Writing a UK-style CV may seem like a difficult task as a student, especially when you feel like you have little or no experience, or your experiences have no relation to the new job you intend to apply for.

The truth is that a well-written CV is a free pass to landing that dream job, internships, graduate opportunities, or desired position, regardless of where you stand in your career journey. 

Curriculum Vitae (CV), unlike a resume, can span one to two pages or more, emphasising educational background, relevant or previous experience, skills, certifications, and language proficiency.

The arrangement and organisation should show how well you have done, not necessarily how much you have done, even as a student. 

How to write a UK-style CV as an international student.

Start with a strong personal profile

Every effective CV begins with a strong introduction and personal profile. This is a short paragraph that introduces you, your interests, and career goals, as well as what you offer.

This paragraph should have a strong and assertive tone and words, and not generic phrases that give the employers a reason to keep reading. 

Here is an example;

A motivated third-year International Business Marketing student at the University of Manchester with an interest in digital marketing.

Highly experienced in social media management and customer engagement, and currently seeking an internship to apply digital and creative skills in a real-world setting. 

Include contact information 

Everyone wants to be contacted when they apply to a job opening, but that will not be possible without contact information.

The name should be boldly written on top, and beneath that, a list of your contact details (email, phone number, and LinkedIn URL) should follow. Personal details like age, marital status, and photo are usually not necessary as UK employers do not expect those personal details. 

It is important to note that when giving out contact details, everything should be professional, especially email addresses. Here is an example; 

GRACE BATCH

[email protected]

+444-7293462238

LinkedIn URL linkedin.con/in/gracebatch 

Educational background 

As a student, this is the strongest place to show your interests, academic strengths, achievements, and relevant coursework or projects that demonstrate your capabilities. 

Here is an example 

BA (Hons) International Business Marketing, University of Manchester (in view, expected March 2026)

Relevant Modules: Digital Marketing, Data structure and management, Business Networking. 

Seminar presentations: 

• International Business Trade
• Business and Networking
• Digital Marketing 

Notable achievements: 

• Led a 5-team debate on International trade that focused on developing a new international trade model. 

Human Resource Management Associate (HRMA), University of Leeds (April 2024)

Diploma in International Management, University of Chicago ( September 2022). 

List past experiences, internships, and volunteering 

Most students find this section most challenging. Many feel they haven't got a real job yet, and they think they have no experience, but that's not true.

Internships, volunteering, externships, extracurricular activities, and student leadership roles are all part of experiences. The key is to frame them using action verbs and achievements, not just responsibilities. Here is an example:

Social Media Manager 

University of Manchester Student Council | August 2024- Present

Key Achievements 

• Managed council social media pages and increased followers by 30%
• Increased post engagement by 40%
• Created a weekly content schedule and collaborated with the design team to produce quality student-led content. 

Add skill section that matches the role

Every employer is very much interested in the skills of an employee, which are preferably tailored to the role for which the CV is written.

Listing soft skills, hard, technical, and transferable skills is very important to the opportunity of landing the role. This should be written in clear and concise terms. Avoid vague or cliché words like "team player". 

Achievements, certifications, and extracurriculars

This is as important as the educational background section. Many employers are eager to see what has been done in the past, certifications, and achievements.

UK employers value well-rounded candidates. Have you won an award or completed online courses? The employers are eager to know. Adding a link to these certifications and awards is also a plus. 

Here is an example 

Additional Achievements and Certifications 

• Coursera: Introduction to Content Management 
• University of Manchester International Trade Challenge, 2nd place winner. 

Keep it clean and professional 

Formatting matters. A clean and well-arranged CV is easier to assess. Be consistent with one font, font size, clear heading, and bullet points. Be careful of spelling and typographical errors. Use bold for section headings and save as a PDF unless stated otherwise. 

Tailor it for every opportunity 

Think of your CV as a mirror; it should not only reflect you but also reflect what the employer is looking for. No two companies are the same, and no two roles are the same, so your CV shouldn't be either.

Read each job description carefully and tailor your CV to suit the job description. If the employer is asking for certain skills and language, showcase past projects and collaborations that fit into the employer's description. 

Have a cover letter

A cover letter is an elaborated version of your CV and should not be overlooked. They show your genuine interest and help pad your CV, especially when experience is limited. 

Crafting a UK-style CV as a student can feel intimidating, especially if you believe your experience is limited.

But the truth is, a strong CV isn’t about having done everything—it’s about presenting what you have done in a clear, professional, and compelling way.

From a strong personal profile to tailored skills, relevant coursework, internships, certifications, and formatting, every section plays a part in positioning you as a capable, growing professional—even extracurriculars and volunteer work count when framed with action and impact.

Remember: the goal is to make your CV mirror both who you are and what the employer is looking for—this means tailoring it for every opportunity, keeping it clean and concise, and including a cover letter to show genuine interest.

And as you build your future career in the UK or anywhere abroad, managing your finances shouldn’t hold you back. With OhentPay, you can seamlessly receive stipends, send money back home, and make cross-border payments with ease and transparency.

Whether you're applying for internships, moving abroad for studies, or funding online certifications, OhentPay helps you stay financially flexible—no matter where your CV takes you.