Formatting British reference letters

While it may not seem so important, who you choose to be your references and what they write can have a significant impact on your application. Having academic mentors who can demonstrate your potential to an admissions committee can make a difference, helping you to secure a place at your dream university.

1.   Familiarity over prestige

You may think that it is better to pick someone who has a more senior rank compared to a more junior lecturer. However, if you only attended a couple of lectures from that distinguished professor with hundreds of students, then they will be unable to talk about your enthusiasm, work ethic and academic skill in a meaningful way. In a British context, a referee who is able to convincingly speak to your university habits is much better than someone who will write a vague reference, even if they have an impressive title.

2.   Don’t be overenthusiastic

In a British context, reference letters should be enthusiastic but not hyperbolic. For example, it is good for a referee to say that their student is “enthusiastic”, “excellent”, “shows serious potential”, but it is best to avoid overly exaggerated phrasing, e.g. “the best student I have had in a decade”. Of course, if that high praise is genuine, then it should be expressed, but in most cases it is better to use positive language but without exaggerating. Genuineness is one of the greatest strengths which a British reference can have.

3.   Keep it to one page

A British reference should be short, never going over one page. Key information which should be included: how the referee knows the student, what assignments or tasks the student did for that professor, and what the professor thinks about their work ethic and potential for masters/PhD study. That’s all that is needed!