[1/19, 11:44]

Growing up in Nigeria, I observed the direct impact of hunger on families, friends, and neighbors. So
many cases of food insecurity and malnutrition that left children weak, vulnerable and less able to fight
such common childhood illnesses. From research, I discovered that 110 million Nigerians, implying that
six out of 10 Nigerians live in poverty and are in need of food assistance and some 400,000 children are
at imminent risk of starvation. It has been widely reported that malnutrition claims 2,300 children and
145 women daily, with malnutrition accounting for over half of under-five mortality.

The effects of food insecurity are endless needing an urgent attention of every Nigerians to fight against
hunger. Recently, the Nigerian government passed a bill of Food Security and as well approved an
Agriculture promotion policy called “Green Alternative” (2016-2020), which is poised at revamping the
Nigerian Agricultural Sector and as well combating food insecurity in the nation. This policy is good, but
the high rate of population growth and accelerated urbanization makes it difficult to achieve food
security. Therefore, one of the ways I feel Nigeria can attain food security is by considering climate
resilient sustainable agriculture to support smallholder farmers adapt to these shocks and to reduce
vulnerabilities farmers faced such as flash floods, periods of drought, disease infestation, saline
intrusion, deforestation and massive erosion of their, farmlands resulting in crop failure and reduced
food security.

If awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship, upon the conclusion of my program, I hope to have gained
enough exposure and acquired the necessary skills set needed on how sophisticated environmental
problems can be managed in a conducive manner to continued economic development This program
will also equip me with a sound understanding of how agriculture interacts with the environment,
strategic environmental management, assessment of land use capability, habitat potential, risks of
water pollution, soil quality and ecosystem services. It also exposes me to the implications of global
warming on global farming systems and considers possible adaptation and mitigation strategies for
farming systems worldwide.

The skills acquired would be utilized to tackle the agricultural productivity challenges and also help me
to develop sound management policies to aid the performance of the agriculture in Nigeria. I already
registered my company with Corporate Affair Commission which is poised in training rural farmers in
new agricultural methodologies of increasing farm output, making food reach a large number of people,
thereby ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable
agriculture, which is the zero-hunger goal of the Department for International Development (DFID) aims
to achieve in 2030.
An avenue for monitoring my work would be created and this will be measured via increased farmers
productivity, thereby leading to increased food production to end hunger in the country.

[1/20, 01:22] I am writing to express my interest in applying for the master program of Mechanical
Engineering. I strongly believe that both my educational background and deep concern in this field of
study make me a very good candidate for the program. Finding out about how things are functioning
around us, has always attracted me. Although it led sometimes to destruction of thing that I was trying
to inspect. My childhood's dream job was becoming a pilot, but when I grew up, I realized that my
dreams have changed and I wanted to fly with my designed airplane. I have found nothing more
amazing than making plans, combing parts, and thriving nonstop and at the end watching what you have
built, working. I am always ready to learn new things, especially those that represent a challenge for me.

I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in the branch of solid bodies design two
years ago at Iran University of Science and Technology. Meanwhile I have launched my internship at a
hydraulic system consulting company, which I was employed later in. My current job's responsibility
includes analyzing customers needs, interpreting demands to working systems based on hydraulic
power, running feasibility studies and providing new solutions for higher efficiency in systems. I have
taken part in workshops and training courses in order to extend my knowledge on hydraulic systems,
which were quite beneficial to my career and studies.

I believe that my current working experience is the main reason that drives me to study in Germany. I
have acquired sound knowledge of leading edge engineering principles, tools, practices with emphasis
on designing, building and testing systems and now these experiences push me forward to learn more
and to take a new horizon to gain more experience. Studying Mechanical Engineering in a country,
which is the cradle of this science and origin of mechanical wonders, is a good opportunity for me to
improve my knowledge both practically and theoretically. I expect that this master program provides me
chance to get to know with mechanical systems and affiliates me to the industries, which are living
examples of the art of mechanics. I hope that I can gain more experience in dealing with situations,
people, systems, demands that will be of a great help to me for my future career.

