Applying to study abroad can be an exciting but challenging process — especially when it comes to preparing your CV. If you’re unsure how to write a strong CV that will help you stand out to international universities, don’t worry! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create the perfect CV for your study abroad application.
Why Is a CV Important for Studying Abroad?
Unlike a professional CV, which is focused on job experience and achievements in the workplace, an academic CV subtly shifts the focus to your educational background, academic interests, extracurricular activities, and future potential. Your CV is often the first impression universities get of you. It shows your academic background, skills, experiences, and achievements — basically, why you’re the right candidate for their program. A well-written CV can boost your chances of admission and even scholarships.
Step 1: Choose the Right CV Format
For studying abroad, the Europass CV is the most widely accepted and recognized format — especially in Europe. It’s clean, professional, and easy to read.
- You can create your Europass CV online for free here: Europass Website. If you’re applying outside Europe, check if your target country has a preferred format. Otherwise, Europass is a great standard choice.
- If you want a more personalized or creative look, platforms like Canva offer many great CV templates. Just make sure the design you choose is clean, professional, and easy to read — avoid overly colorful or cluttered layouts.
Step 2: Structure Your CV Properly
A strong CV is all about clarity, organization and facts. Admissions officers often review hundreds of applications, so your CV needs to make key information quick and easy to find.
Think of your CV as a movie trailer: short, impactful, and focused on your greatest qualities. It should highlight your most relevant strengths and achievements to grab attention and make the admissions team want to learn more. Keep it clean, consistent, and easy to scan, with clearly labeled sections and a logical flow.
Step 3: Write Clearly and Concisely
When writing your CV, remember: less is more. Keep it short and sweet — ideally one or two pages max.
Use bullet points to make your information easy to read at a glance. This helps busy admission staff quickly find the important details. Start your bullet points with strong action verbs like organized, developed, or collaborated to make your experiences sound active and impressive. And avoid weak words such as: did, made, did stuff/things…
And lastly, don’t get caught up in fancy language — avoid unnecessary jargon or complicated phrases. Your CV should be clear and straightforward so everyone understands your strengths easily.
Step 4: Tailor Your CV for Each Application
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to CVs! Make sure you customize your CV for every program you apply to by highlighting the skills and experiences that matter most to them. Take the time to read the program description carefully and match your CV to what they’re looking for.
For example, if you’re applying to an engineering program, put the spotlight on your technical skills, relevant projects, or any hands-on experience you have. This shows you understand what’s important and makes your application stronger.
Step 5: Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!
Before you hit send, take time to carefully check your CV for typos, spelling mistakes, and formatting errors. It’s always a great idea to ask a teacher, mentor, or friend to review it too — fresh eyes can catch things you might miss.
Remember, a clean, mistake-free CV shows that you’re professional and pay attention to details — qualities every university loves to see!
Here’s a breakdown of the essential sections to include:
1.Personal Information
When writing a CV for your university application, it’s important to present your personal information clearly and professionally. Start with your full name exactly as it appears on your official documents. Including your date of birth is usually recommended, as universities often use this information to verify your identity and records.
Next up, your contact details. This might seem obvious, but make sure the phone number you give is one you actually answer! And your email? Keep it simple and professional. Think your name, maybe with a number if needed—nothing like “cooldude123” or anything too casual as these can make a bad impression. If your current email isn’t professional enough, consider creating a new one just for your university applications and future professional use.
Also, don’t forget to mention your nationality, especially if you hold more than one citizenship. This can help the university with admission formalities, visa processing, or scholarship eligibility.
Now, about the photo: adding a professional-looking picture can really help your CV stand out. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a clean photo against a plain white background. Dress like you’re going to an interview—something neat like a shirt or smart casual. Avoid selfies or photos from your Instagram feed. Keep your look natural—minimal makeup and no flashy accessories. If you don’t have a recent photo, a passport picture works just fine.
By paying attention to these details, you’ll create a strong and professional CV that helps you stand out in your university application.
2.Education
When it comes to listing your education, keep it simple and organized by starting with the most recent school or program you attended and working backward. If you’re applying for a bachelor’s program, include your high school education; if you’re applying for a master’s, listing just your bachelor’s degree is enough. Be sure to include the degree or diploma you earned (or are pursuing), the dates you attended, and your GPA if it’s strong or required.
