personal statement cv undergraduate example

Academic CV Example [Full Guide, Free Template + Tips!]

Whether you’re looking to start your Ph.D. or you’re an experienced professional in your academic field, navigating academic expectations and standards can feel overwhelming when preparing your CV.

And, like it or not, a CV can be the difference between landing the position you have your eyes set on or your application going completely unnoticed.

But there’s good news.

We’ve prepared a detailed guide to turn your CV into a compelling presentation of your accomplishments and academic potential and help you take the next step in your academic career.

Some things we’re going to cover include:

Academic CV Example

How to format an academic cv, 11 academic cv layout tips, academic cv templates, what to include in an academic cv.

Let’s get started!

Here’s a great academic CV example made with our very own CV builder :

The CV example above covers the candidate’s entire educational history, is formatted the right way, and has all the other essential experiences documented.

Want your academic CV to look just as impressive?

Browse our free templates!

The first thing you want to do is pick the right format for your academic CV.

You want your CV to be well-structured and easy to read, as well as to highlight your greatest achievements to date.

This is where the reverse-chronological CV format comes in. 

It’s the most popular format out there, and since it starts with your most recent experiences and works its way back, it also does a great job showing off your most recent achievements first.

While different formats may apply to other job hunts, academics should always stick to this classic CV format .

Academic CV Vs Resume

If this is your first time preparing an academic CV, you might be wondering - what is a CV anyway?

The term CV is an abbreviation of the Latin words Curriculum Vitae, and it means “the course of your life”.

Across most of the world, the differences between a CV and a resume are superficial if you’re applying for most jobs.

But in the academic context, a CV is a very in-depth document.

Essentially, your CV is a comprehensive description of everything you’ve ever done. It details your work experience, education, all the achievements you’re proud of, and any publications you have to your name.

Any time you accomplish something new, you should add it to your CV . This includes when you earn a new certificate, finish a new publication, or get a new job.

An academic CV is typically used for applying to post-graduate or graduate institutions, either as a student or as a faculty member. For some colleges, if it isn’t specified that a CV is necessary, you can use a college application resume instead.

Here’s a visual representation of how a CV is different from a resume:

In academic CVs, education comes before work experience, which is the opposite of the typical resume rule. In fact, work experience might not even make the cut if it isn’t relevant to the academic position you’re applying for.

There are several things you should keep in mind when making your academic CV, starting with:

• Keep it visually simple. An academic CV is not the place to show how creative you are with design and colors. Keep the background plain white, with only one or two complementary colors at most to highlight section headings, icons, and links.
• Use the right font style and size. Some CV fonts should never make it to an academic CV. Sticking to a professional font is the way to go. When it comes to size, use 10-12 pt for the main body of your text. Your headings and subheadings can be between 14 and 16 pt, but make sure to keep the font size consistent throughout the CV.
• Make the CV as long as necessary. The goal of an academic CV is to list your whole career path, so there’s no limit to how long a CV should be . Use as many pages as you need to show everything relevant to your career so far.
• Tailor the CV to the position. Research your employer beforehand. Find out what the department you’re applying for values and is looking for, and emphasize that in your CV. Your most impressive and relevant accomplishments should always go first, so if they want experienced educators, put your professional appointments or teaching experience before your other achievements.
• Stay concise. There’s no need to overexplain your academic record or use bullet points to list all your achievements in each education or work entry. A couple of short sentences that convey the point are enough.
• Skip irrelevant information. If you had a part-time job while getting through college, you shouldn’t list it unless it’s related to your field of study. When applying for a position as a professor of mathematics, mentioning your brief teenage gig as a cashier is irrelevant. But your time spent tutoring classmates could make the cut.
• Avoid field jargon. Everyone should have an easy time reading your CV, not just experts in your field. University admissions departments, grant reviewers, and hiring committees alike may not be well-versed in your field but they will be reviewing your application, so make it as accessible as possible.
• Touch base with advisors. Every academic department has a slightly different way of doing things when it comes to CVs. After all, arts and humanities differ from economics, sciences, and mathematics. Expand your professional network and talk to someone more experienced in the field you’re applying for to clear up any confusion.
• Save your CV in the right format.  Unless stated otherwise, always save your CV as a PDF . It’s the best file format guaranteed to keep your CV looking as you intended it across any software or device, whereas Word or Google Doc files might be skewed.
• Name the file appropriately. This might be a no-brainer but it’s worth mentioning. The file containing your CV should be named some variation of your full name, rather than a placeholder name. E.g. John-Doe-Academic-CV.pdf , not draft1final.pdf
• Adjust the file size. If you’re sending your CV through an application portal, there might be a file size limit. Consider compressing your documents with a tool like ILOVEPDF .

You can gain a competitive advantage not just from what your academic CV contains, but also from how it looks .

So, if you really want to stand out from the crowd, take your CV design to the next level with one of our templates.

Our professional CV builder comes with a dozen of modern and professional CV templates you can choose from to easily make a detailed CV while keeping your formatting intact. 

Any of Novorésumé’s templates can be adapted to suit your needs, whether you’re a research candidate or an academic looking to become a tenured professor.

The academic CV has many of the same sections as a resume. They include:

• Contact Information
• Work Experience

But there are also some critical differences between the two. 

For starters, academic CVs put education above work experience. This is especially important when it comes to Ph.D. candidates since research is at the forefront of their position.

Some sections which are considered optional for resumes are mandatory for an academic CV. Examples of this include publications, conferences, or research experience.

Overall, an academic CV should include the following sections, in this order:

• Personal Profile/Research Objective
• Professional Appointments
• Publications
• Grants and Fellowships
• Awards and Honors
• Conferences and Talks
• Teaching Experience
• Research Experience
• Other Activities
• Hobbies and Interests

If you don’t have enough experience in one of the sections listed, there’s no need to add those to your CV. For example, if you don’t have any fellowships or conferences to showcase, you can just skip those sections.

Now, let’s break down how each CV section should be written:

#1. Contact Information

This section should be the easiest to spot, so it should always go at the top of your CV.

Here’s what you should include in the contact information section of an academic CV:

• Full Name. It’s recommended that you use your name as it is in your passport, including any middle names, particularly if you’re a Ph.D. candidate. Adding your middle name or even just the initial to your CV is only optional if you’re already an established academic, and it’s necessary if your middle name is included in your formal academic name.
• Professional Title and Affiliation. If you’re a professor, this is where you should list your title, as well as the institution you’re affiliated with.
• Institutional Address. This should be the mailing address of the institution you’re formally affiliated with or based in. For example, if you’re an assistant researcher at the University of Columbia, you want to give the university’s exact mailing address.
• Home address. Provide your home mailing address.
• Email address. If you have a formal email address provided by the institution you’re affiliated with, you should list that. If not, use a personal email address with some variation of your first and last name (e.g. [email protected]).
• Telephone number. Be sure to include the international dialing code for your number, especially if you’re applying for a position abroad.
• Optional links. For some fields, such as business and marketing, a LinkedIn profile fits in, while for IT-related departments, GitHub can be more appropriate. Other academics could benefit from adding a Google Scholar or ORCiD profile.

Your academic name should be consistent throughout your career as that’s how you’ll be credited when your research is used. If you legally change your name during the course of your career, you might want to keep your academic name the same as it was when you started.

#2. Personal Statement or Research Objective

The next thing you want the admissions committee to see is a short paragraph at the top of your CV, similar to a resume profile .

This short pitch can be a personal statement or research objective , depending on what you’re applying for exactly.

If you’re applying for a research position, such as a Ph.D. or a grant, you should write a research objective. Even if you’ve provided a different document that already details your research goals, your CV’s objective should provide a concise summary that outlines your plans.

Here’s an example of a research objective on an academic CV:

Nutrition and Dietology MA student at Harvard University. Graduated BA in Psychology magna cum laude. Looking to undertake postgraduate research on the connection between digestive inflammation and mental health in adolescents in the USA in the twenty-first century.

A personal statement, on the other hand, consists of a few brief sentences that summarize your academic background and biggest achievements. It’s meant to highlight the essential experiences, skills, and qualities that make you the right candidate for the position.

Take a look at this personal statement for inspiration:

Innovative researcher and lecturer with 6+ years of experience teaching courses on undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Supervised 11 BA theses, 4 MA theses, and 1 Ph.D. dissertation. Published over 17 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 3 books.

#3. Education

The most important part of any academic CV is the education section .

It’s no coincidence that this comes listed before any practical work experience. Academic achievements are valued in academia, and your CV is the place to make yours shine.

Your education should always be listed chronologically, with your most recent degree at the top.

List the information on each entry in the following order:

• Name of the degree. E.g. B.A. English Language, Literature, and Culture
• Name of the department. (Optional) E.g. Department of Linguistics and Literature
• Name of the educational institution. E.g. University of Groningen
• Years attended. If you haven’t graduated yet, you can write down the year of expected graduation. E.g. 2020 - 2024
• Honors. While honors are optional in other fields, academics would do well to include them. E.g. Magna Cum Laude.
• Relevant courses. (Optional) The courses you’ve taken could be useful if they’re relevant to the exact position you’re applying for.
• Dissertation. Provide the full title of your dissertation or project.
• Location of the program. (Optional) If the university or school you attended is less renowned, you can specify its location. E.g. University of Marmara, Istanbul, Turkey
• GPA. (Optional) You should only list your GPA if it’s over 3.5, otherwise, it won’t add to your CV’s academic shine. But adding your GPA isn’t necessary for an experienced candidate at all. If it’s been more than five years since you graduated, or you already have honors listed, it’s not something that you should add to your CV.

Here’s an example of education listed on an academic CV:

Education Ph.D. in French Literature

Department of Linguistics and Literature

University of Maine

2021 - Present  

MA in Literary Theory

Magna Cum Laude

2019 - 2021

Dissertation: The blend of culture, activism, and art in the early work of Richard Guidry  

BA in English Language, Literature, and Culture

Louisiana State University

2016 - 2019

- Literary analysis, Phonology, Cultural Theory, French language, Cajun Poetry

#4. Professional Appointments

If you already have the necessary experience in academia under your belt, make a section for your professional appointments.

This should include:

• Position. E.g. Professor of History.
• Name of the institution. E.g. King’s College, London
• Dates employed. E.g. 2015 - 2022
• Description and achievements. Use short paragraphs to describe your professional appointments, not bullet points.

Professor of Architecture

The University of Montana, 2017 - 2023

• Taught 15 undergraduate and 12 postgraduate courses, mainly focused on the history of architecture and principles of interior design.
• Supervised 9 BA and 5 MA theses.

As you can see, this section is similar to how a work experience section would be formatted in a resume.

It’s important to remember that this section pertains exclusively to contracted, professional appointments in universities and similar institutions.

It’s not meant to describe all of your teaching experience , so don’t detail your time as a Teaching Assistant (TA), adjunct professor, or any part-time teaching job. You have the opportunity to do that in a separate section later on in your CV.

Professional appointments take years, hard work, and academic recognition to achieve, so this section is where your career progression can shine. While most academics have experience teaching as TAs during the pursuit of their Ph.D., that experience should be in a separate teaching experience section further down your academic CV.

Has one of your former students reached out to you for help with their postgrad application? Check out our guide on how to write a stellar letter of recommendation .

