Resignation Letter for Higher Studies

Are you planning to change your job or simply take a break from years of work? But how will you communicate this to your HR or your manager? One of the most ethical and professional ways to explain your reason for leaving the job is through a ‘resignation letter’. But, what exactly is this letter? An official record that not only states the motive behind quitting the job but also the details of your notice period along with the last day of employment. From changing careers to going back to pursuing higher education, there can be a multitude of reasons to quit a job. In this blog, we will discuss some tips for writing an impeccable resignation letter for higher studies.

Check out our comprehensive guide on Academic Letter of Recommendation!

Resignation Letter Format & Template

Given below is a generic format that you can follow while writing your resignation letter:

[Date] [Employer Name] [Designation] [Company Name] [Subject Line] [Salutation],  [First Paragraph: Include the reason for your resignation. In the case of higher studies, mention the course you’ll be pursuing and the name of the university.] [Second Paragraph: Write about your experience, skills garnered and opportunities the company gave you.] [Conclusion: Offer help during the transition phase and end on a positive note]  Sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Name]

Now, take a look at a sample template to understand the letter format, tone and structure.

Date

Supervisor/Manager’s Name
Supervisor/Manager’s Designation
Company Address

Respected Sir/Mam,

I am writing to inform you that I will be tendering my resignation from the post of _______(mention your position/designation). I would like to give (period of notice/ number of days) notice, effective from today. My last date will be on ______(mention the date).

The reason for my resignation is that I have decided to pursue higher studies to obtain my ______(master’s or Ph.D. etc.) in _____ (field of study) from ______(name of the institution). It was a difficult decision to make but it will surely help me progress further in my career path.
It was a pleasure working at ______ (company’s name) and I would like to thank you and the team for the unconditional support and guidance during my employment here. Being a ______(position) at _______(company name) has exposed me to varied opportunities that led me to hone my (insert skill type) skills and I believe that this experience will further help me during my higher studies. I am grateful for the projects I have taken here and I will always cherish the professional relationships I had with you as well as other colleagues.

Please be reassured that I will assist you throughout this ______(duration of the notice period) for the transition of my job and responsibilities making sure that my work is completed and handed over to _______(your replacement’s name). Please let me know if there is any other way I can help to ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible.

I wish you and _______(company’s name) all the best.

Regards,
(Your signature)
(Your name)
(Date of Resignation)

Resignation Letter Samples

Now that you are familiar with the format for writing a resignation letter for higher studies, let us go through a sample to get a clear picture of the same.

Sample #1

Sample #2

Sample #3

Date

Supervisor’s Name
Supervisor’s Designation
Company Name
Address

Respected Sir/Maam

This is to inform you that I will be tendering my resignation from the position of _________ at ________ (company name). The reason for my resignation is that I applied to the MA in Publishing program at Queensland University and got my study admit today. My notice period at the company would be for one month and my last working day would be 11th February 2021.

It was truly a great experience working with ________ (company name) and I learned many new things and skills working in the _______ (team/department) team. I will always be grateful to you and ______ (company name) for giving me this opportunity.

Please let me know how I can be of help in ensuring the smooth transition and handing over my responsibilities. I hope to stay in touch with you in the future. I wish _____ (company name) all the success.

Best Regards,
Name
Signature
Date

Sample #4

28th January 2021

Louis Shelby
Editor-in-Chief
Euphoria Magazine
28B Connaught Place
New Delhi

Dear Mr. Shelby,

Please accept this letter/e-mail as my formal resignation from Euphoria Magazine as a Publishing Editor. I would like to give 2 months’ notice and my last working day would be 28th March 2021. I plan to pursue a doctoral degree in Linguistics at Trinity College Dublin and my application was accepted today.

I am truly grateful to you for all the opportunities you have provided me to learn about the publishing industry working at Euphoria Magazine and the faith you have put in me to accomplish different tasks throughout the last one and a half years. Under your guidance and mentorship, I have earned valuable writing, editing and management skills that will further help me thrive in my academic and professional journey.

I assure you that I will assist in making this transition as smooth as possible training my replacement and handling all my responsibilities. I would like to thank you again for your guidance and support throughout my time here at Euphoria Magazine.

Best Regards,
Ryan T.
28th January 2021

Must Read: Professional LOR

How to Write a Resignation Letter?

While drafting a letter of resignation, your supervisor will want to know why you are leaving the job. Although you might want to, don’t mention negative reasons. Articulate your story in a way that it doesn’t come out as negative or obstructive. To help you write a resignation letter for higher studies or for a career change, we have listed down some major reasons you can mention if you are not able to come up with a good one:

“I have decided to pursue a higher degree to further my studies.”

This is an ideal reason for those planning to attain a postgraduate degree to fulfil their dream career aspirations. Your manager will actually encourage you to resign in this case to focus on full-time learning.

“I am leaving because of personal reasons.”

If you have been planning to resign due to circumstances which you can’t explain, be it familial, financial or personal, you can mention this reason in the resignation letter. But, on the other side, keep your argument prepared as your boss might ask you about the clear reason why you are quitting.

“I need to leave because I want to explore a new career path and discover another industry/domain.”

If you have been thinking of exploring a new industry or a career domain, use this reason to elaborate upon why you are resigning. Employers generally understand how important it is to keep discovering new opportunities and not stay stuck in the same environment. So, the chance is, they will probably empathize with your decision which will prevent you from leaving any scope for bad blood.

Tips to Write a Resignation Letter for Higher Studies

Your reporting manager can be a good networking source and might provide professional help later. From being a good reference to informing you about career opportunities, your manager can help you in a plethora of ways, therefore, it is in your best interest to terminate your job on a positive note. You can incorporate the below-listed points while drafting a resignation letter for higher studies: 

Follow the 3Cs: Clear, Crisp and Concise

Clearly state the objective to resign from the job in the first paragraph itself. Moreover, you should also mention the course and the name of the university, where you will be joining. 

Express Gratitude

This is the section where you talk about your experience with the company and also thank the employer for providing opportunities. 

This is your Endgame, Make it Memorable

The tone of your resignation letter for higher studies should be polite and positive. It should not be used to express past grievances. 

Don’t be an Agent of Chaos

There will be a vacancy to fill and a lot of pending work to be completed when you hand over your resignation letter for higher studies. This can be a time when you can offer a lending hand in finding your suitable replacement and if possible, complete the remaining work. 

Information for the Human Resource Manager

Do not skip any details. If you wish to pursue higher studies, do specify it in the letter. Also, mention your last working day and the notice period you would like to serve. This will allow your HR to prepare your associated documents accordingly.

Proofread & Revise Your Letter

Check for any grammatical errors or if any information has been falsely written. Proofread your work before emailing your resignation letter to the concerned authority.

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Hopefully, with the aforementioned tips and sample, you will be able to write a good resignation letter for higher studies. Further, if you’re planning to pursue higher education abroad and having trouble choosing the right university, no need to worry. Reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu who can guide you in identifying the right university as per your chosen field of interest. Book a 30-minute free counselling now.