- CV length
- 1–2 pages, concise and tailored
- Leave off
- Photo, age, marital status
- Use early
- University careers service
- After graduating
- Graduate Route (subject to eligibility)
Key takeaways
- A UK CV is concise (1–2 pages), tailored and achievement-focused — no photo, age or marital status.
- Use your university careers service early: CV checks, mock interviews and employer events.
- UK applications are usually a CV + cover letter, or an online application form.
- The Graduate Route lets eligible graduates stay and work after the course.
Writing a UK-style CV
UK CVs are concise — usually one to two pages — and tailored to each role, leading with your strongest, most relevant achievements rather than listing every duty. Do not include a photo, your age, date of birth or marital status (these are standard elsewhere but not in the UK). Use clear sections (education, experience, skills) and quantify achievements where you can. A short, targeted cover letter usually accompanies the CV, while many graduate schemes use online application forms and tests instead. Tailoring each application beats sending the same CV everywhere.
Finding work and using the Graduate Route
Your university careers service is the single best resource — and free: use it for CV and cover-letter checks, mock interviews, employer fairs, placements and graduate-scheme deadlines. Build experience through part-time work, societies and internships while you study. After graduating, the Graduate Route lets eligible students stay in the UK to work without needing a job offer first, which you can later convert into a Skilled Worker route with a qualifying employer. Study UK Now helps you plan your career path from day one. Confirm current visa rules on GOV.UK.
How Study UK Now helps with this
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Frequently asked questions
How is a UK CV different for international students?
A UK CV is concise (one to two pages), tailored to each role and achievement-focused, and — unlike in many countries — it does not include a photo, your age, date of birth or marital status. It is usually paired with a short cover letter. Your university careers service will check your CV against UK conventions, which is well worth doing.
Can international students work in the UK after graduating?
Yes — the Graduate Route lets eligible students who complete a qualifying UK course stay to work, or look for work, without needing a job offer first, for a set period. You can later switch into the Skilled Worker route with a licensed employer. Durations have been reviewed recently, so confirm the current rules on GOV.UK.
Sources — verified June 2026
Visa, fee and policy details change. Always confirm the latest on the official source before you rely on it.