How to Write a Great Academic CV or Scholarship Resume 2025/2026

When applying for a scholarship, your academic CV (or scholarship resume) is not just a formality—it’s your professional identity on paper. Unlike a job resume, an academic CV showcases your educational history, research, leadership, community service, and potential to thrive in academic or leadership-based programs.

In this ultimate 2025/2026 guide tailored for African students, you’ll learn:

• What an academic CV is and how it differs from a job resume

• The key sections you must include

• Real examples and templates

• Formatting tips for different scholarship types

• Country-specific expectations (UK, US, Europe, Africa)

• Do’s and don’ts to stand out

What is an Academic CV?

An academic CV is a detailed document that outlines your academic journey, including:

• Your education

• Academic achievements

• Research and publications

• Teaching or tutoring roles

• Awards, scholarships, and grants

• Volunteer work and extracurriculars

• Conferences, seminars, or online courses completed

It is usually longer than a regular resume (2–3 pages), especially for Master’s or PhD applicants.

What Makes a Scholarship CV Different?

Standard Academic CV Format (With Examples)

A winning academic CV for scholarships usually includes the following sections:

📌 Section 1: Personal Information

(Keep it brief and professional)

Include:

• Full name (as on your passport or certificate)

• Phone number

• Email (professional email, no nicknames)

• LinkedIn (optional)

• Country/City (no full address needed)

📌 Example:

Section 2: Academic Background

List your most recent education first (reverse chronological order).

📌 Example:
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
University of Nairobi, Kenya — 2019–2023
CGPA: 4.21 / 5.0
Final Year Thesis: “Green Roofing Systems for Urban Slums”

High School Certificate
St. Theresa’s High School, Mombasa — 2015–2018
KCSE Grade: A (84%)

Section 3: Scholarships, Grants, and Awards

List any merit-based or need-based scholarships, national competitions, or university awards.

📌 Example:

• DAAD In-Country Scholarship Recipient, 2023

• University of Nairobi Best Graduating Student – Engineering Faculty, 2023

• MTN Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship, 2020–2023

• 2nd Place – Kenya National Engineering Innovation Challenge, 2022

 Section 4: Research Experience (If any)

If you’ve done a thesis, capstone, internship research, or lab work, include this.

📌 Example:
Undergraduate Researcher – Urban Drainage Project
Supervised by Dr. James Odede, Civil Engineering Department

• Collected stormwater data from 3 counties in Nairobi

• Developed a model using AutoCAD and SWMM

• Resulted in published article under UoN Engineering Journal (2023)

Section 5: Publications and Presentations (Optional but powerful)

📌 Example:

• Dlamini, M.L., “Sustainable Housing for Sub-Saharan Cities.” Journal of African Urbanism, Vol. 3, 2023

• Presented “Solar Roofing Panels in Rural Uganda” at the 2022 Youth Engineers Conference

Section 6: Teaching, Leadership, and Mentorship Roles

Even if informal, these experiences show initiative and responsibility.

📌 Example:

• Peer Tutor, Physics & Mathematics – University of Ghana, 2022–2023

• President, Robotics Club – Ashesi University, 2021

• Mentor, “Girls in STEM” Initiative – 2023

Section 7: Volunteer Work / Community Engagement

Scholarship boards love socially responsible applicants.

📌 Example:

• Volunteer, Red Cross Disaster Relief – Kaduna, Nigeria, 2022

• Literacy Coach – “Books for the North” Initiative, Kano State

• Intern, Clean Water Foundation (NGO) – Kigali, Rwanda

Section 8: Skills and Certifications

Include digital tools, lab skills, or certifications from online courses.

📌 Example:

• AutoCAD, MATLAB, SPSS

• Advanced Excel, Google Sheets

• Python for Data Science (Coursera, 2023)

• Digital Marketing Certificate (Google Africa Initiative)

Section 9: Languages (if multilingual)

📌 Example:

• English – Fluent

• Swahili – Native

• French – Intermediate (DELF B1 Certified)

Section 10: Referees (2–3 Academic or Professional)

📌 Example:
Dr. Lillian M. Nwosu
Lecturer, Department of Public Health
University of Ibadan
Email: lmnwosu@ui.edu.ng

Mr. Adewale Okoro
Scholarship Advisor, YALI Nigeria
Email: adewale.okoro@yali.org

4. Scholarship CV for Master’s vs PhD Applicants

UK Scholarships (Chevening, Commonwealth)

• Focus on leadership, impact, and relevance

• Keep it 2 pages max, no unnecessary headings

• Use British spelling (honour, programme, etc.)

DAAD Scholarships

• Emphasize academic discipline, research, and professional goals

• Include technical skills and German (if any)

• List all publications and training workshops

Swedish Institute

• Include entrepreneurial or social impact activities
• Clean, modern layout preferred
• Include links to digital portfolios, projects, or media

US Scholarships (Fulbright, University-specific)

• Include standardized tests (GRE, TOEFL) if available
• Emphasize civic engagement, multicultural exposure

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Submitting a job-focused resume instead of academic CV
• ❌ Using gimmicky templates (focus on content, not flair)
• ❌ Listing every activity without impact/result
• ❌ Not updating your CV yearly
• ❌ Including unverified awards or experiences
• ❌ Typos, incorrect dates, or inconsistent formatting

7. Pro Tips to Stand Out

• Quantify achievements (e.g., “taught 45 students,” “increased club membership by 200%”)

• Keep the layout clean and font professional (Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman)

• Use consistent formatting: dates aligned, headings bold

• Add hyperlinks to online portfolios or LinkedIn if allowed

• Tailor the CV to match the scholarship’s values (e.g., leadership, STEM focus, community)

8. Bonus: Free Academic CV Template for Scholarships

🆓 Download our editable MS Word and Google Doc templates → [Insert download link]

Includes:

• 2-page Master’s scholarship CV

• 3-page PhD-ready academic CV

• Bonus: Motivation letter and reference email templates

Related Posts:

• ✍️ How to Write a Motivation Letter for Scholarships (With Samples)
• 🎓 Top Fully Funded Scholarships for African Students
• 📋 Scholarship Interview Questions & How to Answer Them Confidently

Your CV is the first impression scholarship reviewers get—make it strong, clear, and authentic. Don’t just list what you’ve done. Show how your experiences prepare you to succeed in the academic journey ahead.

🎓 Ready to build yours? Download our templates and start crafting a CV that opens doors to global opportunities.

Need help with a review? Drop a comment or message us for personalized CV feedback!

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