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A great university student CV showcases the qualifications you’ve already gained, like foundation courses, A-levels, and GCSEs, as well as outlining your current studies. Make up for lack of work experience by highlighting voluntary work and extra-curricular activities, referring to transferable skills that may help you prepare for the world of work.
If you’re looking for an example of a CV for a student in university, you’re in the right place. myPerfectCV has exactly that, plus the best tips and templates to help with your CV for university and beyond.
University student CV templates
University student CV tips
Whether you’re at university or you’ve just graduated, our CV tips are ideal for students from all backgrounds who want their CV to impress.
Tailor your CV to each application
A recruiter will almost always be able to tell if you’ve sent off a generic CV without checking the job advert carefully. To give your CV the best chance of passing scanning software, always include keywords and phrases from the job description. This will help you tailor your application and make it more relevant to each position.
Always proofread your CV
Your CV will make or break a recruiter’s impression of you. Silly typos or bad grammar will always leave a sour taste – so be sure to proofread every section carefully before you hit the apply button. While it can be tempting to rush a CV over to an employer - it can leave a long-lasting wrong impression.
Be enthusiastic
While it’s essential to remain professional, don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm on your CV. Your personal summary is your chance to give recruiters an idea of your work ethic, so include positive words that describe your motivation, commitment, and drive.
Use a university student CV template
A university student CV template is a great way to reduce the time and effort required when building the ultimate student CV. Student or university graduate CV templates come pre-made with the right format and design, so you can simply add in your skills and experience.
Add some extra-curricular activities
As well as transferable skills and part-time work experience, your personal qualities and out-of-class interests could be what set you apart in a university student CV. List any hobbies or interests which demonstrate your aptitude with teamwork, punctuality, or just a hard-working ethic.
University student skills to include in your CV
Life as a student can furnish you with a range of hard and soft skills that will serve you well in the workplace. Take a look at our essential and complementary skills for university students below:
Essential skills for any university student
- Written communication
- Self-motivation
- Multitasking
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Technology skills, such as MS Office
Nice-to-haves to help you stand out
- Committee experience and teamwork
- Public speaking and presentation skills
- Basic numeracy
- Notetaking
- Following instructions
- Budgeting software
Provide an abstract for your university student CV with a personal statement
The personal statement is a key element in our example of a CV for a student in university. Your own CV should be no different, with a personal summary front and centre that introduces you as a candidate.
Start with the degree you’re studying for, or the subject you’ve graduated in, then move onto what you can offer to an employer. While it’s only 2-3 sentences long, your personal statement should be wholly positive, including your best personal qualities or attributes to make recruiters want to read on.
Top FAQs about your university student CV
Do you need a CV for university?
Yes! You need a CV for university if you want to apply for any part-time roles while you’re studying. It’s also highly useful for graduate schemes, with applications typically starting up to a year before you actually graduate.
What is a CV for university?
A CV for university is a document that outlines your brief career to date, whether that’s made up of part-time roles, summer jobs, or voluntary work. You might even have no work experience per se, in which case you can focus on transferable skills honed during your time at college and university.
How to write a CV for applications in university
To write a CV for applications while you’re in university, you should consider what employers are looking for. As frustrating as it may be, they’re not always concerned about what you’re studying and why, but instead the hard work, punctuality, and clear communication you can bring to a role.
What looks good on a CV for university?
Any work experience you can include is a must for a CV at university. If you’re lacking in experience, a hobbies and interests section is a good way to reduce the focus on work history. While you might not have your degree just yet, previous educational achievements like A-levels or BTEC Diplomas should be included to showcase your most recent qualification.
What are the transferable skills of a student?
Whether you’re at college or higher education, students are responsible for following course materials in order to gain qualifications. This can include attending lessons and lectures, writing coursework, and taking exams. These responsibilities can give you many transferable skills which will come in handy in the workplace. Include things like time management, motivation, clear communication and technology skills.
Related CVs Entry Level CV Examples
Create a university student CV without the hassle
Building your CV shouldn’t be as stressful as hitting that coursework deadline. At myPerfectCV, we’ve made it easy for you to create your perfect student application. Our popular CV builder tool provides all the templates, top tips, and professionally written content you could need.
Simply choose your structure, select your text, and tailor it to fit your application. If you’re job-hunting with no experience, we’ve got 10 years of experience to back you up.
