Creating an international student CV can feel daunting when you’re applying to study or work abroad. You may be unsure how your qualifications translate to and outside the UK, what employers expect, or which international CV format is correct. 

This guide will help you write a CV for international students that showcases your global experience as an invaluable strength.

 Regardless of what kind of opportunity you’re seeking, this guide has you covered. You’ll find:

  • Practical tips for an international student CV
  • An international student CV example
  • Ready-to-use international student CV template to help you structure your CV, highlight your skills, and make a strong impression.

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    International CV for students example

    international student cv layour

    Elana Walls
    284B McKelvie Road, Glasgow, G12 1UL
    07912345678, elana.walls@example-example.co.uk

    Professional summary Motivated international student pursuing a degree in marketing while working in hospitality. Possess hands-on professional experience in coffee-making and sales. Proven history of serving customers in a fast-paced environment.

    Work history

    BARISTA | 08/2020 – Current
    Current Arabica Co., Glasgow

    • Prepared coffee, cleaned dining areas, opened the register, and carried out other opening duties.
    • Maintained regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
    • Ordered, received, and stocked supplies and retail products.
    • Constantly expanded personal knowledge of coffee styles and varieties, providing knowledgeable customer guidance.
    • Trained new and junior staff members on coffee-making techniques, including grinding, steaming, and latte art.

    CASHIER | 02/2018 – 07/2020
    Shop & Save, Glasgow

    • Processed POS transactions, including checks, cash, and credit purchases or refunds.
    • Bagged merchandise following standard procedures.
    • Worked with customer service to resolve issues.
    • Operated cash registers with proficiency during high-volume shopping times, reducing customer queues.
    • Handled cash and card payments with precision, maintaining customer confidentiality and discretion throughout.

    Skills

    • Cash register operation
    • Inventory management
    • Speedy and efficient
    • Highly organized
    • Strong communication skills
    • Attention to detail
    • Research
    • Administrative support

    Education

    • Colegio San Patricio – Madrid, Spanish Baccalaureate A-Level Equivalent, 2020
    • IES Mariano José de Larra – Madrid, ESO GCSE Equivalent, 2018

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    International student CV template

    Our website offers a range of helpful tools to guide you, starting with professional CV templates that demonstrate the ideal layout and design. These templates ensure your CV is visually appealing while following the best practices for international students, helping you make a strong first impression with recruiters or universities.

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    The ideal CV format for students

    The student CV format may vary slightly depending on the country you’re applying to, but there are key elements that should always be present. Here’s the best structure to follow as an international student:

    Header: Start with your name, contact information, and location. If you’re applying internationally, it’s important to include your current location and where you plan to study or work. Personal statement: This section should highlight your goals, academic interests, and why you’re an ideal candidate. Whether you’re seeking a study opportunity or a job abroad, make sure you tailor your statement to the role or institution. Education: Clearly list your academic background, including your degree, university, and the expected graduation date. If you’ve studied abroad or taken part in exchange programs, highlight these experiences. Work experience: Include any relevant work experience, even part-time jobs or internships. Focus on transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are valuable across industries and countries. Skills: Make sure to showcase both technical and soft skills. For an international student CV, include language proficiency and any international certifications that can set you apart. Achievements & extracurricular activities (optional): If you’ve been involved in clubs, societies, or volunteer work, this section gives you the chance to demonstrate your leadership, teamwork, and commitment to personal development. This is an optional section to add to your CV. Consider adding it if your CV looks empty.

    What to keep in mind when creating a CV for abroad study

    When crafting your student CV for studying abroad, it’s essential to consider the specific requirements of the country or institution you’re applying to. Each country might have a preferred CV format for students, so be sure to research local expectations. For instance, when applying to the UK, a photo is not typically required. You can use our UK CV examples as a guide when applying internationally. 

    Student CV layout: Reverse chronological or skills-based?

    • If you have work experience, the reverse chronological CV format is ideal as it highlights your job history.
    • If your experience is limited, the skills-based CV format can help you focus on your abilities, such as language proficiency and key accomplishments.
    • For applications across Europe, consider using a European CV format, which typically doesn’t include a personal statement and places more emphasis on education and work history.

