Only write necessary emails. First check whether you can find information on Ufora or the faculty website. Your email will generally be answered within 3 working days. You can also personally speak to the teacher, before or after your class.
Use your Ghent University email address.
Include a clear subject line. Mention both the exact course – as it is mentioned on the course specifications - and a short description of your question. Examples: Physics II - question on chapter 3 Mathematical analysis III - question about the material for the exam Informatics II - problem group work
Use a correct salutation. Always address professors and other academic staff with their last name (if you know it), preceded by their academic title, ‘Mr’ or ‘Ms’. Start your email with ‘Dear professor’ or ‘Dear lecturer’. Be as specific as possible in your salutation. It is better to write ‘Dear professor De Grauwe’ than ‘Dear professor’. Similarly, ‘Dear Ms De Keyser’ is preferred over ‘Dear lecturer’. If you are in doubt whether your recipient is male or female, just write the first name and the last name, e.g. ‘Dear Kim Thijs’. Do not write ‘Dear’ without any name.
Keep it concise and to the point.
Lay out your message. Use spaces and paragraphs. Do not write in CAPITALS. Do not use exclamation marks!
Use appropriate and academic language, this means you avoid informal language or dialect.
Do not forget to include the attachment.
Use a proper closing formula, such as 'Best regards' or 'Kind regards'. Do not use 'Greets', 'Ciao' or 'Cheers'. Finish your email with your first name, last name and academic program. Once you have created your digital signature, you can sign all documents similarly. Examples: Liesbeth De Lange Student ba – art history
Nina Bloem Student ma – linguistics and literature German - Spanish
Nathan Maeterlinck Student ba – industrial design engineering technology
Thom Barnabiski Student ma – bioscience engineering – environmental technology