Should I write about quitting a currently Masters program in a Motivation Letter? I am writing a motivation letter to apply to a masters program in an engineering field in an international university (Germany, Italy). I would like to continue from there on a research path. 

However, currently I am enrolled in a professional masters program that I would like to discontinue. The reason for this is that the current program provides very limited research opportunities and will likely make it very hard for me to continue as a researcher. 

I would like to know if I should write anything about my current masters program to the university I am applying to. On one hand, I would like to highlight the experience and the achievements I have gained in my current program; since I have not completed the program I cannot write about it in my CV. On the other hand, I do not want this to have any negative impact; how do I explain why I was enrolled in the program in the first place. 

One year ago, I had no interest in continuing as a researcher; I only applied to the masters program because several friends of mine applied and because I was granted a 100% scholarship. Now that I have some experience in research, I know that I want to continue in this path. 

My question is, should I include the masters program I am currently enrolled to in my motivation letter? if so, what are the main things that I need to write about?
In my opinion, from a US perspective, you should definitely mention your current Masters program and reasons for wanting to shift to a research-based degree.  

The language you use in your question, and the brief length you allot to your current program and reasons for deciding on different path, are fact-based, honest, and positive.  

The questions I have are:


Do you have interim grades from your current program that you can include in the letter?
Do you have a current professor who would be willing to discuss your talents and performance, and your promise as a student in a more research-based degree?


And finally,


How much time is left to finish your current program?  If it is a year or less, I suggest you just finish it. The process of applying and starting a new program will likely take most of a year anyway, and this way you will have the degree on your CV and your reasons for pursuing another Masters as a path to a PhD still hold.


I don't know about international universities, but in the US, most science and engineering schools award a Masters on the way to a PhD, it's pretty seamless.

Good luck with your studies either way, and on your future.