Dear Sir:
I am writing to apply for the Master's Degree program in European Comparative Public Policy.(1)
I graduated in communication science in July 2004 from the University of xxx. My degree focuses on political communication and international relations. I also took several courses in politics, which provoked my strong interest in issues that affect European public policy.(2)
European Comparative Public Policy is interesting to study because globalization and European integration are creating an increasingly interdependent and complex set of political, economic, social, and cultural processes. (3) This affects all democratic societies. I am interested in studying the variation in national policy patterns within Europe and the wider OECD area and analysing how the nations' political leaders, government officials, and business executives handle the upcoming challenges.
During my last two semesters at the University of Xxx I worked on an empirical study with main focus on nation images. (4) Moreover I worked for two years as a student assistant at the chair of Methods of Social Research. (5) I have a passion for research and am especially interested in further developing my skills in empirical research.
During the summer months 2004 I lived in xxx and seized the opportunity to speak with Prof. Xxx about the Master's Degree program. ( 6 ) I also met with xxx, a postgraduate student, who answered my questions from a student’s point of view. (7) Concerning my special interest in Information Policy I also talked to Prof. Xxx and Prof. yyy. Although Prof. Dr. yyy expects to be on sabbatical leave next year, he has agreed to supervise my work for a research-based 15,000 word dissertation providing my topic falls within the scope of his research interest. (8)
With a solid foundation in academic theory on public policy and empirical research gained through the Master's Degree program in European Comparative Public Policy at University of xxx, I am confident that I will have the skills, knowledge, and contacts which enable me to pursue a career as a policy analyst in a research institution on an international level. Thank you very much for considering my request. I look forward to your positive response.
Yours faithfully,
Nadine
(1) Yes, Master's is correct. I found it odd, given I have a Master's Degree, that I had to look it up. Lol. I/We use "program" in North America, but is program spelled "programme" in the UK? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, Programme is a variant spelling. I prefer program
(2) "provoked" and "strong interest"
(3) I changed "would be" to "is". I am assuming that you are doing some informal studying and observing now. I like to say away from the "shoulda, coulda, woulda" type phrases. I like a more forward approach. This IS true blah blah blah.
(4) You wrote "All though..." I think you meant "All thRough..." I prefer "During...." It is simpler, more efficient.
(5) Rather than "I worked for over two years..." I rewrote that to "I worked for two years..." Over sounds a bit odd. If the "over" part is important, then I worked for 15 months as...
(6) We spell out the whole "Master's Degree program in European Comparative Public Policy at University" at the beginning and at the end. Thus, I don't want to repeat it again here.
(7) I deleted "This inspired me to apply for this course." Instead, what inspired you to apply is, "I also took several courses in politics, which provoked my strong interest in issues that affect European public policy." in your introduction.
(8) Wouldn’t it sound better to say: “…he expects being on … and not teaching …” OR
“… he expects to be on … and not to teach”? I just remembered your suggestion MH ("You should keep the symmetry")
Why not just delete it? If he is on sabbatical, then he cannot teach, no? One follows the other?
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Just a note, I noted that we were inconsistent in our comma usage.
(1) blah, blah, and blah - my preferred usage
(2) blah, blah and blah - not my preferred usage
People vary on how they deal with the serial comma. I think it is important to be consistent.
I still find "Yours faithfully" odd sounding. It doesn't sound professional to me. But again, that might simply be a cultural difference. In North America, it would be "Yours truly". Please double check the closing "Your faithfully,".
http://www.bradleycvs.co.uk/cvservice/coverle.htm
http://www.psychnet-uk.com/mental_health_jobs/tips/cover_letter.htm
http://www.britain.tv/recruitment_writing_covering_letter_an_example.shtml
http://www.careers.cam.ac.uk/students/work/covletter.asp
11. Sign off 'Yours sincerely' with your name typed underneath your signature
http://www.e-r.co.uk/about/goodcl.cfm
http://tinyurl.com/62u6w
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http://www.iu-bremen.de/career/32400/
Avoid closing with old-fashioned phrases such as We remain faithfully yours, Respectfully yours etc, The comma after the complimentary closing is optional (Yours faithfully, or yours faithfully)
Note that Americans tend to close even formal letters with Yours truly or Truly yours, which is unusual in the UK in commercial correspondence. But a letter to a friend may end with Yours truly or the casual Best wishes.
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I think I would go with "Yours sincerely,". That way you avoid the cultural differences and it is still commonly used. Be sure to include the comma after sincerely.
Nadine,
Please check back sometime this weekend. I suspect that we are done. But sometimes the mind continues to work on things and something new pops up. If there is anything new, I will post it.
Also, of the two books, get the first one. The second book is a practice book, but you NEED the first book first.
To keep your English skills up while in Australia, buy both books. Read the first, and do the exercises in the second. You will be in good shape.
This has been a fun exercise. I think you've done very well.
Again, please check back late this weekend, say late Sunday or even Monday in case there are any other changes.
MountainHiker