Email to a Professor

Subject Line

Guidance: Make the subject specific so it is opened: name the field and yourself.

Subject: Prospective CSC [PhD/Master's] Applicant in [Field]: [Your Name]

Introduction

Guidance: State who you are, your degree, and your intended program and intake in one line.

Dear Professor [Last Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Full Name], and I hold a [degree] in [field] from [University, Country]. I am planning to apply to the [PhD/Master's] program at [University] for the September [Year] intake through the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC).

Why This Professor

Guidance: Prove you have read their work: cite a real paper and link it to your own experience.

I have been following your research on [specific topic], and your recent paper, “[Paper Title]” ([Journal/Conference, Year]), resonated strongly with my interest in [related area]. In particular, your finding that [brief point] connects directly to my own work: during my [degree/thesis], I [brief, concrete project] using [methods/tools], which gave me hands-on experience in [relevant skills].

The Request

Guidance: Make one clear ask: supervision and a pre-admission/acceptance letter.

I would be honoured to pursue my [research/studies] under your supervision. If your group is accepting new students for the coming year, might you be open to discussing the possibility of a pre-admission / acceptance letter to support my CSC application? I would gladly send any further materials or arrange a short online meeting at your convenience.

For your reference, I have attached my CV and a one-page research statement. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sign-off

Guidance: Close politely with your full name and contact details.

Best regards,

[Your Full Name]

[Email] | [Phone]

[LinkedIn / Google Scholar, optional]