Resume vs Academic CV: Key Differences and Which One to Send (With Templates)

Students often use the words “CV” and “resume” interchangeably, but scholarship committees, universities and employers expect different things. Sending the wrong document can make a strong candidate look unprepared.

The key differences

Note on terminology: in the UK, Europe and much of Asia and Africa, “CV” is also used for job applications, where it means a resume-style document of about two pages. Always follow the instructions of the organisation you apply to.

Which one should you send?

• Scholarship or graduate programme: academic CV (see our academic CV template), or Europass if requested.
• UN or NGO internship: a concise, results-focused CV of one to two pages, or the organisation’s own profile format.
• Corporate job or internship: a one-page resume.
• Research assistant position: academic CV.

One-page resume template

FULL NAME
[City, Country] | [phone] | [email] | [LinkedIn] | [portfolio/GitHub]

SUMMARY
[Degree/field] graduate with experience in [area]. Strong in [skill 1], [skill 2] and [skill 3]. Looking for a [role] where I can [value you bring].

EXPERIENCE
[Job title] – [Organisation], [City]                                   [MM/YYYY – MM/YYYY]
• [Action verb] + [task] + [measurable result]
• [Action verb] + [task] + [measurable result]

[Internship title] – [Organisation], [City]                            [MM/YYYY – MM/YYYY]
• [Achievement]

PROJECTS
[Project name] – [one line on what it does and the result or users]

EDUCATION
[Degree], [University]                                                 [Year]
CGPA [x.xx/4.00] | [Honours or awards]

SKILLS
[Tools/software] | [Languages] | [Certifications]

Writing bullet points that work

Use the formula action verb + task + result:

• Weak: “Responsible for data entry.”
• Strong: “Cleaned and analysed 12,000 survey records in Excel, cutting report preparation time from 5 days to 2.”

Tips for both documents

• Use reverse chronological order.
• Keep formatting simple so it works with online application systems.
• Remove outdated or irrelevant items.
• Export as PDF unless another format is requested.
• Proofread names, dates and contact details carefully.

What each document is for

A resume is a short summary that shows you can do a job. A recruiter may give it less than a minute. An academic CV is a full record that shows you can study or do research. A panel reads it more slowly and looks for courses, projects, methods and results. The same person can have both. They are two views of one career.

Which one do scholarships ask for?

Most scholarships and graduate admissions ask for a CV, and they mean the academic kind. Some use both words. Schwarzman Scholars, for example, asks for a "resume/CV" of two pages at most, and KAUST asks for a CV. Internships and jobs at companies and international organisations usually expect a one-page or two-page resume. When the instructions give a page limit, that limit decides the format for you.

The same experience in both formats

On a resume:

Research Assistant, Department of Economics, University of Peshawar (2025-2026)
- Collected and cleaned survey data from 400 households
- Built charts and summary tables used in two project reports

On an academic CV:

Research Assistant, Department of Economics, University of Peshawar (2025-2026)
Project: Household energy use in peri-urban Peshawar (PI: Dr [Name])
- Designed the sampling plan with the principal investigator; surveyed 400 households
- Cleaned and analysed data in Stata (descriptive statistics, logistic regression)
- Co-wrote the methods section of a working paper, now under review

The resume shows the task and the result. The CV adds the project, the supervisor, the methods and the academic output.

How to turn an academic CV into a one-page resume

1. Start with a two-line summary aimed at the role.
2. Keep your latest degree, with one line on your result. Remove course lists.
3. Choose the three or four experiences that match the role best.
4. Rewrite each bullet point to end with a result.
5. Replace the publications list with one line, such as "2 conference papers", or remove it.
6. Cut older and less relevant items until everything fits on one page.

How to turn a resume into an academic CV

1. Remove the summary, or replace it with two lines on your research interests.
2. Move education to the top and add your thesis title, supervisor, grade and rank.
3. Add sections for research experience, projects, publications, presentations and awards.
4. Describe methods and tools, not only tasks.
5. Let it run to two pages if the content is relevant.

Section order for different applicants

• Fresh graduate: education, projects, awards, skills, activities. See our CV for students with no work experience.
• Working professional applying for a master’s: education, work experience with results, training, skills, voluntary work.
• PhD applicant: education, research experience, publications and presentations, teaching, awards, skills. See our research CV template.

Words that change by country

In the United States, "resume" is the short job document and "CV" means the long academic one. In the United Kingdom, Europe, Pakistan and many other countries, people say "CV" for both. So if a British or European employer asks for a CV, they usually want two pages at most. If a scholarship or university asks for a CV, they want the academic version. When you are not sure, look for a page limit or ask.

Keep the layout simple for online forms

Many portals read or convert your file automatically. Use one column, standard headings and a common font. Avoid text boxes, tables for layout, icons and photos unless they are requested. Save as PDF unless another format is asked for, and check how the file looks after upload.

Mistakes to avoid

• Sending a one-page job resume for a research scholarship
• Sending a five-page CV for an internship
• Using different dates or job titles in the two versions
• Listing duties without results
• Forgetting to update the file name and the date

When the form only says "CV"

Many application forms ask for a "CV" without saying which kind. Use these clues:

• A page limit of one or two pages: they want a short, focused document. Use your academic CV, cut to the limit, with education first.
• A research degree: send a full academic CV with your project, methods, publications and presentations.
• A leadership or professional scholarship: keep it to two pages, and give more space to results at work and in your community.
• An internship or job in the United States or Canada: "resume" means one page.
• A European programme that names Europass: use the Europass format, even if you prefer your own layout.

If you are still unsure, an academic CV of two pages is the safest choice for a scholarship.

Dates, gaps and references in both documents

• Dates: use the same style everywhere, such as "Sep 2022 to Jun 2026". Put the newest entry first.
• Gaps: a resume can leave out a short gap. An academic CV should explain a long one in a single line.
• References: a resume does not list them. An academic CV lists them only if the application asks.
• Grades: an academic CV shows your grade with its scale and your class rank. A resume shows the grade only if it is strong and recent.

Keep one master file

Do not rewrite from zero each time. Keep one long master document with every degree, project, job, award and skill, with dates and results. For each application, copy it, delete what does not matter to that reader and reorder the rest. This takes twenty minutes, and it keeps your facts the same in every version. When you finish a new project or course, add it to the master file the same week, while you still remember the numbers.

Before you upload: five checks

1. The file is a PDF, unless another format is requested.
2. The file name has your name and the document type.
3. The length fits the limit.
4. Your contact details are current, with a professional e-mail address.
5. The dates match your transcript and your experience letters.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have both a resume and a CV?

Yes, and you should. Keep one master file with everything, and make a resume or a CV from it when you need one.

How long should each one be?

A resume is one page for students and up to two for experienced people. An academic CV is usually two pages for master’s applicants and can be longer for PhD applicants. A stated limit always wins.

Which one do I send to a professor?

An academic CV, with your research experience and skills on the first page.

Do I need a photo or personal details?

Not for most English-language applications. Add them only if the instructions ask.

Where can I get a full template?

Use our academic CV template.

Applying in Europe? Read our Europass CV guide.