Free Academic CV templates [PDF, Word, Docs]

An Academic CV Template is an essential tool for scholars and researchers seeking to present their qualifications and achievements in a structured, professional manner. Designed to highlight academic accomplishments, research experience, teaching roles, and scholarly contributions, these templates help create a comprehensive overview of one’s academic career. Whether applying for faculty positions, research grants, or academic fellowships, a well-crafted CV is crucial for making a strong impression on selection committees and potential employers.

The benefits of using an Academic CV template are manifold. It provides a clear and organized format that ensures all relevant information is presented effectively, making it easier for readers to assess qualifications and achievements. Templates also save time and effort by offering pre-structured sections and prompts, allowing scholars to focus on detailing their accomplishments rather than formatting. Furthermore, a polished and professional CV can significantly enhance a candidate’s chances of standing out in a competitive academic job market, showcasing their expertise and dedication to their field.

Free Academic CV templates

Our Free Academic CV templates are designed to help you create a polished and professional CV that highlights your academic achievements and research experience. Tailored for students, researchers, and academics, these templates provide a structured layout to showcase your education, publications, presentations, and other scholarly activities. With easy-to-use formats and customizable sections, our templates ensure your Academic CV stands out and effectively communicates your qualifications for academic positions, graduate programs, and research opportunities.

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Academic CV For PHD Application Template

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Academic CV for Masters Application Template

Here’s our Academic CV for Masters Application Template is designed to help you create a detailed and professional document that highlights your academic achievements, research experience, and relevant skills. Tailored specifically for those applying to Master’s programs, this template ensures that your CV effectively showcases your educational background, research contributions, and qualifications. It provides a structured format to present your accomplishments clearly and compellingly, enhancing your chances of securing admission to your desired program.

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Also, Check: Student CV Templates

What is the academic CV format?

The academic CV format typically includes the following sections, presented in a clean, professional layout:

1. Personal Information: Name, contact details, LinkedIn profile.
2. Personal Statement: Brief summary of academic interests and career goals.
3. Education: Degrees earned, institutions, dates attended, relevant coursework.
4. Research Experience: Positions held, institutions, dates, responsibilities, and achievements.
5. Publications and Presentations: Formatted citations of papers, conference presentations.
6. Skills: Technical and soft skills relevant to your field.
7. Awards and Honors: Academic awards, scholarships, dates received.
8. Extracurricular Activities: Relevant clubs, organizations, volunteer work, leadership roles.
9. References: Statement that references are available upon request or a list of referees with contact information.

Ensure consistent formatting, use of professional fonts, and clear headings.

What is the difference between academic CV and normal CV?

How should I format my Academic CV?

An Academic CV is a comprehensive document that details your educational background, research experiences, publications, and other scholarly activities. Unlike a resume, which is typically concise, an Academic CV provides a thorough overview of your academic career. Proper formatting is essential to ensure that your CV is easy to read and presents your qualifications in the best possible light.

1. Use a Clean and Professional Layout

• Font: Use a standard, professional font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Keep the font size between 10-12 points.
• Margins: Use 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Spacing: Use single or 1.15 line spacing. Add a blank line between sections for clarity.

2. Structure Your CV with Clear Headings

• Bold Headings: Use bold headings to organize sections clearly. Common sections include Personal Information, Education, Research Experience, Publications, Skills, Awards, and References.
• Consistent Formatting: Ensure that all headings and subheadings follow a consistent style. For example, all main headings can be bold and uppercase, while subheadings can be bold and title case.

3. Personal Information

• Top of the First Page: Place your name, contact information (address, email, phone number), and LinkedIn profile at the top of the first page. Make sure your name stands out, using a slightly larger font size (e.g., 14-16 points).

4. Personal Statement

• Brief Introduction: Include a concise personal statement or objective at the beginning. This should be 2-3 sentences summarizing your academic interests, career goals, and what you aim to achieve with the Master’s program.

5. Education

• Reverse Chronological Order: List your educational background in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent degree.
• Details: Include the degree, institution name, location, and dates attended. Mention relevant coursework or projects.

6. Research Experience

• Relevant Positions: List research positions held, including the title, institution, location, and dates.
• Description: Provide a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements. Use bullet points for clarity.

7. Publications and Presentations

• Formatted Citations: Use proper citation style (e.g., APA, MLA) for listing publications.
• Presentations: Include conference presentations, posters, or talks. Provide titles, event names, and dates.

8. Skills

• Technical and Soft Skills: Create a separate section for skills. Include technical skills (e.g., GIS software, data analysis) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork).

9. Awards and Honors

• Academic and Extracurricular: List any academic awards, scholarships, or honors. Include the name of the award, the granting institution, and the date received.

10. Extracurricular Activities

• Relevant Activities: Mention clubs, organizations, or volunteer work related to your field of study. Highlight leadership roles or significant contributions.

11. References

• Availability: Include a statement that references are available upon request, or list referees with their names, titles, and contact information. Ensure you have their permission.

FAQ

What is an Academic CV?

An Academic CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a comprehensive document used to detail an individual’s educational background, research experiences, publications, and other scholarly activities. Unlike a resume, which is typically used for job applications and focuses on work experience and skills, an Academic CV provides a thorough overview of one’s academic achievements and is often used for:

• Applying to Academic Positions: Such as faculty roles, postdoctoral research positions, or academic administration jobs.
• Graduate and Postgraduate Programs: Including applications for Master’s and PhD programs.
• Research Grants and Fellowships: Demonstrating research accomplishments and potential.
• Academic Conferences and Symposiums: To provide a detailed record of academic contributions and qualifications.

