How to write a good Statement of Purpose (SOP) for Study in Germany - A complete guide

A detailed view of how to submit an excellent SOP to get admission to a German university

When making an application to any program of your choice at any of the universities in Germany, a statement of purpose explaining why you wish to study in your chosen program is uploaded in the personal statement section in PDF or Microsoft Word format. While this is usually submitted in the form of an essay; however, certain universities may also keep it question-based. This is a mandatory requirement without which no German university assesses an application.

What is a Statement of Purpose?

A Statement of Purpose (SOP), also known as a personal statement or a letter of intent is written to the admission panel and talks about your career path, interest, professional contributions, goals and driving force behind pursuing a program of your choice at any of the universities in Germany.

Guidelines to write SOP for the German universities

Follow the guidelines below to make sure you cover all the necessary points in your personal statement:

1. Personal Background, Academic, and accomplishments:

• It should be brief and contain only relevant information

• Write about your educational qualifications (with CGPA or percentage)

• You can also talk about your academic achievements here, such as scholarships or awards you have received

• Give a valid explanation if you have taken a gap year

2. Professional Experience & achievements:

• Ensure to provide relevance to the course

• Explain what you were doing during this time and the skills you acquired that will help you with your studies and long-term career plans

• When explaining your education/employment history, it is best to do it in chronological order from oldest to first. This makes it easier to absorb the information. Ideally, it clearly shows the progress of your education and employment history

3. Interests other than academics:

• Write about your leisure activities, interests, and hobbies

• You can also mention activities that show other aspects of your personality, such as sports, cultural activities, or volunteering

4. Your motivation for the course:

• At what point did you become interested in this subject and what motivated you to do this?

• Prove your subject knowledge through relevant prior learning, projects, dissertations, and case studies

• How does your chosen course relate to the work you are doing? If you are applying to a conversion course, explain why you've changed. It is very important to demonstrate that you are very committed to it

• Do you think you might be better suited for another job or is further study something you've always wanted to do?

5. Career goals, both short-term and long-term:

• Write in detail about your career plans following your course

• What job or position will you be qualified for, having completed this course?

• How much can you expect to earn?

• You can also mention the names of your dream companies you wish to work for and where you see yourself in the next five years

• If you are one of those people who are thinking of starting your own company, you can give a precise description of it

• Try to focus your SOP on your study plans and not immigration plans

6. Interest in the course and how this degree will help you achieve your goals:

• Link the modules with your future goals

• List your goals, explain them and talk about how you plan to achieve them

• You should explain what skills and knowledge specific to your course you will acquire to achieve your goals

7. Major reason for choosing Germany as your study destination:

• Academic related/difference in educational system/ standard of education using accurate statistics and sources of info known

• Mention the Fees and specify the duration and do not provide generic statements

• Quote what makes it better than similar courses in your home country, or other English-speaking countries

• Opportunity to study in a culturally diverse environment

8. Major reason for choosing the university

• It is important that you specify how being a part of a particular university will benefit you. For example, If you want to apply to the Technical University of Munich, you should mention how being a Technical University of Munich alumni can be life-changing

• Find out about unique modules offered by the university you are applying to and not offered at other universities

• Give other secondary reasons (not the main reason) why not to choose any other university like evaluation criteria, teaching pedagogy, location, fee structure, scholarships, and so on. Mention any other factors such as accreditation or faculty, alumni, or laboratory (should be specific to your course or department)

• If ranking is one of the reasons, you must provide the source of the ranking i.e., who compiled the ranking information?

• Explain what factors were important to you and talk about any research you did

Try to be as realistic as you can with your SOP and a genuine letter will always work your way. If you require any help in writing your personal statement, get in touch with TCC’s international education expert.