Getting into a Dutch master’s programme is rarely just about your grades. Most ask for a motivatiebrief (motivation letter), and a vague, generic one can sink an otherwise strong application. The good news: a Dutch motivation letter follows a clear, learnable structure. Here is how to write one that admissions actually want to read.
The three-part structure
A motivatiebrief is built in three blocks, as Dutch universities advise:
| Part | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Introductie | Who you are, which master’s you’re applying for |
| Kern (core) | Your ambitions, why this field, why this university |
| Afsluiting (close) | Restate your goal, reference attachments, thank the reader |
As motivation-letter guides for studies set out, the kern is the heart: it is where you tell them about yourself, your ambitions, and how the programme helps you reach them. The afsluiting restates that you hope to be admitted and points to any bijlagen (attachments) like a cijferlijst (transcript) or diploma.
What to actually write
The cardinal rule, per master’s motivation-letter examples: focus on motivation, fit and future, with specifics. Cover:
- Why this programme, why this university. Show you know the curriculum.
- What topics interest you, and why. Genuine intellectual curiosity.
- Which qualities make you suited to it (with examples, not adjectives).
- How the master’s serves your ambitions, career or research.
Vague enthusiasm (“I am very passionate”) is weak; a concrete example (“my thesis on X led me to want to specialise in Y”) is strong.
The phrases
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| Hierbij solliciteer ik naar de master… | I hereby apply for the master’s in… |
| Mijn motivatie voor deze opleiding is… | My motivation for this programme is… |
| Ik ben geschikt omdat… | I am suited because… |
| In de bijlage vindt u… | Enclosed you will find… |
| Met vriendelijke groet | Kind regards |
Tailor and proofread
Two final must-dos: tailor the letter to each university (each has different requirements and expectations, so a copy-paste letter shows), and proofread it repeatedly for grammar and flow. Whether you write in Dutch or English depends on the programme’s language, many Dutch master’s are English-taught, so check the requirements.
Where it connects
A motivatiebrief is a cousin of the job-application Dutch in being charming in a Dutch interview and bypassing the ATS with a direct-Dutch pitch, same formal-but-personal register. It is the entry ticket to the student life we cover in why bier and borrel still matter on an English master’s and the local options in Dutch courses in Utrecht. And if you are weighing studying across the border, note that practicalities like healthcare differ in Flanders. Education shapes Dutch life at every age, from your own master’s down to a child’s school birthday and the trakteren treat for the class.
The bottom line
A Dutch master’s motivatiebrief is structured: introductie (who you are, which programme), kern (ambitions, why this field, why this university, with examples), afsluiting (restate, reference attachments, thank them). Focus on motivation and fit, be specific, tailor it to each programme, and proofread hard. Learn the structure and the phrases, and your letter reads like a serious candidate’s, the thing that turns good grades into an offer.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that teaches the academic-application Dutch a motivatiebrief needs, the formal structure, the motivation phrases, the polite close by real situation in five-minute lessons, so you can write a letter that reads like a serious candidate’s instead of a rough translation.
Frequently asked questions
How do you structure a Dutch master’s motivation letter?
In three parts. An introduction: introduce yourself and state which master’s programme you are applying for. A core (kern): your ambitions, why this field and why this specific university, backed by concrete examples and qualities. And a close (afsluiting): restate that you hope to be admitted, reference any attachments (transcript, diploma), thank the reader, and sign off politely. Keep it focused on motivation, not just your CV.
What should I write in a motivatiebrief for a master’s?
Focus on motivation, fit and future. Explain why you chose this specific programme and university, what topics interest you and why, which of your qualities make you suited to it, and how the master’s serves your career or research ambitions. Be specific and use examples; vague enthusiasm is weak. Show you actually know the curriculum and requirements, that signals genuine interest to the admissions committee.
Do I have to write the motivation letter in Dutch?
It depends on the programme’s language. Many Dutch master’s programmes are taught in English and accept (or require) an English letter; Dutch-taught programmes will want it in Dutch. Check the application requirements. Either way, tailor the letter to each university, follow their specific instructions, and proofread carefully, a clean, well-structured motivatiebrief makes a strong impression in any language.
What is the best app to learn Dutch for university applications?
Learn Dutch For Expats, an app available on the App Store, is the best pick because it teaches the academic-application Dutch a motivatiebrief needs, the formal structure, the motivation phrases, the polite close, in five-minute lessons built around real situations, so you can write a letter that reads like a serious candidate’s instead of a rough translation.