#5. Publications

Having published research brings a lot of value to your academic reputation and, by extension, to your CV. Publications show you’ve done research that’s given back to your field and that you’re a dedicated academic.

In fact, if you’re already an established expert in your field, this section can even be listed ahead of professional appointments or education. Publications in peer-reviewed journals have a lot of value since they’re difficult to achieve.

Your publications should be divided by “peer-reviewed” and “other”, and then further subcategorized by where they were published. Examples include:

• Book chapters
• Book reviews
• Contributions to edited volumes
• Web-based publications

Provide full citations for each of your publications, and list them in their respective categories by year of publication.

When citing journals and edited volumes, authorship is usually listed by order of contribution. If your paper is the third in the publication listed, your name should be third in the citation. You can underline your name for each of your publications to highlight which contribution is yours.

However, some fields, like mathematics, always list authors alphabetically. In any case, ensure you’re consistent with your citation format throughout your whole academic CV.

If you have publications under review, you can still list them on your CV. Provide the citation as you usually would but swap out the year of publication for “in press”.

But your publications section shouldn’t necessarily include a full bibliography. If you’re a frequently published writer , make sure to limit your listed publications to the most relevant and recent titles.

Let’s see how this section looks on an academic CV:

Publications:

• Smith, J. (in press). The Mythical Beasts of French Literature: Uncovering Symbolism and Allegory in Magical Creatures. Journal of French Literary Studies, 46(3), 157-179.
• Rousseau, P., Smith, J. , & Dubois, M. (2022). Love, Longing, and Lost Letters: Exploring Epistolary Narratives in 18th-Century French Literature. Studies in French Literature and Culture, 27(2), 82-102.
• Smith, J. , Martin, L., & Dupont, C. (2021). From Boulevards to Backstreets: Urban Imagery and Identity in Contemporary French Literature. Modern French Studies, 58(4), 223-245.

#6. Grants and Fellowships

This section showcases that your research is deemed valuable enough to fund.

Grants and fellowships on an academic CV are must-haves, as they show agencies and admissions committees that you’re equipped to conduct future research projects successfully.

Depending on how many grants you’ve received or applied for, you can divide them into subcategories for “Active Grants”, “Pending Grants”, and “Completed Grants”.

In each subsection, list the grants in reverse chronological order with the following information:

• Name of institution. Provide the name of the institution which provided the funding.
• Duration of funding. Use the dd/mm/yyyy format. E.g. 15/03/2020 - 15/06/2023
• Role and effort. (Optional) If applicable, give the specific role you were given on the approved grant and what percentage of the total work was designated to you.
• Monetary value. (Optional) Mentioning the monetary value is field-specific, so consider checking in with other experts in your field before adding it.

Simple enough, right? Now let’s see it in practice.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) - “Challenge America”

01/2021 - 07/2021

• Project Title: Sunshine Street
• Project summary: Facilitated outdoor workshops and organized art programs for children from families below the poverty line in Middleton, NY.

#7. Awards and Honors

A little showing-off never hurts when it comes to an academic CV.

Take your time to list the awards and honors you’ve received so far, including any scholarships . Start with the latest additions first and work your way back.

Be sure to include:

• Name of the award. E.g. The RSPB medal
• Year it was received. E.g. 2023
• The institution it was presented by. E.g. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
• A brief description. (Optional) If the name isn’t clear enough, you can give a brief introduction to what the award was for.

Here’s an example:

The RSPB medal, 2023

• The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ most prestigious medal, which is awarded annually to a single individual in recognition of wild bird protection and countryside conservation.
• Awarded for research on the decline of the hawfinch and proposals for reintroduction to its once-native woodlands. The project was successful, with over 45 hawfinch families now nested in Leicestershire.

#8. Conferences and Talks

If you’ve been invited to speak at conferences or as a guest lecturer at other institutions, you should dedicate a special section to it in your CV.

Use subcategories to list them, such as:

• Campus Talks. You lectured at your home institution’s campus.
• Invited Talks. You lectured at other institutions or conferences.
• Conference attendance. You participated in a conference but didn’t give a lecture. 

Then list each talk and conference, including the following information:

• Name of the institution. E.g. Queen Mary University of London
• Location. E.g. London, United Kingdom
• Department. If applicable, such as in the case of a university guest talk. E.g. The Department of History.
• Dates. Use the dd/mm/yyyy format.
• Title or brief description. Usually, the title is descriptive enough but if you have space, you can clarify the topic of the event.
• Presentation type. (Optional) This applies to conferences, as they can be a session talk, plenary lecture, or other.

Depending on the amount of experience you have with conferences and talks, you could separate them into one section for Conferences, and a separate section for Talks. Keep one section for conferences where you participated but weren’t a speaker, and one for events where you lectured.

Do you have an upcoming conference or talk? Plan ahead and check out 12 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills [for Work & Life] !

#9. Teaching Experience

With academic CVs, work experience is divided into distinct sections, such as:

• Professional appointments
• Teaching experience
• Research experience
• Other work experience

If you already have experience as a contracted professor, that should be listed in your professional appointments section at the start of your CV.

For aspiring professors, though, the first of these sections should be teaching experience.

This is where you can list any TA or adjunct professor positions in reverse chronological order, and mention the courses you’ve taught. 

Provide the following information for each entry:

• Name of the institution. E.g. University of Ohio
• Department. E.g. The Department of History and Classics
• Courses. E.g. Roman Poetry of the Republican Period
• Dates taught. Use the mm/yyyy format. E.g. 09/2017 - 06/2020
• Type. Specify if the course was undergraduate or graduate , and whether the course was taught in person or online.
• Duties. (Optional) For TA positions, you should only include your duties if your institution required you to create and teach your own courses.

If you have a lot of experience in this section, tailor it according to your application.

There’s no need to include all the courses you’ve taught if their number is in the double digits. Focus only on the top ten courses that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Alternatively, if you’re an experienced academic and your professional appointments section already details enough courses, you can be brief here. Just list the institutions where you were a TA and the dates you taught there.

Here’s an example of how to list teaching experience:

Teaching Assistant

Queen Mary’s College, London

Department of History and Classics

01/2022 - present

• Designed courses on Ancient Roman History and Culture, adjusted to students majoring in Art History, Classics, and Theology. Supervised undergraduate dissertations and assessed students’ performance in class.
• Postgraduate courses: Late Roman Mithraism, Imperial Symbolism in Eastern Roman Mosaics
• Undergraduate courses: Roman Poetry of the Republican Period, Latin Grammar, Introduction to Catullus
• Online courses: Roman Orientalism: The Allure of the East

If you’re using your CV to apply for a position at the beginning of your academic career, you might not have any teaching experience yet.

In that case, you can either list informal experience, such as tutoring, or you can remove the section altogether.

Thinking of applying for a job as a teacher? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to write a teacher resume with examples and templates.

#10. Research Experience

Any academic research position is welcome in this section. Start with your most recent post and work your way back.

• Name of the institution. E.g. Lund University
• Position. E.g. Research Assistant.
• Dates. E.g. 06/2019 - 08/2021
• Description. Specify the research question and explain how the research was conducted, and what methodologies you used.

If you’re an experienced researcher, you should only list the following positions:

• Full-time Researcher
• Research Associate

Research Assistant

Here’s how to list it on your academic CV:

Columbia University

09/2017 - 07/2019

• Collected field samples of fungi on expeditions.
• Analyzed mycelium production in different environments.
• Conducted detailed reports on the effects of fungal spores on the human respiratory system and their potential medicinal uses.

For graduates who don’t have experience yet, any research projects can be listed, not just formal research positions.

#11. Other Activities

This is a versatile section where you can list other optional but relevant information. You can divide your entries here into as many subsections as you deem necessary.

Some activities you can list are:

• Professional service. This can include conferences you’ve organized, journals you review for, students you’ve mentored, public outreach programs, and more.
• Professional memberships. If you’re a member of an association or council, you can mention it in this section. E.g. Voting member of ICOM (International Council of Museums) since 2016.
• Other qualifications. All other certifications , licenses, or qualifications go here.
• Extracurricular university activities . Any clubs or communities you were part of while pursuing your degree can make an appearance here.
• Media coverage. Any coverage you’ve received in the media, including talk show attendance or magazine interviews.
• Non-academic work. If you worked in a corporate environment before switching to academia, any of that work experience would be listed here.

Since these sections are all optional, it’s best to only add impressive activities. Your time as an au pair during your gap year isn’t as interesting as the time you were interviewed for your innovative research.

#12. Languages

The rule of thumb for language skills is that you should only list those you know well enough to read academic texts.

List languages by including your proficiency, starting with your native language. Depending on your field or country of origin, you might want to use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CERFL) to indicate your level of proficiency.

If you’ve studied one or two foreign languages, you can list your fluency level for reading, writing, and speaking for each. If you’ve studied more than that, you can summarize your fluency with the appropriate CERFL score.

It’s generally best not to list a language if you’re a complete beginner in it. This section is also optional, so if you don’t know any foreign languages, you can skip it entirely.

#13. Skills

As a general rule, academic CVs shouldn’t list any skills.

Unlike in the corporate world, where adding skills to your resume is crucial , in academia, it might seem unprofessional.

However, exceptions are made for scientific and technical fields. If the position you’re applying for requires specialized methods that are worth listing, dedicate a section to highlight those skills.

#14. Hobbies and Interests

Another optional section is hobbies and interests .

These can be personal, professional, or research interests. Generally, it’s best to only mention hobbies and interests that are relevant to your field, if any at all.

For example, if you’re interested in historical reenactments, it might add more value to your application to the Department of History. But for a mathematician, it’s irrelevant.

#15. References

At the end of your academic CV, you can optionally include a list of references .

Choose a few people who are familiar with your work and can refer you. List them vertically and provide the following information for each entry:

• Full name and title. E.g. Jane Donovan, Ph.D.
• Mailing address. This should be a work address, rather than a personal one.
• Telephone number. Be sure to include the country dial code, especially if your CV is going to be reviewed abroad.
• Email address. List their professional email address, not a personal email.

Here’s how it should look on your CV:

Jane Donovan, Ph.D.

Department of Physics and Astronomy

University of Massachusetts

73 Einkorn street

Amherst, MA 94720-3840

+1 907-212-6234

[email protected]

Attach an Academic Cover Letter

An academic CV is only one part of your application. Make sure to also include an academic cover letter so you come across as a professional and well-prepared candidate.

Depending on the nature of your application and your field, you might have to write an academic personal statement or an academic cover letter.

The difference between the two is that an academic personal statement focuses primarily on the applicant, and is meant to highlight your knowledge, expertise, and strengths. 

The academic cover letter, on the other hand, focuses on the job you are applying for and on what makes you the proper candidate for that job.

Here are the steps you need to follow to write one:

• Choose a cover letter template that matches your CV.
• Provide all the essential details in the header. These should include your contact information, such as your full name, phone number, mailing address, and email address.
• Address the letter to the admissions officer or other appropriate recipient. Include their title, email address, institution name and department, and mailing address. Then add a date to your letter right after.
• Start with a formal opening line, such as “To whom it may concern.”
• Write an attention-grabbing introduction explaining why you’re writing.
• In the body of your cover letter, expand on why you’re the right candidate for the position and why you’re a good choice for the institution you’re applying to.
• Summarize your key points, and use a call to action that asks the reader to take some sort of action, such as calling or otherwise contacting you.
• Finish your letter with the appropriate closing line, such as “Best Regards,” or “Sincerely.”