Studying at your multicultural university enables me to improve my interpersonal talents. I would be

learning in one of the best universities in Europe. Besides, I will have the opportunity to develop myself
in an international environment giving me the privilege to meet new people with different points of
view. That would be very enriching experience for me. The master program is offered in German and it
drew my attention. I think I will be able to develop my German language talents, which will help me to
form higher qualifications for my future. I am convinced that this master program would provide me
with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills I will need for a successful business
management career in the future. I realize the highly competitive demands of the program, but I have
the ability, ambition and motivation to exceed the requirements and to excel at the university. I am
eager to gain new experiences, and, in my opinion, this program is the best way to achieve that. I am
positive that the TU Berlin and especially the mechanical engineering master program would be an
excellent start for an ambitious business career. Therefore, I would be very proud and happy if I received
the admission for this program.
[1/20, 12:11] My ambition to become a political advisor to the European Parliament prompted me to
apply for Masters in Political Science at the [University name] in Barcelona, starting in September 2016.

Thanks to my fast progress within the Bachelor’s curriculum and the Master I am currently enrolled in, I
have decided that studying and doing research are things I would like to devote myself to even more. I
have studied Communication and Information Studies as a Bachelor at the [University2 name]. It was
during my Bachelor that I found out that the interaction between individuals and their environment is
most interesting, intriguing and complex. More specifically, this interest developed in the direction of
politics. What is the role and significance of media, journalism and information in shaping public
opinion? After I obtained my Bachelor’s degree, I pursued a Master in Political Communication at the
[University3 name], which I am planning on finalizing in June 2016. Although my current Master fulfils all
my expectations, there is only so much one can learn in one academic year, and even more so, in one
specific Master. I have noticed that in the field of politics there are many factors of influence.

Knowledge from other disciplines, as well as from other cultures, is what makes this field so intricate,
but all the more interesting. As the profile of the Master’s degree in Political Science at the [University
name] is highly international and multidisciplinary, I believe that your programme is a perfect addition
to the knowledge I have already obtained. I consider it to be a most valuable experience to get the
opportunity to meet students from all over the world and learn about their cultures and (corresponding)
norms and values. Furthermore, courses like Democracy and Citizenship, Public Policy Analysis and
Management and Migration Policies, Integration, and Management of Religious Diversity would give me
more insight in other factors than media, journalism and public opinion alone, important to the world of
politics and hence important for being advanced in political analysis. Considering the profile as well as
the content of the Master’s degree in Political Science at the [University name], along with the
knowledge I will take with me from my previous studies, I am confident that this Master brings me one
step closer to reach my goal of becoming a political advisor to the European Parliament.

I consider myself to be a highly motivated and diligent student; during my Bachelor and my Master so
far, I have not failed one exam or an assignment of any kind. I am certain to push through with the
dedication I have always worked with to accomplish my goals and gain more knowledge and insight in
political science. My interest in politics emerges also from my experience in working with the [party
name] at [party address], a political party in [country name]. Here, I attend meetings, determine political
campaigning activities, design accurate slogans and texts for campaign purposes and devote myself to
offline and online political campaigning.

Studying Political Science at the [University name] is an opportunity I would like to grab with both hands
and I hope that, during my stay in Barcelona and alongside or within this Master, I will find more
challenges and activities I can engage myself in.

Considering my academic performance so far and my desire to enrich my own and others’ knowledge in
political science, I am convinced that I will be a valuable addition to the programme. I hope to be given
this chance, as I am confident that I am capable of meeting and even exceeding your expectations.

Thank you for considering my application.

[1/20, 12:54] Sample 3

With numerous violent conflicts, notorious terrorist organisation and several separatist movements
which have vowed to disrupt the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria, deepened humanitarian crisis in
North-East Nigeria and the Lake Chad region. Emmanuel is perturbed about this ugly incidence and this
prompted him to apply for this programme (International Development with Conflict & Humanitarian
Action) so he could gain necessary skills in dousing tension in the Nigeria’s conflict prone areas, offer
best strategies in tackling insurgency and militancy, proffer effective and efficient policy responses to
humanitarian crisis in North-East Nigeria and Lake-Chad region.

For more than two decades of my existence in Nigeria, I was brought up in the midst of violent conflict
and ethnic cleansing. This prompted me to study Political Science and International relations at Osun
State University, Nigeria between 2009 and 2014. During my undergraduate Degree, I became aware
about the historical narrative of my country most especially the unprepared wedding of all regional
groups by Frederick Lord Lugard in 1914 (to give room for effectiveness of the colonial administration),
the attainment of Independence in 1960 and the failure of Nigerian leaders to achieve an egalitarian,
united, peaceful and tranquil society in the post-independence period. The military incursion into
politics in 1966 disrupt the attainment of democratic governance due to the carelessness and self-
centered attitude of politicians in the first republic. The military with high-handedness ruled Nigeria with
iron and fist approach and made life unbearable for the Nigerian population. Freedom of speech and
association to mention just a few were restricted by the military junta which was why Ken-Sarowiwa,
Ogoni 9 and many other human rights activist were brutally murdered.

