How to Write an Academic Cover Letter in 2025: Examples and Tips
Create your cover letter now
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?
That's why you need 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.
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
- Engineering Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Speculative Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Teaching Assistant (TA) Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Internship Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Career Change Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Sales Assistant Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Retail Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Graduate Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Customer Service Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Consulting Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
- Architecture Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide
This academic cover letter template fills the prerequisites:
Academic Cover Letter Sample
Your Name
Title
Current University/Institution (if employed)
Your Postal Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Hiring Official’s Name
Title
Honorary Title if Any
University/Institution Name
Postal Address
Dear [Hiring Official Name],
I am writing to express my enthusiasm for the position of History Professor at the University of Manchester. Throughout my time as a History Professor at the University of Sheffield, one of the most fulfilling parts of my work has been supervising students on their independent research projects. Over the years, I have mentored 15 exceptional students, helping them refine their ideas and push the boundaries of their research. Twelve of them have gone on to work in academia, four have published books on historical subjects, two are writing for major national newspapers, and three have won prestigious history-related awards. The impact of their success on me is both deeply satisfying and inspiring.
The opportunity to join your department is particularly exciting, especially because of your renowned Undergraduate Research Programme. According to your job description, you are seeking a professor with at least four years of experience at the university level. I bring five years of experience, along with a strong academic background, including a Doctorate in History, teaching a range of history courses, and demonstrated excellence in communication and collaboration. Below are a few highlights of my qualifications:
- Doctoral Qualification: I completed my PhD in Modern European History at the University of Cambridge, where my dissertation, The Fall of Empires: A Comparative Study, was published and widely cited in both academic journals and mainstream publications.
- Teaching Experience: I have taught a variety of history courses, including undergraduate surveys on the history of Europe, as well as advanced seminars on European political history. In total, I have taught 10 undergraduate and 20 postgraduate-level courses. Additionally, I have led 8 research workshops, helping students hone their academic writing and critical analysis skills.
- Interpersonal Skills: I consistently receive outstanding evaluations from students, scoring an average of 98% in end-of-year feedback surveys. I have also worked closely with colleagues on a university-wide project aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion, which resulted in a 60% increase in student participation from underrepresented groups in our department.
I would be honoured to meet with you to discuss how my passion for history and commitment to fostering intellectual growth align with your department's mission of empowering students to unlock their full academic potential. I would also love to share a particular success story of how I helped a reluctant student discover their passion for history and eventually publish a groundbreaking paper on a pivotal historical event.
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. Find the Right Academic Cover Letter Template
Crafting a compelling cover letter for university roles requires a few essential elements. This academic cover letter guide includes everything you need to hit the mark and catch the attention of the hiring committee.
Sample Academic Cover Letter —Checklist
- Your contact details
- The hiring official’s info
- Dear (hiring official’s name)
- Paragraph 1: your greatest achievement
- Paragraph 2: passion + accomplishments that prove you've got the skills they want
- Paragraph 3: meeting offer
- Yours sincerely + your name + title
Pro Tip: Highlight you're the right fit in a cover letter by mentioning how your passion—plus a certain skill you've used—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. Begin Your Academic Cover Letter Strongly
The opening paragraph of your academic cover letter is your first chance to make a lasting impression. It’s your opportunity to immediately capture the attention of the hiring committee by showcasing your most impressive academic achievements or unique qualifications. A strong start not only highlights your expertise but also demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position, setting the tone for the rest of your letter.
These cover letter for academic jobs examples show how to start a cover letter:
Academic Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]
| RIGHT |
|---|
Your Name Title Current University/Institution (if employed) Your Postal Address Phone Number Email Address Date Hiring Official’s Name Title Honorary Title if Any University/Institution Name Postal Address Dear [Hiring Official Name], am writing to express my enthusiasm for the position of History Professor at the University of Manchester. Throughout my time as a History Professor at the University of Sheffield, one of the most fulfilling parts of my work has been supervising students on their independent research projects. Over the years, I have mentored 15 exceptional students, helping them refine their ideas and push the boundaries of their research. Twelve of them have gone on to work in academia, four have published books on historical subjects, two are writing for major national newspapers, and three have won prestigious history-related awards. The impact of their success on me is both deeply satisfying and inspiring. |
This example starts with an impressive academic achievement which captures the reader's attention and make them want to read on.
| WRONG |
|---|
I’m writing to apply for the position of History Professor at the University of Manchester. I’ve worked as a History Professor for almost three years. I’ve handled all aspects of the roles and responsibilities I was given well. |
That's not impressive at all. It's vague and repetitive. And it reads terribly.