Are you applying for your postgraduate research degree? Check out our detailed guide to writing a motivational letter for a Ph.D. candidate !

Key Takeaways

And that’s our guide to academic CVs! Hopefully, you’ll be more confident when writing your CV and applying for that academic position you have your eye on.

To be on the safe side, let’s recap some of the main points we discussed:

• Academic CVs are used for faculty and research applications in universities. These CVs should highlight education, publications, teaching, research, and other experiences and achievements relevant to the position, not skills or general work experience.
• There’s no page limit you have to be wary of when writing your CV. Academics don’t have to worry about Applicant Tracking Systems rejecting their CV or that a hiring manager might only skim through the contents and discard it without reading. 
• The sections on your CV are listed in order of importance, depending on the position you’re applying for. The top sections are usually Education, Publications, Professional appointments, and Teaching or Research experience.
• Be sure to pair your CV with an appropriate Motivational Letter, Personal Statement, or any other document relevant to your application.

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Creating an Undergraduate CV

Your curriculum vitae (CV) is a representation of your scholarly identity and trajectory in your field. 

A CV is used to apply to research roles or other academic positions. It shows your academic credentials and achievements, experience conducting research in your field, and other experience relevant to the opportunity you’re targeting.

Your goal is to convey your interest in the field, as well as the relevant skills and knowledge that will prepare you to excel in the target opportunity.

When might I use a CV as an undergraduate?

You may be asked for a CV when you’re applying to a research position, to a fellowship, or to graduate school in the sciences. If you’re applying to a research position in industry, pay attention to whether they ask for a resume or a CV in their posting, as they may prefer a resume. In your cover letter, you can let them know that a CV is available upon request.

Many faculty may be happy to receive either a resume or a CV from undergrads looking to conduct research with them. Remember that in this case, whichever document you submit should still be tailored toward research in their field! If you haven’t done research before, convey your interest and preparedness by showing the transferable skills and knowledge you’ve built through your coursework and other experiences.

What should my CV look like as an undergraduate?

Unlike your one-page resume, your undergraduate CV can be two pages.

Sections on a CV

The sections on a CV are designed to feature the experiences that academics (like professors or researchers) acquire over time. As an undergrad, the sections on your CV will depend on the experience you’ve had so far—and the professors or researchers interested in hiring undergrads won’t expect you to have graduate-level experience. So, don’t worry if you don’t have information to go in all of these categories!

Start with these mandatory sections:

Contact information.

Include your name, address, phone number, email address, and professional website or profile (if you have one).

Include the degree-granting institution and school, the degree you’re receiving, your major or concentration, and your expected graduation date. If you’re writing a departmental thesis, include the title and the names of your thesis advisers. You can include relevant coursework, which we generally recommend keeping to two lines of text or less.

If you have additional higher education, you can also include it. If you’ve studied abroad, for instance, you can include the institution name, the month and year range you attended, and relevant coursework you took during this program.

Your CV may include some of the following sections: 

Research experience.

Include the name of the lab or department and institution, the position you held, the location, and your dates of involvement. We recommend including a brief description of the project, your role, the primary methods used, and key findings.

Publications

This section includes scholarly publications such as journal articles, book chapters, and published conference proceedings.

Format each bibliographic entry according to your discipline’s style guide, with the article or chapter title, journal name, and publication information. Include authors in publication order, bolding your name.

Include publication status if the piece is not yet published—e.g., in preparation, under review, forthcoming. We recommend listing the DOI if the article has been accepted but does not yet have page numbers.

Presentations

This section showcases scholarly presentations you’ve made, usually at conferences or symposia.

Include the author(s) and title of presentation, the conference or symposium name, and the location and date (or month if a range) of the presentation. Specify the format of the presentation—e.g., poster or oral presentation.

Grants / Awards / Academic Honors

List any academic awards, fellowships, grants, or funding received. In each entry, include the award name, award-granting institution, and year of the award.

If the nature of the award will not be clear based on the award name, you can briefly clarify parenthetically.

Teaching Experience

Include the name of the course and institution, the position you held (e.g., Teaching Assistant, Instructor of Record), the location, and month-year range of the teaching engagement. We encourge you to include a brief description of your role.

Additional Professional Experience

On a CV, you may include recent professional experience that is pertinent to your scholarly trajectory. You can title this section by the job area if helpful—e.g., Additional Engineering Experience, Editorial Experience, Museum Experience.

Include the name of the organization, your job title, and the location and month-year range of the experience. You can include a brief description of your role and accomplishments to highlight relevant transferable skills.

Leadership / Activities / Service / Volunteer Work

Include the organization, your position title, the location, and dates of your involvement. You can include a brief description of your role and accomplishments.

Professional Memberships or Affiliations

List any memberships you maintain to professional organizations in your field. Many scholarly associations have low-cost student memberships.

Certifications

Include any relevant certifications or licensures you hold.

Create categories for your skills, such as languages, technical or computer (software, hardware, coding languages), laboratory, machining, and design. In each category, list the relevant items—e.g., language names, tools, programs. For languages, we recommend indicating your proficiency level. Keep each category to 3 lines maximum.

This includes a list of relevant references, including their name, title, institution, and contact information (phone and/or email).

How should I format my CV?

CVs typically have a much simpler format than resumes. You’ll left-justify the content, use one-inch margins all around, and a size 11 or 12 font. Use bold and italics sparingly, and avoid extra design elements. Include a right-justified header includes your last name and page numbers (#/#).

How should I describe my experiences on my CV?

Typically, undergraduate CVs include short descriptions of your experience that focus on field-related content such as a description of the research project and the methods you used. Remember, your reader is likely another scholar in your discipline who will be able to interpret this technical language. It is more common to display these descriptions in paragraph form, but some people prefer bullet points for clarity.

Learning About CV Conventions in Your Field

Many professors, postdocs, and graduate students post their CVs on their departmental or lab website. Their CVs will be a lot longer than yours—some professors’ CVs run up to 15 pages. You may notice that faculty CVs will be, in most cases, less detailed than your undergraduate one, with fewer descriptions: they may be serving as records of research and teaching conducted, rather than job-search documents. Nevertheless, these CVs can help you understand trends and conventions in your discipline.

Can I see what a CV might look like?

Sure! We’ve created a couple of sample undergraduate CVs for your reference.

• Sample Undergraduate Science CV
• Sample Undergraduate Humanities / Social Science CV

Where can I get feedback on my CV?

You can get feedback on your CV from your previous research mentors (faculty, postdocs, grad students), instructors of relevant courses you’ve taken, career counselors , fellowship advisers , or writing consultants .

We recommend always seeking feedback from mentors in your field, as they will be able to offer discipline-specific insights and tips.

Related Resources

Finding an Undergraduate Research Position

Getting research experience during your time as an undergraduate can aid in your pursuit for graduate school or certain career opportunities. There are many opportunities available to conduct research alongside faculty at Columbia or other universities and research institutes.

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CV examples

Undergraduate CV

Aisha, an aspiring software engineer candidate, has opted for a sleek two-column CV template. The skills summary and work experience presents her as a qualified candidate. She is highly educated and passionate about staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and innovations.

"Enthusiastic and proactive undergraduate student seeking a summer software engineering internship. Well-versed in Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, Ruby with a passion for problem-solving. Quick learner, team player, and eager to embrace emerging technologies."

Table of contents

Undergraduate CV - Writing Guide for 2024 (Template, Examples, and Tips)

Imagine spending hours eagerly looking for your first job opportunity. Excitement and motivation fill your mind as you perfect your CV and apply for job after job, hoping for that interview invitation or job offer. But despite your enthusiasm, rejection after rejection leaves you feeling stuck and unnoticed.

Searching for a job can be a daunting process, but rest assured, we're here to help you increase your chances of getting shortlisted for an interview. We have compiled this step-by-step guide with CV examples and tips. Whether you’re a first-year undergraduate, about to graduate or changing careers , we walk you through each step of creating an applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly CV that aligns with your career goals, ensuring it captivates your recruiters’ attention.

Let's work together to turn those rejections into acceptances and make your transition from the academic world and enter the workforce after graduating .

Customise this undergraduate CV example

Undergraduate cv example.

This CV sample features Aisha Malik, a second-year undergraduate student seeking a software engineering summer internship. The skills summary efficiently showcases the main achievements and projects from her studies and tutoring experience. She has opted for a simple CV template with a professional font and skills-based format. Since Aisha is targeting the IT role, she strategically highlights her technical proficiencies and education to show she’s the right fit.

The CV writing process: Where to start?

Did you know recruiters form their opinion about your application in just 7 seconds ? To ensure each second counts, crafting an ATS-friendly CV is crucial. The layout with clear headings would effectively showcase your experience, qualifications, and skills.

The largest job finder websites in the UK:

When applying for multiple jobs, it's essential to build a master CV, which becomes your go-to reference. It is a comprehensive document with all your qualifications and experiences, serving as the foundation for creating job-specific CVs for different roles, such as marketer , software developer , sales specialist , or data analyst.

​​What to include in an undergraduate CV

As an undergraduate student , you should focus on your organisation, time management, and communication skills. Ensure your CV aligns with your career goals as well as ATS systems to increase your chances of success. Keep your CV clear and concise, highlighting relevant sections to leave a positive impression, especially if you are writing a CV for a first job .

When populating your CV with core information, showcase your unique strengths and measurable achievements. Focus less on aesthetics, such as the design or colours of your CV, and spend more time writing an engaging personal profile. Remember, the main goal is to show employers and recruiters how your skills and experience can help grow their company. Omit optional sections such as references or hobbies and elaborate on them instead within the interview. To learn more, see the article on how to write a good CV .

Common part-time jobs for undergraduates in the UK:

Retail assistant

Shelf packer

Waiter/barista/bartender

Student ambassador

Receptionist

Customer service representative

Library assistant

Data entry clerk

Food delivery driver.

For more information, see the part-time CV article.

What personal details to include on an undergraduate CV

The personal information section includes core details for recruiters and hiring managers to identify and contact you. This section must be easily identifiable and legible. Only include information on your CV that gives you an advantage over your potential employer and that you're comfortable sharing. In the UK, you could include the following information:

Your full name

Phone number

Email address

Location (city and country).

If you’re still studying or about to graduate, we suggest showing more than just your contact details and including links to other outside-of-work activities. Your CV should be concise, so linking to the following pages allows you to elaborate on your projects and additional experiences:

LinkedIn profile link

Portfolio links

Professional websites or links.

How to write a personal profile for an undergraduate CV

Your personal profile , also known as a personal statement, is a summary of your qualifications and skills that gives a glimpse into who you are and what you can bring to the role. Start with stating your career goals and your degree name. Move on to the most notable achievements and incorporate them accordingly.

Ensure you tailor your profile to match the specific job you're applying for, keeping this section clear, concise and relevant. If you’re a student with little to no work experience, then highlight your education, skills, or additional experiences in the personal profile.

Academic CV undergraduate example for personal profile

Attentive undergraduate specialising in applied mathematics. Proficient in Python, Javascript, C++, and SQL. Strong analytical mindset with exceptional research and communication skills, adept at transforming complex problems into simple solutions. Quick learner, team player, and eager to advance technical skills in the research role.

