A student recommendation letter, also called a student reference letter, is a short letter in which a teacher or professor vouches for a student's skills and personality. Students use it for internships, grants, graduate programs and first jobs. The reader is usually an admissions office, a funding committee or a hiring manager. For other kinds of references, browse our recommendation letter templates.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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Students ask teachers and professors for reference letters in many situations, and the four described below are the most common. In each case the letter gives the reader a documented reason to trust the student beyond grades and a resume.
These are the most typical situations when one may require a student reference letter.
Tip: Teachers write a stronger letter when the student shares a short list of projects, grades and goals first. Specific examples are more convincing than general praise.
A strong student recommendation letter covers five things. They are who is writing, who the student is, what makes the student stand out, how to reach the writer, and a signature with a date. Like many other legal forms, student reference letters have compulsory items that every signatory should add. These items include:
If any of these details are lacking in your letter, the person you send may consider it invalid, leading to problems for your student.
Now that you know what to include, here is the general format of a student recommendation letter. Follow these six parts in order, from the heading at the top of the page to the contact details at the bottom.
Most student recommendation letters fit on one page and many take only half a page, which is perfectly fine as long as every item from the list above appears. Once you have written your first student reference letter, the following ones become considerably easier.
Before you read the two samples, use these dos and don'ts to check your draft. A letter that is honest, specific and sent on time helps the student far more than one that is long or flowery.
Remember that your student relies on your judgment and has academic and career goals that a thoughtful, well-organized letter can help to reach.
Your letter should be “honest, accurate, and complete,” according to the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
The same student can need very different letters, because a good letter points to the strengths that matter most to the person reading it. Name the program, employer or grant if you know it.
| Application | Strengths to emphasize | Example to mention |
|---|---|---|
| Internship | Reliability, teamwork and practical skills | A group project, a lab or a task the student finished on time with little supervision |
| Grant or scholarship | Motivation, goals and good use of earlier opportunities | The project or field of study that the money would support |
| Graduate program | Academic ability, research and independent work | A thesis, a research paper or a class where the student stood out |
| First job | Work habits, communication and a willingness to learn | A presentation, part-time work on campus or a leadership role in a student group |
We wrote two sample letters you can copy and adapt. Both follow the format described above.
Student Recommendation Letter
To whom this may concern,
My name is _____________ (enter your name in the line), and I work as a _______________ (teacher, professor, lecturer) at ________________ (enter the school’s name here). I have known _______________ (insert the student’s name) for ___________ (insert the period).
_______________ (insert the student’s name) has demonstrated wonderful communication skills throughout all the years we have been in contact. The student has developed plenty of outstanding educational projects of the highest level. I highly recommend cooperating with the student because (he/she) has shown the greatest responsibility and care of all the tasks given during studies.
In case you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to text or call me. I leave my contact details below.
_______________ (your signature) _______________ (the date of signing)
E-mail: _______________
Phone number: _____________
Student Recommendation Letter
To whom this may concern,
My name is _____________ (enter your name here), and I would love to share my recommendation on the student named _______________ (insert the student’s name), who I have known for ________ (indicate the period). I am a teacher at ____________ (enter the institution’s name) and the student has been attending this institution from ______ to ______ (indicate the years).
During the whole period, we have developed various projects together, and ______________ (enter the student’s name) has demonstrated brilliant skills and character. The student is a responsible worker who also has excellent manners and is passionate about everything (he/she) does. You will not regret cooperating with the student.
I am ready to communicate further regarding this recommendation letter and answer all questions that arise. My contact details can be seen below.
_______________ (your signature) _______________ (the date of signing)
E-mail: _______________
Phone number: _____________
Run through this list before you hand the letter to the student or send it to the recipient, because a careful check catches common slips such as a misspelled name.
Ask politely, in person or by email, and choose a teacher who knows you well and has seen your work over time. A professor who remembers your projects can write something specific. Think back through your classes, pick a few teachers who could help and ask each of them. Writing letters is a regular part of a teacher's job, so the request is not a burden.
The best choice is someone who knows the student well and has seen the student's work. Good options include:
Such a writer can describe the student's skills, personality and work with real examples instead of general praise.
Most fit on a single page, and many take only half a page. The letter needs room to say who you are, how you know the student, two or three strengths and how to contact you. There is no reason to pad it.
In most cases, yes. Both names describe a letter from someone who knows the student and vouches for their skills and personality. You can use either word in the heading, and the sample letters on this page work for both.
Ask the teacher directly whether they feel able to write a positive, detailed letter. If the answer is unsure, turn to another teacher who knows your work better. A short, vague letter helps less than a detailed one from a different person.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