Writing an entry-level academic advisor cover letter? We've got you covered.
Academic Advisor Cover Letter With No Experience
Are you an academic advisor or applying for a research role at the undergraduate level? Start by identifying the key skills the position requires. Then, share a story that highlights how you’ve successfully applied those skills in a relevant context. While achievements from previous jobs are important, draw from any experience that demonstrates your transferable skills.
For example, if you need to highlight research abilities but haven’t worked in an academic research role, consider a project you did as a student. Perhaps you researched job burnout, earned top grades, and were interviewed by the UK MBA podcast, which reached 75,000 listeners. That’s the kind of achievement that can make your academic cover letter stand out.
You can also kick off your cover letter by mentioning:
- What excites you about the school or department
- A fact that reflects your passion for the role
- A personal connection at the institution
- A recent positive development or accolade related to the school
Here’s an example from an academic cover letter:
When Dr. Rachel Lin mentioned the opening for the undergraduate research assistant role, I was immediately drawn to it. During my time at Global Policy Weekly, my supervisor often praised my initiative and problem-solving, calling me one of the most dependable contributors on the team. I regularly conducted in-depth research using databases like JSTOR and LexisNexis, and built connections with field experts to support our weekly features.
This kind of introduction shows how you’ve already applied the skills the position is looking for—demonstrating you’re a natural fit for the role.
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 Impressive Middle Part of Your Educational Academic Cover Letter
Time to convince your reader further that you're the one they're looking for. To do it right, you need to focus on three aspects.
In your academic cover letter second paragraph, include:
- Why you're after the position
- Your full understanding of its duties
- More evidence you’re versed in them
See how to do it right from these academic covering letter examples:
Academic Cover Letter Examples [Middle]
The first of these academic cover letter examples shows motivation, understanding, and evidence.
| RIGHT |
|---|
The opportunity to join your department is particularly exciting, especially because of your renowned Undergraduate Research Programme. According to your job description, you are seeking a professor with at least four years of experience at the university level. I bring five years of experience, along with a strong academic background, including a Doctorate in History, teaching a range of history courses, and demonstrated excellence in communication and collaboration. Below are a few highlights of my qualifications:
|
That cover letter for academic jobs example does it all perfectly well. Plus those achievements. Top of the class.
Let's take a look at one that fails to follow.
| WRONG |
|---|
I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to join your University. I know I’d be a great fit because I’m passionate about teaching students and I’m skilled in classroom management and working with other professors. |
The second of academic cover letter example fail because it's so generic it doesn't even mention the university's name. That's a copy-paste content right there. But, what's more important, it it fails to prove any 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. Finish Your Academic Cover Letter On the High Note
To properly end a cover letter for academic jobs, you need to offer something extra that will make them want to invite you for an interview. Consider dropping a hint on sharing some insights from one of your achievements that alligne well with the job description.
Cover Letter Examples for Academic [Ending]
The first of these cover letter examples for academic jobs did its homework:
| RIGHT |
|---|
I would be honoured to meet with you to discuss how my passion for history and commitment to fostering intellectual growth align with your department's mission of empowering students to unlock their full academic potential. I would also love to share a particular success story of how I helped a reluctant student discover their passion for history and eventually publish a groundbreaking paper on a pivotal historical event. Sincerely, [Your Name, Title] [Current University/Institution] |
Perfect. Author surely made the curious about that success story.
But this academic cover letter sample needs more work:
| WRONG |
|---|
Thank you for your time. I’d love to discuss the position face to face. |
That’s just wrong. It leaves readers with bad impression and grants its author no interview.
Want other ways to end your cover letter for faculty positions? See our guide: How to End a Cover Letter [+Examples]
Key Takeaway
Here's a brief summary on how to write an academic cover letter:
- Use a proven three-paragraph format to write an academic cover letter that makes a lasting impression. This structure highlights your enthusiasm, demonstrates your qualifications, and shows why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
- Start strong. Open with a bold, impressive detail—something that immediately captures attention. It could be a standout achievement, a unique academic contribution, or a powerful reason you're drawn to the institution.
- Show your skills. The second paragraph should focus on the key qualifications the role demands. Use clear, specific examples to prove you have the experience, teaching ability, research background, and collaborative mindset they’re looking for.
- Make an offer. End with confidence. Express your eagerness to contribute, and make it clear how you can help the department grow. Leave the reader feeling that they need to reach out to 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.
