How to Write a Student CV (Tips, Examples & Template)

Even with little professional experience, writing a student CV is a smart move. It can help you make a good impression and secure an invitation to a job interview.

In this guide, you’ll find CV examples for students with and without work experience, a ready-made student CV template, and expert tips for enhancing your application. Soon, you won’t have any doubts about how to write a student CV and get a job.

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Student CV example

Need different CV examples for students? Check out the recommendations below:

• Academic CV
• Apprenticeship CV
• CV for a Part-Time Job
• Early Years Practitioner
• First CV Guide
• Graduate CV
• Internship CV
• Law Student CV
• School Leaver CV

Haven’t found what you’re looking for? See all our CV samples.

Wondering whether to write a CV or a resume? Go for a CV: it’s the best option in the UK. Now, see what a CV should look like and how to write a student CV, and then you’ll look at some expert CV examples for students:

1. Start your student CV with a strong profile

A personal statement in a student CVis a brief paragraph positioned immediately after your contact details and before the main content. It serves as your introduction as a candidate and a pitch for why you are the ideal fit for the role. 

How do you go about writing a personal statement? It depends on whether you have any relevant work experience. 

• If you have relevant professional experience, include a measurable achievement to highlight your skills. This will likely impress recruiters and increase your chances of securing an interview. 
• If you lack experience, present transferable skills and relevant experiences you’ve gained through volunteering, studying, certifications, courses, or even hobbies.

Always customise your student CV for each application. It will help you pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Incorporate keywords from the job description: for example, if the advert mentions “teamwork skills,” utilise that term instead of “collaboration skills.” Additionally, include the company name and the position you are applying for in your personal statement.

Keep it concise, ideally under 150 words, since it’s a short introduction. Stay clear and to the point.

Student CV examples with no experience: personal statement 

This section usually starts a CV but is easier to write last, once you have the rest of your CV in front of you (and that’s why it’s often called a CV summary). 

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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2. Show relevant experience in your student CV

In most CVs, the work experience section is the key part. However, in a student CV, this is usually not the case. As a student, school leaver, or graduate, you’re unlikely to have extensive work experience. Instead, you can highlight internships, freelancing, and work programmes. Some students also list volunteer work, but it should typically be included in a separate section.

Here’s how to create this section:

• Go for the reverse-chronological format. List your most recent job description first and work your way back from there.
• Add your position, company name, location, and dates of employment (or ongoing work). 
• Include up to six bullet points summarising your responsibilities. Start each bullet point with an action verb like “performed,” “checked,” or “managed.” Focus on quantifiable achievements instead of job duties. 
• Avoid phrases like “responsible for” like the plague. 
• Use the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) formula to phrase your bullet points. Keep them tailored to the job advert you’re responding to.
• Show only relevant achievements. Including irrelevant details in your application is one of the quickest ways to discourage recruiters from reading your student CV.

CV examples for students: job description

3. Impress recruiters with the education section of your student CV

Your work experience section has every right to be a little on the sparse side, but your education section should be right on the money for the job you’re after. If you have no experience or your work experience section is underdeveloped, consider moving this part of your student CV directly under the personal statement.

Here are some tips on how to craft your education section:

• If you’re a high school student, your education section may still be somewhat limited, so list all your A-level subjects.
• If you’re a university student, include your expected graduation date, the name of the degree, and the name and location of the university.
• If you’ve already graduated, include either the starting and graduation month and year or the graduation date.
• There’s usually no need to include grades or list all your GCSEs (except for Maths and English, since some employers will be on the lookout for these as a minimum).
• Besides listing your degree, to further improve the education section of your student CV, show relevant coursework, memberships, and other extracurricular activities. They serve a similar role to work achievements in your work history section.

CV for a student: education section 

“Interns and students should focus on highlighting any academic achievements when crafting their first professional CV. This includes involvement in student societies, extracurricular activities, workshops, student government, scholarships, and notable grades. They should also list any additional courses they've completed and detail projects undertaken both during and outside their studies. These elements demonstrate initiative, skills, and a proactive approach to learning and development”.

Paulina Śliwińska-Niszczota

Senior Talent Acquisition and Career Development Specialist

4. Choose relevant skills to highlight in your student CV

Despite being a student, you’ve got a handful of skills to show in your CV. Remember how I’ve mentioned keywords from the job posting? They will be of huge help when writing a skills section as well. 