Refer to the academic CV example for more insights.

Student with an internship CV example for personal profile

Creative third-year undergraduate student with hands-on journalism internship. Skilled in public speaking, writing, and digital media. Independent and adaptable, with excellent collaboration and communication skills. Strong foundation in storytelling, SEO, social media management, and audience building.

Explore the internship CV example for more tips!

First-year undergraduate CV example for personal profile

Motivated and detail-orientated first-year business administration undergraduate student with strong communication and teamwork skills. Adept at developing business strategies, and solving problems through efficient and data-driven solutions. Eager to leverage theoretical knowledge and practical skills to develop further as a business analysis intern.

Take a look at the admin CV example and admin cover letter for further inspiration.

Computer Science student CV example for personal profile

Innovative and solutions-orientated computer science undergraduate student with a passion for machine learning. Proficient in programming languages such as Python, Java, Ruby, and PHP. Knowledgeable in algorithm development, data structures, and data security. Adept at motivating myself and others, with a keen interest in solving technical problems. Seeking an apprenticeship in a fast-paced fintech industry.

Head on our to one of the following CV examples for more job-specific examples:

Computer science CV

IT (information technology) CV

AI prompt engineer CV

Machine learning engineer CV

Developer CV

Engineering undergraduate CV example for personal profile

Data-driven and resourceful engineering undergraduate, driven to solve real-world challenges through creative engineering solutions. Possesses a strong theoretical background, combined with hands-on experience in projects. Aims to apply engineering expertise to create sustainable and impactful solutions.

Looking for an engineering job? Check out the following CV examples to help you in your job search:

Engineer CV

Civil engineer CV

Electrical engineer CV.

Psychology student CV example for personal profile

Empathetic psychology undergraduate student passionate about human behaviour and mental health. Well-versed in qualitative and quantitative research methods, assessment and diagnostics skills, and therapeutic techniques and interventions. Effective communicator with strong critical thinking and communication abilities. Proficient in research methods and data analysis, aiming to explore various facets of psychology to contribute meaningfully to the field. Seeking a clinical psychology internship.

Applying for a role in healthcare ? Explore the following CV examples for more tips:

Psychology CV

Counsellor CV

Caregiver CV.

Biology undergraduate student CV example for personal profile

Enthusiastic undergraduate student specialising in environmental biology. Skilled in laboratory experiments, data analysis, and scientific research. Strong academic writing and communication skills. Passionate about biodiversity and environmental conservation. Seeking a research internship in a lab to apply current knowledge and develop new skills.

Considering a medical career? See the following CV examples for specific writing guides:

Biomedical scientist CV

Microbiologist CV

Lab technician CV

Chemist CV.

How to arrange work experience on an undergraduate CV

Whether you have held paid positions or volunteered, focusing on your achievements and measurable impacts is key. They are what recruiters and hiring managers are looking for the most. When listing your work experience section, don’t let your chances go slim, and strategically incorporate duties followed by two-to-three achievements in bullet points.

This section could encompass your paid work experience, volunteer work, and internships, starting with the most recent and working backwards.

Incorporate keywords relevant to your target job throughout your CV.

Emphasise transferable skills gained from relevant studies, volunteering, or hobbies. Keep this section concise and focused on your target job.

Highlight measurable outcomes or significant academic achievements from school, work placements, volunteering, or internships.

Change your job titles and tailor your duties and achievements to your job target.

Even if you have no work experience or changing careers, we recommend placing your education section over work experience, as it’s your main selling point. If you have nothing to put in your work history, consider utilising a skills-based CV format where you group your expertise and main achievements.

Avoid outdated or short-term experiences. Instead, create an additional experience section without specific dates

Work experience example

Junior Graphic Designer, Envy Co, 2023-Present

Collaborated with the design team to create visually compelling graphics for social media, flyers, company merch, and external marketing campaigns. Gained hands-on experience in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, to bring design concepts to life. Ensured efficient workflow by organising and archiving design assets.

Contributed to the rebranding of the website, leading to a 30% increase in customer loyalty and positive feedback.

Successfully completed 5 projects for flyers, websites, and e-books within assigned deadlines, demonstrating efficiency and time management skills.

Assisted senior designers to create a visually stunning eBook layout for a client, resulting in a 20% increase in downloads and positive reviews from readers.

Refer to the graphic designer CV and graphic designer cover letter examples for more tips.

How to list additional experience for an undergraduate CV

If you have had part-time jobs, completed volunteer work, or had other side activities, consider creating a separate section called ‘Additional experience’. Use this section to elaborate on your relevant experience and achievements.

Add a new section on your CV which includes all your side activities or jobs. Examples of these activities include but are not limited to student societies, board memberships, and volunteering.

Side jobs show that you can multitask and are willing or driven to work. Examples of side jobs could include waiter/waitress , bartender , or driver.

Volunteer work does not directly belong to the work experience section because you’re generally not hired or paid by an employer. It depends on what kind of volunteering experience you have, but in most cases, keeping it in this section is safer. Volunteering is still a useful experience that allows you to gain practical skills while working with diverse people in one team.

Student societies highlight your active involvement in student societies or clubs during your university years. Being part of these groups demonstrates your willingness to go beyond the norm and contribute to the betterment of the community.

Placements provide one-year training allowing students to gain employability skills and first-hand experience in a particular job role or sector.

Apprenticeships showcase your hands-on training and technical classroom instruction, making you a qualified candidate and boosting your credibility.

Refer to the hobbies and interests article for more inspiration.

How to add skills to an undergraduate CV

Incorporating the right skills is essential to impress hiring managers and parse through the ATS systems. Highlight your most prominent academic skills that could benefit the company you’re applying for. Make sure to differentiate between soft skills, which go to your personal profile and hard skills, which you place in a separate section called ‘Areas of expertise’. Focus on your strengths and think of abilities that can come in handy in your next role. Your CV must combine both to make your profile stand out.

Avoid fabricating skills for the sake of appearance. Instead, only display the courses you have completed; adding false or invalid information can portray you as an untrustworthy candidate.

How to mention education for an undergraduate CV

Your education section on a CV reflects your academic prowess and qualifications. Highlight relevant training and achievements to show you can do your job. Emphasise how your coursework, projects, and extracurricular activities have contributed to your growth and prepared you for your role in your chosen field. Universities value well-rounded students who can excel academically and personally, so showcasing your abilities and accomplishments beyond just grades can significantly enhance your application.

Your CV includes degree/diploma, level, institution, completion date/in progress, and relevant subjects. For internships or graduates, focus on final year courses, relevant projects, and notable grades such as first-class Honours or two majors. Remember, employers value skills, experience, and passion over your grades.

Structure :

[ Degree] in [ program name], [ institution/school name], [ Location], [ date range, year of graduation, or in progress]

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Imperial College London, 2023

Master of Arts in English Literature, University of Cambridge, 2021-Present

Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, University of Manchester, 2020

Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), 2019

Master of Science in Data Science, University College London (UCL), 2018

What to include in your education section on a CV

University degree : Include your full degree name, including honours, institution name, completion date or expected graduation year, and final grade (if applicable).

Degree description or thesis topic : convert your academic achievements into a ‘job description’ by highlighting learned skills or university projects.

University courses : Mention relevant courses under your degree in bullet points, ensuring they align with your job description or company goals.

Courses and professional training : include accredited and relevant courses from renowned universities of course providers, ensuring they closely relate to your job targets.

A-Levels or GCSEs : only state your subject names, final grades, if possible. This section is optional and is only useful if you don’t have a tertiary education or no experience.

If you have studied at an international high school or university, it could be an excellent addition to your CV that shows your ability to work in a diverse work environment.

How to list courses and certificates for an undergraduate CV

Whether you’re new to the industry or have already completed an internship, enhance your CV with courses and certificates to showcase your potential and commitment to continuous learning. Keep the list concise, preferably one to two lines max. Alternatively, list the skills in one line instead of using bullet points if you need to save space on your CV. Courses and certificates are an additional section that expands on your pertinent areas of expertise and qualifications. Furthermore, include any relevant courses from your secondary and higher education, along with any certifications or awards received.

For more inspiration, find a course with the National Careers Service .

Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) in Photoshop, Adobe

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) in Excel, Microsoft

Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ), Google

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, Project Management Institute

Key takeaways

Securing your first job as an undergraduate can be challenging. However, armed with the right tools and knowledge, you can transform rejections into acceptances and gain a competitive edge over other candidates.

Remember, every application and experience is an opportunity for growth and learning. The more you apply and invest time in tailoring your CV, the more chance you have to enhance your persuasion skills and increase your chances of landing your dream job. This skill will be handy not only in your next job but also in your future career. Keep persevering and honing your craft, and success will surely follow.

Additional tips:

Keep your CV concise , focusing on the most relevant information.

Create an engaging personal profile that showcases your enthusiasm and drive to learn.

Differentiate between soft and hard skills by incorporating the former in the personal profile section.

Back up your achievements with concrete data using numbers and percentages for added impact.

Highlight both your responsibilities and achievements , such as research projects or leadership roles in student organisations.

Showcase your education history along with any relevant coursework, honours, or extracurricular activities.

Accompany your CV with a strong cover letter.

Thoroughly proofread your CV to avoid any errors, thus presenting a polished and professional document to hiring managers or universities.

Next steps? If you want to avoid the hassle of creating your first CV, reach out to CV Writing Service . Our professional writers can polish your career documents and provide expert advice to make your CV shine. If you want to create a CV yourself, we also offer ready-to-use 20+ professional templates which you can easily import and customise to your needs. See one of our CV examples and career bog to guide you through finding your dream job.

How to write an academic CV as an undergraduate?

Start by choosing a professional template with clear headings, bullet points, and, most importantly, readability. Tailor your master CV to a specific job you’re targeting and highlight achievements most relevant to that role. If you need to create a CV template for university application as an undergraduate, include one of the following sections:

For more details and inspiration, see the academic CV example article.

What is the best format for an undergraduate CV?

No universal format applies to every job, as it ultimately depends on your career goals, the industry you’re applying to, and your style. Nevertheless, we recommend utilising the reverse chronological format if you've already held a few positions. If you have little to no experience, a skills-based CV format is your way to go. It groups different skill types and emphasises key achievements and learning from your studies or side activities. Lastly, pick a clean, professional template with a clear structure.

Read the article on how to create a modern CV to learn more.

How to write an undergraduate CV with no experience?

Suppose you are still at school and are looking for your first job or internship w writing your CV. In that case, we suggest using a skills-based approach focusing on key skills and core competencies by bringing them to the top of the document instead of your employment history. Just ensure the details in your CV example are concise, easy to read, and relevant to the job you are applying to.

See our school leaver CV article for more inspiration.

What should an undergraduate CV look like?

A CV should follow a clear and concise format, typically including sections like education, relevant coursework, research experience, internships, skills, and extracurricular activities. Utilise a professional and easy-to-read font, organised headings, and bullet points for clarity. Tailor the CV to highlight achievements, projects, and experiences that align with the desired job or field of study.

How long should an undergraduate CV be?

Aim for brevity and conciseness when creating your CV, ideally limiting it to one-to-two pages. Emphasise essential sections, including education, work experience, skills, and other optional details. Use easy-to-read and concise language, complemented by a professional font and clear headings.

If you are applying for a research position or academia, be prepared to create an academic CV that is more extensive and employs different headings, focusing more on qualifications and publications.