Key Features of an Academic CV:

• Personal Information: Name, contact details, and professional links (e.g., LinkedIn).
• Education: Detailed listing of academic degrees, institutions, and relevant coursework.
• Research Experience: In-depth descriptions of research roles, projects, and outcomes.
• Publications and Presentations: Comprehensive listing of published works, conference presentations, and academic talks.
• Awards and Honors: Academic awards, scholarships, fellowships, and recognitions.
• Skills: Technical and research skills relevant to the field.
• Professional Memberships: Affiliations with academic or professional organizations.
• Extracurricular Activities: Involvement in academic societies, committees, or volunteer work related to the field.

An Academic CV is designed to showcase an individual’s scholarly contributions and potential, providing a detailed account of their academic and research career.

How is an Academic CV different from a resume?

An Academic CV and a resume differ primarily in their length, content, and purpose. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

Length:

• Academic CV: Typically longer, often spanning several pages (2-4 pages or more). It provides a comprehensive overview of an individual’s academic and research accomplishments.
• Resume: Generally shorter, usually 1-2 pages. It offers a concise summary of work experience, skills, and qualifications.

Content:

• Academic CV:
  • Education: Detailed information about all academic degrees, coursework, and relevant academic achievements.
  • Research Experience: Extensive descriptions of research projects, roles, methodologies, and findings.
  • Publications: Complete list of scholarly publications, including journal articles, conference papers, and books, with full citations.
  • Presentations: Information about academic presentations, posters, and talks, including titles, events, and dates.
  • Awards and Honors: Detailed listing of academic awards, scholarships, fellowships, and recognitions.
  • Teaching Experience: Information about teaching roles, courses taught, and responsibilities.
  • Grants and Funding: Details about research grants, fellowships, and financial support received.
  • Professional Memberships: Affiliations with academic or professional organizations.
  • Service and Outreach: Involvement in academic committees, community service, and outreach activities.
• Resume:
  • Professional Experience: Concise descriptions of job roles, responsibilities, and achievements in a professional setting.
  • Skills: Key skills relevant to the specific job being applied for.
  • Education: Summary of degrees and institutions, often without detailed coursework.
  • Certifications: Relevant professional certifications.
  • Summary/Objective: Brief statement of career goals and qualifications tailored to the job application.
  • Awards and Honors: Professional awards and recognitions relevant to the industry or job.
  • Extracurricular Activities: Relevant hobbies, volunteer work, or interests if they are applicable to the job.

Purpose:

• Academic CV: Used for applying to academic positions (e.g., faculty roles, research positions), graduate or postgraduate programs, research grants, and fellowships. It highlights academic achievements, research contributions, and scholarly potential.
• Resume: Used for applying to jobs outside the academic sector. It focuses on work experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to specific job roles.

Emphasis:

• Academic CV: Emphasizes academic credentials, research contributions, publications, and teaching experience. It showcases one’s scholarly journey and potential for future research and academic work.
• Resume: Emphasizes professional experience, skills, and achievements in a non-academic context. It highlights qualifications and experience relevant to specific job positions.

An Academic CV provides a detailed account of one’s academic and research career, while a resume offers a concise summary of work experience and skills tailored to job applications.

How should I format my Academic CV?

To format your Academic CV effectively:

1. Header: Include your name, contact details, and professional links (e.g., LinkedIn).
2. Personal Statement: Brief summary of your academic interests and career goals (optional).
3. Education: List degrees, institutions, dates, and relevant coursework.
4. Research Experience: Detail research positions, projects, methodologies, and outcomes.
5. Publications and Presentations: Include citations for papers, articles, conference presentations, and talks.
6. Awards and Honors: List academic awards, scholarships, and recognitions.
7. Teaching Experience: Describe teaching roles, courses, and responsibilities.
8. Skills: Highlight relevant technical and research skills.
9. Professional Memberships: Mention affiliations with academic or professional organizations.
10. Extracurricular Activities: Include relevant academic committees or community service.
11. References: Provide names and contact details of referees (or state “available upon request”).

Formatting Tips:

• Use a clean, professional layout with clear headings and subheadings.
• Maintain consistent font and style throughout.
• Use bullet points for clarity and brevity.
• Ensure adequate white space for readability.

Should I include non-academic work experience?

Yes, you should include non-academic work experience in your Academic CV if it is relevant to your field or demonstrates transferable skills. Here’s why and how to include it:

Reasons to Include Non-Academic Work Experience:

1. Transferable Skills: It can showcase valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork, project management, and communication that are relevant to academic roles or research positions.
2. Relevant Experience: If the non-academic experience is related to your field of study or research interests, it adds depth to your CV.
3. Holistic View: It provides a fuller picture of your background and capabilities, demonstrating a well-rounded profile.

How to Include Non-Academic Work Experience:

• Relevance: Focus on roles that relate to your academic interests or research skills.
• Conciseness: Provide brief descriptions of responsibilities and achievements, emphasizing skills relevant to academia.
• Positioning: Place this section after academic achievements but before or alongside extracurricular activities and personal interests.

Including relevant non-academic work experience can enhance your Academic CV by highlighting additional skills and experiences that complement your academic and research credentials.

Eva Rozsypalova

Welcome! I’m Eva Rozsypalova, the creator of ResumeTemplates.ca. With years of experience as a Human Resource Professional, I’ve developed a deep understanding of what makes a resume stand out in today’s competitive job market. My career has taken me through both start-ups and established organizations, where I’ve worked in diverse, multicultural environments, and honed my skills in HR strategy, operations, and culture-building. Currently, I’m a People and Culture Specialist at Purdys Chocolatier in Vancouver, British Columbia. I’m passionate about helping others present their best selves to potential employers, and I’ve designed this site to make the resume creation process as seamless and effective as possible.