Top 5 tips for writing a winning CV for master’s level study

Your CV is one of the most crucial documents to the success of your master’s course application.

1. Get to the point 

A good CV is one that’s concise and gets straight to the point. Don’t use 100 words to say what can be said with 10.

As a guide, you should aim for a CV that’s no longer than 2-3 pages. Anything longer will be a struggle for an admissions panel and potential employer alike to read, especially given the number of applications they receive.

Not sure whether to choose an online or on-campus masters degree? Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons: 

2. Include your qualifications and academic background 

At a minimum, you need to include details about your higher education. This includes start and end dates of any relevant degrees and your final degree result. 

You could also include details of any modules you took that are relevant to the course you're applying for. 

It’s useful to also include details about your secondary education. Include your ‘A’ Level results (or international equivalent), especially if they’re in subjects that are relevant to the master’s degree you’re applying for.

3. Highlight your relevant work experience 

It’s obvious that it’s important to include your work experience in your CV. But it’s vital that your CV only includes work experience details that are relevant to the master’s course you’re applying for.  

Your work experience details should include:

• The name of the organisation you worked for
• Your job title
• Your employment basis (e.g. full-time, part-time, etc.)
• Dates of your employment
• The country you worked in
• Brief details of what you achieved while in the role, particularly if it's relevant to your chosen course

If you’re looking to study a master's degree in the UK, you could be eligible to get funding for your studies. Find out more: 

4. Include any other relevant qualifications, professional memberships or skills 

If you’ve gained any other relevant qualifications (e.g. GMAT or English proficiency test scores) and/or you hold any relevant professional memberships, it’s a good idea to include details of these in your CV.

It’s also useful to include any relevant professional skills you have to help the admissions team determine your suitability for your chosen master’s course.

5. Don’t forget to spell check and make your CV presentable 

Don’t let all the time and effort you’ve put into writing your CV go to waste with a typo or an eyesore of a CV.

It’s vital that you remember to spell check your CV once you’ve written it. Even if it was a genuine mistake, a typo on your CV can make your CV look unprofessional in the eyes of an admissions panel or a potential employer, especially if clear written communication is an essential part of your course or role.

Also, you don’t need to have advanced graphic design skills to make your CV look presentable. Some simple formatting, such as using readable fonts and sufficient spacing, can go a long way to make your CV easier to read and presentable.

The University of Hull Online’s team of Student Advisers can answer any questions you may have about writing your CV and can guide you with tips and advice to help you put forward your best master’s course application. Feel free to contact our team by filling in the form below.