See the article on how long should a cover letter be for more information.

How to write as an undergraduate if you’re still studying?

Start by writing your education section highlighting relevant coursework, research, and projects. Then, include internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs that showcase transferrable skills. Ensure to show your commitment to learning and enthusiasm for the field. After that, add a personal statement to convey your career goals and motivation to join the company. Lastly, state your expected graduation date and consider showcasing extracurricular involvement or leadership roles to demonstrate your potential.

Can you add undergraduate and postgraduate on a CV?

Yes, you can include both. List your highest degree first, followed by the others in chronological order. Provide relevant details such as university names, degree titles, dates of study, and any notable academic achievements. Tailor the CV to emphasise the qualifications most relevant to the job or educational opportunities you are pursuing.

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Academic CV (Curriculum Vitae) for Research: CV Examples

What is an academic CV (or research CV)?

An academic CV or “curriculum vitae” is a full synopsis (usually around two to three pages) of your educational and academic background. In addition to college and university transcripts, the personal statement or statement of purpose , and the cover letter, postgraduate candidates need to submit an academic CV when applying for research, teaching, and other faculty positions at universities and research institutions. 

Writing an academic CV (also referred to as a “research CV” or “academic resume”) is a bit different than writing a professional resume. It focuses on your academic experience and qualifications for the position—although relevant work experience can still be included if the position calls for it. 

What’s the difference between a CV and a resume?

While both CVs and resumes summarize your major activities and achievements, a resume is more heavily focused on professional achievements and work history. An academic CV, on the other hand, highlights academic accomplishments and summarizes your educational experience, academic background and related information.

Think of a CV as basically a longer and more academic version of a resume. It details your academic history, research interests, relevant work experience, publications, honors/awards, accomplishments, etc. For grad schools, the CV is a quick indicator of how extensive your background is in the field and how much academic potential you have. Ultimately, grad schools use your academic resume to gauge how successful you’re likely to be as a grad student.

Do I need an academic CV for graduate school?

Like personal statements, CVs are a common grad school application document (though not all programs require them). An academic CV serves the same basic purpose as a regular CV: to secure you the job you want—in this case, the position of “grad student.” Essentially, the CV is a sales pitch to grad schools, and you’re selling yourself !

In addition to your college transcripts, GRE scores, and personal statement or statement of purpose , graduate schools often require applicants submit an academic CV. The rules for composing a CV for a Master’s or doctoral application are slightly different than those for a standard job application. Let’s take a closer look.

Academic CV Format Guidelines

No matter how compelling the content of your CV might be, it must still be clear and easy for graduate admissions committee members to understand. Keep these formatting and organization tips in mind when composing and revising your CV:

• Whatever formatting choices you make (e.g., indentation, font and text size, spacing, grammar), keep it consistent throughout the document.
• Use bolding, italics, underlining, and capitalized words to highlight key information.
• Use reverse chronological order to list your experiences within the sections.
• Include the most important information to the top and left of each entry and place associated dates to the right.
• Include page numbers on each page followed by your last name as a header or footer.
• Use academic verbs and terms in bulleted lists; vary your language and do not repeat the same terms. (See our list of best verbs for CVs and resumes )

How long should a CV be?

While resumes should be concise and are usually limited to one or two pages, an academic CV isn’t restricted by word count or number of pages. Because academic CVs are submitted for careers in research and academia, they have all of the sections and content of a professional CV, but they also require additional information about publications, grants, teaching positions, research, conferences, etc. 

It is difficult to shorten the length without shortening the number of CV sections you include. Because the scope and depth of candidates’ academic careers vary greatly, academic CVs that are as short as two pages or as long as five pages will likely not surprise graduate admissions faculty.

How to Write an Academic CV

Before we look at academic CV examples, let’s discuss the main sections of the CV and how you can go about writing your CV from scratch. Take a look at the sections of the academic CV and read about which information to include and where to put each CV section. For academic CV examples, see the section that follows this one.

Academic CV Sections to Include (with Examples)

A strong academic CV should include the following sections, starting from the top of the list and moving through the bottom. This is the basic Academic CV structure, but some of the subsections (such as research publications and academic awards) can be rearranged to highlight your specific strengths and achievements. 

• Contact Information
• Research Objective or Personal Profile
• Education Section
• Professional Appointments
• Research Publications
• Awards and Honors
• Grants and Fellowships
• Conferences Attended
• Teaching Experience
• Research Experience
• Additional Activities
• Languages and Skills

Now let’s go through each section of your academic CV to see what information to include in detail. 

1. Contact Information

Your academic curriculum vitae must include your full contact information, including the following: 

• Professional title and affiliation (if applicable)
• Institutional address (if you are currently registered as a student)
• Your home address
• Your email address
• Your telephone number
• LinkedIn profile or other professional profile links (if applicable)

In more business-related fields or industries, adding your LinkedIn profile in your contact information section is recommended to give reviewers a more holistic understanding of your academic and professional profile.

Check out our article on how to use your LinkedIn profile to attract employers .

2. Research Objective or Personal Profile

A research objective for an academic CV is a concise paragraph (or long sentence) detailing your specific research plans and goals.

A personal profile gives summarizes your academic background and crowning achievements.

Should you choose a research objective or a personal profile?

If you are writing a research CV, include a research objective. For example, indicate that you are applying to graduate research programs or seeking research grants for your project or study

A research objective will catch the graduate admission committee’s attention and make them want to take a closer look at you as a candidate.

Academic CV research objective example for PhD application  

MA student in Sociology and Gender Studies at North American University who made the President’s List for for six consecutive semesters seeking to use a semester-long research internship to enter into postgraduate research on the Impetus for Religious In-groups in Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century.

Note that the candidate includes details about their academic field, their specific scholastic achievements (including an internship), and a specific topic of study. This level of detail shows graduate committees that you are a candidate who is fully prepared for the rigors of grad school life. 

While an academic CV research objective encapsulates your research objective, a CV personal profile should summarize your personal statement or grad school statement of purpose . 

Academic CV personal profile example for a post-doctoral university position

Proven excellence in the development of a strong rapport with undergraduate students, colleagues, and administrators as a lecturer at a major research university. Exhibits expertise in the creation and implementation of lifelong learning programs and the personalized development of strategies and activities to propel learning in Higher Education, specifically in the field of Education. Experienced lecturer, inspirational tutor, and focused researcher with a knack for recognizing and encouraging growth in individuals. Has completed a Master’s and PhD in Sociology and Education with a BA in Educational Administration.

What makes this CV personal profile example so compelling? Again, the details included about the applicant’s academic history and achievements make the reader take note and provide concrete examples of success, proving the candidate’s academic acumen and verifiable achievements.

3. Education Section

If you are applying to an academic position, the Education section is the most essential part of your academic CV.

List your postsecondary degrees in reverse chronological order . Begin with your most recent education (whether or not you have received a degree at the time of application), follow it with your previous education/degree, and then list the ones before these.

Include the following educational details:

• Year of completion or expected completion (do not include starting dates)
• Type of Degree
• Any minor degrees (if applicable)
• Your department and institution
• Your honors and awards
• Dissertation/Thesis Title and Advisor (if applicable)

Because this is arguably the most important academic CV section, make sure that all of the information is completely accurate and that you have not left out any details that highlight your skills as a student. 

4. Professional Appointments

Following the education section, list your employment/professional positions on your academic CV. These should be positions related to academia rather than previous jobs or positions you held in the private section (whether it be a chef or a CEO). These appointments are typically tenure-track positions, not ad hoc and adjunct professor gigs, nor TA (teacher assistant) experience. You should instead label this kind of experience under “Teaching Experience,” which we discuss further down the list.

List the following information for each entry in your “Professional Appointments” section:

• Institution (university/college name)
• Department 
• Your professional title
• Dates employed (include beginning and end dates)
• Duties in this position

5. Research Publications

Divide your publications into two distinct sections: peer-reviewed publications and other publications. List peer-reviewed publications first, as these tend to carry more weight in academia. Use a subheading to distinguish these sections for the reader and make your CV details easier to understand.

Within each subsection, further divide your publications in the following order:

• Book chapters
• Peer-reviewed journal articles
• Contributions to edited volumes equivalent to peer-reviewed journals

All of your other research publications should be put into a subcategory titled “Other Publications.” This includes all documents published by a third party that did not receive peer review, whether it is an academic journal, a science magazine, a website, or any other publishing platform. 

Tip: When listing your publications, choose one academic formatting style ( MLA style , Chicago style , APA style , etc.) and apply it throughout your academic CV. Unsure which formatting style to use? Check the website of the school you are applying to and see what citation style they use.

6. Awards and Honors

This section allows you to show off how your skills and achievements were officially acknowledged. List all academic honors and awards you have received in reverse chronological order, just like the education and professional appointments sections. Include the name of the award, which year you received it, and the institution that awarded it to you.

Should you include how much money you were awarded? While this is not recommended for most academic fields (including humanities and social sciences), it is more common for business or STEM fields.

7. Fellowships and Grants

It is important to include fellowships and grants you received because it evidences that your research has been novel and valuable enough to attract funding from institutions or third parties.

Just like with awards and honors, list your grants and fellowships in reverse chronological order. Enter the years your fellowship or grant spanned and the name of the institution or entity providing the funding. Whether you disclose the specific dollar amount of funding you received depends on your field of study, just as with awards and honors.

8. Conferences Attended

Involvement in academic conferences shows admissions committees that you are already an active member of the research community. List the academic conferences in which you took part and divide this section into three subsections:

• Invited talks —conferences you presented at other institutions to which you received an invitation
• Campus talks —lectures you gave on your own institution’s campus
• Conference participation —conferences you participated in (attended) but gave no lecture

9. Teaching Experience

The “Teaching Experience” section is distinct from the “Professional Appointments” section discussed above.  In the Teaching Experience CV section, list any courses you taught as a TA (teacher’s assistant) you have taught. If you taught fewer than ten courses, list all of them out. Included the name of the institution, your department, your specific teaching role, and the dates you taught in this position. 

If you have a long tenure as an academic scholar and your academic CV Appointments section strongly highlights your strengths and achievements, in the Teaching Experience sections you could list only the institutions at which you were a TA. Since it is likely that you will be teaching, lecturing, or mentoring undergraduates and other research students in your postgraduate role, this section is helpful in making you stand out from other graduate, doctoral, or postdoctoral candidates.

10. Research Experience

In the “Research Experience” section of your CV, list all of the academic research posts at which you served. As with the other CV sections, enter these positions in reverse chronological order.

If you have significant experience (and your academic CV is filling up), you might want to limit research and lab positions to only the most pertinent to the research position to which you are applying. Include the following research positions:

• Full-time Researcher
• Research Associate
• Research Assistant

For an academic or research CV, if you do not have much research experience, include all research projects in which you participated–even the research projects with the smallest roles, budget, length, or scope. 

11. Additional Activities

If you have any other activities, distinctions, positions, etc. that do not fit into the above academic CV sections, include them here.

The following items might fit in the “Additional Activities” section:

• Extracurriculars (clubs, societies, sports teams, etc.)
• Jobs unrelated to your academic career
• Service to profession
• Media coverage
• Volunteer work

12. Languages and Skills

Many non-academic professional job positions require unique skillsets to succeed. The same can be true with academic and research positions at universities, especially when you speak a language that might come in handy with the specific area of study or with the other researchers you are likely to be working alongside.

