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Letters of Recommendation are formal endorsements that highlight a person's skills, character, or achievements and are typically written to help a candidate successfully apply for a job, admission into university, or housing.
Last Update 21 October 2025
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A Letter of Recommendation, also known as a Reference Letter, is a written endorsement of an individual’s abilities, character, or achievements to endorse them for a job vacancy, but it can be for other reasons as well.
This business document is typically written by someone who has worked closely with the applicant, such as a:
The aim of writing a letter for someone is to provide a credible and personalised account of their strengths to help decision-makers gain confidence in their suitability for the opportunity.
You can use our template for a Reference Letter to help you write a sound endorsement for a former colleague or employee.
Letters of Recommendation are regularly required across the United Kingdom for a number of personal and professional reasons.
Individuals may need one when applying for a job, university placement, tenancy agreement, scholarship, or even for legal or immigration purposes.
If you are an employer in the United Kingdom, you are not legally forced to provide a reference letter; however, you must do so if:
Even when not legally required, many employers, landlords, and academic institutions ask for these letters as part of their decision-making process.
To have a better understanding of how to write your letter, you can have a look at this example Work Reference template for a UK position below.
A strong Letter of Recommendation usually has a credible and well-rounded view of the applicant’s skills, achievements, and character.
While you will likely need to write one for a job position, the letter should include several key elements to make sure it is effective and professionally written for whatever the applicant needs it for:
If you still have any questions about how to write a UK reference letter, you can go over the answers to the common questions below.
In most cases, you are not legally required to write a Letter of Recommendation in the UK.
However, there are some exceptions, such as when it’s specifically mentioned in an employment contract or for certain roles that are regulated by the FCA or PRA.
If you do choose to write one, it must be fair, accurate, and sensible.
Yes, but only if the claims are factual, evidence-based, and relevant. If you are an employer, you must avoid subjective criticism and focus on documented issues, such as missed deadlines and any written warnings.
Your letter must not be misleading or malicious, as this could lead to defamation claims. If in doubt, you can use a basic reference template to help you write your letter and reduce legal risks.
Once it’s written, you can have it reviewed by an HR professional.
