Graduate CV template

Your degree leads as a highlighted card, then projects and part-time work. No photo.

Best for first jobs. Sidebar layout, modern and creative, in blue.

£4.99 one-off · CV + matching cover letter · PDF and Word. Secure checkout by Stripe, instant access, no subscription. Or try it free with your details first.

Colourways of the Graduate design: Campus, Honours, Varsity.

What's included

  • A matching cover letter in the same design
  • A4, laid out for UK applications
  • Real, selectable text that online application systems can read
  • Switch template any time without losing a word
  • AI writing help for your profile, achievements and letter (up to 60 AI actions)
  • PDF and Word downloads of your CV and letter
  • Edit and download again any time, no subscription

What to put on a graduate CV

When you leave university, your degree is usually the strongest thing on your CV. This graduate CV template puts it first as a highlighted card, with room for your classification, modules and dissertation, then moves on to projects and part-time work. It suits final year students, recent graduates and anyone applying for graduate schemes or entry-level roles, and it has no photo.

Many graduate schemes use online forms, while smaller employers and recruiters ask for a CV. Write yours here and preview every page for free, with no account needed. Pay £4.99 once to download it as PDF and Word, with a matching cover letter included. The text is real and selectable, and you can switch to any other template at any time without losing a word.

Give your degree in full

Name the degree, university, dates and classification, such as a 2:1, or your predicted grade if you have not finished. Add three or four relevant modules and your dissertation title, with one line on what you found or built.

Treat projects like jobs

Group work, your dissertation, a society event you organised or a personal project can all show real skills. Say what the task was, what you did and what came out of it, such as a report, a website or money raised.

Make part-time work count

Bar, retail and call centre jobs show reliability, teamwork and dealing with customers. Give each one a line or two that links to the job you want, such as handling complaints or training new starters.

Match the skills in the advert

Graduate adverts often list skills like problem solving, communication and commercial awareness. Pick the ones named in the advert and give a short, real example of each in your profile or experience.

Keep it to one or two pages

One side of A4 works for many graduates, and two is fine if you have a placement year or internships. Put A levels on one line and keep GCSEs brief unless the employer asks for detail.

See a full graduate CV example

Questions

What should a graduate CV include?

Contact details, a short profile, your degree with classification, relevant modules and dissertation, then projects, placements and part-time work. Add skills such as software, languages or data analysis, and any societies or volunteering that show responsibility. Keep everything focused on the kind of role you are applying for.

Should I put my degree classification on my CV?

Yes. Many graduate employers look for it, and leaving it off can make a reader assume the worst. If you have not graduated yet, give your predicted classification and the year you expect to finish. Some employers no longer set a minimum, but the information still helps.

Do I need to include my A levels and GCSEs?

Include your A levels or equivalent on one line with grades, as some graduate schemes still ask for them. GCSEs can be summed up briefly, such as nine GCSEs including English and Maths. As you gain more work experience, these sections can shrink further.

How long should a graduate CV be?

One or two sides of A4. Most graduates fit everything on one page, and a second page is fine if you have a placement year, internships or substantial projects. Cut older school details and anything that does not support the job before you add a page.

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