Cover Letter

Hi all, thi is a cover letter for a studentship I am applying. I would be grateful if you read it and pointed any language mistakes or any form of mistakes. Thanks...



Dear Selection Committee Members,



I am writing to apply for the Berwing Studentship that is advertised the University website. I have been a PhD student (since September 2009) at the Department of History at the University of XXXX. Due to unforeseen financial circumstances, I will not be able to continue my PhD studies in XXX. At the moment, I am looking for another PhD program that can finance my PhD studies and provide me with the supervision I need for my current research. I hope that your studentship will help me complete the degree I need to realize my dream of becoming a university professor in European history.



I believe that my academic record, previous achievements and experience makes me a suitable recipient of your studentship. I have a B.A. and an M.A. in European History from the University of XXX and an MSc in Modern History from the University of XXXX. During my undergraduate studies I was placed three times on the dean’s honorary list. My graduate degree in Paris was partially financed by the University Merit Fellowship that I received in Spring 2005. I managed to finish my M.A. degree in Paris with cum sum laude and my MSc in Manchester with distinction indicating that I have managed to excel both in France and the UK showing my consistent hard work and adaptability to different academic environments and cultures.



My research experience puts me in a good position to conduct my current PhD research. I wrote my M.A. and MSc dissertations in English and attended universities where English is the language of instruction and examination. This provides me with the necessary language skills to write a doctoral dissertation in English. Moreover, since my undergraduate years I have been always interested in European legal theory. I wrote my M.A. and MSc dissertations on European leagl theory. My current PhD research focuses on the relation between political parties and European legal theory in the eighteenth century C.E. My previous research experience provides me with the background I need to conduct a research on a doctoral level. Your studentship will hopefully help me complete a research that I have been always preparing for.



My academic and non-academic working experience makes me a well-rounded applicant for this funding opportunity. During my undergraduate years I worked on a part-time basis in a family owned car dealership in Munich. After graduation (in June 2002) the owner offered me a full-time job as a whole salesman. My financial satisfaction in my new job did not detract me from my academic ambitions. I used the money I made to finance my graduate studies at the University of XXXX (from September 2004 to July 2008). In August 2007 I was offered my first history teaching job at a relatively small university in the suburbs of Munich. Regardless of the great deduction in my income, I accepted the offer. I saw the offer as the first step towards realizing some of my academic ambitions. In September 2008 I left Munich to Manchester to start on my second masters degree which I finished in July 2009. Two months later I started on my PhD also in Manchester.



In July 2010 I was confirmed as a PhD candidate, however few weeks later financial problems forced me to put my PhD program on hold and move back to Munich. There I contacted my previous professors at the University of XXXX asking for a teaching opportunity and I was fortunate to receive a positive reply. Since September 2010 I have been an adjunct lecturer at the Department of History teaching an introductory level European history course. My academic and non-academic careers deepened my character and taught me necessary surviving and adaptability skills. Most importantly, my teaching experience further encouraged me to remain committed to my PhD plans and strive to fulfill my dream of becoming a university professor in European history.



The Berwing studentship is vital to realize this dream especially that this studentship in particular is tailored for the needs of my research. The Institute of European History is privileged with outstanding faculty members, among them is Prof. XXXX. I contacted Prof. XXX and informed him of my research topic and asked him whether he would be interested in supervising my research. He expressed interest in my research and kindly accepted to supervise it in case my application was successful. Prof. XXX is an authority in European Legal history. His publications and research interests overlap with the topic of my PhD research which makes him a perfect supervisor. Moreover, as a previous graduate student at a British university I used COPAC to locate the primary and secondary sources needed for my research. My search on COPAC made me notice the outstanding collection of modern and pre-modern sources at the library of the University of XXX which will hopefully be at my disposal. Finally, I have visited XXX twice and my good memories there makes me look forward for spending my PhD years in this beautiful city.



I hope that with your support I will be able to complete my PhD studies and realize my academic ambitions. I have uploaded my curriculum vitae, research proposal, transcript, and two reference letters from my current PhD supervisors at the University of XXXX. I am thankful for the time you will spend reviewing my application and I will be grateful for an opportunity to discuss my application with you in an interview.



Yours faithfully,



Thanks guys for your help