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Student CV examples (UK)

Four complete CVs for school, sixth form, college and university students — each with a note on why it works. The people are fictional; the structure is what employers want.

What does a good student CV look like in the UK?

A good UK student CV fits on one page: contact details, a short personal statement naming the role you want, education with grades or predicted grades, experience including part-time work, volunteering and projects described with real tasks, and a line of key skills. University students can stretch to two pages if every line is relevant.

Last reviewed by the Shine careers team.

Example 1: Year 11 student, no work experience

Aisha Khan · Leeds · aisha.khan@email.com · 07700 900123

Personal statement

Year 11 student studying 9 GCSEs including maths, English and computer science. Looking for a Saturday job in retail or hospitality, available all day Saturdays and Sunday mornings. Organised, friendly and used to working in a team.

Education

  • Roundhay High School, 2021–2026 — GCSEs predicted: maths 7, English language 6, computer science 7, and six others at 5–7

Experience and achievements

  • Volunteer, local food bank (Saturdays, 2025–now): sorting donations, packing parcels, helping visitors
  • Netball team captain, school team (2024–now)
  • Babysitting for two families, regular evenings

Skills

Customer service · teamwork · Microsoft Word and Excel · conversational Urdu

References available on request.

Why it works: No paid work, but the food bank and captaincy prove reliability. Availability is in the first two lines.

Example 2: Sixth form student applying for an apprenticeship

Tom Reilly · Coventry · tom.reilly@email.com · 07700 900456

Personal statement

Year 13 student taking A levels in maths, physics and product design, applying for a Level 3 or degree engineering apprenticeship. I enjoy fixing and building things and have rebuilt two bikes and a moped engine in my spare time.

Education

  • Coventry Sixth Form, 2024–2026 — A levels predicted: maths B, physics B, product design A
  • GCSEs (2024): 8 at grades 9–5 including maths 7 and English 6

Experience and achievements

  • Kitchen porter, local pub (weekends, 2025–now)
  • Work experience week, engineering workshop (June 2025): CNC set-up, quality checks
  • Product design coursework: designed and 3D-printed a bike phone mount

Skills

CAD (Fusion 360) · hand tools · problem solving · full UK driving licence

References available on request.

Why it works: Every line points at engineering. Hobby projects are written as evidence, not interests.

Example 3: College / T Level student

Megan Jones · Cardiff · megan.jones@email.com · 07700 900789

Personal statement

Second-year Level 3 health and social care student with placement experience in a care home. Looking for a healthcare support worker role or a nursing degree apprenticeship from September.

Education

  • Cardiff and Vale College, 2024–2026 — Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care, predicted Distinction*
  • GCSEs (2024): 7 including maths 5 and English 6

Experience and achievements

  • Placement student, residential care home (2025–2026): personal care support, activities, handover notes
  • Sales assistant, pharmacy (part-time, 2024–now)

Skills

Person-centred care · safeguarding awareness · record keeping · Welsh (basic)

References available on request.

Why it works: The placement is described with real tasks. Course grade and target role are clear in the first lines.

Example 4: University student

Daniel Osei · Bristol · daniel.osei@email.com · 07700 900321

Personal statement

Second-year BSc environmental science student seeking a summer placement in sustainability or environmental consultancy. Experienced in field sampling and data analysis in Excel and R.

Education

  • University of Bristol, 2024–2027 — BSc Environmental Science, on track for a 2:1
  • A levels (2024): geography A, biology B, maths B

Experience and achievements

  • Student ambassador, university outreach team (2025–now): led campus tours for 200+ visitors
  • Barista, independent café (2023–now)
  • Dissertation fieldwork: river water quality sampling across 12 sites

Skills

R and Excel data analysis · GIS (QGIS) · public speaking · first aid certificate

References available on request.

Why it works: Numbers make each line concrete. Part-time work stays on, but shorter than relevant experience.

Student CV FAQs

What should a student CV include?
Contact details, a two- or three-line personal statement saying what you're looking for, education with grades or predicted grades, any experience including part-time work, volunteering and projects, key skills, and a note that references are available. Keep it to one page at school or college and no more than two at university.
How do I write a student CV with no experience?
Put education first, then use clubs, sport, volunteering, school projects, babysitting or helping in a family business as your experience. Describe what you actually did in each one. Employers hiring students expect little or no paid work history.
How long should a student CV be?
One page for school and college students. University students can use up to two pages if the content is relevant, but one tight page is usually stronger.
Should I use a CV template?
A simple, clean layout is best: clear headings, one font, no photos, no graphics. Many employers use software to read CVs, and plain layouts are read most reliably.

Writing your very first CV at 16? Read how to write a CV with no experience.

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