Updated 7 October 2026 · Redream editorial team
The 30-second answer
- A recommendation is an assessment by someone who knows your work; concrete examples matter more than generic praise.
- Check the number of letters, referee qualifications, language and submission method for each programme and scholarship.
- Give the referee organised background information and let them own their assessment; a letter cannot guarantee admission.
What does a recommendation add to a China application?
Recommendation letters for study in China give an admissions team another perspective on your abilities. Depending on the programme’s rules, the writer knows you academically or professionally. A transcript records results; a referee can explain your approach to a project and how you developed.
For Moroccan applicants planning a master’s, PhD or scholarship in 2027, start with the course requirements rather than a downloadable template. The official examples below identify their campaign years; earlier cycles illustrate differences and do not establish future conditions.
Do you always need two letters?
The number is not universal. These examples concern particular programmes, rather than every Chinese institution.
| Official source | Example requirement | Practical lesson |
|---|---|---|
| Tsinghua SEM: 2027 instructions | Two for finance or management; three for the dual business analytics degree | Numbers can differ within one institution. |
| Nanjing Forestry: 2026/2027 scholarship | Two letters from professors or associate professors | Check the required referee qualification. |
| BLCU: 2026 Type A scholarship | Recommendations differ by study level | Read the relevant section and confirm 2027 rules. |
Choose an eligible referee who knows your work
See the Tsinghua SEM instructions, Nanjing Forestry 2026/2027 notice and BLCU 2026 guide. Your own programme must confirm referee status, language and submission rules.
After checking eligibility, choose someone who can describe your actual contribution: a relevant subject lecturer or dissertation supervisor, for example. Direct knowledge of your work supports more useful observations than a prominent name with little experience of teaching or supervising you.
Do not assume an internship manager can replace an academic referee when the instructions require one. If a Moroccan job title is difficult to interpret against the stated requirement, ask the programme for written clarification.
What should you send when requesting a letter?
Prepare a short background pack without writing the assessment on the referee’s behalf:
- Programme name, university and official instructions.
- Deadline, submission method and any compulsory template.
- A concise CV and transcript where helpful.
- A reminder of work completed together and your exact role.
- Your reason for choosing the course and intended next steps.
Ask whether they are willing to provide a supportive recommendation. Allow reasonable preparation time and send a courteous reminder if necessary. An institutional deadline does not mean a professor will be available at the last moment.
What makes a letter useful?
A helpful structure introduces the referee’s relationship with the applicant and its duration, then provides concrete observations. These might concern a research question, a problem-solving approach or documented improvement, connected to the proposed studies.
Saying that a student joined a group project is vague. Explaining their task and observed contribution gives the reader something to assess. Never invent a class ranking, publication or experience. This is editorial guidance, not an official mandatory template.
The referee must review and approve their own assessment. Do not sign for them or submit identical letters under different names. Where instructions are unclear, ask about signatures, contact information and institutional letterhead instead of assuming a universal format.
Is a recommendation the same as supervisor consent?
No. The cited Nanjing Forestry announcement lists recommendations and its supervisor’s acceptance separately. A letter from your lecturer in Morocco therefore does not automatically replace any supervisor agreement required by your programme.
A recommendation evaluates your readiness from previous experience. Contact with a prospective supervisor concerns the research you hope to undertake. Follow the programme’s actual process, and do not describe preliminary support as confirmed admission.
Your final recommendation checklist
- The number of letters and referee qualifications match the instructions.
- The applicant and programme names are correct.
- The language and presentation are accepted.
- The required submission method is followed, including direct referee submission where specified.
- Each recommendation shows as completed, rather than merely invited.
- Confidentiality is respected when the system requires it.
Add recommendation status to your application tracker. Sending an invitation does not prove that the university received the response. Check early enough to correct an address or send a polite reminder before the official deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I write the recommendation myself?
You can provide accurate background about your projects. The assessment must remain the referee's own, reviewed and approved by them, without impersonating them or their signature.
Can the same letter be used for several universities?
Check each programme's rules. Ask the referee to review institution and programme references, and use the required submission channel.
Will a French-language recommendation be accepted?
It depends on the programme. Verify the accepted language and any translation requirements before preparing the final version.
Do strong letters guarantee a scholarship?
No. They are one part of the application; selection criteria, competition and the remaining evidence still matter.
What if my previous professor is unavailable?
Look for another eligible referee with direct knowledge of your work. Ask the programme about acceptable alternatives if you cannot meet the stated requirement.
Related guides
- Documents to Study in China in 2027: A Checklist for Moroccan Students
- Study in China 2027: the complete guide
- Study plan for a Chinese scholarship
Prepare a coherent application for 2027
Tell Redream about your academic level and intended course through the application form so our team can discuss the preparation steps relevant to your project.
Illustrative cover image.