An increasing number of universities are asking applicants to submit a CV alongside — or instead of — a personal statement. This is particularly common for direct applications, foundation years, and courses that value professional experience. A well-crafted CV can strengthen your application significantly. Here's what admissions tutors want to see, and what you should leave out.
Why Universities Ask for CVs
CVs give admissions tutors a structured overview of your background. For mature students and career changers, a CV can showcase work experience and transferable skills that don't fit neatly into a personal statement. CVs are also useful for courses like business, healthcare, and social work, where professional experience is valued alongside academic qualifications.
What to Include
Start with your personal details — name, email, and phone number. You don't need to include a photo, your date of birth, or your full address; a town and postcode is sufficient. Next, include a short personal profile — two or three sentences summarising who you are and what you're applying for.
Education is critical: list your qualifications in reverse chronological order, including subjects, grades, and dates. If you have pending qualifications (e.g. an Access course you're currently studying), include those with predicted grades. Work experience should follow — include employer names, job titles, dates, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements.
Relevant skills and extracurricular activities matter too: volunteering, language skills, IT proficiency, leadership roles, and hobbies that demonstrate character. Keep everything relevant to the course you're applying for.
What to Leave Out
Don't include irrelevant work experience from years ago that has no bearing on your application. Avoid listing every GCSE individually — group them. Don't include personal details like marital status, religion, or nationality unless specifically requested. And never include false or exaggerated information — universities do verify.
Formatting Tips
Keep your CV to one or two pages — one page is ideal for most applicants. Use a clean, readable font like Arial or Calibri at 11 or 12 point. Use clear headings and bullet points for readability. Save and submit as a PDF to preserve formatting across different devices.
Tailoring Your CV
Adapt your CV for each application. Emphasise different experiences or skills depending on the course. For example, if you're applying for nursing, highlight any care-related volunteering or work experience prominently. If you're applying for business, showcase leadership and commercial experience.
If you'd like help putting together a CV for your university application, we can help — completely free of charge. Get in touch and we'll guide you through it.