A PhD application Curriculum Vitae (CV) is the map of your continuing academic journey. 

In fact, “curriculum vitae” means “course of life.”

Your CV shows where you’ve been. You need it to get where you’re headed. You’re giving it to those who can help you get there 

You need to do this right.

Not a résumé or a standard CV, your PhD application CV is more specialized. We’ll go over the details.

Ready? Let’s go.

Résumé, Standard, and PhD CV Differences

There are distinct but subtle differences between these documents. Knowing when and how to use them is crucial. 

Résumé 

A résumé is used for job applications in the following non-academic areas:

  • Industry and business
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Government positions

Usually only 1-2 pages long, a résumé is designed to be a concise summary of your professional experience. The shorter, the better, as long as it’s impressive. A well-designed résumé is no more than 2 pages. 

A résumé is tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Your previous skills, training, and education must be relevant to the job’s needs and the company’s goals. It’s all about them.

Standard CV

The following areas require a standard CV:

  • Academic positions
  • Grants
  • Fellowships

Sometimes, they are used for positions in these fields:

  • Scientific.
  • Research.
  • Medical.

The standard CV is not as tailored to the job description as a résumé but must still show relevant academic or work history. There is no strict page limit to a standard CV. Length is based on your academic career so far. 

PhD application CV

This is the most specialized document of them all. It is specifically designed to apply for a PhD program. It must prove that you’re an excellent candidate for academic and research work.

Are you ready for advanced research? Do you have any research experience? Does your history prove you can make it through the PhD program?

That’s what the college or university wants to know. Not everyone is up to the rigorous demands of a PhD degree. 

You must prove that you’ve got what it takes.

PhD CV Content

What’s in a PhD CV? Although there’s certain essential information required of all PhD CVs, a lot of the structure is up to you. 

You must base your CV design on the PhD program in which you want to enroll. Each program is different, at different institutions, and for different subject areas. They may have specific instructions for submitting a CV. 

The point is to create a persuasive and compelling argument, proving that your background is exactly what they’re looking for in a PhD candidate. 

Below, you’ll find a listing and explanation of the topics you should cover in your CV. You don’t need to cover them all. The order in which they appear in the final document is flexible. Plan on having 8-10 topic sections, depending on the content you wish to present.

Your PhD application CV should be 2-4 pages in length. The reason it’s not longer is that those reading it don’t need every bit of your detailed life. You must focus your presentation so that it makes an impressive impact. Otherwise, they’ll get bored and discard your application.

Most of all, be concise, grammatically correct, and accurate in your presentation of your background. People will double-check your claims. 

NOTE: Items within each section should be listed in reverse chronological order. 

Sections of a PhD CV

Remember: You don’t have to include all of these sections, and not necessarily in this suggested order. But you must be clear about what you’re presenting and make your CV as compelling as possible. 

Your Name and Contact Information

At the top of your CV, where it can plainly be seen, comes your name and how you can be contacted. Make it easy for them to find it. 

Include:

  • your full name.
  • mailing address.
  • phone number.
  • a professional email address. 

If you have a LinkedIn profile or a personal website, especially one that showcases your professional achievements or portfolio, you may include those links as well.

Research Interests and Personal Statement

This section of the map shows where you’re headed. It's a summary of your academic identity and future direction. 

What are your current research interests? How did you get there? Where do you want to end up at the end of your PhD process? 

Tailor this section towards the goals and needs of the PhD program you’re applying for. Show how your interests complement theirs.

Education

Here is where you’ll list your educational experience in reverse chronological order, just like a résumé or standard CV.

Highlight the education that most strongly backs your research interests and personal statements from above. 

Research and Work Experience

List any relevant research projects, lab experiences, or employment you’ve had. Again, focus on those most relevant to your PhD application. 

For each experience, describe:

  • your role.
  • the research problem.
  • the methodologies used.
  • the findings.
  • the outcomes.
  • any publications or presentations given

Teaching Experience

Have you been a teacher? Tutor? Instruction assistant? 

List here any courses you’ve taught or assisted with, along with the institution and the dates.

If you’ve designed a curriculum, done grading, or held office hours, you may wish to mention anything that's highly relevant to your application.

Funding and Awards

This section is where you demonstrate your academic and research excellence.

Include:

  • scholarships.
  • grants.
  • fellowships.
  • awards.

List the name of what you received, the awarding body, and the date. You may explain the purpose of the award if it’s relevant.

Relevant Skills and Experience

This section is your chance to showcase what you can do.

Highlight:

  • technical skills.
  • languages.
  • lab techniques.
  • statistical software.
  • programming languages.
  • other competencies.

Be sure each entry is pertinent to your field of study. Be specific about your level of expertise and how you've applied these skills in a research or academic context.

Publications and Conferences

In this section, show your contributions to your field:

  • academic publications.
  • articles.
  • book chapters.
  • conference presentations.
  • posters.

Use standard citation formats and include all co-authors. 

Professional Memberships

If you belong to any professional or academic organizations, societies, or clubs, now is the time to mention them. 

If you’ve held a position or played an active role in any of these, list them as well.

Referees and References

Referees testify to your academic acumen. Their word carries a lot of weight. You want two or three of them on your side, and you want to include them in your CV.

Their backgrounds should be relevant to your field of interest. 

Both referees and references should know you well and be able to confirm that you are who you say you are. They will attest to your strengths, accomplishments, and potential success in the PhD program. 

They are also important character references. Choose them wisely. 

Looking Forward

Writing, formatting, and presenting your PhD application CV properly gives you the leverage and evidence you need to get into that PhD program you crave. 

Before, during, or after your academic work, you may need a job. 

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If you have any questions or comments, reach us by email.