CV for a Master's Application: What Universities Want to See on Two Pages

TL;DR: A CV for a master's application is a short academic record, not a job pitch. Universities that ask for one want your education with grades, relevant work experience with exact dates, research or projects, and any awards or publications, tailored to the course. Oxford asks for one or two pages, and Imperial Business School recommends one side of A4 and no more than two. Every date and grade should match your transcripts, statement and references.

Many master's applications never ask for a CV. Business, MBA and some MSc and research-leaning programmes often do. When a CV is required, admissions staff read it next to your transcripts, statement and references, so it must tell the same story. If you are writing a CV for a master's application from Sri Lanka, the local points are near the end.

Not sure whether your chosen course needs a CV, or how your experience will be read? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

Do you need a CV for a master's application?

Only when the course asks for one. The University of Oxford says most of its graduate courses do not require a CV, and that one uploaded where it is not required will be removed.

Where a CV is required, the requests are specific:

• Imperial College Business School asks for a "full curriculum vitae" and to "ensure that you provide details of your work experience."
• The University of Melbourne (Master of Applied Data Analytics) asks for employers, positions, key responsibilities, full-time or part-time status and dates of employment, plus a 100-word note on how your experience is relevant.
• The University of Auckland MBA asks for "a detailed CV detailing education and employment history" that highlights skills and experience relevant to the programme.

Your course's "how to apply" page decides what goes in.

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How long should a master's application CV be?

One to two pages. Oxford says a required CV "should be one or two pages in length and provide a summary of your recent achievements", and adds that a page is often enough at master's level. Imperial Business School advises keeping it to one side of A4, "and definitely no more than two", in a simple, clear format.

Imperial also suggests including work experience or activities only if they are less than three years old, or relevant. That filter removes most padding.

What should each section include? A section-by-section guide

These headings follow Oxford's suggested structure, which you can reorder for each course. Imperial adds that the strongest applicants describe responsibility and impact, not only duties.

How is it different from a job CV?

The University of Edinburgh's careers service says a further study CV should be tailored to the programme and show skills such as self-motivation, research, persistence and problem solving.

How do you keep your CV consistent with the rest of your application?

Admissions teams compare documents. Imperial asks for official transcripts showing every module and mark, and contacts two referees at official academic or professional email addresses.

1. Match every date. Study dates should match your transcript; job dates should match what referees can confirm.
2. Use the same grade format. Write your grade exactly as the transcript shows it, then add the scale.
3. Link it to your statement. Your CV lists the evidence; your statement of purpose explains it.
4. Brief your referees. Send them your CV so their letter of recommendation describes the same roles and dates.
5. Account for gaps. The National Careers Service says a gap is not a problem, but be open and ready to explain it. Our guide to explaining a study gap covers the visa side.

For MBA applications, where progression matters more, see our guide to the MBA in the UK for international students.

Applying from Sri Lanka

• Write your degree class or GPA exactly as your transcript shows it, and add the scale (for example, out of 4.0).
• If a course asks for an explanation of the grading system, as Melbourne does, include your university's grading key.
• List A/L results only if the course asks for them.

Frequently asked questions

How many pages should a CV for a master's application be? One or two. Oxford asks for one or two pages, and Imperial Business School recommends one side of A4 and no more than two.

Do all master's courses ask for a CV? No. Oxford says most of its courses do not require one and removes a CV uploaded where it is not needed. Business, MBA and some other programmes do ask for it.

Should I include a photo or referees on the CV? None of the pages we read asked for a photo. Referees are usually entered separately in the application form, so leave them off unless asked.

What if I have a gap in my education or work history? Be open about it. State the reason briefly, and explain what you did and learned during that time in your statement.

PS: Your CV is often the shortest document in your application, and the one checked most against everything else. Write it last, once your statement and referees are settled, and the story will line up. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we can look at your full application with you.

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Sandeepani Wickramasinghe