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Non-Academic Reference Guidelines

The document provides guidance for writing a reference letter in support of an application to British universities. It lists several key points the universities consider important to address in the reference, including how long the referee has known the applicant and in what capacity, assessments of the applicant's abilities and qualities, comments on relevant academic or professional experience, an indication of how strongly the referee supports the application, and comparisons to other students or peers where possible. The reference should be on official letterhead and clearly state the referee's name and position.

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45 views2 pages

Non-Academic Reference Guidelines

The document provides guidance for writing a reference letter in support of an application to British universities. It lists several key points the universities consider important to address in the reference, including how long the referee has known the applicant and in what capacity, assessments of the applicant's abilities and qualities, comments on relevant academic or professional experience, an indication of how strongly the referee supports the application, and comparisons to other students or peers where possible. The reference should be on official letterhead and clearly state the referee's name and position.

Uploaded by

mauro2021
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Request for an academic or non-academic reference

Dear Referee,

You have been asked to provide a reference in support of an application for admission to British
Universities. Your reference will greatly assist the Universities in reaching a decision on this
application and we thank you in advance for your assistance.

Supplying the reference


The Universities require a dated reference with your name and position clearly stated on
letterheaded paper.

The Universities consider the following points when composing your reference:

• In what capacity have you known the applicant, and for how long? For previous students or
employees, please also indicate how long ago.

• Assess, as appropriate, the applicant's abilities in terms of: analytical reasoning; ability to grasp
concepts; ability to work independently; ability to argue cogently; originality; industry; motivation;
perseverance; breadth of interest; technical competence.

• Comment, as appropriate, on the applicant's responsiveness to supervision/mentoring;


responsiveness to constructive criticism, capacity for self-evaluation; ability to work with others;
ability to organise work.

• Comment on any academic or professional experience that you consider relevant to the
qualification applied for.

• If appropriate, indicate how confident you are that the applicant is likely to complete
successfully the qualification aimed for. Please indicate how strongly you are supporting this
application: not strongly, strongly or very strongly.

• If appropriate, comment on any postgraduate study or other forms of training already


undertaken or in progress.

• Your reference may also be used to support a scholarship application. Where appropriate, please
also comment on a candidate's suitability for an award. For academic referees

• If the applicant has yet to graduate, please indicate the degree result that, in your opinion,
would most accurately reflect the applicant's abilities.

• If possible, indicate the applicant's ranking compared to other students on the same course or
compared to other students you have taught (for example, 5th in a class of 80 students; in the top
15 per cent of students taught). For non-academic referees

• Please indicate how long the applicant has been/was working within your institution or
organisation. If possible, please rate the applicant’s performance compared to peers at the same
stage of career.
• If possible, indicate the applicant’s capacity to undertake new projects or pieces of work and
their promptness to respond to these.

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