or page limits for motivation letters. This is intentional -- the letter is meant to be an open-ended task.

Standard recommendation: 1-2 pages.

Content should address:

• Your perceptions about studying in Germany
• Past academic experiences relevant to the program
• How you learned about RWTH Aachen and your desired subject
• Career prospects after graduation

For the Simulation Sciences program specifically: describe why you want to study Simulation Sciences, what you expect from the program, and your prior simulation experience.

Source: RWTH Aachen Application Requirements

Heidelberg University

Requirements range widely depending on the program:

Important cost note: Heidelberg is in Baden-Wurttemberg, which charges EUR 1,500/semester tuition for non-EU/EEA students -- one of the few states in Germany that does so.

The admissions committee wants to understand why you chose this program. If you lack formal coursework in a relevant area but have practical knowledge, you should explain this in the letter.

Source: Heidelberg University - Application Documents

University of Gottingen

Gottingen provides some of the most explicit guidance on what the committee evaluates:

Maximum length: 1 page.

"Do not use your letter of motivation to repeat your CV." -- University of Gottingen

"You have limited space to write your motivation letter, use it wisely, do not retell the information about the programme from our web page -- we wrote it, we know it. Use the given space to present yourself, and convince us that you are a good fit for our programme." -- University of Gottingen

The motivation letter is used as a basis for interview questions. In some programs (e.g., M.Sc. Geographie: Ressourcenanalyse und -management), the LOM is worth 10% of the total applicant score.

Source: University of Gottingen - Letter of Motivation

University of Stuttgart

Stuttgart demonstrates the most dramatic variation within a single university:

Source: University of Stuttgart - Master's Application, ITECH - How to Apply

University of Mannheim

Mannheim's top-ranked business program provides a stark exception:

Mannheim Master in Management (MMM): "Additional documents such as letters of recommendation or motivational letters will not be taken into consideration." -- University of Mannheim

However, the Culture and Economy master's requires a 500-word maximum in English covering motivation for the program, reasons for Mannheim, and intended focus areas.

Source: University of Mannheim - Master's Admission Criteria

German Business Schools: WHU, ESMT Berlin, Frankfurt School

Private business schools operate differently from public universities:

WHU requires a motivation letter explaining career plans and program fit, plus a Kira Talent video interview with 4 timed questions (one written, 7 minutes, ~180 words).

ESMT Berlin uses essays and states: "Essays are an opportunity for the admissions team to get to know you better; answer questions as truthfully and directly as possible." Admissions decisions come within 2-4 weeks on a rolling basis.

Frankfurt School requires 3 separate essays for the Master of Finance, each with a 500-word maximum:

1. "Why do you feel Frankfurt School and the Master of Finance programme are the right fit for you?"
2. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" (video essay max 1:30 min or written max 500 words)
3. "Is there anything that you have not mentioned in your application essays so far that you would like the admissions committee to know?"

Sources: WHU MiM Application, ESMT Berlin Admissions, Frankfurt School - Master of Finance

How much does the motivation letter weigh in admissions?

German admissions are more criteria-based than the US holistic model but the motivation letter still carries significant weight, especially for borderline candidates.

"When a Master's program requires a related Bachelor's degree and a specific minimum GPA, the motivation letter is the only document that allows you to showcase your personality and strengths, while the other two requirements are generally fixed." -- MyGermanUniversity.com

Weight in admissions decision: 10% to 40% depending on the program. The motivation letter is typically the second-most important document after GPA.

The general admission rate at German universities is about 30% or lower. Competition is intense partly because public universities are free for most students -- applicants have fewer financial barriers to applying, so the pool is larger.

Source: MyGermanUniversity.com

German vs. US vs. UK expectations

If you are applying to Germany alongside US or UK programs, the differences in expectations are significant. We covered these cross-country differences in our cultural differences in SOPs guide, but here is the Germany-specific comparison:

The most important difference: German admissions committees specifically want to understand five things:

1. Why this program? -- Connection between your background and the specific curriculum
2. Why this university? -- Specific courses, research groups, or facilities that attract you
3. Why Germany? -- Genuine reasons beyond "it's affordable"
4. What after? -- Clear career or academic plans post-graduation
5. Academic readiness -- Evidence you have prerequisite knowledge

The word "Motivation" in German academic culture carries more weight than in English. It implies a reasoned, well-thought-out rationale -- not just enthusiasm.

