CV guide · Updated 15 October 2026
Student CV: a free UK template to copy
A student CV is short, clear and honest about where you are: studying, with some experience from part-time work, volunteering or your course. Employers hiring students expect exactly that. Here's a structure you can copy, then fill in with your own details.
The student CV template (copy and paste)
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Name and contact | Name, mobile, a sensible email, town or city. LinkedIn if it's up to date. |
| Profile (3 lines) | [Year] [subject] student at [institution], looking for [part-time / summer / placement] work in [area]. Available [days, hours, term or holiday]. Brings [two skills with where you got them]. |
| Education | [Course] – [Institution], [start]–[expected end]. Two or three relevant modules or projects. A-levels / BTEC / Highers and GCSEs with grades (summarise GCSEs if you have many). |
| Experience | Job title – Employer, Town | Month Year – Month Year. Then 2–4 bullets starting with a verb: served, trained, organised, handled. |
| Volunteering and activities | Societies, sports teams, volunteering, caring responsibilities, Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Say what you did, not just the name. |
| Skills | 6–8 skills that match the job: tills, Microsoft 365, a language, a driving licence, food hygiene. |
Tip: Put Education above Experience while you're studying full-time. Swap them once you have relevant work.
What to write with little or no work experience
- Course projects and group work: what you did, the tools you used and the result.
- Part-time and informal work: babysitting, tutoring, helping at a family business, dog walking.
- Responsibilities: society treasurer, team captain, student rep, peer mentor.
- Volunteering: charity shops, food banks, events, sports clubs.
- Anything that shows reliability, such as attendance at a weekly commitment over months.
See how to write a CV with no experience and the 16-year-old CV example for a first CV.
Availability and work rules for students
Say exactly when you can work: term-time hours, holidays and exam periods. Retail and hospitality managers often decide on availability first.
If you're on a Student visa, check the limits on working during term time on GOV.UK before you agree hours. Under-18s should check GOV.UK's guidance on child employment.
Length, format and checking
- One page is right for most student CVs.
- Use a simple single-column layout so applicant tracking systems can read it. See the UK CV format guide.
- Save as PDF unless the advert asks for Word.
- Run it through the free CV checker for format, length and weak wording before you send it.
You can build it in the CV builder for free and preview it in any template. Downloading the finished Word and PDF costs £4.99, one-off.
FAQs
Is the student CV template really free?
Yes. The structure on this page is free to copy into any word processor. Our builder is also free to use and preview; only the finished download from the builder is paid.
Should a student CV include GCSEs?
Yes, especially English and Maths, which many employers ask about. Once you have A-levels or a degree, you can summarise GCSEs in one line.
Do I need a personal statement on a student CV?
A short profile of two or three lines helps. Say what you're studying, what work you want and when you're available.
Sources
Links checked 15 October 2026.