A study-abroad CV (often called an academic CV) is different from a job CV. It shows your education first and proves you’re ready for the course.
Keep it clear
- 1–2 pages is enough for most students. - Simple layout: clear headings, one font, no photos unless the university asks. - Reverse order: most recent education and experience first. - Name it clearly: for example YourName_CV.pdf.
What to include
- Contact details: full name as in your passport, email, phone with country code. - Education: institution, degree, years, and your result (GPA/CGPA with the scale, e.g. 3.40 / 4.00). - English test: test name, overall score and date. - Experience: job title, organisation, dates, and 2–3 lines on what you actually did. - Projects, research or thesis: title and a short description, especially if related to your course. - Skills: software, languages, lab or technical skills you can genuinely use. - Achievements: scholarships, awards, competitions, certificates. - Activities: volunteering, clubs, leadership roles.
Common mistakes
- Names and dates that don’t match your certificates and passport. Officers check these. - Unexplained gaps. Add a line, for example “Family business, assistant manager” or “IELTS preparation”. - Listing duties without results. Write what you achieved, with numbers where possible. - Spelling mistakes. Ask someone else to proofread it.
Make it match
Your CV, SOP, recommendation letters and visa interview answers should tell one consistent story. If your SOP mentions an internship, it should be on your CV with the same dates.
Want us to check it? Send your CV on WhatsApp.
