A statement of purpose (SOP) is a formal, structured essay submitted as part of a university or research program application. It outlines an applicant’s academic background, research interests, professional experience, motivations, and future goals.
Common guidelines for writing an SOP
• Word Limit: Generally 800–1000 words. Always adhere to the specific word limit set by the institution.
• Page Limit: Typically 1–2 pages.
• Formatting: Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial, 11- or 12-point size, with 1.0 or 1.15 line spacing.
• Paper Size: The SOP should be written on A4-sized pages.
Standard SOP structure
1. Introduction (80–120 words).
2. Academic background (150–200 words).
3. Professional / research experience (150–220 words).
4. Why this program/university (150–220 words).
5. Goals / future aspirations (80–120 words).
6. Conclusion (50–90 words).
Example
1. Introduction: I am Shamim Hassan, serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Poultry Science Bangladesh Agricultural University. I am writing to express my strong interest in the Master’s by Research/PhD in Poultry Nutrition at the University of Queensland (UQ). My academic training and research in non-ruminant nutrition have shaped a clear goal: to advance sustainable protein strategies for broilers through rigorous experimentation and modern data analytics.
2. Academic background: I completed a B.Sc. in Animal Husbandry and an M.S. in Poultry Science at Bangladesh Agricultural University, ranking 2nd of 163 in the B.Sc. (CGPA 3.854) and 1st in the M.S. (CGPA 3.984). My coursework provided a solid foundation in poultry production, feed formulation, welfare, poultry housing and management, biosecurity & vaccination, experimental design, and statistical analysis. As team leader of the Poultry Science Student Association, I gained practical exposure to market dynamics and industry challenges.
3. Professional / research experience: I began my academic career as a Lecturer in 2018 and was promoted to Assistant Professor in 2020 at a leading public university in Bangladesh. I have four years of teaching and three years of research experience involving tutorial facilitation, laboratory demonstrations, student supervision, and fieldwork coordination. My master’s thesis, published in Livestock Science (Impact Factor: 1.9), was titled “Ameliorative Effects of Different Additives on Growth, Meat Quality, and Histological Indices in Heat-Stressed Broilers Exposed to Prolonged Fasting.” I have authored three first-author (Scopus-indexed) papers and one co-authored paper. I am proficient in R, SAS, and SPSS for statistical analysis and presented my master’s research at an international conference in Singapore (2015). I was awarded the Ekramul Hossain WPSA-BB Award for achieving the highest CGPA and excellence in poultry research.
4. Why this program / why UQ: UQ’s research excellence in non-ruminant nutrition aligns closely with my interests in strategic feed formulation, amino acid efficiency, and sustainable protein alternatives. I am particularly drawn to the School’s ongoing work on amino acids, gut health, and nutritional physiology, and to the opportunity to collaborate on experimental trials supported by advanced analytical tools. Access to UQ’s facilities, courses in experimental design and biometry, and mentorship from faculty specializing in broiler nutrition and alternative feed ingredients would provide the ideal environment to advance my research.
5. Goals / future aspirations: In the near term, I aim to evaluate soybean meal replacements particularly black soldier fly (BSF) larvae for their effects on growth performance, meat quality, amino acid profiles, and welfare under heat stress and commercial conditions. In the long term, I aspire to lead a research and training program in Bangladesh, translating sustainable feed innovations into industry practice and policy while fostering bilateral research collaborations with Australia.
6. Conclusion: UQ’s program offers the research depth, mentorship, and facilities essential to achieving my goals. I am confident that my academic excellence, research output, and teaching experience will allow me to contribute meaningfully to UQ’s research community and the broader poultry sector. I look forward to collaborating with faculty and peers to translate innovative findings into measurable industry impact.
Mistakes to avoid while preparing SOP
• Weak or generic opening/closing.
• Informal language, clichés, or excessive flattery.
• Over the word limit or dense paragraphs.
• Irrelevant autobiography; CV repetition.
• Claims without evidence/numbers.
• Colorful fonts, images, or gimmicks in the SOP document.
• Unclear goals or no program-fit.
• Typos/grammar; not proofreading.
• A single SOP copy-pasted to multiple universities.
It may or may not align perfectly with your thoughts, so if I have missed any point or paragraph, please let me know. If you would like the Word document, kindly drop your email address in the comment box. Also, if you have any questions or need guidance regarding higher studies in Australia, feel free comment in the comment section.