How to Write a CV: The Complete Guide for Students

Published July 7, 2026 · 15 min read

A curriculum vitae (CV) is the foundation of every application you will ever submit. Whether you are applying for a scholarship, an internship, a graduate programme, or a job, your CV is the first document that selection committees review. A well-structured CV communicates your qualifications clearly and professionally. A poorly structured one gets discarded within seconds.

This guide covers everything students and recent graduates need to know about writing a CV that stands out — from formatting and structure to content strategy and common mistakes.

CV vs Resume: What's the Difference?

The terms CV and resume are often used interchangeably, but they are different documents. A resume is a one-page summary of your qualifications, typically used for job applications in the United States and Canada. A CV is a more detailed document that can run two to four pages, commonly used for academic positions, scholarships, and international applications.

For most international scholarship applications — including Chevening, DAAD, and MEXT — a CV is the expected format. For jobs in the US, use a resume. For everything else, a CV is usually the safer choice.

CV Structure: Section by Section

1. Contact Information

Place your full name, professional email address, phone number (with country code), and LinkedIn profile URL at the top. Include your city and country — you do not need your full street address. Do not include your photo, date of birth, marital status, or nationality unless specifically requested (common in some European and Asian countries).

2. Personal Statement (2-3 sentences)

A brief statement at the top that summarises who you are and what you are looking for. For example: "Environmental science graduate with two years of field research experience in wetland ecosystems, seeking a master's programme in Conservation Biology to develop expertise in species recovery planning." Keep it specific and targeted.

3. Education

List your qualifications in reverse chronological order. Include: institution name, degree, field of study, graduation date (or expected date), GPA or classification (if strong), and any honours or distinctions. For each degree, you may include a brief note about your thesis or major research project if relevant.

4. Work Experience

List positions in reverse chronological order. For each role, include: job title, organisation name, location, dates, and 3-5 bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. Start each bullet with an action verb and include specific numbers wherever possible: "Managed a budget of $15,000 for community health outreach programmes serving 500 beneficiaries."

5. Research Experience (if applicable)

For academic applications, this section is critical. List research projects you have contributed to, your specific role, the methodology used, and any outcomes (publications, presentations, reports).

6. Publications and Presentations

List any papers, articles, conference presentations, or posters. Use a consistent citation format. If you have co-authored papers, indicate your contribution.

7. Skills

Organise skills into categories: Technical (software, programming languages, lab techniques), Languages (with proficiency levels — use the CEFR scale for European applications: A1-C2), and Professional (project management, data analysis, etc.).

8. Awards and Honours

List scholarships, dean's list recognitions, competition wins, and other honours. Include the name of the award, granting organisation, and date.

9. Extracurricular Activities and Volunteer Work

Include leadership roles, club memberships, and volunteer work that demonstrate skills relevant to your application. Focus on what you accomplished, not just what your title was.

10. References

Either list two to three referees with their name, title, institution, email, and relationship to you, or write "References available upon request." For scholarship applications, listing referees directly is preferred.

CV Formatting Tips

Use a clean, professional font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman at 10-12pt.
Maintain consistent formatting throughout — same bullet style, same date format, same heading sizes.
Use clear section headings that allow the reader to scan quickly.
Save as PDF unless otherwise specified. Name the file professionally: "FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf."
Keep it to two pages for most applications. Academic CVs can be longer.
Use white space generously. Dense, cramped CVs are difficult to read.

Common CV Mistakes

Including irrelevant information. Tailor your CV to each application. Remove experiences that do not strengthen your candidacy.
Using vague language. "Responsible for managing social media" is weak. "Grew Instagram following by 140% over six months through targeted content strategy" is strong.
Spelling and grammar errors. These signal carelessness. Proofread multiple times and have others review.
Using an unprofessional email address. Use your name. Not "partyanimal99@email.com."
Lying or exaggerating. Selection committees can verify claims. Be honest about your experience and skills.
Not tailoring the CV. A CV for a research position should look different from a CV for a marketing internship.

CV Checklist

Is my contact information current and professional?
Is my personal statement specific and targeted?
Are sections in the right order for this application?
Have I used action verbs and specific numbers?
Is the formatting consistent throughout?
Is the CV within the appropriate length?
Have I removed all irrelevant information?
Have I proofread for spelling and grammar?
Has at least one other person reviewed this CV?
Is the file saved as a professionally named PDF?