The uni-assist process and where motivation letters fit

uni-assist (Universitatsanwendung fur Serviceverfahren international Studierender) is a central application processing organization used by many German universities for international applicants.

Key facts:

• uni-assist issues a VPD (Vorprufungsdokumentation) -- a preliminary review certificate evaluating whether your credentials are equivalent to German qualifications
• Processing time: 4-6 weeks (can take 6-8 weeks)
• VPD validity: 1 year from date of issue
• A handling fee is required

Critical clarification: uni-assist does NOT require or evaluate motivation letters. The VPD process evaluates academic credentials only.

"Not required are, for example, a copy of the ID, motivation letters, essays or language certificates for the VPD process itself." -- uni-assist FAQ

Motivation letters are submitted directly to the university alongside the VPD. The workflow is:

1. Submit academic documents to uni-assist for VPD evaluation
2. Receive your VPD (4-6 weeks)
3. Submit VPD + motivation letter + other documents directly to the university's own portal

University application portals:

• TUM: TUMonline
• LMU: LMU Portal
• University of Stuttgart: C@MPUS portal
• RWTH Aachen: RWTHonline

Not all universities use uni-assist. Some handle the entire application process through their own portals.

Source: uni-assist - VPD

Application deadlines for international students

Critical exceptions:

• TU Munich: Many master's programs have a deadline of May 31 for winter semester
• RWTH Aachen: Non-EU/EEA students may need to apply by March 1
• Many universities have earlier deadlines for non-EU/EEA applicants (sometimes as early as early March)
• Always check program-specific deadlines -- they deviate significantly from standard dates

Source: uni-assist - Deadlines

Formatting and style standards

Unlike US programs where formatting is rarely specified (our SOP length guide found that 70% of US programs provide no formatting details), some German programs are quite specific:

Typical format elements:

• Date and place at the top right
• Recipient's address on the left ("Dear Sir or Madam" is acceptable at TUM)
• Clear paragraphs: introduction, body, conclusion
• Signature (some programs require a hand-written signature)

Technical formatting standards when specified:

• 2.5 cm margins on all sides
• 11-12 point font (Times New Roman or Arial)
• 1.5-point line spacing
• Justified text alignment
• 500-800 words / 1-2 pages

"Put yourself in the position of the reader -- they want to know applicants are professional, capable, stable, and keen to study, which usually means adopting a neutral style that communicates information and suggests you are a serious applicant." -- Expatrio.com

German academic culture favors precision and conciseness over flowery language. Factual, reflective writing is valued. Avoid platitudes.

"Avoid all kinds of platitudes, flowery phrases and flattery; deal with topics in a reflective and factual way without campaigning for beliefs." -- HTW Berlin - DAAD Letter of Motivation Guidelines

10 mistakes that get motivation letters rejected

Based on research across multiple German university sources and admissions guides, these are the most common errors. Many overlap with the common SOP mistakes we have documented for US applications, but several are Germany-specific.

1. Using the same letter for every university. German admissions committees can identify generic letters immediately. Each letter must reference the specific program, university, and curriculum.

2. Repeating your CV. The motivation letter is NOT a narrative version of your resume. The University of Gottingen is explicit: "Do not use your letter of motivation to repeat your CV."

3. Wrong tone. Too casual (American-style informality) or too stiff. German academic culture expects "polite and respectful" with substantive content.

4. Over-relying on AI tools. "Using AI-generated texts is a red flag for visa officers" and increasingly detectable by admissions committees. (Expatrio.com). If you are using AI to draft your letter, run it through a review service like GradPilot to ensure it reads as authentically yours and passes AI detection checks.

5. Retelling program information back to the committee. As the University of Gottingen states: "Do not retell the information about the programme from our web page -- we wrote it, we know it."

6. Emotional or irrelevant content. Avoid religion, politics, or overly personal emotional stories. German academic culture favors factual reasoning over personal narrative.

7. Not answering program-specific questions. Some programs (like TUM CSE) have structured prompts. Not addressing these directly is a disqualifying error.

