Should I mention my degree classification in a cover letter?

Yes, briefly, especially if it is a strong result or directly relevant, though your CV can carry the full academic detail.

What if my degree is not directly related to the job?

Focus on transferable skills such as research, analysis, communication and project work, which apply across many graduate roles.

Should I mention part-time jobs from during my degree?

Yes, briefly; they show reliability and the ability to manage multiple commitments, which is worth including even if the role itself is unrelated.

Graduate cover letter example

A strong graduate cover letter connects your degree, placement or projects to the specific role you are applying for, using one concrete example rather than a general summary of your studies. Employers hiring graduates look for evidence of initiative, teamwork and practical application of what you learned.

3 March 2026

Thornbury Marketing Group

Dear Ms Yardley,

I am writing to apply for the Graduate Marketing Assistant role at Thornbury Marketing Group advertised on your careers page. I recently graduated with a degree in Business, including a year-long placement in a marketing team, where I supported research, reporting and campaign coordination. I also took part in cross-functional projects with colleagues from sales and design during that year.

During my placement, I analysed customer feedback data for a product launch and presented the findings to the wider team, which fed directly into changes made to the campaign messaging before it went live. I also balanced part-time retail work throughout my degree, which taught me to manage several commitments and deadlines at once.

I am particularly interested in Thornbury Marketing Group because of the range of client sectors on your website, which would let me build on the cross-functional experience I gained during my placement. I am keen to keep developing those analytical and communication skills in a fast-moving agency environment. I am available to start immediately and open to entry-level responsibilities as I build my experience.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application further and thank you for taking the time to consider it.

Yours sincerely,

James Whitfield

Example · fictional candidate · Harbour design

Tips for a graduate cover letter

Connect your degree and any placement directly to the role, rather than listing your studies generally
Use one specific example from a placement, project or part-time job that shows a real result
Mention group projects or societies if they show teamwork or initiative relevant to the role
Show that you can balance multiple commitments, such as study alongside part-time work
Keep the tone confident but grounded, avoiding generic phrases about being passionate or driven

Pair it with a CV: see our graduate CV example.

Graduate cover letter example

Tips for a graduate cover letter

Questions about graduate cover letters