Quick answer
Scholarship reference letter how to ask: choose someone who knows your work well, ask them politely and early, and make it easy to say yes. Send a short email, then follow up with a one-page brief covering the scholarship, your goals and the points you hope the letter can cover. Always check the funder's official page first, because rules on who can write, how many references you need and how they are sent differ between scholarships.
Who should write my scholarship reference?
Pick someone who has seen your work first-hand and can describe it with specific examples. For most students that means a lecturer, personal tutor or dissertation supervisor. For graduates, it might be a line manager or a placement supervisor. A well-known name who barely knows you will usually give you a weaker letter than a tutor who remembers your project.
Funders often ask the referee to explain how they know you. A sample University College London Spärck AI Scholarship reference form asks for how long, and in what capacity, the referee has known the applicant. For academics, it also asks how the applicant ranks in their cohort. So choose someone who can answer those questions.
Before you ask, check how many references you need:
- The University of Glasgow's scholarships FAQ says applicants for its Social Sciences scholarships enter up to two referees' details in the portal.
- Chevening asks candidates to submit contact details for two referees.
If you are unsure between two people, ask the one who knows your recent work best. Then ask yourself whether they are likely to reply on time.
Want to hear about new opportunities while you prepare? Get free scholarship alerts from CareerEdu. It is a free service, and you can use it alongside this guide.
Check the funder's reference rules first
Your referee will need to follow the funder's process exactly. Look for these details on the official scholarship page:
- Where the reference goes. At Glasgow, you send a reference request through the portal. Your referee then uploads a reference using the template provided. For an LSE scholarship, the referee emails it from an official school or college address, with your full name and LSE ID, to financial-support@lse.ac.uk. The Royal Agricultural University asks for completed reference forms to be sent directly to scholarships@rau.ac.uk or posted to the Registry.
- Format. Commonwealth Master's Scholarships require references in the referee's own words, signed, on institution letterhead (or from an identifiable email), and uploaded as PDFs by the application deadline.
- Timing. Chevening requires reference letters to be uploaded no later than seven working days before your interview.
These examples come from different funders, so do not assume your scholarship works the same way. Check the current deadline and rules on the official page before you apply.
A simple timeline for asking
The earlier you ask, the more likely your referee is to write something thoughtful rather than rushed. Here is a sequence you can follow.
- When you shortlist a scholarship: Note how many references it needs, what format it uses and how they are submitted. If you are still searching, our guide on how to find scholarships in the UK can help.
- As early as you can: Email your chosen referee. Some universities set a turnaround for referees. For example, Leeds says a reference for postgraduate research should normally be provided within two working weeks after request. Treat that as the minimum, and ask earlier where you can.
- Once they agree: Send your one-page brief (below), your CV and a draft of your personal statement if you have one.
- If the funder uses a portal: Enter your referee's details exactly as they gave them, then send the request. Tell your referee to expect an automated message and to check their spam folder.
- Set your own due date: Choose a date a few days before the official deadline. Cambridge says referees must submit before the deadline and that it is your responsibility to make sure this happens. Remember that Chevening's reference deadline falls before the interview.
- Send one polite reminder: Do this shortly before your due date, and keep it short and friendly.
- After it is submitted: Thank them and, when you have news, let them know how it went.
Asking a lecturer for a reference: email template
Send your request by email so your lecturer has the details in writing. Keep it short, specific and easy to decline. Copy and adapt this:
Subject: Reference request – [scholarship name], due [date]
Dear [Dr/Professor] [Surname],
I hope you are well. I am applying for [scholarship name] to study [course] at [university], and I wondered whether you would be willing to write a reference for me.
I am asking because you [taught me on module X / supervised my dissertation on Y], and I think you can speak about [specific piece of work or skill].
The funder needs the reference by [date]. [It is submitted through an online portal, and you will receive a request from them / It should be emailed to this address: ___.] I have attached a one-page brief with the key details, plus my CV, to save you time.
If you are not able to do this, I completely understand, and thank you for considering it.
Kind regards,
[Full name]
[Course and year / graduation year]
[Email and phone number]
Why this works: it tells your lecturer why you chose them, gives a date and says how the reference is sent. It also offers an easy way to say no, which means a yes is more likely to be a considered one.
A one-page brief for your referee
A brief helps your referee match the letter to the application. It does not replace their own judgement. Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, for one, require the reference to be in the referee's own words. Do not draft the letter for them. Give them facts and let them decide what to say.
The UCL guidance for referees says scholarship references should be on letterheaded paper, signed and dated. It lists the referee's title, name, position and contact details, plus the applicant's standing in their cohort, academic potential, relevant skills and a recommendation statement. For a sense of what a funder may want covered, see the Rhodes Trust guidance for referees, which sets out the areas referees should include.
Keep your own brief to one page, with these headings:
- The scholarship: Name, funder, level of study and the deadline (check the official page).
- How to submit: Portal, email address or form, plus any format rules such as PDF, letterhead or signature.
- About me: The course you are applying for and your goal in one or two sentences.
- How we know each other: How long, and in what capacity (course, module, project, job).
- What I hope you can cover: Two or three real examples, such as a piece of coursework, a project or a skill you showed.
- What the funder is looking for: Two or three phrases copied from the official criteria.
- Your details: Your full name, student or applicant number if there is one, and your email.
Be honest in the "what I hope you can cover" section. Remind your referee of real work, and do not ask them to claim anything you cannot back up.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask a lecturer who has not taught me recently?
Yes, if they still know your work well enough to describe it. Remind them in your email what you studied with them and attach your brief. If someone more recent knows your work better, ask them instead.
How many referees do I need?
It depends on the scholarship. Glasgow's Social Sciences scholarships ask for up to two referees, and Chevening asks for contact details for two. Check the official page for the scholarship you want.
Can I write the reference myself for my referee to sign?
No. Some funders say it must be in the referee's own words, such as Commonwealth Master's Scholarships. Give your referee a brief with facts, and let them write it.
What if my referee has not submitted by the deadline?
Send a short, polite reminder before the due date you set. Cambridge says it is your responsibility to ensure referees submit before the deadline. If there is a problem, use the contact details on the funder's official page.
Keep track, say thank you and plan your next step
Keep a simple list of each referee, the scholarships you have asked them about and the dates you sent each request. That makes it easier to reuse your brief for the next application and to thank people properly.
If your application goes well, you may be invited to interview. Our guide to scholarship interview questions and answers can help you prepare.
CareerEdu offers free scholarship alerts, so you can hear about new opportunities and start lining up your referees early. Check the official page for each scholarship for current deadlines and rules before you apply.
