Quick answer
For a graduate cover letter UK employers can read quickly, use four short paragraphs: an introduction, why you suit the role, your skills and experience, and a closing summary of your interest. This is the basic structure described by Prospects. Fill it with examples from study, volunteering and part-time work, and tailor it to each job.
The four-paragraph structure at a glance
A cover letter is not a second CV. It gives context and examples that show how your academic, voluntary or paid experience makes you suitable for the job, according to Newcastle University's careers service.
Here is the plan in four steps:
- Introduction: why you are writing, which role you are applying for, and why it interests you.
- Why you suit the role: the match between what the employer wants and what you offer.
- Skills and experience: specific examples that prove it.
- Closing: a short summary of your interest, a thank you and a sign-off.
Keep it to one page. The University of Edinburgh describes a strong UK cover letter as one page with about three to five concise paragraphs. It should show research on the organisation and evidence that you meet the key skills and experience in the vacancy.
For length and layout, the University of St Andrews suggests roughly 250–400 words, no more than one side of A4, and a professional font such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman in size 10–12.
If you are also looking for funding to study, you can get free scholarship alerts from CareerEdu. It is a free service for students and graduates.
What to write in each paragraph
Paragraph 1: the introduction
The National Careers Service advises you to say how you found the job and why you are interested in both the role and the organisation. You can include your degree or background if it is relevant. It also recommends addressing the letter to a named person, which shows you have researched the company and role.
Here is an example. Replace the brackets with your own details:
Dear [Name],
I am writing to apply for the [job title] position advertised on [where you saw it]. I am about to complete a degree in [subject] at [university], and I am drawn to [organisation] because of [one specific reason, such as a project, value or service you have read about].
Paragraph 2: why you suit the role
Read the job description and pick the requirements that matter most. The University of Oxford careers service says your letter should reference three to five of your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge, matching what you say to the job description.
Name those skills here, then prove them in the next paragraph. For example:
The role asks for clear communication, teamwork and attention to detail. My degree and my work outside study have given me practice in all three.
Paragraph 3: skills and experience
This is where your examples go. Imperial College London's careers service says examples can come from studies, volunteering, part-time jobs, internships or extracurricular activities, and must be tailored to each application.
Newcastle University's example letter shows the kind of detail that works. One example is a volunteering role where you developed interpersonal or teamwork skills. Another is a part-time job where you trained others.
Try this pattern: what you did, what skill it shows, and why it matters for this job.
While volunteering at [organisation], I [what you did]. This taught me [skill], which I would use in this role when [link to a duty in the vacancy].
Paragraph 4: the closing
Oxford's guidance says to summarise your motivation to join the company and thank the employer for considering your application. End with "Yours sincerely" if you have a named contact, or "Yours faithfully" if you began with "Dear Sir or Madam".
Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my skills could support your team.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Cover letter with no experience as a graduate
Many graduates worry they have nothing to write about. You probably have more than you think.
Oxford's careers service says transferable skills from volunteering, academic study and part-time work are valid. It advises linking them directly to the job criteria and stating explicitly how they make you suitable.
Some ideas for where examples can come from:
- Study: a group project, a dissertation, a presentation or a piece of research.
- Volunteering: helping at an event, a charity shop or a student society.
- Part-time work: handling customers, working in a team, or training a new colleague.
Do not apologise for what you lack. Choose two or three examples and explain what they show. A short, specific example works better than a long general statement.
Although I have not yet held a full-time role, my part-time work in [setting] taught me to [skill]. For example, [one specific situation and what you did].
For more on this, read our guide to getting a graduate job with no experience in the UK.
Cover letter for a graduate scheme
The same four paragraphs work for a graduate scheme. The main difference is how closely you tailor it.
Use the scheme's own vacancy as your guide. Edinburgh's careers service says a strong letter shows research on the organisation and evidence of how you meet the key skills and experience listed. In practice:
- Use the introduction to say why this employer and this scheme interest you, not just any scheme.
- Choose the skills in paragraph 2 from the ones the vacancy lists.
- Use paragraph 3 for the best example of each skill.
Some employers ask for specific documents or answers in their own application form. Always follow the employer's instructions and check the current deadline on the official vacancy page before you apply.
If you are still deciding where to look, our guide to the best graduate job sites in the UK explains what each one is good for. Once your letter gets you noticed, our graduate job interview questions guide can help you prepare.
Checklist before you send
Go through this list for every application:
- The letter is addressed to a named person where possible, as the National Careers Service recommends.
- You say how you found the job and why you want the role and the organisation.
- You refer to three to five relevant skills or experiences that match the job description, as Oxford suggests.
- Each example is linked to a requirement in the vacancy.
- The letter adds context rather than repeating your CV.
- It fits on one side of A4 in a clear font, in line with St Andrews' advice.
- Spelling is British throughout. St Andrews also advises including your address and the employer's address if available.
- The sign-off matches the greeting: "Yours sincerely" for a name, "Yours faithfully" for "Dear Sir or Madam".
- You have read it aloud and checked names, dates and the job title.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a graduate cover letter be?
Aim for one side of A4. St Andrews suggests roughly 250–400 words, and Edinburgh describes about three to five concise paragraphs on one page.
Should I repeat my CV in my cover letter?
No. Newcastle University says your letter should provide context and examples that show how your experience makes you suitable, not repeat your CV.
Can I use the same cover letter for every application?
It is better not to. Imperial College London says your examples must be tailored to each application. You can keep your structure and some wording, but change the employer details, the skills and the examples.
How should I end the letter?
Thank the employer and sum up your motivation. Then sign off with "Yours sincerely" if you know the name of the person you are writing to, or "Yours faithfully" if you began with "Dear Sir or Madam", as Oxford's careers guidance explains.
Your next step
Start with the job description. Pick three to five requirements, find one honest example for each, and write your four paragraphs around them. Then check the employer's page for the current deadline and instructions before you send your application.
CareerEdu is a free study, scholarships and careers platform for students and graduates. If you are also thinking about further study, you can get free scholarship alerts. Our guide on how to find scholarships in the UK is a good place to begin.