    Choose your format now

    How to write a CV for an international student

    Now that we’ve covered the best international CV formats and templates, it’s time to look at content! In the following sections, we’re going to explain how to write a CV for an international student from start to finish, filling any gaps in your knowledge along the way.

    Here’s an overview of what’s coming up:

    Add contact details to your international student CV

    Employers and universities need to know exactly how to reach you; that’s why your contact information should be prominently displayed at the top of your international CV.

    Start with your full name, placed at the top of the page in a bold, slightly larger font. Beneath it, list your current UK address (or your home-country address if you’re applying from abroad), your telephone number, and a professional email address you check often. If you’re still using a casual email from years ago, now is the perfect time to create a new one.

    For some international student CVs, you can include your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or personal website links. These are ideal if you’re applying for creative, technical, or research-based roles where projects speak louder than words. Just make sure any links you add are up to date and easy to access.

    Example contact section for an international student CV

    Zara Bond
    Bristol, UK
    07912 345 678
    zara.bond@example-example.co.uk
    linkedin.com/in/zarabond
    zarabondportfolio.com

    Write your international student CV personal statement

    Your personal statement sits just below your contact details and gives employers or universities a quick snapshot of who you are.

    Keep it short (3–4 sentences) and focus on your skills, academic strengths, international experience, and what you can offer. Instead of repeating your entire international CV, give a confident overview that connects your abilities to the role or programme you’re applying for.

    If you’re an international student, this is also the perfect place to mention:

    • Your degree subject.
    • Language skills.
    • Any achievements that show adaptability or cross-cultural communication.
    • A clear career or academic goal.

    Strong personal statement examples for an international student CV

    Motivated international student studying Business Management with strong communication skills and experience working in fast-paced environments. Recently boosted customer satisfaction scores by 15% during a part-time hospitality role by improving service efficiency. Fluent in Spanish and English, with proven teamwork and problem-solving abilities gained through group projects and volunteering. Eager to contribute to a customer-focused role while developing UK work experience.

    OR

    Hard-working international student with experience of a fast-paced office environment. Fluent in both French and English, including spoken and written forms. Offers great attention to detail and communication skills.

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    Step 3: Mention work experience on your international student CV

    Even though you’re a student, that doesn’t mean you don’t have valuable work experience. If you’ve taken a job as a barista to support your study or worked as a babysitter on the weekends, you could be surprised at how relevant your experience is to the job at hand. Take a look at our CV sample for international students for more ideas or read on for some key tips.

    Where to place your work history

    This will depend on the CV format you choose. If you’re writing a CV for international students without much experience, a skills-based format could be best. With this structure, your work history will usually appear below your skills section and even your academic history.

    However, if you do have some experience, it’s usually best to go with the reverse-chronological format. This places your work experience in a prominent position, straight after the personal statement. If you’re a UK student looking to study in Europe, your work history will appear even further up your CV, as there is no personal statement for the European format.

    Key details to include

    When you’re writing an international student CV, you’ll need to set out your work experience clearly for recruiters. Here’s what to include:

    • Dates you started and finished.
    • Job details including the title, company, and location.
    • 3-6 duties from each role, as below.

    Example of work experience for an international student CV

    Administrative Assistant | 07/2021 – 05/2022
    K&T Logistics – Liverpool

    • Prepared newspapers with inserts and leaflets
    • Delivered to 50+ houses in local area
    • Collected payment from customers by cheque and cash

    Step 4: Add international student CV skills

    Even with the right experience and education, it’s important to highlight a number of competencies on your international student CV. The best way to do so is with a dedicated CV skills section, though this varies depending on the format you use.

    On a skills-based CV, ability takes centre stage. It comes straight after the personal statement with a few points to exemplify or break down each competency. For a reverse-chronological CV, skills should be listed briefly in a bullet-point list.

    Whatever the case, you’ll need to know what to include. In some cases, these will need to be tailored to the job you’re applying for, such as cash handling for a retail job. However, there are also a number of transferable qualities that recruiters are looking for – and that most international students possess.

    Essential skills for an international student

    • Research ability
    • Computer literate
    • Quick learner
    • Adaptable
    • Clear communication
    • Well organised

    Desirable aptitudes to set you apart

    • Specific industry knowledge
    • Bilingual
    • Analytical approach
    • Problem solving
    • Attention to detail
    • Time management

    Step 5: Outline education on your student CV

    Education is one of the trickier parts of a CV for international students, because you’ll typically have qualifications from your native country. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t include them. It just requires a little more work to ‘translate’ them into qualifications that recruiters are familiar with.