Include all the languages in which you are proficient enough to read and understand academic texts. Qualify your proficiency level with the following terms and phrases:

• IntermediateNative/bilingual in Language
• Can read Language with a dictionary
• Advanced use of Language
• Fully proficient in Language
• Native fluency in Language
• Native/Bilingual Language speaker

If you only have a basic comprehension of a language (or if you simply minored in it a decade ago but never really used it), omit these from this section. 

Including skills on an academic CV is optional and MIGHT appear somewhat amateur if it is not a skill that is difficult and would likely contribute to your competency in your research position. In general, include a skill only if you are in a scientific or technical field (STEM fields) and if they realistically make you a better candidate.

13. References 

The final section of your academic CV is the “References” section. Only include references from individuals who know you well and have first-hand experience working with you, either in the capacity of a manager, instructor, or professor, or as a colleague who can attest to your character and how well you worked in that position. Avoid using personal references and never use family members or acquaintances–unless they can somehow attest to your strength as an academic.

List your references in the order of their importance or ability to back up your candidacy. In other words, list the referrers you would want the admissions faculty to contact first and who would give you a shining review. 

Include the following in this order:

• Full name and academic title
• Physical mailing address
• Telephone number
• Email address

Academic CV Examples by Section 

Now that you have a template for what to include in your academic CV sections, let’s look at some examples of academic CV sections with actual applicant information included. Remember that the best CVs are those that clearly state the applicant’s qualifications, skills, and achievements. Let’s go through the CV section-by-section to see how best to highlight these elements of your academic profile. Note that although this example CV does not include EVERY section detailed above, this doesn’t mean that YOU shouldn’t include any of those sections if you have the experiences to fill them in.

CV Example: Personal Details (Basic)

Write your full name, home address, phone number, and email address. Include this information at the top of the first page, either in the center of the page or aligned left.

• Tip: Use a larger font size and put the text in bold to make this info stand out.

CV Example: Profile Summary (Optional)

This applicant uses an academic research profile summary that outlines their personal details and describes core qualifications and interests in a specific research topic. Remember that the aim of this section is to entice admissions officials into reading through your entire CV.

• Tip: Include only skills, experience, and what most drives you in your academic and career goals.

CV Example: Education Section (Basic)

This applicant’s academic degrees are listed in reverse chronological order, starting with those that are currently in progress and recently completed and moving backward in time to their undergraduate degrees and institutions.

• Include the name of the institution; city, state, and country (if different from the institution to which you are applying); degree type and major; and month/year the degree was or will be awarded.
• Provide details such as the title of your thesis/dissertation and your advisor, if applicable.
• Tip: Provide more details about more recent degrees and fewer details for older degrees.

CV Example: Relevant Experience (Basic)

List professional positions that highlight your skills and qualifications. When including details about non-academic jobs you have held, be sure that they relate to your academic career in some way. Group experiences into relevant categories if you have multiple elements to include in one category (e.g., “Research,” “Teaching,” and “Managerial”). For each position, be sure to:

• Include position title; the name of organization or company; city, state, and country (if different from the institution to which you are applying); and dates you held the position
• Use bullet points for each relevant duty/activity and accomplishment
• Tip: For bulleted content, use strong CV words , vary your vocabulary, and write in the active voice; lead with the verbs and write in phrases rather than in complete sentences.

CV Example: Special Qualifications or Skills (Optional)

Summarize skills and strengths relevant to the position and/or area of study if they are relevant and important to your academic discipline. Remember that you should not include any skills that are not central to the competencies of the position, as these can make you appear unprofessional.

CV Example: Publications (Basic)

Include a chronological (not alphabetical) list of any books, journal articles, chapters, research reports, pamphlets, or any other publication you have authored or co-authored. This sample CV does not segment the publications by “peer-reviewed” and “non-peer-reviewed,” but this could simply be because they do not have many publications to list. Keep in mind that your CV format and overall design and readability are also important factors in creating a strong curriculum vitae, so you might opt for a more streamlined layout if needed.

• Use bibliographic citations for each work in the format appropriate for your particular field of study.
• Tip: If you have not officially authored or co-authored any text publications, include studies you assisted in or any online articles you have written or contributed to that are related to your discipline or that are academic in nature. Including any relevant work in this section shows the faculty members that you are interested in your field of study, even if you haven’t had an opportunity to publish work yet.

CV Example: Conferences Attended (Basic)

Include any presentations you have been involved in, whether you were the presenter or contributed to the visual work (such as posters and slides), or simply attended as an invitee. See the CV template guide in the first section of this article for how to list conference participation for more seasoned researchers.

• Give the title of the presentation, the name of the conference or event, and the location and date.
• Briefly describe the content of your presentation.
• Tip: Use style formatting appropriate to your field of study to cite the conference (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)

CV Example: Honors and Awards (Basic)

Honors and awards can include anything from university scholarships and grants, to teaching assistantships and fellowships, to inclusion on the Dean’s list for having a stellar GPA. As with other sections, use your discretion and choose the achievements that best highlight you as a candidate for the academic position.

• Include the names of the honors and official recognition and the date that you received them.
• Tip: Place these in order of importance, not necessarily in chronological order.

CV Example: Professional/Institutional Service (Optional)

List the professional and institutional offices you have held, student groups you have led or managed, committees you have been involved with, or extra academic projects you have participated in.

• Tip: Showing your involvement in campus life, however minor, can greatly strengthen your CV. It shows the graduate faculty that you not only contribute to the academic integrity of the institution but that you also enrich the life of the campus and community.

CV Example: Certifications and Professional Associations (Optional)

Include any membership in professional organizations (national, state, or local). This can include nominal participation as a student, not only as a professional member.

CV Example: Community Involvement and Volunteer Work (Optional)

Include any volunteer work or outreach to community organizations, including work with churches, schools, shelters, non-profits, and other service organizations. As with institutional service, showing community involvement demonstrates your integrity and willingness to go the extra mile—a very important quality in a postgraduate student or faculty member. 

While the CV template guide above suggests including these activities in a section titled “Additional Activities,” if you have several instances of volunteer work or other community involvement, creating a separate heading will help catch the eye of the admissions reviewer.

CV Example: References Section (Basic)

References are usually listed in the final section of an academic CV. Include 3-5 professional or academic references who can vouch for your ability and qualifications and provide evidence of these characteristics.

• Write the name of the reference, professional title, affiliation, and contact information (phone and email are sufficient). You do not need to write these in alphabetical order. Consider listing your references in order of relevance and impact.

CV Editing for Research Positions

After you finish drafting and revising your academic CV, you still need to ensure that your language is clear, compelling, and accurate and that it doesn’t have any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. 

A good academic CV typically goes through at least three or four rounds of revision before it is ready to send out to university department faculty. Be sure to have a peer or CV editing service check your CV or academic resume, and get cover letter editing and application essay editing for your longer admissions documents to ensure that there are no glaring errors or major room for improvement.

For professional editing services that are among the highest quality in the industry, send your CV and other application documents to Wordvice’s admissions editing services . Our professional proofreaders and editors will ensure that your hard work is reflected in your CV and help make your postgrad goals a reality.

Check out our full suite of professional proofreading and English editing services on the Wordvice homepage.

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CV Personal Statement Examples and Tips

Your personal statement is the first thing a recruiter or hiring manager will read when flicking through what will usually be a huge pile of CVs. With so much competition, you need a personal statement that grabs their attention for all the right reasons. But how do you write one? Here’s our guide along with a couple of personal statement examples for inspiration.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a concise paragraph that sits at the top of your CV just below your name and contact details and tells the reader why you would be a fantastic asset for their company. It should include a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and give the recruiter an insight into your ambitions and character.

Your personal statement should explain:

• Who you are
• Your suitability for the role and the value you can add
• Your career goals

Conveying all that information in just a few sentences is certainly not easy, but with research suggesting that recruiters spend an average of just six seconds reviewing each CV before deciding whether the applicant is a good fit, you must get it right.

How to write a winning personal statement for your CV

No one has your specific skills and experience, so your personal statement must be unique. However, there are some universal tips you can follow.

• Length, formatting and tone of voice

Probably the biggest challenge you’ll face when writing a personal statement for your CV is keeping it between 50 and 150 words, or around four or five lines of text. It should be clean and concise, formatted consistently and written in the same font and point size as the rest of your CV.

Personal statements can be written in the first (“I am a marine biologist”) or third-person (“Marine biologist looking for”), but whatever voice you choose, keep it consistent throughout your CV.

Recruiters read so much hyperbole and waffle that being honest and understated will help you stand out. This is not The Apprentice, so buzzwords, empty promises and meaningless metaphors should be avoided at all costs.

• Back up your claims

Cliches like ‘hard worker’ or ‘experienced’ are just empty words that recruiters see hundreds of times a day. Instead, establish your credentials with relevant vocational qualifications or professional memberships you have and quantify the level of experience you have. For example, “I am a RICS qualified surveyor with eight years’ experience working for a property development company”.

• Include statistics from your career

Including specific data or statistics in your personal statement will immediately make it stand out from the hundreds of others recruiters read every day. Metrics of success are far more memorable than simply listing your achievements. For example, “I introduced a new lead qualification tool that increased sales by 15 percent”.

• Remove pronouns in the third person

The personal statement on your CV is the one place where it’s okay to talk about yourself in the third person. However, using pronouns, for example, “he is a conscientious worker with 12 years of experience...” is a step too far. Instead, drop the pronouns, so that would become “A conscientious worker with 12 years of experience…”

Personal statement examples

Here are a few examples of personal statements to keep you on the right track and hopefully provide a little inspiration.

Written in the first person by a graduate looking for their first professional role.

I am a recent graduate with a first-class degree in economics, specialising in econometrics and international trade. I have commercial experience in the finance sector courtesy of an internship with a UK corporation, where I developed the technical data engineering skills you are looking for. I have a proven ability to meet deadlines and produce consistently high-quality work, as evidenced by my degree, and would relish the chance to develop my skills within your organisation.

Written in the third person by an experienced purchasing manager looking to climb the ladder.

Purchasing manager with 12 years of experience who wants to progress to a more senior role within the aviation industry. Has developed strong and lasting relationships during previous managerial positions in the sector and wants to put this strong network to good use to add value to your business.

Time to get hired

Writing a winning personal statement that you’re happy with and that summarises your skills and experience effectively in just a few lines will take time. However, using these tips and examples as a guide and editing your personal statement for every role is an important piece of the puzzle.

To hear Guardian Jobs reader Elia’s story and how her Personal Career Management programme helped land her ideal job watch the video .

Personal Career Management can offer you a  free review to assess your needs and to see which programme is right for you.

To book call Personal Career Management on 01753 888 995 or fill in the contact form .

Personal Career Management are Career Management Partners for the Guardian and are a specialist career coaching and outplacement company.

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Best CV Personal Profile Examples

What is a CV personal profile?

A personal profile, also known as a CV summary, is the opening statement of your CV. It is a short introduction which outlines your personal characteristics, telling the prospective employer what kind of a person you are, the attributes and qualities that you possess and the work experience that you have.

How to write a CV profile statement from scratch

When writing your personal profile, ensure it is:

• Short (no more than 6 lines);
• Relevant to the job you are applying for, and;
• Contains some real-world examples .

