In the UK, "CV" is the standard word for a job application document. UK employers expect a concise, achievement-focused CV — usually two pages of A4 — without the personal details that are common in some other countries.
UK CV at a glance
| Element | UK expectation |
|---|---|
| Length | Two pages of A4 (one page for school leavers and many graduates) |
| Photo | Not included |
| Date of birth, marital status, nationality | Not included |
| Address | Town/city and postcode area is enough |
| Personal statement | Expected — 3–4 lines at the top |
| References | Not needed on the CV |
| Spelling | British English (organise, programme, colour) |
UK equality law (the Equality Act 2010) protects candidates from discrimination on characteristics such as age, race, religion, sex and marital status. Employers generally prefer CVs that do not reveal this information, which is why photos and dates of birth are left out.
Recommended UK CV structure
- 1Name and contact details (phone, email, location, LinkedIn).
- 2Personal statement / profile.
- 3Key skills (optional, useful for technical roles).
- 4Employment history — reverse-chronological, with achievements.
- 5Education and qualifications (GCSEs/A-levels only if you are early in your career).
- 6Professional qualifications, memberships and training.
- 7Additional information: languages, driving licence, volunteering (optional).
Right to work and international applicants
Employers in the UK must check that candidates have the right to work. If you are applying from abroad or hold a visa, a short line in your profile or header avoids confusion.
Right to work: British citizen
Right to work: Graduate visa valid until August 2027
Will require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship
Overseas qualifications can be explained with a UK equivalent where helpful, for example "BSc Computer Science (comparable to a UK Bachelor's degree)".
Example UK CV layout
JAMES OKORO — Operations Coordinator
Manchester · 07700 900456 · james.okoro@email.com · linkedin.com/in/jamesokoro
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Operations coordinator with five years' experience in e-commerce fulfilment. Introduced a returns process that cut processing time by 40% and saved £18,000 a year. Seeking an operations manager role in retail logistics.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Operations Coordinator — Northway Retail Ltd, Manchester | Mar 2022 – Present
• Coordinate daily dispatch of 2,500+ orders across two warehouses
• Reduced late deliveries from 6% to 2% by re-scheduling courier collection slots
EDUCATION
BA (Hons) Business Management, 2:1 — University of Salford | 2019
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Full UK driving licence · Fluent English and Yoruba · CIPS Level 2 (2024)
Put this into practice
Build an ATS-friendly CV with live preview and free PDF download.
Applying for NHS, civil service and graduate schemes
Many large UK employers do not accept CVs at all at the first stage. NHS Jobs, the Civil Service, local councils and most graduate schemes use online application forms with supporting statements, behaviour-based questions or online tests.
- NHS: the supporting information section is scored against the person specification. Address each essential criterion in order with a short example.
- Civil Service: applications are assessed against "Success Profiles", often including behaviour statements of around 250 words. Use the STAR method.
- Graduate schemes: expect online tests, a video interview and an assessment centre. Your CV still matters for the initial screen and is often discussed at interview.
Common mistakes international applicants make in the UK
- Adding a photo, date of birth, religion or marital status — these are not expected and take up space.
- Writing a CV longer than two pages, often with a long list of duties for every role.
- Using an objective like "seeking a challenging position" instead of a specific personal statement.
- Not explaining overseas qualifications or employers that a UK recruiter may not recognise.
- Leaving out right-to-work information, which forces the recruiter to guess.
UK-specific tips
- Use UK job titles and terms: "CV", "personal statement", "A-levels", "placement".
- Include professional body memberships (e.g. CIPD, CIMA, NMC, RICS) with membership level.
- Public-sector applications (NHS, civil service, councils) often use application forms with competency or behaviour questions — prepare STAR examples.
- A tailored cover letter is still common in the UK. See our cover letter guide.
Want a ready-made layout? Choose any template in the BuildCVFast builder, remove the photo, and set your location to the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include a photo on a UK CV?+
No. Photos are not expected in the UK except for acting, modelling and some presenting roles.
Is a 3-page CV acceptable in the UK?+
Generally no. Two pages is the standard. Academic CVs and some senior medical CVs are exceptions.
Do I need to include my GCSEs?+
Only if you are a recent school leaver or graduate, or if the job asks for minimum grades in English and maths.
Should I write "Curriculum Vitae" at the top?+
No. Use your name as the title. Writing "Curriculum Vitae" wastes the most valuable space on the page.
Is a cover letter still expected in the UK?+
Often, yes — especially for smaller employers and roles advertised by email. Keep it to one page and tailor it to the job.
BuildCVFast Editorial Team
This guide is written and reviewed by the BuildCVFast editorial team using current hiring practices, published employer guidance and official government sources where relevant. We update our guides regularly. Read our editorial policy or send us a correction.