All guides
July 7, 20268 min read
How to Write an Academic CV for PhD and Scholarship Applications
Complete guide to writing a strong academic CV for PhD applications and scholarship programmes: what sections to include, formatting tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
Application TipsPhDScholarshipEmail Tips
Your academic CV is often the first document a potential supervisor or scholarship committee reads. A well-structured CV can make the difference between getting an interview and being ignored.
Academic CV vs. Resume
An academic CV is a comprehensive record of your academic achievements, publications, and experience. Unlike a one-page resume for industry jobs, an academic CV can be 2 to 4 pages and grows as your career progresses.
Essential Sections
1. Contact Information
Full name, professional email, ORCID ID if you have one, LinkedIn or Google Scholar URL, phone with country code.
2. Education
List degrees in reverse chronological order: degree title and field, university, graduation date, thesis title, GPA (if above 3.5).
3. Research Experience
For each position: lab name, supervisor, dates, and 3 to 5 bullet points describing your contributions. Use active verbs: developed, implemented, analysed, published.
4. Publications
Separate into: Journal Articles, Conference Papers, Preprints, Works in Progress. Use the citation format standard in your field. Include papers under review.
5. Awards and Scholarships
Name of award, awarding institution, year received.
6. Teaching Experience
Course name, your role, semester, responsibilities.
7. Technical Skills
Programming languages, research tools, lab techniques, languages.
8. References
Name, title, institution, email of 2 to 3 referees who have agreed to be listed.
Formatting Rules
- Clean readable font, 11pt or 12pt
- Consistent heading styles
- PDF format only (never Word or Pages)
- File name: Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf
- No photo, age, marital status, or nationality
- One-inch margins, no large blocks of text
Common Mistakes
Too Long or Too Short
3 pages is ideal for a Master's student applying to PhD programs. Do not pad with irrelevant experience. Do not leave out important publications.
Including Irrelevant Work Experience
Your summer job as a barista is not relevant. Include only academic, research, and teaching experience.
Bad Formatting
Professors read CVs quickly. Inconsistent formatting signals sloppy research.
Grammatical Errors
Ask a native speaker or your supervisor to review your CV before sending.
Forgetting to Update
Always update your CV before sending. Check that your current institution, date, and publications are up to date.
Tailoring Your CV
For each application, review the programme's requirements. If they emphasise machine learning, move your ML experience higher. If they value teaching, expand your teaching section.
Tip: PDF only, clean 11–12pt font, no photo — and always name the file Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf.
A strong academic CV opens doors. Invest the time to make it clear, complete, and professional.
Related guides
Open Doors Russia Scholarship 2027: The Complete Application Guide
Full guide to the Open Doors International Olympiad by Rossotrudnichestvo: full Russian state scholarships for Master's and PhD studies, eligibility, exam format, timeline, universities, funding benefits, and application tips.
How to Get a Fully Funded PhD in Germany (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to funded PhD positions in Germany: DAAD scholarships, research stipends, TV-L 13 contracts, and how to find open positions at German universities.
DAAD Scholarship 2026: Requirements, Deadlines, and Application Tips
Everything you need to know about DAAD scholarships for 2026: eligibility, required documents, application deadlines, and tips for a successful application to the German Academic Exchange Service.