How to write your CV education section + examples

Your education section plays a key role in backing up your expertise – especially if you’re just starting out or changing careers. 

A well-structured education section gives busy recruiters quick reassurance that you’ve got the knowledge and training to do the job – this guide will walk you through how to write your education section the right way.

The placement of your education section depends on how much experience you have and how relevant your qualifications are to the job you’re applying for.

Recruiters value experience more: so if you’ve been in the workforce for several years, your work history should take priority. 

In this case, position your education section below your work experience. Keep it concise, highlighting only the most relevant or recent qualifications.

When you’ve got little or no experience, your education becomes one of your strongest assets. Place it near the top of your CV – just below your profile and core skills section. 

You can expand on this section slightly to write about relevant modules, academic projects, or coursework that aligns with the job.

CV templates 

The qualifications you include in your CV should be tailored to your level of experience and the role you’re applying for. This isn’t an academic transcript: you don’t need to list everything you’ve ever studied – just the ones that demonstrate your suitability for the job.

Here’s what usually earns a place in the education section:

• Degrees and higher education – Include any undergraduate or postgraduate degrees (e.g. BA, BSc, MA, MSc), especially if they’re directly relevant to the role.
• A-levels (or equivalent) – These are useful for early-career candidates, or if you didn’t go on to higher education. You can list subjects and grades if relevant.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) – For experienced candidates, it’s fine to summarise these (e.g. “9 GCSEs including Maths and English”). School leavers may want to list individual subjects and grades.
• Vocational qualifications – These include BTECs and NVQs, and similar certifications. They’re especially important for practical and technical hands-on roles.
• Professional certifications – If you’ve completed role-specific training or industry-accredited courses (e.g. CIPD, ACCA, PRINCE2, CompTIA), be sure to list them.
• Short courses and online training – Certifications from platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or Google Digital Garage can demonstrate up-to-date skills, especially for career changers or digital roles.
• Apprenticeships and placements – Formal apprenticeships or structured placements should also be included, as they combine education with practical experience.

Only include outdated or unrelated qualifications if space allows and they add genuine value. The aim here is to reassure the employer that you’ve got the right knowledge or training for the job, not dragging the reader through your Year 9 woodwork certificate.

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Regardless of your level of experience, each entry in your education section should include the following details:

• Name of the qualification – Give the name of the award, for example BA (Hons) Marketing, GCSE, Level 3 Diploma in IT, and so on.
• Institution – State where you studied, such as your university, college, or school.
• Dates attended – Simply give the month and year (or just year) of start and end dates.
• Grades or results – Include your final grade or classification (or your expected result) if it’s strong or relevant.

Newer candidates should consider appending some detail on any relevant subjects or modules if they apply directly to the target job. Keep the below tips in mind to ensure your education section is the best it can be.

If you’re early in your career, it’s okay to provide more detail on relevant coursework or projects. Basically, if you don’t have much to say about work, say more about study: this helps show your strengths in the absence of professional experience.

For more experienced candidates, a brief summary of key qualifications is usually enough.

List your qualifications in reverse chronological order, with the most recent first. That way, the most up-to-date and relevant training is what recruiters see first. 

If you’ve got older or unrelated qualifications, there’s no need to include every detail. For example, if you’ve earned a degree, there’s usually no need to list every individual GCSE – just summarise them (e.g. “9 GCSEs including Maths and English”).

CV templates 

Recruiters are busy, and would prefer not to navigate through walls of text. Keep your education section clear and easy to scan by using bullet points. 

Each qualification should be presented on its own line, and formatting should remain consistent throughout – same order of information, same date format, and a clean layout that’s easy to follow.

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Near the top if you’re a recent graduate or school leaver, or below your work experience if you’re more experienced.

List each qualification with the name, institution, dates attended, and grade – use bullet points and keep the layout consistent.

Yes, especially early in your career. Experienced candidates can summarise them (e.g. “9 GCSEs including Maths and English”).

Stick to your most recent and relevant qualifications – older or unrelated ones can be shortened or left out.

Yes – just state that it’s in progress and include your expected completion date, and your predicted grade if you’ve been given one.

Focus on relevant training, certifications, or experience that shows your skills – practical knowledge still counts.