Most referees are willing to help — but they’re busy. The easiest way to get a strong reference letter is to provide a short request message plus a ready-to-edit template.
At a glance
- Best referee: someone who has seen your work (teacher, lecturer, supervisor, coach)
- Best lead time: 7–10 days before your deadline
- Best length: 150–300 words on a letterhead (if available)
What to send your referee
- Bursary name + deadline
- Your CV (1 page)
- Your latest results (or summary)
- 3 bullet points you want them to mention
- The template below
Example copy-paste request (email/WhatsApp)
Hello [Name], I hope you’re well. I’m applying for the [Bursary Name] for 2026 and the application requires a short reference letter. Would you be willing to write a brief reference for me? The deadline is [date]. I’ve attached my CV and results, and I’ve included a draft template to make it easy — please feel free to edit it as you see fit. Thank you for your time. [Your name]
Reference letter template (teacher/lecturer)
[School/Institution Letterhead if available] [Date] To whom it may concern / Selection Committee RE: Reference Letter for [Student Full Name], ID/Student No: [____] I am writing to recommend [Student Full Name] for the [Bursary Name]. I have known [him/her/them] for [time period] in my capacity as [teacher/lecturer/supervisor] at [institution]. [Student Name] has demonstrated strong commitment to learning and consistent effort in [subject/module/role]. Notable strengths include [work ethic / punctuality / problem-solving / leadership]. Academically, [Student Name] has achieved [brief evidence: grades/position/improvement]. In addition, [he/she/they] has contributed through [leadership/community/activities], showing maturity and responsibility. Based on my knowledge of [Student Name], I believe [he/she/they] has the potential to succeed in [field] and will make responsible use of bursary support. Yours sincerely, [Full Name] [Title / Position] [Contact number / Email] [Signature]
Common mistakes to avoid
- Asking 24 hours before the deadline
- Using a referee who doesn’t know your work
- Submitting an unsigned letter