Academic CV - Template & Writing Tips
clickHere

Academic CV - Template & Writing Tips

5 mins read1.3L Views 11 Comments
Talk to Expert Icon BlueTalk to Expert
clickHere
Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Mar 18, 2025 13:48 IST

Check out the standard academic resume format to see how to write a good academic resume for a college/university. When preparing an Academic Resume, there are simple rules and guidelines which every student must keep in mind. Essentially, they are not much different from a resume you normally prepare. Download a free sample.

Academic CV - Template & Writing Tips

Crafting an academic CV is essential for showcasing your research, teaching experience, and academic achievements when applying for positions in academia or research. Unlike a standard CV, an academic CV focuses on your educational background, publications, grants, awards, and professional appointments in detail.

There are certain guidelines that you need to follow when preparing your Academic Resume. Fundamentally, an academic resume is similar to a generic resume. An Academic CV is a 1–2-page document that aims at capturing your candidature by highlighting your achievements.

A key difference between an Academic Resume, and a Generic CV is that the former is devoid of summary, aim, or objective. Furthermore, to understand how to write an impressive resume, you need to have a clear idea of the content you must include, and the format that you must adhere to. Showcasing academic qualifications in a resume is most important for this type of document. In this guide, we provide a comprehensive academic CV template along with expert writing tips to help you create a standout document.

What is an Academic Resume?

An academic resume is a specialized application document utilized by study abroad aspirants as they apply for their intended course or program in their dream university. Unlike standard resumes, academic ones contain additional details relevant to academia. Along with basic information like contact details, a professional summary, educational history, certifications, research expertise, and skills, they will portray your co-curricular activities as well such as publications, conference attendance, accolades, fellowships, and grants. Consequently, if you are including academic qualifications in a resume, it will be longer than non-academic ones. Now, we will learn how to write educational qualifications in a resume by going through the proper format for the same.

Academic CV Template

The following is an  academic CV template for international students. This is the format that you can use in your academic resume when applying for MS and PhD programs to abroad universities:

Begin by adding a box. 

FULL NAME

Address: (Complete postal address with city, pin code, state and country)

Contact No: _________________; Email: ______________________

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

If you are confused about how to write educational qualifications in a resume, then read the section given below to know the things to be incorporated:

The name of the degree, institution, and location must be incorporated here.

  • Postgraduate Degree (Specialization), Name of the University/ Institute, City, Year, (CGPA/ percentage) (if applicable)
  • Undergraduate Degree (Specialization), Name of the University/ Institute, City, Year, (CGPA/ percentage) (if applicable)

All study abroad applicants are requested to follow the format given below when including their educational qualifications in their resume for academic purposes. Mention your details chronologically.

Score Predictor

Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!

Share 12th Board, Percentage, english score
Get estimated scores or IELTS, TOEFL & PTE


WORK EXPERIENCE

Designation, Department, Organisation, City (when-when)

  • Write your roles, and responsibilities in bullet points here.
  • Keep the list brief, and to the point and use action words to begin your sentences, for example, developed, created, handled, led, demonstrated, innovated, initiated etc.
  • Highlight any special award you have received in the organization, any special appreciation or any innovative idea you might have implemented. Remember to highlight the result/outcome in the latter case.
  • Project Name: Mention the name of the client/ project you have worked on if applicable
  • Technologies Employed: If you have worked on any niche technology, mention it here

INTERNSHIPS/ INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

What? Where? When? Mention your findings and learning in each case

INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE

Mention in detail, if any

Also, mention if participated in any exchange programs and how you were selected.








RESEARCH PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN

An important aspect; mention in detail all projects that have been undertaken. Please use the following format:

Title:

Location: Institution, City

Duration: (when – when)

Team Size:

Brief Description: (Write a short paragraph of 50-80 words here)







Individual Role: (Write in bullet points)

 

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Mention in detail – where have you used those skills

  • Languages: Ex. C language, PHP, CSS
  • Database Management System: Ex. My SQL
  • Operating Systems: Ex. Microsoft Office 2003, 2007, 2010
  • Design Software: Ex. CATIA, AutoCAD

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Mention if any

CERTIFICATIONS

Mention if any

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Mention if any (for example, seminars, workshops, technical presentations or fests, conferences, papers, publications etc.)

