If I apply to two courses at the same university, do I need separate letters of recommendation for each course or can I use the same letter for both?
Yes, you can generally ask the same recommenders for both courses, but most portals require two separate application links and will not auto-copy one letter across them. For closely related courses one strong letter works, while very different fields need a more tailored version each time.
If you are applying to two courses at the same university, you do not need to hunt for a whole new set of recommenders. You can reuse the same people, but you do need to think through how the letter itself gets submitted and worded.
What Changes By Course Similarity
| Scenario | Recommendation Strategy |
|---|---|
| Closely related courses (for example, MSc Data Science and MSc Computer Science) | A single strong letter focused on your quantitative and programming skills works for both |
| Distinct fields (for example, an MBA and an MSc in Environmental Science) | You need a more tailored letter, since one needs leadership and business focus while the other needs research focus |
How To Coordinate With Your Recommenders
- Most portals send two separate automated email links, one per application, and rarely copy a letter across them automatically
- Tell your recommender in advance that two links are coming so they are not confused
- Ask them to keep the letter body similar but tweak the opening and closing lines to match each course title
- Or ask them to address the broader department, such as "the School of Engineering," instead of naming one specific course
My Advice
Before you send your recommenders any links, tell them exactly which two courses you are applying to and whether they overlap. If the fields are very different, offer to draft two short bullet points for each course so your recommender does not accidentally leave the wrong course name in the letter.
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