LOR for German Universities: Top Requirements and Sample

Thinking of applying to a German university in 2025? Boost your application and your success chances with a Letter of Recommendation or LOR. An LOR for German universities is one of the key documents that you would need to submit as part of the application process, in addition to a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and others. 

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for German universities refers to a formal document that is ideally written by a professor or employer as a letter of reference or recommendation for the applicant to the university’s admissions committee. The LOR essentially highlights the student’s academic qualifications, skills, and why they are a fit for a specific program.

This detailed guide breaks down the top requirements for an LOR for German universities. We also aim to provide a clear and compelling sample to help you get started. 

LOR for German Universities: Top Requirements 

Most German universities generally require a LOR to get a holistic overview of the applicant beyond their academic background. Some of the key requirements of an LOR for German universities are that they should be at least 1-2 in number (as specified by the university) and written on an official letterhead. Every university and program may have its specific requirements defined; hence, check with the university before applying. 

Some of the other essential LOR requirements for German universities are defined below:

• Source: German universities need academic LORs written from academic advisors or professors who can provide attestation to your scholarly potential. In case of professional LORs, make sure they are sourced from supervisors or employers who are acquainted with your work experience.
• Content: The LOR should ideally entail the relationship of the recommender with you, your personal strengths, in addition to your academic and professional accomplishments, and your readiness for the course.
• Number: Most German universities demand 1-2 LORs. Some technical courses may specify submission of academic LORs only. Business schools, however, may request professional LORs.
• Format: The LOR must be written on an official letterhead of the organization to which the recommender belongs in either German or English, as specified by the university. It must bear the recommender’s signature.

Also read: Letter of Recommendation Format for Study Abroad Applications 

LOR for German Universities: How to Write

To craft a powerful LOR for German universities, emphasize the student’s strengths, their suitability for the program, and their potential for success. Here’s what to include in a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for German universities and how to craft an effective letter:

• The academic strength of the student
• Their areas in a specific field related to or relevant to the program applied for
• Their ability to overcome challenges or difficult situations
• Their participation or level of involvement in academic and other extracurricular activities
• Their creativity and innovation
• Their presentation and communication skills
• Their criticism-taking ability
• Their decision-making and analytical skills
• Their overall achievements (both academically and professionally)
• Their team-building and leadership abilities
• Their ability to take initiative 

The table below highlights how to write an LOR for German universities to make the best first impression of the candidate before the admissions committee:

Also read: Writing the perfect LOR for MS in USA - A step-by-step approach

Sample LOR for German Universities 

To help you write a compelling LOR for German universities, here is a sample providing you with a clear idea of the format and what to include:

To Whom It May Concern,

I am very pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Mr. Vijay Pathak, who was my student during his Bachelor’s course in Computer Science at the University of Mumbai. I had the chance to supervise him academically for 4 years as his professor of Database Management Systems. I also mentored him during his undergraduate thesis project.

Throughout his studies, Mr. Vijay consistently delivered a remarkable performance. He also demonstrated excellent skills in critical thinking and analysis, and a high level of intellectual curiosity. He was always among the top 5% of the class, and his ability to grasp theoretical concepts and practically apply them to real-world problems is particularly impressive. 

One of Mr. Vijay’s notable achievements was his Bachelor’s thesis on “AI-based Career Recommendation System” during the final year of his undergraduate studies. He conducted exceptional research and made use of advanced methodologies that are often considered beyond the undergraduate level. His precision, independent thinking, decision-making, and dedication to quality were evident throughout the project.

Beyond academic competence, Mr. Vijay shows strong interpersonal skills and a genuine passion for extracurricular activities. His active participation in group projects, seminars, and student-led initiatives often brought multiple trophies and certificates to his credit. He also eagerly assumed leadership roles and trained or mentored his team to high efficiency levels. 

His proficiency in English is par excellence, which makes him particularly suited for an international academic environment, such as a German university. I am thus extremely confident that Mr. Pathak has the necessary strong academic foundation, work ethic, and maturity to succeed in a demanding graduate program, such as yours. I strongly recommend his name for admission to your esteemed university, the University of Hamburg, with a strong belief that he will make a significant contribution, both academically and personally.

Please feel free to contact me at girija.shanker@gmail.com in case you need any further information.

Sincerely,
Mr. Girija Shanker
Head of Department 
Computer Science
University of Mumbai
girija.shanker@gmail.com
+91 9976543210

LOR Requirements for Top 3 German Universities

The LOR requirements for each university may vary; hence, it’s a good idea to check with the specific university you are applying to. Some of the top universities in Germany generally require 1-2 letters of recommendation from academic sources for academic LORs and professional sources for professional programs.

Here are the key LOR requirements for the top 3 universities in Germany:

Tips and Tricks to Write a Perfect LOR

A perfectly crafted LOR should provide specific anecdotes or examples, highlight the essential traits of the applicant, and be concise.

Here are some more tips to bear in mind when drafting an LOR document for an applicant to German universities:

• A strong LOR should have at least 3 paragraphs - Introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Stick to the defined word count as specified by the university.
• Make sure that the applicant’s description is accurate.
• Provide relevant data or statistics to support your statement.
• When sharing any weaknesses of the applicant, highlight strong traits as well to demonstrate a fine balance.
• Include your designation or title in your signature.
• Real signatures are generally preferred over digital signatures.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Writing LOR for German Universities

When writing an LOR for German universities, avoid writing generic statements, using the same LOR for each program, and overemphasizing grades. Here are some common mistakes that most recommenders tend to make when writing an LOR for German universities:

Also read: List of Common Mistakes to Avoid in an LOR

Why Seek Professional Help in Writing an LOR? 

Getting professional assistance and support from experts like upGrad for writing an LOR for German universities is a good idea for the following reasons:

• We provide personalized assistance drafting the LOR based on the applicant’s unique strengths and achievements.
• We provide ready templates and clear guidelines to help you draft an effective LOR.
• We offer complete professional support in editing and reviewing the LOR after you have finished writing it.