RecommendationView All

Explore MS colleges in UK

University of Manchester

Manchester, UKPublic

1 courses
28.97 L - 28.97 L
1 courses
36.47 L - 36.47 L
1 courses
32.83 L - 32.83 L
University of Bristol

Bristol, UKPublic

1 courses
32.95 L - 32.95 L
University of Bath

Bath, UKPublic

3 courses
27.02 L - 30.59 L
Durham University

Durham, UKPublic

1 courses
38.63 L - 38.63 L
University of Exeter

Exeter, UKPublic

1 courses
35.22 L - 35.22 L
University of Surrey

Guildford, UKPublic

1 courses
23.29 L - 23.29 L
University of Nottingham

Nottingham, UKPublic

1 courses
30.85 L - 30.85 L
University of East Anglia

Norwich, UKPublic

1 courses
22.49 L - 22.49 L
Is this recommendation relevant?
  • Use this space to mention any papers that you presented/ published, any specific seminars you presented, conferences or workshops attended etc.
  • You can create separate sub-sections if the number is too high

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Mention if any, with proper details of what, where, when, your role etc.

  • Highlight any extracurricular participation/ achievements.
  • List only inter-college, district, state, national or international-level events
  • Debates/ quizzes/ sports/ theatre are all to be clubbed
  • Write in reverse chronological order
  • Avoid listing out certificates received in school until they were of national/ international level

COMMUNITY SERVICE/ SOCIAL WORK

Mention if any, with proper details

Discuss any volunteer work or social work done

-----------END----------

Tips for Writing an Exemplary Academic CV

We have provided an acceptable format for your academic resume which you can use to create your resume for MS or PhD courses above. Now, you know the appropriate way of including academic qualifications in resume. However, there are certain fundamentals that you need to understand, and be mindful of while drafting your academic resume. Here are some basic suggestions that you need to remember throughout the time that you invest in creating the perfect academic resume draft.

  • Keep the font consistent throughout your academic resume.
  • All the content such as degrees, and professional responsibilities must be given in bullet points. Do not write in paragraphs. This applies to all sections.
  • Do not use abbreviations in your academic resume.
  • Keep your academic resume well within two pages only. If it goes beyond that, then mention only significant ones, and remove the rest.
  • Avoid using personal pronouns in your academic resume.
  • Keep the document in ‘justified’ alignment
  • Present your details briefly and crisply. It should not look haphazard, or messy.
  • Write your experiences, or degrees reverse chronologically, making them easier to comprehend.
  • Mention the skills that you acquired throughout your academic, and professional journeys.
  • Provide your contact number, name, address, and e-mail address as mentioned in your passport.

If you need to submit an academic resume under your application documents, then following the suggestions, and format given above, will surely provide you the best help, leading to your success. In the end, make sure you have followed the format correctly with the right alignment, spacing, and margin, and, properly portray your educational qualification in your resume. This will help the admissions officer understand your academic resume easily, making your applicant stand out amongst the rest.

Looking for Abroad Counselling? Get Free Profile Evaluation from Shiksha Expert Counsellors - Sign Up Now

 

 

 Also Read

Have more queries? Write to us in the comments section below and we shall get back to you!

Q:   How can you create a good CV for academic purposes?
A:

Follow the points given below:

  • Create a different academic CV for every application, based on the conditions, or requirements given by the institution you are applying to.
  • Focus on your academic accomplishments and the key areas that you are interested in researching.
  • Do not use personal pronouns or excessive jargon.
  • Present your academic projects, and research publications reverse chronologically, with the required details.
Q:   How can you organize your academic CV?
A:

Write content under standard headings, with appropriate details. Remove the headings, and sub-headings that do not apply to you, to give your academic CV a crisp look.