How to choose the right mix of skills:

• Review the job posting and note the key skills the employer is seeking (e.g., customer service skills, IT skills).
• Write down all the skills you can support with real examples from your work, school, or personal life.
• Filter strategically. Some skills won’t match this job, and that’s fine. Save them for future applications.
• Select your top 5–10 skills. Strive for a balanced mix of hard skills and soft skills, including technical abilities and communication or teamwork skills.
• Back up each skill with evidence. Don’t just list them, but rather describe a situation where you’ve demonstrated each skill. Think of it as show and tell: anyone can list skills, but examples make them credible.

Avoid overstuffing your student CV, and keep it concise. A one-page CV is the ideal length. If space is tight, describe five strong, well-evidenced skills. If you have extra room, you can include more.

CV examples for students: skills section

If you need inspiration, some of the most valuable and universal skills for a student’s CV include:

• Verbal and written communication
• Time-management
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Adaptability
• Creativity
• Organisation
• Flexibility
• Problem-solving abilities
• Motivation
• Patience
• Persuasion
• Negotiation skills
• Multitasking
• Quick learning

5. Add extra sections to your student CV 

A perfect CV is a snapshot of you as an employee, a concise record of your education, qualifications, and experience; however, all CVs for students have these core sections. To stand out from other applicants, add extra information to your CV.

In your student CV template, always make space for 1–3 bonus sections. Use any of the following:

• Volunteer work
• Foreign language proficiency
• Certifications
• Completed courses & training
• Awards and honours
• Hobbies and interests
• Memberships
• Publications
• Conferences

You may mention your availability, too. Employers want to know if you’re applying for a part-time job, a full-time position, or a fixed-term contract.

Regarding volunteer work, it can be a crucial asset to your student CV. It functions similarly to the “work experience section”, as it develops transferable skills and provides real-world experience.

CV examples for students with no experience: extra sections

6. Format your student CV template correctly

While you want your application to stand out, you shouldn’t stray too far from the standard CV format. Here’s why: recruiters are busy people who may only spend a few seconds initially scanning your student CV. 

Unless you want to use free CV templates, follow these CV tips:

• Use standard section names and leave your contact details at the top to make it easy for whoever reads your CV to find what they’re looking for. 
• Skip including your address on a CV, as it’s not required.
• Use a standard, professional-looking CV font, such as Calibri or Arial for a clear student CV layout.
• Adjust the line spacing to 1.15 and double-space after subheadings in your CV, making it clear and visually pleasing.
• Choose one of the best CV templates; ideally, a basic CV template without fancy graphics if you’re applying to a traditional company. Opt for a modern CV template if you aim to work in the creative industry. 
• Try to keep your CV concise and brief. For a UK student CV format, that’s usually one page.
• Send your student CV in PDF format unless asked to do otherwise (even though you use a Word CV template). PDFs will keep your CV structure intact.

7. Pair your student CV with a strong cover letter

Writing cover letters might seem painful at first, but not including one is a fairly reliable way of having your student’s CV rejected before it’s even read. Around half of employers still expect to receive a cover letter (although they might not mention it in the job ad).

Here’s how to write one:

• Start your cover letter by hooking the recruiter with your previous achievements and passion for the role. 
• Show how your skills and experience can help the company.
• End your cover letter with a call to action and ask for an interview. 
• Write in a positive tone, but don’t overdo it. Be enthusiastic, yet maintain professionalism.
• Tailor your cover letter to the company in question as much as possible and format it like a standard business letter. 
• Make sure it aligns with a student CV template for consistency.
• Keep the correct cover letter length. That’s no longer than one page. For higher readability, use a simple template without fancy infographics.
• Write a follow-up e-mail. It’s a small gesture, but hiring managers expect it, as it shows your commitment.

CV examples for students in the UK

Now that you know how to write the perfect student CV, let’s take a look at a couple of student CV examples and discuss what makes them work.

Student CV template—internship example

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This student CV example shows how to present your internships. Adding them to the work section of your student CV is the way to do it. Internships give you hands-on experience; in this example, this experience is highly relevant to the job our candidate is pursuing. Additionally, the candidate makes a note of available references if the recruiter would like to see them.

Student CV template—high school example

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If you’re looking to gain work experience early on, high school is one of the better times to get an internship or a part-time job. Remember to showcase your education on top and any potential part-time jobs right under that. When describing your education as a high schooler, you can also list your relevant A-level subjects.