[1/20, 19:04] Perhaps, if you are a volunteer with an NGO, you could ask your boss to write a reference
on you. But carry him along so he knows how to write it. The reference must be on the letterhead of the
NGO, signed, stamped and dated. You could say, I have known this candidate for 15 years since he
joined this organization to assist in advocacy works with the aim of poverty reduction in Nigeria. He is
currently the senior programme officer and we have been working together on several outreaches
across impoverished communities in Southwestern region, Nigeria. In 2018, he led a group of other
volunteers to Igbomina for advocacy against hunger where they distributed food items to about 300
villagers............

Motivation letter

Your motivation or cover letter is ‘part two’ of your application. Your CV is a fact sheet with facts,

such as your education and work experience. Your motivation letter gives you the opportunity to

show your personality and express why you are the best candidate for the job. Make sure your

motivation letter supports your CV and emphasize relevant information about your competencies

and experience. Analyse, before you start, the vacancy and make sure you receive the information

you need to write a good and catchy motivation letter. LinkedIn can be of help.

General tips
 Use short sentences and active language, get ‘to the point’;

 Let your letter connect to your CV, but avoid literal overlap. In your CV you can identify

things that you then explain in your letter;

 Avoid negative words;

 Check the name and function of the reader;

 Be convincing, but never intrusive. Do not put conclusions in your text, but express your

arguments so that the recipient can draw a (positive) conclusion;

 Put yourself in the shoes of the reader. He wants to know "what's in it for me?" Do not focus

on what the company and / or the function can do for you;

 Customize your CV for every application, add, remove or emphasize relevant competencies

or experience;

 Avoid abbreviations and specialized language;

 Be aware of spelling mistakes;

 No more than one page and fill only two-thirds of the page with text;

 Send your CV as a PDF file and put your name in the subject of the document and email;

 Get someone else to proof-read your letter before you send it.

Structure of the letter

Your name and address

Company’s address and name of the contact person

Location and date

Relating to (including: vacancy number)

Dear Madam/Sir X, (make sure you know the name and position of the contact person and

do not just send a letter to ‘dear sir/madam’ or ‘to whom this may concern’)

Paragraph 1: Grab their attention

You draw attention to your letter by showing that you have conducted research on the company

beforehand. This can be shown by knowing what the working atmosphere is like (formal or informal),

and by knowing which tone to use while addressing the recruiter. You can for instance refer to a

pleasant phone conversation you have had with someone from within the organization, or indicate

any other already existing connections you have established.

Paragraph(s) regarding your motivation

These paragraphs should include your main reasons for wanting to work for organization X. Try to be

original instead of naming all the obvious reasons. Have you been an intern at a similar organization?

To strengthen your motivation you can use this internship as an example to illustrate your

experience in this field.

You should convince the reader that you are the perfect candidate for the job. For positions in the

Netherlands you do not literally write down why you think you are the perfect candidate, but you

convey these points by referring to your experience (academic or professional), your qualities and

your skills. You link these aspects to your desired position, so that the reader will be convinced as to

how you will be the solution to any issues an organization may have.

Conclusion

Make sure that the language of the final paragraph matches the content of the letter and your

personality.

Example:

I welcome the opportunity to further elaborate on my CV and motivation during a personal

interview. I look forward to your reply.

Kind regards,

XX

Attachment: curriculum vitae

Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are now open

Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are now OPEN!

For more information and how to apply, visit the link below:

http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/shared-scholarships/

[2/6, 18:48] he Development Impact Summary questions ......

The question 2. Ask

How your proposed study relates to development issue and challenges in your SECTOR.

What does this mean?

[2/6, 18:57] If my proposed course for instance is Conflict and development studies and am coming from
a conflict prone area with a background in Political Science. I will explain to the scholarship board in a
convincing way, how knowledge gained from studying that course will help in dousing tension in crisis
prone areas in my country and how my research will contribute to advancing the knowledge enterprise
in the field of conflict and development analysis. Two things are important here, identify your sector,
your sector could be your educational background. Identify a problem which is associated with your
sector and how your proposed course will help you in solving them. Dont just tell them it is when you
gain the knowledge and the required skills that you will start solving problems. Let them know how as
individual or as a group, you have been fully engaged in solving many of these problems#