Are LORs Important for Study Abroad Applications?

If you’re interested in studying abroad, you’ve probably heard of letters of recommendation (LORs). Also known simply as LORs, these documents provide references for applicants during the university application process. But have you ever wondered why they play such an important role? What types of LORs exist, and how can you craft an effective letter that influences the admissions team? Let’s explore all these aspects in this blog.

What is an LOR?

An LOR, or Letter of Recommendation, is an important part of the university application process in overseas countries. It is a formal letter issued by your previous or current college, university, or workplace, intended to recommend you as a deserving candidate for the prospective university. This letter highlights your real-world performance in academic or professional settings and is used by overseas universities as a credible reference to assess your suitability.

Are LORs Important for Study Abroad Applications?

Depending on the university, the course, the country, and the level of degree you want to pursue, LORs are important for study abroad applications because they are an integral part of the process through which overseas universities assess prospective students.

These letters are valuable because they are written by someone who has closely worked with or supervised the candidate and is well-acquainted with their capabilities.

An LOR is written by a supervising manager or the dean from the candidate’s current professional or academic setting. It provides a reference for the applicant through concrete examples and anecdotes, which institutions use to qualitatively evaluate the applicant.

You might wonder why such a letter is necessary if a candidate already has strong academic or professional credentials. The reason is that overseas universities also seek personal insights from supervisors or academic heads to better understand the candidate’s attitude, behavior, and potential beyond what grades or scores reveal.

How Many Types of an LOR? 

There are primarily two types of an LOR: academic and professional. The details of these kinds are tabulated below. 

Types of LOR	Issued by	What does it highlight?
Academic LOR	Teacher/professor/HOD of previously attended school/college/university	Academic achievements Extracurricular activities Intellectual abilities
Professional LOR	Reporting manager/supervising manager of a recent or previous employer	Academic achievements Extracurricular activities Intellectual abilities

Also Read: Recommendation Letter for a Student to Study Abroad Sample

How Many LORs does the Overseas University Require? 

The number and type of Letters of Recommendation (LORs) required for university applications can vary depending on the country, university, and degree level (undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral). While some institutions may ask for only one LOR, others may require two or more.

At a minimum, universities may require either academic LORs (written by teachers, professors, or academic supervisors) or professional LORs (written by employers or workplace supervisors).

In many cases, especially for postgraduate or MBA programs, students are expected to submit both academic and professional LORs to present a well-rounded profile. This helps the admissions committee assess the candidate’s performance in both educational and real-world professional environments.

It is, therefore, important to carefully review the LOR requirements of each university and program before beginning the application process.

Country	For UG Courses	For PG Courses
USA	1-3	2-3
UK	1	1-2
Canada	1-2	1-3
Rest of Europe	1-2	1-2
Australia	0-1	0-2

Also Read: How to Write an Impressive Statement of Purpose (SOP) for Italy

When Is a Letter of Recommendation Not Required?

Letters of Recommendation (LORs) aren’t always a must-have for every study abroad application. Whether you need them really depends on the university, the course, the country, and the level of degree you’re pursuing. Here are some common situations where LORs might not be necessary:

• For undergraduate programs at certain universities, particularly in countries like Germany, Norway, or the Netherlands, LORs might not be requested. Instead, they often focus more on your academic transcripts and standardized test scores.
• When it comes to diploma and certificate courses offered by colleges or vocational institutes abroad, LORs are usually not required since these programs are more skill-oriented or short-term.
• In some countries, like New Zealand or Singapore, specific programs may not ask for LORs, especially if they feel that your previous academic performance and personal statements are enough.
• Online degree programs or distance learning courses often don’t require LORs either, leaning more towards self-reported credentials and entrance assessments.
• Lastly, lower-tier or open admission universities abroad might not place much importance on LORs, particularly if they have more flexible admission criteria.

Even if LORs aren’t mandatory, submitting a solid one can still enhance your application, so it’s a good idea to check the specific guidelines of each university before deciding to skip it.

Does LOR Matter for Overseas University Admissions?

Yes, the LORs matter – a lot! I know from my international experience as a faculty member that LORs are read carefully by the Admissions office. In professional situations, the LORs count – both in terms of who your referee is and what they say about the candidate. For recruiters, the CV tells them whether a candidate is qualified to do the job, whereas the LORs help them to decide whether the candidate would be a good fit for the culture of the company. 

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Your LOR matters! For your study abroad application or an application for a job or scholarship, take time and carefully consider who will write your LORs. A referee should be able to discuss your achievements as well as the challenges you face by showing that you learn from your failures and have the aspiration to keep winning! Want to study abroad? Our Leverage Edu experts are ready to assist you in narrowing down the best course and university options according to your interests and preferences.