Be bold, be confident and talk about yourself in a positive way.

Your personal profile is not the place to be humble; it is your chance to be noticed and tell the potential employer exactly who you ‘really’ are and what you can do for them.

Warning: Do not go ‘over the top’ and give the impression that you are either very arrogant or simply too good to be true! Keep it balanced and realistic, bearing in mind the needs of the employer.

Click here if you want to see a bad example of a personal profile.

What information to include on a personal profile

The purpose of your personal profile is to concisely present your skills, qualities, work experience, and your career goals and ambitions. Consequently, you can mention anything from the following categories when constructing your personal profile:

Personal Qualities

• Self-motivated
• Having an eye for detail
• Management skills
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Design skills
• 5 years experience in …
• Excellent track record of …
• Extensive background in …
• Previous work experience in …

An ideal statement should have at least one example for each of these three categories.

How long should my profile statement be?

There are no set rules about the length of a personal profile, however, it is highly recommended to keep it ideally within the 50/80-words boundary (no longer than six lines). The reason for this is because employers, in the first instance, tend to scan CVs rather than extensively read it. Keeping it short and to the point increases the chances that they will actually read it.

Furthermore, as the total length of a CV is only 2 A4 pages long, having a short statement frees us valuable space for other key sections of your CV such as the work experience, education and skills sections .

Winning personal profile CV examples from all job sectors

Business management cv profile.

• The candidate mentions their key personal skills and qualities that are relevant and important when managing a business.
• The candidate mentions their relevant work experience in the field, indicating that they are able to work within multiple job sectors.

IT CV profile

• The candidate correctly highlights their areas of expertise, such as designing websites, networking and managing databases. It is clear from these examples that the individual has a broad understanding of IT and would be able to work on a wide range of IT projects.
• The candidate reassures the prospective employer that although they are working in a very technical field, they have the ability to work with a wide range of people. Interpersonal and communication skills are key to any job.

Student CV profile

• The above personal statement is clear and informative, making it clear that the applicant is a student, currently completing their university degree, and are looking to work part-time in the industry.
• It is always a good idea, as the candidate has done in this example, to clearly mention your availability for work and also the reasons for why you are seeking work. “Making money” is not a good enough reason for an employer to give you a job. The candidate has mentioned that they wish to put into practice what they have learned and make a positive contribution to the employer.

HR CV profile

• The candidate highlights that they have previous work experience in Human Resources (HR), making them familiar with the payroll systems and employment law. Additionally, they indicate some personal qualities (such as interpersonal skills and being sensitive to people’s privacies) which would be highly beneficial for the role that they are applying for.

Manager CV profile

• The candidate not only states that they have three years’ of experience in management but they also mention the positive contribution that they made to that organisation. In this case, it was a significant improvement in the performance of the team that they were managing.

Sales/retail CV profile

• Just by looking at the profile statement of this individual, we can conclude that this person has thorough experience of sales and is able to handle the various aspects of the selling process. Additionally, their promotion indicates that they are a high achiever.

Teaching CV profile

• In just a few lines, the candidate demonstrates a great deal of compassion, empathy and care for young people and their futures. This level of care and concern, along with an enduring passion for teaching, are the key ingredients of being successful in any teaching careers.
• The candidate indicating that they are able to work with young children from all backgrounds and walks of life. This is important, especially when living in today’s multicultural and diverse societies.

Engineering CV profile

• The candidate correctly highlights their previous work experience and areas of expertise. This makes them look like a very competent and accomplished chemical engineer, increasing the chances of being invited for an interview.

Designer CV profile

• This is an effective statement because the candidate highlights their valuable 1st class degree in Graphic Design and previous work experience in the design industry. Additionally, the candidate makes mention of their personal qualities, such as having the ability to think outside the box, to further indicate their suitability for the job.

Hospitality CV profile

• The above is an excellent example of how profile statement should be constructed; it contains references to their previous work experience in the same industry, personal qualities that are relevant to the job (e.g. having a passion for food and socialising with people) and their job achievements (e.g. winning an award). Any employer reading this statement will have to think twice before they put it in the rejection pile!

Admin CV profile

• The candidate mentions their previous work experience project management and providing administrative support to businesses.
• This admin personal statement clearly demonstrates that the individual is aware of all the challenges that administrators face; working in a busy working environment, handling multiple projects simultaneously, prioritising tasks and achieving the highest standard of work.

Customer service CV profile

• The candidate indicates that they are able to resolve customer enquiries and complaints face-to-face, over the phone or via email. This ability enables them to work in a variety of different job settings, i.e. a call centre, on the shop floor or at a desk.
• Their statement contains a tangible example of accomplishment (i.e. successfully resolving 150 customer enquiries or complaints).

Media CV profile

• The candidate has included many examples of their previous work experience and competencies in the field. Any employer interested in hiring an experienced camera operator will most certainly be impressed and continue reading the remainder of their CV.

Healthcare CV profile

• The candidate highlights that they are able to work with a variety of different people, something which is essential as physiotherapists will be working with people from all backgrounds and ages.
• The statement includes personal qualities that are important to have as a physiotherapist, such as being caring and friendly. Although some careers advisors do not recommend generic words such as ‘caring’ and ‘friendly’, it is nevertheless recommended to include them if they truly reflect your personality and if the rest of the personal statement contains specific information which is not generic in nature.

Writer CV profile

• This profile is short and punchy, increasing the chances that it will be read in full by the prospective employers
• The candidate highlights their career achievements by stating that their works have been accepted and published by leading newspapers and magazines – a testimony to the high quality of their work.

Science CV profile

• This statement is short and to the point; highlighting all the important information such as the candidates work experience, expertise and some personal qualities and characteristics.

Do I need to include a personal statement on my CV? No, it is entirely optional to include a personal profile on your CV. However, it is generally recommended to include one, particularly as it serves as a little “About me” section at the top of your CV. Every written document has an introduction, why shouldn’t a CV?

Can I use the first person tense in my statement? Yes, the first and third person tenses are both fine to use – but not both. Decide on the one tense and stick to it.

Where should I include the profile statement on my CV There is no fixed place in which you should put your personal profile. Some candidates place it at the bottom of their CVs. Ideally, you should position it at the top of your CV.

What is the most important thing to include on a personal profile? Real-world examples and tangible performance indicators, for example; increased sales by x percent, managed x number of people, won such-and-such awards, improved productivity by x percent, etc. These types of information are highly valuable, as opposed to saying that you are the “best salesperson in the country” and not backing it up with any evidence!

Need help with other sections of your CV?

While you’re still here – don’t forget to check out our amazing How to write a CV guide for more practical tips on writing your perfect CV or this useful resource.

Working on your CV? Awesome!

• What personal details to put on a CV (2024 Guide + Examples)
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Personal Statements and Curriculum Vitae (CVs)

Personal statement.

Admission committees typically request a brief essay (500 to 2000 words), sometimes called a Personal Statement (also known as Statement of Interest or Purpose). It is a very important piece for assessing your fit for the program, and your writing ability.

Some schools provide prompt questions, so look for those! In general, these statements discuss:

• Your research and/or professional interests
• Your future goals and career plan
• How their institution and/or program will meet your goals
• What you will contribute to the program

We have two short exercises , led via video, to get you started on writing your personal statement!

Curriculum Vitae or CV

You may be asked to provide a resume , or you may be asked for an academic CV. They are related but different, as follows:

The following sample documents were developed by AA&CC staff and student staff, with input from faculty members:

• Model Undergraduate CV for Research-Focused Graduate Programs - with comments [ DOCX  - 38 KB]
• Model Undergraduate CV for Research-Focused Graduate Programs - without comments (for look) [ PDF - 165 KB]

Find more explanation and other useful examples here .

Application & Personal Statement Resources

• Effective Admission Letters (U of T Writing Centre)
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• CTL’s Graduate School Application and Personal Statement Assignment Calculator

Student CV Example

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CV Tips for Students

• Highlight Your Academic Achievements : List your degree, major, and any relevant coursework. Include your GPA if it's strong. Mention any academic honors or awards you've received.
• Showcase Relevant Experiences : Detail any internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work that's relevant to the role you're applying for. Highlight the skills you've gained and how they apply to the job.
• Include Extracurricular Activities : Mention involvement in clubs, societies, or sports teams. This can demonstrate skills like leadership, teamwork, and commitment.
• Detail Your Skills : List any technical skills like proficiency in specific software, languages, or lab techniques. Don't forget soft skills like communication, problem-solving, or time management.
• Customize Your CV for Each Role : Tailor your CV to match the job description, highlighting relevant experiences and skills. This shows employers you've done your research and understand what they're looking for.

The Smarter, Faster Way to Write Your CV

• Initiated and led a study group for a challenging course, resulting in an average grade increase of 15% among group members.
• Successfully balanced a part-time job, full-time studies, and extracurricular activities, demonstrating exceptional time management and organizational skills.
• Conducted an independent research project under the guidance of a professor, contributing to a published paper in a respected academic journal.
• Secured an internship at a prestigious company, gaining hands-on experience in the industry and receiving positive feedback for problem-solving abilities.
• Volunteered at a local non-profit organization, coordinating events and fundraisers that raised over $5,000 for community initiatives.
• Participated in a competitive academic club, contributing to a team that placed in the top 5% in a national competition.
• Selected as a peer tutor in Mathematics, helping struggling students improve their grades by an average of 20%.
• Worked as a research assistant, collecting and analyzing data for a major research project that was later presented at a national conference.
• Successfully completed a rigorous course load while maintaining a GPA in the top 10% of the class, demonstrating strong academic abilities and dedication.
• Leadership and Teamwork
• Time Management
• Organizational Skills
• Research and Data Analysis
• Problem-Solving Abilities
• Event Coordination
• Academic Tutoring
• Strong Academic Abilities
• Industry Experience
• Fundraising Skills

Student CV Template

• Participated in [academic project or initiative, e.g., research project, student council], leading to [result or achievement, e.g., published research, improved student services], demonstrating [soft skill, e.g., leadership, teamwork].
• Managed [responsibility or role, e.g., class representative, club president], implementing [strategy or initiative, e.g., fundraising campaign, membership drive] to enhance [outcome, e.g., club funds, member engagement].
• Excelled in [academic subject or field, e.g., Mathematics, English Literature], achieving [academic accomplishment, e.g., top grades, academic award], showcasing strong [skill or ability, e.g., analytical skills, writing skills].
• Contributed to [extracurricular activity or event, e.g., charity event, sports team], resulting in [impact or achievement, e.g., funds raised, team victory], highlighting [personal attribute, e.g., dedication, sportsmanship].
• Undertook [task or project, e.g., thesis, internship], utilizing [tools or methods, e.g., research methods, software applications] to produce [outcome or deliverable, e.g., comprehensive report, practical experience].
• Recognized for [achievement or contribution, e.g., academic excellence, community service], demonstrating [quality or standard, e.g., commitment, excellence] in [area of accomplishment, e.g., studies, volunteering].
• Major: Name of Major
• Minor: Name of Minor

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Application Prep for Graduate Studies: How to write a PhD Personal Statement

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Not sure where to start when it comes to writing a PhD personal statement? We have put together a helpful article packed full of advice for writing your PhD personal statement (or cover letter), so you can approach the task with confidence. PhD personal statements are incredibly important bits of work, showing how suitable you are for studying within the department that you are applying to, so it’s wise to make sure you’ve done your absolute best – you only get to make your first impression once! Have a read of our useful PhD personal statement tips, make a cup of coffee, and start showing off your writing skills.