Student CV template—no experience example

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Writing a CV with no experience is always difficult. For a student CV template without experience, you must remember to have your education section on top. Follow it up with well-described skills, and then use the bonus CV sections to enhance your student CV and make it more appealing than those of other applicants.

Student CV template—new grad example

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With a new graduate CV example, there is one vital thing you don’t want to forget. Your personal statement should mention that you have already finished your studies. And if you’ve only worked as an intern or had a part-time job at the time of your studies, consider showing your education section above the work experience on your student CV.

Student CV template—example with experience

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If you’ve already worked whilst studying, your student CV will be almost unrecognisable from a regular CV. Spend a bit more time developing your work experience section than you would with any of the previous student CV examples.

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Good luck with your student CV!

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with LiveCareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Sources

• Tanya Maldonado: Samples of a PAR formula statements
• Earl E. McDowell, “Perceptions of the Ideal Cover Letter and Ideal Resume”
• Soyal James, “Study Shows Hiring Managers Look at Resumes for 7 Seconds, 3 Easy Resume Tips to Make a Strong Impression as an Immigrant”

Frequently asked questions about student CV

How to write a student CV in the UK?

Before you start writing, rethink your CV outline. Break your CV into must-have sections like personal details, CV profile, work experience or volunteering, skills, education, and additional sections. List your job experiences chronologically, starting from the most recent occupation. What’s also essential, write your CV aiming for consistency in style and tone to assure clarity and readability. If applying for multiple jobs, tailor your CV to each.

Where can I find good CV examples for students?

You can check our expert CV examples tailored to 60+ jobs if you seek specific samples to help your student CV. Find dedicated CVs for professions that might interest fresh graduates; these can be a receptionist CV, a sales assistant CV, a marketing CV, and many more. We’ve also got different guides to help you write your first CV, linked at the beginning of this article.

How do I write a CV for GCSE students?

When including GCSEs on your CV, specify the total number of exams taken and briefly summarise your grades. Do not list each individual GCSE, as it can lead to unnecessary clutter and consume valuable space on your CV with redundant information. Consider prioritizing your academic profile by putting it above your work history to highlight its significance.

How to write a CV for students with no experience in the UK?

If you don’t have professional experience, focus on these CV sections:

1. Contact details.
2. Personal profile.
3. Education and coursework.
4. Work history/volunteering.
5. Relevant skills.
6. Additional sections.

Include any extracurricular achievements you have. Write about your academic awards and honours, projects you worked on, or leadership positions you held. Mention hobbies and interests if they add value to your CV.

How long should a student CV be?

In most cases, the ideal CV length is 1–2 pages of A4 paper. However, when writing a student CV, you should strive for a single-page CV. It is enough to cover all the critical information recruiters expect to find through your application.

If you happen to go over the recommended length, adjust the font size or reduce the space between sections and entries. It will help condense the text volume and make your student’s CV more concise.

What to include in a student CV in the UK?

In a student CV with no experience, focus on skills and qualifications that make you the right candidate. Each section should be distinguished and present the most fundamental information first. For example, if you’re preparing your skills section, enlist your abilities, starting from those critical in your future role. You must also provide job-related keywords so your CV can be qualified by applicant tracking systems (ATS). See how to write an academic CV using dedicated templates and examples.

What are the best skills for a student CV?

The best skills for a student CV vary based on the targeted job. However, there’s a set of transferable skills that are universally relevant for most student CVs:

1. Time management
2. Good organisation
3. Communication
4. Presentation skills
5. Collaboration skills
6. Leadership qualities
7. Critical thinking
8. Self-motivation
9. Stress management
10. Adaptability

When preparing the skills section of your CV, align them with the demands of the position you’re interested in. Also, provide examples of how you have demonstrated these skills through your previous responsibilities.

How to write a student CV summary?

For a student CV summary that grabs a recruiter’s attention, include a few academic or professional achievements. If you don’t have work experience yet, recall relevant projects, part-time gigs, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities. Eventually, mention related coursework or certifications.

In your student CV profile, include 2 to 3 key skills that differentiate you from other candidates. Underline the abilities a recruiter searches for and lists in the job ad. Keep the whole short and concise, and use the third person. Read more about how to start a CV successfully.