    Qualifications to include

    Even if you haven’t completed your current course yet, it’s still a good idea to include it within your international student CV. You can do so in your personal statement, mentioning the course you’re studying. Or you can list an expected degree in your education section. This lets employers know more about the subjects you’re studying and your experience with relevant topics.

    Whilst it’s important not to delve too far back into your education history, it can help to include some details of your qualifications at secondary/high school level as well as college before university. International students will need to show they have equivalent qualifications to this level of study. When listing qualifications from other countries, it’s good practice to clarify what the UK equivalent is on your international student CV.

    What information do recruiters need?

    So, how should you display this information? You’ll need to list out your education section in a similar style to our CV sample for an international student.

    • Date – Include the date the qualification was achieved. If you’re still working on it, you can list the date it will be completed or omit the date altogether and write ‘expected’.
    • Level of qualification – This can include the type of qualification and the grade. You can also include prospective grades.
    • Institution – You’ll need to include the name of the institution you studied at, including the location.

    Example of education for an international student CV

    Charlotte-Wolff-Kolleg – Berlin | Abitur
    A-Level Equivalent, 2021

    Dos and don’ts for your international student CV

    DO

    As an international student, you might be tempted to show off your mastery of the English language with complex words and winding sentences. However, this can make it much harder for recruiters to read and find out about your expertise and experience. Instead, short sentences and simple language are best when writing a CV for international students.

    In some countries, it’s standard practice to use the same CV for all applications. In the UK, it’s usually best to tailor your CV for each job you find. That doesn’t have to mean a complete re-write. Simply read through the job description to find out how your ability and experience match the requirements, then emphasise them whenever possible in your CV.

    DON’T

    Another UK recruitment practice you might not be aware of is the use of Applicant Tracking Software. This is often used to scan CVs for key phrases and filter down the number of candidates. To make sure your international student CV meets the grade, check the job listing for key phrases and include them in your CV.

    To create the right first impression, your international student CV should be visually on-point. Unfortunately, that’s not the case if it’s a bland Word document – and it can take hours of effort to get it right if you start from scratch. Using a pre-made CV template will give you the look you’re after without the effort, so you can focus on that all-important content.

    Your international student CV questions answered

    How do I write a CV for a foreign country?

    Here are the steps to writing a CV for a foreign country:

    Check the CV standards for the country you want to apply to Add your contact details, don’t forget to include the country code if you are using a foreign phone number Write a brief professional summary State your work experience List relevant hard and soft skills and languages. Finally, list your education and relevant certificates Add a photo if the country you are applying to requires it Check your CV for errors

    What is an international CV?

    Generally speaking, an international CV is a CV that can be used to apply to jobs in other countries. This CV can be adapted to the CV writing conventions of the country in question. You may need to include further details, such as your visa status or details of any other foreign languages you speak. If you’re applying to a job in Europe, you should pay special attention to the CV format required, as it may be more appropriate to use the specific European CV structure.

    Do I need to include a photo in my international student CV?

    This depends on the country you’re applying to. In the UK, for example, it’s not typical to include a photo on your CV. However, in some countries, such as parts of Europe, including a photo may be expected. Always research local CV preferences.

    Can I use a CV template for an international student CV?

    Yes, using a CV template can be a great way to structure your CV professionally. You can find student CV templates tailored for international students to ensure that your CV is well-organised and meets the expectations of recruiters or universities.

    How can I make my international CV as a student?

    A CV for international students in the UK should include any work experience you have, either in the UK or your home country. Qualifications should be listed with UK equivalents to make things clear for recruiters. You should also include plenty of transferable selling points like communication, research, and computer literacy, which are valuable across the globe.

    Will I need to take additional courses?

    Depending on where you go, you may need to take additional courses. In short, anything that strengthens your application is a bonus. Here are some examples:

    • Microsoft Office for beginners
    • Software development courses
    • Learn simple HTML
    • Inbound marketing
    • Customer service qualifications
    • Health and safety

    You’ll be able to find a range of free and paid courses for all of the above. You should aim to find courses that bolster your skills for specific job roles.

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