If you’ve taken any courses or worked on projects that relate directly to the program you’re applying for, don’t hesitate to mention those! This is a great way to show your interest and experience in the field before you even start university. Highlighting relevant coursework or projects can really help admissions officers see that you’re serious and prepared.
3. Work Experience (if any)
This is the part of your CV where you get to show what you’ve done outside the classroom—internships, part-time jobs, volunteering, activism, or anything else that gave you real-world experience. And if you still haven’t done any our honest advice? Start building it now. Intern somewhere, volunteer for a cause you care about, or get involved in student organizations. These experiences don’t just fill your CV—they shape your future. Many companies are happy to bring in interns and actually teach them useful skills.
Now, for those of you who’ve already had several jobs and don’t know which ones to include: stick to the relevant ones. If a job or internship is connected to the field you’re applying for—or if it gave you transferable skills like teamwork, communication, or problem-solving—it’s worth including. And yes, your CV should fit on two pages max, so no need to list that summer job from years ago unless it really makes sense.
For each experience, write down when you worked there (start and end dates), the name of the organization and list your responsibilities. Explain what you did with key points and don’t get caught up in details.
And one more thing—get recommendation letters while you’re still in the role. They’re often required for university applications and can really strengthen your profile.
4. Languages
This is the part where all the effort you’ve put into learning a language finally pays off. Universities want to see not only which languages you speak but also how well you speak them—especially the one you’ll be studying in.
For each language, list your proficiency level using the CEFR scale (A1 to C2). Be honest in your self-assessment—it’s important to reflect your actual ability. For example, saying you’re fluent in French when you can only order a croissant might not work in your favor.
But here’s the thing: when applying for studies abroad, self-assessment alone isn’t enough. Most universities require an official language certificate—especially for the language your program is taught in. If it’s English, the most commonly accepted certificates are TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge English exams. Generally, a B2 level or higher is the minimum required.
If you’re not quite there yet — don’t panic! EAC offers preparation courses for English language tests like TOEFL, IELTS and PTE, led by experienced instructors who know exactly what these exams require and how to help you succeed.
And the best part? We’re an official TOEFL and PTE test center, which means you can prepare and take the test in one place — no extra stress, no running around. Want to know more about our language prep options and upcoming test dates? Click here
5. Personal skills
This is the part where you highlight your strengths — the skills that make you stand out. Think of both technical and personal (soft) skills.
Your technical skills could include things like using basic software tools (e.g., Microsoft Office), design or editing programs, or general computer literacy. Even if you’re just starting out, mention the tools or platforms you’re comfortable using depending of your field.
Your soft skills are just as important — things like communication, teamwork, adaptability, or time management. Think about how you interact with others and how you approach challenges.
We recommend listing around 3–5 technical skills and 3–5 soft skills — enough to show your strengths without going overboard. Choose the ones that best reflect who you are and what you’re bringing to your future studies.
Be honest, clear, and intentional — quality over quantity is key here!
6. Achievements and Awards
This is your chance to shine by showing what you’ve accomplished beyond everyday schoolwork. Think about scholarships, competitions, academic honors, or certificates you’ve earned for languages, special courses, or standout projects.
Anything that highlights your dedication, hard work, and excellence belongs here! These achievements tell universities that you’re motivated and ready to take on new challenges.
Aim to include your most important and relevant achievements—there’s no need to list everything, just the ones that make you proud and support your application.
7. Extracurricular Activities and Interests
Don’t forget to share what you do outside the classroom! This includes sports, clubs, artistic hobbies, community service, or any other activities you’re passionate about.
Including these helps universities see the real you—your interests, your energy, and your ability to balance different parts of your life. It shows that you’re not just focused on academics but are a well-rounded person who brings something unique to the table.
Bonus Tips to Make Your CV Shine
- Add links to your portfolio or LinkedIn if you have relevant work or projects online.
- Highlight intercultural experiences such as ERASMUS, language schools abroad, or international events — these show your adaptability and global mindset.
Writing the best CV for studying abroad may seem overwhelming, but with a clear plan and attention to detail, you can craft a CV that truly reflects your strengths and potential. Start early, be honest and professional, and don’t hesitate to seek feedback.
If you want, professional feedback EAC can help you polish your CV and application documents to perfection.
Good luck — your international adventure awaits!