Guide · 6 min read
How to write a student CV: a simple guide for university students
A clear, no-jargon walkthrough of writing a student CV that recruiters actually read — what to include, how to order it, and how to make limited experience look strong.
The sections of a student CV
A strong student CV fits on one page and leads with education. Around it, you add the experiences that show skills — even if they didn't come from a formal job.
- Contact details — name, professional email, phone, city, LinkedIn and GitHub.
- Personal summary — two or three lines on who you are and what you want.
- Education — degree, expected grade, relevant modules and achievements.
- Projects — coursework and personal projects, described by outcome.
- Experience — part-time work, internships, volunteering and societies.
- Skills — tools, technologies and languages relevant to the role.
Write it step by step
Lead with education
As a student, your degree is your headline. Add modules, grades and academic achievements.
Turn tasks into achievements
Start each bullet with an action verb and add a result or number where you can.
Tailor to each application
Mirror the language of the job description so the CV matches the role.
Keep it to one clean page
Use a simple, ATS-friendly template and proofread carefully.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Listing duties instead of achievements.
- A generic summary that could belong to anyone.
- Fancy layouts that confuse applicant tracking systems.
- Typos and inconsistent formatting.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a student CV be?
One page. Keep it focused and remove anything that isn't relevant.
What if I have no experience?
Lead with education and projects. See our no-experience guide.
Can Careero write it for me?
Careero drafts your summary and rewrites your notes into strong bullets — you stay in control. Start free.
Turn this guide into a finished CV
Careero applies all of these best practices automatically as you build.
Create My CV