8. Poor research. Failing to mention specific courses, professors, research groups, or facilities at the target university.

9. Ignoring the "Why Germany" question. For international students, a compelling reason for choosing Germany is expected even when not explicitly asked.

10. Last-minute writing. Start at least one month before the deadline. Write multiple drafts. Have someone with knowledge of German academic expectations review it.

For more on opening your letter effectively, see our how to write an SOP introduction guide and opening lines examples.

How to approach the "Why Germany" question

For international applicants, this question is nearly universal even when not explicitly asked. Your letter should address it.

Strong responses reference:

• Germany's strength in your specific field (e.g., automotive engineering for Industry 4.0, TU9 universities for STEM)
• Specific research institutions or industry clusters relevant to your goals
• The German model of combining theory and practice (Praxisbezug)
• Post-study work visa opportunities (18-month job search visa for graduates)
• Connections between your career goals and the German or European job market

What to avoid: Stating that Germany is free or cheap. Even though tuition is a real factor (and a legitimate one -- we cover this in our Germany near-free tuition guide), stating it bluntly is considered poor form by admissions committees. They want evidence that you are choosing Germany for intellectual and professional reasons, not purely financial ones.

For applicants also considering the US and weighing cost, see our analysis of the funding gap for international MS students in the US.

TU9, U15, and Excellence Universities: Which network matters?

Understanding these networks helps you reference the right institutional strengths in your letter.

TU9 Alliance (9 leading technical universities): RWTH Aachen, TU Berlin, TU Braunschweig, TU Darmstadt, TU Dresden, Leibniz University Hannover, KIT, TU Munich, University of Stuttgart

U15 Alliance (15 largest research-intensive non-technical universities): Includes LMU Munich, Heidelberg University, Humboldt University Berlin, University of Gottingen, University of Freiburg, and 10 others (500,000+ students combined)

Universities of Excellence (Exzellenzuniversitaten): Sometimes called the "German Ivy League." 11 universities hold this status. Five of the eleven are TU9 members: RWTH Aachen, TU Berlin, TU Dresden, KIT, and TU Munich.

When writing your motivation letter for a TU9 university, referencing the engineering and technical research tradition is appropriate. For U15 universities, emphasize the breadth and depth of research programs.

English-taught program landscape

Germany offers approximately 2,400 English-language programs at state-recognized universities, including roughly 1,930 master's degree programs -- meaning 18% of all master's programs are taught in English.

The most popular fields for international students:

• Engineering: 43% of international students
• Economics, Law, and Social Sciences: 25%
• Computer Science / Informatik
• Data Science / AI
• Mechanical Engineering

The DAAD International Programmes database (daad.de) is the primary resource for finding English-taught programs.

About 38.1% of master's programs have Numerus Clausus (NC) restrictions -- a predetermined cutoff based on undergraduate GPA. When a program has NC, meeting the GPA threshold is non-negotiable, and your motivation letter helps distinguish you from other applicants who clear the bar.

What to do next

1. Check your target program's specific requirements. Do not assume one university's rules apply to another. The table above is your starting reference, but always verify on the official program page.

2. Write program-specific letters. Every letter must be tailored. Generic letters are immediately identifiable.

3. Start early. Recommended minimum: one month before the deadline. Factor in 4-6 weeks for uni-assist VPD processing if needed.

4. Get feedback. GradPilot reviews motivation letters for German university applications with AI detection scoring and content feedback. The service works for SOPs, motivation letters, and personal statements across all countries. First quick review is free.

5. Verify length requirements. Check whether your program specifies words, characters, or pages. A 3,000-character limit (LMU Economics) is roughly 500 words -- not 3,000 words. This catches applicants off guard.

For scholarship applications to DAAD or Deutschlandstipendium, see our DAAD scholarship motivation letter guide, which covers different requirements from standard admission letters.

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Data compiled from official university websites, DAAD, uni-assist, and established study-in-Germany resources. Verified as of February 2026. Always consult official program pages for the most current requirements.

Need feedback on your German university motivation letter? GradPilot provides AI-powered review with 99.8% AI detection accuracy, foundation scoring, and focus scoring. Students from 50+ countries use GradPilot for SOPs, motivation letters, and personal statements. First quick review free.