Q:   What is the standard page limit for an academic CV?
A:

Your academic CV must be concise, with holistic, and to-the-point details regarding your educational qualifications, and academic accomplishments. Keep your academic CV between two, to two and a half pages long.

Q:   What should you not do in your academic CV?
A:

Some tips on what you should not write in your academic CV:

  • Do not exaggerate, or lie in your academic CV about your educational qualifications.
  • Do not overload information, and keep only relevant details.
  • Do not neglect the proper formatting of your resume.
  • Do not use fancy words, or jargon, use generic words.
Q:   How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
A:

Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.

  • Know the exam pattern
  • Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
  • Solve previous year question papers
  • Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
  • Revise regularly
  • Figure out weaker areas and learn them well

With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.

Q:   Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
A:

International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:

English Language Test

 Score

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section

The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:

English Language Test

 Score

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 72 to 114

PTE

Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section

Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities

Q:   What are the English language test scores required at the South Wales University?
A:

The English language test score required at the Univerisyt of South Wales are mentioned in the table below for the international applicants whose first language is not English

Exam

Minimum Scores

IELTS

6.0 with at least 5.5 in each band

TOEFL

72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

PTE

a score of 59 overall and 59 in each component.

Q:   Is the degree awarded in Dubai campus same as the one awarded in Heriot Watt UK campus?
A:

Yes, all the graduates receive a British degree irrespective of the campus locations. Programs follow similar patterns and examinations on all campuses. The degree awarded is even recognised by the reputed institutions and also approved by Royal Charter in UK.

About the Author
author-image
Written by
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content

Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new... Read Full Bio

Explore popular study destinations
Resources for you
Understand the process step by step by referring to these guides curated just for you
qna

Comments

(11)

R

Ramya Ratish

3 years ago

Hi, Do I write my full name on the CV according to my passport or according to my government id?

Reply to Ramya Ratish

R

Rahul Singha

2 years ago

Hello Ramya. Please note that your Passport is a part of your government ID. Hence, It is advisable to have the same name on all government IDs to avoid any kind of confusion later on.

N

Narayana Gupta

3 years ago

mam i am confused about the coaching centres , from which institute I shall take classes. Actually google has mixed reactions......i have taken demo class of Top 1 %............ is it good institute ?.

Reply to Narayana Gupta

Which coaching centres are you referring to and for what? Please clearly state your query so that we can help you accordingly.

13524669
Debanshu Dhyani

4 years ago

hello , i have a question what if there a gap after my garduation ,should i mention that in my resume .Do i need to justify that ?

Reply to Debanshu Dhyani

7083717
Shilpa Saxena

4 years ago

Dear Debanshu While applying to abroad universities, it is very essential to justify the gap years. However, they need to be justified via Essays or SOPs. Only if you have a certification or proof of any activity that can be included in the CV, you must do that. Otherwise, it is not mandatory to fil

...Read more

i have completed my undergraduate from an institution , in my cv should i put the institution name or the university name . thank you

Reply to Naimur Rahman Durjoy

7083717
Shilpa Saxena

4 years ago

Dear Naimur, Ideally, you should write both the institute's as well as the university's name. Follow this: Completed from affiliated to with a score of __% OR with __ CGPA in Year.

Y

YASH RAJ

4 years ago

I have completed my Diploma and Bachelors in Mechanical Engg. I studied my UG 3 years due to direct second year (lateral entry) admission. Do I need to submit my Diploma transcripts or UG Transcripts is suffice for my Masters in Canada? And also do I need to submit my 10th transcript Please advise.

Reply to YASH RAJ

7083717
Shilpa Saxena

4 years ago

Dear Yash, You would need to provide the transcripts of both your Diploma as well as Degree to prove your eligibility for a master's degree. A University may also ask you to provide your 10th mask sheet as well. So, it is recommended that keep all your academic proofs ready.