How to Write an Academic CV (Guide & Examples)

An academic CV is a detailed document designed to showcase your education, research, teaching and scholarly contributions. Unlike a standard professional CV, academic CVs can be longer and more comprehensive — but they still need to be structured clearly and strategically.

This guide explains how to write an academic CV for universities and research institutions.

What Is an Academic CV?

An academic CV differs from an industry CV in both content and purpose. It is designed to:

• document your academic achievements

• evidence research activity and outputs

• demonstrate teaching and institutional contribution

While length is less restricted, relevance and clarity remain essential.

Key Sections of an Academic CV

Personal Details & Contact Information

Include:

• full name

• professional email address

• academic affiliation (if applicable)

Personal information such as date of birth is no longer required in most UK institutions.

Education & Qualifications

List qualifications in reverse chronological order, including:

• degree titles

• institutions

• thesis titles (where relevant)

Research and Publications

This is often the most critical section. Include:

• peer-reviewed publications

• working papers

• conference presentations

Use consistent citation formatting throughout.

Teaching Experience

Outline:

• modules taught

• level (undergraduate / postgraduate)

• supervision or mentoring responsibilities

Awards, Grants & Fellowships

Include funding, scholarships and academic recognition to strengthen credibility.

For broader CV structure principles, see our CV Writing Tips resource.

Tailoring Your Academic CV by Role

Academic CVs should still be tailored. A research-focused role will prioritise publications and grants, while a teaching-led role should foreground teaching experience and curriculum development.

You’ll find examples of how this varies across roles in our Industry-Specific CV Guides.

Academic CV Examples

Strong academic CVs:

• group information logically

• use headings consistently

• avoid unnecessary repetition

Clarity is as important as depth.

FAQs

How long should an academic CV be?
Academic CVs can range from 3–6 pages or more, depending on seniority and experience.

Should I include publications in full?
Yes. Include full citations so hiring panels can assess scholarly contribution easily.

Do academic CVs need a personal profile?
Sometimes. A brief summary can be helpful, but it is not always essential.