General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · application

Application for Academic Excellence Scholarship at University

You have read about a scholarship offered by a university and wish to apply.

Write a letter to the university and include the following information. In your letter:

the scholarship you wish to apply for
some details about yourself
your academic suitability for the scholarship and any other relevant information

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear ...,

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing to formally submit my application for the International Academic Excellence Scholarship for the upcoming academic year. Having researched your institution’s commitment to fostering research-led learning, I am eager to contribute to your vibrant scholarly community.

Currently, I am completing my final year of a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering at the University of Auckland. Throughout my studies, I have maintained a high grade point average, consistently ranking in the top five percent of my cohort. My academic journey has been defined by a deep curiosity for sustainable urban infrastructure.

Regarding my suitability, I have developed a robust foundation in fluid dynamics and renewable energy systems. My final-year dissertation, which explores cost-effective water filtration methods, has recently been accepted for presentation at a national conference. This experience has honed my analytical skills and my ability to conduct rigorous, independent research.

Beyond my academic performance, I have volunteered as a tutor for underprivileged students, which has enhanced my communication and leadership abilities. I am confident that these experiences make me an ideal candidate for this prestigious award. Thank you for your time and consideration of my application.

Yours faithfully,

Julian Thorne

196 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response fully addresses all three bullet points with a sophisticated, consistent formal tone and clear, logical paragraph structure. The most common mistake for a Band 6 candidate is providing generic, vague details about their academic background instead of specific, relevant examples that justify the scholarship application.

Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.

Useful phrases from the letter

fostering: encouraging the development or growth of something
cohort: a group of people engaged in the same study
robust: strong, healthy, and unlikely to fail or break
dissertation: a long essay on a particular academic subject
honed: refined or perfected a skill over time
prestigious: inspiring respect and admiration for being high quality

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS General writing

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Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?

Formal. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.

How long should an IELTS General Training letter be?

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.