What is a PhD personal statement?

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When applying for a PhD course, you may have to submit a research proposal as well as a personal statement or cover letter.

The proposal details your research project (such as proposed methods, results and planned analysis) and why there is value in exploring it.

Your personal statement outlines why you are suitable for doctoral study. In addition, it should say why you’re interested in the specific PhD with that particular department and how your experiences can add to it.

Sometimes you only have to submit a proposal or a personal statement. If you have to submit both, be sure that they clearly cover these separate areas.

Your PhD application is very different from an application you may have made before through UCAS. It goes directly to the university and needs to be fully tailored to what the department is looking for. It’s similar to a job application.

If you haven’t already, get in touch with the PhD supervisors or other contacts within the department you want to work in. They regularly need PhD students to support their work, so they will probably be happy to help you with your application.

When planning what to write, read all relevant information about the course and any guidance from the university – for example, lists of desirable criteria, or a person specifications. You can use each criterion as a heading and make bullet points on what to write under each one.

• An introduction that outlines why you want to do the PhD
• Middle paragraphs that say how your interests and experiences make you right for doctoral study, and why the university department is a suitable fit for you
• A concluding paragraph that summarizes why you’re the best person for the course

Aim to explain how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate for this particular PhD at this specific university.

• Why should you be completing research in this area?
• What are your strengths and achievements?
• What are your influences?
• Why is this university the right one for your project?
• Why do you want to work with this team?
• Make sure that you give evidence and not just state points, especially if the criteria are specific. What have you done to match the requirements?

You can discuss your wider achievements or extracurricular activities but try to keep it suited to the PhD. If you want, add information about gaps in your CV or any other issues that are relevant.

If you’re applying for a fellowship (a funded PhD), you should tailor your application to the funder. Spend enough time researching the fellowship so you talk about why it will be beneficial to you.

Aim to be concise in your writing. The university may set a limit on the word count, but if not, your personal statement should ideally be no longer than one side of A4. Be concise and make every word count.

Your statement should reflect the academic nature of the writing you’ll be doing in the PhD. For example, if your work is scientific, the people who will read your statement want to see that you can provide evidence and an explanation with each point you make.

For more information on how to write a personal statement, see our general postgraduate advice article.

Go to:  How to write a postgraduate personal statement

When writing your application, spend plenty of time rewriting sections to perfect it. A good idea is to spend 20 minutes editing for every hour you spend writing. If you can, sit in a different environment to edit than where you write from, as this will help keep your mind clear and fresh.

Develop a strong academic CV – this is what admissions tutors will usually look at before reading your personal statement. Use the CV to list your experiences, and don’t repeat the same information in your statement.

Start putting your application together early, even as early as a year before the PhD will begin. This will give you time to contact supervisors. Your applications may be due in December or January before you start, so you’ll need to set aside plenty of time if you’re applying for funding.

• Academic CV examples

Build your CV on this template 

If you’re applying for academic positions, you need a CV that will make you stand out amongst all the other qualified candidates.

You must present your CV in a manner that will attract recruiters, gauge their attention, and persuade them to shortlist you for interview.

This guide which includes 3 academic CV examples , will help you create a CV that gets you noticed, and moves you one step closer to getting hired.

Guide Contents

• Academic CV Structure & format
• Work Experience/Career History
• Essential Academic Skills

Academic CV Example 1 – Lecturer

CV templates 

This lecturer CV gives you a good idea of how to layout and format your CV in a way that will grab hiring managers’ attention, and what kind of content you should include, if you want to hold that attention and land interviews.

Build your CV now 

Academic CV example 2 – Researcher

This researcher CV demonstrates the most in-demand skills and knowledge that recruiters and employers will be looking for in a typical research CV.

Academic CV Example 3

This example CV shows how you should structure your CV to provide a pleasant reading experience, helping you to accentuate the skills that establish your suitability for the role.

The below guide will describe how you can tailor each component of your CV, making it a custom fit to the academic posts you are applying for.

Academic CV structure & format

When considering how to structure your CV ( curriculum vitae ), you need to adopt a layout that will showcase the skills and experiences that are most applicable to the positions you apply for.

At first glance, a recruiter should see immediate signals of your suitability for their vacancy/vacancies.

The below infographic shows the structure and format your CV should be following to facilitate ease of reading and a flow that will entice the recruiter to want to know more.

You want that first impression to be strong and a poor layout could result in a recruiter missing crucial information documented in your CV.

CV formatting tips

• Avoid large blocks of text as this can make it tough to read, instead break up the information by using bold headers and bullet points.
• Academic CVs will be slightly longer than an average CV for other sectors, but should still not go beyond 4 page s.
• Logos or pictures are not required within a CV as they add no further depth and instead can be detrimental as they deflect the recruiter’s attention away from important content.
• Your academic CV needs to look professional so keep to a muted colour pallet and a clear font .

Structuring your Academic CV

When putting together your CV, use the following structure order:

• Contact details – These should be at the very top of your CV and should include an up to date phone number, email address and the location in which you reside.
• Profile – This is essentially a summary of your CV, allowing the recruiter at first glance to establish your suitability for the role. Include a brief overview of your skills, experiences and academic expertise.
• Work experience / career history – Documenting all your previous periods of employment, working in a backwards chronological order.
• Education – Your educational history should be elaborated in all areas of your CV, but this section should purely focus of a list of your qualifications and publications.
• Interest and hobbies – This isn’t a mandatory section but sometimes can be included if hobbies are relevant to your target roles.

CV Contact Details

A recruiter needs to easily be able to find your contact details, so these should be kept to the top of the page.

• Phone Number – Preferably this will be a mobile number or any number that the recruiter can easily reach you on.
• Email address – Your email address should be professional, ideally your first and last name @. Consider creating an email account that is specifically used for your applications.
• Location – A full address isn’t necessary, the town or city you reside will be sufficient for the early recruitment stages.
• If you have any endorsements or testimonials on Linkedin from previous lectures or colleagues look to include a link.

Prior to submitting an application double check that all the details you have provided are accurate and up to date.

Academic CV Profile

Your CV profile or personal statement is one of the most important sections of the CV as its aim is to grab recruiter’s attention when they first open the document, by summarising the experiences and skills that make you the ideal candidate for the role.

The profile needs to engage readers at the top of the page, encouraging them to read further.

You will have an opportunity to go into more depth later in your CV so your summary should be kept to 5-10 lines.

You need to showcase your academic and professional abilities in a concise manner that matches the requirements of your target roles.

Below is an sample of a strong academic CV profile.

Your academic CV profile should include the below information:

Education and subject specialisms – It is important to start your CV by documenting the fields in which you have studied and specialise in – whether they be global economics or biochemistry.

Teaching, research and administration experience – These are the 3 pillars of academic work so it’s important to highlight knowledge and experience in them early in your CV.

Institutions worked in – If you’ve worked or studied in prestigious universities or other educational settings, highlight this in your profile.

Notable awards and publications – You don’t have the space to list all of your awards and publications in your profile, but perhaps just add one or really impressive examples to catch the eye of busy hiring managers.

Quick CV profile tip: Choose from hundreds of pre-written CV profiles in our quick-and-easy CV Builder , to create an eye-catching CV in minutes

Boost your profile with a core skills section

This section is an addition to your CV profile that creates an easily digestible snapshot of your skills.

This should be made up of 2-3 columns of bullet points and be comprised of your most in-demand skills.

This section is a great way of showing recruiters your skill set within the first few seconds of them opening your CV.

Work Experience

Detail your work history in reverse chronological order with a focus on your academic experience, to prove how you apply your skills in the workplace and add value.

You can also include voluntary or educational work placements if you have yet to gain any paid work experience.

Consider any administration experience you have whether within a faculty or research facility and reflect on the disciplines entailed.

Teaching experience should also be highlighted including the levels of which the subject matter was taught and the institute where this was performed.

Structuring your Roles

Large blocks of text can be difficult to navigate so break up your roles with headers and bullet points, following this simple three stage structure when adding each of your employment periods.

This is a brief description of each position or research project whilst noting the institute or organisation you worked for.

“Working as a Lecture for the University of London where I am responsible for the administration of degree and postgraduate courses in the field of organisational psychology”

Key Responsibilities

Use bullet points to allow the recruiter to identify your responsibilities within each given role.

• Delivering weekly lectures, coordinating group activities and providing student support; engaging with learners, encouraging growth, and enhancing student confidence
• Ensuring the maintenance of learning material on the online learning environment site, Blackboard, and executing general administration pertaining to student records

Key Achievements

You need to showcase any recognition or achievements obtained in an educational institute, and quantify them if you can.

“Developed and implemented additional tutorial support for under graduate students increasing attainment levels by 30%”

Although you’re going to filter details about your academic background throughout your CV, you should also be adding a section to purely record the qualifications you have received.

Start with your most recent qualification and work backwards through your educational history. You need to include the level of qualification as well as adding the institute, dates of achievement and grade.

Consider adding a short summary to your studies, mentioning aspects such as any project involvement or discussing any dissertations or thesis completed.

Your education section should also include any professional memberships you have attained and a list of any publications or research you have had published. Remember you can also note any future publications which are currently set to be released.

Note on publications: If you have lots of publications, you may want to have a separate complete list of publications on another document, and just highlight the most important and relevant ones on your CV.

This saves your CV running on to too many pages, and you can always add a note to refer to the separate document such as “Please see publications document for full list”

There is no need to add references to your CV – these won’t be required until offer stage

Hobbies and Interests

This section of your CV is not compulsory and should only be included if you feel the hobbies and interests you plan to include will support your application and provide the recruiter with further depth on your suitability for the role.

If you choose to add this section to your CV, try not to be too generic.

Spotlight hobbies that have potentially contributed to your experience or academic studies.

For example, document seminars you have attended or any sporting associations you have been involved in that promote your team leading or research skills.

Essential Skills for your Academic CV

Before writing your CV you should be reviewing typical job specifications so that you can match your skills to those mentioned in the employer’s requirements.

However, all academic roles will demand certain skills that are common across most positions. Such as;

Research – Demonstrate your experience of all stages of the research process and detail achievements in findings you have made or advancements you have contributed to

Teaching – Whether you have lectured at large universities or taught in colleges, your teaching experience is valuable in the academic fields, so show it throughout your CV.

Administration – Any positions of responsibility you have held such as head of departments or subject areas will demonstrate your leadership qualities

Securing funding – Research can’t be carried out without funding, so proving your ability to secure funds is vital

Publication writing – Publications are a strong signal of your expertise, so be sure to include relevant books, journal articles, papers etc. in your CV

Writing your Academic CV – Conclusion

When producing a CV for any academic roles you should be focusing your attention on highlighting key aspects from your teaching or research work, along with educational experiences that make you applicable for the roles you are applying to.

Formatting your CV in a concise and visually pleasing manner will help the recruiter to pick up on significant information and avoid the CV becoming tedious to read.

Highlighting these skills will make you more employable and help you stand apart from other applicants.

Don’t forget to introduce yourself with a punchy cover letter to ensure your CV is opened in the first instance.

Best of luck with your next application.