# Writing a UK CV and finding a graduate job as an international student

> A UK CV is concise (1–2 pages), tailored and achievement-focused; use your careers service.

A UK CV is typically one to two pages, concise, tailored to each role and focused on achievements rather than duties, without a photo, age or marital status. International students should use their university careers service early — for CV checks, mock interviews, employer events and placements — and understand UK application norms (CV plus cover letter, or online application forms). After graduating, the Graduate Route lets eligible students stay to work without a job offer, a strong springboard into a UK graduate career.

## Quick facts
- **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.

## 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
- [GOV.UK — Graduate visa](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) — GOV.UK
- [Prospects — careers advice](https://www.prospects.ac.uk/) — Prospects

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Verified: 2026-06-17